Swimmingly well

Perth seems so long ago now, a month has flown past. For each visit, there's a tinge of nostalgia of 90's parties and crazy hair (man) and wistful wondering if we'll ever call it home. For now though, it's the week off work town.

We had gone to Perth to perform Sarva's sataysa pooja (naming ceremony) but for N, the highlight was the pool. And the iPad (sigh). Maybe the iPad first then swimming. Many nights passed with N's interest in all things Elmo and Night Garden and reading diminishing as the bright lights of touch screen iPad kept her awake. Sleep got delayed because of iPad games then even further delayed because of Deepti's phone, such was the hook of that evil iPad. We had even packed books for N to read. I suppose a book doesn't quite compare to a shiny lighty touchy thing.

The pool was the highlight for us, at least. N's more confident, Sarva as a first timer was comfortable after a couple of goes. N's jumping into the water, picking items off the bottom of the pool with her feet or hands and copying dada by swimming on her back and trying backstroke.


She tried getting back into the pool minus floaties once. A scientician that I am, I witnessed her go straight down, to her own surprise. I did catch her as soon as she went down. That'll teach her.
Naina really likes applying sunscreen (sum-scream?)

Deepti even managed a brief foray. Looking relaxed dear!

Sataysa

Sarva was born under Jyestha, a mool nakshatra, which is considered to be bad luck for the father's health. I found this rather dramatic explanation on the internet.

There are twenty-seven constellations (Nakshatras) in all some of which are considered inauspicious. A child born in the first stage of the 'Moola Nakshatra' brings destruction to his father, In the second stage- to his mother, In the third stage- to wealth and property. A child born in the fourth stage of the 'Moola-Nakshatra' though remains harmless but it is better if the rituals are performed for the pacification of this Nakshatra because it eliminates the fears and apprehensions that is generally associated with the name 'Mool-Nakshatra'. If a child is born in any of the following Mool Nakshatras, the pacification becomes mandatory to neutralize the ill effects.

As a consequence, we were advised a special prayer was required. A five hour prayer. With lots of accessories. I reckon like all good churches, the hindu church is a great untaxed industry, with patronage at the highest places.

Anyway, the ceremony proved to be far too arduous for us to organize in Melbourne on our own with two kids, as it had to be done on a set date, at a set time, with only certain North Indian type priests. So a trip was made to Perth at Xmas/New Year and Sarva's "sataysa" pooja was planned. My mum loves this stuff.

Deepti and I performed most of the rituals, but Sarva was required as a prop at some stages. He performed well. With the 40 degree heat, we lasted the five hours. And yes I am wearing a hankerchief on my head. Naina will never live this photo down.


As a pleasing break before the finale involving the "havan" we were doused in tap water. Refreshingly cold on a 40 degree day.

Sarva displaying his one pack

Mr Bean

Getting cool

Happy baby

Haavan ceremony (fire to left)

Taking advantage of the itinerary, we planned to have his first hair cut (mundan) in Perth. After last time, I had wanted to organize it in Perth at the Hare Krishna temple but was told they weren't very good at doing the whole head, so leave it until Sarva got to India. So this time, he also had a little bit cut off by his buas. The full shave was performed in early February in India and the hair taken to Devgarh near Patna, on the Ganges. Anyway, Sarva was more interested in bua's dupatta.


Sarva was five months old by this stage (yes the ceremony was that long), so we also did his first proper cooked food meal (Annaprashan) ceremony.

Think he fell asleep

It was such a long hot day, but worth it anyway. Even just for the ripped abs. And the multiple outfits.

Practice

So roll up Perth trip. Xmas day didn't feel any different to a normal workday. It's strange how quickly time flies in the rush to get to a flight that will probably be late anyway. The flight over went smoothly enough; Naina watched DVDs on her new player for an hour or so, stuffed herself on icecream and any food that walked past and Sarva slept fairly contentedly. Though Qantas gave seats without bassinets so Deepti had to hold Sarva for most of the flight.

I came home to an empty house and a vision of my life from Jan 21 onwards. Over the next six days I managed to:

• Eat KFC, Subway, Oporto, Nandos, Crust Pizza and Fish and Chips at least once and possibly twice. Don't worry, the Fish and Chips were cooked at home.
  
• Watch approximately 12 hours of cricket
• Spend two hours at the boxing day sales going to Good Guys, JB HiFi, Dick Smith, back to Good Guys, looking for KFC (at 10 am), Office Works, Chemist Warehouse (Panamax for 69 cents!) by which time I found an open KFC. Must remember to actually buy some electronics next boxing day.

It's gonna be a long three months.

Meanwhile, Naina was having a blast at the Perth Zoo. Her time with Pammie Bua (Prani) and Dada-zee (Dad) was the longest non-school related time Naina's been away from either one of us. Clearly she was missing us.

Attempting to make Sarva laugh

Naina throws the blankets. Sarva did not even attempt a laugh after the head lock.

Xmas eve

With the trip to Perth booked for 25 December afternoon, there was only one thing to do. Open presents on the 24th. There were a few surprises in store.

Imagine Naina's surprise when she got a vidal sasssoon hair curler!


The gruffalo sound book wasn't a big hit that day, now N won't let me touch it (cries of leave it, leave it, assertively).