Over the last 2-3 weeks Akshra has learned to speak almost full sentences that are made up of up to 3 words. Here are some of the sentences she speaks:

• Paani peena Hai
• Dudu Dedo
• Mummy vo rahi
• 'Hanumaan' lagao

It is quite amazing to see how a child learns to speak -- beginning with blabbering, moving on to a word or two, then to several words, finally to short sentences and then to more complex sentences.

So far we have taught her Hindi only. We are not sure how well she will continue to speak it once she goes to day care. Hopefully she will still speak it. They say the burden will be on us. We will need to keep talking to her in that language.

Akshra is back from her first India trip. She had a great time generally but also faced certain challenges. Her lip had the usual stress scar and the flights were not pleasant for her. She is of a particularly bad age for taking long flights.

However, she found so many people to love an entertain her which was great. She became so attached to Chaachu (Neearj) and Chaachi (Meenu bhabhi) in Indore and also to Varusha who was so amazingly patient and loving to her. Her Naana and Nanni also enjoyed her company so much. Everybody misses her today and they are all sad to see her go.

I felt really bad leaving her all alone with the babysitter this morning. From being the apple of everyone's eye she is now with a foreign person in just one day. It is a pity.

Akshra had a tough time in Jaipur. She would not eat and the jet lag was completely screwing up her system. She did manage to charm everyone by going 'Hanuman, Hanuman' for pretty much everything she saw at Kalpesh Bhai's house -- which, as a matter of fact, is full of all sorts of decorative pieces and they all look like Hanuman to Akshra.

She had fun when she was out though. She got to see and sit on an elephant for the first time and also got to see lions and tigers -- all on the same day. Pretty amazing.