Mommy In Making

Winter Wonderland.......

2011-12-06T04:21:00.001-06:00

Idea for this post definitely came from Smitha!

Now that its December, winter is upon us!!!! The only one person who is missing snow since past two months is V.
Her questions are down right cute:
- So leaves have fallen, its cold, where is snow?
- It's cold already, Christmas is nearly here, where is snow?
- I want to make snow man, where is snow?
- In Chicago, there is so much snow with the cold, where is snow?
- I want snow and the sun and less wind! Then we can have fun
- Where is snow?
After reading Smitha's post on this... I think let me clearer on behalf of V, Just a light snow shower would be good.

For the record, IL's once braves early December in Chicago to see snow, and it didn’t arrive. Within 6 hours of them leaving from US, we were greeted by 2 inches of snow! This year, they are braving the weathers in London till end December. I am hoping we see some snow before they leave!!!

Friend Loving- Dedicated to my Brother

2011-12-02T04:52:00.001-06:00

Most of my adult life, I remember my brother telling me 'You am a friend lovign person.'Yup True. I like being around friends, chit chat, chill, gossip, discuss, socialise. Basically, I am a social person (Surprise surprise!) I am slowly starting to see a lot of that in V now.

We met some friends recently whose kid is within a years age difference of V. They both were two peas in a pod! While we were chit chatting in the living room, we could hear laughter, chit chat, and giggle from V's room. The kids were awesome together. Ate together, played well and when the adults got buried in discussion, the kids sat on a table like bored toddlers! Knock on wood, it was amazing. She displays the same enthusiasm when she recants stories from school to us. Her teachers tell us that if she sees a kid in a corner, she will pull the child and play with her. And yes of course, she loves to talk!
Hmm... Social!

Over the past few months, I have seen some intresting changes in V. She is less shy outside of home. Of course in her own turf, she is loud and clear. But outside, when once she was happy to be by herself, would not chat with firends..... she now reaches out to people, plays with them and engages them in conversation.

It is a big step for her.

I am liking it. Like us, she is outside her comfort zone after moving to London. But unlike us, she is settling way better than us. And thats a good thing.

So bhaia, the 'Friend Loving' gene continues on!

The little bag of laughter

2011-11-21T09:40:00.001-06:00

By the time V was out of her diapers, I suddenly saw her in new light. No more podgy toddler but a pre-schooler. Only now I am realising the gravity of that one line!

A preschooler (And please may I add, with a very clear mind of what she likes and would rather not like)
Her way of words generally keeps us on our toes and Sumit and I keep stealing glances at each other and say 'OMG' She is getting adorable, adorably naughty but overall adorable.
Conversations with her are well- conversational and now somehow I get the whole point of 'Kids say the darnest things!' so true. They really do.
When I be a bit stricter with her, she is quick to respond and say: 'I dont want to talk to you right now, you are being angry. I like the happy mummy more'.
When Sumit eats her share of the food without permissions, she says 'Papa you need to learn to ask' When her Daadi broke the window latch 'Dadi did it, she was not being careful. She just pulled it, wham!'
Bottom line, she speaks the way it is. And that is something that puts the kids apart. No polishing, just saying.

Sumit and I generally appreciate her mind. We encourage her to make choices, I admire her assertiveness (most of the times) and those pouty lips, I keep laughing out so loud. Its just so cute. I know, I know.. dont patronise the kid!

Luckily for me- Memories captured in the one below, remind me- She is still a kid!

Parents to a 'School Going Kid'

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-06:00

Ok, pre-school kid to be more precise.

This post is much delayed... but as they say: better late than never

(On a completely separate note, I should start blogging often, else I will continue to use cheesy line like above)

Anyhoo.. If you have followed my scarce writing the last couple of months, miss V is now in her big-girl school a.k.a Pre-Reception (LKG/ Pre-K in other parts of the world) Bottom line, bye bye day care (And the comforts of afternoon nap, wear what you want and complete working mom's scheduling love) and welcome School (Strict drop off/ pick up times, ironing uniforms, link books and school projects)

Ok, I am being too lop sided. Let me rephrase, Welcome to the big girl school and big kid parenting (Yes V is still under 4, but by her standards she is a big girl now!) Like everything for me, this is new!

Being parents to a school going kid.

Wow. Our weekdays are pretty standard, V wakes us up, pulls me in the rest room to help her brush her teeth. Then she claims 'I am smelly and need a shower' After that, its less push from her and more pull from me:

'V are you done with bath?' 'V change into uniform... yes the PT one. Today is Thursday' 'V lets come for breakfast, jaldi jaldi' 'V are you done now?' 'V, the bread butter is yummmy, yes mummy is eating it as well' 'V have you worn your shoes?' 'Yes, V mummy has packed your snacks and juice..oh sorry smoothie for school' 'Yes V, mummy will be ready in a minute as well' 'V ready, lets go!' 'V you should have gone pee pee before being all packed up for school.. yes I will wait' and phew... :-)

--- No, I am not a ring master.... just in my mind, I am like 'come on, every morning I need to go over this'!

Next, we chit chat while walking to school answering questions, listening, nodding, smiling. I kiss her cute yummy cheeks bye and then use the power of flats and run to the tube to get in my train. Work awaits.

Right now, I have IL's visiting; so thankfully, they do the pickup runs at three. Yes, the big girl school is from 8:30 - 3:00 period. And that’s the norm here in London. Luckily for me, the school has after hour programs and might help next semester to meet my work schedules and keep her entertained et al. From what I gather, not all London schools (read: public and most private) have after school programs for such young kids. Its more, nanny culture than after school culture.

Read: Additional expenses.

I have met so many wonderful school kids-parents who swear by the nannies to run the evening pick up round! I have started looking for one now. I imagine a wonderful nanny who picks up V, they snack and then takes V to the park or do some wonderful activity at home. I come home from work greeted by a well-played and fed, cheery V. All I need to do is read, play, practice, enjoy, cuddle, smother and smile. I digress.

Back to reality, so this being parent of a pre-school kid is exhausting. Her social life is busier than mine. Her list of questions and answers gets longer than my shopping list. Her quest for newer projects every hour is challenging and above all, I am tired. Yes, I love every minute of it, but as kids gets older, I was told it gets easier. I agree, but it didn’t say it gets more exhausting.

I miss little V. Give her a plastic glass and some rattles. She was happy for hours, napping in between.

But yeah the power of reasoning rocks with kids! I can actually explain a concept, a rule, a pattern and she gets it. Her questioning is downright honest. I am often at loss for words, need to brush up my geography, botany, chemistry all again to answer her truthfully. My brother often tells me 'Dont let her inquisitiveness go away. Let her ask away and you respond correctly'

I do that, a lot. I check myself if I am about to say 'Because it just is' I think, and simplify and explain her.

The standard interview question: 'Explain the concept like you would to a child' I get it now, its tough since you need to break it up, simplify it and in turn ensure it reaches the right audience.

Summing it up, being parent of a 'school aged kid' is the gradual next step. Fun, tiring and is making me learn and relearn a lot of, simple facts.

What are your big kid parenting guides?

A date of a different kind!

2011-10-31T09:43:00.000-05:00

Ever since being back from India, I have been extremely busy. Work, Diwali, scheduling social calendars and upcoming husband's work trip has left me with little or no time. And the worst of it, I haven’t had enough cuddle time with V. I missed her terribly in India and the week after my return.
An opportunity of sorts came along. This Sunday, V had a friend’s birthday party to attend. I was going to ferry her back and forth and I grabbed an opportunity. The party was in London Zoo and right after the party; i decided to make a day at the zoo for me and her. Just us two. A date.
We walked the whole Zoo, Spotted animals, read random facts about animals, learned about endangered species, got spooked by the bat cave, ate ice cream, sat on the merry go round and of course 'rode on a lion'!
See picture below for sample!

Overall, the impromptu date that V and I had was amazing. We both held hands in the zoo and snuggled if the wind got too much, shared an umbrella when it started to drizzle, licked the same cone so ice cream does not melt and get wasted. :-D
The date is etched in my memory. The mommy-daughter date was wonderful. And yes, if you can schedule a day out, just you and your kid. Doing something that the kid would love and you would love to see her love!
As a MasterCard ad would say
1. Tickets to the zoo: £45
2. Ice Cream Cone: £3.50
3. Memories made: Priceless

Unexpected trip!

2011-10-24T10:55:00.000-05:00

I had to make a sudden trip to India for a week (12 hours’ notice to V) for my dad's health scare. By god's grace and amazing medical care, he is doing much better and recovering well! Knock on wood.

But my gush is for V and her take on me leaving her for a week. I couldn't take her due to the nature of the visit and also her school! Plus I had Sumit, IL's over to take care of her. So without worry, but some apprehension, I booked my tickets.

Here is gist of my conversation with V 12 hours before my boarding my flight!

GN: 'V, I have to leave for India this evening, nana is not feeling well'

V: 'Oh, so you are going to fix him and make him all better?'

GN: 'Yes, baby pretty much. You will be here with papa, dada, dadi and be nice to them okay?'

V: 'Don't worry, let me give you my dawai for nana and my doctor set for him. He will get fixed by it'

(V takes a toy blood pressure monitor from her Elmo Doctor Kit, and gives me her 'water dawai' for her nana)

GN: 'So you will be fine without me? I will come back in a week okay?'

V: 'Yes ,Yes. Dont worry about papa, I will take care of him, Okay?'

(I am all amazed at my kid's understanding and independence. Is she really only 3 and a half years old)

V: ' Come fast and get me Laddu, Toys, Katli, Dress and my toy back, Okay?

GN: Phew!

Thinks aloud... yes she is a three and half year old after all!!!

I am happy to report, V got everything and more on her list from India. Mummy (me) did 'fix up nana' and V was quiet an amazing kid in my absence. I spoke to her often and I adored her 'I Miss you mummy, I miss you so much'

And above all, her giving me countless hugs on my return!

Of course prior to my departure and true to my 'control freak' nature. Very detailed instructions were given to hubby about her school uniform, her parties, checking on her progress' Of course with his patient attitude and my In Laws helping out so much, I was care free about her. I was definitely missing her like crazy, but all in all, I did okay, she did wonderfully well! Plus in India, my family soothed my nerves and let me sleep in till 9:30 each morning!

Thank you my support structure.... what would I do!

Monthly Update

2011-10-17T01:15:00.000-05:00

I Know I know, I have written for a while.

Oh well.... It’s okay. I am back. For the remainder of the readers at least!

The catch with a move is, along with your lifestyle change, your readership changes as well!

;-)

So.... My monthly letter to V will be little different this time.

- This past month, I have been way stricter with V, making her a bit 'I want only papa'. Ouch. Yes it hurts, but patience this month has definitely not been my virtue. But 'To Hope' that I calm down and V chills as well

- The new school is treating both mommy and daughter well. Miss V hope and skips to school and teachers sing praises to this completely 'well behaved kid and role model student' Seriously? Can I get the V in school?

- With Sumit around and us having Indian channels (After 10 long years), B4U music is on over weekend. Resulting in V singing 'Tashan Me rehana' ; 'Dhunki Dhunki' and all the latest numbers! Luckily Sumit and I agree on 'No Jawani type songs for her'. But yes, its amazing to see father daughter jump up and down on the music

- In Laws are around and its been really great. They pick her up from school, play with her, teach her Hindi, eat with her and basically, I am loving the closeness of her and the grandparents.

- V in my opinion is adjusting to being a 'bigger kid' now. You know the age group, when you are definitely a kid, but in your mind, you are kid sometimes and sometimes a big kid. This results in a bit of friction for us. Some 'You need to wear your own shoes, you are not a baby' to 'No you cannot cut vegetables, you are a baby' We are navigating the unchartered territory.

Good Times :-D

But yes, I am happy to report, we have adjusted well in London.

The morning unrushed....

2011-09-14T21:00:00.000-05:00

In my initial days in blogging I had written a post: 'Mystery of Missing Time', and summarising why I think morning power hour is just 30-40 minutes instead of 60 minutes.
A friend has nicely commented, that, 'Just wake up sooner' and I gaffed. What, wake up sooner than 6:30. Thats a sin.
Well fast forward almost three years! Nothing much has changed, minus of course V being a pre-schooler now, us being in UK instead of US and hubby travelling overseas three weeks in a month!
But I do wake up sooner now. Actually with the alarm, instead of hitting snooze over and over again. I wake up 15-20 minutes before V, just so that breakfast is laid out, minus the blazer, I am set for work and above all- My Coffee is ready! And now V comes in our room, I still snuggle with her, play 'Find me V, Find me V' tussle her hair and have the morning lazy time with her.
It helps so much that since she gets ready on her own, I can use that time wisely - check my emails, find that unripped pair of stockings ;-) Jokes apart, waking up before the kiddo helps. A lot.
IL's have recently arrived and a new morning schedule will get defined soon. And yes, being asked in the mornings : 'Do you want tea?' is such a pampering that I am loving it! Back to the point, V is getting to school on time after her morning breakfast, my coffee and our snuggle time!

Yes, its been only five days so far- I am hoping the pattern continues. But I beleive in little victories!

Thanks to two things- alarms, and a pre-schooler who does not mind gettign ready on her own

Miss Rule Book

2011-09-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

I call V that, more than often. I know, I know, she is only 3.5 years old, and I should be nicer to her. But she is- My Miss Rule Book.
Case in Point:
1. I had a friend visiting home for the first time, Miss V, politely asked her to remove shoes, put in shoe closet and then come in.
2. Miss V tells another friend, 'Please eat food on dining table' when all my friend was wanting is sit back on couch and sip chai and chit-chat!
3. On a busy morning, I sipped on my coffee walking around the house and making sure things were done. She tells me: 'Please sit and have coffee, dont stand, its not nice'
4. When I pick up V from school, she tells me 'So and so didnt tidy up after playing. I told her to'
5. Miss V comes in kitchen while I was getting dinner ready and I dropped something: 'Mummy you should be careful, do it slowly and nicely, okay?'

Yes Miss Rule Book :-)

And yes, V is does follow her own rules.. most of the times. And then she remembers she is a toddler and says: 'I am a kid but, its okay if I didnt do 'ABC' '

Flip sides of a potty trained kid

2011-08-18T06:23:00.000-05:00

1. You don't carry baby wipes any more. Those life saving wipes that you use for cleaning the kid, the spills, the snot, the mess and more than occasionally your make up. It's not like you can't carry them any more. You just forget to.
2. No more diaper bag, implies the small snacks, opened packets of gummy bear, water and juice bottles end up in your purse. Again, it's not like you can't carry the bag, you just prefer not to.
3. The kid is now a big kid. So the hikes you plan with the adventurous kid, make sure you figure out the closest porter potty!
4. Reminding the over excited kid, time to go pee pee, nasty battles before bed time to make sure no nasty surprise in the morning.
5. You have crossed another milestone with the kid, implying both you and the kid are not getting any younger. Boo hoo!

Congrats miss V on your completely new achievement. Finally the money saved on diapers can be put to better use, like hmm.....coffee.

Happy B'day- 43 Months

2011-08-17T08:44:00.000-05:00

Hello sweetie,

I know we no longer do the monthly cakes for you, or wish you for that matter, but trust me every 17 th of the month, my heart smiles. Yeah....so virtual hugs for now.
And big squishy hugs when I pick you up from school. Pakka.
This month, your highlight was getting over the amazing India trip and then traveling with papa and me to Scotland. Was n't the trip simply 'fabulous' in your words.
Sweetie, this month I am learning that you are picking up words, comprehending stories and being all 'big girl' way too soon. I better 'Mind my own tongue' you have done wonderfully well in all the travels ( minus a few meal times). So full credit to you. You seem all excited about your new school as well. So I am excited with you and for you.
Next week we take our big step- you starting full time in school and me resuming work full time as well. Wow. Our nice summer vacation flew by so quickly didn't it.
I loved all my time with you. The lazy afternoons, the fights, the paintings, the parks, the negotiations. All of it. Ok really, most of it.

Have a wonderful day girl, and let's help each other out the next month while your papa is away on a long business trip and it's you and me baby. Just you and me and new school, new work in a lovely new city.
Good luck to both of us.

I love you.

Phew... India Trip was a blast!

2011-08-06T09:54:00.001-05:00

Me and V are now back in London... and I am happy to report the following:

Minus one day of stomach upset for both me and V, we both were fine. We enjoyed lots of food, love and pampering.
V was a queen of long distance flying. To the point where on my return journey a co-passenger told me- I had no idea there was a toddler in the seat behind me!
Grand parents rock and Grand Kids rule the house. Period!

Our trip was magical: I promise slowly after the unpacking and settling down nightmares, I will fill you guys in: But summarizing:
Camel rides, Horse Rides, Elephant rides, temple visits, family visits, eating garam jalebi's and on the eve of departure making dada-dadi and bhua- fufa and mummy completely drenched with the water hose! These were a few highlights from our stay in Jaipur. Of course meeting extended family, feeding grains to birds and seeing the areas where Sumit grew up were amazing.

Daily horse carriage rides, regular swimming, enjoying a chartered boat on Ganges, waking up the family (minus me) at five in the morning to go to Victoria, relaxing afternoons, active evenings, meeting great grand mom ad pretty much jumping on Nana, Mama to wake them were the highlights of Kolkatta. Having Nani sit through entire puzzles and then V taking full credit for it, enjoying the Flurries Beans on Toast and ruling the house hold were some of V's antiques there!

V took a trip sans Sumit and me, with maternal family to Bikaner, Jodhpur, Deshnoke and being a rock star was amazing experience for V and for me (since I was holidaying with Hubby in Hong Kong) Win-Win situation for both. Needless to say my parents were in seventh heaven! She swung by Jaipur to meet her Dada- Dadi as well.

Being in Mumbai for a brief yet memorable trip was the icing on the cake. Though I was on bed rest- thanks to some stupid ailment, V had a blast whether it was playing with her friends in the building, friends and family beating insane Mumbai traffic to come home to just meet and bless V. It was wonderful.

This India trip was much awaited. Sumit was sorely missed on the trip. But having V jump in his arms in London and then turning around to him and saying: "Namaste Pitaji" with complete handfold was a perfect finale!

Hapy Birthday. Miss Three and a Half@

2011-07-17T22:27:00.000-05:00

Miss V is Three and a Half now... officially! Though she has been telling mostly everyone for a month now, now she truly is. :-D
V is adventurous now, a lot. This is a new streak I noticed in her in London. We would go to the park, and minus pushing her the first time, she now jumps, goes on the tallest monkey bar, tries out all the climbing, jumping, summer saulting things there are to do. She follows the bigger kids around and does 'exactly' what they want to be doing! She is getting more and more tougher. My delicate darling is no longer as delicate.
Thanks to cobble stone pathways and rugged roads, she has been bruised, scraped and mildly hurt. The first time, she was like: "mummy I have an owie" and now she is like: "I have an owie, But I will eat my veggies, I am fine" and off she is. There are times I have to stop her and make sure its okay.
The other milestone with V has been 'Puzzles' She can sit with them for hours and just try to fix them up until done. She prefers no help. A cousin in India, gave her three in one puzzle and at least three times a day, she sits and pores over them.
Of course this month, also marked a first for me- being away from her for seven days in a row. She is thriving and well I am- Okay. I go through pangs of missing her, especially when I see something in my sight seeing, which she would have loved. But over all, miss independent V is doing perfectly fine. She is busier than I am.
After embarking on journey of parenthood, i realize, there is no looking back. Once a parent, always a parent. Even now, when I am in Hong Kong soaking in the city, every shop I enter, I think of getting some trinket for her. :-D
V starts her "Big Girl School" in just over a month now. The next few weeks, I plan to enjoy more with her. While both of us are still in 'Summer Vacation' Mode.

Meanwhile... V, Loads of hugs and kisses and the Hello Kitty teddy bear is on its way. Pakka!

There is always the first time

2011-07-15T02:13:00.001-05:00

And this is in the series of first.... For a week, while I join hubby for his work and travel schedule, V is enjoying India with her gran parents, mama, cousins and lots of pampering. Yes, I for the first time in 3.5 years have left V overnight. And honest to god, after reaching Hong Kong and checking into my hotel, i was in bed and miserable.
I was missing her, the chirpy her who would have looked out the window of the hotel and said: "Tall building mummy" looked at the crowded streets and said "There are 5 million people here" or smelled street food here in HK and said: "that smells weird" Everything I did from the airplane to hotel, i was like :"what will V say"
Then this morning, my brother called and I spoke with V... she was like: "I am missing you, but having such a good time. YOu have a good time also" And I smiled. She is in much more capable and loving hands. I am with hubby on the first solo vacation. Though he is working during the week, I am soaking in the city real well. Walking around with the map, discussing with locals, meeting other solo tourists and getting amazed by the new culture. I am liking this mini break.
Yes, I am missing her. A Lot, but talking with her on the phone made me realize, she is bigger and more independent then I give her credit for. So while, she does big girl stuff "All by herself", I plan to maximise my sans kids vacation to the tops.. if that means, ordering room service and sleeping till noon, then I'll do just that.
Little V. I miss you and cant wait to hug you, but enjoy yourself... and yes trouble your Mama (My Brother) a lot!

Day 1 & 2 in India

2011-07-03T05:14:00.000-05:00

Its like one big party, I swear it is. V has been enjoying herself in India and immensely is an under statement. She is loving the attention, the pampering, the love, the masti and above all the entire new adventure.
Yes, she questions everything and it's fun to answer her very basic questions like, why's is this hut brown, why we don't pet dogs on street, why do people wear bindi and so on.
Since I am in Sumit's hometown, I am missing him a lot. I am sure he would have loved to show V his city his way. V asks about him on and off as well.
Day one, minus coping with jet lag was fun. She went to do Aarti in our temple, went for a drive and ate laddu. Which for her is bigger than any chocolate minus M&M of course. Her accent and cute talks kept everyone mesmerized and entertained. Day two, where do I start, we did so much that by the night, every bone in my body ached. We went to mandir for Pooja, took her to see bunny rabbits and pet parrots and other animals. Went to the city's prized "chokhi dhaani" which is a complete Marwari and a rustics Indian experience all coupled into one. She took camel rides, saw puppet shows, got henna art on her hands, ate chuski- ice smothered with sweet colorful syrups, ate traditional Indian food, danced on folk music and on and on and on.

Wow, she is having a blast and our family is having a blast entertaining her. Each member of the family is mildly competing with the other for her attention. They come up with unique ways of having her to themselves. For example, if one is coloring a book with her, e other will call and give a new furry colorful pen. Before that excitement dies down the next will cut up her favorite fruit and give it to her. Rinse, repeat.

No wonder while on Skype with Sumit she said " papa, I really like India country"

Solo trip

2011-07-03T03:16:00.001-05:00

I am taking my first solo international trip with V. And since I love every thing with a bang, the trip is to India. V's first time.
Wow, tell me oh learned ones, it's going to be fine. Please tell me that.
V is a good kid, so am sure she will be fine. But miss accent and miss not fluent in Hindi and miss oh it's too loud, too dirty, should do okay in India? Right ?
She fills me up with questions here in London, as to why, that person is on wheel chair, why is that lady shooing the dog, why, why, why......I wonder how she reacts to India. Though that's our home country, for me everything will be natural. I adjust the minute I wait for the baggage to arrive. But for V, I wonder.
I guess I will find out soon enough.

Now wish me luck on a solo long international flight. And wish me luck that the why's of an inquisitive toddlers don't overwhelm me.

India, here I come.

Wooh and another milestone......

2011-06-22T14:37:00.000-05:00

That little baby in my arms has now crossed another milestone, which leaves me huffing and puffing at the end of it, but it's all so worth it.
She is happily riding her big girl bike. Yes with training wheels of course, but still the big girl bike, with 16 inch wheels, little sparkly wheels and all. And I have to sprint to catch up with her whizzing past.
So that calls for a wooh.
It took a while for us to buy the bike while we were in Chicago. Thanks to a toddler with very clear idea of what she wanted and riding the bike was not her agenda back then. She had to be coaxed A LOT to get on the bike and just test ride. We wanted to test run the bike before buying and shipping it here to London. After false promises of fruit snacks and M&M she at least rode it enough for us to asses size etc. We paid for it, bought it and for the past 8 weeks, it's been in storage.
Now that we are moved in our own place, we took the bike for a ride around the block and she took it like fish in water. She looks forward to it the entire day and then excitedly wears all the protective gear, knee pads, elbow pads, helmet without any protest and goes zoom.
Wooh.

My kiddo who skipped the crawling phase as a baby is riding the big girl bike. Yeah!

Catching up Miss V

2011-06-05T14:42:00.001-05:00

V
The past few months have been a whirl wind. But this post is not about that. This post will be about you.
Miss V, you are scaling new heights, literally and figuratively. No jungle gym, monkey bar gets left. You enter a park and you want to try doing everything. You climb quickly, I remember the first time you scaled the big kids jungle gym, before I could say "be careful" you we were on the top beaming your smile and saying " I did it, mommy" I sighed, my little kid is getting into the big girl phase.
You talk. A lot. About everything you do. I am taking a big step and then will climb on the stairs and then jump. Are you seeing me mummy.
Yes V, I am seeing it and hearing it and above all, loving it.
I was surprised at how quickly you picked up phonetics. One afternoon of you and me sitting and chatting and you learned B sounds like 'bah' and so on. Since then, every new work you hear, you ask.....this starts with this letter right? So cute.
The drawing.....like I said, the small kid is disappearing into the big girl. You scribbles are now recognizable flowers, animals, sun, mountains. Wow.

You amaze me.....it's like yesterday, you were holding my tiny finger and trying to walk and now you are running. However cliched this line sounds, it's so true.

Baby, you are very understanding. I know you miss your toys, friends and Chicago people. But you always tell me the following "I want my chutes and ladder game. Oh never mind, it's in storage. It will come in some time" or, "I miss V uncle or my friend M. Hmm. Let's Skype them. May be they will come to London soon"
Girl, at not even 3 and a half years, how the hell are you so understanding and compassionate. I bow down with respect to you. You have been my solid rock in this big move.
You remind me to show my dimples, smell the roses and above all.....smile.

V, you make us enjoy our present so much fun. Your mummy, papa love you so much. You better remember that.

Now, yes I will unpack your toys, yes you will go to big girl school soon and above all, V just continue being yourself and no M & M for you still. Hmm.

Sleep training of 'Toddlers'

2011-06-03T14:40:00.002-05:00

Scratch that, sleep training of little kids who think they are all big and can handle anything but still are pre schoolers, so kids.

As soon as I moved to London, this was my first project. Three weeks into it, I am happy to report, V is sleeping by herself in her room, in the big girl bed and above all very rarely walks out from her room and comes in ours. She prefers screaming at the top of her lungs instead. Jokes apart, she is doing pretty good.

Of course, sleep schedule helps. This is what worked for us.

Day 1-5: V sleep in your own bed, yes I am right here.
I will be below her bed in her room either playing on my iPad or phone while she tries to put herself to sleep very well knowing, I am right there. Once I hear the snoring, I very very quietly step out. Yes, I did have to go once or twice in the night to pat her back and re-assure her, I am right here honey.

Day 6-10: V sleep in your bed, yes I am right outside your room.
I will be right outside her room, she knows, would check once in a while. But it gave me more flexibility to even watch movies sitting outside her room with head phones.
No one said, sleep training was easy.

Day 11-15: V good night, I love you. Yes I am outside, yes you are a big girl now.
Phew, your job here is done. She will 90% sleep by herself. Once in a while, be naughty and say, I want water, or pee pee or want to hug you once more. But more or less, one big one done.

Her sleep schedule is: brush your teeth, choose your night suit, say evening prayers, read the "go to bed" story, drink water, hug, kiss and good night. Yes, door is slightly open. Yes I love you. Good night now. !

Traveling with kids in London

2011-05-22T13:19:00.002-05:00

Well I am getting used to moving around with V in London. Without a car. Let me repeat that, without a car which is a norm here.....of course it makes sense, the city is so well connected with the tube, the underground trains, national rail and the DLR and buses. Plus parking, gas, controlled zones make it unaffordable as well.
So we are enjoying and getting used to traveling the tubes, multiple changes, walking distances and above all traveling lighter....here are few things that helped me and V cope up with all the tube.
1. travel off peak hours if at all possible. This avoids angry glances from co passengers and above all gives you enough room for the stroller on tube.
2. Build upper body muscles. Not all stations are equipped with elevators, so be ready to lift your stroller, with or without kiddo in it.
3. While on strollers, buy light weight. Trust me it helps. Plus quick collapsible and for the few trips you do take in the car it should fit in the boot. The per perego jogging stroller we just bought. I give it 100 points for all of the above.
4. Travel compact. If you carry a diaper bag, make sure it's small. If you carry a bigger purse, opt for messenger types. You do need your hands free with the fidgety toddler, stroller and the map if at all.
5. Always have your oyster card topped up. And explain the kid and the spouse 'in case' situations like.....if kid gets left behind, one spouse gets left behind, stuff on tube gets left behind. I have been repeating these with V and ensuring Sumit and I are on the same page with god forbid some 'emergency' situations.
6. don't miss the car, it only makes you miserable. Have he kid help out in carrying there own stuff, groceries and above all try making them responsible for their own belongings. I am working on the last one myself.
7. Talk through the journey, we are in a tunnel now, three more stops, grey line, stop is London Bridge and so on. It keeps them engaged and interested.
8. Escalators, this is a biggie......get the kids used to this ASAP. Lucky for me, V was fascinated with them back in US. So now .....it's keeping the spark alive. On any day with train travel, we take at least four escalators...go figure. Know restrooms wherever you go.....lesser said the better.
9. Food, water, carry some. But since you do want to travel light, carry wise. Nowadays, her back pack consists of zip locks of gold fish, crackers, cut fruit etc. US I carried everything, it was going to be in the car, what do I care was my mindset.
10. have fun, explore and enjoy. You will be slow but no better way of teaching kids the travel etiquettes.

Not working right now.....

2011-05-17T07:28:00.000-05:00

For all my hoo haa about working after V, I decided to take a small sabbatical after my move to London. I said to myself, I think I need a break, may be take a breather, spend a little more snuggle time with V before her school starts and just be on break. For myself. What that equates to in simple words is transforming from working mother to a stay at home mommy.
I will not say " full time mother" which a lot of media says about SAHM. Trust me I am full time parent all the time, who is not!
Back to the point- SAHM is as hard as I imagined it to be. Don't get me wrong, I am loving every minute of it, but it is hard, fun but work.
Here are the major changes I am seeing in myself. I stay in my pajamas most of the day unless I am house hunting, sight seeing or going to parks or walks, which honestly I love. It's refreshing to not prepare for the next day.
I still have the same amount of coffee, which sucks. Since for some reason I imagined if I were home more, I'd have coffee a bit less.
Vedika is getting a bit more dependent on me, rather I 'help' her out more than I need to. So that's not nice, I know I falsely justify saying, oh now that I am home. I need to check myself more on that.
All the house keeping, cooking still gets done fast, rest of the time is true free time which is awesome since i get hours in park as against a condensed evening. So me being home is not really making housekeeping any better, which is awesome. Since the break is really working well so far. Family is still fed wholesome meals, house is clean, may be laundry does get folded faster. Hehe
Surprisingly the biggest change in me is conversations, yes I still talk as much, but when I am with a few other people who are talking work, logistics, travel woes I am at a loss of words..... I do miss that. I am surprised I do, but I am missing that.
Vedika and me, I am enjoying all of it. Sadly with most of our stuff in moving containers, it's being creative with activities at home.....but it's fun. We spend hours at the park, she scales higher and higher on monkey bars and i am off a blackberry.
Of course I have lost patience once, fine a couple of times, she has been more questions all the time...but we both are learning.
Being at home now is good, slower than what I am used to, but good. I do miss having an agenda for all evenings, I miss the adult conversations, I do miss the working part. But for me and V, it's like vacation time. Her part time school started this week, so on my free days, it's me time. Will report soon.
Kids are very receptive, She asks me often- when you going back to work mummy, when do I go back to school or worse, you go to office and papa should say home.....gee thanks
I know I am on a break, I do say " soon" as usual time will tell.
For now we both are navigating unchartered territory of SAHM and being part time in school.

Moving continents with toddlers

2011-05-07T06:26:00.000-05:00

So we are in London now.. and so sorry for it being all so sudden.. I had posted on my It's a Start blog and forgot to cross post. Sorry. Please excuse..
but.... Long story short, we moved from Chicago to London for work reasons and now are figuring out UK for schools, houses, work (mine) and adjusting to the 'wrong' side of road! Wish us luck.
Moving with toddler, V has been okay so far. I give a lot of credit to her for having chin up and being excited about the whole process. Yes, she has acted out a bit as well, a few unnecessary tantrums (her and mine), a few new bad habits... but we are working through them.
For the past few weeks, we have been prepping her for the move, so she was excited. Her only few questions were: Does London have animals/ zoo. Is there really a London Bridge, Will mama/dada visit. Thankfully all the answers were to her concerns! We were saved. Saying good bye to her school and her friends was definitely hard. She still talk about her friends, chicago, school very often.
But techonology, skype, facebook has realy helped. We have been showing her pictures of friends back in Chicago and she is like... oh ok. I 'think' she gets the concept of making new friends but we will find out once she starts school.
I guess, having her involved in the whole move process really helped. She was the one who packed out toys that go in the first shipment, the second shipment and to carry with her. So if she ever asks about a book or a toy, she responds, oh its on its way. It will take time. We got her a small Tiger Trolley with a matching back pack. This was a huge life saver, since she packed her airplane companions and totally helped in her 'not helping' us with our bags!
Having her hold her own boarding pass, reading the seat numbers, I will kept her in 'control' or aware so she was pretty good through the multi hour flight(s).
I cant write a post thanking 'having her involved in the process' without getting all misty eyed. But yes, if you are moving with kids... its all right, kids adjsut faster than you- trust me on this one.
Things I am working with her right now:
- Sleep training in a big girl bed- all by her self (A separate post soon, need to see some results first)
- Adjusting to house hunting, school hunting and the cultural differences.
- Basically not being able to spend as much time with her, since I have other 'logisitical' things on my plate.

Picking your battles and new routines has taken a different meaning all together now.

But thats pretty much for now.. a more coherent, single theme post to come soon. For sure.. for now.. just wording my small victories and big caveats....

What worked with you for a big move?

Will be back soon

2011-05-02T17:00:00.002-05:00

Promise... have so much to fill you in with.. the move to London, the travelling with toddlers 'gyan', the fun on new adventures......definitely, will be back soon.

Till then... smile, Life is Good

My baby!

2011-04-12T14:15:00.002-05:00

- The small tricycle is replaced by big girl bike
- The diapers replaced by potty trained child.
- The crayon scribbles to neat lines and circles and mountains
--- My little baby is now replaced by this 'big girl' overnight!
baah!
Hmm, the 'All by myself!'
Miss V lately has been dressing up herself. I take out her school clothes. She wears everything on her own including buttoning the jacket which after numerous attempts, she looks at me and says: "I might need your help now"
--- My little baby is now replaced by this 'big girl' overnight!
Hmm, the other evening I had made Corn-Spinach vegetable for my daughter and she was a bit apprehensive for trying the same. I tell her, "you should at least taste it, you might like it. Always try."
She obliges and does the same.
The same evening, I could not open a jar and after two tries gave up with a loud sigh. She rushes to me and says: " Always try, you might do it. Try it mummy" After my fourth attempt I opened the jar!
--- My little baby is now replaced by this 'big girl' overnight!
V has been jumping out of the crib and coming to our room almost every night. This morning I ask her: "Why don’t you stay in your room?" She says- "I was missing you mummy"

She still is my baby!

Enjoy each phase!

2011-04-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

It gets a whole lot easier and harder as they grow up.
Yup... It does get easy.
Recently V had taken ill, all the frenzy weekend celebrations got better of her and she was down with fever. R&R fixed her up well. But this time around her being ill was so much easier.
She could tell me exactly what she was feeling: I am not hungry, My head hurts, Can you give maalish to my legs, Can you make me some green rice. I don’t want milk, just water. I want to sleep now. Can I come in the blanket with you and so on.
Yes my heart ached at seeing her small face and droopy eyes. But, I feel I could take much better care of her without freaking out. Power of words.
I am happy to report she is better now. Still weak but better. She was chirpy in her school and was happy to tell her teacher. I slept whole day yesterday, I want to play now.

Of course, it gets a tad bit harder as they grow you. You need to work with their 'I don't feel like', 'No I'd rather..'. I want the Pink Rajai, Go Away, And a few crazy melt downs.

Well, it’s a mixed bag. I love it all, especially now that she is a bit older, I get hours of uninterrupted sleep. Or over weekend mornings, I can tell her- Let mummy sleep for ten more minutes, why don’t you go and play outside.
And she listens!

Enjoy each phase!