Oh, the innocence!

M came up to me a couple of days ago with a printed sheet. "Mommy, look at this page that the printer printed". It was a test page the printer had printed after the print cartridges had been changed. It had a few color blocks and then a test print of all the alphanumeric characters on it. I was wondering what was so special about this page and why M wanted me to look at it. Then she said "I saw a bad word printed on it". My brain immediately went on an alert. Really? Bad words on a print test page? What has the world come to? Why are companies trying to influence our kids like this? What's next? Will they try to tell my kid which cereal to buy or what color Legos she should be playing with? Hmmm.... Wait!

....

Never mind.

Well, I didn't really think all that but yeah, I was still wondering where the "bad words" were when M showed me. There they were! Printed on a page and left lying around so an innocent 8 year old could stumble across the page and widen the range of her vocabulary. I saw the word too. It said

!@#$%^&*()_+

How to confuse the heck out of your parents

M: Mommy, do you know what is the smallest number?
Me: No. What?
M: 1!
Me: How about 0? Isn't zero the smallest number? ( Did not want to confuse her with negative numbers)
M: No!
Me: Think about it. If you have 1 chocolate and I have 0, who has more chocolates?
M: (Thinks for a moment) Didi!!
Me: (not giving up) If you have one chocolate and didi has zero, who would have more chocolates?
M: (thinking harder) Daddy!
Me: How so?
M: I would want daddy to have 20 chocolates because then I can have all his chocolates!

Who can refute that logic??!

Au Revoir

We’ve known each other for a long time. You and I, we met in 1999 for the first time. We kind of broke up a number of times, when I tried other relationships, but we always got back together each time. Every time I went out with someone else, I found out that there was no one, NO ONE, who I could depend on or whom I could trust as much as I did you. And then, around 2003-04 we drifted away from each other and I thought we’d never see each other again but then life brought us back together and we hooked up again in 2007. Our relationship has been going strong since then.

We've met every day, multiple times a day. You have always taken care of things for me, you are dependable, and you’re someone I can trust. Someone I can trust to take care of my life’s messes. In all this time I’ve known you, you have changed quite a bit. You have changed yourself a lot for me. And I appreciate that. In every form you have been equally reliable and dependable.

But honey, I am really sorry – our relationship must come to an end now. It’s time we said au revoir to each other. It’s time we went our separate ways. I’m sure you’ll find someone else, whom you could protect and take care of like you have always done for me. Maybe you will help them as much as you have helped me. I will always remember you, I will miss you. But honey I don’t think we can be together anymore because, you see, I have outgrown our relationship. M is completely toilet trained now.

My dear Pampers, as much as I love you, I don’t think I need you anymore. I wish you all the best and I take with me, in my heart, the fond memories that we have had together, of the times when you cleaned up the messes. Or held them in!

Love ya.

Yours lovingly,

Cee

Demand and supply

Me: M, how much do you love me?
M: (with wide eyes and a BIG smile) 20 million!!
Me: Really?? Then you have to give me 20 million kisses RIGHT NOW!!
M: You know what? Today I love you only one million.
Runs away.

Put your listening ears on, mommy!

Just yesterday M came up to me and said - VERY quietly - "Mommy, I am not lellin at you, I am speaking nicely. I want you to speak nicely to me too. Don't lell at me, okay??"

!!!!!!!!!!! 

(I wasn't even "lelling"!! *whine*)

Note: "lelling"=yelling.

To my "Little Women"

Previously posted on Desicritics. org.


Dear M and S,

Yesterday was International Women's day. I wanted to write this for you then, but better (a day) late than never, right? 

You, my beautiful little ladies, are the reason your dad and I find each day worth living to our fullest. Before you came into our lives, we had no idea that we lacked something (or two special someones) in our lives. But now we cannot imagine not having you in our lives. I shudder at the thought of sending you to college. I will probably be the helicopter mom personified, literally hovering over your dormitories and classrooms. I have no qualms about embarrassing you, my darlings. See, that is what we are saving for - your respective therapies that will be needed just for the fact that you have been subjected to your dad and me :)

That apart, here is something I want you never to forget. You are going to grow up into beautiful, confident women. Your dad and I will make sure of that. The world and its uncle will try to tell you how a woman should behave, think, dress or live. Before they get to you, I want to imprint a few things on your minds.

1. You DON'T have to please everyone all the time. You DON'T have to please ANYONE at all, if you don't feel like it. Sure, nice people sometimes do some things for others that make them (others) feel good. I am all for such niceties. But remember - NEVER be forced into doing something, anything for someone if your heart, gut or mind says no. Listen to your "self". I am not condoning selfishness. I am just saying that do not give in to someone's "Good girls make sure their parents/husbands/boyfriends/friends/God/whoever are happy". Remember, a happy and contented self is much better than a happy anyone-else. But diplomacy sure does make life easier - remember that!

2. Stand up for yourself. Because no one else will, if you don't. Don't be bullied into doing something you don't want to. If you think what you are offering someone is reasonable and fair, it probably is. If they don't agree, negotiate. But DO. NOT. BE. BULLIED. INTO. SUBMISSION!! It is possible to be pleasant and yet stand your ground. At the same time, never be hesitant in unsheathing your claws when you have to. Sometimes you HAVE to show people what you are really made of in order for them to take you seriously.

3. Remember good men don't hit women. They don't terrorize women, humiliate them or coerce them into doing something they don't want to do. There are plenty of good men around. You DON'T have to settle for anyone less than "good". Not even for "good enough". It is better to spend life alone than to put up with an abuser just because "Good" didn't come along. Have the confidence to go on your way alone and I am sure you will find someone who is just right for you. Even if you don't, remember YOU are perfect for you! Remember how your dad loves and respects me. Always remember - you deserve such a partner too. Never settle for anything less.

4. Be financially independent. No matter how loving a husband/partner you have and even if you are well taken care of, make sure you have at least one UPDATED skill that can get you gainful employment whenever you need. You never know what curveball life will throw at you next year, next month or next moment. Be prepared. If you WANT to work, never let anyone tell you that good wives or mothers don't. Never let another person dictate whether or not you should work, or where for that matter. There is no blessing greater in this world than to be able to do what you want to do in life. And don't let any idealist tell you that working to "earn money" is inferior to any other goal. Don't let money be your be all, end all. But do make some money. You will realize a healthy bank balance brings along mental peace and allows you to focus on the more important things in life - like family. Don't undervalue money, but don't overvalue it either.

5. Take good care of yourselves. Take time out for yourself, no matter how crazy life is and no matter how many responsibilities you have. Even if you are with someone, make sure you take out time for YOU. Alone. Very important for your "self" AND for any relationship. Eat healthy, exercise, be active. Have some hobbies that take you outdoors and allow you to be physically active. Mental agility is good too. Try and strike the balance between the two.

6. Be cautious. In unknown locations, uncertain situations and around unknown people. ALWAYS be on your guard! Safety should be a habit, not a "hobby". I cannot stress this enough.

7. Learn everything there is to learn to survive AND to live comfortably. Learn what it takes to progress in your professional fields, learn to cook, to sew, to change a flat tire, change a light bulb, repair a fuse, fix a toilet. In short - anything that you might need to do one day. Or earn enough to be able to pay others to do all this for you. But I'd still say knowing how to do all these things is a good idea - then you will know if someone is trying to rip you off by charging, say, 50 bucks to fix a fuse.

8. Don't hold regrets and grudges. They poison minds, hearts and relationships. It is a difficult thing to learn. I am still learning it. But I hope you will do a better job of it than me. Talk things out. Don't let a little disagreement fester into a big one. Learn to apologize when it is your fault, but don't be apologetic all the time. Learn when to say "I understand you feel this way, but I think I am right".

9. Take a long time to make friends and even longer to end friendships. Remember it is hard to undo the hurt of a mean word or gesture. But also know when to let a relationship go. If it is preying on your mind and being, but going nowhere, you are probably best OUT of it than in.

10. Be competitive. Healthy competition builds character. Don't let the pacifists tell you that participation is good enough. Participation is good but winning, or trying to win, is better. I don't mean to tell you that your efforts are worthless if you don't win. What I mean to tell you is put in your 100% efforts and then some more. If you win, good, if not at least you know you tried your best.

11. Love each other unconditionally. A sister (sibling) is our first and ever lasting best friend. Sure you will have differences. Who doesn't? But learn to resolve those differences amicably. In the end, when your dad and I are gone, you will only have each other to lean on.

There! 11 things - one for each year that I have been a mother. There are many more things I want to tell you, teach you. More later!

M's midnight conversations

M is getting chattier by the minute. I believe she hasn't been quiet for even a minute (except when she is sleeping) for the last 4 days AT LEAST. If she is not chatting with us, she is singing or chanting something going around in circles around some coins she has arranged in some specific order on a stool. In short, there is always some sound emanating from her :P

It is tricky to adjust the heat in our house to perfect levels so sometimes the house gets a little too warm at night for comfort. At times like these, M wakes up and immediately starts singing, "reading" her book or, worse, chatting with us. This is how one of those conversations recently went:

M: Mamma, I reading book!! (We leave a book in her crib)

A very sleepy Mamma: Hmmmm

M: Mamma I like play Miss Colleen (Miss Colleen is one of her daycare providers)

A very sleepy Mamma: Hmmmm

M: Mamma, "hmmmm" nahi karo! (Don't say Hmmm)

Now awake mamma: Okay baby. You like playing with Miss Colleen? That's nice. Now go to sleep.

M: Dadda sleeping?

Mamma: Yes, dadda is sleeping baby. Now you go to sleep too.

M: Dadda, wake up!

Sleepy Dadda: Hmmmm

M: Dadda, "hmmm" nahi karo. Dadda, talk karo, dadda!! (Don't say Hmmm dadda. Talk dadda!)

.....

.....

SIGH!! We want to sleeeeeep!! We NEED sleep. Can someone come talk to her at night please, while we catch a shuteye? Pretty please?!!

How the tables were turned

I had been "training" M for two things since a long time. That training completed a couple of months ago when M finally learned to answer two questions:

Q: Who is the Drama Queen?
A: (patting herself) Ninni daama qeen!!

Q: Who is the boss?
A: Mamma bossh!!

I showed off a few times in front of friends by asking her these questions and having her answer them "correctly". Of course, J and S could not tolerate my success so they started a campaign of their own. They taught M to answer these questions as follows:

Q: Who is the Drama Queen?
A: Mamma daama qeen!!

Q: Who is the boss?
A: (patting herself) Ninni bossh!!

This generated much laughter and whooping around the house. Then I managed to turn the tables on them. It went this way:

J: Ninni, who is the drama queen?
Ninni: Mamma daama qeen!

Mamma: No, MY daama qeen!!
Ninni: No, MY daama qeen Ninni!!

J: No, no. Ninni who is the dramam queen? Say "Mamma"!
Mamma: No, MY drama queen!!

Ninni: NO, MY DAAMA QEEN NINNI! MAMMA BOSSH!!

Goes to show who really is the boss ;)

The rebellious teenager

Mommy(singing): Where is Ninni? Where is Ninni? Here I am! Here I am! How are you today Ninni? Fine thank you! Fine thank you!

Ninni(grumpily): NO fine thankyou!!

From "I lolue" to "GO AWAY!!"

We have come a long way. Now not-a-baby-anymore-M wants only her dad. Mom is under the "go away" status. Didi, who used to be under that status is now exempt from it because, frankly, what do you do when you want to avoid mom at all costs and dad is, say, in the bathroom? You go to didi, that's what!!

I don't know whether to be sad or upset at this. So I choose to laugh at it!

You say to-may-to, I say....

po-to-to! No matter how hard mommy tries to get me to say to-may-to, I still call it po-to-to. We'll see who gives up first. Don't tell mom, but I think she is secretly enjoying this mispronunciation because I don't see her making that much of an effort to correct me either. Ah, but I take after her in stubborn-ness too. Maybe that is why she has kinda sorta given up on teaching me such things. Or maybe she thinks I am too little to be burdened with formal learning. I'll show her!! I already went ahead and learned to count from 1 to 8 all on my own. That should teach her not to underestimate me!

I know she stopped typing updates on me. Lazy bum!! Nothing gets done around here if I am not around to do it. That reminds me - mom and dad have been on my case recently. They just don't get it that I need to do everything by myself. Even if I can't actually do it. Like, opening a door. I haven't quite mastered the act of twisting the door knob to open the door but who wants to worry about silly details anyway?? I want to open the door myself and that is final!! Now, if you try to be helpful and open the door for me, I am NOT going to be responsible for your eardrums. OKAY? Okay!

By the way, don't you say anything about my hair - or lack thereof. Mom and dad are into things like mundan-shundan. Sigh!! I do miss my silken curly locks and that is why I used to pester nani to make my "choti". She was the only one who could get it done. Mom dad keep telling me I need longer hair for a choti but nani never made a fuss. She would strategically place a rubber band on my head and if I walked carefully, the rubber band stayed on my head and I looked really pretty. Once nani even put two rubber bands around my ears and boy, did I look pretty!!!!

Speaking of nani - she is THE BEST PLAYMATE ever!! And the best copy-catter! We played in the backyard together and I will forever cherish those times. I usually took the lead (you see, nani is a little shy) and showed her what to do and how to do it. She would promptly follow me. She is a quick learner for sure! We made up this game... well, actually I did. See, there is a rock in the far corner of our backyard. I made up a game - I would climb that rock and make weird faces and sing incomprehensible songs. The rule was that nani had to copy me exactly. She usually did, and even if she didn't who cared!! We had fun and that was all we cared about. Now nani has gone back to "Indie" :(( I miss her terribly even though I don't exactly know that that is what's happening to me. All I know is I feel weird and kinda cranky. I do sometimes ask about her but generally I busy myself with other things. She is back in Indie, I hear, and keeps asking about me. But so far I have refused to talk to her because I am mad at her for leaving. I suggested so many alternatives to her but she didn't listen. Every time the topic of her going back to Indie came up I helpfully told her "Roti banao" (make roti) or "neechey jao" (go downstairs - to play on the computer) - but she didn't listen to me :( Anyway - I understand. I just choose to be cranky about it.

Uh-oh!! Gotta go! The phone was ringing and mom picked it up without waiting for me to bring it to her. Gotta go throw a tantrum! Toodles!!

(Guess who? ?)

Happieee... deeey

as you say it, my not-so-little-anymore little one! Or, in our words, Happy Birthday. 

You are two today. You are fun. You are active. You are headstrong. You are a pleasure to have around except when you decide to be utterly disagreeable to anything and everything. Then you want to have nothing to do with us, and we are only too happy to oblige. Then, when you have had some time to yourself, you revert to your happy, sunny self. Or maybe not. I can't believe how chilled out we have become as parents! Your tantrums in public places don't embarrass us, your screaming fests don't faze us and your occasional hunger strikes don't send us into panic mode. We know you will eat when you want to eat and that is fine by us. You go to sleep without any fuss (most of the days) by yourself and that is the best habit we think you have. And of course, we proudly accept all credits for that! You wake up happy and sometimes let us  grab some extra shuteye on weekends by playing quietly in your crib until one of us stirs. That consideration itself is a reward enough for all the tantrums you throw otherwise.

You have suddenly started speaking in 2-3 word sentences. You have started speaking clearly too, though I am trying my best to have you keep your baby language. Kakkay sure sounds way better than Thankyou, you know. And that reminds me - you are such a well mannered child at least when it comes to thanking people. You even say "kakkay" in your sleep when we cover you with your blanket on chilly nights. You just recently started saying "owwy" (sorry) when urged to do so, dropping all your reluctance and overcoming your ego, you little diva! And about 4 months ago you put my fears to rest when you stopped being in a constant competition with your sister. I used to worry that you two will grow apart emotionally due to the brattiness you constantly showed to and against your older sister. Now you seem to have accepted her as a part of the entire package :P

You like being independent and who are we to resist a blessing in disguise? Yes, it means you insist on buckling yourself into your highchair while we tap our feet impatiently. But it also means you clean up after yourself most of the times. Or help with the cleanup. And that you drink most of your milk without parental supervision and eat most of your food without us having to shovel it in your mouth. "Most" being the keyword here. I wouldn't mind feeding you the entire meal because, truth be told, that would be infinitely faster but I firmly believe in preparing my kids to be progressively independent. It is a good thing for both of us that you agree.

I loved the days when you started calling me "Mai". And I love how sweet "Didi" sounds coming from your mouth. I feel blessed when didi (older sister) replies in an equally sweet voice to your calls, no matter how busy, rushed or upset she is. I hope this love and bond between you two grows each day and stays long after we are gone.

You find it funny to run away when we are trying to take your picture. Or when we are trying to change your diaper. Or when you need a bath. In short - running away is GREAT FUN to you :) And you love gardening with us. It is another matter that gardening, to you, means picking up soil from one place and dumping at another, or poking fingers into leaves. Well, at least you don't make appetizers of the earthworms :P You love sneaking into your sister's room when she is away at school. I love how you pick one of her stuffed toys out of her ample stash and run out of the room waving it victoriously over your head. I also love how you put things back where you picked them up from if we ask you to "put it back". Even super-tempting knick-knacks you find in your sister's room.

There are way too many things you do, say and enjoy for me to list here. I'll just say that I am enjoying life with you. I am living in the moment. All of us are. We can't even begin to imagine what we did to pass our time before you came along. We can't remember who what we laughed at or spoke about. You have filled our lives with fun and laughter to the brim. We all love you darling. Happiee deeeey!

Proof that she was HUNGRY!!!

Few more "Ninni-isms"

God, I'm getting old! I meant to record all that M has been doing these past few months and I forgot thes two "gems". One - she loves saying "mama". Not because I am her favorite, but becase while saying that, she can blow spit bubbles. So each "mama" comes out slowly and deliberately, with a spit bubble forming and getting bigger. And she does it in all seriousness - not a smile, not a twinge of merriment in her eyes. She gets so engrossed in it that just making a bigger, better bubble seems to be the next stop :) I don't remember when she started doing it - it has been at least 4 months.

And.....

I forgot the other one. AAAAARGH!! Is age really catching up on me? This swiss-cheese memory is driving me nuts! I forget things I was going to say mid-sentence. I am not kidding you! I am glad I don't forget the way to my home!

OH YESSSSSS!!!!! I remember now, what I wanted to record next. (See the NEED to put down these memories on this blog? I'd forget all of them by the next birthday otherwise)

You ask M - "OK??" and she nods her head, smiling. Sometimes, depending on her mood, she might even shake it in a "No", but mostly it is a nod. You don't have to precede the "OK" with a valid question. Just asking "OK?" in a concerned tone is enough to get her response.

And with this, my shabby memory brings up another forgotten incident. Last Sunday I had invited a few friends from work over for lunch. While I was busy cooking in the kitchen, S called out and asked me to come take a look. When I went into the living room, this sight greeted me - M, behind an end table that had a glass vase with some flowers in it, had pushed it out a few feet and was concentrating on pushing it further, maybe she wanted to take it to the next room. Really grunting with the effort. The only thing hindering her path? The darned wall! For a little while we had a little push-war. I, trying to push the table back in its place, and M trying to push it out. Our camera is on the blink and we haven't quite finalized which one we want to buy next, so unfortunately no pictures of that.

But, in the meanwhile, here are a few pics that one of the friends (who came over that day for lunch) took with his camera. Yenjoy!!

More to come....

Oh, and I forgot

That she LOVES trucks! The ride-on kind. So we got her one that can be converted into a wagon later. Its awaiting assembly. And there is this small car that belonged to S. M loves to play with it.

She has this cute way of sitting on the raised platform in front of our fireplace - she turns her back to it and then slowly backs into it until her legs touch the platform. Then gently, very lady-like, she lowers herself and them beams at us! And we have caught her trying to sit on other things in a similar fashion - a bottle of Vicks Vaporub, a shoe, a block from her set of blocks. Puts the item on floor, backs into it gingerly and sits down, trying to center her butt perfectly on the teeny item that she is trying to sit on. And the quiet determination with which she does this is hilarious to watch. Our camera is on the blink, so unfortunately, no pics for the moment.

She has discovered a light switch in our family room that she can play with if she climbs on the bed right next to the wall (big sis S helpfully showed her how). J spent one whole Sunday afternoon trying to get her to stay away from it. Then shut the door in frustration. Monday, I heard her giggling in the family room and heard a tick-tock sound. Went in to find she was at it again. I raised one eyebrow, wagged my finger and said "Uh-unh!!" and the little miss backed away! I tried that 4 or 5 more times with the switch playing AND other things and found, to my amusement, that my "Uh-unh" had an immediate effect on her. It stopped her in her tracks! Every time. So I told J when he came home. He tried it next. No result. (Giggle) I tried it - little miss made a fake sad face, cried a fake cry and backed away and then ran away "crying" :P We had fun just for the heck of it a few times more - M going at the switch, I going "Uh-unh" and she backing away with a fake cry and a fake sad face :) It seems to have slipped her mind. But if I know my determined little girl, she is just waiting for her chance!

First Year of M (And us, a family of 4)

She is walking faster, more confidently. She has a temper. She also has a sweet nature, if you can imagine it coexisting with a monstrous temper :D She is naughty, determined and she hasn't been the star of a post on this blog in a long time. She said "milt" clearly yesterday morning, when J placed her in the high chair and she saw her sippy cup of milk. Oh, that reminds me! She has been weaned from the bottle. Completely!!

And she throws really high-quality, best-value-for-money, ring-side-seat worthy, sooper-dooper-jumbo tantrums!! She threw one yesterday. Non-stop screeching, screaming, crying, not-eating, not-drinking-"milt", not-letting-go-of-sippy-cup ONE-FRIGGIN'-HOUR-LONG tantrum. What did I do? Didn't lose my temper for one. And I am mighty proud of it :) I am getting really good with not losing my temper with this one. Only thing that makes me feel guilty is that I did lose my temper with S for lesser/smaller things when she was little. I guess first children lose out in that respect. But they teach an invaluable lesson to their parents. Of tolerance, of tuning oneself out during a whine or a tantrum, of not whacking or not yelling or of not doing whatever the parent might be feeling guilty of doing to the older child. They are the best on-the-job training one can get :)

I have been told by my mom that my father used to whack me one every now and then. "MY father?" I asked incredulously when this information was passed on. I don't remember the whacking. But then my father wrote me a long email once telling me how he feels guilty that he used to occasionally smack me if I were being stubborn. (And for the record, I wouldn't blame him - I WAS that kind of stubborn :P) And he said by the time my younger brother came along, he had learnt to control his anger much better. He advised me to learn to control my temper with S or I would have to field the same guilt one day. He was so right! But on a separate note to my brother - you should be thankful to me buddy, that I "trained" pa!

Anyway, so getting back to the little monster. She turned one and I didn't write about it. She had a birthday party and I didn't write about it. She is being transitioned to the "Toddlers' room" at her daycare and... well, I am writing about it now :P Yesterday's tantrum was probably a result of the stress of being in a new environment and missing her favorite care providers.

Most days she wakes up and keeps playing in her crib on her own until one of us stirs. Not a peep out of her until then. As soon as one of us as much as lets out a slight cough, she is up, holding the crib's railing with one hand, and dragging her blanket up with another, calling out "eh?". And the calls become insistent if we pretend not to hear (which we do sometimes, the meanie parents that we are!) Only occasionally, if she is probably hungry or wants a diaper change RIGHT NOW, does she wake us up by crying. Of course, I know that Murphy's whatever law dictates that tomorrow she WILL wake up crying. So consider it already recorded here.

Her most favorite toy is a plastic kitchen clip inside a transparent plastic container, which she endlessly pulls out and puts back in. Sometimes I give her containers in different shapes, sizes and colors and that just triples the fun you know! Loves going to the dishwasher and smiling at her reflection in the shiny black surface. (Please note my subtle way of telling you that yes! I wipe and clean the dishwasher!!) Loves fruits of all kinds. Her daycare provider tells me that she can't cut up peaches fast enough for M to eat. She loves cherries, strawberries, papayas, mangoes, watermelons and bananas.

She is a social animal as has been demonstrated on many occasions at functions, parties and get-togethers. At her own birthday party, she ate lunch with one of her aunts, played with one of her cousins, went to everyone who would care to look in her direction, blissfully ate all the strawberries she could lay her hands on and didn't go to sleep until the last guest had departed with a cheerful "bye".

She has cut many, many teeth. I haven't counted, and I haven't "explored". And she didn't show many external "signs" of teething either. She'd be a little cranky and stop eating and we'd guess that she must be cutting a tooth.

She has been sick a lot of times during the last 14 months. Has had 5 or 6 ear infections, many stomach upsets, stomach upsets due to lactose intolerance, numerous coughs, colds, fevers and yes, one cut lip too. But all through it she has remained the (half) joy of our life (the other half being S), the laughter in our home (one half of the laughter, the other half being S'), the shine on our faces and the light in our hearts (again, half of each: S completes the other half).

Let the records show...

That Ninni-The-Pooh is 1 year, 2 months and 3 days old today! Silly numbers! Silly mommy!! :D

Accomplishment of the week

I have been working on teaching M this for a long time.

I ask her "Where's the drama queen?", take her hand and pat it on her chest saying "this, this, this".

Two days ago I did this a few times and then put her in the car seat to drop her off at the daycare. While strapping her in I asked her "Where's the drama queen?" and she obliged by patting herself and giving me a big grin.

And once I asked her "You are the drama queen, yes?". She nodded with a big smile. I wish I had a video of the moment.

Last week (or maybe the week before that), Ms. Gina, her care provider at the daycare wrote this in her daily update that we get from the daycare - "... She is truly the queen of the room now." So we are in agreement - doesn't matter that they didn't write the word "drama". They sure think so!

Last week of May'08

• Walked about 4-5 feet - without stopping or plonking her ass down! (Friday, May 30).

• Offered bottle to dadda and didi.

• Wiped mama's nose.

• "Cleaned" herself on the leg while taking a bath.

• Took shrieking to new levels.

• Raced up the stairs in a record minute. Yup - all 13 stairs! Never stopped for a second. TWICE this week. Safety gates, here I come!

• Once upstairs, raced into didi's room and looked at/grabbed all the treasure in amazement.

• Ate pulao for the first time.

• Tried to put on a sock.

• Tried to comb her hair with a doll's hair brush.

• Found a new strategy to pull socks off. Stand with one foot in front of the other, heel on toe. Press down with heel, pull the other foot back, thus removing the sock. Repeat with the other foot in front.

• Climbed into her rocker by herself and sat there observing everything.

• Ate Chinese food - Egg fried rice. And preferred it over plain ol' bread 'n butter!

HUGE Milestone!

Saturday, May 24 2008: One step - towards mamma.
Wednesday, May 28 2008: TWO steps - towards daddy.
Wednesday, May 28 2008, a little while later: One step - towards mamma.

Woo Hoo!!!

Oh, and other accomplishments?

Sunday May 12 2008: Climbs DOWN 5 stairs (with daddy anxiously reaching out to prevent any falls).
Wednesday, May 28 2008: Climbs UP the stairs ALL THE WAY!!

Again - Woo Hoo!!!