Crazy Momma Me

I'm Pragi. 28, married housewife and mother of 1.6 year old Gnan, mostly mentioned on this blog as Baby G. I've lived all my life in protective boarding schools, hostels and then moved to work for a memorable 3 years at Google Inc. I married my high school best friend Padhu mostly mentioned as Daddy G. He's a highly will powered tall man with no tummy. I live in a joint family. 6 adults, 3 kids.

I visit temples along with both sides of my family but being with my loved ones makes me more happy. The label I take is aethist, but I sometimes do prefer the quiet from a temple. I've grown learning Carnatic music and it soothes me.

Having made a huge change in life from an independent girl to a daughter in law of a joint family, I haven't found my place in this phase of my life yet. I haven't made any attempt to make a life for myself here and it bugs me. I hope to do something about it soon. Either when I get the space to do so, or when and if Padhu and I move out.

I usually come home to my mum when I need the break. Quality time with my parents and brother makes me happier. My brother has just taken the bait recently. After years of boarding schools and hostels and a year in South Wales university, he just got home to take over the family business. Our hometown has a KFC, Domino's and a Cafe Day. Questionable brownies, pizzas and chicken strips make me happy. My husbands family is pure vegetarian. I don't get to eat eggs and meat while I'm there. So when I crave for something, I call my brother. He's my go to therapist, partner in crime and soon to be fitness guru.
Ive been writing on pragatha.blogspot.com since 2007. I'm highly opinionated about current issues. Indian politics is something I don't understand. A feminist by nature. I don't like how women are fighting for a place in this country, we are already on top - we just haven't found a way to realise it. I sometimes tell myself this on low days when I think I'm doing nothing in life.

I have a bunch of friends who live both abroad and in India. The best ones get in touch with me twice a year but it's like we've not missed a day.


This is me, Mommy G.

When everything else seems so teeny tiny weeny whiny

There are some beautiful moments like watching men handle babies. I for one enjoyed all those moments. I had no idea what had happened outside the labor room. My dad, my most loveable dad made sure I didn't miss anything. He videoed everything from the doctor peeping out the door and saying 'baby boy' to the nurse handing the baby to Daddy G and my family all ecstatic in their own way.

Watching Padhu and G bond is so beautiful. The initial days, he refrained from picking up the baby because he was too scared. He then slowly obliged and got more easy with him. Sometimes I wake up at night and see both of them sleeping in a similar position. Either both would have their hands above their heads or both would be face down on their pillows. I have photographed every one of them just to see how many I will have.

I admit in this forum that I played Gangnam style to my one month old son. Only because Daddy bear was dancing to make baby bear smile and he succeeded. Here's a picture of the two of them grinning after a Gangnam session. Life is beautiful!

Camera crazy.

Love spoils me. From everywhere around. Right from the time I was born I've been showered with loads of love. I'd always prefer a hug from my late grand mum to new clothing. Little things make me happy. There was a time when my parents had to be in the US for 2 months continuously and all I could do was count days until their return. They sent some luggage early and it had all our gifts. Poor things didn't realise customs had flicked literally everything. My brother got just one pair of shoes instead of three and no watches of all five. I opened all empty boxes with no watches and a clothes hanger with no clothing. We didn't bother. When my parents arrived the next week we cuddled for so long. I'm loved. I like to give back and when I give, I give my all.

My last birthday as a single girl, I opened a box and found a dslr. It's probably the most expensive present I have ever received but I loved it much more because it was something I wanted. Daddy G had sent it to me and I was overjoyed. We were then Engaged to be married and I promised him I would make so many beautiful memories with this one.

The camera is 4 years old now and has seen some beautiful moments. The funnest moments it has seen are my son's photo shoots. The iPad would play fast beats and I would dance to make him smile or at least look at the camera and click.. It was exhausting mostly.. But so much fun. P.S - never schedule a photoshoot with a hungry baby. They are cranky, moody and most of all - hungry.

Boys will be boys.

Everyday has been a surprise. Babies do such funny things. G has this habit of trying to remove his diaper when he's not in the mood to wear one. I've tried to chase him to get him to wear a cloth diaper and he just won't oblige. Boys!

Baby G ain't a big lover of drives. But when he's in the mood, he's always on his dad's lap on the wheel. It must be some inbuilt programme in boys.

It's so much fun to dress babies up. I've had loads of fun trying new stuff on G and his cousins. But boys have so little options, it's very boring. Checks, stripes, solids and BOOM. That's it. Boys have no other options. Here's what G made me do to him one fine day. I love you Gnan baby. But when I run out of clothes to put on you, my mind wanders.