What a whirlwind of a weekend!

We had Ishu’s Dadi and Babaji here. And, for an added bonus, his Chacha flew in to visit from New York! The last time Nikku Chacha saw Ishu was back in November. And Ishu has grown so much since then!

It didn’t take long for him to warm up to Chacha. One quick reading of Optical Physics for Baby (gifted to him by his Chacha, obviously) and Ishu cuddled up to him shortly after.

And then it was “THA-THA, THA-THA” all weekend long.

He flew back early this morning. It was an extra short trip, but still very special.

Yesterday, Ishu got to attend his first wedding. We felt all sorts of feelings being at a wedding this weekend. So much gratitude to get to be reunited with people after so long. A little fear for any time we were around too many people without masks on, even though everyone was vaccinated. And a lot of joy watching Ishaan take it all in.

We assumed that our pandemic baby was going to shy away from the crowd and the loud music.

He fell asleep right before we got to the ceremony and stayed asleep during the first half of the baraat.

But the minute his eyes opened and he heard the music, his pointer finger went up and he was eager to get out of the stroller and go dance with everyone.

Honestly, the baraat is one of my favorite parts of an Indian wedding.

Especially when it’s done in a public place.

Because everyone congregates around, watching the spectacle unfold. And it makes me feel so proud to have this rich culture with all these fun traditions. People might not know everything about Indian culture but they sure as heck know that we have FUN-ASS-WEDDINGS.

I was kind of lingering a little away from the baraat while Ishu was still napping. And, because I was dressed up, people knew that I was connected to the wedding and stopped to ask me questions. I happily answered all of them. One girl stopped and asked, “Is it weird if we stand here and watch?” To which I answered, “NO WAY. WE LOVE IT!”

When we finally reached the ceremony site, we were all handed coconut water. From actual coconuts.

Delicious.

And, quite possibly, my favorite part of the whole wedding. Ha.

The priest who did mine and Ankur’s wedding was the same priest for this wedding. It was also his first multigenerational wedding; he had married the bride’s mom and dad over 30 years ago!

He is one of the most sought out priests in Orange County. He’s a white guy who converted to Hinduism and people like hiring him for their weddings. Because everyone has non-Indian friends and family and it helps to have someone explain the things and not simply rattle off in old-school Sanskrit, leaving all the attendees confused.

Anyway, the ceremony lasted an hour or so and then we had lunch before heading home to rest a little bit. Ishu passed out almost immediately. The rest of us lounged around until it was time to get ready for the reception.

Again, I wasn’t sure how Ishu was going to do. So I was grateful to have two cars in case we needed to make an escape.

But, two hours past his bedtime, and this kid was still ready to party. He was running around playing with the Giant Connect 4, dancing with his pointer finger up, and making everyone fall in love with him.

Eventually, when we popped the pacifier into his mouth, his eyelids got extra droopy. He almost immediately fell asleep in Ankur’s arms. Which basically never happens so he was REALLY tired.

After eating dinner, we said our goodbyes since everyone had to take off early in the morning for flights and work, etc.

Ishu’s Dadi and Babaji and “Tha-Tha” left at 4am this morning! Ishu and I were fast asleep and didn’t get to say bye. Fortunately, we’re going to see them in a month or so when they come visit us in Chicago for the 4th of July weekend.

It was so nice to spend this weekend with the family. And it was extra nice to watch our party animal baby get to experience something “normal” after a year of masks and social isolation.

It was another reminder that he is ready – so, so ready – for daycare and he will be JUST FINE. Social butterfly.

Now, in a few short days, he will get to spend time with his Masi and Masu who will be visiting from San Francisco.

We’re clearly making the most of our final days in California!

Question of the Day:

Have you been to an Indian wedding?