Where ever we go,people ask us,”How old is she?” And that is Aadya’s favorite Question these days.She picks up her baby doll,pats her on the head then,asks me,”Mamma how ole is she?” And then answers herself,”ten”..Don’t ask me why ten.
Then,we ask her,”how old are you,Aadya?”
And she answers proudly,”two”,holding up three fingers.
We ask her,excitedly,”how old is Mamma/Baba?” “Sixty-Nine!!!”,comes the prompt reply!Always!

                                                           *************************

 

Every morning,I check my weight and Aadi is just waiting ..as soon as I step off the scale,she is ready to get on..”My turning,Mamma”..Then,she looks at the scale and anounces proudly,to whoever is around,”Sixteen”.

                                                                      ********************
Me- looking up a number in my old mobile.”Mamma,what do you think you are doing,Missy?”,asks Aadi.
Flabbergasted me,”What ?Kya hua?”
Aadi,”I said,what do you think you are doing missy?Tun kya kar rahi ho?”,she translates like I dont understand English.
I mumble something  nothing ..She comes up to me,hands on hips,asks me,” Isaid..Tum kya Kar rahi ho Baba phone saath?”I tell her its my phone..”No i said its Baba phone and No touching Baba things” Umm Ok,Mommy..                             

                                                                             ***********************

At Nap-time,I tell Aadi to sleep otherwise Fider-man will come and take mamma away.She asks me,”Fider man aayega?”I tell her,”Yes baby,and mamma ko le jayega.Fir Aadu kya karegi?” She thinks it over  and tells me in all seriousness,”Loplop working karegi…movie dekhegi…no-sleeping karegi” Huh??she already has a plan in place!Does this mean,she has already thought about this??sob,sob..somebody bring my baby back!!

                                                                                   *********************

Yesterday,Aadi woke up late from her afternoon nap..I was making Rotis when she woke up.Sanj picked her up and cuddled,but she wanted to cuddle with me..and kept whining for me.
Sanj asked me,in a not so nice tone,”What are you doing now?”(meaning-just stop whatever you are doing and attend to the Princess)
Before I could come up with something nasty,a sleepy Aadya answered,”Roti-Paratha bana rahi hai”..(She is making Roti)
We burst out laughing..and she got so upset,wagged a finger at us,”No laughing me,Ganda Bachcha Mummy-Papa”..That shut us up Or Not!!LOL!

We start our days with stories and end our days with stories too.Aadi is truly her mom’s daughter and loves talking.”Shomuch” talking..shomuch bubbles,shomuch Bhaatu*,shomuch kisses,shomuch cared**…So much is the key word and so much of everything is very good.(shomuch= so much,bhaatu=rice)
If we do something for Aadi,like give her a biscuit or her milk,help her put on her shoes or her clothes,when,she asks us to,she says,”Thank you,Shomuch”.
Someone holds the door open for us and the little diva pips,even before I can react,”thank you shomuch”.
Remember how I wrote about,Aadi waking up and toddling out to me,every morning?Well,her royal highness decided,it was about time things changed around her.So now the Diva wakes up and sits in bed,calling out to me,saying,”Mumma aake mujhe Godi lelo(come pick me up) come on,you want to pick me up?” And no..I am not allowed to say No 😛
So,I go pick her up,cuddle with her,on the bed for sometime and starts the story telling..”Once there is Lion…He goes Uppp-down… then there is Fider-man,Fider-man,Aadu godi le rahe(spider-man picking up Aadu)..he sees REDD-RIDING-hoodd..goes forest,shomuch aminals animals…aminals cared scared lion…and so on till I coax her to get out of bed and brush her teeth.
And then comes the Aape karte part. She wants to do everything herself.I say,”Aadi,come on lets do Brushy-brushy..”She says,”Yeah..Aape Karte”(I’ll do it myself)..”Let Mamma help you baby..”No,I said,aape karte”..hmm OK,mamma is left to being a spectator.Before,she even takes the brush in her hand,she announces,rather indignantly,”No rinse and spit”..yeah sure we’ll see,I think ..She has to rinse and spit in the end 🙂
Then,we chose an outfit and she gets ready,to eat her breakfast and then play in the backyard.Remember how most of us girls,dream of having a little girl to play dress up with?This is the time,when that dream comes to bite me in my back-side…You know why?Because my little girl loves to dress up! No really..she changes clothes for fun..Typical girly girl…she dribbles a few drops of water on her shirt,when drinking water or washing hands and her clothes get,”DIRTY,VERY Dirty”..and can mamma change it please? No..No problem..she goes to her room,struggles to open the cupboard and changes into something else…comes and tells mamma,”Wowwwwwwwwww Mamma,Aadu kitna cutie hai,aape pehena”.
If she can’t get the cupboard to open..No problem,go to the laundry,find something to wear,put it on..and tell mamma,”Wowwww Mamma,Aadu big girl,ready herself”.
What amazes me is the ease with which she shifts from Hindi to English and back to Hindi.Even when talking to people she doesnt know.If someone talks to her in English,she replies in English and same goes for Hindi too.When we are out,she automatically switches to English..but when we are visiting friends,she automatically switches to Hindi.I think she decides based on the language being used at the time.She loves telling her ,when asked..Also,Baba name and Mamma name.Always the Ms.etiquettes,she asks others,”whats your name ?Or Aapka naam kya hai.
More scribbles coming up soon..I am falling asleep on the keyboard..Let me hit publish..and hit the sack..More later..
Hope you had a great weekend.

Rakshabandhan brings back fond memories from my childhood.For one it used be a holiday and the day would start out special.
Mom would cook a special breakfast,while dad dunked us the big tank in the backyard.After the bath,we’d dress up in the new clothes that mom had laid out and it would be time to tie Rakhis to dad.His sister would send him a Rakhi and mom would buy another Rakhi,so that we could tiea rakhi each to him.Dad would hand over gifts to us,and we’d all have a happy breakfast 🙂
Then,we’d go over to tie Rakhi to our brother,B.This relationship dates back to our grandparents generation.My grandmother,dad’s mom used to tie rakhi to B’s grandfather and then,their kids tied rakhis to each other and then,it was our turn.Then in the evening,dad’s sisters would come over.These were girls,he had grown up with..the relations dating back to their parents generation.
Then,when we moved to Bombay,we’d try to co-ordinate in a way that we could spend the day with our cousins..But,one tradition continued,that of celebrating it with dad first.
After Aadya was born,we decided to start this tradition for Aadi and her dad.The first year she was just a few months old.The second year,we were travelling and didn’t do anything.This year,Aadi is quiet observant and the festival deserves to be celebrated.
I made Rakhis at home..One of Aadi’s Baba and one for JaishriKishna .See Baba’s hand in the picture on top.The first thing Aadi said when she saw  Baba’s Rakhi was,”wow,Mamma Cookie”..all my attempts of telling her,its a Rakhi,were met with,No Mamma,I said,its Cookie.I told her,its for Baba..You can tie it to Baba..She asked,”Give it Baba?”,I said yes and sure enough,as soon as Sanj walked in,she pulled a chair to the kitchen counter and wanted to give the Rakhi-cookie to Baba!

Baba changed  and we got down to the business of giving ..errr..tying rakhi.First,a Rakhi for Jaishrikishna ,then,tilak and Aarti to Baba.Aadi was so good,she  did everything as I told her.But,when it came to tying the rakhi,she wanted one on her wrist!She rolled up her sleeve and presented her wrist.It reminded me so much of my baby sister.When we were growing up,she would also insist that I tie a Rakhi to her,for wasnt she my REAL sister.

.

Anyway,I tied a Rakhi on Aadi’s wrist first then,helped her tie one on Baba’s .Baba handed over the gifts,some money and squirty toys..She was more interested in the toys.But,remembered the money,after she was done playing with the toys

Then,we had a nice dinner- Spinach-peas pulav,Raita,kheer,papad. Sanj was really touched,at the hand-made Rakhis and the whole  new tradition bit..I was just happy with the festivity 🙂

When was the last time you went for an eye-exam?Me?I went for one,yesterday and let me just tell you that for the first time I wasn’t nervous,probably because I was just too mad.
Mad,irritated,tired..of running after Aadi for almost 3 hours.I don’t think I have ever been so irritated.
The weekend started out alright,we stayed in on Saturday,called the cleaner,ate an early dinner and Aadi and I went to bed.The plan was to go to see the penguins at Philip Islands.Philip Islands is about 3 hours from here and its a tourist attraction.Almost everybody,who comes to Melbourne or any other place in Australia,has it as one of their destinations.Philip Islands is the resting place of the penguins.Every evening,the penguins come here,at Sunset,after,spending a day fishing and gathering food.I have heard that it is quiet a sight to see all the little creatures,waddling back home,so like a little army.
I was really excited,because I really want a break from everyday mundane stuff…But,Sanj stayed up late watching crazy Hindi horror shows and woke up late,in no mood to drive.
Almost half the day was over.The stores close at 5.00 and it was already past noon.I wanted to go check out a trade fair,and had to also get an eye exam.So,we went in,booked the appointment for the eye-exam.Sanj’s hair cut was long over due..and so that had to be done too.So,we waited.This place doesn’t take appointments.You have to walk-in and wait for your turn and it being a Sunday,the place was crowded.

So,I took the little Miss for a walk..while Sanj waited.We came back,still he was waiting.And Aadi decided to go sit with him.Now,he was sitting and playing a game on his Iphone and just forgot to pay attention.Did I mention how I hate that phone.?I didn’t?? Well,I do..I H-A-T-E it from the bottom of my heart.So I ended up watching from outside the salon..and when I tried to take her outside,she decided the dirty floor covered in hair was the perfect place to sit on.I cant tell you how mad I was.

Sanj’s back had been bothering him for sometime and after the haircut,he decided to get a massage..And the only appointment was clashing with my appointment..SO,I ended up changing my appointment and watching a tired,irritated and being extremely stubborn Aadi..Actually the word that comes to my mind is dheet or ziddi(I cant just get the right translation for Ziddi-I think it would be insisting unreasonable…and dheet is stubborn) somebody help me here.She insisted on talking loudly,tell Redd Riding Hood story to everybody there..wanting to close the salon door.Funny,how it all seems so silly now..But then,I was fuming…Reallyyyyyy fumingggggggggggg.

I took to Cookieman to get her some milkshake ..We got some yumm RockyRoad shake..She sipped it,while I paid..and then,just as we were stepping out,something went wrong..Because,supposedly,she wanted Isheem(Ice-cream).I mean when did she learn the difference?We give her an occasional icecream on the stick at home.But,outside it always,a milkshake and I tell her,they dont have cones..But she insisted on Isheem with a Poon!So,I bought her a kiddie sized scoop..and the brat then wanted the shake too..Greedy child,I tell you.And when I refused to give her the shake,she shook her head at me and said,”BAd Mamma,MEz not happy.Very angry hoon Tunse” I was like..WTH???

Anyway,Sanj’s massage was done with and it was time for my eye exam.In all this excitement,I didn’t have time to get nervous. I remember the first time I had gone for an eye exam was when I was 10.We were in Saudi that time and since it was a male doctor,my dad was required to be with me.I felt secure by him presence,but I was very anxious,as I didn’t want any glasses .i was quiet vain.

The next exam was I think two years later,that time I was nervous and shy,because the eye-exam would mean that I had to wear glasses in front of all my friends and class-mates..what would they think of me?Yeah I was VERY vain. After that came the yearly checkups,and that was quiet daunting.I mean,being alone and so close to a strange man in a dark room was very scary…I would be more worried about him touching me,than about my increasing power.No No…none of the doctors ever tried any hanky panky,but I was still scared.

Then,my sister found this place and we were both very comfortable with him.He has the gentlest of manners and he has been my ophthalmologist and optician for the last 7-8 years.And then,this eye-exam happened.Notice how I said-I WAS very vain..well,this time I went in wearing glasses and one of the lenses was slightly chipped off and I didnt care.And half way through it,I realised I wasn’t nervous or scared..Not even after the lights were turned off.I dunno why that was…May be I am not in the make-a-pass-at list anymore..or may be because,I know I can just swat at the hand now..Whatever it was,this eye-exam was the most stress-free . And the good news,My eye sight is better than before..In fact,I need to get new glasses of lesser power..how cool is that.

Next we headed off to the city for dinner at an Indian restaurant.The food is quiet good and cheap and the place is always busy.And we didn’t find any parking..I wanted to sit there and eat and Sanj didn’t want to pay for the parking…We ended up eating a cold take-out dinner at home..So,not the way I wanted to end my day..I fumed a little more..and then,Aadi did the sweetest thing-She made an omlette for me in her toy pan and fed me pretend morsels…And then the anger had to melt away..

Another weekend over..yet another long week.

This weekend, I hit jackpot in the magazine section,at the local library.Ifound a whole stack of  Crochet-World Magazines.These are old issues,from 2000..But,jackpot is a jackpot is a jackpot!

After I did a jig and hyperventilated for sometime,I quickly scanned the surroundings and then picked up the whole stack and settled down on the nearest chair.But,hubby dear and the daughter,had other plans and started creating a fuss.So,I just grabbed the first 3 magazines and came home.I found this in one of the magazines-

I wanted to make it right away.Only I had Anchor No.10 thread and it called for No.20 thread.So,I decided to follow my own pattern.I was pretty happy with the result..only the bookmark,sort of curls up at the top edge.Any ideas why?

 I have been working on big projects for the last so many months and needed instant gratification..And this is just what I needed.

For this project,I used-
Thread- Anchor No.10 thread
Hook- 1.75mm steel hook.

…Of moving again..*ducks,before you start throwing rotten eggs and tomatoes,at me*
I know I know I promised…but hear me out.
Last few days,that I have been sick..and not blogging much,I have been reading my old blog..the Sunshine one..the one where I first started writing,the one where I met most of you..and I realised that what I wrote on that blog,though everyday,mundane stuff,with it was written with so much interest and love.I moved blogs and went back to it,again and again.
Then,something happenned and that prompted me to start this blog with psuedonyms for all of us and I realised that the posting became more mechanical..and for sometime also quiet censored..
Reading those old posts made me realise,I dont enjoy writing with psuedonyms..Its just not the same and its just not me.So,I have decided to move yet again..one last time..This time its final I promise!!!Really promise.
Now for the name -the name that came to me instantly the first time..is the name that has stayed in my mind…and in yours too,i hope.
And also a move to wordpress..Since I am moving urls,might as well move there..Password protected posts are definitely better than posts stored in draft.So,I guess its good-bye blogger ..and hellooo wordpress.
So,we are moving for the last time(fingers crossed)..and I am not going to leave you here..come on over to –
http://littlediva.wordpress.com
going over to welcome you now.

Today,Aadya is
2 years,2 months,2 weeks and 2 days old!

Remember how I wrote about my first solo knit project..when i say first solo,I mean,one where i dont have anyone picking up the dropped stitched..or sewing the seams etc..
I knit and ripped and ripped and knit and ripped yet again..And by the end of it..I just couldn’t wait to finish it..
I spent many hours each evening knitting fervently…until finally,I reached the cast off stage..sewed the sides and I was done.
It was then that I realised that I had made a mistake..in decreasing ..But,with a little presence of mind..I had followed the mistake symmterically.phew!
The finishing is not very neat..but I am so proud of myself that I didn’t give up halfway through.
Aadya wore it a couple times too..at home and to the park..and she loves it…Its me,who can see all the faults.:D
Here’s my princess in her Kimono..

Just a quick hello to let everyone know that all’s well in
AadyaLand..
The ILs are visiting..and I am playing the dutiful D-I-L…
Will resume normal blogging will resume in a couple weeks.
Till then..you guys be good..And
Meira,Congratulations!!

In case you didn’t guess from the title,I am scared of mice..Scared means,really scared-heart-about-to-burst-out of your chest scared.
Last Monday,I dozed off with Pipette at nap-time.The phone rang and I woke up. Now I am almost blind without my glasses.I stumbled to the living room to get the phone and I saw something move..I didn’t even notice it first.And then,it decided to race through the living room.I let out a big scream on the phone and ran back to the bedroom.In the confusion,I didn’t even check,where it went.
I spoke to my friend,whose call had woken me in the first place,till my heart-beat returned to normal.And then,called up S,to tell him that there was a little mouse in the house.His first reaction when I told him,we were locked in the bedroom was,to hoot with laughter.And then,he proceeded to tell me,how he was grateful to the mouse for having scared me.WTH??I yelled at him..and he hung up laughing..saying that he would take care of it when he got back.
I spent the next two hours,biting my nails,sitting in the bedroom.
We didn’t have any furniture..We had returned our rented furniture and our shipment was delayed..so the only furniture was in the bedroom.Now,lizards and cockroaches I can handle..and kill with vengeance but,a mouse..ewwwwwwwww…that I cannot.
S came back,looked for it everywhere and concluded that it must have gone back to its home,wherever that was.We spent a good hour looking for openings in the walls and found an opening in the bathroom.We rushed out to get a rat-trap.S ribbed me about the mouse all the way to the hardware store.Even saying that it was our very own Stuart Little..and it was a hand of Karma.A black kitten had entered our garden and I turned it away.S wanted to adopt it..But,I don’t like cats..I mean they give me the creeps..and its like the cats dislike me too.A cat would be purring sweetly at S and the moment it lays its eyes on me,it growls..or whatever it is that cats do to scare you.
Anyway,we set up the rat-trap and took care to load it with peanut butter and left it near the hole in the bathroom. Nothing happened.And we didn’t see the mouse again.S blamed it on my blind eyes.But I was still wary.
I kept all the doors closed and knocked on the door before entering.I banged the walls before stepping in the corridor I am still doing that.All I am trying to do it warning the mouse of my arrival.
And then it appeared again on Friday.Just zoomed past the living room and disappeared in to the pantry cupboard..or so it seemed to me.I was fasting that day..and just fed the Pipette,some leftovers.And actually,spent the day in the bedroom again.S came back and we emptied the pantry cupboard.There was nothing inside.We threw all the open packets and went out and got some Ratkill.S,went to check the rat-trap again and Guess what.The clever mouse had licked off the Peanut butter and the trap was as it is!!!! I was talking to Aneela then..and she just laughed,saying,Of course,wohi toh uski rozi roti hai.(that’s its job!!)
Anyway,now,we haven’t seen it since that day.We ,actually S,blocked the hole and stuffed some Ratkill there.The back up is to get some cat-hair from Aneela’s Pesho and leave it near the hole.Hopefully,the smell will be enough to discourage the rodents.
Till then,I am back to banging walls and knocking doors.
We were so thrilled to get a brand new house as a rental property..who knew it came with its own rodents…er..problems.
Oh and As for the Pipette-She thinks this banging walls and knocking doors is a game that mom is playing.As soon as I start banging walls,she does the same and then giggles and sings,Mashakali Mashakali!! Don’t ask me why!?!!
Here watch the video and go Here and vote for me.