We have a cat in our house these days. A two legged, close to two feet tall cat. She runs around at home the whole time, climbing on the couch, jumping from it, rolling on the carpet, climbing up on the chair, going behind the curtains, emerging from behind them. And if you ever ask her 'What does the cat say?', she will respond with: "Meeeaaaaaaaaooowwww". Quite possibly the longest miaow anyone ever heard! And then, she will giggle in delight.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Doll House
I went to pick up Suhaana from the home day care where she spends her days these days and like everyday found myself in the middle of a new story. The lady's younger 4 year old daughter has recently acquired a 3 story doll house. It features bathroom and sitting area on the first floor, an elevator to get to the second floor, staircase in case of emergency, bedroom with a bed, mattress, pillows, carpet, a sitting area and balcony on the third floor. Basically, the works!
The 4 year old was aching to show 'Aunty' (me) her doll house. When we got to it, and I was marveling at the sophistication of her doll house, Suhaana was busy appreciating it on her own as well. For starters, the concept of a doll has not exactly crossed her mind, and she hasn't seen anyone even smaller than her, so the 2 inch wide chair has to fit her somehow. Poor girl kept trying to sit on the chair, then the table (also 2 inch wide), but couldn't fathom why she doesn't fit. Then there were the stairs. She knew the stairs, and these ones are not even barricaded behind gates like the ones at home! She tried to keep her foot on the miniature stairs, but unlike the ones at home (and everywhere else), her single foot now spanned as many as 4 stairs! How could that be?
Finally when it was clear Suhaana cannot climb the doll house stairs, she settled and let the little doll climb the stairs. But then, it looked just too good to be true - stairs or not, she was going in. So she did what she does everyday at home on the couch. She climbed up- on the second floor of the doll house - she, barely able to sit up in it; we, barely able to keep a straight face as we watched her get into the doll house!! It was hilarious! Finally only when Mumma was leaving the room and the possibility that Mommy might leave her and go home surfaced in her mind, did she grudgingly left the doll house alone and left the room.
I have a feeling - I see doll houses in my future!
The 4 year old was aching to show 'Aunty' (me) her doll house. When we got to it, and I was marveling at the sophistication of her doll house, Suhaana was busy appreciating it on her own as well. For starters, the concept of a doll has not exactly crossed her mind, and she hasn't seen anyone even smaller than her, so the 2 inch wide chair has to fit her somehow. Poor girl kept trying to sit on the chair, then the table (also 2 inch wide), but couldn't fathom why she doesn't fit. Then there were the stairs. She knew the stairs, and these ones are not even barricaded behind gates like the ones at home! She tried to keep her foot on the miniature stairs, but unlike the ones at home (and everywhere else), her single foot now spanned as many as 4 stairs! How could that be?
Finally when it was clear Suhaana cannot climb the doll house stairs, she settled and let the little doll climb the stairs. But then, it looked just too good to be true - stairs or not, she was going in. So she did what she does everyday at home on the couch. She climbed up- on the second floor of the doll house - she, barely able to sit up in it; we, barely able to keep a straight face as we watched her get into the doll house!! It was hilarious! Finally only when Mumma was leaving the room and the possibility that Mommy might leave her and go home surfaced in her mind, did she grudgingly left the doll house alone and left the room.
I have a feeling - I see doll houses in my future!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The Ranch
It was such a beautiful spring day outside today. We spent the afternoon the best way there was to spend the afternoon - outside, at a ranch. There were horses, cows, goats, a pig and several dogs.
I was amazed and impressed that Suhaana was not intimidated by the sheer size of the horses. She was walking around them, like they were farm fixtures, like the tractor and the arena fence. She would point to it, and call out "horsh"! We nodded and cried out "Yesss! Horse!" in sheer delight and helplessness of not being able to hug her, crush her! She is not one to be hugged or picked up or told where to go when she's out on a ranch. Such blatant encroachment of her independence is not dealt with lightly. Displeasure is immediately notified and there's nothing discrete about it either.
But perhaps who she liked the best were the ranch dog. There were at least 4. But she liked the big shaggy sheep dog, almost twice her height, the best. The laid back, calm dog was minding his own business when, to his surprise, there came this funny looking two legged thing, with pink pants and pink multicolored jacket with a hood on- the hood ending in a dark pink flock of threads flying around in the wind. It looked amusing, till this little thing came by and tried to lick or kiss his snout! The dog was stunned. Why is this little thing jumping on him? Why is she trying to climb on him? Did she come here for horse riding lessons and mistook him for a miniature horse? Why? Oh why?
Whatever happened to being ignored all day long in the laid back silence of coexisting farm animals! The poor dog ran away in a hurry, the little girl in tow, trying to find his own peaceful haven, free from crowds and toddler children!
I was amazed and impressed that Suhaana was not intimidated by the sheer size of the horses. She was walking around them, like they were farm fixtures, like the tractor and the arena fence. She would point to it, and call out "horsh"! We nodded and cried out "Yesss! Horse!" in sheer delight and helplessness of not being able to hug her, crush her! She is not one to be hugged or picked up or told where to go when she's out on a ranch. Such blatant encroachment of her independence is not dealt with lightly. Displeasure is immediately notified and there's nothing discrete about it either.
But perhaps who she liked the best were the ranch dog. There were at least 4. But she liked the big shaggy sheep dog, almost twice her height, the best. The laid back, calm dog was minding his own business when, to his surprise, there came this funny looking two legged thing, with pink pants and pink multicolored jacket with a hood on- the hood ending in a dark pink flock of threads flying around in the wind. It looked amusing, till this little thing came by and tried to lick or kiss his snout! The dog was stunned. Why is this little thing jumping on him? Why is she trying to climb on him? Did she come here for horse riding lessons and mistook him for a miniature horse? Why? Oh why?
Whatever happened to being ignored all day long in the laid back silence of coexisting farm animals! The poor dog ran away in a hurry, the little girl in tow, trying to find his own peaceful haven, free from crowds and toddler children!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sing A Song
There's nothing more rewarding I've done in my entire life than to have Suhaana snuggle up besides me and I cuddle her in my arms and sing to her while she falls asleep. Nothing in my world is any sweeter than that moment. I can see her eyes blinking, initially, as she just listens to me carefully. And then slowly, drifts into sweet dreams. I pause to give her kisses and continue singing; partly for me, mostly for her..
Friday, February 15, 2013
Whistle Blower - Part 2
To follow up on my Whistle Blower post earlier, I finally got to test if the whistle still scares Suhaana, and have mixed results to report:
Initially till the whistle was not too loud, she was okay with it - a background noise, barely an annoyance. But then suddenly, the pressure cooker let out an unexpected, loud scream. It sent the little girl wrapped around my legs, freaked out and bawling! Poor thing just got so scared when the cooker suddenly screamed out loud.
A quick switch off the gas and pick up the baby in arms is in order.
Initially till the whistle was not too loud, she was okay with it - a background noise, barely an annoyance. But then suddenly, the pressure cooker let out an unexpected, loud scream. It sent the little girl wrapped around my legs, freaked out and bawling! Poor thing just got so scared when the cooker suddenly screamed out loud.
A quick switch off the gas and pick up the baby in arms is in order.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Picture This
Act 1:
It's a nice, mild sunny early evening. Suhaana and Papa are in the playground. Suhaana is looking for adventures. She loves the outdoors.
Then out there at a distance she sees a used, dirty paper. It calls on the little girl.
She moves towards it. Time for exploration begins.
Act 2:
Suhaana now next to the dirty, greasy paper. Inching towards it now. It's calling to her. She's split seconds away from grabbing at it.
Papa (in as authoritarian tone as can muster): "No! No, baby. No. No playing with paper!"
Suhaana (it's decision time- to move towards the paper or not. To be good or more fun!) (Hesitates.)
Papa (Time to reaffirm) "No, Suhaana".
Suhaana (Ok, maybe don't need paper) (moving on now)
Suhaana (to paper) Bye-bye!
Papa (having trouble keeping a straight face)!!!!
It's a nice, mild sunny early evening. Suhaana and Papa are in the playground. Suhaana is looking for adventures. She loves the outdoors.
Then out there at a distance she sees a used, dirty paper. It calls on the little girl.
She moves towards it. Time for exploration begins.
Act 2:
Suhaana now next to the dirty, greasy paper. Inching towards it now. It's calling to her. She's split seconds away from grabbing at it.
Papa (in as authoritarian tone as can muster): "No! No, baby. No. No playing with paper!"
Suhaana (it's decision time- to move towards the paper or not. To be good or more fun!) (Hesitates.)
Papa (Time to reaffirm) "No, Suhaana".
Suhaana (Ok, maybe don't need paper) (moving on now)
Suhaana (to paper) Bye-bye!
Papa (having trouble keeping a straight face)!!!!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Day Care Day
Friday the 8th was a crucial day. A day I had thought about, contemplated, evaluated, and been worried sick about. It was the day to leave Suhaana at the day care for the first time.
Suhaana's nanny had left (for a 7 week vacation) the week before. As luck would have it, that was also the week when the little girl had falled ill, Raj had fallen ill and had to take sick days off from work, I had fallen ill but had too much going on at work to take days off. It was a perfect storm in that regard. As the week had wound down, luckily, everyone was on a speedy road to recovery.
Since her nanny was going to be gone, I had looked up replacement nannies and day cares in the neighborhood. And I have to say, I wasn't happy with anything. There was this friend of my friend who has a home day care, that I remembered about. Made some phone calls, arranged for a meet up at her place. All three of us had gone over to theirs'. We spent quite some time there, and we liked the lady, her family (two daughters 4 and 10), the house. It was a good option. Then, a few couple weeks back, I'd gone with Suhaana to her place and stayed there for half a day so the little girl gets accustomed to the surroundings. She seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. It was a good sign.
Finally, this friday was the day to actually leave her at the day care and be gone. My best friend had talked to about it - warned me it will be HARD. That no matter how much time I spend with Suhaana at the day care, the day I actually leave her and be gone, it will be ugly - for sometime, perhaps weeks.
Come Friday, I was worried sick about it. I got her stuff ready, and drove up to the day care. Picturing in my mind how the poor girl will feel when she turns around and doesn't find Mommy there. How she will look for me and I'd be gone - slipped out when she's not looking. How betrayed she would feel. With a heavy heart, I reached. I spent a few minutes explaining the what, when, how, how much. After sometime, the lady distracted Suhaana, showing her some toys, and I slipped out. I felt like such a complete back-stabber! A betrayer!
I gave it a little more than an hour and called up to check on her. Found out she's sleeping. She was upset before sleeping. I reasoned that that could be because she was sleepy.
I checked back after another couple of hours. How was she when she got up? Did she eat lunch? Did she play or went looking for Mommy? Did she get upset when Mommy wasn't back even now? Did she cry? I had so many questions. What I heard surprised me.
The lady said, Suhaana got up after almost 2 hours of nap. She finished her lunch (she ate properly), then she proceeded to look around for activities to do. The lady's 4 year old daughter was drawing. Suhaana hung around, playing with her. In some time, she proceeded to look for other activities. Found new toys, befriended Barnie the purple dinosour and new teddy bear - amongst others. I called up Raj who was also worried sick at work about how the day will go for Suhu. We were both relieved and pleasantly surprised.
When I came to pick her up, that's how I fond her. With Barnie in one hand, the bear in the other. I sat down on the couch with her for sometime. The good lady had made me some tea and snacks. She and I sat on the dining table, Suhaana played with the lady's older daughter on the couch. After some time, she came around to me as I chatted with the lady. At some point, Suhaana decided she'd be having more fun elsewhere, got out of my lap and was out and about.
I finally took my leave and headed back home with the little girl. At home, the evening was super charged! The little baby was so happy all evening long. That's essentially a good sign, other than the fact that Mom and Dad had a brief bout of deflated egos. We'll do this again next week.
Suhaana's nanny had left (for a 7 week vacation) the week before. As luck would have it, that was also the week when the little girl had falled ill, Raj had fallen ill and had to take sick days off from work, I had fallen ill but had too much going on at work to take days off. It was a perfect storm in that regard. As the week had wound down, luckily, everyone was on a speedy road to recovery.
Since her nanny was going to be gone, I had looked up replacement nannies and day cares in the neighborhood. And I have to say, I wasn't happy with anything. There was this friend of my friend who has a home day care, that I remembered about. Made some phone calls, arranged for a meet up at her place. All three of us had gone over to theirs'. We spent quite some time there, and we liked the lady, her family (two daughters 4 and 10), the house. It was a good option. Then, a few couple weeks back, I'd gone with Suhaana to her place and stayed there for half a day so the little girl gets accustomed to the surroundings. She seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. It was a good sign.
Finally, this friday was the day to actually leave her at the day care and be gone. My best friend had talked to about it - warned me it will be HARD. That no matter how much time I spend with Suhaana at the day care, the day I actually leave her and be gone, it will be ugly - for sometime, perhaps weeks.
Come Friday, I was worried sick about it. I got her stuff ready, and drove up to the day care. Picturing in my mind how the poor girl will feel when she turns around and doesn't find Mommy there. How she will look for me and I'd be gone - slipped out when she's not looking. How betrayed she would feel. With a heavy heart, I reached. I spent a few minutes explaining the what, when, how, how much. After sometime, the lady distracted Suhaana, showing her some toys, and I slipped out. I felt like such a complete back-stabber! A betrayer!
I gave it a little more than an hour and called up to check on her. Found out she's sleeping. She was upset before sleeping. I reasoned that that could be because she was sleepy.
I checked back after another couple of hours. How was she when she got up? Did she eat lunch? Did she play or went looking for Mommy? Did she get upset when Mommy wasn't back even now? Did she cry? I had so many questions. What I heard surprised me.
The lady said, Suhaana got up after almost 2 hours of nap. She finished her lunch (she ate properly), then she proceeded to look around for activities to do. The lady's 4 year old daughter was drawing. Suhaana hung around, playing with her. In some time, she proceeded to look for other activities. Found new toys, befriended Barnie the purple dinosour and new teddy bear - amongst others. I called up Raj who was also worried sick at work about how the day will go for Suhu. We were both relieved and pleasantly surprised.
When I came to pick her up, that's how I fond her. With Barnie in one hand, the bear in the other. I sat down on the couch with her for sometime. The good lady had made me some tea and snacks. She and I sat on the dining table, Suhaana played with the lady's older daughter on the couch. After some time, she came around to me as I chatted with the lady. At some point, Suhaana decided she'd be having more fun elsewhere, got out of my lap and was out and about.
I finally took my leave and headed back home with the little girl. At home, the evening was super charged! The little baby was so happy all evening long. That's essentially a good sign, other than the fact that Mom and Dad had a brief bout of deflated egos. We'll do this again next week.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Hidalgo The Beautiful Horse
I saw the movie Hidalgo yesterday- a friend of mine privy to my ardent appreciation of Mr. Vigo Mortensen and also of horses was nice enough to lend the DVD.
I liked the movie. The details about the actual race were okay. But I loved the horse. I loved the part where in the end, the cowboy comes back and buys all the Indian's horses and frees them all. There's something about an unbridled wild horse that to me embodies the spirit of freedom (both mental and physical), and beauty. Maybe it represents a life I want to have but don't. Maybe it's just a myth and none of us really live a life of truly being free of our demons, vices, inhibitions and fears. And then I see these beautiful animals running free - mostly on screen but once in real - and that's what they represents to me. That something that beautiful actually exists.
While watching the movie it brought to mind two things -
One being my agenda of having Suhaana learn horse riding maybe when she's three (have to check minimum required age). This is the part where I thrust all my unfulfilled aspirations on Suhaana. And I need to do that before she's old enough I have a voice and say no! Well, she is already there in some ways. But I actually think she'll enjoy it as well. She loves the outdoors. She likes the animals she's known so far - dogs, ducks, cats. She was curious about the giraffe we saw at zoo last week. So I'm hopeful she'll like it.
The other thought was a moving target. I started wondering how do we want to bring up Suhaana. Should she grow up closer to nature than to TV. Should she grow up closer to amenities and interactions or some place more serene and slower - so she has time to know herself before getting on any group bandwagon. But what are the skills she needs to have to live in the world today and or tomorrow. Is it love of nature or is it the ability to network in an ever inter-connected web of social life? I wonder..
I liked the movie. The details about the actual race were okay. But I loved the horse. I loved the part where in the end, the cowboy comes back and buys all the Indian's horses and frees them all. There's something about an unbridled wild horse that to me embodies the spirit of freedom (both mental and physical), and beauty. Maybe it represents a life I want to have but don't. Maybe it's just a myth and none of us really live a life of truly being free of our demons, vices, inhibitions and fears. And then I see these beautiful animals running free - mostly on screen but once in real - and that's what they represents to me. That something that beautiful actually exists.
While watching the movie it brought to mind two things -
One being my agenda of having Suhaana learn horse riding maybe when she's three (have to check minimum required age). This is the part where I thrust all my unfulfilled aspirations on Suhaana. And I need to do that before she's old enough I have a voice and say no! Well, she is already there in some ways. But I actually think she'll enjoy it as well. She loves the outdoors. She likes the animals she's known so far - dogs, ducks, cats. She was curious about the giraffe we saw at zoo last week. So I'm hopeful she'll like it.
The other thought was a moving target. I started wondering how do we want to bring up Suhaana. Should she grow up closer to nature than to TV. Should she grow up closer to amenities and interactions or some place more serene and slower - so she has time to know herself before getting on any group bandwagon. But what are the skills she needs to have to live in the world today and or tomorrow. Is it love of nature or is it the ability to network in an ever inter-connected web of social life? I wonder..
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