As usual, we had three parties for her! Her birthdays have generally been like some kind of year end festival for us, with fringe activities and main events! This year the main event was an Outer Space themed Birthday Party for her at my place.
Theme was my choice - guess from next year, we need to consult with the birthday girl as to choice of theme!
The party was a hit - if I may say so myself.
House was a mess :-( - some things cannot be helped though.
I should definitely have more play dates though - no need to organise any thing in advance, just lay out the toys and we can have lots of fun! I have lego, puzzles, doll house, cooking toys, art and craft materials (that one can be planned and led for good effect and a good over all experience), figurines of land and sea animals, sorting toys, balls in a tent, bubbles - all immensely fun for children!
This party had a treasure hunt - Find the Missing Planets - a joint group effort where children has to locate planets and stars and stick them on a board. - now we have a beautiful display chart created by the children of the solar system! -my own brainwave, this one! very proud of it ;-) but initial idea to have treasure hunts was my mum's last year.
Then we had a space dance freeze game - played music from Enthiran and children danced - Shruthi is one super dancer! Akshaya is def interested in dance.
Then, pass the earth - just pass the parcel with the parcel being the earth!
Then, outer space craft - so simple and so fun! children coloured a rocket ship and planets and stars, cut them out and stuck them on to a black paper decorated with shiny stars - overall effect was beautiful! Saro helped write their names on top of the papers in silver which added a touch of glam - beautiful things they could each take home. - this was inspired from reading online.
Then, bubble play - hahah - the best, the simplest
Hit of the party - special appearance by Santa claus! It being christmas, my father dressed up as santa and gave presents and took pictures with the children. This was Kavitha's idea which I just followed up with - buying the costume and all.
At the end of every game, every child got a little something - either a chocolate or a jelly or a prize -nice! I enjoyed the party. Plannning only took a week this time, compared to last year where I spent like 3 weeks planning it.
In terms of spacey decoration - we had books on space displayed around the house, the play room had blue and black balloons and stickers of outer space. not much else really! the games were related to space though, to make up for the lack of decoration. oh, and the plates were all shimmery and metalic, to give a space like touch, blue and silver streamers for some effect (though that just made it look more christmassy then spacey!) and my invite was spacey too - had a tag line in an explosion =- "It's going to be outta this world!" - I hope it was for the kids!
Some ideas for future parties:
1. Dinosaur
2. Music
3. Characters (barney, little miss and mr men,)
4. Jungle animals again - or some other animals,
Monday, December 26, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Ashwin is here!
Did I tell you that my son is here? my god - it sounds so different!
I have put kannu on my own family I think - but if it's in a private blog - it should not matter right?
anyway, he's here and we are so happy and so proud of him!
His name is Ashwin Ram Saravanan. Pretty cool eh?
I introduce him as Ashwin most of the time.
This boy... he's naturally conceived, brought into this world by the force of his father's desire for a son! and an answer to our prayers too, especially those of my daughter's. God is very very kind you know. He's worked miracles for us to have this baby. First he blessed us with Akshaya - an answer to our many years of prayers and then he's blessed us with Ashwin, an answer to all our prayers again, but specifically Akshaya's, for a thambi paapa.
I have some concerns of course - I'm sure they are natural concerns right? I shouldn't feel guilty about articulating these fears even in a private blog! but ya - I mean, I think its' very important to have siblings. I cherish my relationship with my brother, my growing up years with my brother whom I count as my friend as well as a brother. It's something special, no one else can ever take the place of a sibling. it would have been lonely growing up an only child. especially in this world where both parents tend to work - who would an only child bond with at home? already my daughter tells me of the new world order.
"Mums and Dads go to work. Aunties stay at home to look after the children!" and this is even with my mum around to help with bringing her up!!!!
So yes, more than ever, in this world, in this time and day and age, we need siblings. Am I protesting too much you think? If I am so convinced of this need then why go through all this effor to convince myself?
well... it's like this. I miss my daughter. There, I've said it.
doesn't help that my mum keeps insisting my son needs me more and when she makes all these rather insidious asides like, 'someone likes their first one more, someone wants to spend more time with their first one... " something like that - like it's something wrong.
you know, in actual fact, I'm not liking my first one more - I love them both, this is something I discovered within two weeks of having a second child - time is divided, but not love. I am so happy to have found that out, coz that was another secret worry I had been having.
quotable quote eh?
"When you have more than one child, Time is divided but not Love"
Back to my mom's funny comments - yes, so I dont' love one more than the other. however, I do miss my first one. I am wracked by guilt that I can't spend as much time with her as I would like to.
But, hey, she needs to grow up too right? growing up means growing more independent.
All the Literature I've read, all the people I've spoken to, they all stress the importance of giving time to the first one, of going out of the way not to let the first one feel left out - even my dad has told me that -
haiyah, it's just my mum then. her personality and her beliefs.
For one thing, she tends to prefer boys. just a bit, won't even admit it maybe, but it's there. Then possibly, she believes a new born needs his mum more than a toddler. but seriously, who can quantify these needs huh? many grown ups need their mums very much you know. I for one!
so, I am not going to let my mum's comments bother me. people are who they are and have their own beliefs. for my first one, I had to battle against her beliefs about breastfeeding, but she came around to accept that we wanted to breast feed that we believed in it, more than she did and she respects that. for this child - no problems at all. there's been no battle with regards to breast feeding.
now she probably feels, hey there are so many people to care for the first one, I can just give my attention to the 2nd one. but I can't. sometimes, I just feel like letting the baby cry a little bit longer so I can spend time with my first one, or at least complete my activity with the first one. she already waits very long for me, to complete feeding him changing him etc. Then I get ready to do something with her, and he cries again. and I don't feel like just quitting on her, esp if someone else is around to look out for the boy for awhile or something.
Thank goodness my husband seems to understand. he doesn't judge me for wanting to spend time with akshaya. he understands it. in fact, both of us are trying to spend time with her.
I am very grateful we are here with my parents though. because there are enough people to distract her. my mum, my dad, my brother (wow - she adores him!) and the helper. like last night, wow, I thanked god for her! coz my parents and saro went out and it was just my two children the helper and me at home and the baby was colicky all the time I was with him, - it was exhuasting! and thank god my helper was with Akshaya and she was willing to be with her instead of with me for the whole time - a good 3- 4 hours okay! my dad took her down to play, my mum bathed her, and the helped fed her. amazing! I couldn't have done any of that with baby crying like anything.
I asked her to pray for her brother, coz he was in such pain - just an infant you know - poor thing, and she did, and can you believe it - he burped as soon as she prayed! twice! I tell you, my child speaks to god. only like children can. in full simplicty, innocence and complete belief. it's amazing.
and she helped to burb him too, rubbing his back ever so gently when he was lying on my stomach.
my helper was on the phone and so unable to hear me ask for something to eat. I called out to my daughter, and she came running okay! left her play and came running to see what I wanted. then she went and got the helper, (coz she couldn't open the fridge door) and then went and got me a pear. I was just so hugely touched by everything she did yesterday. I must thank God - God never gives us more than we can handle, ever!
so after all that, when she wanted me to put her to sleep, I just coudn't refuse. she said, "Aatha, can you put me to sleep in payya iyya's room? I miss you!": AAAhhhh.. heart strings literally tugged . so I did. by then my parents and brother had come home and were more than ready to put her to sleep but I bulldozed my way in and claimed that job for myself! baby was crying again, poor darling, but I left him with saro and the helper and my mum! after all, the only thing I could do for him that they can't is give milk and I had aleady been feeding him practically non stop for the past 3 - 4 hours!
course, my mum didn't know all this background. so she felt I was abandoning my crying new born in favour of my toddler! hahaha.. quite understandable too, coz that's how it looked like! feels good to get things out like this!
I have put kannu on my own family I think - but if it's in a private blog - it should not matter right?
anyway, he's here and we are so happy and so proud of him!
His name is Ashwin Ram Saravanan. Pretty cool eh?
I introduce him as Ashwin most of the time.
This boy... he's naturally conceived, brought into this world by the force of his father's desire for a son! and an answer to our prayers too, especially those of my daughter's. God is very very kind you know. He's worked miracles for us to have this baby. First he blessed us with Akshaya - an answer to our many years of prayers and then he's blessed us with Ashwin, an answer to all our prayers again, but specifically Akshaya's, for a thambi paapa.
I have some concerns of course - I'm sure they are natural concerns right? I shouldn't feel guilty about articulating these fears even in a private blog! but ya - I mean, I think its' very important to have siblings. I cherish my relationship with my brother, my growing up years with my brother whom I count as my friend as well as a brother. It's something special, no one else can ever take the place of a sibling. it would have been lonely growing up an only child. especially in this world where both parents tend to work - who would an only child bond with at home? already my daughter tells me of the new world order.
"Mums and Dads go to work. Aunties stay at home to look after the children!" and this is even with my mum around to help with bringing her up!!!!
So yes, more than ever, in this world, in this time and day and age, we need siblings. Am I protesting too much you think? If I am so convinced of this need then why go through all this effor to convince myself?
well... it's like this. I miss my daughter. There, I've said it.
doesn't help that my mum keeps insisting my son needs me more and when she makes all these rather insidious asides like, 'someone likes their first one more, someone wants to spend more time with their first one... " something like that - like it's something wrong.
you know, in actual fact, I'm not liking my first one more - I love them both, this is something I discovered within two weeks of having a second child - time is divided, but not love. I am so happy to have found that out, coz that was another secret worry I had been having.
quotable quote eh?
"When you have more than one child, Time is divided but not Love"
Back to my mom's funny comments - yes, so I dont' love one more than the other. however, I do miss my first one. I am wracked by guilt that I can't spend as much time with her as I would like to.
But, hey, she needs to grow up too right? growing up means growing more independent.
All the Literature I've read, all the people I've spoken to, they all stress the importance of giving time to the first one, of going out of the way not to let the first one feel left out - even my dad has told me that -
haiyah, it's just my mum then. her personality and her beliefs.
For one thing, she tends to prefer boys. just a bit, won't even admit it maybe, but it's there. Then possibly, she believes a new born needs his mum more than a toddler. but seriously, who can quantify these needs huh? many grown ups need their mums very much you know. I for one!
so, I am not going to let my mum's comments bother me. people are who they are and have their own beliefs. for my first one, I had to battle against her beliefs about breastfeeding, but she came around to accept that we wanted to breast feed that we believed in it, more than she did and she respects that. for this child - no problems at all. there's been no battle with regards to breast feeding.
now she probably feels, hey there are so many people to care for the first one, I can just give my attention to the 2nd one. but I can't. sometimes, I just feel like letting the baby cry a little bit longer so I can spend time with my first one, or at least complete my activity with the first one. she already waits very long for me, to complete feeding him changing him etc. Then I get ready to do something with her, and he cries again. and I don't feel like just quitting on her, esp if someone else is around to look out for the boy for awhile or something.
Thank goodness my husband seems to understand. he doesn't judge me for wanting to spend time with akshaya. he understands it. in fact, both of us are trying to spend time with her.
I am very grateful we are here with my parents though. because there are enough people to distract her. my mum, my dad, my brother (wow - she adores him!) and the helper. like last night, wow, I thanked god for her! coz my parents and saro went out and it was just my two children the helper and me at home and the baby was colicky all the time I was with him, - it was exhuasting! and thank god my helper was with Akshaya and she was willing to be with her instead of with me for the whole time - a good 3- 4 hours okay! my dad took her down to play, my mum bathed her, and the helped fed her. amazing! I couldn't have done any of that with baby crying like anything.
I asked her to pray for her brother, coz he was in such pain - just an infant you know - poor thing, and she did, and can you believe it - he burped as soon as she prayed! twice! I tell you, my child speaks to god. only like children can. in full simplicty, innocence and complete belief. it's amazing.
and she helped to burb him too, rubbing his back ever so gently when he was lying on my stomach.
my helper was on the phone and so unable to hear me ask for something to eat. I called out to my daughter, and she came running okay! left her play and came running to see what I wanted. then she went and got the helper, (coz she couldn't open the fridge door) and then went and got me a pear. I was just so hugely touched by everything she did yesterday. I must thank God - God never gives us more than we can handle, ever!
so after all that, when she wanted me to put her to sleep, I just coudn't refuse. she said, "Aatha, can you put me to sleep in payya iyya's room? I miss you!": AAAhhhh.. heart strings literally tugged . so I did. by then my parents and brother had come home and were more than ready to put her to sleep but I bulldozed my way in and claimed that job for myself! baby was crying again, poor darling, but I left him with saro and the helper and my mum! after all, the only thing I could do for him that they can't is give milk and I had aleady been feeding him practically non stop for the past 3 - 4 hours!
course, my mum didn't know all this background. so she felt I was abandoning my crying new born in favour of my toddler! hahaha.. quite understandable too, coz that's how it looked like! feels good to get things out like this!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Well
Hey the jumpsuit you gave is lovely on him! He was wearing it for the Pooja this morning and he looked cute! Very tasteful!
Monday, July 11, 2011
growing growing growing
The hubby and I were having a very petty quarrel the other day. I went to bed grumpily with my daughter. She asked me what happened and I told her, with hubby there, that 'appa is scolding me, he's not massaging me." my little one sat up and said
"Nemind (never mind) Aatha.
I 'll massage you. I'll take care of you!"
Hahah - so she shamed my hubby right?
Then he was masasging me and she points out
"See Aatha, Appa is Konjing you. He's not scolding you!"
Ah, now my turn!
Saro thanked her for putting things in perspective - she is fantastic! I felt really bad too - we should be the adults taking care of her - its not fair to her for her to take care of us!
I love her - we love her!
"Nemind (never mind) Aatha.
I 'll massage you. I'll take care of you!"
Hahah - so she shamed my hubby right?
Then he was masasging me and she points out
"See Aatha, Appa is Konjing you. He's not scolding you!"
Ah, now my turn!
Saro thanked her for putting things in perspective - she is fantastic! I felt really bad too - we should be the adults taking care of her - its not fair to her for her to take care of us!
I love her - we love her!
Growing Awareness
My little one is growing more aware of differences in the world and it is our responsibility to guide her to appreciate and understand differences.
The other day she saw a video of a song, Skidamarink a dink a dink - it's one that she likes a lot. In the video an african american woman features as well, and my daughter likes it when she comes on. Then she asked me... why is she so dark, why can't I see her properly!
Racial awareness!
Then we were reading Goldilocks, and she asked me what were locks ? Told her it referred to locks of hair and she said she wanted golden locks! this is colonialism working its insidious powers on young ones! hhahaha. so again had to explain to her just like how there are people of different complexions around the world, these people all have different coloured hair too and that golden hair may not suit us too well!
See lah! need to introduce fiction from asia as well as indian fiction so it's only golden haired blue eyed beauties featured in books! good thing we have these too at home. Need to bring them out more often.
The other day she saw a video of a song, Skidamarink a dink a dink - it's one that she likes a lot. In the video an african american woman features as well, and my daughter likes it when she comes on. Then she asked me... why is she so dark, why can't I see her properly!
Racial awareness!
Then we were reading Goldilocks, and she asked me what were locks ? Told her it referred to locks of hair and she said she wanted golden locks! this is colonialism working its insidious powers on young ones! hhahaha. so again had to explain to her just like how there are people of different complexions around the world, these people all have different coloured hair too and that golden hair may not suit us too well!
See lah! need to introduce fiction from asia as well as indian fiction so it's only golden haired blue eyed beauties featured in books! good thing we have these too at home. Need to bring them out more often.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Profound Truths from a Two and A Half Year Old
Yesterday we were having a ball of a time playing make believe with her soft toys.
She led them through a lesson in class, learning rhymes and the alphabets, took them to the gym and taught them to do somersaults, let them swim (back stroke and free style) in the pond, bond together in a float in a swimming pool, read a book each, lying down at the beach and so much more. It was a fun-filled packed day for the animal toys.
I commented to her, "These animals are very lucky to be taken care of by you. "She replied - "I am very lucky" - I asked her why and she said "because I can take care of them!"
Wow!
Yes indeed. We are indeed blessed to be able to care for others.
Such truths from a toddler - my personal pint sized blessing who's growing growing growing!
She led them through a lesson in class, learning rhymes and the alphabets, took them to the gym and taught them to do somersaults, let them swim (back stroke and free style) in the pond, bond together in a float in a swimming pool, read a book each, lying down at the beach and so much more. It was a fun-filled packed day for the animal toys.
I commented to her, "These animals are very lucky to be taken care of by you. "She replied - "I am very lucky" - I asked her why and she said "because I can take care of them!"
Wow!
Yes indeed. We are indeed blessed to be able to care for others.
Such truths from a toddler - my personal pint sized blessing who's growing growing growing!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
My Articulate Toddler
Where do I begin! I am so very proud of her linguistic abilities you know.
She has this way of using the 'falling' instead of 'fall' or 'fell' down.
E.g. she would say, most ungramatically, "Oh I falling down" or something like that. I've been trying to correct her in vain and yesterday she articulated why exactly she was resisting being corrected. She said
"I like falling aatha" then she realized it didn't sound right and corrected herself thus:
"I I like the word 'falling', aatha"
my my my! it's like poetic licence - where poets are deliberately ungrammatical for the sake of beauty and rythm. While we may not concur that 'falling' sounds better than 'fall', who can refute that for her, it sounds more melodic?
and then, she was chatting with her father on the phone and then suddenly said "Ok Bye". The hubby was taken aback as he was far from finished - he can hold fairly long conversations with her. so he asked her 'Why Bye?" and she says, cool as anything, "I'm done talking with you!" hahahhahahahaah.
she doesn't mean it rudely of course - just matter of factly.
Today morning she told her grandfather "why are you getting frustrated?"
I love it - she picks up everything so quickly and is able to use it in the right context. my little genius! hehehe.
She has this way of using the 'falling' instead of 'fall' or 'fell' down.
E.g. she would say, most ungramatically, "Oh I falling down" or something like that. I've been trying to correct her in vain and yesterday she articulated why exactly she was resisting being corrected. She said
"I like falling aatha" then she realized it didn't sound right and corrected herself thus:
"I I like the word 'falling', aatha"
my my my! it's like poetic licence - where poets are deliberately ungrammatical for the sake of beauty and rythm. While we may not concur that 'falling' sounds better than 'fall', who can refute that for her, it sounds more melodic?
and then, she was chatting with her father on the phone and then suddenly said "Ok Bye". The hubby was taken aback as he was far from finished - he can hold fairly long conversations with her. so he asked her 'Why Bye?" and she says, cool as anything, "I'm done talking with you!" hahahhahahahaah.
she doesn't mean it rudely of course - just matter of factly.
Today morning she told her grandfather "why are you getting frustrated?"
I love it - she picks up everything so quickly and is able to use it in the right context. my little genius! hehehe.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I'll give you a hug
My daughter is so sweet. The other day, I was having one of those moody days and I started crying, thinking that all my plans for beautifying my daughter's room were never coming to fruition. My daughter saw me crying and asked "Why are you crying Aatha? Don't cry. Let's pray. Come I'll give you a hug" and she hugged me three times at least!
amazing. she is just amazing. I love her so much
amazing. she is just amazing. I love her so much
Sunday, April 24, 2011
making cards
my daughter gave me a card recently! she picked up this old reciept that was lying around and asked me for a pen and then drew some squiggles on it and gave it me. when I asked what it said, she said, "I love you!"!
how sweet can one get!
sigh - I hope I've kept that reciept somewhere safe. I should start a keepsake book for these kinds of precious treasures!
how sweet can one get!
sigh - I hope I've kept that reciept somewhere safe. I should start a keepsake book for these kinds of precious treasures!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Roman Toga doing Yoga
In a recent post, I mentioned my daughter's simile. Here I'm going to share her rhymes she's been creating!
She read in a book about an Ogre doing Yoga. After her bath, I dress her up in a "Roman Toga". So she just suddenly piped up "Ogre doing Yoga. Roman Toga doing Yoga!" she was so pleased!
Then another day, she was with her aunt who was looking for her "duppata" and she said, "Duppata, Appatha!"
very nice!
She read in a book about an Ogre doing Yoga. After her bath, I dress her up in a "Roman Toga". So she just suddenly piped up "Ogre doing Yoga. Roman Toga doing Yoga!" she was so pleased!
Then another day, she was with her aunt who was looking for her "duppata" and she said, "Duppata, Appatha!"
very nice!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wind galloping like a horse
Creativity flows in children, truly!
In the car, we were pretending to see animals out of the winow.
So I said, Akshaya - do you see the horses? they are galloping like the wind (sigh - trust the lit student to come up with only a cliche)
and she says, no aatha, the wind is galloping like a horse!
and I thought, WOW! why not?
lovely simile yes?
In the car, we were pretending to see animals out of the winow.
So I said, Akshaya - do you see the horses? they are galloping like the wind (sigh - trust the lit student to come up with only a cliche)
and she says, no aatha, the wind is galloping like a horse!
and I thought, WOW! why not?
lovely simile yes?
God's Most Precious Gift
I was telling my darling a bed time story yesterday, about Krishna and the Fruit Seller. The Fruit Seller gives Krishna some fruits in return for having him call her Amma, and she goes home to find her fruit basket laden with money, gold and jewels. I then told her how if we give to God with love, He will shower us with blessings abundantly - and then I had to pause, for that was exactly what Akshaya is for us - A gift from god - a gift of love to a couple who had such trouble conceiving - tears still prick my eyes when I think of god's most wonderful blessing he has given us - can only be eternally grateful and thankful.
on another note, she loves krishna stories so! and I know only a few, so I've been making them up as I go along - which I really quite enjoy. I am going to start another blog for nursery rhymes and stories I've created for my daughter - for all I know that could be a start to a collection of short stories for children or something - if nothing else, it will help immortalze some of the stories so they get passed on perhaps? I like the stories myself! hehehe
nice to know also that creativity can come to me again, even when I am happy! I used to think I could only write when I am pensive or depressed - indeed most of my better writings have emerged from such situations, but now, with Akshaya, I find myself getting creative again. It's lovely you know!
on another note, she loves krishna stories so! and I know only a few, so I've been making them up as I go along - which I really quite enjoy. I am going to start another blog for nursery rhymes and stories I've created for my daughter - for all I know that could be a start to a collection of short stories for children or something - if nothing else, it will help immortalze some of the stories so they get passed on perhaps? I like the stories myself! hehehe
nice to know also that creativity can come to me again, even when I am happy! I used to think I could only write when I am pensive or depressed - indeed most of my better writings have emerged from such situations, but now, with Akshaya, I find myself getting creative again. It's lovely you know!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Letting GO
Ah - yesterday, I realized, how difficult it's going to be to let my daughter go
I had planned a fun simple shopping trip for saro baby and me
to my consternation, my daughter didn't want to come with us!
She wanted to stay home with auntie and cook while her mum and dad went shopping!
I could not believe it.
we asked her several times and she was sure she wanted to stay behind
so we went without her - heavy of heart mind you! I hadn't expected this so soon!
turns out 10 min after we left she started crying for us! GRRRRR
how can I make a 2 year old responsible for her choices! so next time, if I decide or plan something, I;m going to go through with it, because, you know what, sometimes it's true that mummy knows best!
that said, it was a good jolt for me, to realize how difficult I was finding it to let my darling go. I almost don't want her to grow up! that's terrible isn't it? when does that magic moment come when they want to do their own thing that doesn't involve us, and we actually give them our blessings?!?!?!?!?!
no wonder my dad asked me when I was 13 why I wanted to grow up so fast all because I wanted to go to my friend's place to play badminton!
how did they find it in them to let me go for overseas trips?
I can imagine my dad worrying about me the three weeks I was away in Nepal - not wanting to stand in my way but worrying anyway
I can imagine my mum crying when she realized I was a little lost in Malaysia by myself at the ripe age of 21!
Parents never cease to worry do they! I pride myself on being all so cool, but I can't either. parenthood opens doors to the self as much as to the world - I can only pray :-) for guidance to lead and guide and not stand in the way, to leap in and defend when necessary and to stand up for what I believe is right, and hope that it is right -just always always pray before anything - a few minutes of silence to hear the voice and direction of God will help us tremendously - if I had paused to listen yesterday, I would have taken her with me, but leaving her behind, although it made us both miserable, has given me this much food for thought! so as always, no regrets in life. just onwards, forward, wtih love!
I had planned a fun simple shopping trip for saro baby and me
to my consternation, my daughter didn't want to come with us!
She wanted to stay home with auntie and cook while her mum and dad went shopping!
I could not believe it.
we asked her several times and she was sure she wanted to stay behind
so we went without her - heavy of heart mind you! I hadn't expected this so soon!
turns out 10 min after we left she started crying for us! GRRRRR
how can I make a 2 year old responsible for her choices! so next time, if I decide or plan something, I;m going to go through with it, because, you know what, sometimes it's true that mummy knows best!
that said, it was a good jolt for me, to realize how difficult I was finding it to let my darling go. I almost don't want her to grow up! that's terrible isn't it? when does that magic moment come when they want to do their own thing that doesn't involve us, and we actually give them our blessings?!?!?!?!?!
no wonder my dad asked me when I was 13 why I wanted to grow up so fast all because I wanted to go to my friend's place to play badminton!
how did they find it in them to let me go for overseas trips?
I can imagine my dad worrying about me the three weeks I was away in Nepal - not wanting to stand in my way but worrying anyway
I can imagine my mum crying when she realized I was a little lost in Malaysia by myself at the ripe age of 21!
Parents never cease to worry do they! I pride myself on being all so cool, but I can't either. parenthood opens doors to the self as much as to the world - I can only pray :-) for guidance to lead and guide and not stand in the way, to leap in and defend when necessary and to stand up for what I believe is right, and hope that it is right -just always always pray before anything - a few minutes of silence to hear the voice and direction of God will help us tremendously - if I had paused to listen yesterday, I would have taken her with me, but leaving her behind, although it made us both miserable, has given me this much food for thought! so as always, no regrets in life. just onwards, forward, wtih love!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Baby Kicking!
I should re-name this blog Babies and Us - Yes - we are expecting our second child!
I am writing about it today because today is very significant - it's the first day I felt my baby move!
My first one moved (or rather kicked) during a piano concert on Aug 5 2008. At least, that's when I felt it. Now with the second, I am more attuned to the feeling of the baby inside - and .... this is wonderful! feeling baby move was one of the most special things about being pregnant the first time round and I am so happy to have started feeling it already now - I'm 3 months preggy! okay, 3 going on 4 about 3 1/2
still! 1 1/2 months more of enjoyment time!
17 Jan and 5 Aug - I shall remember these dates!
I am writing about it today because today is very significant - it's the first day I felt my baby move!
My first one moved (or rather kicked) during a piano concert on Aug 5 2008. At least, that's when I felt it. Now with the second, I am more attuned to the feeling of the baby inside - and .... this is wonderful! feeling baby move was one of the most special things about being pregnant the first time round and I am so happy to have started feeling it already now - I'm 3 months preggy! okay, 3 going on 4 about 3 1/2
still! 1 1/2 months more of enjoyment time!
17 Jan and 5 Aug - I shall remember these dates!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Play-School Blues
Ah, the day was long awaited, with great excitement - first day at school!
Play school!
but... sigh, reality is rather different.
2 hours of class, of which 1 1/2 hours are really classroom management
only main pick up points are the art and song segment which each last no longer than 10 minutes each
Free play goes on for 1/2 hour, but small children get bored in 10 min
so.. all in all, not that good an experience I would say!
within an hour, I hear my doll say, let's go home!
plus, no chance of socializing skills as yet as she insists we stay in the class with her and she wails her heart out if we leave
since the day she was born we've not been into forcing her into things - we did baby led weaning and baby led sleeping etc - the forcefully leaving her to cry for two weeks just gave us all unnecessary heart pain
and I guess so would this - if I were to say I don't care you stay in the class and learn to be by yourself no matter what - nope not in my parenting style
I'm going for the open consultative approach - where I tell her the truth and she comes to believe me - so what I'm telling her is that she has to go to school on her own, that she will soon be ready and that we will leave her on own the day she says she's ready
not sure if this is the best
but then again 2 years old is incredibly young you know
to be left all alone for two hours.
and for what? the two hours is not a fantastic use of time for her! she's getting half hour worth of good from the two hours a day and I do not advocate time wasting ever
she can learn so much more and faster with us at home and through various enrichment classes I can take her for, like music, gym and art
so - nope I believe I'm taking her out of school in 3 weeks time - just waiting for a month to go, was actually considering taking her out of school now itself but the hubby feels give it a month so let's see.
Play school!
but... sigh, reality is rather different.
2 hours of class, of which 1 1/2 hours are really classroom management
only main pick up points are the art and song segment which each last no longer than 10 minutes each
Free play goes on for 1/2 hour, but small children get bored in 10 min
so.. all in all, not that good an experience I would say!
within an hour, I hear my doll say, let's go home!
plus, no chance of socializing skills as yet as she insists we stay in the class with her and she wails her heart out if we leave
since the day she was born we've not been into forcing her into things - we did baby led weaning and baby led sleeping etc - the forcefully leaving her to cry for two weeks just gave us all unnecessary heart pain
and I guess so would this - if I were to say I don't care you stay in the class and learn to be by yourself no matter what - nope not in my parenting style
I'm going for the open consultative approach - where I tell her the truth and she comes to believe me - so what I'm telling her is that she has to go to school on her own, that she will soon be ready and that we will leave her on own the day she says she's ready
not sure if this is the best
but then again 2 years old is incredibly young you know
to be left all alone for two hours.
and for what? the two hours is not a fantastic use of time for her! she's getting half hour worth of good from the two hours a day and I do not advocate time wasting ever
she can learn so much more and faster with us at home and through various enrichment classes I can take her for, like music, gym and art
so - nope I believe I'm taking her out of school in 3 weeks time - just waiting for a month to go, was actually considering taking her out of school now itself but the hubby feels give it a month so let's see.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
I cooked breakfast!
that was all my kutty was saying yesterday. she was so thrilled with one of her birthday presents - from sita, naga and prince - a kitchen set. she pretended to boil vegetables and noodles on it and served it with great pride onto a pink bowl and set it up in the hall, for her father to eat! all she could say was, Appa I made breakfast appa, I cooked it!
In the afternoon, she was careful to hide the fish as my mum was vegetarian and at night she told me to be careful as the pot was hot on the stove!
delightful to see her so engaged with her toys! I must get her to make more kinds of food using playdough maybe, and cook them too in her new cooking set. one should see her pouring in the oil, the pepper, the salt - with such practised expertise I tell you! A joy to watch.
In the afternoon, she was careful to hide the fish as my mum was vegetarian and at night she told me to be careful as the pot was hot on the stove!
delightful to see her so engaged with her toys! I must get her to make more kinds of food using playdough maybe, and cook them too in her new cooking set. one should see her pouring in the oil, the pepper, the salt - with such practised expertise I tell you! A joy to watch.
2nd day at school
bawl bawl bawl!
I wasn't there - but I had such a low feeling all morning - I so wanted to be there, I was thinking, I should be the one taking her to school and bringing her back! not my mum - but there I was going to work. and my baby told me yesterday, don't go to oppice aatha, stay with achiya. I had to ignore that plea and drag myself to work and here I am, and there she is, and she cried so much today my mum had to sit in with her in the class for 1 and 1/2 hours!!!
nethu kannu vachutaen!
will see how it goes - if she dreads it this much in two weeks time, well, we'll pull her out I guess. maybe she's not school ready - but it seems most of the class was crying today so maybe she's just normal. :-)
I wasn't there - but I had such a low feeling all morning - I so wanted to be there, I was thinking, I should be the one taking her to school and bringing her back! not my mum - but there I was going to work. and my baby told me yesterday, don't go to oppice aatha, stay with achiya. I had to ignore that plea and drag myself to work and here I am, and there she is, and she cried so much today my mum had to sit in with her in the class for 1 and 1/2 hours!!!
nethu kannu vachutaen!
will see how it goes - if she dreads it this much in two weeks time, well, we'll pull her out I guess. maybe she's not school ready - but it seems most of the class was crying today so maybe she's just normal. :-)
First Day at School
My little darling, barely 2 years and 2 weeks old, went to school yesterday!
It was play school and she was truly an angel. She slipped in past other children in the queue, got her temperature taken, her hands and feet and mouth checked and ran off to the class. She called out to us a few times, but then stayed on wide eyed, participating in the activities. She clapped her hands, stood up, tried to climb on some chairs, did some colouring and paid attention when the teacher read to her. other children took turns to cry for their mums, but not my darling. Then, it was five minutes more to the end of class. The teacher had helped the kids put on their shoes... and she saw me peeping at her through the glass window! her lower lips quivered.. her eyes pooled, one minute later she was wailing harder than any of the other children!!!!!! my poor darling - it must have suddenly struck her that she was all alone in that big class without her mum and her grandmother. I berate myself for showing my face to her.
It was play school and she was truly an angel. She slipped in past other children in the queue, got her temperature taken, her hands and feet and mouth checked and ran off to the class. She called out to us a few times, but then stayed on wide eyed, participating in the activities. She clapped her hands, stood up, tried to climb on some chairs, did some colouring and paid attention when the teacher read to her. other children took turns to cry for their mums, but not my darling. Then, it was five minutes more to the end of class. The teacher had helped the kids put on their shoes... and she saw me peeping at her through the glass window! her lower lips quivered.. her eyes pooled, one minute later she was wailing harder than any of the other children!!!!!! my poor darling - it must have suddenly struck her that she was all alone in that big class without her mum and her grandmother. I berate myself for showing my face to her.
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