My thots

2015-11-06T06:13:00.002-08:00

Son: Mommy, tatha(grandfather) is all alone Mom:No, he is not alone Son:No, he isn't Mom:Why do you think so? Son: He is not with his mommy and daddy Mom:Oh!but he lives with amamma(grandmother).So he is not alone Son:Mommy, where is tatha’s dad Mommy:He is with God Son:You mean heaven? Mommy:Yes Son:Where is tatha’s mommy? Mom:She lives in her home.Did you not go and see her? Son:Yes.Tatha is all alone Mom:No, it is not like that.When you grow big, you live with your wife Son:Why? Mom:Hmm...how do I explain this to you? Mommy and daddy do not live that long with you.So, you need a friend and she is your wife

My Curious George

2015-09-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

Dad:Parks the bike outside Son and friends are playing outside Son:Mommy,mommy someone is taking Gautam babai's bike Mommy:Goes outside and sees a man checking the bike Guy:Hi there, came to transport the bike Mommy stands there while son and his group of friend's gather around, their eyes wide open in fascination Son's friend:What bike is it? Son:Gautam babai's bike Guy smiles Son:What are you doing? Guy: checking Son:What?? Guy:call your mom Son:Mommy, he is calling Mommy goes and the guy hands over a paper and also tells him there are minor scratches on the bike Son:Did you put scratches on the bike? Guy smiles Mommy raises her eyebrows Son:Did Gautham babai put scratches on the bike? Mommy:Go and play with your friends Friends:No, let us see the bike Guy moves the bike Friends move even closer Mommy: Give him space.You might get hurt Friend:Is it heavy? Son:Where are you taking the bike Guy:to it's home Son:Who's home? Son pauses a moment Son:Gautham babai's home? Guy:That's right Son pauses half a second Son:Do you know Gautham babai's home? Son:Are you going to drive the bike? Guy puts the bike in his truck Son:Is this truck going to Gautham babai's home? Guy:That's right and you, why do you have so many questions? Guy:Who built Tajmahal? Guy:When was the Tajmahal built? Guy:Where is Tajmahal? Son looks puzzled Guy winks at me and says 'I have three kids this age' Guy leaves and friends also go home Son: Mommy, what is Tajmahal? Mommy:It is a building Son:Is it a building? Mommy:Yes Son:Like my home? Mommy has a face palm moment and says 'No' Mommy shows pictures of Tajmahal and is worried about more questions so she thinks it is a better job to show him on TV Few weeks later Daddy is watching TV Son:Can we go see Tajmahal? Mommy runs away from that room leaving dad to enjoy son's questions for the moment

A new journey

2015-08-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

It is just not any day. It is a big day-the first day of school for you my little kiddo. A new chapter in your life and of course my life too. Yay! I am an Ashley parent and I am anxious about how I will manage more than how you would do. Kindergarten anxiety is not a word in your dictionary. It should be kindergarten excitement. I see your excitement from the last few days as we went hunting for your school supplies and your kindergarten orientation. After that day every other day you did ask me 'Am I going to Ashley?' and every day I said 'Not today'.So today is the day you go to Ashley, dressed up in new clothes ,wearing a new shoulder bag and a big smile on your face . You were and are such an easy kid and you put most of my worries away . I never really had to worry about how you will manage at school . You have a curious mind , a friendly smile and a go-getter attitude . Speaking about that I was an exact opposite of what you were as a child . You taught me a lot since you were born . All I wish is that you need to know the importance of the place you are heading to, listen to your teachers, behave, work hard, play harder, be kind and make a lot of friends . I love you and best of luck on your new journey my son.

Afterthought

2015-08-05T23:30:00.000-07:00

Directing a movie is a difficult job. They have to look into how every scene goes, is it making sense or turning into complete nonsense.In Bahubali when romance is needed between the lead pair ,much thought has been put into it.If we see properly ,the hero paints tattoos on her hand first then the waist.He directly does not go and disrobe her to call it a rape.It was poetically delineated.I guess everyone of us have gone through this -a pair of eyes staring at us could still prick you even if you were not paying attention.So did Avanthika not know about Sivudu's existence? Did he directly come and disrobe her?Even a brave warrior could fall flat to someone and that is just called love at first sight.I find no fault in this direction.Just some journalist who wanted a story did post a junk article which inspired a girl(Annapoorna Sunkara) to post a video online.Publicity stunt ? May be 'Yes' or may be 'No'.This girl faced the heat from many people who themselves were craving for attention. I don't completely disagree with this girl on certain things.When she talks about 'color' I agree with her.Was it necessary in the movie? Not very necessary.What are we showing exactly?' You are dark.Grow ,drown yourself ' This is going to pollute the already polluted society.There is this comedian called 'Ali' who makes cheap comments on anchors and actresses and these actresses say 'Oh! he and I are great friends.We know what he is....blah blah'.Really?? don tell me such public comments are necessary.If you enjoy them don't bring them on to the stage where the common public sees.They might very well think that commenting on sisters and their body parts is just ok. No, it not so ok.I appreciate her questioning here.We don't need such anchors.Thankyou!! Disclaimer :These are personal opinions.Purely personal

Yevade subramanyam

2015-04-08T16:16:00.003-07:00

It's a film for anyone who has been through a quarter-life crisis..And if you don't know what it is, then clearly life hasn't hit you yet -- Hemanth Kumar C R. Life has not only hit me but also took me on a roller coaster ride and plunged me down so deep where I felt I would never become normal again.Life had become a struggle,a serious quarter-life crisis.It was a bad phase of my life and yes,I am not afraid to say I had some sort of depression.We wanted a baby and I had trouble conceiving.I had to see this particular Gynecologist in Kalyan nagar for help because few other doctors refused to handle my case.She was/is a very renowned doctor in that field and since I had several other complications I was referred to her by a family friend who was also that doctor's cousin.I had reluctantly gone there due to my mother's pestering.I just wanted a baby but she desperately wanted a grandchild.I already had my second stroke by then and was apprehensive about treatment I should be taking if I got pregnant.We sit there for 'n' number of hours waiting there for her appointment.There was a long list of patients waiting for her like me.There were two Scorpios downstairs and her little girl going to school while her mother was busy operating inorder to bring out a newborn into this world.Finally after these 'n' number of hours passed I got to see her.She went through my long medical history and with confidence said she could treat me.She was a vibrant person inside out who would still wear a smile even after working busily every morning and night.She would sing while she was doing an ultrasound but I was highly uncooperative even to her.My mother did complain that I seemed depressed to the doctor.Depressed?? she asked me and before I answered she said even depression hit me for a while.Really?? even after being this famous,being this wealthy,coming from a family of doctors and being married to a doctor herself.Why would depression hit her?She had an answer for that too.She told me that her sister lives in New York and practices there and I am stuck in this city and was very unhappy about this.That was a time when she did not have her own hospital in Kalyan nagar.She was one who believed in the proverb 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade'.She fought her depression away ,set up her hospital and became so busy that she had no time to think about herself.She now said that she had great interest in cultural activities,she was a trained dancer but having no time to practice .She was one of those many people who helped me find my way,gave me courage to combat my fears and have a positive outlook towards life.During this casual talk she also spoke about her children ,her son's interest in movies and that he was working as an assistant director.Parents being successful doctors and still they let this young boy chose a different yet difficult field ? I must have thought disapprovingly but I soon forgot about him. Few days back after I heard rave reviews about 'Yevade subramanyam' I watched it online.I have seen my doctor in one of the shots but I din think it was her.Why would she act in a movie?I was so smitten by this movie that I googled and saw even the audio launch.In that I get to see the young boy who spoke about his movie mentioning his mother during the conversation.It is then that I come to know who he was.This film is one of a kind. Definitely a rare movie in tollywood.No item songs,no blood shed,no sleeze but still an entertainer with meaningful songs and right amounts of philosophy that makes all the difference.One cannot help but introspect themselves about the true meaning of life.It is not your bank balance,your Ferrari or even costliest of possessions that define you.All these status symbols are temporary but only one thing that makes you happy is your destiny and you reach there through your journey of self discovery.I totally loved that flawless direction and that philosopher in the director.Again I see Rishi and Anandi in him.He had not chosen a safe career ,he went out for adventure and he taught us a story which none his age can narrate this beautifully.If his mother taught me a thing or two about life,this boy shows us what life is all about.For me he is the hero of 'Yevade Subramanyam' not an ordinary Joe caught in any rat race

A letter for you my sunshine

2015-01-22T14:26:00.000-08:00

Where did the time go? I keep questioning as we get ready for your birthday party this evening.That baby has turned into a toddler and from a toddler into this little man all in a span of five years and that too at jet speed.Every year with you is a learning experience.No, you are not a highly demanding child but there are changes within you as you grew up.The biggest achievement this year is sleeping in your own room .There was no serious persuasion.The simple trick of buying you a car bed worked like magic.Even if amamma or daddy asked you to cosleep you denied.I din dream that you will graduate so fast.I am so proud of you. You graduated into a big brother.Though she is your little cousin,you are more than a brother and of course a very possessive one.You would not want her to go away far from you.You like to see her smile and she seems to enjoy your company.Down the road, you both will have many memories to share. You are a very emotional person.Just like your mommy,you cling to your loved ones and your favorite things.Beware you are going to collect more trash and treasure it just like your mommy does.You love music,you love art.You are lost in your imagination and sometimes you give them a shape on a piece of paper.You drew your first complete picture from scratch,played your first basic song on the keyboard,fell in love with Katy Perry and Justin Bieber.You are a great story teller.There was a time when I used to think why my son does not look even a bit like me but now I know why.This is because appearance does not matter but qualities wise you are completely like me.This year I find so much of me in you. Coming to your negatives.You are no more that little guy who believed in 'sharing is caring'.Be it a toy or your amamma at times you would throw a tantrum if you had to share.Your lack of stability is another thing that I have a hard time to deal with.When it comes to doing your homework,mommy has a hardtime getting it done.I see no improvement in your eating habits which is a major issue.May be next year you would show us improvement on all these fronts You are five today and in a matter of few months you will be going to school full time.You will make new friends,find new interests but you will always be my little Sunshine.We love you soo very much my little kissy monster and your surprise is waiting for you.WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND A FUN YEAR AHEAD!Love you!!

Who's the smartest??

2014-11-09T00:41:00.002-08:00

Son has a picture book about Billy the Bear, who's hungry but he can't reach the biscuit tin on the shelf up above (so he then goes to the forest, blah blah blah..)
Me: So what happened to Billy?
Son: Billy aakali (hunger)
Me: But where is the biscuit?
Son: Bikki paina (biscuit up). Billy andha (Billy can't reach).
Me: So what does Billy do? (correct answer is Billy goes to the forest in search of food)
Son: Billy paina ekku (Billy climbs up..to the shelf!)
Me: @##$#!!-----Courtesy Priya Athipatla Arun
When I read this post a month back , it just reminded me of my childhood days.When my mom had a new baby(my sister) ,she sent me to my grandparents home.I grew up there for a while and so did my sister.I don't quite remember how we spent our mornings but every evening my grand mom became our maths teacher.She is a very intelligent lady who could do complex calculations without using a paper or a calculator.My grandfather was no less.They both taught us the basic math.My grandma used to ask us "They were four birds on a tree.After you pelt a stone, two birds flew away.How many birds remain on the tree?".The word MATHS scared me more than any monster in this world.I remember very well,I used my fingers to count ,add and subtract.So I would open four fingers and close two fingers into my fist because my fright for maths had made it's grand entrance. I would whisper "five" because they kept asking me continuously for an answer.They raised their eyebrows in anger/disappointment and asked my sister the same question.My sister promptly answered "two".Not just in maths but she was always a smart kid.This is not the end of the story.
Nearly ten years later we came to know the exact definition of smartness-my first cousin.Even she grew up in my grandparents home .When we went there on a vacation,my grandmom asked her the same question "They were four birds on a tree.After you pelt a stone, two birds flew away.How many birds remain on the tree?".Even before she finished the question my cousin shouted "None".My grandmother did not expect this answer neither did we.My grandmother tried to explain"4-2=2" but this four year old had a different thing on her mind.She replied in a huff "Nayanamma, if you throw stones at birds, all birds will fly".Practical thinking she had.She knew what were the easier methods she could get things done.If my sister beats me in smartness, this kid beats even the best of the best. Happy birthday Goldy.May your intelligence and practical thinking bring you the best in this world.

Old tale

2014-09-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

Anaganaga oka raju...aaraju ki edugurukodukulu...

Aa eduguru kodukulu oka roju vetaki velli...yedu chepalu techaru...

Endabedithe aaru chepalu endayi...okati endaledu...

Raju garu 'Chepa chepa enduku endaledu?' ani adigaru.

Chepa 'Gaddimopu addam vachindi' ani cheppindi.

Raju garu gaddimopuni 'gaddimopu gaddimopu ...enduku chepaki addam vachav?' ani adigaru.

Gaddimopu 'Aavu nannu tinaledu' ani cheppindi.

Raju garu aavu ni 'aavu aavu...enduku gaddimopu ni tinaledu?' ani adigaru.

Daniki aavu 'gopalakudu nannu vadalledu' ani cheppindi

Raju garu ' Gopalak gopalak... enduku vadalledura aavuni?' ani adigaru

Daniki aa gopalakudu 'nannu cheema kuttindi' ani cheppadu.

Raju garu 'Cheema cheema...enduku kuttav' ani adigaru.

Appudu aa cheema 'Naa bangaru puttalo velu pedithe kuttanaa?' ani eduru prasninchindi...

Do you remember this story?? My little boy is amused by anything that creeps.He starts crawling after ants(those that are big in size).We often watch him but if we dint.Those would be mashed by his little hands and I wonder what pleasure he gets from hurting those ants.Yesterday he started crying while we were having dinner.One of the ants bit him.May be it muttered in his language -"Na bangaru puttalo velu pedithe kuttanaa??"

Lessons

2014-09-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

Son:When I grow big can I grow cactus on my face?

Mommy:Rolls her eyes(I was actually surprised)

Son:Hmm(Takes it as a disapproval)

Son:Mommy, when I grow up can I be a daddy?

I just remembered this song "Edagadanikendukura tondara"(Why are you in a hurry to be a grown up,there are just too many hassles waiting for you in your future).Suddenly the philosophy kicked into me and I felt like an enlightened Buddha.We crib for every thing that we don't get and for anything that we could not achieve.That's true in this case.My son who is four is cribbing.He wants to be a big guy.Watch PBS kids 24 x7.Buy an Ipad. Want to go to China just to buy a piano that a neighbor has(sounded silly to us when he mentioned this once).Not that we cannot buy him all this stuff but we limit certain things.Thanks to the parenting lessons learnt over time.Current idea running in his head is that when he grows big, he can earn and buy whatever he wants.

Not his fault.Even we are like that.I don't want to grow old,I don't like graying hair ,I want to click the rewind button and correct many things in my life.Can I do that? Of course not , just like my kid who cannot turn forty now,I cannot turn four.

In for a surprise

2014-07-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

I just remembered that I was a member on Blogger after a long ,long hiatus.Lots of things going on my side.The kid is growing up real quick.Time just sped away past us.I din really know that my boy is no longer a toddler.I realized it just today when his logical thinking kicked in.Today morning he asked me to buy an Ipad.This was not a surprise .He asked me even when he was three.I told him "You need to grow up ,Ipad is not for babies".I did tell him like this even before but today was different.I am in for a surprise.He asked me "Is Sahasra really big,she has an Ipad ?".I was shocked when he asked me that way.This is the first time he spoke with calculative thinking in his little brain.When did he grow up?I do not know but he sure did.
Sahasra is our friend's daughter and is actually younger than my kid by few months.I said "That Ipad is her dad's , not hers".He paused for two minutes and said "Daddy has an Ipad, he needs to share it with me".I smiled and let go.
I told my husband about what he told this morning.The kid immediately rose in to action "Daddy can you please share your Ipad with me".With a smile on his face my Dh said "I dont have an Ipad".Our son did not give up "Daddddyy, you have a Ipad in your office room.You have to share with me".It took us a good time convincing that the Ipad daddy uses belongs to his office and is office property.Thank God,he is a good child now.He only requested it with a little stress but in the coming years Ipad will be a sure item in our shopping cart.

Lesson learnt

2013-05-27T18:49:00.002-07:00

I lately have been going through a tough phase of parenting.I always din yell at him when he messed up the house but off late I started to lose my patience and began yelling.At this age he knows to get things all by himself, play with them and not put them back at the place where it belongs.He did this even earlier but I had to go and get him the toys.He would play and leave it there while I would put them back.I see a lot of progress in every activity he does but I see no progress in his orderliness.I asked about whether he puts his toys back after he plays at school.She said 'Yes', he does.I complained he does not put his things back at home.She smiled and she said 'No one likes to work at home'.
Few days back he was playing with the vegetables and scattered them here and there.I said 'Stop that and put them in the refrigerator.He did not listen to me.He left them there and he was rolling on the floor as if he din seem to care.I told him if you are not listening you are going to get a timeout.He still does not pay heed.I shouted at him and said 'I will throw you out of the house if you misbehave.'He said 'Mommy, you don't get angry but he did not do the work asked for.I sat quietly for sometime and thought 'What am I doing?' He is a three year old and shouting at him is not helping even a bit.
Then I remembered something I read in a magazine and put that to work.I called to him 'Run,run,run get the potatoes and put them in this rack.He finally moved and gathered the vegetable and ran towards me.Next run, run and get the cucumber and put it in the refrigerator.He put both of them and a few others that he picked.I thanked him and gave him a sticker for his job which he usually gets when he does a good job.I thanked the idea written in the magazine.It said 'Make every work a play'.Loved this idea since it worked for me and will work for parents of most toddlers.Try it

Remembering you

2013-04-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

Heading to Grandpa's place for every summer holidays.Spending quality time with him.All those sweets and savories that he brought from town.Learning Arithmetic from grandpa which continued to learning Mathematics latter.Going to paddy fields with him,eating groundnuts planted in his farm.His passion for old vehicles which included bullock carts along with tractors.Being subjected to his experiments on skin care.Being a part of his betting while he played Rummy.I can write on behalf of my sibling and my first cousin ,these will always be a part of our fond childhood memories.
It is never easy to write about someone as dear as a grandfather.I feel such difficulty while I write about mine .I just have too much to share but will do no justice describing him in few words.My maternal grandfather has left us for higher worlds two years ago .I happened to visit India just two months before his death carrying my little bundle of joy ,his first great-grand child that he so wished to see.That is the only good I could do before he left us for his heavenly abode.

Please Help

2013-02-27T00:18:00.001-08:00

It is very unfortunate that I have to write this blog .Yesterday as I was randomly surfing ,I came across one such video that broke me apart.This video shows a woman asking for help desperately. Her husband Laxman Dusa had a brain stroke in year 2010.This left him completely paralyzed and is currently fighting Locked-in syndrome.This is a condition in which a person is mentally sound but physically paralyzed. Laxman is able to communicate only through eye ball movements, blinking etc.He cannot move a finger or ask for help.He cannot eat solid foods just like any of us.He is being treated but the family is sort of financially broken.Insurance does not cover everything.They cannot afford rehabilitation services.He needs Physiotherapy,Occupatinal therapy to make him well .They need emotional support also.Madhu asks if any one can visit him and give him some some emotional support.
I know Laxman as my classmate's elder brother at school.His was a noted name.He was a very smart and active person. He loved to play cricket and participated in all other activities.Such a person is now in a state where he cannot move his own fingers.So true as they mentioned 'Active mind trapped in an unresponsive body'.
I was amazed by the way he was still carrying himself.He still works part time as an application specialist at INTTRA. How? Thanks to the advancement in technology that helped this strong willed man get back to work.He uses Eye Gaze to work part time.Other than his therapists , the love and care from his wife Madhu ,family and friends is keeping him intact.
The road to recover is long and he seriously needs your help.
If you would like to visit contact madhuerukulla@gmail.com.Any volunteer who practices Physiotherapy or Occupational therapy would help.You could visit him as a well wisher too.This is what Madhu says on the video.
Please make donations on this page.
http://laxman-lockedin.weebly.com/how-you-can-help.html

His second year

2013-01-23T17:28:00.001-08:00

'Mommy, you wear bangles' said my son when I was getting ready for his birthday party.I remember January 22nd,2010 when he came into our lives.He was a completely dependent lovable little infant.The first child in our family ,he was the apple of our eyes.Not only to us but he belonged to that age group who could walk around and run around with their teeny tiny feet sans parent supervision, he was one among the most adorable kids in our neighborhood.Two was an age of naughtiness and there was more than one thing he damaged during this 'Discover and Find' age.The party was good but mommy had a hard time cleaning up the walls he painted up to show his creativity.Two was an age where he showed us few of his skills.Teach him a song and he will learn that and sing within an hour's span.He liked seeing advertisements and would come back and ask 'Laddu kavala talli' or come with a mischievous grin saying 'Cheta cock meevu(Cheater cock meeru).His observation was good.He once picked up a magnifying lens, when asked what was that he said he was looking for 'hints'.He must have observed that in a show that his dad watches.He could identify random shops on the street just by seeing their logos.Show him a good sketch , he will make one of his own sketches.Although not perfect, a very good sketch for his age.He loved to cut vegetables,cook his own Mac and cheese and make his own chappathi. He loved to exercise with his yoga uncle Mantena Satyanarayana. Yes, he calls him yoga uncle.This was an age when he started to speak non-stop .He would frequently say 'I love you mommy','Where's daddy?','Daddy, whatt are you doing?'.He loved to compliment his parents.Whenever I wore a new dress he would say 'Mommy, Why are you soo beautiful?' .
He was very fashion conscious.He would yell,cry and make it loud on what he wants to wear.He never liked to wear Indian clothes though he loved singing Janamana(Janaganamana).All those clothes his grandparents send would all just go wasted.

Adding one more con that outweighs all his pros is his eating habit.He is not a picky eater.He does not have a fondness for healthy foods.All he liked were chocolates and this habit continues to date.Next con was his head twitching habit that continued for one month.There is a reason for this too.It was difficult to keep him engaged twenty four hours.So I did the mistake of leaving him to television when I dint want him to interfere while I was cooking.After few rounds to the doctor ,I understood that for his age television is not good.Lessons learnt but I had to keep him engaged so I joined him in school.He made new friends,learnt to speak full sentences of broken English.
The next thing that I write about is undecided whether to be a pro or a con.He is one boy who does not have stranger anxiety .He could strike a conversation with any Tom, Dick and Harry.This was good on one end but he behaved at free will even when he is in a class.If he had a timeline to update October 8 would have a special place.This was the day he was given time-out first.
One more year passed, a few more lessons learnt and looking forward for a new year of parenting.

English Vinglish

2012-11-28T04:42:00.000-08:00

On his arrival flight to India,my son strikes a conversation with a kid sitting before him.
Kid:My dad went to Melbourne.We are going to India.
Son: Wow! India.My dad went to hair cut and I am going to India.

Son goes to a neighbor's home and returns. Grandma:Where did you go? Son:Hairport to India Grandma:lol.Did you see dogs? Son: Yes, dogs have Srithu akka.

Mom:What is daddy doing?
Son:Daddy is playing bat with mosquitoes

Boy looks at the maid and says 'Mom, she is big Pochamma' and looks at her daughter-in-law and points her finger and says 'She is small Pochamma'.

Son slips on the wet bathroom floor and has a crash says' I am sorry mom, I din mean to break it.It was just an accident'.

Boy looks at the hens and says 'Wow, they look like peacocks.What is his name?"

Mom: Tata is a retired assistant commisioner
Son: Tata is a very tired sista commisioner.

Mom(shows Rosary): This is called a rosary and this belongs to tata and he uses it during meditation
Son: (picks up a cycle chain):This is called a rosary.Belongs to tata and uses it during mediation.

Son: (brushes teeth)spills some goo on his tummy and asks mommy can you clean my bellybutton?

Son gets hit by a gate handle and says 'Mommy, he is vevvy vevvy(very) angry.He hit me.

Son tries to run a toy(police officer bike) with drained out batteries.
Mom: He(Police officer) is very tired.He stopped working.
Son : 'Oh! he is retired'

Son went to take a Flu shot few months ago.
Nurse: After giving him a shot says 'You are very very brave. Here is your superman sticker'.
Few months later
Mom: Laxmana is Rama's brother.He is very brave.
Son: Laxmana is very brave.He took a flu shot

Mommy and son go to look at an empty plot that our family owns
Resident looks at my son and asks 'Saar , when are you building a building here?'
Son smiles back and says ' I will build building blocks'

Son asks 'Daddy who is he?' pointing at the immigration officer.
Daddy smiles back and says 'He is an immigration officer'
Mommy and daddy are busy filling the immigration form.
Son asks 'Daddy watt are you doing?'
Daddy says 'Filling the immigration form'.
Son says 'I want to do it'
Daddy smiles back at the immigration officer for the delay and says 'There is no place for you to sit'.
Son says 'I will sit on the immigration officer'.

Son comes to mommy and asks 'Mommy , can we buy a horse?'
Mommy thinks what in the world is this kid thinking and she asks 'Why do you need a horse?'
Son says 'I want to be a cowboy.I want to hang on a horse'

Son : What is seva ?
Mommy: Hmm.. ask daddy
Daddy: Seva means service
Next day
Son watches Sesame street.
Elmo talks about the service dog.
Son: Mommy that is a seva dog.Isnt it?

Son: Can I have some water?
Mommy fetches a glass of water for son to drink
After 5 minutes
Son: Oops ! my water broke (shows the water he spilled on the sofa).I am soo sorry

Son wanted his daddy to lift him up and bounce
Son: Daddy can you fly me

Daddy is in the kitchen
Son:Daddy watt are you doing?
Dad: I am helping mommy in cooking
Son goes back and returns after few minutes
Son: Daddy are you cooking mommy?

Son pulls out a egg from the carton and breaks it
Mommy(angry): Why did you pull out the egg? Look, you broke the egg
Son: Break it? The egg hatched mommy
Son comes crying :Daddy, I take abboabbo(when something hurts he calls it abboabbo) on my gundu(head)

To be continued....

How to download from Youtube

2012-11-17T11:51:00.004-08:00

Many toddlers are a big fan of Barney and Elmo and spend hours together watching them. If you have a cable connection you can entertain your kids for an hour or two but when they ask for more, YouTube is your only rescue. Since many of us have a broadband connection, we can entertain our kids but what happens when net speed is low and your video fails to load? Your kid becomes fussy and even makes you restless. Many of you must have thought about downloading these YouTube videos but do not know how to download them. There is no download button on the YouTube page to download the video. Even the YouTube help page wont help you regarding downloading, in fact it doesn’t support downloading. So many of you might be wondering about how to entertain toddlers when they want to have more of Barney or Elmo and you have problem with your net connection. Thanks to third party sites like Savevid.com that help you in downloading YouTube videos. Here are few instructions about downloading YouTube videos. Firstly you need to go the YouTube page of the song you want to download by entering the song name in the search box of YouTube. Next copy the URL of the song from the address bar of your web browser. Open Savevid.com on another browser. Paste the URL on the savevid.com page textbox and press the green ‘Download’ button. Click ‘Run’ when java window opens. There will be around nine formats in which you can download your video. Each format varies in quality and also varies depending on the media in which your video is supposed to play. Select your preferred download format and press the format button. Your video starts downloading in downloads folder. After it finishes downloading copy it to your favorite location on your PC where it is easy to access. You can also rename your video as Barney or Elmo. Preview your video and you are ready for your Toddler’s entertainment.

Toddler and his preferences

2012-05-03T00:44:00.000-07:00

I like long hair.I love spicy food.I prefer cooler to hotter places.When did I start making wise decisions? I really don't know and I really don't know when I started preferring things.Though I still have preferences ,I am not very strict about getting it done my way.Till date I still wear dresses sent to me by mom and my sister.My two year Hitler is unlike me.He is like leave it or do it my way.He is soo choosy and picky at this young age and I cant really talk him out off his decisions.This tiny tot is a decision maker.He wants to pick his clothes and he wants to pick his shoes.My sister bought him few pairs of shoes when she last visited.He tried all of them except one.He did not want to try wearing his Spider man Crocs.I was just feeling sorry about this pair wasting away without wearing.I daily tried giving him this pair to wear but he threw them back and got another.Luckily one day a toddler at the library wore Ladybug crocs.I showed him, her pair of crocs.I don't know what he was thinking but that evening he finally wore his crocs.Now whenever he wants to go out ,he shouts Spider man shoes and pulls them out.He stopped wearing other shoes. I sometimes give up and take him to the cupboard.He wants to wear his mommy's shirt and tunic or the short shirt in his three piece clothing.Sigh!! and then he starts to yell and cry because I show him who's the boss. It's just not the clothing but he has preferences with people and toys.He chooses his own friends.If he sees a girl of four or five,he used to shout 'Akka Diya' even though her name was not Diya. Diya happens to be my friends cousin's daughter who spent an hour with my boy couple of months ago.She left such a strong mark on his mind that he calls every girl 'Diya'to date.He prefers playing with five year olds even though they dont prefer playing with him. So is the case with 'Thomas' his toy.He would not want to come out of Barnes and Noble's even after playing hours and hours with Thomas and his friends.We were on a road trip from Sfo to seattle and he loved seeing trains.He would shout 'Thomas' whenever he saw a train. So every other akka(elder sister) is 'Diya',every train is 'Thomas' and every dog is 'Luci'.I can live with it but I read in toddler development books that at some age they would prefer just one parent.This phase has not yet arrived in my home.I am just happy that he puts his preferences outside his home .If he prefers something at home,he goes only with objects that dont breathe. I cant Thank God enough for that.

Cuuuttteeee

2012-03-22T17:42:00.004-07:00

You are kind of cute.So very cute my little boy, and your cuteness is growing day by day.I cant get over it and may be not until you grow up into a man.Though I love to enjoy every single minute of your cuteness, it is kind of very difficult expressing it.I cant describe how good I felt when you wrapped your hands to hug me when I left you home and went on an errand.You indeed did push away your dad to reach me.I understood then that I am at the top of your priority list.You were soo very cute and I was so very selfish for your love.
It is a sight to see when you are angry and refuse to talk to us.I love your twisted tiny lips and the serious look on your face. I like the tiny talks which you make only to your stuffed Pooh bear only when you are angry.I could not control laughing when you sat grumpily on the speaker pointing to your Pooh bear and said 'You are sick'.
I like it when you put on your dad's spectacles,sitting on his recliner and imitating your dad's posture when he watches TV.
I like the way you cook 'Pappu' for us whenever you are in the mood of cooking.Especially I like this phase of you being a toddler or well my love for you is growing with time.
I know how much your grandparents are missing your cute little deeds and that is when we wished we could share this part of your childhood with them.All said and done but life should go on.

I am not ready yet

2012-02-21T20:34:00.002-08:00

It’s just two years since you were born and you still feel like a baby.I still remember you as a tiny little kid who was dependant on us for your every little deed.I did not realize when the time flew away.I still think twice before I train you on anything new and sometimes postpone thinking you might not understand since you are too young to understand.You surprise me everyday singing me the same rhymes which I sung for you many months ago.I am awed by how you remember songs sung an year ago.I fall in love with the words you speak,those sweet songs you sing and little dances you do .Even though we as parents might not understand even one of those hundred words you speak, we simply cant stop listening to your baby babble.Baby? Did I call you a 'Baby'? You just notified me that you are no more a baby.You just startled us when you spoke a small constructed sentence to my closest cousin after your second birthday, when you read us words written in lowercase letters.Happy for you but please don’t grow up soo fast.We still want to relish the sweet innocence of your babyhood.I was not very serious when someone said ‘He will soon be ten’.Now I panic when his dad said 'After few years we cant kiss him like we do now’.I asked him ‘Why?'.He gave me an example of a certain relative’s kids and said 'Did you ever see her boys coming down and sitting on mom's lap like the girl does? So you cant pamper your boy when he grows up’.I fight back and said 'Boys kiss their moms even when they grow up' though I am not sure my boy would do that.I secretly tell to myself 'Call me selfish,possessive or whatever that pleases you but I dont want him to grow up(or atleast not soo fast) and tell me 'I am a big boy now mommy'.I am not ready yet

My beautiful friends

2012-01-28T20:12:00.001-08:00

I had a newroomate that day.She was a malayali.Her name was Sunita Thomas.She dint opt for the room.The warden placed her there after receiving a complaint from a professor.She was nice n a cool girl.We soon became good friends.She belonged to another paramedical course(occupational therapy).She had many friends who came to our room frquently.I saw no fault in that girl.She was good by nature.I wondered why someone could complaint against her.
One day I asked her if she did not have good terms with that professor.She told me the whole story.I couldnt stop laughing.We had a hostel where one wing had boys and another wing had girls as occupants.Sunitha and her friends occupied three rooms in that particular hostel but stayed in one room.All of them were malayalis.They used to talk for long hours.Not just talk but shout.There was too much hungama in the room.The lights were switched on until two in the night.People in other rooms were disturbed by the noise they made.
One day they were celebrating a birthday or something at twelve(I dont remember the occassion).They were shouting at the midnight.A guy in the opposite wing shouted n asked them to be quite.They stopped for two minutes and again started in their own way.That guy got angry and asked them to shutup and go to sleep.Our girls were those enthusiastic types.They showed him bones (those BONESETS they carried to anatomy classes) n scared him at midnight.They shouted n had fun until two that night also.
Next day they went to college.They had anatomy in the first period and were dumbstruck when they saw their anatomy professor.It was none other than the guy in the opposite wing.Soon our professor lodged a complaint against all of those gals.Warden separated and placed all these gals in different hostels n Sunita joined me in my room.
I still remember all those days when they celebrated my bday n that 30 piece cadbury gift n all that love they showered on me.You can calculate money but never all that love n never those butiful days that have passed by.I am posting sunitha's snap here along with few more monkeys.I am writing because I just remembered all of them fondly today.

Accident

2011-12-04T23:22:00.000-08:00

On 2nd December I received an emergency call from my husband. He told me that someone called his office and informed him that some flats in our apartment complex were on fire. He asked me to go and see if I can see any smoke.If I did see something ,to get the kid out along with our important documents as fast as I can. I went outside and I did not manage to see anything except our maintenance guys clearing the bushes. I called my neighbors and no one picked the phone. I calmed down a bit and thought this news must be fake. If something like that happened why would the maintenance people be this calm?
Later on my neighbor picked up her kid from school and rang me up. She said there was a fire in the complex and the block that was burned was towards the other gate. I know one of the residents from the block that was burnt and I really appreciate her for rushing herself fast and out of the fire. She has a kid almost as young as Dhruv is. I know how difficult it is to manage with that age kids. Getting your document, your gold on time with a toddler would be terribly difficult. If I were in her position, my mind would be blocked and would be in a shocked state for many days later. My neighbor asked me 'Did you not go outside and see the burnt building?’. I said 'No’. I don’t like to see such incidents. I feel so sad for all those who lost their belongings
Thank fully except a man being injured by jumping downstairs no one was caught in the fire. Today I had to or rather forced to drive past that burnt block and it looked as good as new except that there was no roof. The complex people were fast in mending the damage and putting on a new paint .There was a faint smell of burnt wood in the air. What a nightmare that was for all those people who have gone through this incident.

My Mischievous guy

2011-11-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

My son is almost two and had shown early signs of turning terrible two.He is a boy afterall.A way lot different from the calm and sweet pinkies out there.He loves hurling anion(onions) and potatoes on the floor ,shouting bath(ball).Anything round is ball for him and he wont listen when he is in the mood of hurling things around.He loves pulling out cords from the player and trying his own hands on fixing those wires .He doesn't like the way his mom keeps his home.He thinks he does a better job than his mom.He puts his shoes beside mommy's condiments and mommy's shoes on the tea table,spills newspapers all around the house,Dvds in a secret place.
If someone comes to our home without calling us before,he will probably have a heart attack.I thought I could stop him being just so naughty.So,I tried bringing him board books from the library.He is very interested to see these new books but at the end of the week , I have to return it back and I did not find them anywhere.I searched extensively and I was in no luck.I was at my wit's end but there is no use of asking or yelling at him.I calmed down by thinking of buying a new book for the library and of course pay the penalty. At last when I tried to bake potatoes,I found his library books in the oven.Thank God,we din have to eat the baked books along with baked potatoes.When this happened for two weeks and those books were stowed in his secret place.I said to myself 'Forget books,they are government property and I have no right to lose them'.
I just take him to the library and bring him back after the glass(class).No ,that again is not an easy deed.Let me tell you what he does in the library.He walks around waving at white skinned girls and asks them 'Awawu?'(How are you?) even if they don give him a smile.I try to press him and make him sit down during the class but my breakfast gets digested easily in the first fifteen minutes of forcing him to sit down.He starts shouting or crying and I leave him in order to not cause any disturbance.He is fascinated by the stereo player his teacher uses for some dancing songs.He goes there super excited and immediately switches it off(he did this once or twice) while it was playing.Thanks to the other parents who sit in front row and pull him back.One fine day ,he sat in his teacher's chair while she was performing.She had a hard time to get him back to his seat and I was totally embarrassed.Although he does a lot of mischief there,he is smart enough to understand what his teacher taught him.He doesn't want to come back home from the library.He cries and refuses to get down from his stroller.He daily asks me at least once in his words 'glass?'(class).
Yesterday when we went to brush our teeth we found a big crayola pencil inside the toothpaste tube.I asked him what was this after pulling out the pencil.He said "Penchil bush or theeth"(Pencil needs to brush his teeth) with a mischievous smile on his face.I couldn't help but laugh my lungs out.Though all these are cute and funny, I want him to grow up fast (Not really but atleast to know not to mess up his surroundings).

I read somewhere that pets are as smart as your two year old.Atleast the two year old grows up but the pet's deeds remain the same forever.I am not an animal lover but Hats-off to all the animal lovers who can bear those kiddish deeds lifelong

Good memories -Always

2011-11-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

How old is my little one? Two years?? No,he still has two more months and a few more days to turn two.No,I want the clock to stop ticking.I feel it was not a lot of time since my little baby was born but I cant stop the clock from ticking.He soon will be two and within no time he will turn twenty-two.I am going to miss all his cute little words and all his mischievous deeds.In the future if my blog and you tube exist these are the videos I am going to be reminiscing upon while he will be tending his babies.

Busy Mom I am

2010-10-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

Incy wincy spider

Climbed up the water spout;

Down came the rain

And washed the spider out.

Out came the sunshine

And dried up all the rain;

Incy Wincy spider

Climbed up the spout again.

This is exactly what is happening at home.Little Dhruv is trying to stand by himself.He wants to try standing handsfree and is ofcorse falling down a dozen times bumping his head on the hard floor.He cries for a few minutes and immediately forgets all the pain.So just like the incy wincy spider he tries to stand again.So I have become a full time body guard(bad) and a less frequent Orkuter or Facebooker.I know someone is happy for this situation of mine

month seven

2010-08-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

This month I took my last vaccination for this season.It left a big mark on my memory.I hate being changed in brightly lit rooms.It just reminds me of my doctor's office.
This month I was picture people's model at the sunvalleymall.My parents were awed by the surprise no obligation form that was asked to be signed .
This month I took my first international flight to my parents homecountry.I was everyone's sweetheart on the flight.I played Mr.Romeo to all my flight attendants.Ahh those arab ladies were just too beautiful.
This month I had met my grandparents and greatgrandparents in India.I am their blood,so no wonder they loved me.
This month I started my cereal and I found that doorknobs taste better than this bland cereal.
This month I preferred uncles more than aunties because they wear more spectacles and have too much loot in their pocket for me to pick.However I still prefer aunties in lavendar saries adorned with lots of jewellery.Those shiny thingies on their necks are a beautiful feast to my eyes.Err even to my mouth.
This month I have met all my cousins.So I found a few fluffy pillows to crawl on.No kidding,I do crawl on and over them.

This month on my list is my car driver as my most fondest member.I know he is the only person who will take me out.
This month I can stand with support though I fall now and then.I skipped the supported sitting session in a hurry to grow up fast.
This month I turned seven month old,seven days ago.It was hard to tell you guys because my mom was busy with her little monkey on his toes.