I'm Addicted to This Baby

Baabu! (means "small boy" and you must make the "baa" low and the "bu" a high pitched squeal when you say it) I miss this baby! SO much. Baabu (who I first thought was a girl because of pierced ears and silver anklets) is some relative of my host family---I think his father is a cousin of the kids. . . it's all so confusing because everyone is called "brother" or "sister" regardless of the actual relation. Baabu is not his real name; it's just what little baby boys seem to be called (I believe he already had his naming ceremony but when I asked what his real name was I was told that nobody knows yet except for the parents---I will consult with my Nepali connections to make sure that's right).

Baabu lived next door. Some mornings (after I got over jet lag and was able to sleep through roosters) I would wake up to the sound of his squeaky shoes (you know the kind of baby sandals that squeak when you step down) 3 stories below toddling around. He would always come with his grandfather to the shop my family ran on the 1st floor of the building where we lived to get attention, kisses and sweets. Even though he took a few weeks to warm up to me so I could hold him, he was such a happy baby all the time and never cried. I literally watched him grow right before my eyes: he was just starting to walk when I arrived and by the time I left he was running around. . . especially if there was a chocolate in plain sight. Oh, and Baabu loves his chocolate.

P.S. Baabu has the coolest clothes ever.