Manu Mama Discovers Video Dating For Toddlers – Do We Stop It?

Saavan and the author, both wearing dorky hats.

[Ed. note - to provide Saavan with a true glimpse into his life during his toddler years, I have invited guest posts from people Saavan will consider his annoying relatives extended family. Now taking the stage, "Manu Mama," one of Neha's closest childhood friends, and Saavan's go-to resource for any questions regarding hair transplants (Because Manu is a doctor who performs them, not because he's a recipient)]

While Anuj is knee deep in unpacking boxes, hanging pictures, and trying to plug the proverbial hole in the dam that is his bleeding bank account, I have been offered the honor of being the first guest blogger on Baby Vohra. I’m trying not to let it get to my head. [Ed. note - he's technically the second guest blogger, but first since Saavan was born, so it's still pretty major. It's not like YOU'VE written a guest-entry.]

I was lucky enough to be able to coordinate a national Board Exam with Saavu’s 2nd Birthday, and thus have been able to stick by the Manu Mama promise of being there for every one of his janam dins so far. In fact, spending a week with the little man was absolutely the bomb.

I learned much about the strapping young toddler we all know and love over this extended visit of mine. He has, shall we say, extremely discerning tastes in food. A tougher critic on dinner entrees than Tom Colicchio and Padma. There’s apparently only one edible brand of Macaroni & Cheese (and it ain’t Kraft), and cereal is the pinnacle of culinary achievements. Who knew?? He has also confirmed several universal food truths…ice cream is the ultimate cleanser of the palate and cheese can be eaten by the truck full.

You’ve seen his musical side, thanks to his mother’s influence. He loves his sports…football, ”batty-ball” (a name the NBA should seriously consider adopting for the sport), soccer, and swimming, thank’s to his dad and his Har Mama.

But Saavan is finally getting his priorities straight: cars and girls. Saavan “The Man” Vohra is evolving right before our very eyes. He treats us to this preview of his driving skillz while riding in his car seat. Watch for his one-handed steering move at the end of the clip!



Check out Saavan’s first road trip:



Granted, the only chick he tried to pick up was his Mom, but he did make a wicked get-away in reverse…

Saavan has also made strides in making friends in the digital age. It began 6 months ago when I innocently showed a video of Saavan’s first birthday to my friends’ 19-month and 3-year-old little girls in Alabama. This was simply a distraction technique initially, but quickly Anaya and Misha began asking for the video by name: “Saavan’s Birthday”. It began a daily obsession…to the point where denying their request to watch the video would inevitably lead to floods of tears.

So, early in my recent D.C. visit, I showed Saavan a video of Anaya and Misha…the interest was indeed reciprocated. Saavan would not start his day without watching that video the entire week I was there. He refers to the video only by “Anaya”…his now 21-month-old long-distance sweetheart. Watch as young love blossoms… eat your heart out Shaadi.com. [Ed. note - clip is long, but Manu assures you that it is "cute as hell." I agree, but I think all Saavan clips are "cute as hell."]



Note: We did ask that Saavan sing Happy Birthday for Misha’s upcoming 3-year birthday this month, but he wouldn’t leave Anaya out of his ballad….

Only time will tell where their relationship will go, but video chatting may be in their future…

Be careful Saavu…Indian girls are a handful, to say the least. I’m just looking out for you, buddy. Be good, stay strong, and you’ll always be loved.

Manu Mama, signing off.

Holy Crap, Saavan is 2.

Mom and Dad, totally into blowing out the candles.  Saavan, less so.  

In the most recent month in which I did not blog, Saavan turned 2.  This is preposterous.  Doesn't it seem like just yesterday when he was born and covered in goo and flicking us all off?  Yes, yes it does.  Holy crap.  And so we celebrated Saavan's second birthday with a party in a local park on a day in which the temperature hovered near 95 degrees, there was hardly a cloud in the sky, and instead of cake, we distributed ice cream and popsicles.  Brilliant!  Fortunately, the park contained a sprayground in which all the kids could run around and stay cool.  All the kids of course, but Saavan, who turned out to be terrified of the water, despite our best efforts to get him in it:

On the bright side, it was a good excuse for Dad to run around in the water. 

Nonetheless, it was an awesome party, and we were lucky that so many of our friends came out to wish Saavan a happy birthday.  We were also lucky that no one melted.  (The popsicles all did.)

 Idli and Sambar (now both 2 years old!) check out the birthday spread.

In the year between Saavan's most recent birthday and his last, he has officially made the transformation from "baby" to "toddler."  (Well maybe not "officially."  I'm not aware of any formal demarcation.)  He has a characteristic little-boy-obsession with trucks and trains, he rides a little car throughout our house like a madman, and he has developed an impressive vocabulary.  Not only does he speak nonstop, he SINGS constantly.  Indeed, after his birthday party, Saavan broke out his greatest hits:

 

So there you have it.  Our baby boy is now less "baby," but he grows more awesome with each passing day.  (I assume the awesomeness begins to taper off around age 12.)  

Happy birthday Saavan.  It's hard to believe you're already 2, but I guess it's true - time flies when you're having fun.