Long time

I have become so irregular at writing - I think I almost forgot I have a blog.

So, My Aghoo is now a full blown 3.5 year old little girl. I get weird looks from people when I say " My baby" as I refer to her. Who cares! I will forever make that reference .

She is a sensitive and very very perceptive little girl.Some days I am moved by her concern. Like this one day, when I was at my friend's place at dinner time and she was at home with HD- I called her to say good night and she asked " amma .. Nee saptiya?". Isnt that amazingly considerate for a 3 year old?
Well I definitely think so- in my very unbiased opinion!
She has "Best Friends" now.R and C. This little boy C and Aghoo have a special language- its a combination of Tamil, Sankranti ( a dialect of Kannada?)... It is so cute!
We went to the pumpkin patch with her class mates ( including C). She had SO MUCH FUN!
My baby has a social life now- getting invited to birthday parties and potlucks!

We are now looking forward to Halloween- we cant wait to be Cinderella!

5-star!

MK's post on chocolates triggered me to write this after a long hibernation.Many of my fond memories are associated with chocolates- especially 5-star.

Growing, up , 5-star was my favorite- it still is. If I got to distribute 5-star ( instead of those measly rs.1 eclairs), I was in heaven.

1) I remember Rajathi akka ( our house keeper) buying me 5-star form spare change every time she went to the store.

2) My V thatha used to  buy me a 5-star every time he visited us- I was clearly his favorite ;)

3) Sr. Martha( almost a surrogate grandmother to me- a very nice nun/ nurse in my father's hospital) used to buy me a 5 star every year for my birthday.Is it ironic that she passed away on my bday too?

4)Any childhood bet- I would always ask for a 5 star

5) I saved up about Rs.2000 and gave it to Rajathi akka when I left home for college. This year when I went home, she still had it and wanted to buy 5-star(s) with it for me :(.

6)HD ( when we were still just friends) used to give me a 5 star every day when we were in college. This was in the pretext of "same same sweet"- that silly game where you wear the same color clothes, you are supposed to give the other person a sweet. Sometimes, I would claim that we both had black hair and ask for a 5 star :P. One day, I remember the canteen ran out of 5 star, the HD actually walked all the way to the main road ( must have been at least a mile) to get my daily dose.

7) My parents- when I got married- gave me a box of 100 5-stars when I left for the US. Loved and cherished eating them one at a time..

8)My Mil got me a box with 100 5 stars when she came to visit us for the first time.So sweet :( :(

9) The only person I have shared my 5-star with is Aghoo :)

Birthday letters

I had asked a few people that are close to Aghoo to write a few words for Aghoo's birthday..

I am so moved by these and want to save it here for posterity
-------------------
From Vaidu Mami

Where do I start? Ok let me start by my chronicle of U J
When we learnt from your parents that you were expected, (Your dada  being the Peter he is, made the announcement in English saying “Guess what guys, we are going to have a baby”  and he was beaming-Ur amma had the biggest smile I had seen until the day she showed U to us) I was fervently hoping for a huggable, lovable, cute, smart little girl whom we could dress as much as we like and who would be a Diva no less!!! You have more than answered my hopes Riyu !!
We saw you on Feb 6th – Saturday at around 5:30 pm .. U were exact replica of Ur dada..Ramya’s home was completely transformed from a modern couple’s home to a home filled with Baby cribs, a cute bowl in which you bathed, baby diapers, wipes  and there was little you in a big crib J. Ur mom and dad were treating handling you like a nuclear element-with utmost care and gentleness (still not believing that you were real) and ur amma paati was here all excited J
Fast forward to few months-We took you to Lake tahoe when u were 4 month old-U screamed your head off during the drive-At that time when you were 4 month old, U obliged us with occasional smile and loads of cute baby coos.Our first Hawaii trip was with U Aghoo and boy oh boy it was so fun filled-U have always love water and swimming pool. I have some adorable videos of U enjoying ur first swim.We played with U non stop and U were attached to Mommy like her finger :P
You first birthday took place in Lake Elizabeth and U had walked by then.. we had delicious cake and yummy food to enjoy along with Ur Ava and Ashok chitta’s ppt playing.Do you remember the day when u started 1-2 for signifying more than one? Once I said Riya, I will get you one – two flower and got you only one.. and man U remembered that I said one two and demanded for another-What a memory baby!
U ,Ava and I had loads of fun decorating your feet nails with Ava’s French Manicure pen-tips(hope you remember this :P). One day we all took you to Half Moon Bay (when you were just 2) and took you downtown Palo Alto for some dinner-U insisted on dancing on the street to music from random Guitar player and wearing only Diaper with your 1-c while eating food.. We have never been more enthralled :P
Please remember Ava’s surprise baby shower-U were super excited that soooo many people were home that U kept saying “Thippi surprise pannalaamm “ J..Baby, why do you choose me and Ava as ur official food giver in all social functions?? Its almost like “My amma does this everyday-let her have fun in this occasion, U Vaidu maami/Ava take care of me “.. remba sammathu. I wish I had a camera to capture the look of pride and delight and you screaming “Go Mommy” when Ur mom rode (for a few feet) Param’s cycle around the park-U were constantly screaming Go Mommy and when I was cycling, U kept asking me “Vaidu maami, all done????” implying Ur mom must ride now.. What a diplomacy.. U certainly inherit it from Ramya
I have no clue how that baby in Hawaii is the 3 year old who holds our attention all the time now.. U have had a conversational burst after India trip saying terms like “Malavalapazham”,”Veshamam pannara”,”Venumne Shoellara”and so on.
Some trademark Riya characteristics-
·         U are so unhappy when guests leave ur home (just like ur parents),
·         How do you know that Venky mama and I are a couple-U always ask for other when U see us alone, 3)
·          Very intuitive – U know that ur mommy will talk to me or amma palya while driving
·         very fun loving-U grace us with instant bursts into dance when Kutthu Paatu is playing
·         ABSOLUTELY FEARLESS –when a dog came running towards us in Coitt Tower in winter 2010, U stood proud and fearless .. we all bolted from the scene
·         eager to try new food/things (most mommies will do anything to have a baby who likes to try stuff like U)
·         Love to dress up-Once I asked U why you were dressed head to toe in pink - U replied “Why? Na boooootiful ahh iruken la? Adhu naala dhaan”
·         Very affectionate – U get attached very easily papa-hope you stay the same
·         Clarity of thought is mind boggling-I don’t have it still Kanna J
·         Fast learner-It takes only one telling to make u understand
·         Cute Dancer and entertainer
·         Big Lover of strawberries and “bir –naani”
I cannot really think of proper conclusion to this Riya  baby as I am going to be around you as long as I am on earth..But I cannot sign off without telling you

“I Love You” 
-------------------
From My amma( her amma palya)- She doesnt type very well- so this is a huge deal!


 
frve iom the day you nwere born my first grandchild all talks were only about you.all plans of your parents their life started revolving around you.and the way my firstborn your mom has transformed cannot be put into simple words.her life revolves around you only.you have made your mom proud by everything you do.including your timely peeing and pooing.by your arrival into this world you have inculcated values 'responsibilities happiness and what not into your mom.happy bday baby

 -------------------
 From her chithi

Riya kuttyyyy..May you get a lot of joy this year and all the years to come!! Wish you many happy returns of the day!!
Dress up like a princess cutie pie!! Barney and cinderella are on their way!! hope you get them soon :))

With loads of love,
chithi
 

Kids say the darnest things

Aghoonoosh is a full blown  preschooler! Sometimes she blows me away with her insight. Sometimes she tests my patience with her typical 3 year old tantrums.


Every day , I get ready , brush her teeth comb her hair( since dada finds it very difficult to make kudumis :)) and hand her off to HD for breakfast/shower and drop off at school.
I am usually rushing through my coffee and getting my lunch ready when dada makes her breakfast. Every since day, whether she is in the middle of a game with dada or talking to her thatha or having a tantrum, when I say bye she asks " coffee kudichiya ma?".How does she know that it makes my day?

Yesterday , when I was picking her up from school, one of her friends mom was carrying her friend. She tells me " yella babies mommy yum carry panra.. nee mattum carry panradhey illama". She knows I don't carry her because of my bad back. This of course melted my heart and I carried her for a little bit.Little madam understood that this technique works. She came home and I asked her to drink her milk , she says "yella babies mommy yum cookie thara school lendu home poi.. nee mattum thara matengara" . Smarty pants! She says it with such an earnest look too!

I was trying to get her to finish up her milk ( the bane of my existence!) and I told her-when I was small, I used to come home from school and finish all the milk akka palya ( the akka in our house) used to give me in one big gulp. She asks "yen? where did your mommy go?" . So, I was honest and told her, my mommy was working . She thought for a while and asked me " where did your dada go?" #stumped!


She LOVES her books. The one bribe that will get her to finish her night time milk- if I tell her that I will ready 2 books that day instead of one! I am so happy she has inherited the love of books ( from me ;)). She even sleep with her favorite books next to her. She  pretends to read them to her toys- too funny to watch!

We took her to Tahoe2 weekends ago with our friends and Chitha/chithi. Agnoosh had so much fun in the snow :). She was waiting for penguins to come out though- which of course did not happen :)

This weekend , we are taking her to Disney with ava/achu and chitha/chithi. She is so excited to meet Mickey/Goofy/Minnie and the princesses. She keeps asking - " Amma Disney ku yenna dress podalam? Amma Mickey pesuma yenta? Amma Mickey kadikuma (!!) ? Amma Mickey yennoda book yeduthukuma? Amma, can we take the pincesh ( princess) book to Disney?"

Love you my littlest !

Words from the mouth of a babe

Scenario 1:-

Aghoo and amma are eating leftover chicken curry and dosai for dinner.

Aghoo is licking her chicken curry and generally liking it ( kala tikka!!) .

Aghoo : " Amma I like your mummum"
Amma: " o thank you kutta.. what do you like"
Aghoo : " Dis Chicken, noonles ( noodles) , uppa( upma). rasa mumum, dosai ,illi ( idli), pasta"

Amma is feeling a bit smug that little baby likes her cooking and can even verbalize it. Feels good .

She continues..
Aghoo :" Water (!!) , canny ( candy), straw berries (!)"

Amma: But baby, I dont make those at home...

Aghoo: I like them amma

Bubble BURST!

Scenario 2:-

Aghoo and I are playing with bubbles in the balcony.I notice that her little inflatable pool is filthy. Since summer is coming anyway, I decide to clean it. I take it upstairs and start to clean it in the bath tub.

I am wearing my hip belt- so that my back ache doesn't flare up.

Aghoo:- " Amma, yen clean panra?"
Amma" -" bcos Aghoo cant swim in a yaya ( dirty) illa kanna"
Aghoo " yen belt potiruke?"
Amma " bcos yenaku muggu ow ( mudhu vali) varumla kanna adhan"

After a little while, she walks over to me   and spontaneously kisses my shoulder and says " thank you  amma".. :) I think these are little bits of heaven that we need to take us through the many years of toddler tantrums..:)

Then a little later she asks me, " amma nee yen lots of work panra? Iya( Aghoo) work panaliye"

Amma :- "bcos you are a little baby kanna. When I was a baby in amma palya/ daddy thathas home, I did not do any work either. I just had to eat, go to school and sleep"

Aghoo:- " Appa naanum big girl aagi lot of work pannanuma?"

Amma :- Sadly " yes kanna.. nee big girl aanapram, when you have your own house and baby, neeyum work pannuve"

Aghoo :- " so babies lam mumum, school, thacha (sleep), pee pee, brush, thu thuppi ( rinsing mouth) and poo poo pannanuma?"

ROTFL at her list of baby chores..

Scenario 3:-

I have a new phone from my company.My old Iphone4 had a yellow cover and the new one has a black cover.

Aghoo:- Amma, yellow phone yennachu?

Amma:- Yellow phone thatha ku thara poren. I have a new black phone now.

Aghoo :- NOO! nee vaichiru.. Iya big girl aagi yellow phone yeduthupen..

Little later..

Aghoo " amma, nee yellow phone thatha ku kudu.Big girl aagi naan unnoda new black phone yeduthukaren"

speech less!

Mother of a 3 year old

Feels very very grown up to me.. But then at 31, almost pushing 32, I am almost middle -aged Aint I?

Miss Aghoo is a full blown preschooler now..

I put up this status on FB in honor of her bday..

"I won't say that I can't believe you are 3..because you are everything that a 3 year old should be-defiant and raring to push boundaries ..but you are also very spontaneous and insightful .. My little baby, I hope your year is filled with lot of laughter ,chocolates, strawberries and rainbows.. Hope you retain this ability to be awed by simple things :) Happy Birthday Princess:)"

I think it pretty much sumps up Aghoo at 3 . When she is sweet, she is the sweetest girl- impromptu hugs and kissies, I love my mommies abound :) I can see streaks of a very strong willed person in her already though- It is VERY VERY tough to distract her form something once she has set her mind on it.She doesn't forget commitments very easily- I think she will make a great manager some day ;) 

She is very intuitive and can already sense moods and undercurrents. She is proving to be my daughter ! She does push my ( and HD's ) limited reserves of patience as much as she can and as often as she can- but she also does want to make sure that we are not angry with her for too long. She cant do anything else, until she makes sure we are back to being cheerful.She keeps asking " angry pocha" until we smile. It doesn't matter if the source of the anger is herself or something else.

She is becoming a complete daddys girl- this is quite a paradigm shift for a baby thats been latched to me since birth. Everything is " dada" now- except sleeping, when she still needs me ( or my thoppai to be exact) ;).

She is such a smart, bright and happy kid- not always cheerful, but hey! 3- year olds have the rights to a few ( or many) tantrums I guess..

My biggest fear and worry is- can I ( and HD ofcourse) do justice to this huge responsibility of bringing up this special little girl up? How can we not corrupt her innate sensitivity ,curiosity and her empathy? How do we make sure she is not influenced by the weariness that we exhibit, because of being adults? For that my only answer is- prayers..

So, my prayer for my little Aghoo is this- Dear God, please bless HD and I with the ability to parent this special little girl with all the wisdom and patience that she deserves.Please help is in preserving her innocence for as long as it is necessary. Please help us in raising her into a happy, cheerful ,empathetic and confident human being. Paraphrasing Kannadasan,

" Yenda kuzhandaiyum nalla kuzhandhai dhan mannil pirakayile.. Adhu Nallavan aavadhum theeyavam aavadhum petror ( annai) valarpinile..."

New year..

* i will not crib about leaving just 4 days time* chant 1000 times.

I wanted to jot down my NY resolutions so I can look back at the end of the year

1) Take time for myself.
2) Do Yoga- regularly
3) Dress up well- everyday and not just for special occasions.
4) Take time to take care of basics- hair cut, eye brows and even facial if possible.
5) Be more patient- especially with Aghoo and HD.
6) Try to worry less.. What ever will be will be ( que sara sara?) :)
7) Accept that people are different- not everyone needs to think the same way I do, especially my immediate family.
8) * Try* to forgive and forget..
9) If I need rest, its ok to slack a bit and also let poor HD slack a bit..Aghoo wont remember 1 less than perfect meal or even take out meal.She WILL remember stressed out fighting parents!
10) Starting the new job- be confident and stop being afraid of saying no.
11) Bug parents to visit us- make it happen some how( this is the toughest one :))