Nothing sets you straight like a child.

Suhaana is now in the phase where she likes to try to repeat things that we say and do. This is quite exciting when we see her struggling to enunciate words like "pa-ca" (peacock), "phfffissh" (fish), and "totle" (turtle). And then there are those that she's already mastered like wow, hello, hi, ba-bye, ball, bear etc.

But it also means I need to watch what I'm saying. A couple of time last week when I turned to Suhaana I found her in the middle of some naughtiness. In both surprise and humor, and in a bid to immediately put an end to the illegal activity (like putting her sock into the oatmeal bowl, then trying to put her leg into the oatmean bowl. Or the other time when she was trying her bath time crayons on the bed sheet.) I called out "eyy" (like a 'hey' but with h silent) and soon enough, she repeated after me "Eii". As soon as she'd said it I realized that's not a very nice way of asking someone not to do something.

I did this a couple time last week. Both times Suhaana repeated after me filling me with realization and regret. But since then- nothing. I'm cured as it were. Now for bigger battles of keeping cool when her dinner is taking too long and getting too frustating - we're still working in that one!

The Tea Bag that was Not a Tea Bag

This happened last weekend.. and in retrospect it seems like one of those things just waiting to happen.

I was changing Suhaana's diaper while she was struggling to get out of my hands. (The downstairs' mobile diaper changing setup has been relocated to be on the floor for safety of the wiggly toddler.) Just as I was done cleaning her up and proceeded to get the new diaper, she got away from me. Turned around and ran away. Now this had turned into a catch-me-if-you-can game! I was intending to give her her bath, so thought that's just as well.
Just as I was going to catch this butt-naked naughty girl for her bath, Raj asked me something.. And I was responding, and got distracted.

Meanwhile this little girl proceeded to a far corner into what I presumed to be her usual games. A little later, I was still talking to Raj, when Suhaana walks towards the kitchen. I noticed that her legs are wet. Raj said there was some water on the floor from the dishwasher loading. I, the not so easily convinced, wanted to check for myself. I peeped to the far corner where Suhaana had been"playing"- and sure enough. There was a little lake there- too big to qualify as a puddle by any means. And then there was this little thing in it. From my vantage point, it looked like a used tea bag. I wondered where she got a tea bag from. But then, who knows? These days are full of surprises!

Both me n Raj moved in on Suhaana (this had once again become a catch me if you can game), and got her cleaned up. Then, when I got closer to evaluate the damage (luckily this was on the tile and not carpet), I realized the tea bag was no tea bag! Yes, it's exactly what you're thinking! I couldn't help but laugh and laugh and laugh for about 5 minutes!! It would be pretty gross if it weren't just so funny (especially given that in all my wishful thinking and naiveness I thought it was a tea bag )!!

Of course cleanup followed. Suhaana has to be restrained by Daddy, because she was both- ever so ready to help Mummy with cleanup and also because she was curious about this little brown "pebble"! Cleanup was gross.. But I still think it was so funny!

And yes, no more running around naked for you, little girl!

Birthday

For Raj's birthday Suhaana gave her daddy so many sloppy kisses today.. Along with a card that has a picture of a big grill, along side a little pink grill. Inside the card says "Daddy I'm your little grill". Cute little cookie!

Do Not Believe The NO

You should not believe everything you hear these days. For instance, if you were to meet Suhaana any of these days you'll think my and her favorite word is "No". Reality is far from it!

It's all because lately, Suhaana has this new found interest in some words, like 'No'. If she hears it, in any context, even as an innocuous part of any random statement, she gets all excited.. And then screams "NOoo" at top of her voice - full blast. Shaking her head in vehement disapproval. Sometimes even raising her index finger in reinforcement. She has so much fun with her enactment of the word- and so do I. Most of the times, I forget what the no was about! And that's when I think to myself 'Oh No! I forgot what I was saying' but I dare not say it out loud!

This Sunday Morning

It's sunday today and I was up pretty early. Suhaana was still asleep when I got up. I shook Raj from his slumber - wake up! No response. This is a great thing, i thought. It's weekend, the little girl is asleep. The house is quiet. Why not fix a relaxing cup of bed tea?!

I went downstairs to fix tea (tea is a rarity for me these days, let alone having it in bed). Then, I came upstairs to have my tea - on the bed, in peace and quiet. (It was still kind of dark outside). As I was just about to get in, I glanced over Suhaana's crib (we have her crib in our room and are debating if we should move it to her room presently). So, I glance over, and my eyes met a pair of tiny awake eyes in the crib. Doing peekaboo! Not running around - just yet. There was still a small flicker of hope for my tea and peace and quiet. I did the only logical thing to do - make no noise, and pretended like I didn't even see her. Like we're all just going to go back to sleep.

I settled in the bed. Hopeful and eager for my hot cuppa tea. I glanced back towards the crib again confident that the little girl must have drifted off to lala-land. What do I find? The baby eyes are staring back at me, standing up in the crib, wide awake, holding the crib rails. Tiny tracking system located pacifier nearby and deployed it. Then, located the little doll (crib mate). Picked her up, and gave her a big sloppy good-morning hug.

At this point- it was just too much cuteness going around to ignore for me. I needed my own little doll to pick up and give one big hug to..

Sandy Hook

Just saw the news about shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut. 20 elementary grade kids were killed. And adults. Am horrified. Who would do such a despicable act? Who would want to hurt these elementary grade kids? For what purpose? What possible point would you want to make, what scores would you want to settle?

I'm even more distraught about the parents. Having Suhaana has given me some insight into parents in general. But I can't begin to imagine what the parents of the children are going through. And to think, an incident like this would provide them no closure, no justice, no hope.

I'm just sad. So, very sad. We think we're a progressive society- moving towards betterment in all aspects. And then an incident like this comes along, makes you question - just about everything. Now we're thinking about locks in school buildings, first response, reverse 911 calls et cetera. When what we really want is to go back to how we grew up, where the street we live on was our playground, we would know everyone in the neighborhood, we would run around and play outdoors, as prevalent on the neighborhood streets and parks as weeds. A time and world where there's no fear. We can't get there with guns or locks. Even though we probably can avert some tragedies with locks. But we can't get rid of that fear. Makes me feel like its lost- forever..

In some way, everyone has lost something today - not only the parents and families and the children directly affected at Sandy Hook.

Balance Aid

As we came back from our outing, I was taking off Suhaana's shoes. I was kneeling down beside her, she was standing - all of 2 feet and some.

I asked her for her right leg. She raised her right leg up obediently (read: conveniently). Then I asked her for her left leg. She wasn't completely balanced on her right leg. But as I moved to remove her left shoe, and she wavered on her balance a little bit - what in the world does she hold on to? Mumma's hair- its that black thready thing you can always hold and pull on to when you need that extra balance and support!!

I miss..

All the time I spend away from my little baby.. All the time that sifts away.. I miss you..

Twice In One Week

This week I decided to take Suhu to a book store. It's one of my favorite places to be. Suhaana had never been to one yet.. But it's part of my new strategy of introducing little baby to new places. This was also a sans-stroller trip (I'd forgotten it at home) so I was a little wary if Suhu would be cherry picking disgusting grime from the carpet and all my time would be spent telling her not.

But here we were anyway. As soon as we reached our destination (baby book section) and she disembarked from my arms, it was pure glee - for both of us!

She was just ecstatic there were so many things at her eye and arm level - aisle upon aisle of books - such multicolored mosaics. She would go and take one out from display.. Leave it and run into another aisle. There were people too - who'll waive her hello. She'd hold her arm up, all fingers wide open, rotate it a bit and run to check if Mama's still where Suhu left her. There were buckets full of plush toys too. She could take one, look at it, laugh at it, leave it and move to baby books, then into the young fiction section and turn into the hobby aisle....

I had so much fun too.. For one, Suhu was enjoying herself in one of my favorite places was a reward in itself. But also 'cause I get so fascinated with cute colorful baby books myself- The Little Blue Truck and The Jungle book with a board game too, A Little Tiger book.. Oh just so much fun!

How time flies. Now you know why it was twice in one week.