Minchu's Eleventh Week - Birthday Celebrations and Sacred Ceremonies

June 7 - June 13, 2025

Greetings, dear readers! Your ceremonially blessed correspondent, Minchu, here with another week of magnificent adventures! This week was particularly special, featuring Appa's birthday celebrations, my very own traditional ceremony, and some impressive new skills. Let me tell you all about these momentous occasions!

In case you missed any of my previous posts, Appa did a quick recap here!

🎂 Appa's Birthday

This week started with a very important celebration - Appa's birthday! I'm still learning what birthdays are exactly, but they seem to involve:

Lots of excitement and happy energy from the adults.
A magical thing called "cake" that makes everyone smile. Not one, but two of these things were at the table!
Taking lots of photos (which I'm always happy to pose for!)

The highlight was when Appa's friend, Maanyatha akka, baked a special cake and brought it home. My Putty Atti also sent a cake and some party hats from Bangalore. I missed her a lot!

I got to participate in the celebration, and everyone seemed very pleased with my performance. I made sure to coo at all the right moments and give my most charming smiles for the camera.

I think I was Appa's favourite birthday present this year - he kept saying how special it was to celebrate with me for the first time. Well, of course it was special! I'm quite the gift! 🎁

🕯️ My Sacred Shanthi Puje Ceremony

The most significant event of the week was my traditional Shanthi Puje** ceremony! This was a proper Hindu ritual with priests, fire ceremonies, and a quaint family gathering to bless my life journey.

Here's what this grand affair involved:

Special priests (everyone calls them Bhatmaam) came to conduct the ceremony.
I woke up on cue for a ritual that symbolises being born from a cow (very auspicious!)
There was a beautiful homa (fire ceremony) with chanting and offerings.
I was absolutely fascinated by the flames - Appa was talking about something called crackers.
Traditional feast afterwards with special bale ele oota (banana leaf meal)

The adults were impressed by my interest throughout the rituals. I truly appreciate sacred ceremonies! The rhythm of Sanskrit chants, the warmth of the fire, and the loving energy of family felt profoundly right to me. I was captivated by every detail—the sounds, the flames, the movements. Perhaps I possess an old soul, or I simply recognise a beautiful ceremony when I see one!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Gathering Extravaganza

This week brought together so many family members:

Thatha and Ajji (Appa's parents) came from Bangalore twice! They brought Bhaskar thatha too!
Dammu ajjo and family attended my Shanthi Puje
Amma's friends, Vasuki and Yagu, visited during the week. I saw them last when I was a tiny, tiny baby!

I got to show off my personality to everyone! Some observations about my performance:

I was very interactive with Vatsalpijji, following her songs with my coos.
I seemed to recognise family voices and respond differently to each person.
I handled all the attention quite well (though I did need some breaks)
My timing for dramatic moments continues to be impeccable.

💪 Physical Development Achievements

This week marked some significant milestones in my physical abilities:

Tummy Time Champion

I can now hold my head up for 5+ minutes during tummy time!
My neck muscles are getting seriously strong.
I enjoy naked tummy time in the morning sun on the balcony.
I've mastered the art of looking around while maintaining head control.

Enhanced Motor Skills

My grip strength continues to improve.
I can grab and manipulate my rattle - someone has to give it to my hand first, though
I successfully bonked myself on the head (still working on aim control!)
Rolling to the side remains "accidental" but I'm practising the movements.

🗣️ Communication Evolution

My vocabulary and communication skills are expanding rapidly:

Special sound for owl cards: I say "aaooo" when shown the owl alphabet card!
Responsive cooing: I now respond to adults with appropriate sounds. I feel like I have a lot to say, but these adults just don't get me yet.
Timing mastery: I know exactly when to coo during video calls for maximum effect
Mood communication: Different sounds for happy, tired, hungry, and "pay attention to me"

I'm becoming quite the conversationalist! The adults hang on my every sound like I'm delivering profound wisdom.

🌡️ Weather Adventures and Challenges

This week brought some weather-related drama:

Heat sensitivity: I discovered I get very cranky when overheated
Cooling solutions: The adults learned to set up the cooler for my comfort
Rain appreciation: I'm still not sure about rain directly on my face, but I like the cool air it brings
Perfect temperature preferences: I have very specific requirements for optimal comfort

The adults are getting better at reading my temperature needs. It only took them eleven weeks to figure out I don't like being a tiny sauna!

📊 Minchu's Week 11 Stats

Sacred Ceremonies Attended: 2 (my namakarana, and shanthi puje!)
Birthday Celebrations: 1 (Appa's special day)
Head Control Duration: 5+ minutes consistently
New Sounds Mastered: "Aaooo" for owl cards
Temperature Meltdowns Avoided: Several (thanks to the cooler setup)

👋 Looking Ahead

What a remarkable week it's been! From birthday celebrations to sacred ceremonies, I've experienced so much culture and tradition. I'm starting to understand that I'm part of something bigger than my immediate family.

The adults keep marvelling at how much I'm growing and developing. Eleven weeks ago, I was just a tiny bundle learning to breathe, and now I'm participating in sacred ceremonies, entertaining crowds, and developing my distinct personality!

Next week promises more adventures as I continue to grow and discover new abilities. I'm particularly interested in mastering intentional rolling and expanding my vocabulary of special sounds.

Until next week's adventures!

With ceremonial blessings and birthday joy, Minchu 👶

P.S. The fire ceremony was absolutely mesmerising - I think I have a future as either a spiritual scholar or a professional fire-watcher! The adults had better keep an eye on me around candles! 🔥

P.P.S. Appa seemed very happy with his birthday celebration, but I think having me there made it extra special. After all, who needs presents when you have a baby who can say "aaooo" on command? 😉