Minchu's Seventh Week - My First Battle Scars

May 10 - May 16, 2025

Greetings, world! Your tiny correspondent, Minchu here, reporting on my seventh week of adventures. This week was QUITE the rollercoaster - I faced my first vaccinations, met more new humans, and discovered some fascinating smells. Read on for all the details!

🦸‍♂️ My First Battle: Vaccination Day

Let me tell you about the most dramatic day of my 50 days of life so far - Thursday was VACCINATION DAY!

The adults seemed nervous all morning. They kept talking to me about "injections" and how I needed to be "brave." I wasn't worried - I've handled diaper explosions with dignity; how bad could this be?

Well... it was quite an experience:

• The whole family took me to this place called "PHC" - very hot, very old, and not very breezy
• They wouldn't let Appa come in with me! Just Amma and I had to go inside
• The doctor gave me THREE injections and some sweet drops in my mouth
• I tried to be stoic, but I admit I cried a little
• Amma was more emotional than I was! These grown-ups are so sensitive!

Afterwards, I felt rather peculiar - warm all over, not interested in eating, and a weird feeling of wanting to be held and not be held at the same time! The adults kept putting cold cloths on me and giving me something called "crocin." I heard them say my temperature was 99.4 - whatever that means!

I must say, I was quite cranky for a couple of days. But hey, I earned my first battle scars! Appa says I was a brave soldier. I think so too!

👑 The Social Calendar

My popularity continues to amaze me. This week brought a parade of visitors:

• Dammu ajjo and family came to see me on Sunday. They showed photos of small humans called Aruhi and Adit. More cousins! Appa also brought a cake to celebrate Mothers' day! Wonder what that tasted like?
• Akhila maami's family visited on Monday. They think I look like my cousin Munnu. I think I'm going to meet her soon :)
• Srirang maamu and Preethi maami dropped by on Friday. They brought pizza, which made Amma very happy. I don't know what pizza is - Appa said it's fancy chaapti-palya, but it must be amazing based on her reaction!

Everyone wants to hold me, look at me, and talk about who I resemble. It's exhausting being so fascinating, but I'm handling the fame gracefully.

🌞 Balcony Adventures

The balcony remains my happy place! Some highlights:

• Caught the "golden hour" sunrise on Sunday - absolutely magical! Appa told me the story of Hanuman thought the Sun was a ladoo and flew to eat it. I would, too, if I could fly!
• Appa takes me for balcony walks whenever I'm fussy, and it works every time
• When I was feeling hot and cranky after my vaccinations, the balcony with the cooler was the perfect solution. It had been a while since cooler and I hung out.
• I've become quite the sun enthusiast, though I still close my eyes when it gets too bright

One interesting development - Appa and Amma sometimes leave me with Ammamma while they go to the terrace together. I don't mind; it gives me quality time with Ammamma.

👂 New Sensory Discoveries

My sensory explorations continue with exciting new findings:

• Smells: Appa made me smell mangoes again - absolutely beautiful! And coriander leaves - so fresh!
• Sounds: I'm starting to differentiate between everyone's voices. Amma's is my favourite, followed closely by Ammamma's voice when she sings me to sleep. Ajji's voice is very distinct too - I know she's happy to see me just by her voice!
• Sights: I'm fascinated by ceiling fans. When they're too slow, I get annoyed. Everyone thinks I'm hot, but really, I find slow-moving fans boring!
• Touch: I tried a towel bath after a month! It was different, not as wet as my regular bath.

💪 My Growing Skills

I'm getting stronger and more coordinated every day:

• I'm giving clearer hunger cues now, though sometimes I confuse everyone by seeming hungry and then falling asleep
• My neck control is improving during tummy time - I can lift my head quite proudly! Appa says I do the cobra pose very nicely, whatever that means.
• I've mastered the art of well-timed grunts that send everyone into "poop protocol" mode
• My facial expressions are becoming more varied - I have distinct faces for hunger, sleepiness, and "just because I feel like crying"
• I can now accurately target Appa with my pee when he takes me out on the balcony (it's a skill!)

🧠 Deep Baby Thoughts

I've been thinking a lot about bodies and how they work. When I got those vaccinations, I felt different for days! The adults kept giving me medicine, but Appa seemed to think my body should handle some of it naturally. It's interesting how they try to both protect me and let me develop my strength.

Also, I've noticed Appa and Amma sometimes disagree about how to care for me. Amma gets worried, and Appa tries to be calm. I wish I could tell them I'm pretty resilient - I'm figuring things out just fine!

My Week in Mini Stats

• Weight: 5.15 kg (I'm growing!)
• Poops: Several spectacular performances, including one "massive dump" after many warning grunts
• Sleep: Was excellent all week, till vaccination day - everything flew out of the window then
• Special Skills: Reached 99.4°, and cooling off
• Favourite Activity: Balcony walks with Appa, and watching the rain

I'm fully recovered from my vaccinations now and back to my regular eating and sleeping routine. The adults seem relieved. They really do worry a lot!

Stay tuned for next week's adventures!

With drooly smiles and milk bubbles, Minchu 👶

P.S. I heard Appa is still building my "baby gym", not sure when he'll complete it though. I'm getting excited to try it out once my coordination improves a bit more!