I just couldn’t resist a cheesy title for the nickname post.
Swati tagged me to write about Aadya’s various nicknames.. So, here they are..( I just hope she doesn’t kill me later)
When I was pregnant,we took to calling her “Chotu“(the little one).not so funny..so she was a tiny being.. but what is funny is my sister calls me “Chotu“( the short one)..so imagine my dad’s surprise when my he came here,and DH asked Aadya..Chotu,where is Papa?..My dad is like.. yeah yeah I am here! It was a riot..those first few days..then he realised that his”Chotu” is all grown up now.
when being sweet-talked to..”Papajunu and Mammajunu” distorted version of Papa ki jaan and Mamma ki jaan.I personally think thats cute.. wonder what she thinks.
Baby, babu, babulu…bhoobhoo..chota puppy…we are all dog lovers… and sometimes the way she cuddles up,reminds me of my doggie when he was a pup..
chotumannu,bubuchunu…sweetie pie.. cutie pie.. baby girl, pumpkin pie..shonu,shona,baebu, beba..depending on what DH/I feel like.
chakuli,booboo– her masi on webcam.
Gundu bala or gundu bablu.. coz she is just getting naughtier.(bala is marathi for baby)
and last but not the least- chotu mamma..coz her dad keeps calling us identical..and it makes me feel proud!
Both of us didn’t want her given name to be distorted and so chose a short name.. and so we refrain from shortening or spoiling her real name,Aadya!
And I tag- Kutti’s mom, Mona ,Shobhana and anyone else who wants to take it up!

Since I started writing this blog,I consciously avoided writing about my mom..just because that part of my life is stil very raw..does it ever stop hurting? I think not.
Its my Mom’s birthday today and if she was alive,she would have been 52 and a proud grandma.
The last time we celebrated her bday was when she turned 40. She was fighting cancer and had lost almost all her hair, she was tired.. but still strong in spirits.And we were just two girls, who could see that their mom was sick..but just didnt know how sick. Coz,didnt she keep telling them,that she would get better.. and that.. wait till she feels better.. then, we’d be taken to task!
That day she dressed up, tied a scarf on her head, we sat her and dad next to each other and gave her gifts and then she cut the cake. That’s the last time we celebrated her b’day with her. But that’s not the bday that I want to remember.. I want to remember the earlier ones…the ones before she fell sick.We would buy gifts for her..and she would chide us..”Why did you waste your pocket money on all this?” We’d sulk and pout.. “Ohh Mamma, cant you appreciate it.. humne itne pyaar se laaya hai( we got you gifts with so much love and affection)” sulk some more… and she would come and hug us..” I know..I know.. I just don’t want you to waste your pocket money.. its for you “..and she would serve us delicious food.. Food that we liked.. on her B’day…
After her death, for some customary pooja, someone asked us,what was her favorite food? and we were at a loss.. Coz,her favorite kinda food was what we liked to eat.KalaJam thats the one sweet that she loved and thats what we keep as Bhog( food offered to God) and then eat it ourselves,remembering her.
And then, there are those GOD FORSAKEN friends and relatives..who have to have a say in every damn aspect of others life.. and they tell us.. this is wrong? Who cares?
Are you coming and sharing our grief? no.. then who gives you the right to come and stop us from celebrating something?
Aadya would have been one lucky girl..heck, even her mamma,would have been one lucky girl,if this beautiful lady was still alive. She pampered everyone. She was every one’s favorite niece,aunt,cousin, friend. My mom was just one of those, who you want to go running to if you are too happy or too sad. ..or even if nothing happens, you want to spend time with them. She always had something to share with you.. be it,news,politics, knowledge,tid-bits,chit-chat.. or just a cup of chai. There are a lot of people who never criticize others but there are very few, who are never the target of criticism. She would cry when watching movies and commercials, a soul so gentle, I dont remember ever having seen her argue or fight with anyone. She was a teacher,I think the youngest Head-mistress(at age 29) and she very happily gave it up,to be a SAHM mom. She took up naturopathy then. If you walked into our house on any given day..you would be greeted with pots full lush green wheat grass and some wonderful aroma from the kitchen..The wonderful aroma had nothing to do with Naturopathy… its just how I remember the atmosphere, when I came home from school.She was an excellent cook.. and she would dish out scrumptious meals so effortlessly and in no time.
She was someone who didn’t like to depend on anyone.. even when she was sick..I guess that’s where I get my stubborn..I can do it myself genes from.But she was always the first one to help others, be it a sick friend or a relative in need.
Losing her was the biggest tragedy of our lives..It was a great loss for my dad and both of us sisters..But its a fact of life and we are trying to make our peace with it.
And so,it boils my blood,when certain people try to make up feel like its our short-coming. Like its a crime to lose your mother.. And I just want to kill them, when they say things like.. OH you would know better if you had a mother.. Well EXCUSE me!! I do have a mother.. she is just not here anymore. And I know.. she would have hated them too !LOL! may be not hated.. coz she didn’t know how to.. but I am sure she wouldn’t have liked them too much either. Any way.. for now..those people can go to hell!
When I got pregnant, suddenly I started dreaming more and more about my mom..sometimes,I would wake up happy, sometimes sad. Sometimes,in my dreams ,I would see her taking care of my baby..sometimes she was taking care of me.And then,I found out,I am having a girl.. and that day..I felt so much peace.. I couldnt understand why… but I just felt happy.. and rested. Then, I had Aadya.. and I dont know why I was never scared to take care of the baby. All my friends or cousins would ask me.. what would I do,if I couldnt comfort the baby or if the baby didnt sleep.. how would I manage without any help? I dont know.. I didnt feel helpless.. The day I held my baby..I felt strong.. like I was filled with some kind of special energy.. Was it my mom’s love for me.. or was it my motherly feelings for Aadya.. I know not. All I know is that.. That was the time, when I thought of my mom,it didnt hurt so much. And when my baby cried.. I could feel her presence around.. I could feel her guiding me through..I could feel her calming me…As a newborn and sometimes even now..Aadya looks up at the ceiling and smiles..and I find myself looking up.. instantly and smiling.. On our first night home,from the hospital,Aadya just didnt want to sleep.. and I calmly found myself humming and doing things, which I had never done in my life.. but.. I could see someone else doing it in my mind’s eye… like someone was prompting me…finally after 2 hours, we put her in her crib,and the exhausted baby slept..I sat down to look at all the pictures and I saw my first pic with Aadya.. and I looked like my MOM!
Its just uncanny.. how I just felt her telling me what to do..right from the very beginning.Even when Aadya wasn’t latching on..when she got her first diaper rash at age 10 days( how I figured out that one.. I still cant explain-I had never seen one..or read about it..but when I spoke to her nurse,I found myself saying,she has a diaper rash.) I just kept feeling her around..I could hear her voice. I still feel her around..and it makes me feel nice and safe.
DH always feels a little left out when I talk about my mom..left out coz he feels he was denied the affections of a woman,who would have pampered him to no ends! Aadya will know her grandma,her Aaji through her pictures and the stories that we tell her..And I.. I will just keep missing her… when I am happy or when I am sad…or just like that.
Happy Birthday Mamma,Miss you..love you..

This post is straight from my heart and it took a lot out of me.. to just write this.. and I donot have the energy or the inclination to edit it.. so I will just publish it just as it is.

My Baby Girl turned 6 months old on September 30th. I can’t believe its 6 months already. This time instead of writing about my 6 month old,I decided to write to her.
*MUSH ALERT*
This one’s for you ,baby girl…

Hey Sweetheart,
You are 6 months old now..and though Mamma is a little late in writing this letter,she has been writing and re-writing this in her mind ever since you turned 1 month old. This month,we celebrated your 6 month b’day with your Nanu and Sahil Mama. It was a very happy day for all of us.. Mamma and Papa are so happy and proud to see the way you are growing. We gave you a present ,a new toy( your gift from Aunty V). Its Baby Goal from Fischer Price and you love it..
Last month,right after you turned 5 months old, we moved from Phoenix.. your first home.And as I was packing,I found your baby clothes..your newborn clothes. And it suddenly struck me, how tiny you were. That tiny Tee with sleeves that can be folded over your fists..so that you wont scratch yourself,that tiny hat,baby yellow with a pink ribbon,just the right size for a doll.You were a little doll. You are little doll even now.. and my love, you are getting prettier by the day.
Every time I look at you,my heart is filled up with so much love.. I feel its going to burst. Every time you smile,it tugs at my heart a little .. and when you look at me so loving,and touch my face with those tiny hands,I feel my life is complete.. I don’t think..I can love anyone else so much .. Or more importantly..I don’t think Anyone else Can love me much more!You can sit independently now, for longer periods.In fact since the day that you started sitting, you don’t want to lie down.Even when I try to put you down,to change your diaper,you prop yourself on your elbows and try to sit up.
When I watch you sit,I feel so proud, so happy.. so so happy and almost every single time I find myself wondering.. when did you grow up so much. It was just yesterday that I was in the hospital for a test and they said we were having the baby that night. The Baby!
Everyone had tried to scare us that it wouldn’t be easy taking care of a newborn..then, why didn’t we feel scared? Why,then, did it feel so natural to hold you? How did you just fit in so beautifully in our family picture? Why,then, do I love that first picture so much,despite being all bloated up?
A little over a year ago,when we found out that I was pregnant..I was ecstatic..But never ,in my wildest dreams, could I have imagined that that joy was nothing compared to what I would feel when I held you the first time.
They said, “you life changes when you have a baby”.. but we were so ready for that change..that we were actually looking forward to it. Not the sleepless nights at first.. nor the pumping..but then..just when I was totally frustrated.. you would look up at me and smile. When I was hurt and frustrated about giving you the bottle, you would gaze at me non-stop.. and then I knew.. nothing else mattered.
You are growing up so fast..(knock on the wood-yes baby,Mamma is superstitious) sometimes,I feel if I blink,you would have grown up a little.You are trying to crawl and stand both at the same time! Everyone keeps telling me..you will just start walking instead of crawling..:) Let’s wait and watch.
You are so generous with your smiles..if you like someone,you instantly smile at them..If you are unsure about someone,you wait..keep looking at them.. and then slowly and tentatively give them a shy smile.And God Forbid..If you don’t like someone.. or when you don’t want to be nice..you just look at them and scream!!You start crying, and we see precious,fat tears rolling down your chubby cheeks! aww.. how that hurts me. If I am busy and Papa is watching you, and you are crying,because he is late in picking you up..I get mad at him..for making my angel cry. And if you are with me.. and he sees you crying.. whether its because you don’t want to lie down or if you are just irritated.. Papa gets angry..with me for making his Princess cry. Hmmm,I wonder, who will the toughie here?When you cry,you babble.. mummma…mmmammmmaa…And then,I never want to let go of you..ever!
Your Papa says, you look like me..the phrase he likes to use is ” Woh tumhari Parchchai hai”(It literally means-she is your shadow) but he really means it as reflection. And what it does to my heart.. ahhh.
Oh, my baby, where did you learn to hug and kiss with so much affection.. and how do you know just when mamma is feeling low..that you hug her and make it all better.And just when I am about to deposit you on the floor , you hug me so tight..that I happily forget about my back that is killing me..and gladly carry you around.Love you so much.
We started feeding you solids..and you loved it the first few days..loved sitting in your brand new highchair too! And I always feel,the color green is really flattering for you.. and so I obviously love the way you look in that high chair. You were so excited to sit there the first few days, that you happily gulped up everything that I fed you.. and now you just don’t want to sit there for more than 5 mins..I am just hoping its because you are sick. The only thing that hasn’t changed over these months is that you cant tolerate hunger.. when you are hungry..you need dudu..period! no dillydallying.. nothing works!
You are getting so interactive..showing us your joy,pleasure,discomfort..so distinctly. You know what you want..I am hoping..that means you are going to be a strong-minded girl. My beautiful,loving,strong-minded girl!
My baby girl..when I watch you sit and play happily with your toys or try to stand up..I remember the time when we had to cradle your head.. support that delicate neck..even now,when I want to relive those days,I cradle your head and it makes me feel so mushy.When you are trying to cruise around,and fall flat on the floor, I resist the urge to run and pick you up, ..instead,I try and distract you..and the sweet sweet honey bun that you are, you are already crawling again.And I feel so proud..to be your mother.Soon, you’ll be walking and talking..but you’ll always be my little girl.. my baby girl. I cant imagine my life without you..I cant imagine what it was..before you came into my life..(though I know it was a good life 🙂 )
God Bless you,sweetheart..Mamma and Papa love you a lot! You are our first born..and all you do is always going to be so special for us.. every little smile,every tiny frown.. even your tiniest gestures..everything is as special as you are..
Love you,Precious..Today,tomorrow and Always..
With lots of hugs and kisses
Mamma

Dlittle tagged little Aadya about her quirks..So, here I am penning them down for you.

• Dillydallying at milk time- no good. Mommy knows I get hungry,every 3 hours. But still she wants to finish that one last bit of work. As if that is important. Papa holds me,gives me my Paci..which I obviously spit out.Then Mamma comes rushing in,takes me to the bedroom and tries to feed me…WITHOUT saying Sorry!!!HUH??? You think I am a baby.. No Mamma..I unlatch,complain and complain..Mamma has to say sorry and kiss me .. say sorry some more and only then I latch back on and head off to Duduland.
• Reading at bedtime-No No. I dont what’s with my mamma she wants to read every night at bed time. I mean come on.Papa puts me next to him..tries to pat me.Mamma tries to read her book! But I dont like it. I hug papa but keep turning and crying..whining also.. till mamma doesnt put her book away. Then I cuddle up with Mamma, Hold Papa with my other hand( what if he tries to read next?) and then I sleep. I dont know when they put me in my crib..
• And what is it with Mamma and Papa talking at my meal times? I mean.. if Mamma is nursing me..she should just talk to me, look at me, and me alone. And no one else should disturb me. Coz if they do.. I just unlatch and give mamma this bored look.. she gets the hint most of the times and keeps quiet!
• Ohh and I love singing… aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.. and I have just learned to change my facial expressions too.Mamma thinks it looks really cute. Mamma and Papa like matching Saregama and Star Voice of India. And I dont wont them to forget me.. and so,I start singing the moment the music starts playing. I even pause between lines.How cool is that?
• And then I love observing my hands..I mean gotta keep checking if Mamma is taking good care these precious fingers or not!

And I tag Adi and KuttiPie and Hana and Bean and anyone else who wants to take it up!

Aadya got her first taste of solids…Yes, we did her AnnaPrashan on September 25th,2007.

The original plan was to do it on 26th September-DH was going to come home early and then we were going to go to the temple and do a formal ceremony. On,25th,at around tea-time,we decided to do it that evening. DH was going to be busy whole week and then there was no other auspicious day for the next month.So, I gave Aadya her massage and bath and put her down for an early bed-time..:) so that she could wake up fresh..by the time DH arrived. Then,I got to cooking.I decided to jazz up the menu a little and made some rice kheer as dessert.

DH arrived at around 9.00.By then, dinner was ready and Aadya was awake. We all dressed up, Aadya in a beautiful dress,bought by her Nanu and propped Aadya in her Nanu’s lap. Mamma got the ‘Puja ki Thaali’ and Papa grabbed the camera. Then, we got busy with the business of feeding Aadya her solids.

First,Tika followed by Aarti and then,Papa held Aadya ,while Nanu gave her teeny bit of kheer on the spoon.This little darling happily took the spoon in her mouth.(She had been eyeing our spoons for a long time now) and the next instant spit it out 😀 the look on her face was priceless.But we too busy watching her to click pics. Mamma got choked up again,”Baby you are a big girl now.”But baby.. was too busy chewing on her new glass.This is the first time we did a ceremony for Aadya and I didnt cry..atleast there was some family member with us.

Here are some pics..

Pooja ki Thali

Aadya and Nanu

Aarti

Tasting the kheer

Drinking water

So, now my baby is all ready to enjoy her solids. We start feeding her rice cereal tomorrow.Keep your fingers crossed for us.
Here’s what Masi had to say-” How Sweet.Congrats and Aadya ko Masi ka message dena-welcome to the world of good life,excellent food-That is life!”

Now Presenting………………………….

Nanu and Aadya

Trying to Climb up on Nanu’s Tummy

Nanu’s Bribe worked

And more treasures

Thank you everyone for the lovely Gifts!!

I have been tagged-
First , Ceekay tagged me about people I admire then
Asha tagged me for my fetish
Then there’s Swati’s tag about names and last but not the least,sweet baby Dlittle has tagged little Aadya about her quirks.
If there are anymore,I cant find them.
Starting with Ceekay’s tag..
I admire-

• My Family-My parents,DH,my sister,my grandma and my masi. All these people have something that inspires me.And the fact that I love’em all just adds to my admiration for them.
• I admire those who stand up for their principles, for their loved ones,for the right thing.
• I admire those who readily accept their mistake,rather than going on an ego-ride.
• I admire those who can “forgive and Forget”.. I can forgive.. but I cannot forget!
• I admire those who look as well groomed at the end of a busy day as they do at the start of their day.I am told..I am one of those too,but I just dont feel that way.
• I admire those with flawless hairstyles..my hair is too silky to stay the way i want it to.
• I admire those who are still full og energy at the end of a tiring day.
• I admire those with artistic skills.

And last but not the least, I have come to admire and love all you blogging buddies .This list is endless..and I will add more as I think of more.

Hey Everyone,

This is Aadya..Yes Yes I know you are very happy to hear from me..but I am not the only surprise…. you have to wait to see the surprise…

Till then, let me just give you a few clues..

Residents of Aadyaland are very happy and excited.There is frenzied activity happenning here in Aadyaland. This last one week one permanent grin has been observed on Mamma’s face. Papa calling up every few hours to check on her..He says..its about me..But I am smart..All she has been doing is organising and reorganising,making plans, making calls.. And then there are hushed conversations …about how I will react to this new development..on seeing this new person…Person…Person??
What is a Person??Can somebody tell me!!!

I am beginning to get worried…

We had a surprise for Papa when he got back from work…Guess what happened?
Mamma and Aadya were lying down for their afternoon nap..Yes, their nap.. Coz aadya wont nap without Mamma..Anyway, not diverting…So, we were in bed for our nap-Mumma reading her book.. Aadya Playing with her face and hair( Mamma’s ) and babbling. And suddenly she said..”Paapo“..
Book forgotten Mamma says,”Ohhhhh Aadya say it again Baby”…hmmm..Baby is not interested..
We tried calling Papa.. but he was in a meeting and didn’t pick up the phone.Anyway, a happy surprise was waiting for him 🙂
As I type this post..he is trying to indulge his Princess , as she is stretched out on his lap, chatting ,squealing, babbling…He is smiling .. but I know he is waiting to hear the magic word himself!
Go on Baby, say it again.. Make your Paapo happy!! 🙂

On a similar note…Papa beti time..
We took aadya for a walk.She refused to sit in her stroller..kept looking at her papa and kept stretching his hands. He was elated..The hands are always stretched towards me. So, he picked her up..Aadya in her Papa’s arms and Mamma pushing an empty stroller..that’s how we walked. And then suddenly I see,DH has the most tender expression on his face and has stopped talking..what do I see? Baby girl has her tiny thumb in her mouth, and is cuddled up in Papa’s arms,sleeping peacefully. I said Lets go home..but no.. he didn’t mind walking .. with his baby sleeping like that.. 🙂 so we walked like that for almost an hour..thats a lot ,because this is the guy who dislikes walks… Baby in his arms.. me pushing an empty stroller!

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Last 2 weeks I pigged so much.. Stepped on the scale, with my heart pounding and threatening to burst.. Lo!! I lost 1 pound!!!!! if only I had not pigged… may be would have lost more!!!LOL!!
For now I am happy.. coz..I fit into a 4 year old jeans..its a little snug.. but at least I didn’t have to hop and jump to zip it up!!! Yayyyyyyyy Me!