Aryaan...a delightful journey

Travel ....brings with it the delightful responsibility of  baby sitting the grand children.We are passing through such a time now as Baby Aryaan spends his day in the care of his Thatha and Patti.


 I am down with the Pram in the morning to receive him from his Dad who after showering many kisses on the child hands him over. This is the

starting point of our fun filled journey through the day,as Aryaan leaps into my outstretched hands and I seat him securely in the Pram

He is wheeled around the building perimeter to afford him the opportunity of a morning stroll and exchanging a few words of greeting with Cats,Crows and occasionally Dogs on leash.He enjoys these outings along with an accompanying  commentary from the Grands inducing him to say...Hello Cat,Good morning Crow,Meow,KaKa, Bow Bow etc which of course he will not repeat after you.He will say "Thak" or "Bap" a mass noun to denote all and show his appreciation by way of flinging his legs and hand in excitement or watching them curiously.It is eyeball to eyeball mostly until the Cat or Aryaan gets tired and goes away.He meets many people on the way who "wish" him and want him to reciprocate but all he wants to do is to get a move on.At times it is embarrassing for the Grands but you'll have to take it in your stride and hasten lest he gets restless. 
  
After this morning exercise,it is time for his first Mum Mum of the day. Breakfast.Even as we take him out of the Pram,as he spots his breakfast bowl, he is all scream and holler to get his mouthful.By the time the Bib is tied and we are ready to feed he will bring the house down.We have done our Time and Motion study to see that the time lapse is minimized.He enjoys the mashed fruit and is in a happy mood to play after this ritual is completed.Morning Nap is next on the Agenda.                                
Every child wants to be carried.Younger the baby more is the need to enjoy this perquisite.There is great comfort in seeing the world around you from an elevated position.What is better than a free ride?

A baby that is playing suddenly gets bored/tired and seeing his Thatha doing nothing puts up its hands and cries,ready for the Carry-me-around-or-I-will-cry routine.So it is with Aryaan and I fall for it.

However,his Patti has found a way out of this.She lies next to him and pats him vigorously  and sees to it that he goes to sleep on his side hugging a small cushion.In spite of his whimper and cry he is sleeping in 5 minutes.
My way is to carry him for 5 min and then put him on the bed and sing a Lullaby such as "Twinkle Twinkle...";Both means are effective.

In about 40 min he is up and if nobody is around he lets out a wail to announce that he is ready for the world around him.He plays for a while until it is time for his lunch break or time to listen to his favorite nursery rhymes and/or read his book.

HiHo ,  HiHo..
On wings of song we Go
to distant lands
come join our Band
HiHo, HiHo, HiHo ....

Aryaan gets into the mood and starts clapping his hands and kicks his legs to the tempo of music.He thumps on the drum whichever way he can and enjoys the sound that comes out.Stopping the music invites his wrath unless I am ready with a book.

  Speaking of books,from the age of 6 mo, he has exhibited a great interest in the written word or shall I say pictures depicted in Nursery Rhyme or " Brown Bear Brown bear what do you see" books.Page after page you flip and there he is enjoying the pictures with a joyful glee and egging you on to repeat the process many times over.Delight to watch
 
Lunch next and he wallops it if it is timed properly i.e., if he has digested his B.F. and has had a good Nap.No stories are necessary.Otherwise,after a few spoons it is vigorous shake of the head,and then we go in circles trying out milk,cheese,fruit,chappati ...anything that he fancies

Play time,Milk time and Nap time follows and we are now heading towards his Bath time.After a quick clean-up with soap he is left to himself in his Ducky tub to splash around and play

with his toys.He also likes to play with the mug.I suppose we'll see many a game  as he grows out of his baby days and ways.Presently he is happy to leave the tub when we take him out and towel him dry.   

Now he is ready to face the outside world again.Off we go and follow the familiar routine of hobnobbing with the Cats and Dogs until his Mum comes to take him away from us.It is sad to see him go and the feeling is mutual judging by the expression on his face as he reluctantly leaves me for the day

How he  has transformed our lives ........