brand new couple

Presenting dear Gijo & Divya, the brand new couple

wishing them a blessed road ahead

unlikely toys

a real Bell

This is the first toy (after BabyEinstein from infant days), where sound is capturing her attention

K is all for it

and finally the lip service

I was playing with this MamaBear in '80. Courtesy of mom.  

morning school routine

.Mumbai suburb

Took a morning walk along the neighborhood, mostly dense colonies. Witnessed the morning school rush under a drizzling rain: dads dropping the kid, mom and kid waiting at bus stops; uniforms, umbrellas, raincoats..

kids taking leisure walk to school

Super heavy school bags (30+ percent of their body weight) are a staple sight. 

 Bags over 10-15% body weight, have been documented to causes back pains, vertebrae disk pressure, posture issues ...

here Mom is helping out with the bag

A two kid team saw me with camera & showed curiosity. 

Even before I asked their names, they were posing for photo. Sagar & Raj. 

Sagar wanted snaps in front of the mandir (temple). 

When asked "Which standard (class) are you in?" both could not agree if they are in same class or not. 

Raj, holding the umbrella, likes being in his Gaon (village). He says in mumbai he doesn't have open fields to play in. True.

TAL pending

Updates from Mumbai:
We came to India to attending Gijo bro's wedding in Kerala. It went very well by Gods Grace.

Tomorrow, Wed. 3rd Aug was supposed to be the day of our travel back to Boston, but we had to cancel mine and Kripa's tickets as I'm still awaiting clearance for my work visa.

Typically getting the work visa approved takes less than a week's time. At the interview, the officer mentioned that since I'm in a technical field, the approval would require additional processing and clearance from the Dept. of State in Washington. It is pending on TAL (Technology Alert List) check which consulate says, take 8-10weeks. The biotech field is one of the threat technologies & internet forum says average verification time runs around 35-45 days. So much for a vacation...

I was shocked and felt so helpless to hear this. I'm hoping things will move faster.

Dedicated to God

Today we dedicated Kripa to God at Park Street Church. As parents we completely depend on God for His guidance to bring up Kripa in the knowledge and in the fear of Him. We hope that Kripa will grow up to trust in Him fully.

 Pastor Bob McKenney giving the background

 Showing Kripa

 Our testimony

 Laying of hands

We know that she will be safe in the Fathers care

Few of our friends in the reception area

KripaViews from Month 8

teeth & more

These days Kripa is getting ready for prime time family meals: First bottom 2 central incissors popped out, now upper 2 lateral incissors are showing. I gave my finger as bait the other day, and she bit me with all her (jaws) strength, really strong, phew !

We are really enjoying, rather having a blast, with her. It is a blessing to see a baby grow & learn, first hand. Everyone of us are teaching her our own tricks & she is picking them well (except occasional mix ups).

K is also learning the ways of the world. Yesterday she refused to return me the (plastic) glass that I gave her, voicing her opinion louder & louder each time I tried to get it back. She can now interpret our body language & expressions,  and adapt her responses accordingly.