All the news that's fit to type....

Big changes around here this week! Kev is officially pulling up with some ease! Today I was typing an email to someone and noticed that I wasn't hearing banging, clanging, etc. I looked next to me and there's Kev, pulled up and playing with the "good" toys on the train table. And the best part is that when he wants to get down, he just lets go. It doesn't matter where he is, he just lets go and falls down. Ah, to have that much cushion with no nerves!

And, we can confirm that Kev has his first official word. It's Didi and it's because he loves Amiya just that much! It's not pronounced exactly deedee, more like eeeedeeedeee. Add a few more dees on the end if he's particularly excited to see her. He yells for her in the mornings if she isn't up when he gets up and bangs on the front door hastening her return when she's away at school.

In other news, Carters clothing line has just issued its' first ever line of ethnic teddy bears. View Indian Ellie:

She comes wrapped in her very own striking yellow sari with orange zucchini blossoms and green vines. A must have for every Didi. And if the Didi doesn't have her own sari, never fear, she can make one. A baby blanket wrapped around her and a scarf thrown over her shoulder and casually knotted make for a demure and dashing ensemble. Amiya has been battling another cold this week. It started off as a cough that seemed to be a reaction to running around in semi-cool, yet humid weather Sunday afternoon. Everything with this child goes directly to her lungs! Now it has turned into a definite cold with runny nose, glassy eyes and general unhappiness. Poor kid. She has got to get better soon or we're not hauling her to cold weather. Send healthy vibes our way, please!

She missed most of school on Thursday - we went in only for the holiday performance. You may know that Amiya lives for shows - I'm forever bellowing, "Ladies and gentlemen. Presenting the amazing, fantastic Amiya Clare show!" We play show daily. The poor girl couldn't miss her first chance to be on stage. I was set to be a mean, stickler Mommy and keep her home, but her teacher called and said we should really come in. So we did. Of the two songs, I think she sang four words. She had a serious case of stage fright. It was cute nonetheless. And I did get video of the little boy next to her picking his nose. If she ever dates him I've got the goods on him!

So you're probably wondering...

...what in the (bad word) is going on?

We have always had this blog unlisted on blogger, making it very difficult to find via search engines, etc. But, if someone left a slip of paper floating about with the address on it, anyone could type it in and get to read all about our lives.

Not that we're doing anything sordid or extra exciting, but if you follow the news lately, you know that there are a lot of sick-os in Florida lately and so we just feel it's best to be as private about this as we can be.

Blogspot has recently been bought by Google and with that comes the ability to only allow people to view the blog whose email addresses we have pre-approved. That's why you got an "invitation." I added your email address to the "approved" list so you can still stop by and browse when you're interested.

Unbeknownst to us, you have to create a Google account to be able to read here once your 30 day guest period is up. Harumph we say to that. But it's free, it's quick, it's almost as easy as kissing a baby. And if it means we all feel a little safer with our kids pics and information only being seen by those we know and trust, well then, we're ok with having you make an account!

So, you've got 30 days to be our guest, but then, according to the new rules of the land (in which we are merely pawns!) you must create a google account.

Thanks ever so much,
The Guptas

Update

Vinay is working diligently on the computer to check whether we shall drive or fly to Wisconsin in a few short days, so I thought I'd hop on this one and give you a little picture update of what we've been doing.


Those are no-good photos from trying to get a picture for a holiday card. We had fun, though. You'll have to wait for your card to see the good one!

My how I've changed as a Mommy. Once upon a time I would have felt terrible about sticking my child in a room full of baby-proofed toys and putting a gate up to keep him in. Now, not so much. He played happily in the playroom for about 45 minutes on Thursday while I cranked out a whole lotta stuff. He'd commando over to the gate every ten minutes or so and pound on it to make sure I knew he was there and then off he'd go again to regale in getting all the toys to himself for a bit.

That's all for tonight. Blogger won't let me upload anymore pictures. So.... you'll have to tune in tomorrow to see Amiya latest dress-up outfits and to find out if the Guptas will be driving to Wisconsin or flying the friendly skies!