Minchu's Eighth Week - The Art of Rugby and Recovery
May 17 - May 23, 2025
Hello again, faithful readers! Your ever-growing correspondent, Minchu here with another week of exciting developments. This week brought some major milestones: I mastered a new feeding technique and became quite the conversationalist! Let's dive into the adventures...
🏈 The Great Rugby Discovery
The most revolutionary development this week was Amma's discovery of the "rugby hold" for feeding! This feels so secure, and so sideways.
At first, I was sceptical. Why mess with our tried-and-true feeding routine? But OH MY GOODNESS, this position is amazing! I can:
- Latch on much easier and stay latched longer
- Admire Amma's face from a different angle
- Feel more secure and cosy
- Marathon feed for 30-40 minutes without getting tired
Amma seemed so relieved when this worked. She even said I smiled at her before feeding one morning at 4:30 AM! Of course I did - when someone solves your midnight hunger pangs, you show appreciation!
🚗 Appa's roadtrip
Appa went to Bangalore without me! Again! I don't know what this Bangalore is, but I want to go!
I was a bit confused when I woke up on Thursday morning and couldn't see Appa all day! Where was my designated balcony-walker? My chief sleep-soother? My tummy-time supervisor?
But Amma and I handled it like champions:
- I practised my new rugby hold skills extensively
- Ammamma gave me extra massages and cuddles
- I showed everyone what a good boy I could be
- I might have had a few dramatic crying sessions (for effect, obviously), but I shall not confirm
When Appa came back Thursday night, I may have had a tiny celebration cry just to let him know I missed him. Then I promptly fell asleep in his arms because I'm cool like that.
🗣️ My Communication Skills Are Blooming
This week, I became quite the chatterbox! My vocabulary now includes:
- Cooing sounds that make everyone smile
- Grunting that doesn't necessarily communicate "poop protocol time"
- Different types of cries for different needs (hunger, sleepiness, "just because")
- Interactive sounds during tummy time
- Special morning conversation sounds (especially popular around 4:30 AM)
The adults seem fascinated by my verbal development. They repeat my sounds back to me, which I find both amusing and encouraging. Keep practising, big people - you'll get the hang of baby talk eventually!
💩 Poop Report: Still Making Headlines
My digestive adventures continue to be the talk of the household:
- I'm back to my normal consistency (thank goodness - the adults were getting worried)
- Still keep the adults guessing - sometimes it's once in 2 days, sometimes it's 3 times in a day
- Unmastered the art of the "warning grunt" followed by the big event - just to keep them all on their toes
- Learnt how do do projectile poop better - I can aim now
🌡️ Post-Vaccination Recovery Champion
I'm proud to report I've completely recovered from my vaccination experience! Gone are the fever days and the "banshee wails" (as Appa calls them). I'm back to my normal feeding schedule, sleeping patterns, and general adorableness. Normal in the context of an ever-changing 7ish week old.
The only lingering effect is that I've become more vocal about my preferences. If I don't like something, I make it VERY clear. I call it "expressing my opinions with confidence."
🛁 Bath Time Innovations
Sindhu Mai was away for a couple of days, and the family stepped in. Ammamma massaged me while Amma and Appa experimented with my bath routine:
- Hotter water than what I'm used to - so warm
- They put me on a pre-soaked warm towel - so relaxing!
- Tag-team bathing, where they both help - very efficient!
- They put the water on my toes and hands first - highly recommend
I'm starting to think this whole water thing might not be so bad after all.
👥 My Social Life
Appa video called this week with Ajji, her sisters, and my Atti!
- Cooed on cue for the camera, and demonstrated my new conversational abilities
- Made everyone laugh with my expressions Even Thatha joined the call! I could tell they all missed seeing me in person. Video calls are nice, but nothing beats the real Minchu experience.
🧠 Deep Baby Philosophy
I've been thinking about preferences this week. I have them now:
- I prefer my head turned to the left during tummy time
- I like the fan on medium-high speed
- The cool morning air on the balcony is perfect
- The rugby hold is superior to all other feeding positions
- Marathon feeding sessions are more satisfying than quick snacks
It's interesting how I'm developing my personality and preferences. The adults seem surprised that I have opinions about things, but of course I do! I'm a sophisticated eight-week-old individual!
My Week in Mini Stats
- Weight: Appa says I'm heavier, I'm not sure if that's how you measure me
- Poops: Sometimes I don't have to go for 2 days, sometimes, it's every 4 hours 🫣
- Sleep: It's been different since I got vaccinated
- Special Skills: Rugby hold!
- Favourite Activity: Making new sounds - these vocal cords seem to be amazing
As I wrap up this week's report, I'm feeling quite accomplished. I've mastered new skills and become quite the little communicator.
Next week promises more adventures - it's been raining, and home has become very cold.
The adults keep saying I'm "growing so fast," and I suppose they're right. Eight weeks ago, I was figuring out this whole breathing and eating thing, and now I'm a master of the rugby hold with strong opinions about fan speeds!
With rugby-hold confidence and conversational coos, Minchu 👶
P.S. Appa said he wanted to have a dictionary of obscure cries for me. Finally! It only took him eight weeks to crack the Minchu communication code. Adults are slow learners, aren't they? 😉