Yet another test to get into Mommy Heaven.

The plan was to travel from Zurich to Chennai together. With Hd. But as always, work came up and Hd asked me to postpone. But me being me, asked aloud "whats the worst that can happen" and decided to travel alone with 2 kids. I knew Ashu would nt be a problem as long as shes not told to walk while shes sleepy. Antu would be ok too since I have sure shot way to shut her mouth, by breast feeding! Kodis Mom, who I think is being my guardian angel without actually knowing it herself, posted recently about her trip alone with the kids and that gave me more confidence. I prepared Ashu for weeks that she was muttering, "I ll cooperate, Amma" even in her sleep. I tried making Antu walk but no luck there. She had her mind set only on crawling. May be she ll change her mind once she saw the airplane bathroom, I told myself. So on 20th afternoon, Hd left us in the airport, shook his head one last time at my foolishness and walked away. This is it, I told myself. The ultimate test!

I carried only a backpack with the bare minimum requirements. Ashu carried a tiny backpack and also a small children's pullman suitcase. It carried a set of clothes, toys, books and snacks for her. It was very light and I could carry it if it was too much for her. But the poor darling, pulled it by herself everywhere. So it sure was a good buy. Emirates has a good in flight entertainment so from Zurich to Dubai, she watched Mickey Mouse Wonder house and Little Einsteins back to back, sipped juice, nibbled on the flight food and had a good time. Antu slept off during take off and slept for two hours in the bassinet leaving me to eat in peace and also visit the bathroom. Then I fed her some baby food, read to her, sang to her, changed her and kept her busy. When a kind gentleman smiled at her, I narrowed down the victim and plonked Antu on his lap and used the bathroom and came out in a record time of 5 1/2 seconds, thanked him and picked Antu and walked back to our seat before the man could realize what had happened! Ashu nodded off just before we landed in Dubai. Trouble, I told myself!

Ashu cried when I woke her up and asked her to walk. But she was ok within a few minutes. I found the complimentary strollers at the Dubai airport for Antu and after that, it was an easy ride. We window shopped a bit, had hot chocolate and I fed and changed Antu and it was already time to board the Chennai flight. We did nt get the first row seats with bassinets for this leg. But it was no so bad. Ashu slept the whole time. Antu was a little fidgety but otherwise ok. One thing I should ve done was to take Ashu to the bathroom and used it myself just before we landed. But there was no time and on hindsight, that was a big mistake. We landed in Chennai and I felt invincible and patted myself at my back not knowing what was in store for me!

I had filled all our immigration forms in the plane. When we walked out of the plane, there was a long line for the swine flu test. Since there are no complimentary strollers like in Dubai airport and we dont get our own strollers at the gate anymore, I had to carry Antu all the time and my hands almost died on me and fell off. Ashu seemed to decide enough was enough and refused to do anything I said. And then the swine flu testing person asks me to fill 3 more forms with all our details. What am I supposed to do with Antu? Leave her on the tobacco spat, stained floor and fill the forms? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, thats exactly what I had to do. The lady just felt Antus head for temperature, asked us if anyone has fever or cough and sent us off. When she tried to touch Ashus head, she wriggled and ran away! Then we stood in the immigration line for a long time. Just before it was our turn, Ashu started bawling and said she wanted to use the bathroom otherwise she ll just "go there"! I thought about it for 2 seconds, then took her to the bathroom which was way past behind the swine flu lines. Ashu took one look at the bathroom and refused to go in. Then she did nt know how to use the Indian style toilets, I did nt know what to do with the small suitcase or Antu. Thought its ok to lose the suitcase than Antu and took Antu inside leaving the suitcase outside. Ashu created all sort of mess you dont want to know about and after almost slipping and dropping Antu in the toilet, we came out unhurt but not the most hygienic!

Then we came back to the immigration line and when I requested a person in the front if I can go before him since I was standing in the line before, the man REFUSED! I thanked him and tried the handicapped and diplomat line. Since there were many wheelchair bound people before me, it took almost 30 mins for our turn. Antu cried 29 mins of it and both my hands were completely dead and I would nt even have realized if they had fallen off! Ashu was the most cranky by this time and when we reached the hand baggage screening area, she refused to part with her backpack. The kind man at the security took one look at me and waved us off. I crossed the exit to go to the baggage claims where my father and father in law waved at us. I glared at them and if I had a third eye, they both would ve been burnt to ashes in 2 seconds. As luck would have it, I got my stroller and the two checked in suitcases after 40 minutes. By this time, I was beyond caring and left Antu on the floor where she was crawling and almost getting trampled by people and their trolleys. Ashu was a little recharged after seeing a glimpse of her Thathas and looked out for our suitcases which showed up at last. The porter helped me with the baggage and after what seemed an eternity, we walked out. I plonked Antu to the first pair of hands that reached towards me. Thankfully, it was my fathers.

Verdict: Doable journey with a nightmarish end.

27.06.2009

Dear Antu,

I was really wondering if I can just leave this link to the letter I wrote to Ashu on her first birthday and ask you to replace Ashu with Antu. I was hoping you would nt mind hand me down letters since you dont seem to mind the clothes! Then I totally forgot about you birthday because of the India trip and your Ayush homam planning. Then today when I was sitting on the Dentist chair with my mouth wide open and a tooth being drilled, I felt that I would rather take labor than dental work and told myself that I should be hit with a shoe if I go near a chocolate again. And that's when I remembered! Oh God! Almost a year gone by since my labor! Its you birthday in less than 2 days and I had no plans, no letters in draft. But you are very happy amidst the two set of doting grand parents, in Madras during the peak summer, playing in the beach, happily staying with one of the grand parents while your mother goes shopping. And my eyes truly welled up at the moment. Damn the painful dental procedures!

Sweetie pie, I love you. Happy Birthday! I thought Ashu was the perfect baby until you came along. Prove me wrong in the coming years too if you want me to live long and write birthday letters to my grand kids!

Love,
Amma.

ps.
Long back, my mom told me that my dad came to see me only after 22 days after I was born. May be she did nt realize what a potent weapon she was giving me by telling me that bit of information because I have used that line to blackmail my dad on every occasion and I still do. And I cant deny your weapon, Antu. Your dad is nt here for you first birthday. Go get him. ;)

End of a Pre Schoolers Era.

Today was Ashus last day of Pre School. Went in the afternoon, collected her port folio and all the other stuff, said thank you and byes by dozens to the teachers, Moms and kids and came back home with a heavy heart.

I cannot believe that from August,

Ashu wont be among the youngest in her school.

that shes going to attend full day.

that shes going to go on field trips.

that her class is upstairs.

And what the hell am I going to do with all that extra time? *shudder*

Last night, Ashu and I sat and made Thank you cards for the teachers and Ashu drew something and wrote "Love, Ashu" by herself in all the cards. But today she refused to say thank you and bye to her teachers when we were leaving. And one of the teachers said, "Thats ok. Ashu has her own special way of saying Thanks. Thats what makes her Ashu. She would nt be Ashu otherwise." I grinned while I was seething inside. But when I think about it now, she does make sense. THAT I HAVE A STUBBORN BRAT FOR A KID! Special, my foot!

I thought I would never say this. But grow up, Ashu. You have to become a precocious pre kindergartener pretty soon.

One cant fight genes much, I guess.

Remember the quote in Friends when Rachel says, "Oh my God. I've become my father. I've been trying so hard not to become my mother, I didn't see this coming”? Its almost the same case for me. I was trying so hard not to become like my dad that I have become a deadly combo of both my mom and dad. Yesterday for the first time I called Ashu as Antu and she gave me a stern warning. "I'm not Antu, Amma. Don't call me Antu." Oh, man! Why am I having a Deja Vu?

Other things I say which I ve invountarily borrowed from my mom -

~ "I have only two hands. Cant you see?"

~ "I'm a human being, not a machine".(Funny when you say it in Tamil, manushi and machine rhyme!)

~ "If you can't help, at least don't trouble me". (ubayogamaa illennaalum, ubathravamaa illaama iru!)

~ "Kadangaari!" (literally means someone who owes you money. But its a common term to scold a child in Tamil.)

~ "If you keep doing like this, I ll just leave ok?" (Leave from the world actually but I keep that part open ended!!)

~ "What gall! Have nt sprouted three leaves and you talk this much?" (enna thimuru! mulaichu moonu ilai vidalai, enna pechu pesara?)

~ "If you talk like this, I ll leave once for all!" (and then mutter to myself because I cant bring myself to tell her yet - "afterwards you can cry Amma, Amma but I wont be there!") I know, I know! I'm a meanie!

~ "There are kids who are going hungry every day. Eat your food and don't waste it."

~ Rendum rendaappa, rendum keyandaappa! (Im baffled here for the translation. Literally means, "I ve two ladles and both of them are useless" and here the two ladles refer to Ashu & Antu!)

The most annoying thing my dad said which I'm repeating now:

"Ashu, everything has a lifetime. That zipper in the bag can be pulled up and down only like 100 times. If you unnecessarily keep doing it, it will stop working soon."
Replace zipper with light switch/TV remote/ballpoint pen/drawers/doors/windows/curtains/clips/fan/buttons,... and I use the same dialogue for everything!

*bangs head against the wall and then realizes that that's something her mom did too*

Interview with the Diva.

I really loved this post by Kodis Mom. I asked Ashu the same Qs as soon as I read that post and saved her answers. Only now I remembered to write them here. So here goes... (It is a list of 20 some questions that you ask your kid, then you write up their responses and blare it to the whole world so they will never forgive you. ;)

1. Me - What is something I say to you?
Ashu - You are saying a question!
Me - (translates the Q to Tamil)
Ashu - You say "answer me"!
Me - *gulp* (first answer laye aappu!)

2.What makes me sad?
When Im hurt.

3. What makes me happy?
When I make you happy by doing silly things.

4.How do I make you laugh?
You say silly questions.
Like?
Sa says the sun flower.

5. What do you think I was like when I was a child?
Good girl. (muahaha)

6. How old am I?
35 (31 or 35, what does it matter? sigh!)

7. How tall am I?
Big.

8.What is my favorite thing to do?
I don't know.
Guess.
Clean up and shopping.

9. What do I do when you’re not around?
Work.
Stay with Antu.

10. If I become famous for something, what will it be for?
Whats famous?
Very popular. Everyone in the world will know you.
Like Obama?
Yes!
You will become Gods favorite, Amma. (where did that come from? And more importatnly, am I going to die a dramatic death?)

11. What am I really good at?
Dancing. (this one was truly a revelation as I did nt realize that she knew how much I love dancing!)

12. What am I not really good at?
Nothing. (hee hee hee!)

13. What do you and I do together?
Puzzles.

14. What is my job?
Laptop work!

15. What is my favorite food?
Salad. (I think she knows me better than my husband!!)

16 What makes you proud of me?
When you say "I love you".

17 What is something that you do that makes me proud?
When i finish my lunch, finish the puzzle.

18 How are we both the same?
When we both are wearing pink dress!

19 How are we both different?
When you are black dress and Im pink dress. (profound, huh?)

20 How do you know I love you?
when I say I love you, you say you love me too!

21 What is the one thing you wish you could change about me?
Nothing. (atta girl!)

22 What do you wish you could go and do with me?
Ariel puzzle.


ps.
Do take it up as a tag if you wish.

“To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered.”

He does something stupid. I tell him so. In trying to defend himself, he digs a deeper hole for himself. I yell and scream. He ignores me. I throw things. He walks away. In frustration, I rant to my mom. She asks me to be patient. Tells me not to yell and scream and throw things because its wrong. I yell at her. She tries to calm me down. Tells me that my temper has always been my worst enemy.

What about the person who started all this? He goes scot free. He gets sympathies. Hes patient incarnated. People think he puts up with me . Hes a saint. But hey, but what about the stupid thing he did? Its all forgiven because I threw things and that's pretty stupid too and how can I be so hyrpcritical and accuse him? The end.

ps.
my sis perhaps will take my side. But that's because shes biased. So no one will pay heed to her.

On a good day.

There was an unsual silence in the house. Antu was napping. I was in the kitchen.

Me - Ashoooooo! Where are you?
Ashu - In the bathroom, amma.
Me - Whatcha doing?
Ashu - Im doing something naughty, Amma. (vishamam panren, amma)
Me - Like what?
Ashu - Im wasting soap and wasting water, Amma.
Me - Why?
Ashu - Because I like it.
Me - Ok. Are you done?
Ashu - Yes, Amma.
Me - Dont waste water, ok? Lot of people are suffering without drinking water.
Ashu - Ok, amma. Sorry.
Me - Its ok. Go and play.
Ashu - Ok. (runs off to her room)

And I continued cutting the vegetables without even moving a step from the kitchen. Sometimes, this parenting gig is easy. Sometimes.

Photo Blogging for Dummies.

Since no one read the previous post and only went gaga over the pictures, heres one more.

Heres how to do it.

1. Find yourself jobless. When the older one is in school, younger one is napping and the husband in traveling. Or you can just shut yourself in the bedroom while the above mentioned threesome are wrestling in another room like I did.

2. Go through the older ones baby photos and narrow down on the ones where you have still kept the outfit.

3. Dress up the younger one in the said outfit while convincing the jealous older one that its an old dress!

4. Position the subject of the photo in the same way the older one has posed. Try to take the photos in the one second that the subject keeps the pose.

5. If the older one is willing, use her as a prop to make the subject look up, look down, look here, look there, etc...

6. Click. click. click.

7. Make a collage of the old and the new photos to generally confuse the hell out of people.

8. Dont forget to send it to the target audience - the grand parents.

9. Blog about it, of course!

10. Ta da!

Apples & Oranges.

They say you should nt compare the siblings. But I so do that. Sharing some of the lesser of the evil comparisons here.

Breast feeding was a huge struggle with Ashu. Being new at it, I totally blamed myself. But with Antu, things were so easy that I could nt believe it. Only then did I realize that it was nt my fault the first time and Ashu was just a lazy bum baby who thought it was too much trouble to drink from the breast and bottle was so much easier.

Ashu was and still is a fussy eater. When she was under 1, she preferred Cerelac to Kanji. Ate only bananas and apples. Would nt even taste biscuits, cereals, rusk, ...Survived mostly with milk. Antu can chomp off your thumb and eat it if you hold it near her long enough. As yet.

Ashu went from breast to bottle to sippy cup to regular cup like a text book child. Antu is still swatting away the sippy cup filled with water. Im wondering how shes going to drink cows milk when she turns one. (any ideas?)

Ashu was easily scared. Pressure cookers, hair dryers and vacuum cleaners used to terrify her and she screamed when she heard the noise. Antu crawls towards the source of noise and tries to operate it on her own! With a smile to boot.

Even by 6 to 7 months, Ashu used to stop in her tracks when I said a stern NO. An aunt of mine has nt stopped telling about it to anyone who would listen how she listened to me even long after Ashu has stopped doing that!! Antu took her time but shes getting there. Today I yelled NO ANTU from the kitchen when I heard her crawling towards the bathroom. A minute later, I walked there to see that she was quietly sitting outside the bathroom wondering whether to go in or not. Now I can sleep in peace knowing that my dad will be cursing me for being a tyrant to both the kids not just his favorite! ;)

Though Ashu learned to crawl and cruise earlier than Antu, she was never too mobile. She ll only crawl towards a set target. And settle there. Antu is an explorer. While Ashu was always in the same room as us, Antu is a daredevil. Half the time, I dont know which part of the house she is in.

Ashu loved sleeping in her tummy. On our shoulders. And never learned to sleep on her own until recently. Antu is a pro. She never bends her back nor puts her head on our shoulder but sleeps on her back and goes to sleep on her own.

Ashu was never so wriggly while changing her diapers. She used to cooperate and I remember my mother mentioning with wonder. I thought it was the adoring grandma speaking. Now I know and how!! Try dressing up an octopus. Thats Antu for you. If you hear me yelling at Antu, then you can assume that Im changing her diaper.

Ashu was very patient. Even when she was hungry, she used to wait without crying until I made her bottle or mixed up her cereal. Antu is a different story. Even when I lag a second or two between spoons, she lets out a growl!

Stranger anxiety just about set on Ashu around this time and even when she used to let a stranger carry her, she used to keep an eye on me. Antu happily goes to anyone and does nt even realize if I leave her and go!

By this age, Ashu already had a favorite book, favorite toy, favorite place, etc... Antu does nt believe in material things as yet.

Ashu was very adjusting too. She ll come for a bath without fuss, leave the tub without fuss,.. Antu is already screaming when I take her out of the bath tub and wants to stay in the tub forever! But Ashu used to and still screams when she gets water in her eyes. Antu on the other hand would give Phelps some competition!

By 10 months, Ashu had a couple of teeth. No sign of anything as yet in Antu. We ve been telling like puli varudhu puli varudhu for the past 6 months, "may be shes teething" even when she farts loudly!! But zip!

Ashu stood on her own without support around 10 months and walked just before her frst birthday. She cruised like a pro even before. Antu is just about learning to cruise and standing without support for 2 seconds.

With Ashu - I could nt wait to see whats next and was always in a hurry to see her grow up. Still am. But with Antu - I want her to take her own sweet time to do everything and actually want time to go slow. Also because I know whats coming. *shudders*

ps.

Antu is 11 months old today. One WHOLE year next month. Sigh!
Ashu is 4 years 1 month old today. Wheres my little baby?

I think God reads this Blog.

Why else would He test me if I'm fit for mommy heaven so soon after this post of mine? So yesterday I get a reminder email from school informing about the alphabet day today and to dress up the child. Sounds easy, no? Except that its the first time Im hearing about it and did nt get any email or information earlier! It was 6 pm already and Hd is out of town and I had to act fast. Thanks to Tharini who was asking for ideas about Alphabet costume in this post and thanks to Kodi's Mom who had left a link in that post, I came up with a simple idea. (Ironic that I left a link in the same post, huh?) U for Umbrella. So I followed this project to the last detail, punched holes on the card, tied a string and hung it around Ashu's neck. For good measure, sent her with a pink umbrella to school. Shes going to say, "I am U. Do you know what goes UP when the rain comes DOWN? An Umbrella. U for Umbrella." But I can bet my last penny, that she would put a finger in her mouth, look down and refuse to say anything when the teacher asks. May be I should have kept her home today and sent a mail to the teachers saying, "Ashu is going to be absent today. A for Absent!"

Paadhi kaadhal paadhi mutham...

Hd is away again. For 4 days. Today is Day 2. Though he has been away at least one night every week for the past one month, you did nt hear me whine because I have grown up now. About time, huh? OK, who am I kidding! More like Antu has grown up and if I let her, she ll take care of even Ashu. Loads of people go, "you are managing two kids on your own? I can never do that. Hats off to you" and probably muttering to themselves, "Should make husbands favorite food for dinner tonight." Whats the big deal, I ask? Antu is in the glorious phase where she can play with a cup and a spoon for hours. Ashu goes to school for 3 1/2 hours. Add 1 to 2 hours in the park. Both sleep for 10 hours. Antu takes two naps in the day. An hour of TV, some time in craft and puzzles and books for Ashu. Antus a good eater and Ashu starves herself by her own choice and I ve stopped caring. Whenever Hd is nt home, I hardly switch on the stove. Easy Peasy Japanesey! The fact that I miss the man like crazy is altogether another issue. Especially in the dead of the night when I have to take Ashu to the loo. :D

Oh, I found a song this time too. (read this post and this one for a little history) Though it is nt as mind blowing as the previous ones, its good. And its on non stop loop and thats what matters. Miss you, dear!

The song is Paadhi Kaadhal from the movie Modhi Vilayaadu. (Music by Hariharan and Leslie. Sung by Bombay Jayashree and Sunitha Sarathy, what a voice combo!)

ps.
Thanks Deej for the mujik. :)

Bake a Birthday Cake - Check.

As if the class party and the play park party was nt enough, Ashu had another birthday party yesterday. We had invited some of our close friends and their kids. I decided enough is enough and baked a cake myself. And wonder of wonder, it turned out awesome and you guys were spared an alu paratha post!!

Since yesterday was Mothers day, I decided to write "Moms Rule" on the cake instead of a boring "Happy Birthday". Now that Ashu can read bits and pieces, I thought I ll pull a fast one on her when I still can. But Ms.Smarty pants would have none of it. "Wheres the H in Happy, Amma", "Wheres A for Ashu?", she asked. So I had to come clean and asked her to share since its Mothers day too!!

On Saturday night, I was making chocolate muffins. Had the crazy idea to make mini muffins and bought those mini muffin paper cups. I could put only half a teaspoon of batter in each cup and I ended up making batch after batch for hours!!! I went though the 100 cups in the pack and I had still some batter left which I threw out before I could change my mind! Phew!

For the record, I made Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting, mini(!) chocolate muffins, Spaghetti with Pesto sauce, mac and cheese and salad. Served store bought mini pizzas, chips, dips, ice creams, ... Got small toys and candies as return gifts for the kids and some pretty candle holders for the moms to mark Mothers day. Went with everyone to the play area downstairs and the kids had a blast. I had also bought a bead kit to make some Key chains with the kids in case if it rained. But thankfully, it did nt. So all in all, the party was a hit! *takes a bow*

Now that I have baked a birthday cake for my child, Im sure Im eligible for Mommys Heaven. Next in list - Make a costume. (yeah right! Which direction did you say Hell was? ;)

Boo is the Best in the Business!

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing woman out there! Please check the below link to see how the world celebrated the 2009 Mother of the year!! ;) Muahahaha! Thank you, Sis! You made my day!

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=AUZ421ZvwW6TJAZy7RbhjjEzMjY0NjE0&referred_by=16343635-8AHsvSx

Life in plastic, its fantastic...

So Ashu had a class party on 27th. Where she took a cake, showed her baby and age 1,2,3 photos to her friends, went around the sun 4 times,.. the usual routine. Then this Monday, Ashu and her best friend had a birthday party together in an indoor play park for their class friends. G's birthday is next week and her mom suggested we do a double party and I was all game. The kids had a blast and us moms did nt have to do anything other than show up. The dads paid. Win-win, huh? ;) Ashus first birthday where she actually showed interest in her gifts and went all ga-ga over them when we opened them later at home. Even though I have nt bought a barbie for her yet and the 2 barbies she got as gifts earlier, I hid them and gave them away to some other kids, this time I could nt bring myself to do it. She got a couple of barbies and my little ponies among other gifts. Poor girl did nt know it was called Barbie and told me, Look amma. this is princessaa. So I started calling the wretched doll Princessaa too. Until today that is. In the evening she came to me and asked,
"Can we please take the Barbie out of the box today, Amma?"
"Barbie? Who told you this is Barbie?"
"It says so in the box, Amma. Look this. B-A-R-B-I-E. Baarbee! "

What the...!

Ticino.

Since we did nt go anywhere during the Easter weekend because my sister sabotaged our plans by coming here and breaking her ankle, we took off last Friday to the Ticino area for three days. Though we have done a few day trips and a short trip to Geneva in the past, this was the first proper vacation with just the four of us and for Antu. We had a swell time. We stayed in a lovely B&B at Arogno near Lugano. Did the typical touristy stuff around Lugano. The Swiss Miniature Park, the boat rides, the train rides, awesome Italian food,chocolate factory,.. Its really very interesting to see how everyone speaks Italian, the road signs are in Italian,.. even though you are still in Switzerland. A strange little sweet country, this.

Ashu just loved staying in a hotel experience last time when we went to Genava for a night. She just did nt want to come back to Zurich. This time too, she ll ask late in the evening when we were winding up for the day and driving back, "are we going to the hotel or back to Zurich?" and would be all smiles if we said, "hotel". Poor little deprived thing! Antu was a darling. As long as her tummy was full, she just sat on the stroller/car seat/high chair and observed the world. Not a peep the entire 4 hours drive. The view out of the car windows were out of the world. Fantabulous landscapes, deep blue lakes, winding roads, rows of picturesque cottages,... For the first time, we also drove through the Gotthard Tunnel, which is the third longest road tunnel in the world. Its 17 Kms long! I let out a loud sigh when we came out of it both the times. Very claustrophobic. I drove the last half of the trip because Hd had to make some official phone calls. Even though I only drive when I have to, I enjoyed it immensely. During such times, I cant help but think about the past. A small town girl who thought "foreign" was some unreachable place far, far away from India and now driving on a Swiss highway with 2 little girls sleeping at the back of the car. If all this is a dream, I don't ever want to wake up.

27.04.2009

Let's get one thing out of the way, Ashu. Whoever coined the phrase "Terrible Twos" did nt live long enough to see the Threes! What a year this has been, huh? I'm sure that if you wrote a letter every year, you would rate me the lowest this year. But since you cant, let everyone hear my side of the story. But to be fair, I remember only the last part of this year clearly and it was nt so much fun. Let me rewind and try now. Oh yes, becoming an Older Sister. You love being an Akka. Theres no doubt about it. And you take the role seriously too. You don't do anything half way through. I love the way you watch out for Antu. How you watch like a hawk when shes playing in you room. Always keeping an eye on her to see if shes putting something in her mouth, if she tries to grab something she should nt,... I love how easily you accepted her into our family. Not that you had a choice but you did nt know that, did you? I can see you cant wait for her to get bigger. You are innocently thinking that she ll be four years soon and play with you forgetting the fact that you ll be seven then and would nt want to do anything with her because shes just a BABY!

You also started Pre School this year. New class, new teachers and new friends. You adjusted quite fast and even made a best friend within a month or so. Your best friend G is a lovely girl and you both compliment each other very well. I love your definitions of a friend. That G helped you carry your lunch box. That G did nt include S but included you in a game. Because you held G's hand. Its also a huge relief that you love school. I was afraid you ll turn out like me and fake tummy ache every morning to get out of going to school. If you did, Im sure I would have decided to home school you. Who wants to get up early in the morning and get ready for school I ask! As a grand daughter, you aced this year. But that's a crown you won even before you were born, is nt it? But I'm glad you spent a lot of time this year with your grand parents, aunt and uncle. Not a lot of little girls your age get that much time with their family. So remember that when you are bawling at the airport while leaving Grandma next time, OK? It does nt make a pretty sight to anyone and the murderous look my father gives me as if Im taking you away from your own mother(duh!) does nt bode well with me or your dad. We both want to live long, got it?

You are very independent. Make that very,very independent. VERY. It just might be a good thing two decades from now for you. But right now, you are just being a pain. Theres independence and then theres independence. Right now,you belong to the latter category. You don't even want to see our lips move to give you any suggestion. 'Wear the red socks, Ashu" and you ll pick up the yellow. "Wear your sweater, Honey" and you ll pick up your winter jacket. "Say thank you" and you ll stare rudely. "Whats the magic word, sweetie?" and you are *this* close to saying "RIGHT NOW?"! And lets not even get started about what a poor eater you are. I give up. You win, happy? Just leave me alone, ok? But no, lifes not that easy for a mom, is it? If I even get a little upset with you, you ll start saying sorry and would nt let me be until I say "Its ok". So there are a million "sorrys" and "its oks" said everyday in this household and Antu has nt even started talking yet, God help me! Just when Im ready to call it quits, you do the most cutest thing or say something so sweet that I just have this overwhelming desire to just eat you up and end this whole drama. Like how you still say "naalaiku" for yesterday instead of "nethikku" even though you can talk nineteen to a dozen and write a whole thesis in Tamil on certain subjects! Like the other day when you got mad at me and said "You are not my friend forever Amma" and walked off to your room. But a little later, you loudly announced "I have to go to the bathroom, Amma. I need your help when I'm finished. But you are not my friend, ok? But you have to help me, ok?" I know you did nt like it when I laughed aloud like that, but believe me it was utterly funny!

I love you, Ashu. The greatest thing about this year is that you know that I love you and that feeling is awesome. Thank you my dear girl, for making my life so colorful and please remember that not only do I love you but I ll love you always. Forever and ever and ever. Happy Birthday!

Love,
Amma.

Pregnancies revisited.

To beat my bloggers block, Im taking up CA's tag.I altered the tag to include both my pregnancies. As a second born, I get mighty upset when people are partial to first borns!! Hmpf!

1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED?
First - Yes. What was I thinking!!
Second - Yes. Boy, I don't learn a lesson easily do I?

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Fortuantely yes.
Still yes but unfortunately to the same guy.

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Was happy that we succeeded in our attempt.
The second time, I used a pregnancy test which I had bought in India. On the cover, there was this woman with a red lipstick. She had this constipated look and it was completely hilarious to look at the pic. So I was rolling on the floor laughing and Hd was all impatient and asked, So? And I tried to give the same constipated look like the woman and he burst out laughing.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
Yes if it were nt planned.
No.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
27
30

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
Home Pregnancy Test, Blood test, Urine test and a scan.
I knew it even before I took the pregnancy test. Human body is just amazing, is nt it?

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
My Sister.
My Sister.

8. DUE DATE?
30 April 2005
3 July 2008

9. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
Nope.
Nope.

10. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
Baby cucumber, bhel puri, murungai keerai adai,...
Nothing. There was nt any time to think about my needs.

11. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
Actually I was quite zen the first time.
The second time, everyone irritated me.

12. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
Girl.
Girl.

13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
No.
No.

14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
6 Kilos. (13 pounds)
4 kilos. (8 pounds)

15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yup. Two.
Hee hee hee! Did I ever?

16. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
One was a surprise. By my friends. The other was a traditional ceremony celebrated with the family.
Total Surprise.

17. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
No.
No.

18. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Basel, Switzerland.
Zurich, Switzerland.

19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
3 hours 40 minutes.
2 hours.

20. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL/BIRTH CENTER?
Taxi Driver.
Husband.

21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Husband.
Husband.

22. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
Natural.
Natural.

23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
No. Was nt given even though I begged.
No. I decided not to.

24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
2.720 kg (6 pounds)
2.950 kg (6+ pounds)

25. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?
3 days before the due date on 27 Apr 2005 at 3.40 am
6 days before the due date on 27 June 2008 at 11 am

26. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN THE DOCTOR ANNOUNCED THE SEX OF THE BABY?
It was a total surprise as everyone had said it will be a boy and I had made up mind to welcome a boy. So it was a total lottery.
We found out earlier. So we knew. And I was ecstatic as I think sisters are the best thing in the whole wide world next to sliced bread.

27. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST REACTION ON SEEING THE BABY?
I was seeing a new born baby for the first time in my life. And I was sure I ll never have a baby again(duh!) after the ordeal, so took a good look and tried to remember everything. And also made sure it was indeed a girl!
Took a good look to see if she was ok. Heaved a sigh of relief that I am done with this baby making business.

28. DID YOU CRY?
Nah!
Nah!

29. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Ashu
Antu

30. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
3 years 11 months
9 months

Ups and downs.

Last Saturday, Hd said he had some work at office for an hour and left at 11 am. I was grudgingly making lunch while at 12.30, the door bell rang. I opened the door to see MY SISTER standing at the door step with a big grin on her face. Hd was standing behind her busy taking a video!!! I went speechless for a whole minute while Ashu screamed, ran and hugged my sis. Antu crawled super fast to see what all the noise was about! Apparently, Hd and Sis were in the loop for the past few weeks planning her trip. Hd even faked an impending trip to New Jersey in May and asked me what I wanted from the US so that my sister can do some shopping for me and the kids! Sweet, huh?

But then things soured in the next 24 hours. On Sunday we went to a friends sons birthday party. It was held in an indoor play park. Hd, Sis, another mom and I were jumping and goofing around in the inflatable area. Sis fell from the climbing structure and hurt her ankle. She could nt even put her foot down. Hd took her to the hospital after the party and the Xray result did nt show anything broken. But we got a call from the hospital the next day and they asked my sis to come back for a scan. It was a fracture, after all. In the Tibia. So she was given crutches and a huge cast. It might take 8 to 12 weeks to recover. Bil took the next available flight and reached here on Tuesday so that they can go back together next week as sis will need assistance while traveling. Tomorrow theres another test to see if she ll need surgery. Sis is planning to get it done in the US if necessary. But we are hoping and praying that she does nt need one.

Ashu is having a ball what with her uncle and aunt being here. Enjoying all the goodies, toys, clothes and on demand stories and books. Sis is upset that she cant dance around with Ashu and cant go out to parks, lakeside and on trips. But nevertheless, we are having fun indoors. I fee so guilty as if I pushed her myself. (I did nt, OK?) I mean, here she came to Zurich all the way from California to surprise me spending money, effort and all the planning and this had to happen. She has to go back and get adjusted to this condition for the next 2 months at least. Cant go to work, cant walk without crutches, cant sleep in a comfortable position, has to be dependent,... Sucks!

Some Humor in Fracture:
Ashu took the breakfast tray for my sis and said "Get some soon"! LOL! no wonder Bil took the next flight and arrived, huh? ;)

Any chance she gets, she tells people "Perimma bone broken".

Any chance I get, I sing "Satti suttadhadaa" a la Sivaji Ganesan(with crutches) in Aalayamani movie much to my sisters annoyance.

Sis is most upset that this had to happen at a kids play area of all places. She thinks a skiing accident would have been so cool!!

The other day my mom called and asked my how I am doing. "Oru nondi Akka. Oru kai kuzhandhai. Oru rendunketaan ponnu. Oru udhavaakarai purushan, eppadi iruppennu neeye sollu"*, I answered in an over dramatic way. Hd was nt happy about the sandhula sindhu.

*an invalid sister, a helpless baby, a neither here nor there little girl and a useless husband. How do you think I am doing?

Idukkan varungaal naguga(If troubles come, laugh), right?

Around the World in 80 clicks. (sounds cool, huh? ;)

Motherhood is the best thing that can happen to a person like me.

I have a slight complex that I am not good enough. But in the role of a mother, I feel the most superior. Indispensable, actually. And the power that comes with it. That if i dont cook, the kids are nt old enough to order a pizza and I love it!

I am also shy. So motherhood is the perfect remedy. I can talk about breast feeding to complete strangers effortlessly now.

I cant believe that I was self conscious once. From a person whose worst nightmare was a bra strap showing, I am a proud breast feeding in public mamma.

This motherhood is a certificate which says Im officially a grown up now. So ready or not, I have to be one. Believe me when I say that if not for the kids, I would nt even get out of the bed most days! And hey, thats a good thing for a lazy person like me.

I like the fact that once we are mothers, theres no getting out of it. That the kids put a smile in my face even in their absence. That I almost shout "Look! a doggie" even when I have left the kids at home. That I can relive my childhood along with them. More importantly, that its my chance to screw up!! :)

Thanks HBM for the tag. I loved your reasons. HBM has started off this tag hoping to connect blogging Mothers all over the world in 80 clicks.

I pass this tag to

The Mad Momma from Delhi
Kiran from Bombay
Sue from Calcutta
Art Navy from Madras
Mona from Dubai.

Here are the rules:
just write a post of your own (5 things that you love about being a mom) and find someone to link to and tag - someone from your own country, if you like, but definitely someone from another country (Google is a good resource if you don't know any; google any country name and 'mom' in their blog search function) (be sure to let them know that you've tagged them!) - and link back here and HBM and leave a comment.

Pink Horse and the Dragon.

Ashus school had a show today. The teachers thought it would be a good idea to show us a short video of the production rather than a stage as the kids might get stage fright and not perform. It was a fabulous idea as the parents got to see the kids in their element in the classroom. So they had sent us the invitation tickets and made it like a movie premiere. Since Antu was nt feeling too well, Hd stayed home with her while I went to Ashus school mid morning. It was snowing a little and was very windy, did nt get a parking and ran to the school just in time. Ashu was waiting for me and I got a seat in the front row while Ashu sat on my lap with a big cone of popcorn. They projected the movie on the screen. The titles rolled, some of the children came on screen, the audience were smiling and whispering when my little girl in her pink sweater came on the screen busy painting something. I yelled "Ashoooooo", whistled and said "yay"!!! The other parents looked at me as if I had gone crazy! Well, its not my fault if they ve nt watched a Rajinikanth movie first day first show, is it? Anyway, it was a short movie and we could see the kids dancing, playing music, singing, painting, enacting a story,... It was such fun. And Ashu appeared in quite a few scenes and I think she clearly deserves an Oscar nomination. Then they had exhibited some of the stuff the kids have made and also served cookies and biscuits. Thanked the teachers, picked up Ashu even though it was early and came back home with a huge grin on my face. Kids are such fun! You want to know why? A couple of boys sitting near me were going "booooo" during the movie and I was like "are they booing their own movie"? LOL! To be kids again, without a care in the world! Sigh!