Early Learning

Anirud was standing at the window and was generally watching outside. As is common in UK, a young couple who arrived in a car stood outside the block of flats and did something that was more appropriate if it had been done indoors. Anirud saw that and when they moved a little bit away, he craned his neck to ensure that he got a good view of what they were doing. hmm.. that was a bit of early learning indeed.

Naughty

One of the easiest ways to manage Anirud was to leave the front door of the house open. He would stand right at the entrance, watching the passers by and often greeting the visitors of the other flats with a smile or cry, depending on his mood. Every few minutes he would come inside the house, check everything is okay and go back and stand at the door. Wanting to show that he is growing up, these days he has started walking out. Very often, he steps out and walks in to the verendah of the apartment. Since he knocks at our neighbour's doors, of late the front door of the house remains closed.

Cold

After several months, Anirud has caught cold. As it happens when he is not well, he dislikes food, unable to sleep properly and behaves in a cranky way. It would take a good 5-6 days to return to the normal cycle.

Trolley Mad

Anirud is so crazy about pushing the trolleys at the super markets. Whenever he is taken to super market, he insists on getting down from his buggy and wants to push the trolley. He doesn't mind whose trolley he pushes. The only trouble is that the trolleys are more than twice his height. Also, the vast space in the super markets gives him ample freedom to run around, and hoot at will that some one have to act as a steward to run behind him.

Away with the slippers

A lady was trying out new foot wear at the super market. Anirud, who was jay walking around that area found the slippers very attractive. He quickly went near her and ran away with her foot wear - one hand carrying one of her old foot wear and and the other hand carrying one of the new ones she was trying. Poor lady, she couldn't walk anywhere and it took a couple of minutes to rescue her things from him.

Yaayaii

'Yaayaii' is how Anirud pronounces 'yaanai' (elephant). This is the next sensible word he has spoken after 'amma'. The only other word in his vocabulary is 'baba' as in 'Ba ba Black sheep'.

Lo!

Having watched people talk over the phone, Anirud is mad over the phones. Apart from insisting on talking with anyone over the phone, he picks up anything (be it a wire, a toy, computer mouse etc.), gets that near his ear, tilts his head and says '..lo' (to be understood as Hello) assuming that piece of thing is a telephone.

Books Collection

Anirud's first book was the one that the local library gave when he became a member. He loved the colourful, thick paged book with huge pictures of babies doing various things. Now, he has got several books on varied topics like colours, shapes, objects and so on. Every now and then, he picks up one of those books, flips across the pages - something he loves doing, gives a quick look at the pictures and moves on. Anirud is yet to be taught that books shouldn't be stamped upon while walking.

Sixth Tooth

Thanks to the Whole Milk, which has become a part of Anirud's diet in the last few weeks Anirud has got his sixth tooth now. Whey heyyy!!

Climb & Fall

Anirud has learnt to climb up the sofa on his own. Learning to climb the sofa also means that he would stand on the sofa. Standing on the sofa also means that he would stand in the edge. Standing in the edge also means that he would have a free fall. But, a free fall doesn't mean that he has got his lessons right. The climb-stand-fall-cry cycle continues every day.

Talk

Trr.. la la lalala... va va.. mmmm.... prrrrrr prrrrrrrr ulliioiii ulliioiii ulliioiii.... hhhhhmmmmmmmm.. hhhhhmmmmmm.... amma.. ammaa.. baa.. prrrrr.... ulliioiii ulliioiii.. vaaa vaaaaa...

5th one.. the quicker one!

Anirud has now got his 5th tooth. Getting the fifth tooth is a little quick for his age (13 mths). Before that came out, he literally bit anything that was in his reach - be it a table or books or fingers.

Never walks...

Anirud has stopped walking these days. Most of the time he runs, often pushing himself a bit more than he could. When made to walk on the grass, he stumbles but nevertheless balances himself and carries on, which is a treat to watch.

Bat & Ball

Anirud indicated in the best possible way that he needs a bat & ball. When he could get his hands on the spatula, he was treating that as a bat and found an orange for the ball to play with. Very soon, he would be getting a new bat & ball to fiddle around.

Nemesis

A half foot robot that Anirud got as his birthday gift is his current nemesis now. He do likes the robot, but only when it is muted. When it is switched on, the sound scares him a little bit that he keeps away from the path on which the robot walks or better still he pushes that away so that the robot doesn't come anywhere near him. Funny to watch him push the toy & run away from it.

Hide & Seek

Hide & Seek seems to be Anirud's favourite game. Even when he is just about to doze off, one could pull him into the game and he'll enjoy it like anything. This little blighter gets cleverer with each game that these days, he skips all the easy hideouts and checks out the more tougher ones. He even makes a quick check through the door gap before deciding whether or not to enter a particular room.

Ayushomam

Anirud's ayushomam went on well at Mahalakshmi Narayanar Temple in London on Sunday, 7th May. Throughout the homam, Anirud sat quietly without being cranky of any sorts and he is indeed happy with the presents he got that day.

Growing up phase

Anirud has started learning to be adamant these days. When he doesn't get what he wants, he rolls on the floor crying. Though he soon learns that he is not being given into, he continues to do it when he doesn't gets his next thing on his wishlist. Sure sign that he is growing up.

Happy Birthday Sonny!

Toys R His

Anirud got a car load of new toys over the weekend. He was taken to 'Toys R Us' - one of the biggest toy shops in the world and was given a free hand to choose whatever that pleases him. He is expected to spend the next few weeks in actively using & dismantling them - not necessarily in that order.