Update on Ashu at 2 Years and 11 Months.

Yes, my baby girl is just one month short of the Big Three.

And the biggest update is of course that shes going to be a big sister very soon. To another baby girl. YES, we found out that its a GIRL yesterday when I had an ultrasound done here. My sister had accompanied me for the ultrasound and we both were grinning like idiots when the Dr said its a girl. It was a very, very special moment to share with my sister.

Ashu is in denial that Pinocchio is a girl. When I asked her to pick a girl name for the baby, she said "I thought its a boy amma. I cant choose a girl name. Lets call the baby Pinocchio only". (Naan Boy nu ninaichunten. Ennaala girl name solla mudiyalai. Pinocchio ne koopidalaam) She said it in a very sad and disappointed tone. Just you wait, Ashu! Sisters rule! :)

As always, shes the happiest when we shes amidst her grand parents, aunt and uncle. My mom takes care of the food department. My dad tells her stories, takes her out for walks and gardening. Pema and Pepa do everything in between. The other day my sister was asking her how much she likes all of us. And out of the blue, Ashu started rating us. She gave 11 for Pepa and Paati. 10 for Hd and me. 5 for Pema, Thatha and Pinocchio. Oh, 5 for her brand new doll "Santhu". (A gift from Chula!)

Yesterday, she found my Bils tripod standing in a corner and started taking imaginary photos with it. She would say 1,2,3,4 and make a click sound and press a circular button in the tripod. She asked my dad to model for her and gave him loads of instructions. Sit, stand, lie down on this towel, ... Then she brought an empty cup and said shes going to throw water on his head. "It will look beautiful, Thatha" was her explanation. So my dad pretended that he was cold and asked her to take the picture fast as the camera was rolling. "I have put the camera in pause", came the reply. From then on, my dad just shut up and listened to her!

One minute, shes sharing toys and playing peacefully with other kids, the next minute shes fighting over a toy and screaming her lungs out. Its really getting on my nerves. But then, I cant do much other than distracting her and solving the problem temporarily. How much ever I lecture her, the minute shes sleepy or hungry, she throws the worst tantrums. Chula is both her best friend and worst enemy. Shes all buddy buddy one minute and the next, she does nt want to give her a hug. We all had gone to the Childrens Discovery museum the other day. Ashu had fun. But towards the end, the museum had a new temporary entertainment for a few minutes when Ashu and Chula were wrestling on the floor fighting for the same block even though there were hundreds of identical blocks there!! Nevertheless, its great to see them bond. My mom and Utbts mom went to school together in a small town. My Sis and Utbt went to college together. My Bil and Utbts husband were colleagues for a while. I am of course the (not so)little sister Utbt never had. (Are nt I, dear?:) And now, Chula and Ashu. Wow, that makes me feel so.... OLD!

I have always wondered how mothers can be so blind when it came to their kids. How can they let their kids treat them badly and still love them? How it seems as if the kids can never hurt them? How they can still love their kids the same irrespective of everything they do? (And its all based on how badly I treat my own mother.) And I have got my answer. Ashu says stuff like "You go Amma. Im playing with Thatha." "You go to Zurich Amma. I ll be in the US with Pema." "You go away Amma, I ll go to India with Paati." And it does nt hurt one bit as I thought it would. And then suddenly, she comes running out of a room calling "Amma, Amma" and gives me a hug. Then runs back to the room to continue playing. Its such a wonderful feeling to be loved like that. So pure. So "in the moment". I ll always remember the twos as the "terrific twos" just for moments as precious as these. Hit me with the Three, Girl. I'm all yours! :)

Busy doing nothing.

Social life in Bay Area is hectic. I am more busy here than Zurich and Bangalore put together. There are always parties to attend, Athais visiting, a grahapravesam to dress up, friends dropping in, calling up college friends who live in the US, cousins to visit, restaurants to check out...

On Saturday, there was a pot luck dinner at Sundars place. Loved their newly done up house. His older daughter was being the perfect little hostess. Such a sweet little thing. The Little one was very quiet and observant. I wonder if Sundar is making up things in his blog about the kids! There were at least 8 bloggers including me. I was all teeth to meet the Blog Celebrity Balaji of Bbthots. Did you buy my "acting cool" part, Balaji? ;)

Thanks for all your lovely wishes folks! Updates on pregnancy and Ashu coming up soon.

The Big Three O and an even Bigger News!

While I was thinking how to make people forget that I am turning 30 today, I had this brilliant idea. To announce that I am PREGNANT. So yes, I am pregnant and the baby is due on July 5th. Just when I was ready to share the news with you lot a month back, Kodis Mom broke her news, and before that news could sink in, Poppins Mom and Moppets Mom came out with their news. And Desi Girl gave into the pressure as well. People have been REAL busy now, have nt they? ;) So like a good girl, I did nt steal their thunder. But let me grab the opportunity before another round of pregnancy news hits us.

I am 23 weeks pregnant and doing good. Realizing I am pregnant only when people remind me. The pregnancy has been very similar to the first one so far. No nausea, no sickness, no weight gain, ... And to think I was born with motion sickness and gaining weight is like breathing to me. Pregnancy is the only time people comment on how I have nt gained weight and it does wonders to my ego. Don't know of its a boy or a girl. Last time, the Dr could nt tell me as the baby's position was nt right and its the same this time too. So all my bets are on that this is a girl as well. Two girls are my first choice. A girl and a boy come a close second. So its a win win situation, so to speak. And since its confirmed that I'm not carrying twins, that's one heart attack saved for Hd.

Ashu knows that theres a baby in my tummy. "The baby is blowing bubbles inside Ammas tummy" is her favorite statement and repeats it all the time to anyone who will listen. She thinks its a boy. She has christened the baby "Pinocchio" and all of us have got used to calling the baby the same. So heres to Pinocchio, a special welcome post on a special day.

Blog Meets, Board Games and Bye Byes.

Last night we went to Utbts house for dinner. With 20 adults and 10 kids, it was a full house. Sundar, Utbt, DDmom and I took 5 minutes to talk about blogs and decided to declare it as a Blog Meet. So there! We had a blog meet! :)

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Ashu was quite sick since we returned from the cruise. She threw up a lot, refused to eat anything and gave us all a scare. But shes recovering now. Hope she starts eating fine soon.

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As it has become a tradition now, Sis and Bil have introduced us to yet another addictive board game. (Click here and here to read the two posts I wrote on board games earlier.) This time it is Power Grid. Yet again, we have nt played any of the other games we played like crazy last time. Power Grid is an amazing game. We bid on power plants, buy resources, and provide electricity to our cities. Its all fun until players start encroaching into your own city and you have to pay double the money to build a network in your own city. Just like real life, huh? :) Its hilarious to see my mom stock up on resources because its cheap and then have no money to build houses and my dad like a true banker has a huge amount of cash at the end of the game even if he does nt have one house to his name! Guess people will be people after all!

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As expected, my dad and I are like cats and dogs most of the time. He cant understand how I can stuff myself with food while my daughter is starving. He cant understand how I can still continue to play Power Grid with a sick daughter on my shoulders. I cant understand how dare he undermine my role as a mother. Still more baffling is the fact that I'm getting flak from a guy who hit sis and me when we were kids. Go figure! But of course my sis and dad are the top 2 persons in Ashus chart. I taste a little bit of victory when Ashu insists on coming to me rather than my dad after I yell at her for some misbehaviour. But then she has also learnt to say "Amma is scolding me" and runs to my mom or dad whenever I raise my voice. The little brat!

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Hd left for Zurich early in the morning today. Poor guy, felt awful like a school going kid after a long vacation. It has been non stop partying and loads of fun for the past 2 weeks. My cousin who is like a little Bro to me and whom I'm very close to is also visiting from Canada. So the house was packed. Now with Hd gone and the cousin leaving next week, its going to be dull even though we ll still be 5 adults and one kid in the house. Cant imagine how I'm going to feel once I go back to Zurich. *sulk*

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The Grand Reunion.

If all of you are jealous about my vacation and the family reunion, wait till you hear about the vacation inside this vacation and the mega grand reunion. We are just back from a luxury cruise! To Mexico and back! Four fun days! 12 Adults and 3 kids! My Bils brothers family and his sisters family who live in different parts of the US and his parents who are visiting all flew to San Diego from their respective homes while the 7 of us drove to San Diego from here. Took us almost 10 hours what with frequent susu breaks for Ashu and peak traffic time in LA. Met Bils family there and the next day we all went to the harbor. This was our ship - Carnival Elation. I cant begin to describe the feeling when I first saw the ship. It was AMAZING. Cracking the cheesiest Titanic based jokes, we entered the ship and found our rooms. Sis and Bil had a surprise as soon as they opened their door. Hd had called Carnival the previous day and arranged for the room to be decorated specially for their anniversary. So we started with a bang. Then we were all off to explore the ship and were simply awed by just the size of it. The swimming pool, the Jacuzzis, the huge casino, the 24 hour buffets, elaborate formal dinners, the view, the music, the magic show, stand up comedy and dance shows in the evening,... It was truly a different world. We started on Thursday and reached Cabo San Lucas on Sunday morning. We had till 4 pm to see Cabo. It was a beautiful place. We whale watched, we para sailed, we went on glass bottom boats, sighted Seals, posed with Pelicans, bought souvenirs,... and caught the last boat back to the ship in the nick of time.

We dressed up every evening for dinner. Took amazing portraits almost everyday. Felt like celebrities. We had our own personal waiter for all the 4 nights. We ate fine food and mouth watering desserts. Sis and Bil cut cake amidst much fan fare. Ashu was in a daze the whole time. Is this a hotel or a ship amma? Is this US amma? Wheres the Captain Amma? Wheres the fish Amma? She would nt go to the Children's camp there. She was with us the whole time and had fun with the other 2 kids. With 12 adults, there was nt a shortage for people to baby sit the kids. We showered Sis and Bil with gifts and cards. We all wore matching personalized T shirts with Sis and Bils name on it. We made them exchange garlands and rings. We did the whole nine cheesy yards!!! It was fun, fun and more fun the whole time. My best moment was after a dip in the pool and soaking in the jacuzzi, lying down on the deck chair and looking at the passing clouds. It will stay in my memory forever. I had absolutely no care in the world. Everyone who mean the world to me were around. Perfect bliss.

Now we are back and still talking about the cruise. Time did fly. We also spent half a day at Sea World in San Diego and Ashu was thrilled to see Shamu. Met a very good friend of mine after almost 8 years, stayed a night at her place and met her absolutely cute toddler. Thanks a lot for accommodating all of us, M. You are the best! Now we are back in the Bay Area and Ashu is down with a cold. I would have been surprised if she were nt what with so many changes in the past one week. Hope it does nt become worse though. Crossing fingers.

ps.

Off I go to find out what has been happening in the blog world for the past one week. I missed you all.

We are a H.A.P.P.Y. family!

I am in the U S of A. At my sisters. With Sis & Bil. With Mom & Dad. With Hubby & Ashu. Needless to say, we are having a blast. Ashu and I left Zurich on Friday and landed here without any glitch. (Did nt get the checked in Car Seat. But thankfully the airlines loaned us one.) Mom and Dad were mighty upset that Hd did nt come with us for the family reunion. They did nt know that he was arriving the next day. So when he landed on Sat night, there was lots of screaming and shouting. Sunday was our parents anniversary and we had a small bash. Utbt and family arrived with the Guava cake I have heard so much about since Chulas birthday and drooling. (Every bite was heavenly!) But the real reason for this sudden reunion plans is not until the first of March. My Sister and Bils 10th wedding anniversary. More details later! ;)

I have nt seen Ashu since we arrived. Shes the happiest since we left India in September. As if the doting grand parents are nt enough, she has the combined attention of my Sis and Bil as well. So shes ecstatic. The choicest restaurants in Bay area along with my moms cooking - Hds idea of heaven! And Im with my family. Need I say more? :)

ps.

For another six weeks, all the photos courtesy of my Bil and his camera. And here I am compelled to add that Hd forgot the one thing I asked him to bring with him. MY CAMERA. If I was nt so happy, I would have murdered him.

The one where Ashus tells a story.

Yesterday was special. Yes, Hd returned from India in the afternoon but something happened in the morning. Ashu told a story.

Just the other day, I was talking to my dad and telling him about Ashu and how she has nt reached the stage where she spins stories from her imagination. I was big on telling stories when I was a child and people within one mile radius would just run helter skelter if I ever say, "Naan oru kadhai solren". (I ll tell a story) My sister would shudder at the thought of hearing me tell a story. I remember my uncle had recorded some of my story telling in audio cassettes and I listened to them when I was a little older. The whole family knew about my story telling fascination. Even when I grew up and stopped talking altogether, relatives would still talk about the time I used to tell stories and roll around the flooor laughing remembering the silly anecdotes. So the child in me was really looking forward to hear Ashu spin tales. So far no luck. She would nt even repeat the Crow and the Vadai story even after hearing it a thousand times.

Yesterday something triggered her and she started talking about this wolf. Wolf irundhudhaa? Adhu jungle ku pochu... is how the story began. (There was this wolf. It went to the jungle...) And then the wolf met this lion and asked "Ennoda play panna variyaa?" but the lion said "I dont want to play with you". Then the wolf met the tiger and asked the same but the tiger said "I don't want to play with you". Then it met a bear, elephant, monkey, snake, rabbit, puppy, hippo, giraffe, ... and everyone refused to play with the wolf. She told the "I don't want to play with you" in exactly the same tone how I say it while reading the little tiger book where the tiger would say "I dont want to go to bed". I was in the midst of making lunch. I switched off the stove and came and sat down on a chair to listen to her. I was so excited and wondered how the story is going to go. She walked in circles around the dining area and told the story without any interruption. She did nt pause even for a second. Remember how Kamal Hassan would narrate some nonsense walking non stop in circles and driving us crazy in the movie Guna? It was exactly like that. I was half expecting her to say, "Abhirami, Abhirami" in the end!! So the story kept on going. She would say things like "Then the wolf looked up a tree." and with an excited tone "And what was on the tree"? As if she knew. She has nt even made up her mind on what it is thats going to be on the tree until she asked the question. Then she would say, "A snake". I played the part of a good audience and gasped. But she was quick to add "a good snake. Not bad boy". Then the wolf met an owl and cried and told the owl that no one is playing with him. (Why she chose owl as the agony aunt? Why did nt she let the wolf ask the owl to play with him? - thats your homework for today!!) By the time the wolf came to the owl, she has named around 20 animals already. I was wondering what shes going to do now. Then the owl said "Come on. I ll take you to your friends who will play with you". And the story began again. Except now all the animals said "Ok. I ll play with you". 25 minutes had gone by now and we were nowhere near the end. I even dared to interrupt her and ask "So when "the end" will come Ashu" and she sternly said, "Tomorrow". Ok! I thought so too! I switched on the stove again and continued the cooking while making the necessary comments to her story. Then the story took new turns and she started including things in the house like her house slippers, the coasters, the plant, etc... and suddenly she said "The End." Before I could break into an applause, she began ANOTHER story. This time with a Bee. And even Pillayaar showed up in this one. But mercifully, this was a short one. I gave her a big hug and told her that the stories were fantastic. She was all flushed by the whole exercise. 40 minutes of non stop walking in circles and non stop talking while the little brain worked over time. Who would nt be? I cant wait to unleash her to my sister! *evil laughter*

ps.
I Don't Want to Play with You starring The Little Wolf and A Bee Story with a special appearance by Pillayaar are copyrights of Ashu and All Rights Reserved! ;)

Fun day at the play park.

Ashus school was off the whole last week. Ski break!! Why did nt I go to such schools? More holidays than working days. Affectionate teachers. Amazing library. Sigh! We did nt do anything interesting last week. Some regular shopping, some craft projects at home and the time flew. Then suddenly Hd had to leave for India on Sunday on an official trip and hes back only on Wednesday. He has travelled before but never to India. I became all sad and teary and did everything I could do to stop him from going. Did nt work! After sending him off early in the morning on Sunday, spent the day sulking and in the night I locked the bedroom door and blocked it with a chair for good measure. Kept the cordless phone and mobile handy. Hugged Ashu and went to sleep. That is so uncharacteristic of me. Im usually bold and quite reckless. I don't even check the doors and windows before I go to sleep. But this time the feeling that Hd is not in London or Amsterdam which are a few hours away but in INDIA which is a good 12 hours away gave me the jitters. What if the burglar knew it too? ;)

School was off today too and it was bright and sunny. I said enough was enough and set out with Ashu to an indoor play area. Its quite small but enough to keep Ashu occupied for hours. We had an early lunch and were there at 12 noon. Ashus face brightened up and she started climbing here and there and everywhere. Bouncy castles, trampolines, slides, obstacles, mini go carts, cycles,... Its any child's dream. (sigh again!) I had taken a book with me. ("The space between us" by Thrity Umrigar. Looks to be a interesting read.) I finished only 7 pages because I could nt take my eyes off my daughter. What to do? She was squealing with laughter, making friends and running around. I had to look! I found out today that Ashu is nt a leader or a loner. She wants company and has to be told what to do. First Ashu followed a 3 year old girl who was slightly taller than her. They became friends fast and Ashu was following her like a puppy and doing everything she was doing. The other girl was helping Ashu whenever she could nt climb a level on her own. It looked so sweet. Then Ashu became a pro. But Ashu also knows what she does NOT want to do and is not tempted to do it. Nor can she be coerced. For example, she was scared of the spiral tunnel slide. She wont get into any tunnel from which she cant see the other side. So while a straight tunnel slide is OK, a spiral slide is a big NO. That's the way she is. I ve encouraged her before but she strictly refused and I did nt push. So whenever the other girl turned towards the spiral slide, Ashu would change her direction and go the other way and the other girl will follow her. I noticed it after she did for the fourteenth time!! :) After an hour, we took a snack break and Ashu pointed at the chocolate brownie and said she wanted it. This is the girl who NEVER eats any snack. But I bought for her anyway wetting my lips in anticipation. But then little girls exist to prove you wrong. She wolfed down 3/4th of the piece in jiffy, sipped some apple juice and said "Enough Amma". I had tears in my eyes.(Then what? The cake was so good and all I get is a quarter of it???)

We went back to the play area but the little girl had left much to Ashus disappointment. She tried to play by herself for a while. But very soon, she found another target. Sisters - 8 and 3. She clinged to them and they had no way but to include her. The 8 year old was so sweet. She was helping Ashu more than her own little sister and the trio were having a blast. Of course, Ashu would split whenever they came near the spiral slide. This once, the big girl said "Komm mit mir" and kept Ashu on her lap and slided down the tunnel. Ashu had a "I was right when I did nt want to go on this one" look when she came down. (I tried it later with her too. It was a little claustrophobic and a bit scary!) The three girls went on the mini go kart half a dozen times. Neither of the younger girls can go on their own, so the big girl went triples each time. I saw her begging her dad and mom for money for the go kart and I sponsored a couple of rides too. But the three were totally addicted and the girls father and I had to literally drag the girls out of there. Then the older girl split and the two younger ones held hands and played together. It was so cute to watch. Ashu of course totally forgot about me and once in an hour will make eye contact to check if Im looking! I had told myself that I would nt ask Ashu to leave. She can play as long as she wanted. But after 4 hours, I could see she was hungry and totally tired. I asked if she wanted to go home. She said NO and with a renewed energy, found another 3 year old and the three started going around the enclosures like hamsters in a cage. Then she found another 6 year old and copied her and did everything she did for a while. (Building a castle with soft blocks) Then came to me and asked me to take her in the spiral slide. I did. By 5pm, I came to my senses and told Ashu that the place was closing up and we had to leave. Thankfully, she obliged and slept in the car even before I left the parking lot. So today was fun. I learnt so much about my daughter. Now we are off to bed. Hope Hd does nt decide to surprise and show up couple of days early. Im planning to take the kitchen knife with me to the bed tonight! ;)

ps.
Cursing myself for leaving the camera at home. There were so many kodak moments in the play park today. :(

Today's Special.

This is what Ashu(ahem!) made for her father for Valentine's.
Inspired from here.


And this is what I made. Like they say, the way to a mans heart...

Recipe here.


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, FOLKS! Spread the Love! :)

Ashu's school routine.

Continuing the previous post, here's our schedule everyday. Hope it helps Noon.

Ashu is in a programme for kids between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2. Almost all of them will be continuing their pre KG in the same school this year. I enrolled here because the transition will be smooth when she starts Pre KG and I don't have much options in Zurich for English schools anyway! Her class is from 1 pm to 3 pm four days a week. At first, I was really not so keen as Ashus nap falls dang at the same time and nobody messes up with her nap time. Nothing whatsoever will keep her away from her precious sleep. But fresh out of options, I decided to try it. I wanted her to quit the afternoon naps anyway. Add to this that the school is 30 mins drive. So she has her lunch at 11.30. (Rice and vegetables with Rasam and a cup of yogurt.) We finish by 12. Then we get ready and leave home at 12.30. We reach the school at 12.55. Most of the time, she does nt go to sleep. So shes OK. The days she goes to sleep in the car, shes all cranky and grouchy when I leave her in class. But the teachers tell me that she is OK soon afterwards. So to reply to the anons comment in my previous post, theres no time to let her take a nap in the morning. (She gets up at 7 am.) After school, I pick her up at 3 pm and drive back home. 99% of the time, she sleeps in the car and I come home and put her in the bed. She continues to sleep until 5.30 pm or even 6.30 pm sometimes. So eventually, her night sleep time has been postponed to 9.30 pm instead of 8.30 pm. That is, I start reading to her at 9.30. She sleeps anytime between 10 to 10.30. I am OK with this schedule for now since its hassle free. But from August, she ll be going to school in the mornings and the schedule will obviously change. The disadvantage to this schedule is the weekends. She will be active and alert until 4 pm and go to sleep after that which means bed time is at 11pm. And on those days when she does nt go to sleep in the car while coming back home, she goes to sleep at 5 pm and screws up the routine. But then, I need some thing to worry about right? ;)

And coming to the subject of Tamil, I think I ll go back to India in a year. I'm counting on that actually. But is there absolutely no one whose kids talk in their mother tongue while living in a foreign country? Is that really impossible? Of course, none of my friends school going kids talk in their mother tongues either. So what happens when you go on vacation to India? Do they speak there? Are the grand parents and other relatives able to understand their English? Or do the parents have to translate? Does it bother you people? Or do you get used to it after a while? Please do tell and let me get used to the idea. Is my wish really hopeless?

More about School.

So hows school going for Ashu? Long since I updated on her school saga. After the 3 weeks break in December, Ashu took a couple of days to adjust again. She was crying so much on the first day after the school reopened that I just wanted to jump in front of an oncoming car. Give me a break girl! Not back to square one again. But thankfully she was ok after 2 days. That does nt mean she went happily but at least she was nt crying. Miss M and Miss S told me that she is nt her usual cheery mood and is very quiet. When I asked Ashu she said, "I was sad, Amma." Well, that explains everything!!

She has started talking about school much more than before. "B hid in the play house today", "A came with his dad instead of his mom today", "L did nt come to school today. Hes asleep at home with his Amma", "S got the Nemo book today from the library", "Miss M has a cold so shes taking rest today", "Miss S drank tea from a cup", "G brought muffins for everybody. Today is her birthday", "L's nose was running today but he did nt wipe it at all",... Oh, how do I explain the feeling of listening to her? Its wonderful to hear her stories. No whining, no cribbing, no complaining, no gossiping,... Just plain facts seen through a 2 year olds eyes. Theres so much to learn from kids, I tell ya!

Miss M said that Ashu loves singing and is very cheerful and active. She clearly knows what she wants to do and what not. She understands every word of what they are saying and is talking in English a lot more now. Really trying to make sentences. Shes talking a lot at home too and Im panicking already. Two hours of school 4 days a week and less than 3 months, little Missy has already started talking in English. Though Im proud of her accomplishment, it honestly scares me to death. What if she stops talking in Tamil! *shudder* This in spite of Hd and me not talking in English at all at home. (Its not something we do for Ashus sake. We always talk in Tamil at home anyway!) I can only cross my fingers.

After a month, she is back to her usual self, going to school happily. Since her school is in the afternoon and she goes with a full lunch, she goes to sleep in the car before we reach school. And then cries a lot when I wake her up and leave her in class. But the days she does nt go to sleep, she happily waves bye bye to me and settles in class. So Im trying hard to distract her and tell her a story and keep her awake until we reach school. On Friday, she did nt go to sleep luckily and when I left her in class, she swallowed hard and her eyes filled up and she looked at me. I knew the feeling. I had the same damn feeling every single day I went to school and college. I kissed her and told her I ll be back and left her in class. She said bye to me and started to talk excitedly to Miss M. Of all the things, she had to inherit this "starting trouble" from me? God help her and me!

A walk through the clouds.

This is one interesting tag Dot Mom and Tharini have set up on me. Unlike them, I rarely read my own posts except when I am specifically looking for something. Somehow reading my archives embarasses me. Did I actually write that? - kind of a feeling. But at other times, my eyes fill with tears when I read about Ashu when she was a baby. As if Im reading somebody elses writing. So let me go and dig my archives now to complete this tag.

"Post 5 links to 5 of your previously written posts. The posts have to relate to the 5 key words given (family, friend, yourself, your love, anything you like). Tag 5 other friends to do this meme. Try to tag at least 2 new acquaintances (if not, your current blog buddies will do) so that you get to know them each a little bit better."

Let me begin with Maatha, Pithaa, Guru, & Dheivam.

Family - The posts I wrote on my mom on my birthday and my dad on Fathers day.

Friend - I ll cheat by saying my sister is my best friend (& Guru) and link this post I wrote on my sisters Birthday.

Myself - How I rediscovered God after becoming a mother.

Love - Strangely, I have nothing on this subject. But theres one post about the love of my life and how my love grew for him after this particular incident. Check it out. (Though cant say Hd would say the same about me!)

Anything I like - This might sound strange. But I love this post of mine on creepy crawlies and makes me all nostalgic about the good old carefree days and ache for them but at the same time puts a smile on my face. :)

Now to tag 5 people.
Inbavalli and Neera, my two new blog buddies.

Sundar, Gauri, and Cee Kay, my not so new blog buddies. Go dig!

Deep Sea.

I totally missed doing a post on Ashus first something in the excitement of getting my driving license. (Btw, my Swiss license all proper with a decent looking photo of mine came by post and I also got back my Indian driving license, so yippee! ) So 2 weeks back, on a last minute impulse we decided to drive to Lucerne to gorge on some idlies and dosas in a South Indian restaurant there and also take Ashu by the beautiful lake and the picturesque wooden bridge. But it got too cold so after walking for a little while, we decided to catch a movie in the Imax theatre. I always wanted to take Ashu to the cinemas and see how she reacts the first time. Imax seemed to be the right choice and off we went. "Deep Sea" was the current running movie and it was only 40 minutes long, ideal for Ashus attention span. But only when we got there, it occured to us that the commentary will be in German. But I was ok with it. Anyway, Ashu is not going to follow the commentary. But Hd decided to wait in the cafe pretending that he had to make a call. Yeah right! The man is stingy enought to save 16 Francs. But me, I would nt trade Ashus first experience at the movies for anything! So off went mom and daughter to the dark interiors. Ashu was all puzzled at the environment and sat beside me in a chair wondering what was going on. Then the screen lit and the dolby effect kicked in. The lady at the ticker counter had warned me that they don't recommend children under 5 to watch as it is too loud for kids. I thought about the times infants and toddlers watched "Virumaandi" when we lived in Basel and the family of six with 2 boys at the age of 5 and 2 who were at the late night show of "Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu" in Bangalore. I dont mind, I told the lady smugly!

We watched a few trailers and when there was an avalanche of snow falling down, Ashu held my hands tightly. Then the movie started and the ocean animals arrived one by one and except for one scene when a shark suddenly swallowed a fish and gave Ashu a scare, the rest of it was quite slow. Ashu kept saying "Crab, Octopus, Shark,..." and was enjoying the movie. But after about 30 minutes, she turned around with her back to the screen and started watching the little girl who was sitting at the back with her dad. As if to say, "I have watched better stuff on TV"! I don't blame her! Thank God, it was only for 40 minutes. We both came out after the movie ended to find Hd sipping Cappuccino. Ashu excitedly told him all the fish she saw and how the Octopus ate a crab, "crunch crunch nu"! All in all, a nice experience. May be I ll wait for her to be old enough to take her to some animated movie next time. Hd can have his coffee at home that time!

Update on Ashu at 33 Months.

What a month! Ashu has grown leaps and bounds in the past one month. She talks more, plays on her own more, notices things more, breaks down more, eats more (Anti-jinx! Anti-jinx! Anti-jinx! Thanks for the anti jinx spell Moppets Mom. You should pattern it!)

Ashu keeps twirling these days and one day told her dad, "Look appa. Naan twirl panren" and did a nice twirl for him. And Hd was "Oh how nice. Turn panriyaa?" and Ashu immediately corrected him, "Turn illai pa. TWIRL". Hd was shocked to say the least and gave me an accusatory look. It was nt me this time though. School is actually teaching her something after all!

For the past couple of weeks, the little Missy has stopped eating chocolates. Not that I gave her chocolates frequently before. But these days she says, "I don't want chocolates. I ll get germs in my teeth. So I'm not going to eat any" if we offer her. I'm not complaining here, more for me actually! And she has taken to raisins like crazy. She finishes a small box in one go. Its like a miracle because Ashu usually does nt eat ANY snack! This was the conversation between Hd and Ashu 2 days back:

Hd: Ashu, want a piece of chocolate?

Ashu: No Appa. I ll get germs in my teeth. I don't want any.

Hd: You can brush your teeth after eating the chocolate, ok?

Ashu: No appa. I'm eating raisins.

Hd: You will get germs in your teeth even if you eat rais...

Me: (screaming at hd) STOP IT RIGHT NOW. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?????? WHY WOULD YOU TELL HER SOMETHING LIKE THAT? YOU CANT BE HAPPY THAT SHE EATS RAISINS INSTEAD OF CHOCOLATES? ARE YOU CRAZY?

Sometimes I don't know who the 2 1/2 year old is in this house!!!

During Xmas when we stayed in a Chalet with two other families, Ashu started talking to the two boys there in Tamil. I told Ashu that the boys did nt know Tamil and she has to speak in English. For the next 3 days, she did nt speak one word of Tamil to them. She was keeping on blabbering thinking that shes speaking in English but communicated by using the important words like "Come here, Sit, Give, No, Take, Play, etc... " It was fun to watch her speak like that. And how did she know which words are English and which are Tamil since we use so much English while talking in Tamil? One of those things about a child's brain, I guess!

And the other day while talking to my grandma on the phone, Ashu said Hello and volunteered to sing rhymes for her. Usually I have to beg her to sing rhymes on the phone for my family so I was surprised. But she always did have a soft spot for her great grand mother. Then she started to sing all the Tamil rhymes she knows, Anile Anile, Yaanai, Yaanai, Nila Nila and counted 1 to 10 in Tamil. I was really stunned. Did she really figure out that my grandma cant understand English and sang Tamil rhymes? She has never done that before for anyone else. She always starts with Baa baa black sheep, Mary had a little lamb, etc... and I have to plead her to sing a Tamil rhyme. One of those things again, huh?

Oh and the most important thing. Ashu has a "best friend". Her first ever! :) The past weeks I noticed that she is happy when B is in class with her and the days B does nt attend school, she is all sullen and sad. Then I asked her whom does she play with a lot in class and who she likes the most. "B", came the answer. And of course B comes running to greet her when I drop Ashu in the class and gives her a wide smile. At home, Ashu keeps telling B did this, B did that. I am so happy for her. And did I tell you B is the cutest looking boy?! *grin*

Books rule her world. I used to wonder why some parents complain that they are tired reading a book for the 10th time and I would be happy to read Ashu a book for the umpteenth time if it makes her happy. Boy, was I wrong! My throat is parched at the end of her bed time reading and I am begging her to spare me. But she begs back "One last book Amma. Last book, OK?" and brings the fattest book from her shelf. The problem is when I read, I "really" read it unlike Hd who mumbles, swallows half the sentence and reads without any passion. I change my voice, make animal noises, whisper, scream and do the whole nine yards. Time I switched tactics and followed Hd on this one. He sure is smarter than I think, that sneak!

Ashu seems to have taken after me in her desire to do everything perfect and gives up easily even after the first attempt if she thinks shes no good at something. That describes me to the T. But shes 2 1/2 for Gods sake and just learning everything in life. How can she get so frustrated because she cant hold a pencil properly? "I cant Amma" seems to be her mantra these days. "I cant open the box Amma. I am a baby. I am small. You are big girl. You open." "I cant color Amma. I don't know how. You do it." "I cant turn the pages in the book Amma". And she whines when she says that and the next time I ask her to do that thing, she gives up even before trying because "she cant"!! It takes immense patience from my side to keep encouraging her and prodding her gently to try again and compliment her when she does try. I truly hope its a phase and she gets over it. Because the things she can do, she never wants me to help her in those. Its always "I ll do it Amma. I ll do it"!

One morning after getting up from the bed, she took her pants down and the pull up diapers with it. Took the dirty diaper and gave it to me to throw it in the garbage and said "Amma. I did nt go susu in the diaper while sleeping. See!" When I took the diaper from her. I saw that against the usual 2 to 3 susus, she had gone only once and since the diaper was nt as heavy as it used to be, she concluded that she had nt peed in the diaper. I have never been so proud of her. She knows the difference between the weight of one susu against two. My baby girl is so clever, sigh!

I did it! I did it!

Drum roll please. I got my driving license! Yippee!!!!
*coming back after doing a tribal dance*
So yes! I got my license. I knew I was driving good what with taking Ashu to school everyday and back for the past 2 months. But would I be lucky on the day of the test? Would I forget to look left, right and left? Would I run over a pedestrian? Would I miss a stop sign? Would the investigator fail me just because? The thing is there was a lot riding on this. If I failed, then I would nt able to drop Ashu at school and that would be disastrous as it wont be possible for Hd to do it everyday. It would take more than an hour if we used the public transportation. We would have to move nearer to school but than can be done only in September because of the lease. Oh, so many dilemmas. Anyway, everyone was saying I would pass except me of course. So today at 1 pm, the investigator sat in the passenger seat and off I went following his directions. In German! Links, rechts, gerade aus, autobahn richtung Bern, ... In 120, 100, 80, 60, 50 and 30 speed zones all in 25 minutes. Back at the office, he congratulated me, shook hands and stamped my paper! I hugged my driving instructor with a huge grin on my face which remained until I came home and did the tribal dance in the safety of home for Hd and Ashu. "Good job amma?" asked Ashu. Hd was of course all teeth. I could see the huge burden sliding off his shoulders. He does nt have to worry about the drive to the school anymore! Sigh!

Of course, the most important worry was this would be my one and only attempt. If I failed, there was no retaking the test. I would have to start from scratch like beginner drivers and spend close to 6 months and thousands of Francs which was nt an option for us. According to Swiss laws, if I have a valid driving license from another country, then all I have to do is take a test and If I pass I get the license and if I don't, get a learners license first and start from the beginning. This test has to be taken before completing a year living in this country. I can drive with my Indian license for one year. Since I entered the country in Feb 2007, mine would expire in Feb 2008. Hence the hurry. Hd got his license in July and I did nt think I needed one. But in November when we put Ashu in a school across the city, it became clear that I need to get my license too. So I called up the same driving instructor from whom Hd learnt and signed up for classes. Almost Ninety dollars for a 50 mins class because she speaks English too! But since I was driving with Hd and also driving to school everyday, I did nt need as many classes as Hd did. Then I sent the application and got the test date. And today was the day! So if you are in Switzerland, get the license before a year as its comparatively easy. They assume you know driving and test only to see if you understand the rules of this country. (Little do they know how I got my driving license in India!) Some of our friends who have lived longer here are finding it tough to get the license as the other test is supposed to be rigorous since the driving license is valid for life here. So get an English speaking driving instructor and apply for the test date without any delay. http://www.stva.zh.ch/ has all the info but in German.

The investigator gave me a key chain after I passed which says "Gute Fahrt". (Good Trip ) Indeed! ;)

And happy birthday Big Boo. See I made you proud on your special day by passing! :)

Pongal O Pongal.

Pongal was eating Sakkarai pongal and Vadai for Hd and I. It meant no school for Ashu as it took me a loooong time to finish cooking my elaborate lunch! Ashu refused to even taste my pongal but took a bite of the vadai since the "The paati, the crow and the vadai" story is her favorite. Got to invent a Pongal story fast! I saw her watching me with a puzzled look when I stepped out into the balcony in the freaking cold and prostrated before the Sun God and thanked him for showing up everyday without fail for the past million years or so! (What a thankless job!)

Today also made me realize that its really upto me to follow the traditions and culture at least to a certain extent. I got up a little earlier than usual, took a shower, washed my hair, lighted the lamp, made Pongal and Vadai for Naivedhyam, made an Mix veg sambar with double beans too just like my mom does, then a small pooja and the favorite part - eating. I did all this because Pongal is a special day for me. As for Hd, he would nt have remembered today is Pongal if I did nt tell him. He would nt have a problem getting up late even if he knew it was Pongal today. It would nt matter to him if he did nt eat pongal on Pongal. But for me, its unthinkable. I dont celebrate every festival but Pongal, Deepavali and Tamil New Years, Krishna Jayanthi, Ganesh chaturthi, Navarathri, etc.. are a little more important to me than the rest. I make sure at least to light a lamp and do a basic Naivehdyam on these days. My mom makes 19 or so Naivedhyam for Krishna Jayanthi and makes Kozhakattais if Pillayaar came in her dreams even if is to ask her to STOP making them! So its a huge step down for me even to offer cashews and raisins as Naivedhyam. But I do what I feel is important to me and leave the rest. But Hd! Nothing is important to him and he just nods to whatever I say when it comes to such stuff. It made me wonder what if the tables were turned. What if these stuff were important to him and not to me? Will he get up early and make "Pori Urundai" on Kaarthigai? Or "Kali" on Thiruvaadhirai? I don't think so. And its just not the cooking. He does nt know most of the customs or the reasons for celebrating them. (the next time my MIL says what a great job she has done with her son, Im going to punch her face for sure!) Pongal was the most important function to us when we lived in our village. Taking a huge Thaambaalam (brass plate) and hitting it with a wooden stick and screaming "Pongalo pongal", dressing up the cows and even our dog with Netti Maalai and garlands, painting their horns, doing an Aarthi for the cows and prostrating before them, offering rice, dal and clothes for all the farm helps, setting fire to all the old stuff on Bhogi, getting up early in the morning and keeping the left over food on turmeric leaf for the birds on Kanu, ... this is the stuff I grew up with. A day off from school, Bakshanams from Grand sweets, a pongal release movie,... is probably what Hd grew up with. I dont think its only because Hd is a city boy and me a village belle! But Im really glad I can meet my own expectations and dont have to rely on a clueless partner to keep alive my cherished childhood memories. Imagine Hd saying something like "My mom used to make awesome paruppu vadai and ghee dropping pongal. I want to keep that memory alive" to me. He sure wont have any more pleasant memories to keep alive!! Good luck to all the single men out there who have such expectations! Hope you meet your match. Or is it easier for men to let go? I have no clue.

Happy Pongal everyone! May all your lives overflow with abundant love and happiness!

Thoughts of the day.

1. All these end of the year best movies list and best songs list made me realize that I have nt watched any of the good movies except for one or two. So my resolution for this year is to see as many movies as possible. Luckily, I'm happy with my book list. "Kite Runner" was the last book I read in 2007 and what a book it was! And I started this year with "A thousand splendid suns". I am half way through. Has anyone done a "compare and contrast" post on these 2 books?

2. Did anyone notice that Anandha Vikatan, the online Tamil magazine, has become like Rediff after it opened comments for readers? I don't think it will be long before I stop reading the sleaze its becoming. Perhaps Im just getting old.

3. Talking about Tamil magazines, off late I hear lot of references to "chicken leg piece", "chill chicken", etc... while taking about WOMEN. I am sort of used to them being compared to "laddoo", "halwa", etc... but this is new to me. Do non vegetarians really compare beautiful women to leg piece of a chilli chicken? Are women OK with that? I just want to be informed that's all. No other intention. In case Ashu becomes a non veggie, I want to make sure I don't miss out on comparing her to Chicken 65. What an uncool mom would that make me! *shudders*

4. Is it true that everyone without any exception will do perverse things if they can get away with it? *like the Molestation in Mumbai on New Years Eve*

5. Is it me or has just about everyone of my favorite bloggers have either stopped blogging or hardly update their blogs?(Yes, you, you and you!) I did nt know I had such power to stop people from blogging just by reading them. Wish it worked on some blogs I hate to read too!

6. And lastly, will accepting that I am using my motherhood as a reason to mask my laziness and to get a real job out there end all the bitterness and hatred towards Blogging Moms or at least towards one mom? While I am at it, let me also accept that I am a fit for nothing else Stay at home mom thereby spoiling my child with all the unnecessary attention. I am guilty as charged for publishing my child's photos and inviting trouble. I am everything that you accuse me of. My only question is - so?

PS.
One of those midnight pondering where answers don't matter.

Ashu & Appa.

The other day, we were in the car and Hd was fiddling with the GPS. "What are you doing Appa", asked Ashu from the back seat. "I am entering the address of the restaurant we are going to, Ashu. This is called GPS. It will tell me how to go to the restaurant. And then Appa will follow the route. ok?", said Hd. "Its a Map Appa!" Pat came the reply from Ashu. While I was rolling on the floor laughing with tears streaming from my eyes, anyone within a mile could have noticed Hds face going red. The tone in which Ashu said it was hilarious. It was exactly the tone I would have used to say "Why waste so many words? Just say its a Map, Moron!"

****

(Another day. another time.)

Ashu: Are you going to office appa?

Yes.

Ashu: Why do you have to office?

Because I have to work.

Ashu: But why do you have to go to office?

I have to go to office to work. Only if I work, I can get money and can buy food and toys for you.

Ashu: Whatever Appa!
(walks away shaking her head...)

****

(Last week when Ashu was sick.)

Hd: So whom do you like more Ashu? Amma or Appa.

Ashu: Appa.

Don't you like Amma?

I like Amma too.

So whom do you like more? Amma or Appa?

I like both.

But whom do you like more?

I like both.

Amma or Appa?

Enakku odambu sariyaa illai. Naan thoongaren. (I am sick. I want to sleep)

****

Yesterday, Hd could nt find his mobile phone and was looking for it everywhere. We could nt even hear it ring while we called it from my mobile phone. I asked Ashu if she kept it anywhere. She opened the broom closet and inside the box of dish washing tablets, we found the phone. I thanked Ashu but Hd got mad at her. He started to give her a time out and sternly told her never to touch his phone again and not to do such a thing anymore. Personally, I thought he was over reacting and began to pacify Ashu as she had begun to cry. After a few minutes, when both of them had calmed down, Hd told Ashu "You should nt hide my phone like this Ashu" and with a furious tone Ashu replied "I did nt hide it Appa. I did nt HIDE it. I only kept it there". (Naan anga Olichu vaikalai appa, OLICHU vaikalai. Anga vachen.) I was stunned by the technicality because this is exactly how I used to argue and fight with my dad. When I was THIRTEEN!!!!!!!

****

One of those days...

Already 4 days old, this year! And all the days have gone by taking care of the sick and cranky babies. (Sick - Ashu. Cranky - Hd.) On 31st, we went to an Indian restaurant for a dinner buffet. Calling that spread a buffet is a joke actually. But we did nt have any other plans and did nt want to spend the evening cooking. So off we went at 7 pm so that we could be back early. The restaurant had a party from 10pm until midnight but we knew it would be impossible with Ashu. The food was ok. There were 2 Desi families sitting next to our table with two 5 year old girls. Here I was trying hard to make Ashu behave, not stand on the chair, not to drop cutlerys on the floor, blackmailing and bribing her to eat one spoon of rice. And the 2 girls were making a ruckus. Loud giggling, dancing, talking, ... And I made the mistake of talking to one of the girls as she was looking super cute and Ashu was asking "whats akkas name, amma" repeatedly to me. Ashu joined them and the trio started running around and shouting, playing catch. Ashu usually screams like a banshee and runs when anyone tries to catch her and I was repeatedly asking her to be quiet. Then the trio sat on the couch near the bar area and were playing quietly. Then I saw that the girl was bullying around Ashu calling her a baby and and saying "yucks, Ewww" a lot and laughing at Ashu with her friend. I did nt bother as it did nt bother Ashu. Then the girl started pushing Ashu and now my girl took offense and came to me and said "Akka vendaam Amma. Lets go". I proudly walked to our table where Ashu sat quietly the rest of the dinner not tempted to go to the girls even while they were showing off their mermaid doll and taunting her. My mom has told me lot of things which went into one ear and came out of the other. But one thing which stayed was "Madhiyaadhaar vaasal midhiyaadhe". (Do not step into the house of the person who does nt respect you) I am glad Ashu already follows it even without me drilling that into her. (But theres a fine print. Got to step into MILs house even if the street dog is more excited seeing you than her. You let me learn that on my own did nt you, Mom?)

And that bully girl coughed a lot and at Ashus face for that matter. So I blame the girl for Ashus high fever and cold which started the same night. It has been 4 days since anything solid has gone into her system. Her throat is swollen a little, the Doctor said. So the ever fussy eater has completely stopped eating. Milk and Juice is all shes having. Add to that, the school starts from Monday. Ennaala mudiyalai... Can we rewind to 31st and start again?

Happy 2008.

We had a great time during the Christmas break. Ashu had great fun with the two boys. She is one hell of a tom boy, I tell ya. Hanging upside down from the bunk bed like a monkey, playing with one of the boys red car non stop and racing it forgetting her doll, hitting the boys right back and pushing them, ... The girl can sure take care of herself. As predicted, Ashu was nt too comfortable in the snow. Just like her lazy mom, she wanted to sit in the warm house and look at the snow outside through a window! :) Had quite an adventure too. We rented the wooden sledges and sledged a 2 1/2 km slope. It was dangerous, lots of curves and one wrong move and you will fall right out of the edge. But the real adventure was that I did nt make it. Hd did a trial run and came back 45 mins later telling me and our friends that it was great. He discouraged me from trying but me being me decided to just do it.

Ashu and Hd were on a double sledge and I was on a single sledge. 3 of our friends joined and we started sliding down the slope. 10 minutes down, Hd and I stopped so that our friends can join us. Ashu was fussing about something and Hd took her out of the sledge and was talking to her when his sledge just whirred off and fell off the cliff! I ran to catch it but could nt. Just 2 seconds, but there was no sign of the sledge at all! I was in shock! Since all the other friends were in single sledges or with kids, we could nt double up. So Hd had this brilliant idea. He suggested I walk back up while he and Ashu sledge down. Since I did nt know the slope, I did nt want to risk it, with Ashu that too. But I suggested walking down than walking up. But Hd said its a long walk but the walk up is comparatively shorter in spite of my protests that I just CANT walk uphill. But being me again, decided to trust his judgement. Felt like final good bye when I waved to Ashu and started walking up. Since it was around 4 pm and dusk was setting, there was no one coming down anymore. The ski slope which was parallel to the sledge slope was also deserted. 2 minutes of walking uphill in knee deep snow in the bitter cold and I already had a dozen ideas to murder Hd in all the most painful ways possible! What kind of an idiot does nt hold onto his sledge, what if Ashu had been sitting on it, what kind of stupid parents are we to take such risks, what kind of a husband lets his wife walk uphill while he sits on his bum and slides down, why, why, why,... After one hour and fifteen minutes of excruciating effort, I reached the top. Five minutes later, Hd and Ashu get down from the ski lift happily and the guy asks me "Are you ok?" I ll leave the rest to your imagination. But yes, hes still alive!

On that cheerful(!) note, Wishing you all a wonderful New year! Come on 2008 I am ready for the ride, so to speak! ;)