Trying to write

after Eons..

So what happened? Nothing earth shattering. Just life.. Kids.. Work.. Family

Lets see where I am

I am still working ( grr)
Kids are almost 8 ( Aghoo) and 3( Mr. Ichab)
HD had a brainwave ( seri seri Midlife crisis) quit his job , started something, doing something blah blah..

Now to the more interesting things in life- Movies? Food?

Growing up, I wasn't a foodie at all. I survived on curd rice/pickle/ vathal etc
Our school used to serve the most amazing lunches and I still never ate much. Very late realization of all the wasted good food that I did not have to cook ! cha!

College- they used to serve ok food. Most people thought it was good. I never ate lunch because I hated the watery mor and the muzhuchu paakara saadham. I used to have just appalam / omlette for lunch.

Gradschool- we were the quintessential poor Indian grad student. All things cheap and unhealthy were consumed. Hashrbowns/ Microwaved $1meals/ Poptarts/ Instant noodles..

California-I started working and my first job used to serve free lunch and dinner! yep.. There were healthy choices.. but naama adhelam mondu kooda paka matome.. full kattu katting I used to do.
This was the time the HD ( then boyfriend) moved to Ca too. weekdays lam office la junk food. Weekends thedi thedi Restaurents la junk..
I put on some 15lbs in 1.5 years!!!

Our wedding was fixed and I was still young (25!) and had a good metabolism. So, Dieting for a month - I lost almost all of the weight.

Only when I got pregnant with Aghoo did I become one Manickam from the Manik Baasha I was. For the past 8 years, I have my best to be healthy and eat healthy meals. It doesn't mean I don't cheat- I do and very often too. I do try and get back on track though.HD always teases me because I am a tyrant with my kids' food. Veggies and protein are sneaked where ever possible. Aghoo did not even know that people can make dosai or idli WITHOUT veggies, until she went to India when she was 3.5 *evil laugh*.

I try though- I want my kids to have good and decent eating habits. It doesn't mean they don't eat junk- they do , of course. I try to balance it out though...

I am now older and my metabolism isnt that great - so I have watch what I eat a lot more. The HD has changed a lot over the years too. Even though he used to eat a lot of veggies always, he also never cared about the quantity or the fat..

Anyways- starting this off with a ramble.. Hope to be regular here..

Do bachon ki ma

Back after ages-seems to be a theme around these parts..

Well- too many updates. As the title suggests, we now have a Ichabu( blog name of course) our son , who joined our family in Dec 2014..

Aghoo is almost 5 and the most amazing big sister. I was very apprehensive about how she will handle the addition of Ichabu- Aghoo has been the center of not only our lives, but also the only child in both my extended family and HD's..
She has amazed us by not welcoming Ichabu, bit actually gladly giving up the center of all attention to him.
She repremands me if I ever complain to my amma or Hd that Ichabhu was cranky in the night.
She always puts him first before herself.. Heres an eg

She was a little cranky and amma palya was trying to console her saying "Aghoo is such a good girl. She is always the best behaved kid- even Ichabu follow her.. Aghoo is the best". She got angry and says " amma palya- dont say that! my baby brother is the best always". Touchwood/ kala tikka and all that.

I can only hope and pray that this bonding continues for life and Ichabu reciprocates the same love and adoration towards his akka.

Mr. Ichabu- had been doing what all little babies do.Not sleeping enough and wanting to be held. We are a little more relaxed as second time parents.I had forgotten how hard it is to take care of an infant in the first few months.

He is absolutely adorable though- a baby boy in our family after a long time :). I am still getting used to saying "him" and "my son"

Hope to be a little more regular here...:)

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 6^th – 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!