The night before Christmas.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

in hopes that St. Nick would soon be there.



The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.




Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,



And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back.



His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!



His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.



He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Tiny Dancer.

It's been a while since I put up videos of Avinash here. He has been working on his dance moves. Here is a short sample.

Getting spoiled.

Avinash decided to take a trip back to Pennsylvania with Anuj after he came to Houston for Thanksgiving. He cried for about a minute when we said goodbye in the airport security line. Then, Anuj gave him his cell phone and he only looked back once to see where we were. He slept most of the way there on Anuj's lap. He was a ball of energy once he got home with Nanaji and Naniji. We told them we expected him to learn hindi by the time he came back. Well, even though his Pittsburgh winning streak is now over - he did learn how to signal touchdown. Which he did very proudly while he watched the game with everybody. He shared pizza and ice cream with my Dad. Baby definitely came home with chubbier cheeks and one pound heavier (that's a lot when you are 5%-ile!) I found out what it feels like to be on the other of the internet chat. I loved just leaving it open and watch him patter around the house, babbling and talking Nanaji on walks. He would even take Nanaji by the hands and lead him upstairs when he wanted to go to bed at night. Being to able to express his needs was a real breakthrough. He would also circle around the house, surveying everything. Climbed up and down the stairs. He tried to dangle his legs off the side railing, luckily my mom caught him doing that trick! And, he did puja with my parents, learned how to say jai jai. He went to an engagement party and danced the whole night.

I missed him so, so much. I was nearly jumping out of my skin when it came to pick him and my mom up from the airport.

Ryan even convinced the super strict airport cops to let us idle the car by the arrivals gate while I grabbed a cart and ran upstairs to wait for them. He was less than thrilled to see me though.
My fourteen-month old is not too young to show his mama attitude. How dare you abandon me for three days! He completely warmed up by the next day though.

Oh yeah, he also learned how to give out kisses on command!