Re-Entry and Reconnecting: 3) Brunch

The thing we were most excited about in terms of returning home from India was introducing Annie to all of our family and friends. This was greatly facilitated by Rita, who organized brunch at the house on the Strand, and two gatherings in the D.C. area the weekend after we came home.

First, the gathering on the Strand.

We had over to the house our long time family friends, David and his mother Judy, David's wife Joanne, and lovely daughter V. We were also lucky enough to be able to get Kevin, Jordan, and their son Q. to come down from PA. It was a lovely lovely gathering. Wonderful food and wonderful friends.



Who has the best smile...it's a tie


Ok, on second thought, Annie wins


Babies are not toys


Relishing being home among good friends


How far we've come in 25 years

Re-entry and re-connecting: 2) All Smiles

Our first few days at home were spent largely in and around the house, watching Annie:


Exploring her first books



Beginning our extensive exercise regime


And just a lot of general snuggly times


Close lookings

In addition to getting over the time zone change, we began to equilibrate to the colder weather with some nice walks along the water.








And a number of really nice meals with our newest family member. As the next series of photos show, it was a beautifully smiley time for all.
.

All Smiles: 1
 


All Smiles: 2


All Smiles: 3


All Smiles: 4



All Smiles: 5 


All Smiles: 6
 

Re-entry and reconnecting: 1) Landing

Over the last several months before we returned from India, I had imagined again and again what it would be like to leave our apartment in New Delhi for the last time, what it would be like to take a taxi to the airport, what it would be like to sit on the airplane as it took off and so forth. Well, at the end of a fifteen hour flight, they were the images we had all been waiting for:


Jim and Rita Meek earned a gold star for driving 3 hours to meet us at the Newark airport at 4:30 a.m. For their magnanimous efforts, they got their first chance to hold their new grand daughter. 







Here, Grandpa Jim is beginning his new tradition of addressing Annie with the phrase "Annie, this is your grandfather speaking. Hello Annie!" (you have to here it for yourself to get the flavor)


After seeing my parents, the next thing I was most excited about was  seeing Boris, our dog who has been staying with Jim and Rita. 



There had been questions among some about how Boris would react to Annie.






Well, his Papa new that Boris would be a star and shower Annie with love, and that he did! He joined us on the couch and bathed Annie (literally!) with kisses.



After he made sure her hands were nice and clean he just nuzzled his head down onto her lap.




It was clearly a happy  return for all!

In Review: A Year in India

It's so hard to believe that a year in India has come and gone as I write this. It seems like just yesterday that we were carrying our luggage up the steps to Tannie and Murad's bed and breakfast in the cold, foggy night. Looking back on this experience is quite surreal: I remember walking onto the airplane in Newark, walking past the bulkhead area with the bassinet, and thinking that in a year that would be us, leaving with 2 but coming home with 3. Although most of these moments have been captured in one form or another in previous posts, I thought a whirlwind year-in-review post would be fitting for the end to this particular adventure. Please pardon me if either your favorite picture, or the crazy adventure we had together, isn't on here. Just know each of you made this an unforgettable year in India.



DECEMBER: Arrival


Good news that would define our trip




Underwhelmed with our furnished apartment





Beautiful scenery from a trip to New Year's Orcha with Tannie and Murad




JANUARY: Getting Settled


Working with the plant walllah




Dave hard at work





Who could forget Mumfli, the adopted street dog?


Dave travels to the Northeast




Root bridges




FEBRUARY: Ellora and Ajanta


Ajanta and Ellora with Sarah


APRIL: The Weavers visit


 The Taj



 Benares
 


Waiting on/for/in a train


 Jaipur


MAY: The Meeks Arrive


Back to Nanda Devi: Reconnecting with People and Places




After five years, screening the Nanda Devi documentary I helped produce in Lata village




Soaking in the scenery in Kurseong



Toy train to Darjeeling




 Relaxing in Kalimpong



Darjeeling and a special anniversary


 Playing in Kashmir


JUNE: To Ladakh

Learning about Ladakhi agriculture






Bluegrass in the backwoods




and the three M's, not Meek men, well, them too, but:


1. Mountains



2. Mustaches


3. Monasteries 


JULY:


Benares with Jon: As the Monsoon Arrives



Benares with Jon: Sitar Lessons


Benares: Ear cleaning


AUGUST:


On Day 1



Starting the life-long process of learning to be parents


Wonderful times with wonderful friends




SEPTEMBER



Grandma Gail arrives!!!



Getting legit


OCTOBER:


Birthday Bash at the Spa


Jantar Mantar


Surprise birthday party!!!


A Diwali to Remember


NOVEMBER:


Kerala Adventures




Good friends


Great times

Life-long relationships





DECEMBER: Liftoff!!!



Weighing in one last time