A Silent Change

There was once a girl. Unnamed. Some one like you or me. One with simple dreams. She had her whole life ahead of her. One who had a jump in her step and a twinkle in her eyes. One whose laughter would have brought wonderful joy into the world around her.

How do I know this? Because she was just like you or me.

And one day, just like that, she was no more. She suffered brutally. And that was not the way anyone should die. I wouldn't wish my worst enemy a torture an ounce of what she had to endure. Horrific, brutal, savage - these over-used words speak of a loss of language; none of them express how deeply we identify with her.

What was so special about her case, you may think. That thought is perfectly justified for such instances are, shamefully, a dime a dozen. You wouldn't find any single female in this whole vast nation who has one time or the other, not been victimised. Be it an unintentional display of male parts whilst walking to the market/school/college/office/just plain down the street. Or touched/squeezed/groped or have unwanted body parts shoved/pressed into any part of your body. Or raped. Be it a total stranger, or ones own father. Or by ten such monsters. Or fifty.

What made her special? She touched a chord in all of us. Irrespective of whether we are male or female. My thoughts - she was the tipping point of an over-boiled situation. That so happened at the nations capital.

I remained tight-lipped through out the whole instance. Although I identified with her on many different levels. I empathised and sympathasized with her. She brought on memories. Many that had been subdued, suppressed. Selective and intentional amnesia was my self-defence. She brought emotions I had long ignored. But amidst all this ruckus in my mind, my network, FB, flooded with invitations to march for her cause.

Judge me as you like, but this is sheer stupidity to me. What can you possibly garner by marching for her justice. Justice? Is there any such punishment that equates her torture for those monsters? Capital punishment? Castration? I mean, dude seriously? Does that even an iota near what she endured?

And so I will continue with my life. Unaffected. It will be the same for me, she is a total stranger where I am concerned. But yes, there will be a change.

My daughter. She should know who can touch her, and how. and where to draw the line. To be strong. Mentally. To survive against any atrocious odds that may, God-forbid, be thurst on her. Most importantly, she should learn self-defence and a form of attack. Know how to hurt and how to escape. Survive.

My son. He should know how to treat women. How to touch her, and how not to touch her. To empathise with her, her struggles and battles. To be strong physically and to protect. Protect any one who seeks or deserves. Respect, and protect.

Amanat. Damini. Nirbhaya. I do not know the name of the girl in the bus. She had a name, an identity of her own. She lives in every one of us now. Thank you, who ever you were, for pointing me in this direction, of self-survival for my babies.

Christmas '12

Muted celebrations this year. Here's one from D's Xmas in her preschool.

Musings on the Potty

The other day D was on the potty doing her thing. You know. Poop. I was standing beside her. Nope not for encouragement. More like waiting for her to get done and over with. All of a sudden she leaves me stumped with -

The Bum Effect

It's been quiet for a while here, and I'll get round to that in the next post.

In the meanwhile with S, on tummy time. Tickle on his back and reaction - he lifts his adorably edible bum. Fun for Ma, fun for the baby.



I'm loving it
Ma

Time alone

Well well well what do you know. This post has been lying in my draft for a month and I didnt even realise I skipped to post.



My sweet lil devil is joining a preschool today. Nothing permanent, this is a trial for a month. Mostly to keep her occupied and the adults sane. This ones just beyond the complex entry, so should there be any problem, Mama can run to rescue. SHe looked so grown up, backpack on, holding my hand. I'll admit it, I sniffed - just a bit.

With the older one enjoying her morning, the younger boy got to spend his first full morning with me.

He's a fun kid - I already knew that - but after spending a whole morning with just him? He's a fun kid!

I didn't think I could love anyone as much as my first one, until this little man came along and proved me wrong. He is absolutely delightful.

Two sweet and silly darlings. I am a blessed mother indeed.


Contentedly yours
Ma

A Kings Meal

My lil sunshine 

Tiny arms n legs fluttering about excitedly and sweet little pink lips opens wide enough to take in an elephant. And your whole body is enthused to relish a good meal.

You gaze oh so adorably at me and I swoon over you all over again.

I am in love, yet again. And savouring every tiny little bit, growing at an alarming rate. If only life had a pause button.

Swoon

Ma

Good Night, Sweet Child

For D

It's been so long since I've slept with you baby. Just the two of us. Alone. And how have I missed that. Our cuddling sessions. Smelling your hair when I wake up in the middle of the night. Your kicks and hugs. And fighting for the blanket. Story time. Prayer time. Our good night song, kisses and all. And most of all, your very presence. That comforting feeling of having you beside me.

Tonight is a lucky night. I have both if you sleeping beside me. Tonight, I'm blessed.

I love you, sweet babies. Love you to deaths.


Yours
Ma

4 Months - Round and Round We Go

For S

So we are onto our 4th month now .. Yay yippee yay :) Boy you have grown bigger than the weeny puny thing that you were. Had your 3rd month vaccine the day before. And yup. You make your presence felt baby. Bringing the house down?? That's an understatement. Given the fact that you were hungry. And two pricks just added to your decibels. Literally had the Doc running in circles :D

The bright side. You are on a healthy growth track. Seeing you on the weigh scale is what powers my breasts. Go boob power, go mommy ... Yay!!

The downside - you missed one vaccine shot. Seeing you cry melted his heart. Ears, rather. And decided to give you the missing dose at 6 months. Boy you are not spared.

My sweet little baby ( gosh has it really been four months already!) is rolling all over the place these past few days. From laying-on-my-back to i-love-tummy-time. And from tummy-time to bham-my-head-on-the-floor-and-I'm-on-my-back-wailing. I lay you down in one spot, and seconds later you're on the other side of the cot. You shall be dubbed "The Flash" in no time - and you aren't even crawling yet! I have a feeling we'll be in for quite the adventures when you start that up.

Right now you have somehow flipped a toy onto your back, gotten halfway stuck under a chair, and is eyeing D's ball. Fortunately, D is still obliviously sleeping away in our bedroom, so all remains peaceful and quiet out here.

Any minute now, though, she'll wake up and chaos will once again reign. Yes, we might be dealing with just a wee bit of possessiveness on the part of big sister these past few days. We're working through it, slowly but surely!

In the meantime, I will simply continue to be ridiculously proud of this happens-to-every-child accomplishment - my baby is mobile (and oh so cute)! And dream of the days gone by, where I could leave you to yourself.


Sigh!!
Ma

A Breath of Fresh Air

For both the brats

Today was one of THOSE days.

One of those ( very rare ) days where S would. not. stop. crying.

Where D held an extra special fondness for the word NO.

Where the hours draaaaagged by.

Where going to school meant dragging a toddler. Where the cook was in an extremely helpful mood ( in case you dont get it, yes I meant sarcastically ) and resulted in double work. Tantrums high in the air. and oh, did I mention? Where the baby would. not. stop. crying.

Finally I ( shrieked ) calmly stated, "OUT! OUT! GET SOME CLOTHES ON AND GET OUTSIDE!"

"But -"

"NOW!!!"

I don't know what it is about the outdoors, but it is magical.

S stopped crying. D cheered up.

I got some fresh air and badly-needed-oxygen to slow both my erratic heartbeat and temper.

I felt relaxed, and I find this to be true every time I move our grumpy selves outdoors. Why do I always forget? On those days full of whining and arguing and crankiness, why do I always forget? Go outside. Just go outside, and all will be well.

I don't know what it is about the outdoors that makes it so darn magical...but boy, do I love it.



Sighs
Ma

Pardon me, I'm a New Mommy and I have a Low Boiling Point

For no one in particular


I am tired of being puked all over!

I am tired of cleaning myself up only to be spit up on again five minutes later!

I am tired of being pooped on and peed on!

I am tired of generating an entire extra load of laundry every single day!

I am tired of waking up smelling like baby puke!

And I am sleepy tired of waking up at all odd times of the night!

*ahem*

Now that I've got that out of my system, I can get back to admiring my adorable little baby. I'll take him over dry clean clothes any day. And smelling nice? Overrated. Just remember to use that gives-you-an-instant-lift spray in my handbag.


Me

Six Years of Togetherness

This is a pre-dated post that missed to be published earlier. Well better late than never. 

For the love of my life


Today has been ten years since I said I will.

Not "I do." Far more than just that present moment. I will. As long as we both shall live, I will.

Though at times I stumble...I will love him.

Though I am only a frail human myself...I will comfort him.

Though I may falter...I will honor him.

Though difficult times come...I will keep him.

Though my flesh is weak...I will be faithful to him.

In sickness and in health.

Forsaking all others.

Beyond the fleeting feelings of now.

I will.

And for ten years, we have. We have loved, comforted, honoured, kept, and been faithful. There has been sickness and health, good times and bad, richer and poorer.

We have grown together over the past years, and our changes have only brought us closer. So much has happened in those short years. Two births - there is something indescribable about watching your husband become a father. So many moves, with all of their accompanying stress and good. Relocating to a strange strange land, bringing a time of maturation and refocus for us both. Along with the thrill of new explorations and frustration of some not-so-plesant discoveries.

This man has seen me at my worst and still loves me. He has survived pregnancy hormones with his usual enduring patience. He makes me feel beautiful despite my post-birth insecurities. He reminds me of God's provision when I start to wonder how we'll make it. He comforts me during times of frustration and sadness. He encourages me to try new things when I hesitate. He eats my experimental recipes, brave man that he is, and never complains - about anything, really.

I am blessed to know him, grateful to have married him, and content to rest secure in the knowledge that we will.



Love Always
Urs

Things I Want to Teach my Kids

For Everyone

Found this on a site today, and Came at an apt time, when I have been plunging into the depths of my heart, twisting and turning it around, trampling all over it, scared of moulding these two precious lives that have been placed into my hands. How, oh how am I to teach them things that has taken me a lifetime. As with any new parent, apprehensions abound. But this speaks right what my heart pounds to put to words.

( This has been adapted, to include only what my heart wants to convey ).



100 Things I Want to Teach My Daughter

- Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of body.

- The benefit of the doubt is sometimes the best gift we can give our friends.

- There will always be mean girls – that doesn’t mean we find a tower and Rapunzel ourselves away from the world.

- Your daddy has loved you better and longer than any boy ever will.

- Your brother will teach you how boys should treat you.

- You’re always welcome in my wardrobe.

- The world needs your point of view.

- Food is a joy. Don't shun it for the want of a barbie-size. Be healthy instead.

- Your body is strong and capable of more than you can imagine right now.

- Ice cream is a love language.

- Cook, decorate, clean, organize because you love to, not because someone tells you you’re meant to.

- Music makes everything better.

- Dance – especially when you’re doing the laundry.

- You’ll never be too old for me to rock you.

- Nothing you tell me will ever make me want to stop hearing from you.

- We need your story.

- No prayer request is ever too small, too silly or too embarrassing to share.

- Washing your face every night is the best kind of beauty routine.

- Sunscreen – you got my genes. And I ran quicker than ice-cream melts.

- Mr. Darcy and popcorn make for a perfect evening.

- A good movie can change how you understand someone else.

- Words can build bridges between people.

- Home is not where we live but who we love.

- Inevitably I will splinter your heart. But we will tweeze it out together.

- You taught me how to feel beautiful.

- Staying up late to read a good book is never time wasted.

- Good girls aren’t boring.

- A great mascara is always worth the investment.

- The “mommy wars” are a myth; we’re all in this together.

- The best way never to worry about anyone gossiping about you is never to gossip about anybody.

- Saying sorry first is a sign of strength not a weakness.

- I’m on your side; especially on the days when it doesn’t feel like it.

- Your body is not just yours. It’s a gift for your husband. I promise it’s worth waiting to unwrap together.

- Sex for the first time will require a beautiful sense of humor and a partner who’s in it for life.

- The movies lie. Passion isn’t a contorted exercise on a marble staircase, it’s doing the dishes together and lying with your feet touching in bed at the end of a long day.

- Marriage is an act of courage, commitment and sacrifice. It’s also the most fun you’ll ever have with your best friend.

- Always fight fair. But don’t be afraid to fight.

- Long hair requires a really good conditioner. And your grandmothers coconut oil head massages.

- God says He has made all things beautiful – that includes you, my love – no matter how you feel about your body

- Fashion is not my forte; I look forward to learning from you.

- I love the curves you and your brothers added to my body.

- A good cry is great therapy.
Christian women aren’t immune from cliques. Love on regardless.

- Bad hair days are inevitable.

- A strong man is never threatened by a strong woman.

- Go big even if it means failing big. Especially then.

- Be the friend you wish you had.

- Travel.

- You can’t control what others think about you. Let it go.

- A first kiss should be toasted, treasured, savored.

- I will be your best friend. But I will be your mother more.

- Stop for sunsets.

- Prince Charming isn’t a fairytale, he’s a myth

- Daughters teach us about our mothers. You gave me back my mom.

- God loves you for you. Not for your ability to bear children.

- Husbands need a wife. Not another mom.

- It’s true what they say about childbirth and then some.

- Love waits.

- Patience is never wasted.

- Don’t just Instagram your life. Live it.

- Don’t be afraid of a broken heart.

- The only thing holding you back from making a difference in the world will be yourself.

- Girlfriends are the best kind of free therapy there is.

- Don’t be afraid to be foolish.

- Real life is always better than online.

- A good friend loves at all times. Period.

- Eating too much candy or chocolate will be something your teeth make you regret in your thirties.

- I’m more interested in your growth than your happiness.

- I will earthquake wide open when you hurt.

- If it makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t do it, wear it or say it.

- Challenge yourself.

- Cross-cultural marriage is much harder than you can ever imagine when you first fall in love.

- Homesickness never gets easier.

- We need each other.

- Bad haircuts grow out eventually.

- You will love again.

- The painful truth is always easier than a messy lie.

- There’s no such thing as perfect.

- You can always come home.

- Nothing will make me love you less.

- Nothing will make me love you more.

- The mirror is not the boss of you.

- You’re the most brave when you’re the most scared and keep going anyway.

- Womanhood is a gift.

- I’m never tired of being your mother.

- You will always be my baby girl.




More later.


xox
Ma

Post-partum Six-month Ordeal

For Jals

Well, I have said it before. Breast feeding is effing hard. It's been a struggle on both counts. And this one is especially for Jals, to draw on when she becomes a mom herself. You don't want to take chances with my memory.

Of prime importance. Fluids fluids fluids. I can not express this enough. During Dew, I was a starved desert. Cos I was foolish enough not to know this. During S, 4 litres of water saved the day. Yes, I needed to relieve myself every half hour. But that's a small compensation for filled breasts.

Latching. Or successful latching. Read all about it. Again. And again. And again. The hold. The positions. Everything. Thankfully D was a pro from day one. But S. boy he gave me hell. A full 2 months of it. He still goes off track occasionally. But keep correcting from the very beginning, no matter how many attempts it takes.

Do what you think is right. Fight for it if needed. A mother does know best. Esp her child. You may feel overwhelmed at the beginning. But stick by it.

Household help. Hmmmm. Do I really need to say anything about this? ;D 2 perfect characters that we had ... Could go for a book in itself. Look back and laugh. But dealing with it when you are in your post-partum blues is quite another ball game.again, stick to what you think is correct. If any doubts, check with a doctor.

Rest. I cannot emphasise this enough. Take the break, you deserve it. And need it completely. Let Ma/Vlyma/s carry the baby as much as possible, and you take care if yourself. That's what both the baby and you need right now.

Medicines. Doctor prescribed - follow to the T. Ayurveda - on your comfort level. Ma will understand and come to terms with it. After giving you a big piece of her mind, though. And well wishers, don't even bother.

Do go in for the massages and bath though. Not for medical reasons, if any does exist. But it's a great stress reliever.

More when my memory comes back. Right now, robot-mode on.


Love
G

Singlemindedness

For D and S

I keep thinking I need to write, I need to write about something, anything, besides these beautiful little children on my lap. You're intelligent kids, I tell myself. Surely you have something to say beyond the ramblings of a love-struck mother.

But I don't. Not yet, anyway.

One day I'll come out of this baby fog. I'll remember that I am a person in my own right, someone with my own thoughts and interests. I'll stop being so distracted. I'll be more conscientious when it comes to my other responsibilities. I can't blame it on exhaustion or a slow recovery or adjusting to two kids. This is all I can offer you by way of explanation, complete and utter infatuation.

For now, though, I'm giving myself permission to be entirely lost in you both.

You're both growing so fast, you see. I swear, I can almost watch it happen. Each diaper change, S's a little bit bigger; each morning, D's a little more alert. Her tiny head is already reached by my hip. The smallest of S's sleepers will soon be packed away.

I sit down at the keyboard to write and all I can write about is you both. I wake up in the morning and find myself still curled protectively around you. At noon, when you both nap, I don't know what to do with myself after a while. I begin wandering aimlessly through the house, tidying things here, sorting things there, until either of you wake up and I can have you in my arms again.

I am completely captivated.

I hope you'll forgive me, then, for writing about little else during these early weeks. One day I'll talk about our official entrance into the world of homeschooling. I'll share what's been cooking in my kitchen, forming in the insides of my head and heart, or what music is playing on my laptop. I'll swoon over my fabulously creative boy and my ridiculously sweet toddler I'll share the beauty of revelations discovered as I come to know more deeply this God who sings over His children. All of it, more, it will come in time.

For now, though, I'm all wrapped up in these little ones. I'll tell you about how very precious you look sleeping on the Dad's chest (and how very very sexy my husband looks with a baby sleeping on his chest), how unbelievably soft his skin is, how dark her beautiful eyes are. I'll be slow - forgive me - in replying to emails and tending to my to-do list. I'm simply busy taking them in, taking in every moment of this too-soon-gone newborn season.

Because tomorrow he'll be walking and the next day she might be walking down the aisle, just like that. As it is, she's already figured how to swing herself on the duck swing by now, and he's too eager to sit by himself!

I don't want to spend that day wishing I'd held either of you more.


Loving every moment of now
Ma

My Daddy Strongest

For D

The Dad reached this morning ... Yay. Have missed him like crazy this time round. We aren't strangers to long distance relationships, but this time took the cake. Anyways, I'm just glad he's here now. Albeit for 3 weeks. He's here now.

So, D wakes up happy happy this morning. Dad plays, takes her out. I dump breakfast on his head, he scuffles by.

Some time later in the morning. Scene is snide the house. D takes her ball, calls Dad to come play with her. Dad tries to escape call of duty by pretending to snore.

D - Dad is a lion !!!

Round one for D.



Lols
Ma

Little Miss Mowgli

For D

Little Miss Mowgli
Climbing up the chairs
Skipping across rooms and
Jumping down the stairs

Naughty Miss Mowgli
Standing on her head
Swinging over the cupboards
And hopping on the bed

Sweet little Mowgli
She is Mama's pet
Naughtier by the day she grows
Like her, no one else you'll get

The Things thatCome Out From My Mouth

For D

There are times when you confuse me. And times when you make me gasp in wonder, reliving my kiddy days. And then there are other times. When you bring out the Durga in me. Make my blood boil, so to say. Today was one such. But with a difference. Today was extreme. For me. I said something that I should never have. That I am ashamed of.

Today, I told you to shut up.

The second those words were uttered, I felt a blow in my stomach. I had let my temper get the better of me.

I'm sorry baby, I truly am.



Hanging down in shame
Ma

Thanksgiving

Take a reality check, this has been only about D and S so far. Well, it's time we up a notch, what say. Ma's gotta have someplace to offload her rants. So here goes. And this is selfishly, only for me.

Pregnancy, pre and post. They has not done much to my temper. Its only added to it, and sadly the brunt of it has been lashed out on my parents. Needless to say it hurts me at a very very deep level. This is not what they deserve, for looking after my babies. Some they have brushed off. Some they took with a pinch of salt. And some they kicked my posterior. Yes, that I did deserve.

But for all those moments, all those disagreements, the entire episode of post-natal tantrums, I am eternally grateful to them. For being the people they are. For allowing me to express my desires. To make my own mistakes. For being my rocks.


Love you to bits, Ma n Acha.
Mmmuah
Me

Reflections

Things I dint know being a parent meant :

- That my face would be a wall for kids artwork.

- That I'd spend an hour putting baby to sleep, only to wake him up in 2 minutes, just to check if he's still breathing.

- That I'd have to figure out how to pee without putting baby down.

- That the wear and tear of my credit card is directly proportional to the cuteness of an outfit, irrespective of how many ever they have. Also true for the number of times I visit the toy store.

- That mealtime would be an unquestioned entry into the Guiness world record for the fastest eater.

- That conversation bloopers with a 2 year old would be the highlight of your day.

- That my breasts, and not ears, would tell me when baby is waking up.

- That I'd have fervent cats n dogs fights with my own parents to make my own mistakes raising my kids.

Note to self - remember for your own kids, when they grow up.

- That the heart just keeps on growing bigger in love.


Amazed
Me

Snapshots of a Memorable Onam

Sunshine, your first Onam. And Dew, this was the first time you had a 'pookalam'.

A Tale of 2 Gods

For D

Story time started. Per your demand, stories of Gods, Rakshasas and the like. No Cinderella Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. Guess I should be glad cos that is sure to come in later years.

Anyways, last night, I showed you the book we had bought last year this time ( yeah yeah I am like that, storing is in my blood. Thanks Ma. Hmmmpf ) so I start with the first story. But am stopped before I begin.

No Ma, I'll tell you the story.

Hmm that's nice. All right let's try it out. And here the unadapted version.

Mmmmm. This is Ram Ambatty. And he says to Durga Devi Ambatty - 'your lion says rrrrroar'. And Durga Devi Ambatty says - 'thechi manda ramtu lasi'.

Spent the rest of the night laughing my head off :D


Still in splits
Ma

New Beginnings

For D

Your first Onam pookalam (flower arrangement) baby. Of course you were actively playing around the garage, while your grand parents were busy with the actual arrangement. And Ma was busy snoring ;)


Proudly
Ma

Shot in The Open

For D

Baby doll you are getting quite expert at embarrassing me in public. Took you along with me to see a Doc today. This time round you were reluctant to sit for even a minute. And being a holiday, there was a waiting crowd too. Two minutes, and you start grabbing my arm n heading towards the exit. This time I refuges to budge from my seat.

And in all glory, and with the wisdom of a few fifty years behind you, you proclaim to the crowd - Amma stuckaayi ( Ma's stuck ).

Do I even need to say, we were out of the door before you could utter another syllable.


Buffff n vanished into thin air
Ma

Scary Explorations

For D

No baby. A 'promaganate' does not go inside your pee-pee area.

Time starts officially to have an eye on you. All the time.


Dad - boy you are in trouble when we join you.



Goops
Ma

Frustration !!!!

For Me n Myself


Wanna SCREAM MY HEART OUT. N it's too bloody bogging to write it down. Just tell the world to shove it up my posterior. So there. Sue me. N see if I care.



Aarrrrrrgh
Ma

A Funny Thing Called Marriage

For D


Today's conversation went like this.

D - Amma what is this?
Me - that's my thali mala baby.
D - who put it for you?
Me - dad
D - whose dad
Me - (smiles) your dad
D - were you sad?

Huh !!?!? How did she associate it like that??


Stumped
Ma

What's in a Name?

For D n S

Weird how, when a babe is born, there's a sudden influx of nick names. No matter how beautiful a name the parents would have chosen. I mean, u gotta give them credit here. There's the usual 9 months of torture. Haggling. Nagging. Exploring. Then a yay-I've-hit-the-jackpot-and-jumping-in-the-air feeling when you come across the sweetest name on earth.

Enter the family.

You'd have what, 200 nicknames before you were 2 months. Maybe we should have a category in the Guinness records ??

Hmmm so lets see yours.

D, Sid ( duh, that's quite obvious )
Siddu ( gimme something original )
Dew, dewdrop, Sunshine ( yeah that's more like it )
The usual mallu kiddo names ... Kanna, kutta, monu, sudara/ri, veshu kutta, chandu kutta, unni kutta, this kutta, that kutta or anything kutta. Anything.

D's special for S -
veshu muthe
Aniyan vave, also substitute baby for vava

Ammas special - dewdrop n sunshine. But I already mentioned that. Hmmm.
Woody woodpecker. For both of you.
Diku n Tittu ( rhymes with Dew n Sidhu. U r gonna kill me now, aren't you )

Mema special - kunju meen. D that ones yours. S needs to have a similar one. And so, kunju pakshi.

S, you have the coup de grace - buddha ambaaty. Ha. courtesy Dew. God alone knows who put this into her head.

And I get the feeling I'll have a second version to this post in a year or so. Heh. Well, cheers till then.


Mmmmuah
G aka Gia aka Giri and so on and so forth. Go forth n multiply.

Besties

For D

Your first BFF - Tammy. These were taken on her 2nd b'day.

An Elephants Posterior

For D

Drew this for you today. Your mema n my staple. Asked if you want this.

Pat comes the reply - No. It stinks. (Naarum)



Laughed my posterior off :)
Ma

Bosom Buddies

For S

You stare at it in rapt attention
Have captivating soundless conversations
Laughter giggles and chuckles abound

Your current best friend, the curtain :)


Amused
Ma

Like Father, Like Daughter

For the Dad

Great. Just great. You've taught her well. She calls her (current) best friend T .... 'mottae' (baldy). Thanks.

Now you undo the damage you have done.


Grrrrr
Ma

Of Kidnappings and Abductions - Part 2

For S

Ok I think I spoke too soon. Its barely a day since she left and now she plans to kidnap you too !!!


Yikes
Ma

Talents Hitherto Unseen

For S

Boy you are gonna be one hell of a kid to manage. Who else, 52 days from birth, manages to pee INTO a clock ???


Amazed ;-P
Ma

Of Kidnappings and Abductions

For D

Dew, if I ever find you missing, gone for any reason, well, to put it bluntly - kidnapped. Abducted. You get my point. I know PRECISELY who I should chase after. And who the fellow conspirator will be. She's been threatening this for quite a while now. 2 years, 5 months odd, to be exact.

Sunshine, sorry baby but it's your sister that she lusts after. My guess is, that's gonna change pretty soon and she's gonna have another victim. Gulp!!

Dad, we need to re-plan the security at home. Immediately. As in RIGHT NOW!!!


Slightly scared, mostly amused
Ma

Noooooo

For D

Baby, know what your fav words are right now? 'No' and 'Its MINE' (endeyaa). Usually spoken in shrill LOUD decibels.

All a part if the learning process, they say. It's usual for a 2-year old, they say. You will learn to share in good time, they say.

When, I ask!!!

Know my fav thought nowadays?

This too shall pass.


Grudgingly
Ma

Night Time Killjoy

For S

Take a look at the timing of this and the previous post. Atleast I have G-ma for company, the poor thing.

Go to sleep, Sonki Monki. This mama needs some zzzzz.



Dead tired and worn out
Ma

Yay Yipee Yay

For S

Your 6 weeks check-up today and guess what? Your are 4.7 kgs !!! Yay !!! Way to go mom :)

I needed this motivation, have been pretty much a Debbie Downer the past week. Breast feeding is effing hard. That's all I have to say about it. It was a complete downer during D's initial months and I guess I was a border line depressionist then. And she was loosing weight the first month. First kid. No knowledge. Working on some blind faith. Being led by less-than informed people, to put it quite diplomatically.

Going by such low standards, plus, last weeks depression-mode, this was just what I needed to boost myself up. And I'm singing in my heart :)

Here's a pic of you after the vaccine - double shots on your thighs, and yes baby, you brought the roof down at the hospital.




Trrrraaa dum dum ...... dum
Ma

A Tie that Binds Forever

For S

Baby, your sister loves you. She lives you a lot. A huge lot. Sometimes I think, she kisses you way more than I or your G-ma. It's true baby.

It's so achingly adorable to see her smother you so. Hugging you. Kissing you. Cuddling you. Loving you. Talking and playing with you. Waiting eagerly for you to play with her. Shes been doing that ever since she realized theres a baby in me. And i think making her talk to you from then on, shows now.

What surprises me is how you respond to her. As though you are aware of her. Turning towards her instinctively when she comes near you. Or perhaps that's because of her voice? Today you were reaching for her. As though trying to touch her. Move towards her. Extending your arms into the beyond, knowing that she will hold you.

Is that even possible baby? Are you aware of her? It's just over a month. Six weeks, to be exact. How can you know? DO you know?

Somewhere from the depths of my heart, comes the answer. Just as your arms reach for her again.


Amazed ...
Ma

Togetherness

Love on the Turtle mat :D

Do Co Mo

For D

One of my craziness, escentricies or whatever, I've loved ads more than an actual TV programme. Especially the jingles. And I think baby doll, I just might have passed these crazy genes onto you.

Like mother like daughter, eh sweetie ;p

O re aaa o oooooooo

Yup this tune will haunt us forever.


Mmmmmuah
Ma

Click Click

28 May 2012 - your first snaps together.

Morning Blues

Sleepyhead wakes up from a dream and asks 'Where is Acha?'

Bath time in bucket, I ask her casually what she dreamt of.

Reply - saw Acha, he said 'sonky monky' !!

Looks like this ones stuck for good.


Stumped
G

D’s Aniyan Baby

D, you were just over a year and half, when we knew that S was going to join us soon. Not that it was planned, to use the age-old excuse - it just happened. But that said, we knew you were still young to grasp the meaning of Ma’s bulging tummy, or that someone so beautiful and who will be a life-long companion for you, would be coming out from within.

And thus started our attempts at getting you to understand that. Initial attempts at explaining baby in Ma’s tummy dint work out, and fizzled out. And lo comes our nickname to the rescue – you got it immediately that … whats in Ma’s tummy? Luttu2 !!!

Come May and with it the attempts of converting Luttu2 into Baby. Thankfully this round was immediate victory.

But darling Dewdrop, nothing, absolutely nothing prepared me for how you’d call our sweet li’l Sunshine. The second day in hospital, when I’d regained my awareness (and my pain) and got back into the room, and you came to visit us. There was the sweetest sound in the world, calling out ‘Atha Aniyan baby’!!! By default that progressed to ‘Diade aniyan baby/vava’. Full of emotions as I am, could not help the overflow. Blame it on the raging hormones baby J

The bigger issue though was to get you from grabbing him. Baby you are now just about 2 and half, gradually grasping how to hold, touch, or understand how it would hurt others. The experiments were not on S, thank God, phew! But there were times when we tried to get you away from him, and there like lightning, goes out ur hand to grab hold of him. You were merely stating your intention that you wanted more time with him, and those were impulsive uncontrollable moves.

Mothers instinct to the rescue – and the solution is very simple. Just don’t say 'No'. Instead get your attention to someone else.

Worked like magic. Ur grandparents were hard to convince at first, but they soon saw through you and got into the groove.

Now we have a hard time keeping you away from him. Constantly smothering him with kisses and hugs. Its adorable to see you babying him.

S, are u listening ? Remember baby, shes been holding you close from the time you came into our arms.

Love

Ma

Nicknames

For D and S


June 18, 2012



The Dad is crazy. Wacky. Weird. Wild. And totally unpredictable.

Why?

Here's one reason.


Crazy Dad teaches D - what does Aniyan baby call u?

D - Dia chechi !!!


Dad - what do u call Aniyan baby?

D - Sonki monkey !!!




Dad, I bow to thy feet !!!






Loonily yours
Ma

Jalumemada Bangalorillu aarekoya illathu?

For D n Jals

Jun 6, 2012

And to this, pat comes D’s reply - Jalumemade Bangloorillu poocheyunde, doggie unde, Sammy mama unde.

No exaggerating Jals, it was in this order.

LOLs

G

Our Luttapi Babies

For D and S

To say that the Dad has a delectable sense of humor, is an understatement. I wouldn’t compare to his standards, but my attempts have sure yielded some effort J One of my fav personal jokes were our nicknaming our yet-to-be-born babies - Luttapi and Kadalundi. In short, Luttu and Kundi. ( Go ahead and laugh, we had cracked ribs for a while, before it got stale ).

True to our word, after our err-ehem-ehem struggles of conception, when we had our first news of D, out came her nickname till birth - Luttu. Got to be quite a favorite among the Rest of the Cast, mind you both.

And before we knew it, with a bang came news of S. Totally unpredicted, and we weren’t even trying. Seriously. But boy what a surprise was he. And in keeping with the tradition, aptly named for the 9 months that he was inside – Luttu2. Honestly, though I’d joked about it, just din't have the heart of calling him Kundi ;)

D, you were still quite young to understand when S was kickboxing inside me. But you kind of got the message that there was a baby inside my tummy, even got you calling him Luttu2. And you learnt to respond as well, when asked whats in mummys tummy, with an adorable reply – ammede vayattilu Luttu2 inde.

Thankfully you transitioned immediately after he was born, to calling him your Aniyan baby and Aniyan vava, rather than embarrassing us with Luttu2, or pointing to Ammas tummy again ;) conceding that I’d not lost pregnancy weight immediately.

Well, heres the beginning of our saga J and cheers to a life full of adventures, my lovely Luttapies.

Love in abundance,

Ma

Introducing the GRanDS

An official introduction to the unique characters in this blog, who comprise my existence.

Purely in order of how we entered this world.



R - a.k.a. the Dad - a.k.a. my Sweetheart

So to say the head of the family, yet he remains my baby. Hard working, yet hardly working. Has an umblical cord attached to his laptop and phone. But mostly to the Tv. Addicted to old Mal and new Tam movies. And funny dialogues. And the couch. Hyper-allergic to the words ‘Lets go out somewhere’. Memory of an elephant. Has its appetite too. Hardcore gossipmonger, yet the keeper of secrets.

My rock. And the Best Dad. Ever.


G - a.k.a. Ma

I, Me, Myself. Traditionally conservative, yet contemporarily . Loves the words ‘Lets go out somewhere’. Memory of a chameleon (oondh). With the appetite of an elephant. Emotionally imbalanced, with moodswings to match. Loves passionately. Hates passionately. Forgives passionately.

No further words needed ;)


D - a.k.a.Dewdrop

Now 2 years old. Drama queen galore. With an ever-growing vocabulary that stuns me every.single.day. Tantrums putting her grandparents to the heights of frustration.

Our sweet angel.


S - a.k.a.Sunshine

Squeaky boy. Now 3 weeks old. Expert in 5 things. Sleep. Wake up and cry. Drink milk. Pee. Poop. Sleep again. The cycle continues.

U're our sunshine after the rain ...



The rest of the cast - a.k.a. The Extended Family

The grand-parents. And great grand-parents. On the Dad's side. And the Ma's side. The immediate uncles, and aunts. The grand-parents' brothers, and sisters, and uncles, and aunts. And the paternal and maternal extended uncles, and aunts. And the uncles' and aunts' sons and daughters. And their grand-parents, spouses and children. And so on and so forth.