..The coin being Melbourne.Since we moved here,life is zooming by at jet-speed.I have gone from friendless and lonely to having busy weeks and weekends,so much so that,we haven’t had time to rest the last 2 weekends.So anyway,my point is I am happy at peace where I am..But this isn’t what I was thinking a few days back.
Last week my neighbour came knocking,complaining about something.I spoke to her,said I understood her point of view etc.But she had more in mind,than just that.She told me to get some help for little Aadya..As the way she cries is not normal.how her crying disturbs her and her family..and she went on and on..I was ok till she said about Aadya needing help..That made me so mad.I had dozed off,when I was putting Aadya down for a nap and her banging(yes thats what it was) woke me up.So,I was still sleepy,when she was talking all this..and then i was so mad..I couldnt say anything.
But it just left me with such a bad after-taste. I broke down when talking to Sanj..and then I fumed and vented with a friend.But,then,when i was done being angry and shedding tears,I realised,how ridiculous she sounded.I mean I can’t think of a 2 year old,who doesnt cry or run around and scream..
They cry,when they are tired,angry,hungry,frustrated,uncomfortable..whatever.They squeal when they are happy,excited,playing.I mean its natural ,right?
I am doing all I can to keep her quiet at nights and if she is awake till late,I keep her in the living room(our bedrooms share a wall)..but if she wakes up crying,in the middle of the night or early morning,what can I do really?
I have decided,she isn’t worth the trouble and I should just ignore her,but what do I do,I can’t stop thinking about it?I even went to the extent of thinking,that we should move out right away,then Sanj explained..why should we?Its not like,we are going and making noise in front of her house,or if we are making all the noise to disturb her or trouble her.If she is living in a rental property,she should compromise a little.
I am sure we’ve all had noisy neighbours sometime or the other.But you have to maintain some basic courtesy.
So,anyway,this happenned sometime on Wednesday and I spent the next two days,feeling crappy.You how it is,that you think..ohh what am i doing in the crappy place?I mean its not nice,walking on egg- shells in your own house.
Anyway,on Friday,I decided to go to the city..the hustle-bustle of the city always cheers me up.It just fills me up with so much excitement and enthusiasm.We walked around in the city for a while.Then we plopped ourselves on a bench outside BigW(a store much like Walmart).An old lady came and sat down next to us.Aadya was her usual friendly self.The old lady said Hello to her,and Aadya offered her ,her snack,”Share?”..The old lady was thrilled to bits.After a while,she took out something red and gold from her bag and offered it to Aadya.I thought it was just a shiny paper,that she wanted to give a little kid.She asked me if she could give it to her,i said yes.Aadya promptly dumped it in my lap.And I saw that it was actually a gift envelope and she had tucked in a 5 -dollar bill in it.I refused,but she insisted,telling me how she had 6 grandkids 4 boys and 2 girls..and how Aadya reminded her of them.But more than anything else,she had the sense to share at such an young age.She said,the money was just a token of her good wishes,and blessings for Aadya,wishing her success in everything and a good life.I was truly touched..and decided,”Its not such a crappy place,afterall.”
Oh and did I tell you,I was on cloud nine for the rest of the weekend? After all,she is MY daughter!:)
Category: Melbourne
Happy New Year-2009
Here’s wishing you all a very Happy New Year from all of us at Aadyaland.
This space hasn’t seen much activity,since Sanj is home,and we are just too busy having fun.He has been off work since the 24th and that’s when the fun times began.In all the years that I have known him,this is the first time,he has had holidays and completely stayed away from work-so,you can imagine how thrilled I am.
This year,we brought home a Christmas tree.A new tradition has been started.We decorated it together.Aadya was very excited about the baubles.She took a fancy for the red baubles,and kept asking for “ball”.After resisting for sometime,we gave her one and told her its hers and the rest are ‘Santa’s’ and no touching those.Surprisingly,she was more than happy to watch Santa’s tree for him..:)even telling our visitors,”No,no,no..Santa’s”with her wagging finger and a wide-eyed face!
On Christmas eve,after she went to bed,we put Aadya’s gifts under the tree….and she was so excited when she woke up next morning.She ran to the tree,but stopped,asked us,”Santa’s??”We told her that Santa left her those gifts,for watching his tree and she can have them..Boy,was she excited then.She insisted on taking her gifts with her,when we went for the picnic.
The lovely Aneela and her Gman,invited us for a picnic with their friends and a fun time was had by all.We had already met Aneela,but it was our first time meeting Gman.And he is every bit as much fun as her.Aadya took a liking for an 18-year old,who was part of the group.We told her she was “Didi”(older sister)..and Aadi followed her around like Mary’s little lamb,all day long.And when she wasn’t following Didi around,she was busy playing cricket with older boys.She chased after every single ball,tirelessly.We came back,tired to the bones,but we all went to bed with smiles on our faces.
The next day was Boxing Day and that means SALE SALE SALE!! We hit the mall,after a filling breakfast at 11.00.Which is early by our standards but late by the devoted shoppers’ standards.The Boxing Day sale is the Australian equivalent of the Black Friday sale and naturally the malls were jam-packed.We were looking for parking for 45 minutes.Actually,no,we were not looking for parking,for those 45 minutes,we were actually,trying to get out of the traffic and get to the rooftop parking lot!All that going round and round with a thousands cars paid off when we got the stuff we wanted.A 200 dollar Vacuum cleaner for $90!!Now that’s a steal!And I am so in love with my new Vacuum,I have been using it everyday!!!:D
The days in between were spent going to the park,watching back to back movies..After all it is the summer Vacation and eating OUT! If nothing else,by the time,the holidays are over,I am sure,we (read I-the man never puts on a pound!!!!!) will be a few pounds heavier.Which brings me to my new year resolution,of losing the most weight this year.We were watching the biggest loser,at lunch time..And I am feeling very inspired.And this time,Sanj,has promised his unfailing support..So,may be things will work out.To start with,it means we have to cut-down on eating out…which means,planning the weekend menu,in advance.Because,that’s when we go crazy eating out.So,here’s to a new start.
New year’s eve was celebrated in the City.We joined Aneela and gang,for a Biryani dinner and cake,followed by the spectacular fireworks display.The city was so crowded,but after so many years of quiet new year’s eve,I loved the crowds and hustle-bustle,making our way,through the crowds,the tram ride,everything.We spoke to our families,on the tram ride back. Then,we settled down,quietly..umm not so quietly,coz when you have an Aadya with you,there is no quiet. Sanj was playing funny faces with her.We were sitting across each other,and Aadya was jumping,from his lap to mine,finally settling down on the ledge between the seat and the window,to look outside.And then,I felt,something sweet.All this happiness slowly sneaked in and filled my heart,making me all mushy and giddy. I found myself,observing,the three of us,from a distance,and I liked what I saw.
The last year has been tough for us,in a lot of ways-health issues on the ILs side,my own health,troubled times at Dad’s-in general,when we look back,2008 hasn’t been a very happy year for me and mine..I hope 2009 will bring much awaited Happier days.
I hope the year 2009 is happy and prosperous for you and yours..Happy New Year!
I leave you with some pictures:
Here’s Aadya with her gifts,on Christmas Morning
And here she is admiring a decorated tree in the mall
And here’s the busiest ‘Fielder’ at the Christmas day Picnic
Do stop by and tell me how you spent the holiday season 🙂
Ho hum we are bored
This is the 4th Friday in a row,when its so dull and gloomy.Its drizzling so,you cant even go out,if you don’t drive.Aadya and I have stayed in all week,because of the chicken pox.
Thanks for all your get-well wishes,here and on emails.It seems like a mild bout,alright..but we are staying in,nevertheless.
I am trying to keep her as excited and entertained as I can..but its tiring..I roped in the idiot box,for sometime.Thank God..for good educational kid-friendly videos.But today is really gloomy.So,we are watching Dostana..and Aadya ran inside and grabbed a pillow and her blankie..that’s her way of showing how dull she is feeling.Next she went and got my pull-over and is wearing that and lying down on the couch,watching the movie.
Anyway..I thought to cheer me up and all you guys,I should write about Aadya’s Antics over this week.Chicken-pox or not ,we have had a very eventful week.Aadya hates wearing clothes these days and has been top-less most of the time.And she has decided to toilet-train herself.So,as soon as she has to pee,she takes off her diaper.It took me a couple accidents to realise,why she was removing her diaper so often.So,we are now actively in the act of toilet training.
She has this thing about turning super cute after being mischievous.She just crinkles her eyes..and blinks,when i start screaming at her..I still havent become immune to it.So,there she has me wound around her little finger.
It seems as if she has suddenly discovered how to talk..Its so much fun to hear her try out new words again and again..and then use them in the right place.Like yesterday,she was jumping on the bed and fell down.I asked her..uh-oh,what happenned Pipette? and she just giggled and said..umm fun..fun..junt..junt Aadya fall. And she promptly demonstrated how!!!(junt= AadyaSpeak for Jump)
She now knows from my tone,who I am talking to..When I am talking to Sanj,she listens and then screams Bubba.I figured that one was easy.Today I was talking to my dad..she kept playing next to me..and then said, “Do do baat Nanu”She wanted the phone to talk to her nanu..I was shocked..Needless to say,Nanu was thrilled.Last weekend,she pointed to the phone and demanded to talk to her Dadu.And demands to talk to Masi happen..everytime she is mad,happy,sad,woken up.And as soon as I turn on the laptop,she comes and sits in front of the webcam,cocking her head,asking”Masi?”
Her speech has gotten clearer,she started saying”Maaji” then Mayishi and now finally clearly “Masi or Mashi”depending on her mood.Some days,she chatters and sings for her..and some days,just says No and gives the phone back
Today,the cutest thing happenned.I was chasing her to tie her hair.Its one of our on-going fights.I grab the nearest hair band and grab her hair,and put up a little pig-tail,or coconut tree,as they were called when we were growing up.And she removes it the first chance she gets.Now I have given up,picking the hair bands..they come in handy in times of emergency.So,Iwas saying,I was chasing her.She ran to the bedroom and hid in the cupboard.I opened the cupboard door to see her standing there..with her knees bend,hands covering her face and as soon as the door opened she said Boo!!The hair forgotten,I pulled her..tickled and we rolled on the floor laughing.She is a fun kid..
I am really loving this phase,when we talk,laugh,she repeats everything that we say.ok that i dont love so much.She picked up S-h-i-t from me!And everytime,she dropped something,she would say..ssssshhhhhyaaa. I was so embarassed..Sanj,didnt spare a single opportunity to remind me,that she picked it up from me.Thank God!She is all over it.
Our dinner plans just got cancelled,because of the darned rain..So..time to haul the butt to the kitchen.
Round two-chicken Pox
We just managed to kick the “Croup”monster out,last week,from Aadyaland.We still stayed indoors,for the next 3-4 days.We stepped out gingerly for a regular weight check up at the Maternal and child health centre,on Tuesday.The weight was good..and I relaxed.
I let her rest again on wednesday,except for a short walk to the park.Thursday,again,we stayed in most day and went to visit a friend,who was introducing me to a mommy friend of hers. All was well and the world looked beautiful.
And Friday morning,just before lunch,she kept taking her shirt off,again and again..It was a hot day,and so,I let her play like that.After a while,I noticed,some red spots on her back..I tried to be calm,but my mind screamed”Chicken Pox”.
So,I just took an appointment,and then called Sanj.That’s a subtle lifestyle change that has taken place in our Household,since moving to Melbourne.When we were in the US,the first call was to the Bubba..after checking his schedule,I would call and take an appointment at the doctor’s..I like this new independence!So,anyway,the doctor confirmed that it is Chicken Pox,indeed.
So,this weekend,we are nursing a chicken-pox ridden child and walking on egg-shells,hoping to not catch it ourselves.I have a high likelyhood of catching it-when I got pregnant,the doctor ran a series of blood-tests and the results,said that I didnt have anti-bodies for chicken pox. So,the probability of my catching it is realy high.Well,anyway,we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
For now,I am worried about my little girl..She seems to be going through some jinxed phase..I think we all are going through a jinxed phase….One thing after the other,keeps following us.Hope this phase ends soon.If you happen to talk to the Big Man,up there,ask him to ease up on us,Please!
Bed-time drama continues.
After I wrote,yesterday,about how Aadya went to bed herself,over the weekend..my nightmare began.
She refuses to sleep again.Last week,we had an episode with the neighbour!Bed-times with Aadya are loud,angry,tearful,you name it.. all the terrible things,put together.Add a sick Aadya to that equation and all this increases 10 folds!!!
She was being a complete brat at bedtime..kicking,screaming,pinching.Sometimes I wonder,if a Devil takes over,my sweet child at night.She pulls her Papa’s hair..bursts in loud screaming cries,starting with “Ohhh Maaaaaaaaaaaa”…and gets on our nerves. We would snap at each other,for making her cry,snap at her for screaming..and it went on.Then,the neighbour tapped on the wall.And we knew,she had had enough.I carried Aadya all night..for some reason,she couldn’t be calmed that night.somewhere,down the night,I realised that she was sick and sure enough next morning,the doctor confirmed that she had the croup.
I left a note for the neighbour,apologising,explaining how Aadya was sick.She came by and explained on her part too.But,all this has left me feeling pretty awkward and over the edge. I try to keep Aadya as quiet as possible at nights..but,I don’t know,if she gets super-loud/cranky at nights or if it feels that way!
Anyway,the last week when she was sick,I would give her dinner,then her medicine,massage,read a book,she would drink her milk and she would be fast asleep.Now,since yesterday,she started feeling better or so,I thought.We stayed in most weekend,so as to not tire her.we took her to the library and play area,and then for a walk.By 7.00pm,she was sleepy.I gave her dinner,read her book.Skipped the massage,because,she was too sleepy and took her to the bedroom.It was 7.45 then.
She started singing first,I pretended to be asleep.Then,slowly the twisting and turning.She is co-sleeping now.And wants to sleep on my arm.its fine to begin with,but gets painful,when the twisting and turning starts.I don’t mind,if its just for finding a comfortable position..but,it just doesn’t stop.I still pretended to sleep.But,after a while,the pain takes over and irritation starts creeping in and then,the pretending has to stop.That’s what happened last night too.
At around 8.30,I gave up and came out to the living room.She followed me.Then,she told me that she wants to do Noni..and Shoyi(Aadya-speak for sleep).OK,I tried again.Again,the same drama.I got mad and came outside again.Now,it was 9.30.after a while,again the same thing.I refused to go inside with her.She sat down on the living room floor and HOWLED!She refused to be pacified by Sanj..and wanted only me to hold her.As upset,tired as I was…repeated cries of Mimi mimi are enough to wreak havoc,in one’s heart and head!I picked her up yet again..This time,I just sat on the couch,reading my book.She just kept hugging me and slept.I really don’t know..why or what caused her to fall asleep then. May be she was tired from all the drama..God knows,I was.At one point,I told Sanj,that I was too tired and felt like I was getting depressed.He took her from me,but she kept whining to come back to me.
Anywho,my peace did not last for long.She woke up again at 3.1-3.30am,crying.First said No for dudu,then yes,then asked for Wotto(water),then wanted to remove her shirt,then,we changed her diaper,then,she wanted the light ON,then the light OFF,then,the FAN was interesting,then,my eyes had to be pinched open,then,she wanted to put on her shirt again..Phew,Tired OF READING??? Imagine,I had to go through it.AT 3 FREAKING AM!!! and the caps lock is intentional!
I just stopped answering her at some point..and rolled away from her. I don’t know what time she/I slept.Sanj WOKE me up at 6.00,asking me where Aadya was! Well,where would she be…somewhere on the bed,buried in the covers.
I am fairly patient with her,and him..if I may say so myself.But,its at times like this ,when I just want to leave everything and everyone and go away somewhere.Its not the anger and irritation that bothers me,its the Unmotherly thoughts,that I get of..leaving her somewhere,or leaving them both here,while I go away,or covering her mouth with my hand,when the howling starts..or just going and jumping off the cliff,that scares me and bothers me.
This morning,the crying and tantrums started the moment we got out of bed.First,she wanted me to lie in bed for some more time.Then,she wanted my brush,then,something else..and so on.Now,the brat is finally in bed…Today,I had to step outside twice,to get away from her screaming and taking a deep breath.I refused to lie down with her at nap time…after an hour or so,of her fighting,and me not responding,she finally fell asleep.All I did was sit next to the bed.A small victory,I just wish,it didn’t come after so many tears.
All you wise ones,Please help me out here…before I go and kill myself!
OH!!!AND she is not even two yet…Please tell me,things get better!
20 months and counting….
Dearest Aadya,
You turn 20 months ‘young’ today.And these 20 months with you have been a roller coaster of fun,sickness,joy,frustration(both yours and ours),but whatever it is,its been an experience of a lifetime.
You want to be a big girl,and do things like your mimi and then,when we ask you to behave,and be a big girl,you say you are a babee.You want to do everything yourself,from eating to dressing up.You now,tell me what you want to eat,your favorite being Bhaatu(rice)-really Aadi,you want to eat your Bhaatu,as soon as you wake up.And whatever it is that you are eating,you need a poonsh(spoon),to eat it with.
I am amazed at what all you know,and I am not saying this,because,I am your mother.I like the way you can tell,which clothes are mine and which are your Papa’s.And you never tire of telling me,that,even if you see the same shirt 10 times in a day,you consider it your responsibility to tell me that its Papa’s. What I don’t understand,is how you recognise,the clothes that you haven’t seen either of us wear?
Aaduli,you are a keen observer and a quick learner too.You had figured out how to slip your arm out of your t-shirt,a couple of months back.And like the other fashionista ,you like slipping just one arm,out.Some fashion-statement,you toddlers are making.Anyway,now,you have learned how to put on your own socks too.And since the first successful attempt,two weeks back, you have been trying on socks of all shapes and sizes!Speaking of clothes,what is it about sleeping topless,that appeals to you?Since the last week or so,the only way,you can get comfortable at bedtime is,if you take off your shirt.And again,when we are speaking of clothes,you want to chose your own outfit,every time..perfect with mismatched socks and matching shoes!Your obsession with shoes continues and now your favorite thing is toks,that’s what you call your socks.
Your new favorite thing to do is,WALK!!and if you want me or Papa to go somewhere with you,you ask us to WALK!!You don’t like sitting in your stroller as much as you used to-these days,you get bored of sitting,while I walk and then,you want to walk too.Your newest ambition is to learn to open the restraint belts,of your stroller and car-seat. Every time I buckle you in,you lean over and try to figure out what I am doing,and practice at the first chance,you get.
As far as talking is concerned,you are saying a lot of words..its like everyday,you have a list of new words,learned.You can very effectively communicate,what you want,using,signs and words.Though sometimes,I feel that you use signing,more than words,but your Papa and all others around me reassure me,its because of the big move.I hope that’s what it is..I don’t want to pressurise you,but,start using your words,fast,little one.
And lastly,sweetheart,you need to sleep,to be fresh,through out the day and you need to stop resisting sleep.For,if you want your Mimi to be Sane,you need to stop trying her patience at bed-time!!!You only sleep,if I am lying down next to you.Though,the funny part is,when you are really sleepy,you don’t want me to touch you,but you want to touch my face and hands.strange ways,your mind works in.
These days,you are enjoying your new found independence..you want to do almost everything yourself..from changing your diapy,to using the wipes,to brushing your teeth,changing your clothes,eating,carrying your plate..everything.The only thing that you needed me for is sleep.And yesterday nite,you surprised us..You went into the dark bedroom and lay down on the bed,all by yourself,pulled the covers over yourself and called me only when you wanted you dudu.My heart welled up..My baby is all grown up.I still lay down next to you,tried to pat you,and you told me,”No No,Mamma”…My heart swell and got crushed all at the same time and as I was lying there,next to you,feeling sad,that my baby is not a baby anymore,you rolled over,and snuggled close to me..That just tells me,alls not lost.:)
Another few months and you will be 2..though,you are already showing us,what terrible twos are going to be like.But all said and done,I am sure,we’ll get through that,sometimes patiently,sometimes not so patiently,sometimes happily,sometimes,not-so-happily…
Just remember,even though at times,Mimi gets upset,irritated,angry..she loves you a lot and so does your Papa….
Love you,Babychino ..love you,my choco-pie!!
Muaah..And please sleep well!!
To a new friendship
When our move to Melbourne was final,the first thing I did was looking up Melbourne bloggers.At that time,I didn’t find anyone.Even after I moved here,I would keep looking at blogger’s profiles,hoping to find at least one that I liked,and was also in Melbourne,but no such luck.But,someone up there was listening and quite by chance,I came upon Aneela,through Kiran’s blog.I read her blog,and commented too,but forgot to check her profile.And then,it turned out that she was in Melbourne too!So,obviously we had to meet.And Meet we did!
And it was such a fun day.
It was the day of Christmas Parade and we,Aneela and I, were really excited about it and decided to meet early to watch the Parade..Of course,it would have been fun for Aadya too. We couldn’t see much of the parade,as it was very crowded..I did let Aadya do a little jig on the sidewalk,every time they played the music.Anyway,we decided to head off to Aneela’s.Sanj joined us there,after getting lost at least 3 times.It was way past lunch time and I kept feeling guilty about starving her,and her site under construction.Lunch was scrumptious and the chicken to die for.We finished lunch and carried fruits and conversation to the den.Here,I have to tell you, there was never,N-E-V-E-R a lull in conversation.WE had a nice fun time,talking about everything under the sun..bloggers(naturally),food,Melbourne,Babies and all the nice and not-so nice things that come with them…and so much more.
As for Aadya,she first charmed A with her sweet smiles and lovely manners..and when she had her trust,then, started throwing small tantrums.Funniest was when Aneela’s Pesho and my Aadya laid their eyes on each other.Pesho had just woken from her cat nap and was shocked to see Aadya in her room,with her mommy..she decided to forget about stretching and went right back,under the bed.By the time Pesho finished napping,Ms.Aadya was peacefully sleeping,on her(Pesho’s) favorite couch!!! Pesho decided to ignore that slight and went out to stretch and roll in the sunny courtyard. She was having a nice time..all was well in her world.
And then,Ms.Aadya decided to wake up! And this time,sit on Pesho’s favorite chair and so on it continued.I am sure the poor cat must be getting nightmares about Aadya.Towards evening,Pesho decided that these strange people were not going anywhere and ventured out,to check us out..Aadya greeted her with a big Hulloooooo and a woarr..( i think the silly child thought she was greeting a tiger),and then went on to give her the pen that she was playing with.Really,what would a cat possibly do with a pen?Write her long letter may be?telling her how much she terrorised her?
Anywho,Sanj enjoyed unrestricted TV time while we were yapping and once the match that he was watching,got over,he decided to put an end to the fun..or so i thought then.We got in the car and realised it was almost nine.It was beautiful day ,well spent. Of course,we missed meeting the G-man..hopefully soon.
Here’s to a new friendship..:)
15 Marbles 