Independence Day

Noticeably taller, we begin a new year with that slap-in-the-face feeling that our baby is growing up too fast; gaining opinion (as is she didn’t have one before) and independence. Signs of this are popping up everywhere.

We used to sing “de-EV-eee, Devi Baby” in the shower and if we do this now she will immediately correct you, “I am not a baby”. To resolve this issue, we now sing “de-EV-ee, Devi Darling” which seems to have done the trick. Family shower sing-a-longs are still a favorite past time with “Shake Your Booty”, “Joy to the World”, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds song with the words slightly changed to “Wrap Devi Up, I’ll Take Her” the songs we sing most often.

She has become a great help in the kitchen. Last night she used the biscuit cutter to make our doughy cheese biscuits, placing them neatly on the baking tray, all by herself. I was amazed at how well she followed direction and how little supervision she required. As they baked and I was working on another part of the meal, she supplied two pot holders and placed them on the oven handle unprompted. She told me they were there so that I would be “all-set”, once the timer went off, declaring them done.

Buttoning things and socks still are a bit difficult, but for the most part she now dresses herself. Pajama’s, princess panties, pants, shoes, coats and mittens seem to be mastered and along with this honed skill comes a very strong opinion as to each specific article of clothing she would like to wear. Devi also possesses a strong desire for things to match. I am usually a multi-colored girl at all times, so I think this trait must come from her father. If given the choice, the girl would wear a dress everyday of the week, preferably with tights, but I think this may stem from long ago when someone at preschool said princesses only wear dresses. Although we stressed that she is a princess every day and that princess qualities come from one’s heart, she still is convinced that attire has something to do with it. If a tiara were available, she would most likely wear one even to bed.

Blessed with the kindest of souls and extremely sensitive of others’ feelings, Devi is forever consoling others, giving pats on the back, hugs and kisses and lately has started calling us pet names like Hun, and Sweetheart. She loves to ask, “How was your day, Hun?” when I pick her up in the afternoons, which is so darling it is hard not to bust a gut when I hear it each day. She talks so much like a grown up at times it floors me. “Aww, the baby is soooo cute” she’ll utter in a raised forty something year old mom voice just like I would talk about a friend's baby.

For the past couple of weeks, when I arrive at preschool she is holding the hand of not one, but two little boys. Innocent as it may be, they appear to be approaching her, which I’m not sure is reassuring or not! And, of course, hugs must be doled out when she leaves along with goodbyes to friends, some of which are not even in her room. This is really of no surprise, as she still is quite friendly and greets complete strangers wherever we go. She has begun to ask them very personal questions. What are you doing? Who are you? Why is (insert item) in your shopping cart? Why are you wearing that? Whose daddy are you? and various other interrogating questions can pop out of her mouth at any given moment. So far, most tend to be polite with our precocious child and find it cute. Meanwhile I am turning various shades of pink as I correct her and apologize profusely.

Hanging on the handles of the refrigerator one evening and growing impatient for me to get her something to drink, Devi discovered she now possesses the strength to open the doors of our side-by-side all by herself. This may not sound like that big of a deal, but to a string bean standing 36” tall this is like scaling a tall building in a single bound. She has worked on mastering that task for months and is quite proud of her accomplishment. Devi kept opening and closing the doors and yelling “WWWoooowwwww!, mom look!” It was priceless and yet one more reminder that she is no longer a baby.

In typical story time fashion, beginning with “Once upon a time...” and ending with “and they lived happily ever after” we have told made up tales to Devi as she would sits on the toilet. Those times have now been replaced with her saying “Mom, let me tell you a story....” Role reversal on the toilet. My how times have changed. Thankfully her tales are imaginative and short.

The clincher came recently during our new years clean up mission. We were finally labeling some tapes from the video camera and came across images taped when Devi had been home only a few weeks. It was then that it hit me how much growing, maturing and changing have happened since September of 2007. Devi was astonished too. “Is that MEEE?” Yep, the curly topped little giggling bundle taking those first wobbly steps was her. The images that made her laugh out loud, dropped me in my tracks. When did this happen? Did I blink one too many times? When did she go from 6 month clothing to a 2T? or from size 2 in shoes to a 7? When did her babble become words? I instantly realized that the ole cliche is true! They really do grow up over night.

Still in a state of shock, I have made that internal vow to keep my eyes wide open from now on....until we label the next set of tapes during another new years clean up and I feel, once again, that sting of new found independence on my cheeks one more time.

Just a Healthy Dose of Pirate Spray

Containment being a key feature of a crib, we have been reluctant to make the transition to Devi’s “big-girl” bed. For whatever reason, however, Devi has recently taken an interest in taking this step. It might be because much of her conversation these days revolves around the fact that she is going to be a big sister and with this comes the need to free up the crib for her sibling.

This sibling news, spoken as if it is going to happen tomorrow, comes as quite a shock to some who don’t know that we have been in process to adopt a second Indian princess for over a year and a half; and to those who are aware of this tumultuous journey, spurs them to question if we have received “news” of which we unfortunately have not. In any case, Devi is convinced that her sister is waiting in India for us to come and get her, and so she is preparing herself to be the best big sister she can by asking the important questions...Can I hold her? Can I kiss her? Can I share my toys with her? Can I feed her? Can I sleep beside her? These welcomed conversations come often and are always genuinely sweet.

With this in mind, on January 1st, Devi asked if we could put up her big girl bed. We’ve held off for months, but felt this milestone was a good way to start the new year, as just a year ago, January 1st, she began wearing princess panties; no more diapers.

Together, the three of us took apart the crib, thoroughly dusted and vacuumed the vacated room, and directly on the floor, positioned the box spring and mattress, donated by my sister, in the spot the crib once occupied. Adorned with the hand-me-down quilt sewn by Devi’s namesake, her great great Aunt Rose, and with all the various stuffed animals, security objects and blankets in place we declared the transformation done. Devi was thrilled, immediately trying it out to check fit, cush and comfort. She was so proud and somehow, knowing that two of her cousins also slept in this bed makes it extra special!

Night one. She asked if we could have story time, lullaby and prayers in bed, rather than in the rocking chair as we usually do. Great! It seemed that this transition was seamless. On cue, her thumb had taken it’s sleepy time position in her mouth and pokey, her blanket square had miraculously wrapped itself in it’s special folded way around her hand with a furry part on her nose, and silky part between her first two fingers. Kisses and the closing of eyes was all that was needed to complete our night time ritual. But, this didn’t happen.

I’ll be the first to admit that we have been blessed with the easiest of children to raise thus far, which does make me more fearful of her teenage years, but suffice to say, she has waltzed through infancy and toddler milestones practically raising herself. Sleeping, feeding, talking, babysitters, potty training, entering preschool, vacationing - have all come naturally (knock on wood) while we, the first time parents have watched and...okay, have probably taken some undeserved credit for.

On this night came the “stall” of questions, whines and cries. Finally exhausting all her efforts, I made it out of the room, closed the door and listened as she whined a bit. Then she screamed out “mom” and although I thought I might have been manipulated, I went into the room, more to check that she was still in bed than anything. I settled her down, tucked her in and left the room. Somewhat baffled, I was unsure of how to handle this new development. Gone was my lights out 7:30pm to 6:30am kid, and because she has always been so easy, we never learned how to handle real sleep issues. In the course of one evening we had gone from old pros to inept parents.

Night two came on an evening we were entertaining friends for dinner. I was encouraged because our guests did receive a Devi guided tour of her new bed, complete with test drive. Devi was an absolute pill through dinner, however, so when lights-out time came, I decided to take the tough momma approach and not enter the room if she fussed. Although whining a bit when I closed the door, I knew that she would momentarily drift off. This did not happen. After a good 15 minutes of crying, I heard the intonation change in her cry and decided I needed to get things in check. I entered the room and raised my voice, in that tough momma tone, that it was night night time. I was surprised to see that she was out of bed, crying real tears and throwing things. Oh boy, I flubbed-up! She was truly scared and needed me. Feeling awful, I took her into my arms, calmed her down and eventually got her back in bed. As I was rubbing her back, she looked up at me and asked between those almost crying gulps of air, “Momma, is it okay if I close my eyes?” Melt my heart, poor baby. Okay, so now feeling massive guilt, I’ve given her reason for life long counseling!

The next morning her first words to me were , “Momma, I’m sorry for my bad behavior.” I apologized for my bad behavior too and cuddled together, we had a long discussion. I discovered that she does not want to bring the crib back but has two big fears; the dark and pirates. The dark is understandable, the reason for her night light, but pirates? It turns out, in passing, she witnessed part of a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean at a Best Buy store while shopping recently with daddy and it has definitely stuck with her. E-gads, pirates, pillaging and turning into skeletons, how do we dispel that?

Third night, we tried leaving the hall lights on and door open, with not much improvement. At this point, I doubted that even bringing the crib back would solve our pirate issue and I was silently praising parents of children with sleep issues because I do not possess the patience required for this on a nightly basis. Even after a long conversation about how pirates are really just daddy’s in Halloween costumes, she was still frightened and unbelieving.

Fourth day. I had another long talk with Devi about the big girl bed. She insisted that she did not want the crib back. Okay, onto plan B. Daddy, Devi and I entered her room in the early afternoon and I explained that all mother’s have cans of invisible monster and pirate spray. At first she shouted, “No, no!” until I told her it is a repellent and keeps them away forever! I passed a can of spray to her and daddy, we each gave them a good shake and together we gave her room a healthy dose, laughing and even spraying each other along our way. In the closets, around the furniture and in the drapes we sprayed until she was sure we had hit every spot. When bedtime came, we negotiated leaving her India hanging light on until she fell asleep and that was that. Absolutely no fussing! One last final kiss, closed the door and silence...I got my girl back!

Update! Tonight there was a bit of fussing...15 minutes max and she is now snoozing away!

Mortimer Moves In

Christmas 2009

On tiptoe, peering through the sea of pews and rows of heads, she spotted us – her parents – and waved with her beautiful brown hand in a flurry of excitement. In fact, in the span of about 15 minutes she checked several times to see that we were still watching, each time casting small glittery reflections in the chapel as the sparkle of her holiday dress caught the light of the alter candles. This was our Devi during the children’s sermon, where all the little ones were called to the pulpit to receive a Christmas Eve message at the candlelight service. I have witnessed that waving cliche a number of times in my life, but had never allowed myself to think that one day a child might search the crowd for my proud face. Each time we experience one of these precious moments, it is a treasure. Amongst the giggles of those sitting near us, we witnessed this gentle and innocent reminder that we are a solidified family. A unit. We wonder, on that Christmas Eve, as we sat and prayed in the sanctuary, if our family might be blessed one more time in the coming year. This is our Christmas wish.

At the holiday party we hosted

Later in the service, after one small wiggly attitude adjustment in the foyer, Devi proudly held her own lit candle and belted out Away in a Manger and after extinguishing it's flame in a single breath, sang Joy to the World, both hymns that she has recently mastered. After a full day of anticipation, our traditional clam chowder dinner, gift exchange and church with Oma, Devi, twitching in exhaustion, gave up the day home bound and bundled in her car seat. In a deep sleep, with not so much as a sigh, we transitioned her from car to crib.

Santa's cookie tray

Discovering Mortimer

Awakening on Christmas morning, I could hear daddy and Devi having their good morning conversation. First out of her mouth was, “Where is mommy?” and second came, “Did Santa come and fill our stockings?” It was nice to know I still got top billing! As in previous years, she paused at the nativity to sing happy birthday to baby Jesus and then galloped out to the living room to witness a bit of Christmas morning magic. With a breathy Wwwoooowwwww!!!!! she found the empty plate where cookies for Santa once lay and her stocking overflowing with treasures. Sticking right out of the top was the little white mouse she had wished for. Devi quickly pulled him out, hugged him, kissed him on the nose and uttered, “Awwww, cute little guy!” Promptly pronouncing his name to be Mortimer, she wrapped him in Pokey, her security blanket, and for her, Christmas had come.

We both got slippers!

Our budding photographer telling us to say "cheese"!

Wallowing in our jammies until the very last second, we exchanged gifts, played games, cuddled, listened to music and ate a wonderful breakfast made complete by our neighbor Carol’s freshly baked coffee cake. She alone is personally responsible for adding a few pounds to each of our waistlines this year. Then after Devi’s nap we headed to Papa and Gail’s, their house full of extended family, for turkey dinner with all the trimmings. This is the first year, since my mom passed away December 8th, four years ago, that my dad felt comfortable putting up a Christmas tree in his home and it felt good to renew this old tradition. Most of the family is now grown, but with Devi, her cousin Jake AND Aunt Obie’s newly adopted kitten present, the excitement was kept at an ear splitting level all evening as they chased that poor animal from room to room.

Throughout the holidays, I am loving the selfLESSness and selfISHness of being three. Tenderly Devi watched others open gifts with as much excitement to know what was inside, as when she opened one tagged for herself; an innocence that I hope sticks with her as she ages. Discovering the wonderful feeling that comes with giving and receiving for the first time, I enjoyed watching as she eagerly blurted that she had made the recipient a bar of soap, before they could even make their way through the mound of tape enclosing the home made gift she had wrapped herself. Her genuine thank yous and you're welcomes came without prodding, making Pat and I feel like some of our parenting has rubbed off. It was a wonderful four days of celebration, preparing us to say our final good byes to this year and welcome the next 365 days of parenting adventure.

Devi's first time making Christmas
cookies with Oma.

This year's Christmas funnies.

1. Mommy, if we get up and Santa has not come, do we have to go back to bed?

2. For Halloween next year, I can go as baby Jesus and you can go as Mary. Daddy can be Joseph.

3. For Halloween next year, you can be Eve, Daddy can be Adam and I can be the apple because I don't like the snake.

4. Mommy, when I grow up, I'm going to be a dentist. (After watching Rudolph about 100 times)

5. I'm Hermie, daddy, you are Klondike Cornelius and mommy is the bomb-able snowman.

6. Her favorite game is to have us sing the wrong words to songs and try to trick her. IE: Harvey the green nosed lemur, had a very sticky tongue. She corrects the words and then says, "Mommy, you are silly".

7. Mommy are you a ma'am? Daddy are you a surw? Mommy are you a gurw? Daddy are you a boy?

8. If I had a nickel for every time she asks, "Why was there no rooms in the inn?"

9. She calls the grinch the grump

10. We still shout "Christmas Lights" whenever we see them and to her that still includes fast food signs.

Candy Cane = Magic

After last years trip to sit on Santa’s lap, a near disaster, I had been carefully orchestrating this years attempt, in an effort to avoid any drama. Stopping to interview the photo takers over a week ago, I drilled them on Santa’s break time, length of lines in relation to time of day and got what a sleuther would call the “low down” on the situation. With my facts collected, we planned to go see Santa on Wednesday after work, before the dinner hour and before school lets out for the holidays, however Devi has had a cold and was all stuffed up with puffy eyes and red nose and we didn’t want anyone mistaking our beautiful angel for Rudolph :) We decided to see what Wednesday would bring.

Wednesday, after work, found me holding my slightly wilted sweet pea as she told me that she did not feel very well. I tested her by reminding her that we had planned to see Santa, but if she was not feeling well, we could go tomorrow. “Oh no, mommy. I’m feeling much better now”, was her reply which was the signal to pull the trigger on our plan.

She and I dashed home, brushed hair, changed clothes and grabbed a snack to eat along the way. Meanwhile daddy drove from work to Santa’s to hold us a spot in line. In route, Devi and I belted out Christmas carols to ensure that she stayed awake because driving in the dark is like a drug to her and with daylight savings time comes winter darkness at about 3pm here. Along the way the excitement grew and with it came a litany of questions for Santa now that Dev is old enough to comprehend this whole Santa business.

1. Where is Misses Claus?

2. Will Rudolph be guiding the sleigh this year?

3. Is our house the first stop?

4. What are the elves doing?

5. Is our chimney big enough for him?

She was determined to ask them all.

Joining daddy second in line, we were all set with cookies for Santa in hand. It appeared that the stage fright she suffered from last year had completely matured into steadfast confidence and determination. With no more than 5 minutes of waiting time, the red velvet rope was drawn back to clear our path to Santa. It was her turn!

Devi, with a spring of excitement in her step, marched right up, her arm extended revealing the cookies. She promptly and politely handed them to Santa, pivoted in her shiny black patent leathers and with all four of her extremities put a death grip around Pat’s knees. Oh boy! Here we go. Pat and I went into pleading parenting mode trying our darnedest to get her to acknowledge the big jolly guy who was extremely patient and kind. Devi was not budging...UNTIL Santa reached into his wonderfully magic bag and offered a tiny candy cane.

Now I don’t know what special ingredients might be used in making candy canes at the North pole, but they must possess some Christmas magic because our daughter transformed in an instant simply by being offered one. Releasing her tourniquet grip at Pat’s knees, she stood, smoothed her dress and carefully walked up to Santa and asked to sit on his lap! Once taking possession of the sweet treat, our boisterous daughter back into the chatterbox we know and love. The two of them ended up having a very nice re pore as she very clearly explained that her behavior has been excellent and that she was hoping for a white mouse on Christmas morning. I think Santa has it covered as he gave me one of his all knowing winks and a smile. I was relieved when he brilliantly ended the detailed questioning before she could specify whether she was referring to a LIVE mouse!

She managed to ask about Misses Claus to which Santa told her that she is the head honcho at the castle when he is away on business. She makes sure the elves make toys, because they would really like to just eat candy canes too. Devi gave Santa two giant hugs, shook his white gloved hand, said Merry Christmas and told him to “fly safe”!

Thanksgiving 2009

There is nothing like the sound of little bare feet slapping the moist sand of a tropical beach as they charge the surf. Throwing her arms in the air, she chants the words Puerto Vallarta numerous times; the announcement that we have once again arrived!

Another Thanksgiving spent in the warmth of the Mexican sun was so therapeutic. A nice break from the prelude of the holidays and a time to reflect on our many blessings, one of which was the opportunity to spend this week of R&R with Pat's brother's family and his mom. Devi was ecstatic to have two of her young cousins to play with for a whole week along with her Oma, aunt and uncle, whom she named the Big Silly on this trip.

She chased this poor bird up and down the beach.

Chopsticks in the dark!

Beyond daily fresh guacamole, and chilled champagne, better than Verde sauce on scrambled eggs in the morning and desserts every night; even surpassing the unbelievable massage and gorgeous nightly sunsets, was the snorkeling experience I had with my three year old. Her first time!

Tearful over the realization that fins and mouthpieces were not available in her size, we managed to get her goggles on and tackle the internal struggle she was trying so desperately to overcome; whether to stay in the boat or brave the open ocean. In the end, her adventurous spirit came shining through and into the water we went to join our boat full of bobbing counterparts. I convinced her to put her face into the water long enough to see a glimpse of the colorful tropical fish that were lively and abundant. That was all it took. She was hooked and loving this adventure.

With no body fat to speak of, she quickly began to shiver, but our outing yielded several "whoo-hoo, fish!" shouts from her before we turned and swam back to the boat. All the adrenalin and energy burned blooping exhausted my little monkey and with life jacket still in place and her towel wrapped burrito style around her little body, she quickly fell asleep. In fact, she never stirred once from my arms to the captains to make the transfer from catamaran to dingy, then back to me for the short ride to shore and then from my arms to the captain's again as he waded her from thigh deep water to shore and into the comfort of a lounging chair. I wish I possessed the ability to nap like that!




The glorious sun was very generous, but we did encounter one nasty day of rain. Not a mist or refreshing shower - we experienced a true downpour in every sense of the word. In a place not used to this sort of deluge, the gutterless grounds were quickly overcome with water and swamped. We happened to be eating at a Japanese restaurant at the time; the only one on the premises that is not open air. About half way through the meal, Dev announced she had to use the rest room. I took her. While assisting in the stall, the restaurant lost power leaving us in complete blackness in the ladies room. We were both very quiet for a few seconds and then out of the darkness, the tiniest of voices said, "Mommy, why did you turn out the lights ?" When I said we lost power, something she has never experienced before, she very calmly said, "Oh" as if she understood the idea of electricity. That is my roll with the punches kid. We managed to feel our way out of the rest room where emergency generators had kicked in to help light our way past the dripping light fixtures to our table. All three little girls managed with chop sticks pretty well as we finished our meal in candle light which was really quite nice.



Over way to fast, the trip was a huge success. The children were good buddies the whole time becoming water logged with raisined skin to last a lifetime by weeks end. Olivia, the oldest asked if we could live there all the time! I guess that says it all. We all got along so well and enjoyed our time in the sun, only to return to temperatures in the teens at home. That has been an huge adjustment. Our skin, bronzed by the sun's rays, is covered in layers for warmth, with just a tiny bit of it's intensity lingering deep in our soul's. We are all hoping to hold onto it through the winter, until our next trip to paradise!

Once again we say farewell..sniff

Three Is A Magic Number

What am I thankful for at this time of Thanksgiving? No words necessary. Here is a glimpse of the girl who fills our days as she turned three years old. Never at a loss for words, witty, charming, and caring with a sprinkle of feisty, and strong will to give balance.

Today she asked daddy, "Daddy, when I grow up to be a big girl will you be my husband?" Which was quickly followed up with, "Mommy, I'm gonna be your daughter forever, okay?" You got a deal babe...you got a deal!

Goin' On A Lion Hunt!

A Safari through the Ross Jungle began at 10am last Saturday, when 15 of Devi’s closest three year old friends embarked on an animal hunt that with any luck would lead them to a lion sighting. To ensure everyone knew what sort of lion we were hunting for we began with a craft, constructing lion heads out of yellow paper plates. A little glue, paper circles and triangles, googlie eyes and lengths of furry string to make the lion’s mane and each kid was set to begin. It was pretty much instant mayhem as the adults tried to guide and direct the tots to make the lion head just like the sample I had made, when clearly the children were far more artistic and could “see” their own lions in their heads. They did a great job producing a whole pride of wonderful lion faces, each one unique and expressive.



With pith helmets atop their heads and binoculars drawn up to their eyes, we began our animal search. The kids were so cute carefully listening to the clues I was giving to help them know which animal to search for. “This animal begins with the letter M. He eats bananas and lives in trees!” Monkey was screamed aloud before I could even get out the last sentence. Rather than let the children run willy nilly through the house looking for animals, we opted to show Devi where they all were ahead of time so that she might help guide and direct. It worked perfectly as she shouted, “Come on guys, follow me...I know where the monkey is!” And so went our search upstairs for frogs, the main level for giraffes and the basement for elephants.



Finally it was time to find our last animal. The lion. King of the jungle. Devi didn’t know where this animal was, but she was aware that for the past week or so all three of us and Oma had been painting a jungle mural in our garage. I asked her if we had a jungle at our house, she nodded and took off running for the garage with all her little friends trailing behind.

There asleep on the floor in our “jungle” was daddy in a furry lion suit. All the kids began to cautiously enter the jungle. I thought a sleeping lion was not that scary, but daddy got so “into” character that when Devi gently woke him up he roared and scared the children half to death, a few even broke out into tears. No doubt we are now responsible for the years of therapy required to counsel these poor petrified children! Okay, so a bit over exaggerated, but a few kids were a little upset, including Devi - not because she was afraid of daddy, but rather that she was sad for her frightened friends. All was quickly remedied when we began the singing games. We used scarves as tails and sang about them, sang about animal sounds and danced to the “Ziggy Says” song. All the kids then nestled in close to Patrick the “friendly” Lion, and king of the Ross jungle, while he read them a jungle story. It was darling to see him in his lion costume reading to all these little kiddos with our birthday girl center stage in his lap.

Aunt Joan and Oma were our jungle helpers who were instrumental in keeping us organized. Together we served pizza lunch and then had our lion head cake and cupcakes. Lastly Devi opened birthday presents among the jungle vines and all of her little friends, politely thanking each guest. Devi passed out the goody bags that she decorated herself with her hand print as the legs and tail of a lion and paper lion heads glued at the palm. Overall our two hour trip through the jungle went really well. I think Devi really enjoyed the whole day...minus the roar. It was another of those motherly visions that I have thought about for years that has now finally come true.


The following day was her actual birthday and she asked to go to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. Devi has always been very easy to take to restaurants but on this day she was such a little lady. She wore her birthday crown throughout the meal, put her napkin in her lap without prompting, used her utensils nicely and was polite to ask for things. She told anyone who would listen that today was her birthday and would hold up three fingers. She was delighted when our waiter came to sing the birthday song to her, but was baffled that there was only one candle in her spumoni ice cream when she had clearly told him she was turning three! Very sweet.


It is hard to believe that my baby girl has turned three. I don’t know where the past two years and two months since our meeting have gone, but the child who now sleeps in the room adjacent to ours, for all intensive purposes, is convinced that she is all grown up. Perhaps it is her strong will and independent streak that gives this illusion, which brings me to wonder about the personality traits of her birth mother, Jhuma. I know she must be wondering about what became of her Bhargabi. Does Devi look like her? What traits do they have in common? On the eve of the celebration of Devi’s birth we say a silent prayer for Jhuma, who gave from her heart the greatest gift. We truly hope that somehow she is aware that the baby she gave life to is loved, well cared for, knows of her birthmother and today has turned three wonderful years old.

Decorating cookies to take to school for her birthday.

Trying on one of the outfits in the "goodwill" dress up kit mommy and daddy made for her birthday.