I was really not too sure how Mridu was going to behave. I knew she would be ok for awhile, but after that she usually wants to go out, wants a change of place (but definitely not back home). That has been her usual pattern whenever I have taken her out to someone's home.
Last evening she surprised me. She was so happy througout the evening and was actually on everyone's lap, wanting them to read to her. and talk to her  My clingy little daughter was actually going to everyone else and having fun. And I never thought that was ever going to happen. A few months back, she wouldn't leave my side or arms even to go to dad. Though she used to love to be amidst people, I would have to be the person to read to her, to play and dance with her.

These days daddy is allowed to read a story book and take her out swimming, mummy's friend is allowed to carry her or help her get dressed and a new uncle/aunty is allowed to feed to her. Which is just so amazing!!!!!!

As I see her growing everyday, I see her being more independent and enjoying the company of others. Which is such a wonderful thing to watch. On the one hand I am happy that she is able to have fun on her own in the company of others, and on the other hand, she is giving me a much needed breather....something I was longing for ages.

My little princess is growing up so soon. Am I going to miss her pessessive nature? Nah, I don' t think so.....or do I already?

Update on Mridu - She is now 2 years and 4 months old, we are planning to put her in nursery soon, because she gets very very bored at home. She is as lovable as ever, as inquisitive as ever and as smart as ever.

I am trying to find an appropriate school for her, which I have had little success with so far.

Yesterday's appointment at Stretton school was good. Mridu has been used to going away to school for a few hours in India (I just came back from an India vacation). She saw this particular school and was so happy, she immediately ran inside and started playing with all the toys. The teacher there was visibly impressed with her language skills and her ability to communicate whatever she wanted.
But this school isn't fitting into our budget!! :-(
And the other school we like, and which fits into our budget, is too far away.

Now the question is, do we move home closer to Sunningdale (the other nice school) or do we not mind the fees and put her in Stretton. With a kid, life is all about decisions, decisions and decisions.

On the other hand, it is such a joy to see this little angel of a girl, happily prancing around, unmindful of all the complexities of the world.

Will write more later. My princess has woken from her nap!

Her favourite time to try out her singing prowess is on the push chair, when she has nothing else to do. At traffic signals, at the supermarket, oblivious to the people watching and appreciating.  She can really keep herself entertained and it somewhat makes me so proud to watch that. I am happy that she has an ear for music and I hope she always does.

I often wonder to myself if she will take up singing seriously (something that I didn't do and feel bad about sometimes). Something my mom wanted me to do when I was a child. Now I wish and dream for my daughter to pursue music. And now I know what my mother would have felt about me!

Mridu is fine after her fracture. She is back to her old routine now. Just that summer won't last too long and I already have to start thinking about how she is going to be occupied in winter. Good thing is, we would be in India for the worst part of winter and really looking forward to that.

She seems to be talking so much these days. Questions a lot, asks "what that?" for everything. I think very soon, I will have to be brushing up my general knowledge if I have to tell her the right answers :-)

These days, when she sees something that excites her, she says, "wow, look at that!". Initially, you wonder if you've heard her right, and then you know she is really saying that!

Maybe I'll start recording all the things she says. Would be such fun to play it back to her later, after she's grown.

She is being treated like a queen! Lots of visitors, lots of toys and sweets. Turns out that she realises everything. These days she wants me to rock her to sleep again!!! (and I thought I just said goodbye to rocking). I realise we need to be gentle and caring and at the same time firm about certain things. Isn't parenting a never ending learning process. You think you have crossed one hurdle and the next one is just round the corner!

She has a real cute bandage though. It has colourful teddy bears on it!

Now that she is a proper toddler, the topic of disciplining almost automatically follows. Inspite of apparently being "prepared" for a tantrum, (we have been doing a lot of reading and there's this show called Supernanny on TV that we watch) we are invariably caught off guard when it actually happens.

I have been totally amazed to see kids in the UK being so disciplined which I don't see in Indian households (including mine)
I guess it is a conflict between guilt feelings versus being strict that doesn't work out. Consistency is the key and how quickly children get the point. You would be so surprised to see how quickly they learn to manipulate parents and from there all the trouble starts.

While struggling with these thoughts and how to go about them, I come across this book "How to Talk so children will listen and how to listen so children will talk". This book talks about a whole new way of getting children to do things and behave well (without considering punishment as an option). Has anyone read this? if not I would recommend it to all parents. Am planning to buy a copy of one myself. I think it would be ever useful.

Now I have to wait and see if the methods work for my daughter! (or rather, am I going to be able to do this well?)