Minchu's Eighteenth Week - First Concert Adventures and Vaccination Victory

July 26 - August 1, 2025

Namaste, dear readers! Your increasingly cultured and resilient correspondent, Minchu here, reporting from my eighteenth week of adventures! This week was absolutely spectacular - I attended my very first Carnatic concert, experienced beautiful cultural ceremonies, mastered some impressive new motor skills, and conquered my third round of vaccinations like an absolute champion. Let me tell you all about these remarkable developments!

🎵 My Grand Concert Debut

The highlight of this week was my very first Carnatic concert experience! We went to Bidaram Krishnappa Hall to hear Bhargavi Auntie perform.

Cultural Awakening

This was my first proper classical music concert (not counting temple music)
The acoustics and live instruments were mesmerising
I maintained excellent behaviour throughout the performance
The hall was magnificent! It had so many photos of old people in royal-looking clothes, I wondered what that era would've been like!

Unfortunately, Appa had to miss most of the concert due to his Veda class, but I was able to experience the beautiful music and atmosphere. I'm developing quite sophisticated musical tastes! Building on my previous spiritual experiences, I seem to have a natural affinity for traditional Indian arts.

🏺 Choodi Puje Cultural Immersion

This week brought beautiful cultural experiences with the traditional Choodi Puje ceremony:

Festival Colours and Rituals

Ammamma performed the colourful Choodi Puje - it was absolutely beautiful!
She made tiny bouquets of colourful foraged flowers - they were so cute!
I observed the entire ceremony up close.
The bright colours, flowers, and traditional elements were captivating.

I'm becoming quite the little cultural enthusiast! These traditional ceremonies always seem to fascinate me, and I love observing all the intricate details.

🤹‍♂️ Major Motor Skill Breakthrough: The Rattle Master

This week marked an incredible milestone in my physical development - I mastered the art of rattle transfer!

Hand-to-Hand Coordination Victory

I can now pass my rattle from one hand to the other BY MYSELF!
My technique involves using my mouth to stabilise the rattle during transfer (very clever, if I say so myself)
I've bonked myself on the head a few times during practice, but I recover without much fuss
The satisfaction of hearing the rattle shake when I want it to is absolutely delightful

This is a huge leap from my previous weeks when adults had to place things in my hands. Now I'm actively manipulating objects and transferring them between hands! The adults are amazed by this development.

🦸‍♂️ Superman Adventures

I discovered a new favourite activity this week - being lifted overhead like Superman!

Flying High

Appa lifts me high, and I love the sensation
The view from up there is amazing - I can see everything!
It makes me feel like I'm flying, which is exhilarating
This has become one of my favourite ways to play

I think I'm going to be quite the adventurous little person as I grow up! 🚀

🏥 Vaccination Victory: Third Time's the Charm

Wednesday brought my third round of vaccinations, and I'm proud to report I handled it like a complete champion!

The Vaccination Experience

We went to a very crowded PHC (much busier than usual)
While Amma waited in the queue, I had a fascinating botanical exploration
I was mesmerised by the Christmas tree outside, feeling the pines, plucking them (Appa stopped me from eating them!)
Then I discovered hibiscus flowers - so many petals to pluck!

Recovery Champion

Unlike my previous vaccination experiences, this time I recovered much more quickly:

Had some initial wailing and discomfort
Amma gave me some Crocin for pain management in the afternoon
By the next day, I was completely back to normal
Much less fever and fussiness compared to previous times

I'm getting stronger and more resilient with each vaccination experience!

🌡️ Sleep and Night-time Evolution

My sleep patterns are improving significantly:

Sleeping through longer stretches at night
When I do wake up, I find it easier to settle back to sleep
The joli remains my favourite sleeping spot
My daytime naps are becoming more predictable

The adults are appreciating these improvements in my sleep routine! 😴

🏃‍♂️ Baby Carrier Heartbreak

I had a moment of genuine heartbreak this week when Appa put on the baby carrier for a walk but pretended not to take me along! The betrayal! I've come to associate the carrier with exciting adventures, so being left behind was quite disappointing.

I made sure to express my feelings about this unfortunate turn of events. Next time, I hope he remembers that carrier + baby = adventure time! 👶

📊 Minchu's Week 18 Stats

Weight: 7.39 kg (officially weighed at vaccination!)
Motor Skills: Rattle transfer mastered between hands
Cultural Events Attended: 1 Carnatic concert, 1 Choodi Puje ceremony
Vaccination Recovery: Fastest and easiest yet
Superman Flights: Countless (new favourite activity!)
Sleep Quality: Significantly improved night stretches

🔮 Looking Ahead

What an incredible week of cultural experiences, developmental milestones, and family adventures! I'm becoming more coordinated, more resilient, and definitely more opinionated about my preferences.

The adults keep marvelling at how much I'm growing and developing. Eighteen weeks ago, I could barely focus my eyes, and now I'm attending concerts, transferring objects between hands, and recovering from medical procedures like a champion!

Next week promises more adventures as I continue to explore the world with my enhanced motor skills and growing personality.

Until next week's adventures!

With Carnatic concert appreciation and rattle-mastering skills, Minchu 👶

P.S. The Christmas tree exploration was absolutely fascinating - so many different textures and shapes to discover! Though Appa was very strict about the "no eating pine needles" rule. Adults have so many unnecessary restrictions! 🌲