The KEY to our start

     After what felt like months of house hunting, Aman and I finally purchased our first home! I really never thought this day would come, but I am so glad it did. I was afraid of telling everyone about the details beforehand since I really didn't believe that the house was mine until I got the key. On November 1, 2013 Aman picked up the key and things felt a little more real. We visited our new home on Diwali and we showed Aman's aunt and Uncle the new place (they loved it).

She already loves being home, she calls this "mama's house."

Can't wait to cook in here!

Kids loving the empty space :)

     Aman wanted me to pick "a"color for the house two days before the painter was going to start painting. I was in super panic mode and Aman was caught off guard when I told him that I was going to paint some rooms a different color. He told me I never told him that there were going to be multiple colors in the house, I told him he never asked. :)

So many shades of blue...so many trips to the paint store!

The finished product....J/K...a girl could dream though right? :)

Our room, the color looks different in this picture.

     I am the most indecisive person when it comes to anything but food. I emailed/texted/called everyone I knew that could help me decide on a color for the house, and I am glad I did since I am loving how the colors look so far. Aman had convinced me that tiles would be better in the kitchen so we picked them out and now he has decided that he wants wood! We have changed our mind about the color of the wood two times, and finally we are getting something that we both loved from the start. I am still afraid of how comfortable wood will be in the family room, especially in the winter, I really hope we made the right choice.

Can't wait to see you Brazilian Koa!

One of the ones we bought and returned.

Tiles

     Our carpet was installed two weeks ago and I love it! We just purchased our sectional last week, and it will take about three months to get here (ouch). There is so much going on right now that I have a million things on my mind all at once. My cousin has been calling me about what she will wear to her wedding next May, my sister texts me different outfit options for her wedding next July, and then I have my house stress. I just can't wait to move in and relax....hopefully.

Decisions decisions

One of Aamira's first tantrums in a public setting

Love this carpet, it's sooo soft!

     Living with the inlaws is big in our culture (crazy I know), and although I appreciate everything that my inlaws do for us, it's time for us to grow up! :) Aman and I were spoiled, didn't have rent to pay, didn't have to buy groceries, or even cook. To think we would have saved so much by now (NOT), I am hoping that this move brings us closer together as one family. Aamira can have her own room, mommy can have her own kitchen, and daddy can buy a ridiculously large television and barbeque with his friends. I am so ready, I already bought PJ's (from Kohls) that I plan to wear and lounge in while I drink some cha and watch TV. I know it's something so simple, but that is really all I want. My space, my family, and my cha! :)

Date night at the Drake Concert in November

My Drake :)

About to go out with Anu Maci and Bhinda Masu

Mimicking Suhanna and Saharra

She was excited to see Santa, but not happy when we walked away.

She actually helped me with this!

Mommy's little helper 

     
     
     
     


    

Just Mommy and Daddy

     Oh me oh my, first trip without baby made me cry (cheesy I know hehe). I told Aman that I didn't want to take a trip without Aamira until she was at least one. We finally decided to take a little weekend trip to Vegas in September and I was so stressed out! It had been months since the last time she slept without me and leaving her for two days seemed impossible. We left on Friday (Sept 20) and I didn't pack until the night before (with Aamira distracting me the entire time). When Aman handed her to my mother in law the day we left, I was already at the door, he said, "Aren't you going to say bye?" I said, "No," and walked to the car teary eyed.

Who wants to leave this crazy lil' munchkin?

       We shared a yummy sandwich at the airport and were off to Vegas. All I wanted to do was shop and eat GREAT food. I had been researching all of the restaurants in Vegas and which places we would most definitly try while we were there. We walked through our hotel and checked out the shops and eateries on Friday. We watched the show at Treasure Island and got Margaritas (Aman was super excited that I was going to drink), it took four sips for my legs to get warm and tingly and I was done!

     I had planned for us to have Sushi on Friday, but the both of us weren't in the mood. I was craving something really good, some place that would not disappoint, so MESA Grill it was. I was exhausted from the night before since Aamira woke up almost every hour crying (teething), so I didn't really dress up (sorry Aman). We had some great food, and literally knocked out the second we changed (we're old...I know).

Chicken Quesadilla, my fave

Salmon was sooo good!

The corn was my fave since the potato had horseradish :)

     I have always wanted to try one of Thomas Keller's restaurants and figured that the one in Vegas would be the most affordable. Aman and I went to Bouchon Saturday morning for breakfast and we both couldn't decide on a single item on the menu. I ended up getting a Peach Bellini with the eggs benedict and Aman had the chicken and waffles. Talking a lot about food I know, but I really wanted to enjoy every meal since I didn't have little Aamira trying to stick her foot in my plate of food (she's so naughty). I realized that I don't like the consistency of eggs benedict (only had them once before) and kept stealing Aman's waffles.

So yummy with vanilla bean butter and maple syrup!

If you love eggs benedict you will love this dish!

      We weren't able to enjoy the pool for too long since it was a little chilly and we weren't able to find any chairs to lounge on. We decided to go back to our room, change, and walk the strip (my favorite thing to do in V-town), and go to the mall. I am so glad that my hubby and I can agree on most things, like shopping, and sight seeing. We played a few hands of black jack since I knew Aman would have to get some gambling out of his system and lost (arghh). We had lunch and watched a few shows while walking. Aman took me to the Monte Carlo for the first time, and we ended up seeing a cute couple get married. We walked through Caesar's and had dinner at Spago. I have eaten there on multiple occasions and I absoloutely love it, I think this is one of my favorite places to eat in Vegas (I love pizza and salad).

Pho for lunch in Treasure Island, really good!

I am craving this pizza right now!

We woke up late on Sunday morning, packed and then met up with Aman's BFF ;) for a few minutes. We had lunch at Postrio in the Venetian and I realized that Wolfgang's restaurants are one of my faves. I absolutely love pizza and salad, and you can't go wrong with this place. We did a little shopping at the outlets, and then hung out at Caesar's palace so Aman could watch FOOTBALL. I found out Aamira was sick right when we arrived at Caesar's and I was so sad seeing her not feel well (reality check).

Love u.....MOST of the time ;)

Pic Anu sent during our trip, made me miss her so much!

Margarita break on the strip

     I am glad that I was able to spend some alone time with Aman and I can't wait to take another trip with him next year. After having a baby I really learned to ENJOY my alone time, and relaxed as much as I could so that I could have energy for my mommy duties when I got back. We woke Aamira up when we got home Sunday night and she was SO happy to see us, there is no better feeling in the world....really!

Face timed Samirra Sunday morning...little sunshine!

Cabbing it to the outlets...damage!

My love is ONE!

     It has been quite a while since my last post, but so much has happened in the past two months. First off Aamira celebrated her first birthday. I took the day off and really took my time hanging out with her. I woke up, got her ready (in her cute little birthday outfit from Gurjeet Maci) and we headed over to my parent's house to pick up my sis, nieces, and brother. I wanted to take Aamira to the Oakland Zoo since I have been teaching her about all of the different animals and the noises each one makes. The monkeys ended up being a favorite for all of the kids, I loved the tigers (even though they were sleeping).

Birthday Morning

Full House (Samirra's in her carseat)

     We ended up leaving the Zoo a little early (it was too hot) to visit Aman's Grandpa. Aamira and Papaji share the same birthday, and I am so glad we got to see him on his 88th birthday. He was super excited to see us, but as usual it took a little time for Aamira to adjust to a new person. I am so glad that we got to share Papaji's last birthday as a family, I will really miss him and his stories, and I am glad that Aamira got to meet him.

Visiting her Great Grandfather

     I know that seeing your kids celebrate a birthday is a bittersweet moment, but for me it was just SWEET. Sweet until my sister Anu played a video of Aamira's first year with our family. She had pictures of me as a baby, and many of Aamira as a baby, and a cute hindi song played in the background (hearing that on it's own would make you tear up). I really wanted Anu to make Aamira a round cake for her birthday since that's what I had for my first birthday, she ended up adding a picture of it in the slideshow.

     Simi made a scrapbook that told the story of how Aman and I met, and how Aamira came in and changed our lives forever. The last page in the book made me even more emotional since it was Simi's message to Aamira and I knew that they would be moving to North Carolina in a month.

:-)

Nani Time

     After Aamira's first birthday party, time just flew by...maybe because Simi and the fam were going to move away. We had a family wedding to attend at the end of August, and although all of us wanted to be happy, we couldn't help being sad since our sister was moving away (SO FAR). The day before they left Simi came over with Samirra and I was so upset that I couldn't even talk to her, I would start crying (sorry Simi, I know....awkward haha). Now I am just looking forward for them to move back, I hope it happens soon so that Aamira can spend time with her crazy cousins.

     Aamira is a one year old little monster and sometimes I wish I had five more of her (I know, I would be pulling my hair out). She keeps me and daddy on our toes and bosses us around like nobodies business (but don't get carried away mommy will still keep you in check when need be). I remember all the selfish feelings I had when I found out I was pregnant, I was worried about having alone time, spending time with Aman, and how much my body would change...but I found something more precious than all of those things. I learned to share my time with a cute little beast, I now had an awesome father by my side to help me raise our daughter, and I know I am a hot momma ;). I wish my baby the best and I hope she can achieve greater things than I ever will. Love you Aamira, you are the best baby a mommy could ever ask for!

Ready for her first birthday party

Tied a rakhri on Mamu

First trip to the library, can you tell she loves books?

Bean

One year shots (she won't forget those)

If I asked her where her "ayi" was, she would lift her shorts and cry.

They haven't hung out in almost two months :(

Love them