For the lack of a better title..:)
Woww!! We are in the 6th month of 2010..technically half the year is over:)or is it?
I know last month,at the beginning of the month,I promised to announce a giveaway..I haven’t been able to do that.The month just zoomed by..Winter blues affect all of us..but,sadly,its affecting my little star too!
Every afternoon,at nap time,she fights..well,thats not new,but these days,the fights are different.Her voice has an edge to it…I asked her one day…whats wrong?don’t you want to sleep?She said,she wanted to …but she didn’t want her good day to go away! Awww..I knew it then:) It was the winter blues.She doesn’t like the darkness that falls,early evening.Every day,after she wakes up,from her nap..she frets..and whines and cries..”I dont want my good day to go away..I dont like night..I am scared.I want my good day back!”How do I bring her good-day back?
So,we have set a new winter routine..we are out in the mornings..almost every other morning we are out-from morning to noon…playgroup,story-time,play area at the mall and school!So,atleast 3-4 days in a week we spend the morning outside.Somedays I pack a lunch for her,some days,we come home and eat it.But all these going out,means my house work,my craft,everything takes a back seat!My oven is cold:( The day we dont go out,she is upset…but I need a break too!
Speaking of breaks,the one thing that NEVER takes a break is the Diva’s mouth..She is big chatterbox..her mouth opens before her eyes do,REALLY! And from that moment on,nonstop she talks-when I am walking,when we are eating,when she is in the toilet,when I am in the toilet..you get the idea.
Oh about the toilets,she doesn’t need our help any more.She goes on her own and when she comes back,she tells me,”Mumma I went on my own..now you say,Good job!” The only time she needs me,is when she is doing the big job,even then the talking doesn’t stop…”Mummmmaaaaa,I am doing potty..don’t come here and bother me..Mummaaaaaaa..come here,ek baat toh suno..When I finish I will call you..Mumma can you close the door,nahi toh,I will feel shy….blah blah blah..”I am telling you she doesn’t stop talking!
Today,I told her woww..Aadya,Its the first of June..and thats all she needed,she started”June..achcha,my Papa’s Bday comes in June and your birthday comes in February and my birthday is on March 30th and I am three!!” I said,hmm..And to that,I got told off,”Mumma dont talk like that..say it nicely,say very good Baby!”
God!this feels good..This meaning,blogging again!:) I feel so happy after writing..DH is sitting across from me and wants to know,whats making me smile..well its writing this post..anticipation of hearing from you:) There is so much I want to write and share..I hope I can write everything before I forget..
We have been “crafting” a lot.. at the playgroup sessions,during story time,in school and at home..I will share all the crafts,here this month.Now,about the giveaway,I am going to announce it tomorrow..and I think it is going to be something handmade!! so,don’t forget to check back tomorrow.And if you think,handmade is not your thing..you can say so too!
Hope you have all been good,sorry,I havent blog-hopped lately..will be over at your blogs,soon.
More later,my lovelies..
Category: Melbourne
Couch25K-W1D2
Yesterday,Friday was Day2 of week 1.
Thursday,was rest day and my thighs were like ROCKS!I swear,even walking inside the house,was painful. I did some yoga in the morning.But I was sore,all day long and my throat was feeling funny too.When I went to bed,I was wondering,if I will be able to walk/jog in the morning.
I woke up,on Friday morning,still a little sore,but not as much as the previous day.I quickly freshened up and got dressed and stepped outside,before I changed my mind.
After the warm-up,by the time,it was time for the first jog,I was feeling good.This time,I remembered to breathe when jogging..and that made a whole lot of a difference.
Edited to add-DH got me another pair of ear-phones,the kind that clip behind your ear and so,they didn’t fall off.Only one was working,but atleast it stayed plugged in!
I breezed thru the first 3 jogs,easily..in the 4th jog,I felt a little pinching on my right foot.I pause the pod-cast and rubbed it and it felt better.I walked a little to build up the pace and then started the pod-cast again.And before I knew it,I was on the 7th run and almost dying!!LOL! but there was just one more run and that was motivation enough.Again for cool down,I walked away from home..so that I would have to walk to get home:P
Day2 was definitely better than Day1.
Today is rest day but I am not as sore are last rest-day.
Yesterday was also school day and I was on my feet pretty much all day..The school is only 3 hours but,we got there half an hour early(DH gave us a ride) and instead of sitting inside,we spent that half an hour playing in the park.
There was a Mother’s Day Party in the school and moms had to stay back.It was really nice.The kids gave us a mini-manicure-rubbed scented cream in moms’ hands and painted their nails.Then,they made bracelets for us and gave us,cards and flowers,which the kids had made themselves,last week.Aadi didn;t go last week,so one of the teachers made it for her.Then there was lots of singing and dancing and lot of fun was had by all.
We got home by 4,Aadi was super-tired,put her down for a nap and tidied up,loaded the dishwasher,cooked dinner.By 9.00 dinner was done and I sat down to knit mittens for Aadi.I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
DH’s friend had invited us over to watch T-20 India-Australia,I begged off and even before DH left,we were both happily in dreamland!
I am soo excited,that I didn’t given and finished W1D2! one more day and I will be done with Week1!
Oh..and the scale is moving!!!LOL!!I didnt expect it to move so soon..but it is.
Current mood- Happy and relaxed!
Random winter rants..
Our days are just crawling.I hate short winter days,the over cast sky,the cold wild breeze,darkness falling at 5.00..and I think my dislike has rubbed off on Aadi.As soon as it starts getting dark,her mood starts getting darker too.She gets upset more easily,she whines more,she wants me to carry her,and reminds me,every few minutes,”Mommy,I am scared.”While,I let her sit in my lap and try to keep her entertained but,my mood is no better.Last winter,I used to spend most of my mornings in the Town Center,then,we’d come home and nap and the day would pass sooner.But,this year,we are out two days of the week and weekend and so,I like to stay in on the remaining days.
So,I have decided to do one new activity with Aadi each day..reading,painting,threading,craft,writing on her scribble pads-She now knows what standing and sleeping lines are and how to draw them.
She enjoys cooking,so today I let her measure the vegetables for her dinner and she was so excited.And we are counting her fruit/veg servings..In the last 3-4 months,she had almost given up eating veggies.So,I am trying to consciously introduce more veggies/fruits in her meals.If she doesnt eat it in her meals,I give it to her as a snack..sometimes,its frustrating.No,strike that Its frustrating..ALL the time!Aadi used to a very good eater and now suddenly,she is so picky about everything.I am not exaggerating when I say,that EVERY single time I ask her,what she wants to eat,her answer is the same- Dahi-Bhaatu-be it morning,noon or night!Its soo frustrating.Then last week I noticed a white patch on her face.I remember my mom telling someone,that those white patches mean vitamin deficiency.I havent taken her to the doctor for it,yet,coz I know her diet is deficient in so many nutrients.
Nothing frustrates me more,than hearing two demands-“Dahi-bhaatu” and “Candy”….Candy irritates me so much,I want to ban it.If not in the world,I want to ban it in my house.I just dont know how to tell it to our friends and visitors gently.If Aadi sees Candy,she has to eat it,till it gets over,and keeping it hidden somewhere else,doesnt make any difference.She is like a rat,sniffs her way to it.The only sweet,I dont mind giving her is the fruit jelly sweets or the fresh homemade cookie,halwa,kheer,whatever.I am seriously contemplating telling our next visitors,to please,not bring any chocolate for her.Will that be too rude?
This post is just very vague..because,I am in a weird kind of a mood..gloomy..weird,crazy-ish.I am having the worst acne break-out in my life.It makes me soooo mad.I didnt get Acne and pimples,even in my teenage.Almost whole of my right cheek is covered with painful acne..and I hate looking at myself in the mirror.When,I go out,my hair covers it,but..I know its there and that make me feel weird and ugly.Our regular GP is out of town and so,I booked an appointment with another doctor and the earliest,that was available is on Sunday..so,till then,I will just keep feeling weird…and hope to turn invisible.
Does anyone have any home remedies for this?
What else do you do to keep winter blues at bay?I made a scarf for someone,wound a skein into ball to start a cardie for Aadi,am finishing one book per day..what else..?The day,just disappears,its the looooooooooong evening,that just doesnt go away.
Hope your days are better than mine..:)
Partners-in-Crime
Its the long weekend and its raining.We are just having a lazy weekend.I woke up at 12.00*gasp* and the father-daughter duo,didn’t wake me up,even once..*double gasp*
When I walked out of the room,I saw them both sitting on the couch,watching cartoons and giggling.It was such a sweet sight…I walked up to cuddle them..and was greeted with-“Mom I am hungry!” hmm yeah..thats life.
Later,when it started to rain,Aadi was excited and wanted to dance in the rain..DH has normally refuses to go out and get wet.He is a little shy,what will people say types..but today,he was totally under his daughter’s spell and the reluctant father,even went did a jig in the rain with her. He tried to get her to play in the backyard..but no she insisted the front..Poor guy,obliged.Sweet,I think.
Watching them together..I remembered another incident-Last week when we had the medical appointment,Aadi was very happy that dad was home and we were going out,subah-subah.I fed her brekky and got her ready and she wanted to sit in the car.We still had to get dressed and eat our breakfast. When I came out of the room,dressed..Aadi was already in her car-seat,and DH was sitting with her and they were talking.I called him for breakfast.He came inside,filled a plate and went right back,out! I was like WTH? He just turned and told me,”Oh she wants me to sit with her and eat..” All my irritation disappeared..how could it not?
I leave you with a picture of the partners-in-crime..watching the new TV,excitedly.The TV is nearly 1 year old now.
Ohh if you are in a mood for baking,check out my other blog .Posted the cookies and bread recipes.
The House and the elephants
Its been one year..Yes,that’s how long,we have lived in this house.we moved in on this day,last year.We were lucky to get a brand new house on rent..it was so new,that even the dust had not settled ..that new.
It took me nearly one year to make it into a home.I still have bare walls,that I can’t stand,but I have added small touches here and there.
Friends and family have been begging nagging asking me for pics of the new house,since we moved..but I haven’t gotten around to taking any pics.I think its about time.. the day is just right.I want share some of my favorite things in the house,with you.I love elephants and the elephant God,Ganesh..and that is evident,all aound the house..Lemme show you..
This is the first one,that we got,it was supposed to be hung in the car,and it did grace our first car,but,after we moved the first time,with the car,It moved into our house.And ofcourse,the Kalnirnay,the marathi calendar.I have to have it.
I found this one at Dad’s one my first trip to India,after moving out.Since then,it always hangs in a place,from where Ganesha has the direct view of the main door.Someone once told me that placing Ganesha,in such a position is very auspicious.
This beautiful piece is made in Thailand.My sister’s friend got it for her,from his honeymoon,there..and she gave it me,knowing my love for elephants.
I found these Terracota babies,when we first moved to Melbourne.These are the first home decor items,that we bought,after moving here.I want to paint bright blankets on their backs,much like these
This one is a gift from the MIL.Its a beautiful handpainted Elephant Key holder.
And last but not the least,my favorite corner in the living room..after the picture table..
I recieved this Ganesha as a wedding gift and got it here,this time.The statue is very beautifully made..I love the intricate work done on its fingers,to clothes,everything.Behind it is a vase,holding,bamboo.The Bamboo has grown taller than the idol,sort of like forming a canopy behind it.The table cloth was hand made by my mom..I dont know what /how it was made.I think its silk threads.The two pictures-one is our wedding pic..and the other was taken on our babymoon in LV..On the bottom shelf is,a Jade plant and some pine cones that we collected from our Picnic at Philip Island.
I really enjoyed writing this post..hope you enjoyed reading about my treasures.
Another Friday!!
Phew..Friday is here,finally.I thought this week would never end.
Friends of ours,a couple,were going to come over tonight.The girl is just in her second trimester and had a rough time,last couple of months.I felt so bad everytime I spoke to her..poor thing all alone..I wanted to go over and take care of her.But,it wasn’t as easy at I thought-the prospect of keeping Aadi busy/entertained while taking care of a sick friend,scared me.I visited whenever I could with DH.They were going to spend the weekend with us-she said,she wanted to be pampered and I am more than happy to do that:) But,they just cancelled the plans..The guy has to work late..and so may be they will come over tomorrow.
Aadi is still tired from our outing,she was in the stroller most of the time,but it was the heat that tired her,I think.It was a hot day,yesterday and we were out on the streets at the hottest time.But,all said and done,when in the city,I love walking and taking public transport..nothing beats the high that gives you.
We walked along,South Bank,Crown casino(the one in Salam Namaste,where Saif and Priety,finally go to eat icecream!),ate in one of the arcades..sat next to each other in the tram,looking out at the same things.This is what I miss when we are driving into the city..There are so many things to see and so much too and I think,we miss out on that,by driving in.
The liveliness,the cheer,the energy,can only be felt when you are in the middle of it.I came back tired and with a splitting headache,but I came back,full of cheer 😀
If I can write two more posts after this one,then,I will have completed 1 whole month of NaBloPoMo..
I broke my head over what to write but,writing everyday is nice.I liked it.For next month,I would like to have guest posts,from some of you..If you would like to contribute a post,please leave me a comment and I will get in touch with you or email me if you already have my email id.Sorry I am not putting my email id here,because the two times that I did that..my email got hacked.
Speaking of hacking,someone hacked into my gmail and blogger account on Janaury 16th..I managed to retrieve the account,but the same @#@$# has tried to hack into it again..WHY?I dunno…What interest does someone have in the life of a SAHM mom?I dunno..and if someone really came up to me asked me,what’s going on in my life,I would tell them..why go through,all this drama.
Anyway..:) write to me..and please pretty please,I hope atleast some of you will write a guest post for me.It neednot be anything earth shattering…it can be something mundane stuff like..pictures of your garden or garage..or laundry basket or something exciting that happenned to you..or just some random rant..something anything..please!!
Happy 30th month,Baby!
Dearest Aadi
Will the wonders ever cease??
I am still amazed to see the non-stop chattering little girl,with endless demands….”I want…””I need….” In my mind’s eye,you are still the little baby,we brought home from the hospital.
But,I know that you are not a baby anymore.And I know that you also know that.But,you do a very nice imitation of a baby..a baby as you see it…a baby babbling,a baby crawling,raising its hands,
wanting to be picked up,a baby crying loudly,with its eyes closed..very nice indeed..And as if we don’t understand,who you are pretending to be,you tell us,”I am baby”.
Pretend play is your favorite game these days. You pretend to be- Mamma,Baba,Baby, your friend(mostly its Sanskruti),baby,our recent guests..and you assign a role to everyone around you,-your toys and people alike.And you pretend that a section of the living room is the kitchen..and the far end of the house is the Supermarket(Coles)..You go to Coles and buy me pretty fawers.You sit on your bike and tell Baba,”I take you office”.
Aadi,my love,you turn 30 months today…Two and half years… and living with you,its easy to forget how young you are.You chide us,when we are fighting-“No shouting No fighting here!” You watch out for us and our things..you protectively hug our bags,books,even shoes, close to yourself,to protect them from others-kids or adults,alike.Its so grown-up,the way you know your mind..sometimes,even we grown-up get confused,about our wants and needs.When,you throw a tantrum,befitting your age,its so difficult for us..to remember that you are all but a little girl.
You have just started liking jewellery..you love it so much..You like dressing up..No,I am wrong.You love dressing up.You are so quick,when it comes to changing clothes.I get tired of watching you.You change atleast 10 outfits throughout the day.I used to get irritated,when you would want to change clothes,every few minutes,bringing me even dirty clothes from the laundry,just so you could change your outfit..and everytime you changed yours,your baby of the day,would get a change of clothes too.But,I dont know,when,how,you became so independent,now you
do all the changing yourself,just come to me for appreciation.”Mamma,see..I am the pretty one”..
Aadi,there are very few places that are inaccesible to you.You pull chairs,up to the counter..you climb up the shelves in the cupboard,you climb up on the bed,to get a better look at yourself in the mirror(sure I taught you that..but atleast then,you needed me to put you on the bed)..you stand up on tip-
toes to reach something thats on the counter.Sometimes it is annoying,sometime,I just look on in awe.You are so self-sufficient..Once your dad told you,that the baskets in the supermarket are stuck and he can’t get them out.You just told him,”that’s ok,dont bother”..and went on to pull one out..telling him,”see I help you!”The look on his face-Priceless!
Patience is not really your best virtue,but I hear most toddlers are like that..But like I said,you make it very hard for us to remember that you are all but a toddler!
You are still very possessive about me..You always have one eye on your Baba when,he is near me.But,now,you are also possessive about him.If I snuggle upto him,you leave whatever you are doing and snuggle up between up.I love the way,you proclaim,”My Mamma,Also,My Baba”..But,sometimes you and Baba dont see eye-to-eye..its sad for me,but,I will leave that for you both to sort out..I am just going to enjoy my time with you..for,I know,one day,you are just going to be a daddy’s girl..I see it already,the way,you both team up,when we go out..or how you defend him,when I am mad at him.
Aadi,you are now fluent in both Hindi and english and attempt to talk in Marathi.Some people tell me that I am confusing you,by talking to you in all three languages…but so far,you seem very comfortable.And my love,you can translate from english to hindi and hindi to english.That to me is a big milestone.
You are talking perfect sentences in both languages.And big 5-6 word sentences…Boy!that makes me so happy.I may be biased..but you are my SUPER-STAR!
You love singing..and your great-grandma,thinks you have a very musical voice. and will be a singer.well we’ll see.For now,you are the happiest when singing “Pinkle Pinkle little star” and “rote rote hasna seekho” and the likes.
And you love dancing..all we have to do is play some music..or not..you find music in any thing rhythmic..and start tapping your feet.And you move so well,I am happy to see that atleast you don’t have two left feet like your parents.
Aadi,you are growing up so soon,its hard for me to keep up..But I love the edge that our life has,because of you..We are scared to blink,look away,because thats all it takes for you to get into some mischief or do something cute.
Today we baked cupcakes for you…and you baked your pretend cupcakes,all sweet..u even added imaginary essence too -I just smiled and looked away for 10 seconds…and the next thing I know is that you had grabbed and then dropped a bottle of Maggie Hotn’Sweet! See what I mean??
Ohh Aadi,what am I going to do with you?
In the last 2 and half years,since you came into our life,you have made us laugh,and cry,mostly happy tears,sometimes we cried with you..you have embarassed us and you have made us proud,you have annoyed us and given us all the more reasons to love you,in the next heartbeat..But there is absolutely nothing that I would change.Its just not possible to stay mad at you..you wont let us..you hug,kiss,cuddle,act like a clown,command us..you just don’t give up..till we don’t smile again.I hope that doesn’t change..your need to see smiling faces.I don’t know what will be going through your mind,when you read this..at 16?or later?May be then,you would be embarassed or annoyed with me.And then try to remember,its just the love in a fond mother’s heart coming to you as this letter.And since you are still reading,remember,we love you..even if we don’t approve of that boy-friend of yours!
With all my love,
Mamma
Weekend fun and more..
Technically its late to write a weekend post,but in my defence..I was out all day Monday and resting trying to resist killing the tantrum-prone child,all day yesterday,had friends over for dinner and so,this is the earliest I can write about weekend fun!
Saturday started off early,with Sanj heading off for his cricket practice..and unfortunately for me,Aadi woke up with us..so,my day really started early.We did random stuff,read books,played blocks,finished brekky and Sanj was back.
After they had lunch,I was/am fasting for Navratri,we headed off to the mall.This time,I got lucky and Aadi dozed off in the car.I got a nice hour to myself..though,I couldn’t stop myself from feeling jealous that Sanj got it easy..Not fair,na..that I got the tantrum filled morning and he got the peaceful nap-time.
Anyway,I walked around and guess what I ended up shopping for the sleeping twosome-bought a late father’s day gift for Sanj..and started shopping early for Aadya’s christmas presents.
Sunday was a friend’s babyshower.. and my princess dressed up,like for real ..complete with bangles,payal,bindi,necklace everything..
The babyshower was quiet nice..I realised that I hadn’t attended any babyshowers other than my own.We got back home,dead tired..called it an early night.
Monday,I had a date..with a friend and I must say,it was a nice day.Co-incidentally,we ended up going to the same Mc.Donald’s where we met for the first time..only this time,Aneela’s baby was there too:) After a kid-friendly meal,we headed out to the shops..talked non-stop,got on the tourist shuttle,window-shopped some more..till it was time to say goodbye..until we meet again.That part I dont like..Aneela’s going to be away for a year..hopefully,we’ll still be here,when she comes back!
It was a treat watching Aadya and Arhaan together…how his eyes lit up,every time she spoke to him,how she wanted to touch him and kiss him,every other second..and at one time,Aneela was in a shop and I was pushing Arhaan’s stroller out the door,Aadya was walking I realised,thats just the picture I have in mind..hopefully…the picture will become reality soon.
Speaking off reality,I finally have an appointment with a Gynaec ..tomorrow..I dunno why I have a weird feeling like its a start of a new phase..may be it is,may be it isnt.Its my first visit with a PCOS specialist so,I don’t know what to expect..Its like starting all over again,sort of going to a new school…and making new friends all over again..Sigh..
Anyway,I leave you with this-
My Indian Princess
To market,to market
This Sunday,we went to the market…to sell.We were supposed to set up shop,next weekend..but decided to try this week.
We set up our stall at one of the local markets.We reached there at 8.00 and by 8.30 we had displayed our wares,ranging from kids clothes,to jewellery boxes,mobile cozies,book marks,coin purses and loads of jewellery.
It was quite cold and windy and the market wasn’t very busy.
We managed to sell,very little..but so many people stopped to look..and that was heartening.
The veteran stall holders,came over for idle chit-chat,introduced themselves,welcomed us..asked us to try again,another week..reassuring us,that our things were very Good..but we chose the wrong day..
End of the day,Sanj asked me how the experience was..And I told him..It was really great..I would do it again in a heartbeat.
We go to another market,next Sunday..Send us some positive vibes and lots of good wishes.
And before you ask..there were no pics..we forgot to take the camera.
Its Happy to you burday,Pooh Bear Ka
I have been asked to bake a cake and blow some some balloons..Since”its Happy to you burday,Pooh Bear Ka”
Pooh Bear has been sung to,so many times since morning.It has been cuddled and kissed too.In case,you are wondering why this special honour was bestowed on it?Well,a little baby came visiting today and Mamma asked Aadi to share her Pooh Bear with him.And then,started the whole story –
“Mamma,Pooh Bear Wants Aadi..”No going Baby paas”.I cajoled,its ok Baby,you can share with the little Baby.
She ran inside and brought out 2 other toys,but hung onto Pooh Bear.On asked ,this is the reason she shared.”Its happy to you Burday,Pooh Bear ka.”
Normally she is quiet friendly with babies.But today,when I picked up our little guest,she wasn’t too happy..Her reactions ranged from,repeating sweet nothings to the baby,to clinging to me,saying,”Myyy Mamma” loud and clear for neighbours ,two doors down to finally muttering,”isko dedo waapas”(Give the baby back)..When I handed the baby back to his grandma,he was showered with kisses,called a Fweetie(sweetie).
Now,I know why I didnt find it funny/cute,when Shahid said fmart for smart..My ownFweetie sweetie has been saying it for months now.
As for the picture in the post,its one of my favorite pics.We had gone to the city,with the ILs and Aadi saw the sea-gulls.She wanted to play with “Mashakali” and started walking along with them,chasing them.I was watching ,reminding her to stay off the road.And next thing I hear is a little voice saying,”No No Mashakali,No going road” “aao mashakali,come to Aadya” Though baby banter,it was music to my mommy ears:)
Anyway,you have a nice day,while we go and celebrate Pooh Bear’s Happy to you Burday!
15 Marbles 