Dearest Aadya,

Happy Birthday! You are 5 today! I find it hard to believe that my first baby is now jumping around telling everyone that its my birthday today..I am 5 now.

You are the sweetest,brattiest 5 yo I know..and I love you for all your sweet brattiness! Because you are mine..all mine.Sometimes you test my patience and then I get mad and yell at you!but absolutely no-one else allowed to yell at you..not even your Papa.. And it makes him mad that I always spring to your defence…but I am your mom and its my job to watch out for you..I cant help myself.

You are such a good big sister…I know this year has been hard for you..you have had to share your parents.. you have had to give up your privileged place next to mumma  to your little sister.. I am amazed how understanding you are..You slip aside and make room for your sister,when I bring her into bed,when you are next to me..And it breaks my heart when sometimes you insist on being the only one next to me..after all you are just a little girl and right next to me,snuggled up tight is where you belong!

You are getting closer to your Papa than you were all these years and I love watching you both together. You cuddle him,look for his approval and generally want to make him happy. You even go out alone with him.I love how you have serious conversations with him and snuggle up with him,when I am putting your sister to sleep.

You started school this year and you are one of the younger ones in your class.. we had a few tough days,where your teacher had to have a ‘chat’ with me ..but nothing that can’t be fixed. You are loving school and look forward to going everyday,

Some of the kids have been teasing you about your handwriting and you come home and practice on your own..because you want to  get better..when did you grow up so much…?My sweetheart..you are perfect.. but I love it that you don’t want to stop till you haven’t perfected everything.

You have an opinion about everything..what you want to eat,what you want to wear, where you want to go.. which words are right and which are wrong.You wanted to go out for a family date for your birthday this year..and as for your birthday party, you wanted to have an arty crafty party..we had a Painting party for you.. I even let you decorate you own cake.And wow!you did such a good job.. And proudly told everyone,how you helped mummy decorate your cake.

After the party, when I asked you if it was a good party,you told me….’it was the best party in the whole world’…Mumma is happy..

Here are some messages that were written for you by your dad, masi and finally me:

This is what Papa wrote:Happy Birthday Aadya Pillai;you turn 5 years today.Needless to say we have enjoyed every moment with you.Happy 5th Birthday!!!!!!!! 

And here’s what Masi wrote:

5 yrs back dis day my life changed n its been beautiful more beautiful, meaningful, eventful, full of love n lovely moments and everyday is a special one as soon as d word Tukulu ring into my ears.. Yes that’s d name I got wen I promoted from being just d baby sis of Di to Masi of my princess.. 

Princess – tats wat im suppose to call her, no other names taken or accepted not even Aadya frm Tukulu for sure.. My darling princess u mean d world to me.. my heart beats faster everytime u hug me, iam all refreshed everytime u kiss me.. ur innocent n mischievous smile says u hv won anything dat u want frm me n Im game for many more such lovely moments in life just for u …

U make my life complete n today on ur birthday Tuku Masi wants to tell u … thanks for coming to me, being such an imp part of my life, I love u veryyyy muchhh very very muchhh .. d only person I love more than myself.. Happy Birthday Princess !!! Wish u all d happiness n choicest wishes throughout ur life

Dis is not complete till I thank Trishna Di n Sanjyot Jiju for giving me world’s most precious and priceless gift … I knw I cannot thank u guys enuf .. love u all veryyyy much n missing u all

And finally,this is my message for you:

5 years back,I insisted on walking to the OT myself…I knew my life was going to change -I just didn’t know that it was going to be simplest of tasks..because,after that short walk..life has been one amazing roller-coaster of emotions,engulfing love and sometimes frustration too..Before you came along, I couldn’t imagine loving anyone as much as or as completely as I love you,Ms.Aadya.. you changed my world and me in such a way that you became my world..Love you always and forever.. Big hugs and cuddles..and more cuddles…

Love you always baby.. lots and lots..

Mumma!

My dearest Laddu,

Sorry Mumma never got around to writing your 7th month update..if you have any recollection of this time of your life,when you grow up,you will only remember countless car rides- to and from Didi’s school,to and from Didi’s activities,to and from the station to pick up Papa.. yes…lots of car rides. Yes time just flies..my little squiggly bundles,yes you..you are a naughty 8 month old now ready to walk,babbling all the time:)

You were crawling well before you completed 6 months..just two days before your half yearly birthday,but so what.. So, you were already crawling and soon you pulled yourself up to a stand.. And since then your favorite position is standing.Yes,when you get tired,you take a break,sit for a moment and then you go back to standing!

You love looking out our big window,that looks into the backyard and I have kept your toys there, you spend most of your time there..that is when you are not clinging to me:) yes, the clinging continues.. You know whats funny? you are happy to just play by yourself,as long as I am sitting next to you,NOT doing anything..but the moment I get up to do some work or check my laptop,you have to crawl up to me and demand to be picked up!

You love my laptop.You now know that you can talk to people on the laptop and the phone.You flatten the screen of the laptop,to your height level and look at it!Such cuteness..and as soon as the phone rings,you look at it expectantly,as if its an important call that you were waiting for.And then you have to have your say..the phone needs to be put on the speaker,so that you can talk:) Its quite entertaining for me..Not so much for the person on the other side!

You are big chatterbox…you are always babbling..always:)sometimes even in your sleep-thats funny. you have stop talking,kiddo!At least when you sleep. You separation anxiety is at its peak,baby and so is stranger anxiety.Mumma started working for a couple hours,each week and let me just tell you,you are not very happy about it.I am not allowed to put you do once I come back.No-one else is allowed to pick you up or change you or put you to bed or anything-and this is the case on most days..but on that one day..its even more!But, as soon as we pick up Papa, you want only him..till you dont get your cuddles and kisses and walking around the house in Papa’s arms…once you are satisfied,then you jump back into my arms!

Oh and once your sister comes back from school,you have eyes only for her.This morning you snuggled up to me and gave me kisses but once your didi was back,I asked you for kisses,I begged for cuddles and you didn’t care.. you only wanted to look at your didi and only wanted to cuddle with her.

We are experimenting with food now and this time,Mumma is wiser..I am giving you all the veggies,that i never dared to try with your sister.Avocado is your favorite:) Mumma’s girl!

And my naughty naughty babuchi.. you are so vocal about everything.If someone takes something away from you,you scream.If you are bored, you scream..if we try to restrain you-in your car-seat or in your high-chair,you scream!! Seriously,the screaming has to stop. Today Papa called and I put the phone on speaker and both you and didi were talking,I moved the phone closer to didi and you screamed at me..And while we are talking about screaming,let me just tell you,screaming at me,will not get you my tea!

And you little miss, you have to remember,we are your didi’s parents too..She is sharing us with you..you are so possessive.. if didi cuddles either one of us or sits in our laps,you have to leave everything and try to push her out..1) she is bigger than you.2) She came here first!..And you think by growling you can scare her off? you little tigeress..:)

I can’t believe it -In another 4 months, you will turn One…but I have a strong feeling these 4 months are going to be very exciting…and the times to come after those,will be even more so..

Love you my laddu singh.. love you so much..

Love,

Ma

Its been so long since I posted updates here…A busy mommy means a slack mommy blogger.. I should really try harder..:)

Aadi is well adjusted in school and would you believe it,the first term is almost over.It gets over on her birthday..she is eagerly waiting for the last day of school.

Anzie is crawling around or standing ALL day long.She is babbling so much…and has said,baba,mummmmmmmmy and didi and she always says mummmymii when she wants me..and same goes for baba and didi..she says the words when she goes to Sanj and Aadi! And when you ask her,where is Papa,she looks at Sanj.If I call out to Aadi,even when she is not home,she looks out for her sister:)

Something cute has been happening here..On most days,after Aadi comes back from school,she is tired and cranky and if I say no for something,she runs to her room crying. And Anzie,follows her,crawling,as fast as she can..tapping her feet or knees or whichever part she has most access to.And then Aadi picks her up and they both cuddle and she feels better.I know its going to happen,before it happens..I love watching them like this..I hide behind the door and sneak a peek at my lovely girls..and feel all mushy inside..

Of course..there are days,when they both drive me up the wall and I want to just go lock myself in a room.. but its moments like these that make everything else,seem so insignificant!!!

My first born started school this month.I cannot believe it,my first baby is actually a full-time school kid- 5 days a week,6 hours a day! She was so excited about going to school-every morning,when we woke up,the first thing she asked me was-’Is it New School today?’..and then we would count days to the new school.

On the first day,Papa took the day off,we got ready and reached school in time. Took some pictures before leaving from home and on reaching school.We met the teacher,got introduced,put on Aadya’s name tag and I read her a story.

After the story,she settled down on the play-dough table and I told her,”Papa and Ananya are going outside,do you want to say bye?” She said Bye to them and told me,”You can go too Mumma”..Just like that..my baby was all grown up!I was so proud of her for not crying.

We can’t get over the fact that she suddenly looks like a big kid! Pictures from that day-

Yes,on 2nd February 2012(at 6 months,1week and 3 days),Ms.Ananya pulled herself to a standing position..ALL by herself! And Didi was the first one to see that.

And just last week mumma sent an email to her friends sharing the news about Ananya’s standing up and she joked that Ananya  can do almost everything,except sit up on her own,when she is lying down.Well,Mumma was in for a surprise..two days back(6/2/2012) Ms.Ananya sat up in her crib!

Yayy go Ananya!

She is a chatterbox..Every time,I ask her, ” Can you be quiet for sometime?” she tells me,”No! I can’t…because I am one of those people who talk!”

She loves singing.We got her a Leap Pad and she keeps making videos of herself singing.

She loves dressing up.Whenever we have to go out,she needs to try on a couple of tops before finalising her final outfit..I don’t call her a diva for nothing!

She is learning new words,every single day.She had a bigger vocabulary than I had at 10! When she hears a new word,she wants to know what it means and uses it in the right context,right away!

She looks so much like I did at 5…I see her talking or smiling..and I am reminded of my childhood pictures:)

She is a brat sometimes..throwing tantrums-everytime we enter a shop..She nags and pesters and nags some more for something silly..something that she won’t even remember the next day.

She loves her sister dearly and though sometimes she is rough with her,she is quick to jump to her defense ,when we pretend to be angry with the baby..or pretend to be too tired and want to give the baby away.

She is getting closer to her dad..more than ever..they team up,make plans in whispers..they are as thick as thieves!

She is starting formal school next week and I have butterflies in my stomach. I know she will have lots of fun and she will rock there..but..I still worry,whether she will eat her lunch,whether she will have friends there…

I leave you with a pic

Told you she is a diva!