When does the rat race begin?

Over four years since my last post, and I have chanced upon my blog once again. And again, another promise to myself to periodically update.  

The four years have seen me getting married and become the father of a lovely little girl, which brings me now to what prompted me to begin this post. 

My daughter Indira , 5 and a 1/2 months old now, is just like any other active infant of her age. She howls when she' s hungry, or sleepy, or needs to be cleaned, or if she's just plain bored. She laughs if someone makes eye contact and smiles at her, is fascinated with the wall hangings and pictures, is intrigued with the workings of the ceiling fan, and loves greenery.  She flails her arms and legs, and is constantly rotating when we place her on a matress .  And yet, till the day before, she was subject to much scrutiny and questions from every one, from the massage lady to my grandmother. Reason, she still had'nt turned over. 

'The baby boy at the other place I visit turned over yesterday, he's only 3 months old!' says the massage lady. 'Babies typically turn over by their 4th month' , says my granny. 

Comparisons, milestones, landmarks, all these have begun for my little one. Her race to survive and succeed in this world, from turning over, to crawling, walking , talking, standing first in class, topping her board exams..does this where it all begins? 

Indira succeeded in turning over day before yesterday. She did that twice in quick succession, just to prove a point, and has now returned to her old ways. Congratulations, my daughter, the rat race has begun.