Already in Kindergarten

We just went to Yosemite again last month--but Sachi is now a few years older, and reading & subtracting!
It made me realize that time is passing too quickly, and I have to start documenting before my own alzheimer's sets in. Sachi has turned into a responsible big sister, dedicated student, and has an unstoppable zest for life.  She is more amazing now than ever.  I love my little nearly toothless offspring.

My Muse

Sachi and Ayan have made it hard for me to take a bad picture. This picture is of Sachi frolicking near the icy water in Yosemite. Granted, it is also hard to take a bad picture in Yosemite.

I am inspired to learn photography now, and will be taking my first lesson with Anil's Pentax DSLR this Saturday.

It is time to dust off this four year old camera, and put it to some good use!

Sachi's first day of Preschool

Yesterday was Sachi's first day of preschool. In many ways, it was a testament to what we have been feeling for sometime...Sachi has grown up, and is very independent.

She left our house early yesterday morning with Anil who dropped her off. Upon getting to this new and unfamiliar place, she didn't look back, and hardly said goodbye to Anil. I picked her up at the end of the day (5pm), and the teachers were gleaming about how well she did, and were amazed at how confident, social, and comfortable she was.

While this marks a huge step forward for Sachi, I can't help feeling a trace of sadness in all of this. I just have to enjoy the fact that she still likes spending time with me. Who knows when that is going to change too...

This photograph is now what hangs in her cubby at preschool.

Princess & Ballerina Complex

Sachi wants nothing more these days than to wear a dress...and to be a princess or ballerina.

Every morning, she wants to put on a dress or tutu. Most days we have to refuse her request---but she still wears a dress with a skirt underneath it to create a full skirted look. She said she is able to spin better that way.

Now Sachi is enrolled in a ballet/gymnastics class, and has an annual pass to children's fairyland. I figure these are the two places she can wear a tutu and a princess dress, and get away with it.

Sachi's Great Grandmother passes away

Sachi's great grandmother, Vasundhara Patwardhan passed away at the ripe age of 93 on September 2nd, 2010. Fortunately, she and Sachi got to meet in 2009 in Pune, India. "Panji", as Sachi calls her, was very enamored with Sachi's carefree spirit, dancing, and soft feet.

Sachi's brother, who will be born in a few weeks, unfortunately will never get to meet a living great grandparent.

Here is some more information on Vasundhara Patwardhan, http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_vasundhara-patwardhan-passes-away_1432953.

She was an eminent Marathi writer, and had written many short stories, essays and radio plays.

A Brother-feeling more real

Today we did a 4D ultrasound, and got to see a better view of this little guy growing inside me. Unfortunately, he was not expecting company or an audience so he was sort of intent on relaxing--but the ultrasound tech tried desperately to wake him with pushing, prodding, wiggling, and pumping me with fruit juice.

Although he was not as active as we had hoped, we did see him moving around a bit, rubbing his eyes, and cracking a little smile. It was precious. Sachi, Anil, Reva and Maneesh and my Parents were here to witness the demo live.

Both Anil and Reva fear he may have what they term "The Nimkar Nose". This fear was also cast upon Sachi once upon a time, but her nose is just fine. Poor guy is not even born yet, and people are already criticizing!

Salon Toes

Sachi's tastes have quickly elevated.

She had her toenails painted for the first time by her grandmother(Aji) in San Diego a few months ago. We tried to get her polish right, but it quickly chipped and a few of the nails were not really perfect. So Sachi often complained about how her toenail polish was all messed up and chipped. So, I figured, let the experts handle it. I took her to the salon for a proper polish. In the past month, she has been to the salon twice. First she wanted pink nail polish, and more recently, she wanted a green with sparkles.

I have to admit, they do a pretty darned good job for $3 a visit--so it is one luxury that I am willing to indulge her with. Besides, her toes are so extremely cute! We enjoy the polish as much as she does.