Spread the sunshine!

Domestic Disasters Tag

2009-06-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

Abha tagged me to do this one and finally i am getting to it. I have been trying to figure out what would qualify for this post as i cannot recollect any major disaster i have gotten myself into (touchwood). Well, this does not mean i am a kitchen goddess or anything, i have plenty of small incidents that keep happening all the time.

We will be married for 8 years this July. EIGHT! Gosh, that feels like forever and i am trying to recollect how it was during the early days of our marriage. I had no clue about housekeeping, cooking etc. Now, i was a good girl and used to help my mom with chores, dad with the finances, banking etc. But, that was what it was, just some work here and there. I was not responsible for the end to end execution.

We got married a year after we were out of college and we both had absolutely no clue about what it meant to run a house. We learnt together and today, i can proudly say we have come a long way. So, anyways during the initial days, some of the things that i can recollect other than the mandatory milk boiling over, water spilling over is this incident:

*) My MIL used to use a mortar-pestle for grinding the masala mixture and she used to use it fresh for every meal. I had seen her making it and wanted to try it. So, one fine day me and H decided to make usal with the recipe she followed with the fresh masala. All went well and the dish turned out quite well. The next day, the lady downstairs was at our door enquiring what the pounding sounds emanating from our house were and how disturbing they were. She being an experienced housekeeper asked me if i was pounding the masala in a mortar-pestle. I nodded. She asked me if i was using a thick cloth as a base to mask the sound. I looked at her sheepishly and learned a new lesson.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2009-05-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

Happy B'Day!

2009-05-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

Written on H's b'day last month, posting on mine :))

Well, I finally managed to surprise H on his birthday. Yay!!

In all these 10 years we have been together, it is always H who has
managed to surprise me on all the right occasions. I am the less
demonstrative one who just takes him for granted. Also, since he is my
best buddy, I can hardly keep anything from him. I mean I did manage on
a few occasions earlier to not tell him at least till the time I got
home with the plan:-) But, beyond that has been impossible.

So, this year again I decided to give it a try, since anyways the expectations would be low, considering my record. So, I enlisted A to help me (I am so clever, aint i?) HaHa.

On H's star birthday, A and I went shopping. We got a yummy Tiramisu cake, balloons and card paper, glitter glue, stickers etc to make a card. We had some decorations left at home from a prior party which I decided to use. We decided to use A's room as the venue and decorated it with some hanging stars and Happy Birthday balloons. After that, we made a card. I did all the hard work and A was busy exploring how he could get glitter all over the house except the card. He put on a few stickers and wrote down PAPA on the card and my job was done. We decorated a small table with the cards and a few of A's toys, balloons etc and the wait began.

I had decided to save the cake for later, I mean how much more optimistic could I be with A being my partner in crime. When H came home, we decided to hide in A's room and yell "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" as soon as H entered the room. Now, A takes after me in the "cannot control laughter" department and made sure that H realized we were in the playroom. H came in, we yelled, he was pleasantly surprised and we all were smiley/huggy and pleased as punch. Mr A who I am sure was playing along only for the cake (he takes after me again ;), I know he has inherited all my good habits), started yelling louder for the cake. So, we did the cake cutting right there and A stuffed himself with the cream. I have no idea how this kid manages to look as though we do not feed him anything even after this and we keep increasing in girth.

On his actual birthday, since I had not gotten him any gifts, I got him some really cool Sunglasses and ordered flowers to be delivered to his office. He was so totally surprised. I had surpassed my own expectations in managing to not tell him. The secret really was after I ordered online, I just decided to forget about it, there was no other way I was going to wait till he actually got it :-)

Surprise!

2009-05-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

Atharv: Happy B'Day mama

Me: Thanks, sweety. What are you doing for mama's birthday?

A: You have a surprise in the evening!

Me: Tell me about it.

A (whispering): It is a bigggg secret. I cannot tell you!!

I am waiting :-)

The time i eagerly await for..

2009-04-16T22:58:00.000-07:00

every day is when I go to pick up my darling son from school. I mean the kind of reception I get there, I totally forget everything for a moment to just revel and soak in that moment.

He just drops whatever he is doing and rushes into my arms. He envelops me in a really tight hug, snuggles into my shoulder and says "Mamma, I missed You" "Mamma, I Love You", and we both just savor the feeling.

"Bye, Bye Miss C" pipes the little voice I love and we proceed hand-in-hand to the school-gate to get back home.

P.S. A special Thanks to Avanti for inspiring me to blog :)

First Born Tag

2009-03-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

Avanti tagged me for this one and this is really special. It brought back so many lovely memories. Our little bundle of joy, we still cannot believe he has grown so much in these years and continue being amazed with every little thing!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Yes

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes!

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Butterflies in the stomach, Happy, Excited, Worried, Confused all at the same time. In short, overwhelmed with the enormity of the whole change.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?

It was planned.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
27

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
HPT followed by another at the gynaec

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
Hubby

8. DUE DATE?
31st Aug 2005

9. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
Evening and night sickness for the first 3 months.

10. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
Nothing. But, fortunately for me i was completely put off by sweets (i am a very sweet person :), i love sweets)

11. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
Unwanted advice.

12. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD’S SEX?
Male

13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
All i wanted was a healthy baby. Though i had an inkling it would be a boy.

14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
15 kgs

15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes by my Mum and Mom-in-law.

16. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
I knew,it was a small family affair.

17. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
PPROM (Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes).

18. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Manipal Hospital, Bangalore

19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
6-7

20. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL/BIRTH CENTER?
The driver accompanied by the entire family

21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
My Gynaec and team.

22. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
Natural

23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?Y
No

24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
2.2 kg (born 3 weeks early)

25. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?
19th July, 2005

26. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN THE DOCTOR ANNOUNCED THE SEX OF THE BABY?
I was too exhausted from the ordeal to react.

27. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST REACTION ON SEEING THE BABY?
The doc placed him on my chest and i was completely speechless on seeing the miracle bundle

28. DID YOU CRY?
Yes, tears just streamed out

29. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?

ATHARV

30. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY
3 years, 8 months

Thanks for waking me from hibernation, Avanti. I know i still have to do the US Relocation posts (copy-paste and me lazy bones cannot even manage that!!)

Tag Time

2009-03-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe this post has been in my Drafts folder for so long!

My first tag and that too something that cannot be refused!! The sweet Abha of Mama-Mia has tagged me, so here goes,

The rules for the tag are:

RULE #1 People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

RULE #2 Tag 6 people to do this quiz and those who are tagged cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by continue this game by sending it to other people.

1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?

**Hmm! i don't believe that is possible, 'cause i always tell H that only i can tolerate him and vice-versa!!

2. If you can have a dream come true, what would it be?

**Cliched as it is, world peace and a safe world

3. Whose butt would you like to kick?

**Evil and insensitive people

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

**WOW! loads of things, of course Shopping :)

6. Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by someone?

**Being loved by someone

7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you love?

**Well, thankfully i did not have to wait.

8. If the person you secretly like is attached, what will you do?

**Did not happen (touchwood)

9. If you could root for one social cause, what would it be?

**Something for kids

10. What takes you down the fastest?

**Mean and rude behavior

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

**Live in the present, but giving it a thought..Atharv's teenage years..haha..can it get better!

12. What’s your fear?

**Losing loved ones

13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

**Abha comes across as a really, really sweet person. I am sure she has heard this a lot before, but her smile really lights up her face and is so genuine that you cannot help but like her :)

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?

**Married and rich!

15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

**Shut off the alarm and snuggle

16. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously who will you pick?

**Not happening now

17. Would you give all in a relationship?

**Yeah i do. It's mutual.

18. Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing he has done?

**Mostly, but some hurts tend to come back.

19. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?

**I have been in a relationship for as long as i remember now :)

20. tag 6 people.

**I have done this tag so late..am not sure there is anyone left to do the tag :(

Zabaan Sambhalke!

2008-09-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

We cannot believe the amount of information A observes, grasps, and retains these days. So, me and H have to keep telling each other, "Zabaan Sambhalke", because we are totally unprepared for the scenarios where our words boomerang on us at the most opportune moments.

Scene 1:
A few days back, H wanted to make his special Maggi noodles for dinner and i was supposed to assist him. This basically means, H works and i keep interfering and passing comments :) We keep arguing about everything from the amount of oil used, which spices go in etc etc, of course all in good jest. So, we were in the kitchen and A was in the living room (within our sight) playing with his puzzle or so we thought until he suddenly barged into the kitchen, pulled at my sleeve and said in a loud, commanding voice

"DON'T TROUBLE MY PAPPA!!"

I was so taken aback that by the time i realised, H was having a hearty laugh and i too dissolved into loud guffaws.
**************************************************************************
Scene 2:
I was reading A his bedtime story. We finished and since he did not look very sleepy, i decided to have a conversation with him :)

Me: A, why did you refuse to walk in the evening when we went to the library?

A: Because, umm hummm..mumble mumble..

Me: Why beta?

A: I was tired!!!!

Me: What did you do to get so tired?

A: mumble...mumble...my back was breaking!!!

******************************************************************
We went to visit our friends sometime back and Atharv wanted to know if we could go there by car. So, H told him that since they lived very far from our place we would have to fly in an aeroplane. So, according to A, far = aeroplane.

A few days back, we were getting ready to go to the temple and A started his chatter. After a point of time he realized we had been driving for a long time, and

A: Mamma, have we reached?

Me: No beta, we still have to go further?

A: Mamma, will we have to go in an aeroplane then!

Field Trips

2008-09-18T15:59:00.000-07:00

We started A's preschool in April and since it was still cold there were not many outdoor activities. We shifted him to his current school in June, and since it was summer he had the opportunity to go on a number of field trips. He has had a blast and has enjoyed, though he very rarely tells us all the details. Sigh! But we are happy that he is happy :)

As usual with all his first things, i was the one who was unnecessarily worried about whether he would be fine. I was apprehensive about all things right from the transportation to his getting on the bus, to being with the teacher and other kids. I know it just doesn't make sense, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. As it turned out with other things as well, he not only went and came back safely but also enjoyed himself thoroughly.

Farm: This was his first field trip. We take him to the farm regularly because of his cow fascination, so he was already familiar with the place and more than eager to go there. The fact that this trip happened in the week school started made it easier for him to like the school as well :)). His teacher said he enjoyed himself and fed grass to the goats alongwith the other kids. The only thing Atharv was willing to contribute was asking us whether he was going to the farm every time he went to school the week after!

Fire Station: Since this is very nearby they walked to the place. He got a cute fireman's hat and a sticker. And, every time he comes in the vicinity of anything hot he cries "Fire" "Fire".

Library: He went for a puppet show at the library and had a good time as he likes listening to stories. Now, every time he likes a soft toy, he wants to know if it is a puppet.

Aviary: He visited the aviary, but all he would tell us was about how he enjoyed feeding the fish!

Supermarket: Highlight of this trip was the free cookie!!

Museum: He was fascinated by the dinosaur exhibits and wanted to know all about them but as per his attention span, for a week.

Once in a while, he will suddenly remember one of the trips and ask if they will be going again. I am really feeling sad that summer is coming to an end soon and it will mostly be indoor activities, though i guess they will have some outdoor programs once in a while when the weather is not so bad.

You make my day :)

2008-09-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

Me: Atharv, mamma is not feeling well :(

A (patting my back): Iss OK mamma.

Me (continuing the melodrama): Who will take care of me?

A: Don't worry mamma, pappa will take care of you!

Me: Will Atharv take care of mamma?

A: Athu is mall (small) boy, so he cannot take care of mamma!!! When he is big boy he will take care...
****************************************************************************

Me: Athu, who is your best friend?

A: Mamma

Me: Why is Mamma your best friend? (I know i just cannot stop :))

A: Because, i Love You
****************************************************************************
Thanks Darling for making my day special, everyday with your unconditional love.

The School Chronicles - 2

2008-09-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have to mention here that i was really panicky about how my baby (of course, now i understand why a kid is always a baby for the parents no matter how old he/she is!) would cope up with school. I like to think of myself as very practical person but it just does not work when it comes to A. So, i was overly critical of everything in the beginning.

We started out with researching and checking out the places in our neighborhood. The first place we went, we took an instant dislike as we felt it was too cramped. The second school (School A) was something we liked immediately as it was a nice, big, and cheerful place. The classrooms were very likeable. The major attraction was they had a huge Gym room which was indoor and could be used even in the winter as a playground when they could not go out. The other bonus here was they had cameras and you could watch your kid at school.

However, they did not have any open slots and there was a waiting list. We decided to list A's name for any available open slot ASAP. In the meanwhile, we checked out some other places and decided to enroll him in School B till the time we secured admission in School A.

Then began our preparations for the first day. I guess i was more psyched than anybody else. We started preparing A in advance by telling him that he would be meeting new friends, playing new games, toys etc and he would have a good time. We also made him aware that he would be on his own and mamma would pick him up after a couple of hours.

The first day dawned and it had snowed the previous night making it extremely cold. We got A dressed in warm clothes, gave him his school bag and we were ready! We reached school, completed the formalities and then took A to his classroom. As expected, he started crying that we should not leave him, but we hugged him and told him he would be allright. H left for office as i had decided to stay on and wait in the reception to check things out. Every few minutes, i would head out to check without being seen by A. He cried and cried and cried. I was heartbroken and felt so guilty. The worst part was that the teachers just ignored him. I was furious by this behaviour. I do understand that they are professionals and have certain rules, but we had already spoken to them about our relocation, etc and how A would need a little extra attention initially to get used to new surroundings.

So, anyways H came to pick us up after a few hours and A was more than happy to come home with us. I spoke to H and we decided that i would wait with him in class for the next couple of weeks/days based on how A was coping up. I did understand that this would only make it more difficult for A to adjust, but my heart was just not willing to let him be ignored like that. So, the next few weeks i would sit in the class and observe from a distance. To my dismay, i really disliked the place. For one, it was essentially a day care contrary to what they marketed and the teachers just supervised! Initially, i thought i should give it a little time and things would work themselves out. But, the more i observed the more it became apparent that i did not want to send my kid there. The other reason was the distance from our place and the commute was getting hectic for H.

Fortunately, by this time we received a call from School A that there was an open slot and we could enroll A. We were a little apprehensive after the first experience but decided we should be positive. The other advantage was the cameras. The first day went off pretty well and A had a pretty good time. The major difference was the teachers were really friendly and made him feel special.

For the last couple of summer months, he has been having a blast with field trips to the zoo, aviary etc. He has now started liking the place and actually looks forward to the 3 days he goes to school. We are also quite comfortable now that our little one has made the transition, but i am still far from sending him there full-time and getting back to work. I guess i need more time to cross that bridge.

The School Chronicles - 1

2008-09-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

School! is such a major topic of dicsussion when it comes to kids. I know people who started worrying and researching even before the baby was born. In my case, i decided to cross the bridge when i reached there. So, i was quite calm while others worried. Eventually, it caught up with me and i too started checking out playschools around the time Atharv turned two.

Ignorant as i was, i had never realised that the concept of education had become so commercialised and changed so drastically. All i was looking for was a place where A could interact with other kids and have a good time for a couple of hours a week. But most of the places we checked out threw terms like syllabus, structured learning, teaching method etc etc at me for which i was totally unprepared. I decided to let the whole thing go and wait for a couple of months more to decide.

In the meanwhile, we had to relocate to the US for H's job transfer and A was 2 1/2 by this time. So, we planned to reach a concrete decision after we were settled down in the new place. The way things work here are different from the way it is in India. In a way, i was happy because somehow the thought of A going to "school" so early was bothering me. So, started the search for a good preschool with daycare because i eventually planned to work. We decided we would send him for 2 days/week for 2-3 hours and then gradually increase the days/hours based on how he was adjusting to the new environment, his peers, and teachers.

Potty Tales

2008-09-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

One of my friends who has a one year old wanted to know if she could start potty training. I said "sure" but make sure you have loads of patience and endurance because personally from my experience, they have better body control as well as communication by 18 months to 2 years. She asked me about my experience and i was more than happy to share.

We started out at around 18 months and by 2 years A was doing fairly good but i still used diapers when we went out. We started by taking him to the bathroom at regular intervals and doing away with diapers during the day. I used diapers at night initially but gradually used a plastic sheet. We also used to take him for bathroom breaks at night. I used to sleep like a log earlier but after A every small movement of his wakes me up and i have to check if he is allright. This kinda made me aware of his discomfort if he wanted to pee but was too sleepy, he would crawl in bed. I do not remember how i managed in deep sleep, used to seem like a dream the next day ;-)

The training took a backseat when we relocated and A took a little time to get used to the new surroundings and drastic changes. But, this time in a month or two, he was completely potty trained and we did not need diapers either while going out or at night. We have had very few accidents since and i am one happy mother :-))

So, now we have our share of potty tales whenever we go out. One of the most recent ones had me and H in splits. When i take A to a public restroom, the first thing he will want to do is explore and flare my temper. So, everytime we go the first thing i tell him is

Me: Don't touch anything.

A (as always!): Why should i not touch anything?

Me: Because there are germs.

A: Why?

This happens every time and by now i have reached the stage of acting busy by rolling up tissue etc and we get the work done.

This week after one of these instances, i washed his hands and gave him tissue to wipe. A looked innocently at me before taking it and asked:

Mamma, does this have germs?!

Why????

2008-09-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

Atharv's favorite word for the past few months has to be "Why?". And mine "Why me????". Hmm so just when i was jumping with joy as he turned three in July hoping the terrible two's had ended and i would be enjoying some semblance of sanity, i have realised it only gets better!!!
This is how conversations happen in the A household

A: Mamma, where is pappa?

Me: He has gone to office.

A: Why has pappa gone to office?

Me: To work.

A: Why does pappa work?

Get the drift. We have had innumerable instances like these. Sigh. Either i lose my patience or A is not happy with my answers. But, I have found a way of ending the conversation on a happy note if it gets too tricky for me to handle ;-). I just give him a bigggg hug and get him down and tickle him. He dissolves in peals of laughter and it works :-). Well, for some time atleast.

Tongue-tied

2008-04-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

is how we are most of the time these days, what with Atharv's vocabulary and the ability to analyze! increasing at an alarming rate.

Me: Atharv, what are you doing?

A (all serious): I am thinking yaar..

Yeah, right. Gosh! that reminds me we have to be careful of what we say in front of him..lemme remind H..
*****************************************************************

H picking up flavored water bottles in the supermarket is jolted out of his stupor when Mr. A highness pats his back and says:

Pappa, you found my sugar aabu (water). What a good boy you are!!!!

******************************************************************

Me: Atharv, do you want a baby brother or sister? (Why i have to ask this question when we have decided that we can handle only one is beyond me)

A: No, I want you and pappa!

*******************************************************************
H: Atharv, come let's get ready to go out.

A: I am doing some work yaar!!!

********************************************************************
Afternoon naps have become an ordeal. I am trying my best not to get agitated and yell at him, but he just makes me reach my limits. Every afternoon, we spend a good hour or more to make him sleep. It ends up with me fast asleep and then realising he has no choice he naps.

A few days back, angry but not wanting to shout, i just left him on his bed and decided to check e-mail. After about 2 mins i am trying to login, when i hear a sweet voice

A: Goo Morning mamma, it's time to wake up now!!!

Gyaan time!

2008-04-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

Mamma: Atharv, can u see the sun?

A (more interested in a bird): Ummm

Mamma (not giving up and trying to impart some gyaan to her disinterested son): When the sun goes home, it becomes dark and the moon comes.

End of conversation as we reach home and A decides he has had enough of the gyaan.

Next day, clever mamma tries to see if her darling son has understood and learnt things right!

Mamma: Arrey Atharv, sun has still not gone home, but moon has come?

A (in a grownup kind of voice with hand and face expressions): HAVE SOME PATIENCE mamma, he will go!!!!!

Mamma, speechless decides to take it easy on the gyaan sessions ;)

The past three months

2008-04-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

have been crazy and hectic. We have relocated to the US for a few years and are just about settled in the new place and getting used to things. Relocation is a big circus..more so with a toddler in tow. Atharv has adjusted remarkably well in the new surroundings. Of course, that does not mean the tantrums are gone, am just trying to look at the bright side. Sigh!

I am really enjoying my new full-time SAHM (as it goes in the blog world) responsibilities. Atharv and me have been having so many good and not so good ;) experiences together. For one, i am constantly on my toes to keep him occupied and stimulated. Secondly, all the housework ensures that i do not have too much free time to think about anything else, forget blogging.

But, i am slowly learning to balance things and get some time off to blog. Loads of things have happened, more importantly Atharv's personality is constantly undergoing changes. He has started preschool! (a very important milestone). This is the first time he has been away from us (apart from his grandparents) and it was a highly emotional moment for me to see my boy growing up. I still have mixed feelings about his going to school.

Also, i am very apprehensive about keeping him in daycare and going to work. The daycare system here is good (and that is what i keep trying to convince myself :() Expecting them to exclusively look after your child like you do is too much i guess. Anyways, i am still in the process of sorting my thoughts and deciding what's best for all of us. H, sweetheart that he is, as always is by my side, patiently listening and assuring me.

Hopefully, i will reach a decision soon.

Happy New Year

2008-01-09T20:14:00.000-08:00

Yeah Yeah I know, it's quite belated :) But anyways, now that i have finally gotten down to posting, this seemed like a good title ;-)

Atharv continues to get better at his antics which either have us rolling with laughter or tearing our hair. There are no half-measures here! His vocabulary is increasing at an amazing pace and we are often left wondering as to where did he learn it?

These are some of the conversations we are subjected to:

H checking the locks at night in the dark living room

A going behind him, hugging his leg says: Dont worry Papa..I am here :))

********************************************************************
Me: Beta, can you please stand here for a minute while i finish my work.

A: Anything for you mamma.

I almost have tears in my eyes at this point.

********************************************************************
H to me: Should I park here?

A: Papa, left.

Me and H: Huh!when did he start understanding directions

A not bothered and continues: It will be comfortable!!!
********************************************************************
Me: How r u feeling beta?

A: Better...thinks for some time..No No..Intelligent!!!
********************************************************************
His stubbornness to do everything himself often leads to disastrous situations like spilt food, water etc, and everytime this happens, our man clucks his tongue like a grown up and tries to clean up the mess making it messier. Phew!

And the current favourite award goes to....

2007-11-30T01:32:00.000-08:00

We have been observing this all along, but it is getting stronger now with distinct preferences and assertions. And, since the attention span to hold Atharv's interest has increased from say 2 sec to 3 sec!!, it still keeps changing at a really fast pace :-))
So, here are some of the things that qualify currently:

Toy
Atharv has a huge collection of these ranging from cars, soft toys to his laptop and learning drum. He also has a complete zoo with baby animals and mama animals (the small ones are the babies, and the baby term is generously used for anything that is small). The cow is his all-time favorite (but, of course!!), but the current favorite is the baby happoo (hippo).

Book
Some Cows!! This is a fun book about cows and he loves the page which reads:
"Some Cows are dark, Some Cows are light
Some Cows cannot be seen at night"

Blanket
The teddy blanket without which he will not sleep. Have to ensure i sneak it out to get it washed..whew!!

Puzzle
H recently got him a 4-in-one animal puzzle (25, 30, 35, 40 pieces) and he loves it to bits. He has learnt how to put it together. The latest task is to mix all the puzzle pieces together and ask my father to sort them out!! Then, ask him to complete the puzzle and scream "Wrong answer" whenever he fits a wrong piece.

Shoes
Pooh bootoo (Winnie the Pooh shoes)

Favorite Poem
We got him a nursery rhymes CD some weeks back and he loves the poems and has learnt most of them. But, will not say any in front of us. So, the favorite is:

Hey Diddle Diddle
The Cat and the Fiddle
The Cow jumped over the Moon
The Little Dog laughed to see such fun
And the Dish ran away with the Spoon

His face lights up everytime the cow jumps over the moon and he starts shouting "hamma", "hamma" and whoever is with him has to reciprocate :-))

Clothes
He's not fussing much in this department, though he sometimes picks up what he wants to wear and will wear only that, even if it is the greatest mismatch ever! Few months back, he had developed a liking for one particular shirt and wore it 3 days in a row refusing to get out of it!!. I used to make him remove (amidst major protests) and hide it, but he somehow managed to find it each time.

Hmm, that's about all i can remember now, and even as i write this loyalties are being changed and i have to go and find the Wnnie Pooh book he wants to read! Sigh! :-))

Happiness Bubbleth Over

2007-11-22T02:29:00.000-08:00

We all love bubbles, dont we? I remember lazy childhood afternoons spent in blowing bubbles. We did not have the fancy contraptions you get these days. So, we would take a mug full of soapy water, roll up paper like a straw and enjoy ourselves. The paper roll used to be refreshed everytime it became too soggy and threatened to fall into the soap solution. I can still remember the pleasure and pride we felt when the bubbles were big and stayed for long.

Atharv's first introduction to bubbles happened when he received a bubble blower as a return gift. I hid it from him for some time successfully. Then one day, when we were running out of ideas to keep him entertained, i remembered. And, what a pleasure it was :-)

This is the Mad Momma's post which nudged me out of my slumber to post this long overdue post.

H blowing bubbles, Atharv squealing with delight at every bubble and making sure he burst them all. Asking H to blow bigger and bigger bubbles. The joy and happiness on his face is something i can never forget. How innocent and pure kids are, the smallest and most trivial things make them happy!! I was a mere spectator to this scene. I was so engrossed that i did not even want to go from there for a minute to fetch the camera and now am regretting that i do not have a picture :(

Maybe another time...

Go Go Goa (Oct 31 - Nov 3, 2007) - Contd

2007-11-20T03:35:00.000-08:00

Day 3: This was the day the rest of the gang was supposed to join us. We went to P & P's resort in the morning and decided to go to Baga beach. We went and enjoyed ourselves in the sea..well almost :). Mr Atharv decided that he liked the swimming pool better and he preferred the sand to the sea. So, we took turns keeping him company.

Headed back to the resort and gave Atharv his lunch and let him sleep. H & P went to pick up the others. Me and Prachi had a good chat. And finally at about 4, the others arrived and we decided to go for a late lunch!! Had lunch and roamed around a bit. The boys decided to have a boys night out, so they dropped me and Prachi at the resort and headed back to their hotel.

Day 4: Time to leave :( We bid goodbye and left for the airport a good 2 hrs before the flight. The security at the airport was kind enough to let us in after seeing a sleeping child with us. And then the trial began. When we did not hear any flight announcements even 5 mins before the flight was supposed to take off, we had an inkling that something was wrong. And l! we heard the announcement that the flight was delayed by 2 hrs. 2 hrs turned to 4 and they finally told us that the flight was cancelled.

We had wrongly thought Jet Airways to be very customer friendly. To begin with we had to wait at the airport with a 2 yr old without any proper communication. Then they put us up in a pathetic hotel, where i could not even feed my baby with proper food. The icing on the cake was the bus that transported us to the hotel. It felt like we had stepped into a freezer. We were totally unprepared for this as the climate in Goa was the other extreme. The rescheduled flight was at 6 in the morning and the shuttle was supposed to pick us up at 4!!

We wisely decided to book a cab instead, reached the airport, and were so happy when we finally landed in Bangalore. Atharv was at his cranky best partly due to the change in routine and of course due to sleep deprivation. I was trying my best to remain calm and composed.

So, all in all we had a good holiday and the last bit made it even more memorable ;-))

Go Go Goa (Oct 31 - Nov 3, 2007)

2007-11-19T05:19:00.000-08:00

This post is long overdue, almost a month after our vacation.

GOA - I love the place, but then who doesn't. Inspite of the humid climate which i have blissfully left behind in Mumbai (but it still will be my favorite place as it has all my special memories associated and of course the place i grew up), i have always loved Goa.

We have been to this place once before, when we were just the two of us, footloose and fancy free :). This time was a different experience though just as good or even better.

We had decided a reunion with our college friends and Goa was the unanimous choice. So, as with all our vacations with Atharv, we packed loads of stuff (all his toys, clothes, etc etc). The departure was quite uneventful (the flight was 5 mins early!! can u beat that ;-)). Prachi and Prasad were waiting for us at the airport. We were meeting them after 5 years and it felt so good. We started our journey to Taj Holiday Village joking and laughing. Atharv refused to go to the two of them and relished all the attention being showered on him.

We reached Taj Holiday Village and checked into our room. The resort is beautiful. P & P proceeded to their resort and we decided to meet for dinner. We freshened up and went to P & P's resort, generally talked and roamed around. Decided to head back to Taj for dinner. Had a lovely dinner at Caravela, the beach cafe. P & P were totally taken aback with our new roles as parents and how our life revolved around this little character :-))

Day 2: Had a lovely breakfast again at Caravela, watching the sea. Atharv had his milk and he sampled all the other things as well. I loved the Chocolate Doughnuts (yummmmy). We then had a great time at the pool. H, P & P decided to go for the temple visit and i decided to stay back at the resort as we did not want to disturb Atharv's afternoon nap.

Went for a drive and dinner in the evening and ended it with Coffee/Dessert at CCD. Atharv for the first time started a little bit of interaction after all the maska-chaska sessions.

I am so impressed :)

2007-11-19T04:57:00.000-08:00

Atharv's behaviour has been oscillating between very good to worst tantrum and everything in between. Sometimes we are able to get an upper hand, but most of the times we are totally clueless about what to do and just let the tide subside :))

Since he was having the sniffles 2 weeks back, we took him to the doc. The doctor's clinic has rooms with different themes, and Winnie the Pooh is sunshine's favourite. But as luck would have it, we were asked to wait in the Mickey Mouse room, and Atharv threw a big tantrum. We had a tough time controlling him and making him wait till the doctor finished his work. Whew!! And just when i was really worked up, the doc gives him his customary chocolate.

It was his dinner time and i didnt want him to eat the chocolate just then, so i told him that i would give it to him after his dinner. And guess what :) HE AGREED. I could not believe my luck. So, there you go.

Now as if this wasn't enough for me to digest, we had gone to buy H a watch over the weekend. Since, Atharv was getting into the habit of eating chocolates almost everyday we decided to ensure that he did not one that day. We went to get the strap adjusted and before we could react, there's the girl in the shop shoving two chocolates in Atharv's hand much to his joy!!

Now, I am in the Catch 22 situation again. Lunch time is hovering around, if i take the chocolate out of his hand, it will be a tantrum situation. And just then, my boy shows me that he's a BIG BOY now. He takes the chocolates, says Thank You, turns to me and tells me "Mamma, after mummum (lunch). I almost have tears in my eyes and give him a BIG HUG.

Love you lots dear..

After a long time

2007-10-26T03:01:00.000-07:00

I started the blog with the hope that i would be able to put in a post regularly and capture whatever maximum moments i could in my sunshine's life. I already feel guilty about not doing this long ago, and now again i have fallen behind :(

So, am going to try and make a post atleast once a month if not every week :). Atharv's growing up has been really amazing and fascinating. We are loving every minute of it. Even the smallest thing leaves me all senti and proud of my little baby.

He can complete his puzzles by himself (i still can't believe he completed the 25 piece Ice Age puzzle in 10 mins without any help). He knows most of the stuff in his books. I never realized he was being attentive and hanging on to every word i read and story i told him. But, all that is reaping rewards now when he can narrate or identify most of the things :). And it makes me sooooo happy.

He is also becoming an individual in his own right. He knows what he wants to wear, eat, play (whew!) and sometimes i am at a loss to handle certain situations where he will not budge. The consolation is though he loves and adores his papa, he also OBEYS him, whereas he could care less about what i say.

His vocabulary has increased by leaps and bounds. It is extremely cute to hear him string sentences and talk the way adults do. I just hug him tight and kiss him. Our baby will soon grow up and these are the memories we will hang on to.

Moo Moo Blues!

2007-07-26T02:52:00.000-07:00

This is one experience i have to blog and make sure Atharv reads it when he grows up :-) All kids are fascinated by animals and Atharv baby is no different...But with Atharv, though he likes all animals, he simply adores cows!! (hamma or hamba as he calls them). So, every day when he clings to me and refuses to let me go to office, the grandparents have to lure him away with the promise of showing him a cow :-)

We had bought a toddler CD from the Reader Rabbit series and it had this one particular game called "Baby Basket Bingo" which he absolutely loved. The game involved matching the baby animals hidden in a basket with their parents based on sounds. Atharv would be ecstatic as the baby would pop out of the basket and go to its mom. Since it was random play, you had to keep shuffling till there was a cow in the game, or he would be upset...phew!

The story here is, he soon figured out how to open and close the CD drive, much to my chagrin. And, one fine day. actually not so fine for poor me :-(, he broke the CD. All hell broke loose, as he refused to play any other game. I tried and persisted but he did not give in.

Finally, after searching for 2 days and buying a whole lot of other things in the hope he would forget, i managed to get a copy of the CD. What a relief! I immediately made a copy of it, so i wouldn't be in trouble again...Hmm, i really do not know if that's even a remote possibility ;-)

H, I reallllllllly miss u...Come back soon!!

Welcome to the terrible two's!!

2007-07-19T23:19:00.000-07:00

Atharv's second b'day and he had a blast. I had decorated the hall and the rooms with colourful cute cartoon characters, stickers and balloons. He had a gala time with all of these :-)

We had a small party with only the immediate family (Amma, Appa, MIL, FIL, bro, and sis-in-law). We might have another when H is back. I do not remember having even a single party for my birthdays :-)).

Things have changed so drastically from the time I was a kid. Sometimes, I feel all the shopping I do in Atharv's name is actually that child in me which keeps poking its head out. I am happy he is exposed to so much more in terms of everything, but also worried if I will be successful in inculcating the correct moral values.

Parenting is a huge responsibility and that's the reason me and H took a long time to decide we were ready for this job. I still have that overwhelming feeling I had when we first knew we would be parents, almost every single day!!

Finally! the first post....

2007-07-11T03:33:00.000-07:00

After procrastinating for a long time, i have finally decided to start blogging and here's the first post!

Hope to capture the memories of me, H (hubby dear), and our sunshine(Atharv). So many things to write about, don't know where to start!!Something significant or trivial that will bring a smile or take us down nostalgia lane later and help remember the precise thing that happened.