Strawberries

Yesterday i was sitting in bed for a breather when little Bobby boy came up to me with a green bowl in his hand. He said ho got some strawberries to eat. Just as I was about to tell him he can't eat strawberries (or anything else really) in bed and he had to go to the kitchen counter, he said to me.. he got 2 strawberries, one for me and one for him!! Aww i just melted right away! My sweet boy had gotten a strawberry just for me to share! 

Obviously i forgot all about the strawberries and covered the boy with puchis and hugs! 

Next to Gugu

Little Bobby boy has been sick. It's been going on and off for weeks now.. the reasons have varied. He's had a persistent cough for months now. Few things have worked. 

But as a result sleeping arrangements have changed. Lately little Bobby boy and little miss Haana (all of 11 years little now) sleep on the bed with me. I typically sleep in between them both, primarily to avoid them climbing on each other. Instead they climb on top of me. 

The other day, they were both on bed and I was working in the night. When I came to bed, little miss haana was fast asleep on one side and little Bobby boy was next to her. Seeing me, he batted his eyes and said to me, "Mumma, I want to sleep nekshh to Gugu. I wanna be neksh to Gugu Mumma", he repeated for good measure. I thought that was so sweet! I settled in in the bed and switched off the lights, with him being in the middle between little miss Haana and I. 

After a few peaceful, sweet moments, I heard little Bobby boy grunting. "Mmmmhh". Then again, "Mmmmghhh". I turned around to look. Little miss Haana had turned and her arm had landed smack on top of Bobby. And he was trying to free himself of the arm, but wasn't able to!! I moved the boy out of the arm's reach. And all was ok momentarily.

Next night at bed time i asked little Bobby boy again if he wanted to sleep next to Gugu or next to Mumma. This time, without hesitation, he answered "Nekshh to Mumma"!

Man in the Middle Attack

In cyber security, man in the middle attack is a well known attack type, where someone intercepts a message, potentially changes it and impersonates as the sender to the receiver on both sides. At sleep time, we have a different interpretation of man in the middle attack. 

I love cuddling up with both my babies in bed. Most days they don't cooperate. Little miss Haana is usually asleep before she even hits the bed. And Bobby boy moves too much to cuddle. Some days when little miss Haana and I are in the bed, next to each other and both awake, Bobby boy decides he must have a role in this picture. While I try to encourage him to come up next to me on my other side, he has different ideas. He hikes up on the bed, on top of the pillows, balancing himself precariously, stepping on my face and then getting to a foothold between little miss Haana and me. Here, then, he settles in. There obviously is no place in between. But he decides to land his baby butt on either of our faces till we grudgingly make space for him. Now, between us, he quickly slips back on the pillow, gets inside the blanket, gets his monster ball closer to him, thumb in his mouth. He's in his happy place! And so are we!!

We just got a man in the middle attack!

Sleep Time

Gone are the days that little Bobby boy could be just placed in the crib and he would sleep peacefully. Those days seem so dreamy now!

Yesterday, it was getting late and Bobby boy kept insisting on being on the bed, so I let him. But in stead of sleeping, he climbed on to the bed side table. Some decorative flowers fell on the floor, and he got down, pushed the bed-side table out, picked them up, put them back, pushed the table back. And then wanted to continue playing with other things on the table. I told Dad to put him in the crib, he wasn't sleeping otherwise. I believe my exact words were "Throw him in the crib.."!

Soon little boy was in the crib and mighty unhappy too. After listening to him complain for sometime, I finally got him out, told him it is very late, he must sleep. He can be on the bed but he has to sleep. And so we got in. But then Bobby boy realised he needed to drink some water. He must be thirsty from all that complaining, I thought. Then, he was done drinking, he wanted to go over and put his sippy cup back on the side table. Then I got him to lay down, but he complained he didn't have his blanket. I found that. Then he panicked about his monster ball. I consoled him, the ball was right next to him. Then he complained his feet were not in the blanket

I fixed that. Then I told him, in no uncertain terms, to sleep. Now.  

Looks like I took my own advice immediately, and soon fell asleep. But not Bobby boy! After putting mumma to sleep, he climbed down from the bed. It was dark, but he managed to get out of the bedroom and went across to the grandparents' room. They were already asleep with lights off too. 

Bobby boy called out at them "Tatta?! Patti?!", "Dark!", and so on. Soon lights were switched on, and the boy had climbed on to the bed, playing with the vicks vaporub bottle, doing his usual show-and-tell games! Before long dad heard this commotion from upstairs. It was 1130pm now. He came down to check and found the boy and the grandparents very awake! 

Bobby boy was taken and placed in the crib

again. I'm not sure if he complained again because he had put Mumma to sleep a while back!! Finally somewhere closer to midnight, the baby boy fell asleep!

Keep Him

Little Bobby boy is a climber. And he's an explorer. During the day that is alright. But at night, when he's up in the bedroom, he can get challenging. It is past 9. He is tired, so is everybody else. He should be fixing to sleep. But instead he constantly tries to climb up the pillows, tries to climb the headboard. Then, he runs over towards the far side of the bed. Miss Haana or I, lunge and grab hold of his foot before he makes a run for the edge of the bed and takes off bungee jumping to the floor below. Without the bungee, that is. Then, once that attempt is crushed, he sits up, taking stock of the situation, sticking his thumb in his mouth. He zeroes in on one of us, sizes us up with his thumb, and chooses which one of us will he try climbing on to next. 

Today little miss Haana had had enough of all these manoeuvres. "Watch him, I'm going to brush", I said. 

Usually when that happens she tells me, 'Put Bobby in a cupboard'. Then i remind her we don't have a cupboard big enough for bobby. Then we agree that we must build one first thing tomorrow. 

Today, however, she said, "Put him back in your tummy"!! 

"But he's too big now!"

"Then return him". I've told little miss Haana she came from a clearance sale at Kroger. Little Bobby boy too!

"But he doesn't fit in the packaging any more!. Besides Papa threw the packaging. Anything that could be of slightest importance or use, Papa immediately throws  it out. Anything that is of absolutely no use whatsoever, stays at home for ever!"

She nodded in agreement. "Why don't we make new packaging for him".

Right about now i caught sight of the cheeky cheeks, when the boy turned around trying to grab my hair to stand up on the bed. 

"But then how will i get these cheeks, if we return him! And the bottom too"

"And the sweet nosey too", she added. 

We looked at each other. "We'll keep him!"

"AWW!"

We both lunged to grab hold of him into a confusing, violent hug. He's used to it by now. No complaints. He must like us:-)!!!

We All Fall Down

Yesterday would forever be known as the infamous day - the day that would explain all future problems in my baby boy's life! The day I had a feeling is coming on - it's not a question of if, only a question of when.. The day that raises yet another eyebrow on my parenting skills.

So what happened? Bobby boy rolled over from the bed! :-(. He's been quite a roly-poly lately, rolling around with ease from tummy to back and back to tummy. He does that on his play mats and often rolls out of them onto the carpet. Someone has to repeatedly get him back on the playmat to avoid him chewing on dust mites and whatever else the carpet is hiding! 

But backing up, we had had a good sunday. After a good 5 months and a few weeks, we finally decided to visit friends of ours', little miss Haana's best friend Rushi's place for a play date: where parents hang out -chatting and eating while the kids hang out - playing and running around! It was Bobby boy's first visit to anyone's home too. We enjoyed our outing all of us. Bobby boy played and was amused by his Zeeta aunty and Sai uncle, and once he was tired, he took a good nap. Miss Haana and her best friend Rushi need only each other, and were scarcely seen most of that afternoon. The adults chit-chatted over cups over delicious decaf ginger chai, savory lunch and then snacks. We all had a good time! 

I was tired by the time we got back but there was work to be done. I had to give bobby boy a bath then an oil massage. These days little miss Haana enjoys a massage from me too. A feeding session before the bath, another session after the bath and then put boy to sleep (and not without a fight). Once i was done with the bath and massages I remembered little miss Haana needs her nails cut. At this time both the bobby boy and little miss Haana were hanging out on the bed. I cut her nails and was was just heading over to throw them in the trash when it happened. The little guy rolled over off the bed. I heard the soft thud followed by crying. Dad got him and picked him up and walked with him. I felt mad at everyone (all of us were in the same room sitting around on the bed or closeby when this happened) but mostly myself. Little miss Haana started crying too; big tears all the way around. She was scared if something happened to bobby. She said i don't like Bobby crying. I hugged her and told her babies need others to make sure they're safe (#failedit!), but also they need others to make sure they feel safe. If we cry and freak out, that will scare him more. So we have to pacify him, tell him is ok and he's fine. He's not broken, he's ok. Little Bobby boy had stopped crying in the other room and in this room little miss Haana felt better!

I remembered another incident like this one with little miss Haana when she was a baby and she rolled over the bed (Yes, i have done it before!). But after some searching through the old blogs i realized i was probably too mortified to write about it. I had sent a private email about the incident so i know it happened when little miss Haana was 4 months old (same age as Bobby boy now), and it scared me a lot. I remember pacing the bedroom with her in my arms, back and forth, worrying and wondering what to do. It was a friday evening, should i go to ER? Have i permanently damaged her? Is she gonna be ok? This time around, not that scared, but instead just mad. 

But my bestest friend tells me, babies bounce. So we are good!

Are We Gonna Be Friends Again

This week little Miss Haana got in some trouble at home. I got really mad at her. She got an earful. A few minutes later she came up to me and asked, "Mumma, are we gonna be friends again?". I was still very mad, and even though I was melting inside, I held on. I said, "I'm still mad at you". She shrunk away.

A bit later it was bed time. Without saying anything, I got into bed and picked up our reading book, getting ready to do our bed-time reading. She cuddled up to me and said, "Mumma, i thought we are never going to be friends again". I hugged back and said, "But Gugu! Mumma always loves you, even when I'm mad at you. Just like you love Mumma even when we have a fight!". By this time, the hugs are more intense - she's climbed over on top of me quite literally. And now her tummy is on my face! I remind her I can't possibly read with her tummy on my face. "Oh ya, I forgot", she said with a giggle.

I start reading. We are all smiles.

Go To Bed

I'm not sure what the secret ingredient is, but for sure one exists. There's something that helps Miss Haana grow. Grow naughtier that is!

Getting to sleep is a slow and long process these days. The popular notion is that after all the getting-to-bed activities are done (shower, creme, clothes, milk, brush etc), the real play time begins!

Today when finally the little monkey lay down next to me on the bed with her back to me, I was caressing her hair and patting her. Suddenly a naughty little hand came and flicked my hand away and quickly disappeared, followed by stifled gleeful chuckle. Realizing what had just happened I smacked her back immediately with my flicked hand! Both of us broke into peals of giggles. That was funny, she says! :)

What is not so good? Little thing tested positive for strep this morning!

I'm Afraid So

There was a time when the little girl would pick up on new words and I would be thrilled! Now that is passé!

Now, she's up to picking up new phrases too.

Heard this morning while still rolling around in bed- 

Mumma- Gugu, did you have a good neenna? (Baby talk for sleep)?

Miss Haana-Yes!

Mumma- Gugu, did you see any dreams?

Miss Haana-Yes, I'm afraid so!!

Mumma- I'm afraid so?? Come here for a little pitti( spank)!

IKEA

IKEA (the huge, Swedish furniture and home goods store, full of nifty little things and colorful designs) is in my neighborhood (within 35 miles from me). 

This last weekend I decided to spend a Sunday afternoon -Miss Haana and I - browsing at ikea. The intention was to look at some kitchen items, but that was just a vague idea. The trip was essentially a browsing and hangout trip.

That turned out to be right on the money. As soon as we got in, we hit the sofa and arm chair section. We tried different sofas to see if we like them. Miss Haana got all comfortable (sitting with legs crossed) on one sofa and decided she wanted to color. Then I spotted a basket full of little furry brown puppy dogs (soft toys only - thank God!- no offense dogs!) Next to the basket was a small baby arm chair and a adult sized arm chair. At the blink of an eye, little Haana and I placed ourselves with a puppy dog on her lap, she on the baby arm chair, I next to her on a Mumma armchair. 

We spent an unspecified amount of time on the baby and Mumma arm chair; till I lured the little girl to more hidden treasures within the store.

We snaked through the TV tables' section, the entertainment section, the dining. Miss Haana found another small chair, took off her sandals and got all cozy and refused to move. When I protested, I was told the puppy dog was sleeping so I needed to be nice!

I finally did the needful- which is- wait around for a little bit to see if the situation changed, then keep her sandals in the backpack and grab her in my arms and quickly walk to another section.

We made it to the bed and bedding section. We found one bed with a huge (Mumma) dog. We laughed about it for a little bit, but before she could climb into the bed, I whisked her forward - there was a kid section coming up from with princess beds!!

We sifted though several other sections till we came to the real deal! The kids' section! A Spider-Man bed, bug bed, colorful beds all around. The little girl made her pick and walked towards it. She looked back at me with a questioning "Is it ok!" look. I said "Yes". She immediately took off her sandals on the rug next to the bed. Took her new found puppy dog. Climbed into the bed. Straightened the blankets. Put the doggie to sleep and covered him in blankets. Then very cool intention, lay down next to the doggie on the pillow and tucked herself in to bed. The fellow customers passing by, gave me the "Oh so cute!" looks with giggles and smiles! I let her play for a little bit while I browsed at other kids' bedroom related cute and colorful decor items. 

Soon, I wanted to move on, so I did the same strategy. Keep her sandals and carry her along. This time though, I found a little white mouse on the way, with a long pink tail and black whiskers! I thought it was cute and so did Miss Haana. We made another friend (the doggie was still with us). 

Then we came to the toy section. That's when I got in trouble.

There were several small chairs and tables with small cars and trucks and rugs with parking lots and traffic signals and buildings and parks. There were tents and rotating chairs. There were dolls. There were ladybug floor pillows and blocks. It was wonderful! 

We hung out there for an inordinate amount of time. Till I had to use the restroom! I asked the little girl- Let's go Gugu. But she refused point-blank. Any attempts to show that I am walking off were ignored - she really was busy. I found some toy trucks and browsed through some other toys and wondered when, if ever, will she get done. 

Finally, it was getting too much!

I went back to her and said- "Gugu, let's go to potty party"

"I don't want to do potty party"

"But Gugu, I want to! Let's goooo".

More carrying little girl (and friends) and walking over to restrooms ensued!

My Nap Time

Naps on weekends are always a hit-or-miss. They're a contest between little Miss Haana (way too much fun to be had to risk falling asleep) and her parents (should sleep now to have more fun later!).

Yesterday having given up trying to make her fall asleep I decided it's the classic case of when life serves you with lemons you make lemonade. So here we were both little girl and I in bed, all cuddled up and giggly, me feeling somewhat sleepy now while the little girl fully charged up. Realizing there shall be no little girls napping today, I said "Gugu, why don't you make Mumma fall asleep, and pat me to sleep?".

So here we were - me cuddled up in bed, the little girl sitting next to me, patting me and singing twinkle-twinkle-little-star as a lullaby. In my mind I can see how I can be accused of being the exploitative mom! But the opportunity was too good to pass up. After twinkle twinkle it was row row row your boat. 

:)

Prepare For Bed

Suhaana does know how to prepare to go to bed. (Not to be confused with her actually going to bed/sleep. )

She knows:
Once she's taken her bath, then Mommy towels her dry. Then she opens her arms to get a ride to the bed.
Once she hits the bed (minor detail alert: no clothes or diaper yet), she knows it must be bed time. She pulls away from Mummy's arms and is on her way towards the pillows. While Mommy makes attempts to dab creme onto the slippery baby, she buries her face on the pillows. Then rolls around till she can pull the sheets up to her shoulders so that she's tucked in properly. Then looks on to the exasperated parent with a grin and "eet deem" (sweet dreams for the non-parents!).

Now of course this is just another one of those let's-try-this-'cause-it's-fun moments. Any hope I might have that she will fall asleep that quickly are eagerly dashed as she rolls back around and is on to the next game!

Bedroom furniture

It's human nature to see the grass as being greener on the other side and of growing increasingly tired of the furniture you own long before its anywhere near worn out ( all those baby cribs that are advertised as convertible to a full/twin sized bed- probably wouldn't be around long enough for that). I'd grown really tired especially of my bedroom furniture. But given the paucity of time and the fact the I'm picky about what I like (have grown to be that way), we've learnt to coexist.

But my bed just experienced a tremendous change in fortunes, so as to say. After being ignored for this long, finally there's someone who appreciates all the delicate work and moldings that it's constructed with - as much love and attention to detail as much wood itself! Yes, Suhaana loves the bed. The headboard has some carvings, and she loves to stand up holding the pillows and get up to the headboard and run her fingers over the wood work. She enjoys it so much, she starts on it usually as soon as she gets up in the morning. She has a blast, usually peppered with her falling off the pillow, falling back and landing on the bed, full of giggles! I'm sure our bed feels vindicated!