Today, something truly amazing happened. My 11 m.o. daughter, Nitara, had been mumbling a lot since many weeks, in a language that only she understood. The only two words she could speak clearly were ‘Papa’ and ‘Baby’. But today, she said a new word.
Only last night was I feeling sad that my little girl had left me all alone and went with her mom to my parents’ in India. I missed her so much and thought she would forget me over then next one month before I joined her.
But little did I know a surprise was in store for me. My mom called me at around 2am India time and asked me:
‘How often has Nitara spoken your name?’
‘Never.’ I answered, hoping that my mom wasn’t pulling a joke on me.
Mom turned to Nitara and and called out my name, ‘Shitij.’
My daughter said something but I couldn’t understand what.
Mom called again,’Shitij?’
And it was as if a hundred years passed before I heard..
‘T I T I T !!’
I couldn’t believe my ears and I couldn’t contain my happiness. So I laughed out loud.
‘Shitij?’
‘T I T I D!’
‘Shi..tij…?’
‘T I .. TI..D!’
It just went on and on. I was so happy. My sweet little baby girl called out my name. We immediately switched to a video call and repeated it a few more times. And what made it even more special was that it was my mom, Nitara’s grandmother, who called and gave me the news that my little girl had started to speak my name.
Now I miss my sweet baby girl even more. But I am still happy.
Pee Poop Burp 
They grow so quick everything happens so fast. Their first smile, then a roll, blabbing, reaching out to grab something, walk…next they’ll be all grown up! Can’t they just stay small babies(?!)
Beautiful moments, treasured in our hearts.
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Well, it is exciting, and rather fulfilling, to see them grow up and start doing things one by one. But yeah, maybe one day I will probably wish if my daughter was still a baby. But its still a long journey and each step has to be cherished.
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