Goodies

We got a package from our New York family today - a sweater and purse that my sister-in-law, Kate, made. We love handmade goodies! I am so impressed when people can make stuff like this - I would love to be able to. What a fun package of sweetness.
Sukhjot wearing her sweater and Satvinder wanted to make it look like the baby was holding the purse (another hilarious joke to Satvinder.)

Beautiful Day

Today was fantastic - full of enjoyment. It has made me revel in the gratitude of how my life has changed. There was hiking and perfect weather, baby smiles, yummy treats, relaxed visiting, positive encounters with strangers...just lots of really nice stuff. Tonight I got to watch Satvinder play with the baby in the bath - squeezing a sponge of water on the baby's tummy - while the baby grinned at her big sister.
Waking Satvinder up for school involved some sister snuggle time

And some snuggle time after school
Satvinder and Pitaji wrestling
Us girls with Liz

Happy Morning

THIS is what I wake up to in the morning. Today Sukhjot and I started our day at 5 am and holy cow...it was a beautiful early morning sight. She's such a smiley, delightful little thing.

Wedding Prep day

Satvinder is going to have a role in Liz's wedding next month in Austin. So today was about wrapping up some details around that. It is a happy occasion to be preparing for.
Liz and Satvinder making streamers for Satvinder's role in the wedding
Sukhjot - hanging out and being mellow

Visit from Liz and a Super Cute Monkey Hat

My long-time friend, Liz, is here for a few days and that is fun. Yay! Also the monkey hat I ordered off Etsy arrived today. Yeah...we are probably going to be seeing a lot of that monkey hat. Cuteness overload!

Look at those Cheeks

You know, the pictures don't even do her justice at all. But look at those cheeks.

Sukhjot is starting to grow her hair back now - sweet, little soft fuzz on top. She was born with hair but then lost a lot of it. Now comes this delightful head fuzz. Satvinder says, "She's such a funny, fuzzy head baby!"

Yep, she is.

Things I love

Baby Spit Bubbles
I don't know why but I just love baby spit bubbles. Sukhjot can even give herself a little goatee sometimes. Wonder child!

Smiles
Sukhjot wakes up smiling lately. It is awesome! Thank God...we really needed for somebody to be a morning person around here.

The Moby Wrap
Wraps and slings are fabulous things for baby carrying mamas who need their hands free. Sukhjot usually really likes being in the wrap but I've noticed that complete strangers sometimes don't like to see her in it. Sometimes people come up to me and start talking for the baby in a goofy high-pitched voice, "Please Mommy, take me out of this thing." Seriously. I'd forgotten how much attention you attract when you are holding a baby. It is like being a celebrity. And if you have a "baby in a pocket" then it is even more. I could do without the commentary but the Moby Wrap, itself, gets two thumbs up.

The Real Moment
Satvinder and I have been butting heads a lot lately. It has been really frustrating for her to have to let go of the spotlight and sometimes I am not as patient as I would like to be. She's a very persistent person and can maintain a tantrum for a surprising looooong time. It can be extremely emotional (and exhausting) for us both - even though, on the surface, it is almost always about something trivial. But what I love is the times when we finally stop and connect in a real way: when she realizes what she is really feeling (it usually isn't really about the tights she wants to wear or the sweets she wants to eat) and I realize that what she needs is for me to direct my focus and love to her. I am grateful for those moments of awareness - sometimes we have to unravel quite a bit but it is really nice when we finally get there.

Still a funny joke to Satvinder: putting stuff on the baby's head