Keshav is SIX months old

Keshav's four monthly birthday!!

Keshav has a chocolate

I had the first taste of a chocolate yesterday. Till now all I knew about a chocolate was that it is something that Papa wanted me to have, but Mummy forbade him to even bring it close to me.

"He is only 3 months old.. for God's sake!!!" she would say to Papa.

So as you can imagine, Papa did not dare give me a chocolate.

The trick happened through Kaku Dada. He was opening the wrapper of a mint flavoured chocolate and I decided to play my 'poor little deprived child with a longing face' look. And just as I had planned, he offered me a couple of licks!!!

Alas, I do not have teeth and hence had to settle for two licks only. But beware, no sooner do i get them, chocolates will certainly be my staple!!! Papa surely will have a lot more baggage to carry from abroad!!

Keshav holds a Rattle

Yesterday, I held a rattle in my own hands for the second time ever!!! See see...

I am soooo happy....

PS: The first time was a couple of days ago, but Papa did not have his camera around him so could not take the proof.

Keshav Ji meets Giriraj Ji...

Sorry for being away from the action for so long. First Papa had gone travelling, so there was no one i could talk about such things to. And then i was travelling, so there was no one to talk to Papa and tell him such things. And since I have been back, Papa has been terribly busy on some deal that he keeps talking about!!

Anyways, now we are both together and hopefully you will see much more action out here.

Few days ago I went for my first long drive and first proper temple visit. Papa was in Delhi, and alongwith Mummy we went to a place called Jatipura (about 150 km from Delhi and about 25 km from Mathura). This relates to the time when Lord Krishna (my namesake!!) lifted the Govardhan mountain on his small finger in order to save the entire village from the anger of Indra (who was angry on the village and pouring rain incessently). So Jatipura is the place where this happened and the Lord resides there by the name of 'Girriraj Ji.'

It took us about three hours to get there. In between, we had to stop for 10-15 minutes at a place as I had done potty!! Once again we stopped on the way, but this time at a railway crossing and I saw a chhuk-chhuk gadi chugging along at full speed. It was raining along the way in bits and pieces, and hence the weather was pretty OK too.

As we walked towards the temple, after freshening up at the dharamshala, I got a little scared as parts of the way were pitch dark. I just hung on to Papa and hoped he knew where we were going.

The final approach to the temple was quite narrow. Due to the rain, all the muck had gotten wet and had become more slippery than any slide one can find in any park anywhere in the world. We had to really balance ourselves and move ahead very slowly, for fear of landing on our bums and sliding our way right into the temple sanctorum.


When we reached, Jai-Jai was having the prasad. Hence there was a big covering around the area and all of us had to stand outside it. Soon the covering was removed and I could see the prasad... big big laddoos, pedas, petha, and so many more goodies. I can tell you, I have never regretted not having teeth till date as much as I did then. If only I had my teeth, I would have just dug them into the prasad.. My mouth still waters at the sight of the food!!


Anyways, we sat around for a while at the temple. Papa made me sit on his head so I could get darshan properly. They had dressed Jai-Jai in a white coloured suit and made him wear lots of jewellary. Now, I only thought girls wore jewellary. So I later on asked Mom and she said that even boys wore jewellary, especially in the older days. Hence Jai-Jai wearing them was not a problem.


All this while Mummy was on the other side of the temple, trying to stay away from the crowds a bit. She is not too fond of them anyways.


We left back for the dharamshala soon after the aarti was complete. I was so pooped that i fell off to sleep pretty much soon after hittting the bed.


Next morning was a whole new experience. As we reached the temple to do the poooja, I could not find Jai-Jai anywhere. First I thought he must be a bit late and all (maybe his Mummy did not wake him up!!). But then I saw people worshipping this black stone and even my Papa did pranam to the stone. I was obviously confused.

So then Papa explained to me that this was the same Jai-Jai as the one i saw last night. Only difference was that he was not wearing any clothes just now and hence I was not able to recognise him.

This confused me even more. What kind of a Jai-Jai sits around like a nangu baby? I thought only small babies like me did so!! Then Papa told me that this Jai-Jai was also a small boy only. And more importantly, we were going to bathe him.

"Now now, have you ever had a bath with your clothes on?", he asked.

I guess I did not have a reply to this, because I was suddenly less circumspect about the nangu Jai-Jai.

So then we bathed Jai-Jai with some milk and water, then wiped him clean (like my Mummy wipes me!!), made him wear some clothes and put a tika. Now he was looking like a good baby. Then we thought he might be very hungry as he had not eaten since morning. So we gave him some milk, jalebi and pedas.

Having done our bit, we decided to head back to Delhi. SO we quickly had our breakfast, packed-up and left for our long, rather uneventful ride back.

New snaps...

Hello friends...

Papa has uploaded some new snaps of mine.. check them out at

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/keshav.mohta007/album

Be sure not to miss my first ever snap.. I feel confused between a 'Jadoo' and a human.. but its a great snap I think...

Tell me what you think..

Keshav I remain..

Sunday morning there was this pooja for me and my Mom. They call it 'Suraj Pooja' as we are supposed to be praying to the Sun God. Pretty ok affair except that it is a tad too long. By the end of it I was so hungry and cranky, that people had to hurry everything up and release my Mom so she could take care of me.

Talking about the pooja, it was to start at 830 am or so. But the Pandit ji himself arrived fashionably late at some 945 am. By the time we got started it was 1030.. darn too late. This is exactly the problem I think – little respect for others’ time and even less for your own commitments, or maybe it’s the other way around.

Anyways, the highlight of the pooja was that it was to be my formal naming ceremony. The Pandit ji insisted that the name had to begin with one of 'Ga', 'Gi', 'Gu' or 'Ge'. Having gone through this process once before, the entire family was clear, fortunately, that there was no GaGiGuGe business happening here. The name was Keshav, is Keshav and will be Keshav. Thanks God.. I could not imagine another name.. Keshav sounds so so familiar and is so cool.. I mean, which other name could have so many meanings!!!

The Pandjitji, however insisted we had to give some names from each of these sounds.. oh sorry.. syllables they are, my Daddy tells me (though I think he is wrong!!). So there you go.. people started discussing and suggesting all sorts of names.. Here is a sample –

• Ga – Gajar, Gama…
• Gi – don’t remember…
• Gu – Guru.. now this is one I liked.. Guru Bhai.. would be fine if I turned out to be as successful as either of the Bhai or the Small B playing Bhai..
• Ge – Gera.. and none other than my Mom suggested it.. Just imagine.. While he is a nice guy and all (Dad's friend), but I don’t want to marry at 32!!!

Anyways, a combination of the suggestions and the Pandit managed to get me some birth names like Guru, Gama, Gerchand (now what is that!!!) and one more that I cannot remember right now.

The most innovative suggestion was by this cousin of my Dad’s (Basant Tau for me – Now does that feel old or does that feel old ;). He suggested that I be called G. Keshav with the ‘G’ silent.. hahaha..

The other interesting suggestion was that the G could be my middle name.. like Keshav ‘Gi’.. And then one could take a bit more liberties with it and make it like Keshav Ji.. Now that would seem quite ok, except that might make me seem a few dozen years more than I am.

Anyways, all of this is academic as my name remains Keshav… Keshav Mohta.

The evening was a dinner party for family and friends. Pretty neat except that it was a bit too cold. I started shivering as soon as I got there (which was fashionably an hour late ;). Did I say anything about respect for others’ time earlier.. Naaahhh..

So anyways, I felt rather cold as the aircon was a bit too strong. Got everyone into a tizzy and suddenly I was bundled into a warm room wherein I was wrapped up in some 5 layers with a blanket or two on top. Cozy and comfortable, I slept through the evening in a nice, rocking cot which was rather nicely decorated.

So do not ask me anything about the rest of the evening as I do not know. The day was action-packed and interesting. And I am still Keshav.. nothing more I could ask for...

Sorry Mom

Dear Mummy,

I am very sorry for my behaviour last night. I know I have kept you awake last night since 2 am. I also realise that you are still very weak and tired and need more time to recover.
Believe me, I try my best to not be a nuisance to you. But I am not ablt to control my actions beyond a point. For e.g. I have such a small bladder that every 30-45 mins it starts to overflow.

And then I become wet and start feeling icky!! That's a very irritating feeling. And anyways, you have always taught me about cleanliness and hygiene. So then I am forced to tell you to help me change.

I promise that as soon as I am able to start changing by myself, or when my bladder size increases, I will stop bothering you for nappy changes.

As for the "hungry kya" bit, I am really confused. I sometimes feel I am full in 5 mins. But then in another 5 mins I start feeling hungry again. Then on other instances, even after 2 hours I am not sure if my tummy is full!! This is so confusing!! Was it like this with you when you were as small as me?

I do not have a solution to this. Please help me find one so that I can reduce the trouble every night.

The last point is a general one. You know, I just feel like playing with you and talking to you at night. There is no one around, so I believe I can get some quality time with you. No noise on the road, no tv for you to watch, and no phone either. So then I think this is a good time when I can get your attention.

I guess you don't like it becuase it keeps you awake through the night. So don't worry. I will try to sleep also. If I don't feel sleepy, please call Papa or Dadi or Kaku Dada and they can play with me while you can catch up on some sleep.

Again, I am sorry for last night Mummy. I just don't know what happens to me at times (like just now when I am feeling like howling and wailing. Maybe I am just feeling guilty for last night :)

Chalo, now you please sleep a while, while I get others to take care of me.

Love you
Keshav

Busy weekend..

When I was inside Mummy, I would often hear them talk of the hectic weekend and wonder why a holiday should be more hectic. This weekend I got a bit of a taste of it. Had so many people coming over to see me (as against meet me), as if I am a display in the museum, that I was totally exhausted.

Saturday was relatively ok. All day I was able to do my thing and rest and relax. Towards evening, a couple of Papa's IIMA friends came over. The first was a bald, fat uncle with big specs. The aunty was pretty neat. Best part was that they also had a small baby, albeit not as small as me. This dude was quite agitated when his Mom took me in her lap. So much so that he started pulling me off ;)

Had to tell him - "Chill dude.. she remains your Mommy. I have my own. No need to worry!!"

Even that was not enough to cool him down. So, in the interest of World Peace, I decided to go back to my Momma's lap and end the turf war immediately.

The other uncle and aunty were pretty cool people too. They chatted with Mummy and Papa, said all the right things about me (so cute and so on :) and then left.

The other notable thing that happened that night was that my Dada arrived. But more about him in a separate note.

Sunday was such a tough day. Had visitors pouring all day long and in all shapes and sizes. Here's more about them -

Some were short and thin,
Some were FAT and round.
Some were quiet and sweet,
Others made lots of sound.
Some were relatives,
While others were a friend.
Some came just to see me,
Others to make amends.
Some came at decent timings,
Others came right on end.
And I didn't like some AT ALL,
Cos they didn't bring me anything.

Well, hope this gives you a good idea. I know this is pretty bad poetry, but please blame Papa for it. He doesnt seem to have any sense of rhyme. I am sure I will do a much better job when I grow up.

Enough for now. Time for susu and potty.

The next edition will be about my Dada, so do watch this space...

On Popular Demand

Some people have observed that my thoughts so far include a lot more of my Papa than my Mummy. I think there are two reasons for that – (i) It’s very difficult to talk about one’s Mother given that it is the most complex and indefinable relationship, (ii) Given my father is the link between my thoughts and you, I dare attribute some things to translation losses :)

Nevertheless, I shall over the next few days try to talk about my family. And I shall start with my mother, given she is the first person in any child’s life.

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My Mother’s name is Surabhi Mohta. She is very nice. She has two hands, two legs, two eyes, one nose and two lips. She is tall and thin.

She sometimes gets angry with me when I trouble her, but I know she loves me a lot. When she gets angry at me, she gets angry at herself for getting angry at me. I think this is very cute and funny. She gives me food every day. She also gives me a bath to make me clean and makes me wear nice clothes.

When Papa gets angry at me for being naughty, I run and hide behind my mother. She then tells him that I am only a small child and that he should not get angry at me. She also takes me for a walk in the park and sings to me when I am going to sleep.

When I go for my swimming lessons, my Mummy sits on the side and tells me to push harder. And then she claps with both hands when I come out after swimming. Then she hugs me and wipes me clean.

I love my Mummy. She is the best Mummy in the world.
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Well, in case you were wondering what this was, I just was tempted to see how I would write my first essay in school on “My Mother.” Coming back to my mother, I think she is a very nice human being. I have known her for nearly 10 months नोव. She has always taken care of me. When I was inside her, she would talk to me every day and ask me how I was doing. She would ask me what I did each day and tell me not to worry. That she would get me out soon.

She would eat lots of ice-cream because she knows that I like ice-cream. And also pizza…

Since I have बीन born, I can see that its been quite difficult for her. It is a whole new thing for her, just like it is for me. She is not able to go out. She has to be resting all the time. She is quite weak and tired. While she gets upset about the change in her life sometimes, she does not get angry with me ever. She is always smiling at me and ready to pick me up, hug me and feed me. At night, when I am being naughty and not sleeping, she puts me down next to her and plays with me.

She thinks I cannot understand what all she is telling me, but I understand every word. When she tells me she will get cute-cute chhota chhota shorts for me, I really like it. I think she is really great and will always love me and take care of me. I also want to grow up and take care of her.

So ladies and gentlemen, that is a glimpse of my Mummy for you. More as we go along.

Cheerio

Homecoming...

Was feeling a bit nostalgic this morning as I left the hospital for home. After all, this was the place where I opened my eyes to the world. But I guess one has to move on in life, and so I did without much of a complain or a bother.

The hospital stay was quite comfortable. Anyways I did not have to move an inch as I was being carried by someone or the other all the time. The nurses and maids were very caring and nice, but they were nothing much to write about. What I am surely going to miss are the House Doctors who were real PYTs. I wonder what kind of an entrance test they have to go through to be chosen as doctors :)

I came home around 10:30 in the morning or so. Dadi, Mummy and Papa were with me. Slept through most of the way, so do not have anything to relate about the journey.

At home I was welcomed by Chhota Dada who had put balloons all over my cot - chhota balloon, bada balloon and so on. It gave me a good feeling... thanks Chhhota Dada.

The cot itself was simple and pretty and was decorated real nice. People sure did a swell job at it. It has all these bunnies and other cartoons all around. I am told that Mummy got these bunnies for me. Think I am going to be friends with them.

Best part about the cot is its size.. It was so big as if it was not a cot but a playground. For the first time in six days I can stretch my legs and hands and not worry about hitting the side of the cot. See, I even got Papa to take a snap so I could show it to you guys...

I guess it is now time to enjoy this new cot. So while I catch forty winks, you guys have a good day and come back soon to hear from me again.

Papa needs a lesson

Today I gave my Dad a small dose of what he can expect if he does not give me the right attention and time.

Imagine, he was with me for a few minutes yesterday morning and then disappeared for the entire day, only to appear at some 4 in the evening. Then also, he did not spend enough time with me nor played much with me.

Then again, this morning he arrived a good 30 minutes later than his usual time. And worse, started speaking to someone or the other on the phone.

That's when I decided that enough is enough. I cried a little, knowing that would get his attention and looked beseechingly at him - "Please hold me in your hands and comfort me!!"

Sure as the sun rises, that got his attention and he picked me up and held me close to himself, talking to me and comforting me. I let myself be for a few minutes and enjoyed all the attention and then, with a straight face, let out a stream of 'susu'. He instantly realised that something was wrong as the cloth became warm and wet.

To his credit, he very calmly smiled at me and said - "Keshav.. susu kar diya!! Ganda baby!!"

He was lucky for his smile, else I was in half a mind to give him another treatment for calling me 'Ganda baby'.

Anyways, I was soon transferred to the maid who cleaned me up and wrapped me in a fresh cloth once again. Once again, I landed up in my father's lap and he started playing with me. This time I thought I should let him enjoy for a bit longer before giving him another dose of the months and years to come.

So after some 10-15 mins, I let out a big big fart..(almost as big as his i think.. I used to hear when I was inside my Mom, you see!!). Along with the fart came some potty as well and once again my dear Papa was smiling at me.

Guess he realised that I had planned it all along, because when I came back after the usual cleaning and changing, he instantly put aside all his gadgets and spent the next 30 minutes playing with me and talking to me.

For his sake I hope he will learn fast and hence will have less to suffer. Else...

An Introduction

Hi!! I am Keshav. Naam to suna hoga..

I am the Son of Surabhi and Nikhil Mohta and have come into this world with a mission. What that mission is, I am yet to find out. Since I still wanted to make my blog title a bit more interesting, I chose 'the Demon Slayer' as an add-on.

I am now precisely 3 days old. I arrived in this world on Friday the 13th (talk about timing!!) at 08:03 am, a few days before I was scheduled leaving my father hapless and stranded as he tried hard to make it to Mumbai and the hospital in time for my arrival (and in which he failed). After all, he didn't want me to tell him through his life that he wasn't around to see my entry!!

Anyways, do not want to take his trip too much as I need him to do a lot many things for me over the next so many years. And it certainly does not pay to antagonise the one whom God has appointed as your provider on this planet.

My entire family.. parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc are big fans of Lord Krishna (in my era there isn't much of a concept of a believer or otherwise.. hence fan!!). Hence, my parents decided to name me Keshav. I quite like the name. It is traditional and religious, yet is a cool name. It is not too long. That gives me hope that people will not break it up and make variations of it. In case you do not get the hint, the simple point is that you should not call me Kesu or Keshu or any such thing. I will not appreciate it.

Been around three days so far. Not done much except a bit of crying, lots of sleeping, some feeding and a bit of susu-potty. Alas, the hospital where I am does not encourage inter-mingling of the various freshers and hence I have not been able to check out the new babes. But rest assured, I am going to take every opportunity to check out the beauty that God has created, at the first available opportunity.

I have seen a lot of uncles, aunties, dadas and dadis come and visit me. Some have been getting me gifts too (these are the ones i like particularly ;). Some others have been rather the bothering kinds and want to take me out of my comfortable cot and inspect me from all angles, as if I am some object they are buying in the market. Fortunately the latter kinds are rare, and I am glad for that.

Have lots more to talk about, but that will have to wait a while. I am quite tired at all this right now and hence will sign off.

Cheerio and see you soon again.

Keshav