Manu's World

I wish a had a "pause life" button I could push to really take in my favorite moments with Manu. He's growing and changing everyday. It's happening all so fast, I worry that I'll forget the perfectness of him right this moment. We're quickly approaching the 9 month mark which means his first birthday is just around the corner. Jeez.

I hope to share the following with him someday when he asks: "What was I like as a baby?"

Manu hearts:

• Food: This kids eats EVERYTHING. Riz jokes that we're going to end up on Maury with a 200 pound toddler. While I don't think he'll have any weight issues, he does have a full blown love-affair with food; any food. When we first introduced meat last month, I thought we had discovered something he'd turn his nose up to. Nope. He also loves some very un baby-like food including daal and rice, brown rice and seaweed, and Ezekiel bread with almond butter. Also, unless you plan on sharing, you cannot eat in front of him. Poor Aunt Sameena learned this the hard way when after a long day of work she sat down on the couch next to Arman with her chicken pot- pie. Manu gave her an ear-full until she handed over some of her filling. Of course this was after he finished his own dinner.
• Michael Buble: Faheem introduced Manu to Michael Buble during his visit to Pittsburgh in July. He's been hooked ever since and we spend a little time each afternoon dancing to his favorite, Everything. His face completely light up as soon as he hears the first couple of notes.
• Women: He's a shameless flirt. He bats his eyes at the check-out girl at Whole Foods, the bank-teller at PNC, and the ladies behind the cutting counter at Jo-Ann Fabrics. While he'll goo- goo and ga-ga with anyone who gives him the time of day, he's particularly fond of blondes. Just yesterday, he fell in love with a (blonde) bride-to-be at Kate Spade after she asked his opinion on a pair of shoes for her wedding party. Smitten! Oh, and if you can sing too, you're golden.
• Ladybug: His continued fascination with ladybugs is endearing. Ladybug became a favorite (his and ours) when we discovered that by dangling her from the car seat handle we could get through through a car ride quietly and with our sanity still intact. Love her!
  

Manu says "no thanks" to:

• Shopping: Manu has little patience for shopping. I have a good 15 minutes in any given store before I have to whip out the fruit leather as a distraction. He's considerate enough to warn me with a little fidgety-ness and a disapproving whine. Those are my cues to get a move on. If I wait too much longer he starts trying to back-bend his way out of the cart; his fruit-leathered face pout-y and determined. We're a real sight in those moments. Regardless, I will continue to shop with him. I love it enough for the both of us.
• Pacifiers: I've tried them on many occasions and he refuses every time. He'll hold it , look at it for a bit and then cast it aside. I thought babies love pacifiers. Instead, he sucks on his right forearm for comfort. Whenever he's ready for a nap he'll prop his left hand under his right elbow and bring his arm to his mouth and suck until he falls asleep. He's a true self-soother.
• Bottles: He used them until he was about 3 months old. Then, no more. Like the pacifier, he flatly refused. I tried to get him to use it, but quickly grew tired of the struggle and gave up. Turned out to be a great thing. He took to the sippy cup like a pro so we just went with it. One less thing to take away from him later.

Hmm. Can't think of anything else he really can't stand. He's a good-natured little thing. When he's had it, I find it to be pretty justifiable.

It's such a joy to see him to continue to develop and express his likes and dislikes. He's not only our baby, he's really his own tiny, little person. Incredible.