15 Marbles

Moments.Musings.Memories. ❤️Gathering little marbles from ordinary days and keeping them for our memory jar. ❤️

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  • Baby’s day Out

    Or was it Mummy’s?Like I mentioned in my last post,I found a day care for Aadya,one which both of us liked

    and one which we could afford as well.All the day cares we visited so far,were way too expensive –AUD75 per day and mandatory 2 days per week..We decided to try it,but then decided against it. Then,this place,that we loved, started occasional care,once a week from 9AM to 3PM. And the rates were a steal!And we decided to try it.When I took  to get Aadya the form,she didn’t want to come back.

    The big Day was Friday and I prepped her all week,so much that by Thursday she was pretend playing,”Mummy going Daycare,pick me later,Mezplaying with little girls,No little Boys!” No little boys??HUH,why?Time to have a talk with the over-protective DAD!

    So on Friday,S and I woke up earlier than usual..its another thing,that we hardly got any sleep,the previous night.We got ready,fought the urge to chicken out and and woke up Aadya,got her ready, fed her breakfast and we were on our way. We asked Aadya if she wanted to bring any toys with her and she chose her big ride-on car.[Note to self- Next time,don’t ask,just bring whatever you like.] A Mini-tantrum there,successfullyaverted,when S reminded her about a ride in the new car.

    At the day-care- she waved to Papa with the proudly announcing,”Papa,Me Daycare jaa rahe” Papa visibly crumbling,hugged her tight and waved bye,rushing out.Me?..well me being me,had a tough time saying g’bye.This was the first time ever, I was going to leave her with someone else and go away.Of course,there was that one time in the gym,when,I left her with the sitter and sat outside for all of 10 minutes,before going back and picking her up.

    The center director,was very nice.She told me to stay for as long as I wanted.Since the center opens early,at 6.30 am,at least one security personnel is around,till all the staff comes in.The security officer,took one look at Aadya and assured me she would be just fine.Yeah right,my baby..how can she be just fine,when mamma is not around?

    Anyway,we went to her room and Aadya was so excited to see,all the little girls and Also little boys.Phew.And she went on to explore,completely forgetting me.She checked the toys,while I spoke to the carers,answering their questions about Aadya and her habits,all the while,keeping an eye out on her. She was busy making friends,sharing toys,and doing a quick head check to see if I was still around.When she got busy,making wooden rockets with other kids and crawling through tunnels,I told her,I was going to Coles,to get some groceries.She threw her toys and was ready to go with me. I waited a little longer.Then,it was time for outdoor play,and I slipped out.Her carer,Crystal assured me that she would call me,if Aadi was upset.

    I went outside and sat on the bench and all I did was blink and tears started flowing.I called up S,who just tried to tease me,supposedly to lighten my mood.His logic being,Pip was his daughter too and he wasn’t crying. But,he left her every single day to go to work,right?I was the one who had her attached to the hip for the last two years..all the time.EVEN on my days off..umm wait,Moms don’t get days off. That brought on fresh tears.God!I had never felt so alone.And to make matters worse,I heard Aadya crying.I could almost see the tears streaming down her pretty face.

    It took every ounce of self-restraint to walk away from there.I called up my friend Pooja,next.This girl has been my support system,all through my journey of pregnancy and motherhood.We call each other first before looking at baby books or Google.I poured my heart out to her,she listened,saying the right things.It cheered me up a little.And S sent an sms,to go and get that hair-cut :)The guy is weird,but may be that’s why I love him so much.

    Anyway,I booked my haircut and walked around aimlessly,my heart breaking into a thousand pieces,every time I saw a mom with her baby.Every time I saw a toddler throwing a tantrum,I found myself smiling fondly.I am sure,I looked like some crazy freaky woman,waiting to grab those adorable kids.Soon,haircut was done with..and then I felt like a freak with a new hair cut.

    I am so used to pushing the pram,every time,I go out that,I felt like one of my limbs was missing.Every time,I went to a shop with Aadya ,I wished,someone else would entertain her for some time,then,why was it so difficult for me to enjoy my shopping trip?I tried knitting then,but it wasn’t much fun,without Aadya tugging at the yarn! I must have checked my phone a thousand times.Slowly the clock ticked and it was 2.15 .That was all I could take.I walked slowly to the day care.The elevator took forever to come down and finally I was there.

    I stood outside Aadya’s room for 2 minutes,watching her.It was story time.When the story got over,I went inside.Crystal told her,she saw me,and said Hi..then after a pause,Mummy.And then,she hugged me and asked me if I had been to the gym.I said yes.And before I could ask her more,I felt,someone tugging at my coat.A pair of beautiful green eyes,were looking up at me,hands raised for a hug.I hugged the little boy then,there were others.Crystal told me that they loved giving hugs to whichever parent entered the room.Aadi walked around,telling her New friends,”MY MUMMY”.

    When I asked how she was,Crystal said,she didn’t cry at all.She said,most kids cry at least once during their first day.But she was AWESOME!She fit in like she had been going there forever.Only she didn’t talk much. We waved byes to Crystal and Jenny and the other carers and left. Aadya wanted to go back there,again TUMARU*. On the way back,she talked non-stop,telling me all about her day,about cutting paper,coloring,cutting hair(they pretended to run a hair-salon),story,playing on the slide and so on.

    We have been saying good nights to Crystal and all the little girls,for the last 3 nights.

    Sigh,my little girl has crossed another milestone.And one thing is clear..I need her MORE than she needs me.

    Love you Princess-Mamma&Papa are so proud of our little Big girl.

    TUMARU– Aadya-speak for tomorrow.

  • Just Like That

    This is one of those just like that posts that everyone of us writes sometime or other.And today of all days calls for one such post.
    It has been a dull week and a half in Melbourne.When I say dull,I mean dull and gloomy.Other than one day,all other days have been dull,broody sort.And the weather can get to you..Long dark wintry evenings,dull cloudy days..longer work hours for S,onset of PMS- you get the idea,in short perfect recipe for gloom!Even Aadya’s non-stop chatter doesn’t cheer me up.
    Yesterday was nice and sunny and we spent most of our morning outside.But,it was sunny and cold..I hate that combination.And Aadi didn’t want to come back..mini meltdown there.
    Over the last week or so,I have dealt with so many meltdowns..the bad weather gets to her too,you know..now,I don’t dwell on it.
    Instead,I decided to do something with my hair.I had got some highlights put in,when I went to India last..way back in Jan 2008.I never get around to going back for touch ups.My hair has a brownish tinge & the stylist gave me golden highlights…I so didn’t want that.He called me again,but there was hardly anytime,as we were leaving in 3 days and going back with a 9 month old in tow,didn’t seem very appealing.Instead I waited the mandatory 4 weeks and recolored it myself.But so much coloring,decreasing pregnancy hormone,changing water of 2-3 cities…took its toll on my hair and while it was still soft,it just had a brittle look.Anyway,I have decided no more color for me.The highlights have since grown and are at the shoulder level.I conditioned it with Henna today and love the softness and color of it.I think I’ll just get a nice hair-cut now,from one of those nice Salons.What say you?To chop or not?
    Today I am in mood to read something cheesy-like gossip magazine or something.I searched the entire house and didn’t find anything..Nothing Nada…Guess will just turn to google Baba.
    News on Aadya front-Well my little girl goes to day-care once a week,starting Friday.I am excited and nervous..As for Aadi,that calls for another post,naturally 🙂
    I want to read some nice fun books..I haven’t had much luck with books since my last stock which had “A Splendid Suns” and “finding Nouf” .Anybody has any titles to share??
    Watched Kambakht Ishq today..total waste of time..Please God,Let one good new Hindi Movie
    be released.PLEASE!
    Please tell me something nice,to cheer me up..PLEASEEEEEEEEEE

  • Its all about staying dry

    Naren’s mommy,Shobana and SS asked me how I trained Pipette to stay dry at night..
    Before I begin,let me just say,that this is what we did instinctively….no books were read..so,it may not be the best approach..but,what the heck?It worked!

    When Aadya turned 14 months,we started toilet training.We went and got her one of those fancy potty-seats from Safety first.The ones that came with a sticker sheet.She wasn’t
    particularly impressed.But she did pee in it whenever I took her.But,it was too tedious,keeping track of time.And she didn’t have enough bladder control and sometimes was going as
    often as every ten minutes and sometimes,once in thirty minutes.
    Then,the big move happened and Aadya was too baffled and refused to go anywhere else,but in her diaper.We tried again at 18 months. This time,we just got one of those rings,that you can
    fix on the toilet seat.I was bright red with Dora all over.The first time she sat on it,she looked down and started crying.She was very scared,every single time.My aunt told me that may be she was scared because her feet didn’t touch the floor..and to give her some time .We tried again after 2-3 weeks.This time,I got a $10 dollar potty from ToysRUs.The only thing it did was-play music when it got wet.
    I took off Aadya’s diaper one morning and told her to tell me,when she wanted to pee.There were many many accidents.The first few times,I got mad.But that scared Aadya off.So,I tried to be patient and not yell.
    Then,I tried something different.I kept the potty in the passage outside the bathroom.And told Aadi to sit on it,when she wanted to do su-su.It worked,sometimes. She sat on it,peed,listened to the music,and we all cheered.When she didn’t get to the potty in time,we just tried again.
    The night-time training also started simultaneously.For the first few days,I just observed her.I gave her milk,at least half an hour before bed-time.
    Our bed-time ritual was- Milk,story,sit on the potty,put on fresh diaper.
    It worked for us that Aadya’s bed-time was later than most kids.I mostly wake up once at night,around 3 am,to drink water or go to the loo myself.I started checking her diaper at that time.It was mostly dry.Aadya woke up every morning at 6.30 to drink milk.Her diaper would be dry,even then.And around that time she would pee.So,I started propping her on the potty,before giving her the bottle.And then,she would stay dry for another 3-4 hours.
    Once we figured out this,we got a mattress protector,and let her sleep without the diaper.She was still sleeping with us then.So,we would just move her to the corner,after she fell asleep.I was started propping her on the potty as soon as she woke up.Sometimes she overslept,or I overslept and she wet the bed.But S & I nonchalantly changed the sheets,changed her clothes and asked her,if she wanted to sit on the potty.
    Slowly,I started keeping her diaper-free,all day long.She pooped in the potty once,but,was scared.And she asked for a diaper immediately.She still needs a diaper to poop.But she doesn’t like to be in the messy diaper one minute longer than necessary.
    I took pointers from other mommy bloggers and keeping her diaper free,helped her realise the nature call.She started telling me,when she wanted to pee or poop.At first she would barely make it to the potty.But,now she is a pro.One time we went for a long drive.
    And neither of us,checked if she had a diaper on.Sometime later,she said,”Mamma ,Su-su” thats when we realised that she wasn’t wearing a diaper.S started looking for a toilet..and the little champ,waited patiently.Finally 10 minutes later we found a toilet,I took her there and she relieved herself.I was so proud.
    As for the night-training,since Aadya was sleeping with us,whenever one of us woke up,if she woke up,we put her on the potty.We kept the potty,just outside the bedroom door.If she didn’t,we took her first thing in the morning.And I think,a few accidents is all it takes for the child to know the I-wanna-pee feeling. But patience and consistency is important.The first few times,when Aadya wet the bed.First thing I did was check the time.The next night,I set the alarm,for five minutes before that time and put her on the potty.Slowly,she got used to staying dry.After about 2 weeks,she would wake up,if she
    started peeing,in her sleep and wake me.Then,I kept the potty,next to the bed.I would prop her on the potty,praise her for being the good girl and then,we’d go back to sleep happily.
    After a few days,she started waking up,just when she wanted to pee.Again,having the potty,right there,helped.Once she started waking up,regularly,to pee,I moved the potty,back to the bathroom.
    I think,it must have taken a little over a month,or may be more..but,now,she understands,nature calls perfectly.She asks us to take her to the toilet,all the time now-during day-time,at night,even when we are outside.At night,she calls us,even in her sleep,waits till we put her on the commode.
    She asks for a diaper,when she wants to poop-she goes into the other room and poops.When she is done,she comes and tells me to change it.I try putting her on the commode,when she asks for a diaper,once a week.If she resists,I don’t force her.Oh whatever,she’ll get it right..no one went to college,in diaper..hai na?
    Shobana,SS,hope that helps.Feel free to email me,if you want to know more.

  • Of Happy Dreams and Big Beds and My Nooms.

    Before I begin this post,a slight digression-I think I am going through a serious writer’s block..or my brain is all spent,after a month and half of house-guests.I have been meaning to write this post for almost a week now..but..just didn’t feel upto it.Until today,I realised,that I am forgetting details and there is no more dilly-dallying.And as I sit here typing,Aadya is busy washing the coffee table!Phew..Saved the table.End of Digression.
    Lets start at the very beginning..When we moved to Australia..somewhere between our departure from Texas and arrival at Melbourne and all the travel in between,Aadya moved into our bed and she was staying put.
    And frankly,the luxury of cuddling up with the little warm body,was too much to give up.But over the past few weeks,I think after her grand-parents arrived,Aadya had become too clingy.Clinging to me,all the time..and more so in bed.She was almost hanging by my neck..clutching my night-shirt,waking up,even if I turned.God forbid,if I had to go to the toilet,she would sit up and cry,till I didn’t get back in bed.We were all beginning to get sleep-deprived.But S was still not ready to move her out..and I didn’t want to be blessed with the ILs ire either.So we waited.
    And then,last week we spent a day at a friend’s place.And there she slept in the spare single bed,all by herself…and she looked so comfortable…I decided to try it .
    The next day,Friday,I asked Aadya,if we should set up her room.And if she would help me.She was excited..”Help” is the magic word around here!So,we cleared out all her toys and moved it to the other room;Vaccumed the carpet,polished the window sills and it was time to move the bed.And Pipette was Super excited about the bed.When we bought it,we told her,it was her bed.And everytime,one of our house-guests slept on it..she made it a point to tell them that it was her bed.
    So,we moved the bed and Aadi grabbed a pillow,from our room and announced excitedly,”My Noom…My bed,Big Bed!” I asked her if she would like to sleep there and she said yes. I put her down for a nap there.Now comes the Happy Dreams part.
    The regulars of this blog and my old blog know that the Pipette’s bedtime is a tiresome routine..not something I look forward to. So,I was constantly trying something..reading the stories over and over again..I know no toddler,ever has enough of stories.It was the crying at bedtime that drove me nuts.So,one night,I just said,”If you cry,you’ll get nightmares..But if you do hasi-hasi(laugh) and sleep,you will get Happy Dreams!” Dreams? she asked..and I went ahead and painted a color picture with words..of her going out to play in big park,where she would meet all her friends ..of a field full of colorful balloons..of a nice birthday party with lots of candy and cakes … of long car rides to wonderland..and of playing with her disney friends.
    And before I knew it,she was fast asleep.Now,we look forward to Happy dreams..somedays we talk about our day,some day,we just imagine.So now back to the big move to the big bed.

    Day 1- Bath,dinner,Milk,story ,followed by happy dreams and lights off. Aadya woke up at 3.00 am,then at 5.00 am.I dozed off next to her the second time.

    Day 2- We had dinner out and came back by 10.00 pm.Massage,Milk,story,followed by happy dreams and lights off.woke up at 3.00 AM and 5.00 AM.I just patted her and went back to our bed.

    Day 3- Bath,Dinner,Milk,story,followed by Happy dreams.I came to my bed at 1.00.Next time,I woke up at 4.00,feeling cold,IN Aadya’s bed.When I got there,No Idea!I went back to bed.Aadya slept peacefully.

    Day 4-Bath,Dinner,Milk,story-This time its Dad’s turn to do the bed-time routine. 1 hour and still Aadya is running in and out of the room.Finally,we had to trade places…and she was fast asleep in 10 minutes.She didn’t wake up at night.Got up in the morning,drank her milk and came and gave me her empty bottle.

    Day 5- Dinner,Bath,Story-Happy dreams,followed by long story time.Dad’s turn again.This time,he left her in bed and said he will be back in 2 mins if she keeps her eyes closed..this went on for 20 minutes and then she dozed off.She slept through the night.

    Day 6- Dinner,Bath,story,Milk,Dreams,some more milk,Last time Susu,finally,I left her in bed,followed S’s method,kissed her good night Princess..Hugs and cuddles and 20 minutes later,Princess was fast asleep.She slept through the night.

    Aadya loves her new Noom(room) and her big bed. This is a big move for all of us and I am so glad,its going tearlessly ..(anti-jinx).
    Speaking of big moves by little girls,my little girl is almost toilet-trained,staying dry at nights and going to the toilet through out the day.The only hitch is she still needs a diaper to poop.One or two times,that she pooped in the pot ,she started crying..like she lost something precious or like she’s committed a big crime.But,its alright…she’ll get there.Slow and steady is the name of the game.

    On the home front,I am still struggling to bring the house back to order…I am T-I-R-E-D of cooking….I cooked so much in the last month and half….I am exhausted!Aadya and I were very sick for over 2 weeks and I can still feel the weakness.But,we are finally catching up with friends and each other..:),on our reading and PS3…and our lazing around.
    Thats all from our end..Hope you have been good..:) Hopefully you haven’t given up on me..and will be back for more.
    Here’s the Pipette at Federation Square-