A friend asked me on orkut, "So, are you looking forward to your Delhi trip?". This was my response. It was so long that I had to email it :) and here it is, unedited except to anonymise it.
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As I was saying I'm looking forward to my delhi trip but I am a little apprehensive. For several reasons.
1. I'm going to be there for almost 6 weeks and it's the first time I will be staying with my in laws for that long.
2. I've never stayed there without DD so it will be a bit weird. But the good thing is I will have Squiggles which should save me from getting too bored :)
3. Veggies south indian... sigh. at least if there was paneer in the diet then that would keep me reasonably happy. Since I can't eat dal because I am feeding Squiggles that should play into my hands though. ALL south indian food has daal.... This is my trump card.
4. DD's sis is expecting and is due around that time. I hope I don't get stuck at home because of that. Though they were happy to go gallavanting about when they came to see S so maybe that won't be an issue.
5. I will be dependent on his dad's car and driver. While I personally have no issue taking S in an auto I'm pretty sure DD's parents are not going to be happy about it. S might actually enjoy it because of all that ear deafening noise! I'm happy to drive but again there will only be one car . Sigh. My parents will also have only one car. They've sold the second one which I used to borrow before. I won't be allowed to hire a cab either.
6. Since I'm now practically living with my parents I don't have the excuse that I did before of going and staying in DLF (my parents home) for extended periods of time. And they don't get that I am so close to my cousins and aunts and uncles. I don't think I have ever heard of any relative staying with them other than grand moms. And they really aren't that close. This is a major one.
7. I hope S keeps well.... which she should because she will be starting solids but only just a tiny bit and I will continue to feed her. But it's Delhi winter time.....!
8. Here in Singapore I can hand over S to the maid and get a break during the day. I don't think I can just plonk S on DD's mom and leave!! She doesn't keep well and I don't think she can carry S around really. Plus his sister's baby will be born so she will have her hands full already. Which means S stuck to me 24*7 which isn't a short term issue but a long term one because it will become a problem when I come back.
9. Whenever S cries I am going to be under the microscope. I rarely walk around with her when she cries and I'm pretty sure that if I do the same over there they are going to think I am shit and will keep telling me to pick her up.
10. This is so petty but I am going to have to wash her clothes. I know this sounds really spoilt but I hate washing clothes by hand. It's so boooring. They do have a washing machine but I need to wash her clothes separately because of the detergent and there's no point running the machine for such a small load.
11. S will pick up bad habits....E.g. I put her down to sleep while she's awake. Sometimes she cries as a result but I usually don't cave in. If she starts getting rocked to sleep then it's going to be a pain to change the habit later. She will be sleeping in my bed there which means when she comes back she may not want to sleep in her crib again.
OK. All of the above sounds very petty but the fact is I am thinking about all of this. So, no point denying that I am petty...... And the useless individual that you are, you won't be around for most of my trip. Boo hoooooo.
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This only shows me in a bad light but hey no one's perfect. My in laws are actually very sweet. They've recently renovated the house so that when we go S and I will be comfortable. My MIL has a chronic back problem but she will still be emptying cupboards and cleaning rooms to keep everything ready for us. And all I can worry about is the lack of food to my liking and inability to visit my family as often as I would like to. To be fair to them in all my previous visits they've always encouraged me to spend time with my family but I've always felt guilty.
I know they're looking forward to spending time with S and I want them to have that pleasure and yet I want to have fun too. By meeting my friends and family, shopping without feeling guilty that I'm burning their son's hard earned money (which I will be!), just being able to relax without always having to be nice (coz I can't really show them my real self can I, they would just faint and we don't want that). Oh God, I am so selfish...... please give me the sense to become a little less selfish.
And DD if you're reading this then kindly refrain from the following sarcastic comment, "You can do whatever you want. You don't have to spend time with my parents... blah blah blah". Because the fact is I do want to be nice and for them to have fun and at the same time I want to do my own stuff. God, I'm repeating myself now.........
Friday, October 26, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Of Cloth Diapers and Other Stuff
Almost a month ago I thought it was high time I made a few decisions which were slightly less selfish (just slightly mind you). One of them was to start Squiggles on cloth diapers while she was at home. The others I don't remember at this point in time (okay so maybe I should, but I don't. And your point is?).
Full of this unwavering resolve to protect her tush I marched into a kiddie store. Like the super efficient mom that I am I picked up a packet of 10 cloth diapers with some crazy instructions, 2 packs of 100 nappy liners (yes, that's 200 and yes I went a bit overboard but the nappy liners were on offer and I am nothing if not penny wise, pound foolish).
I came home with this miss-goody-two-shoes grin on my face, feeling quite righteous and rightly so. I was going to change the face of the earth with my environment friendly initiative not to forget the many benefits to Squiggles' tush (I will say tush as many times as I want... tush tush tush tush tush tush...............). I took out one cloth diaper and opened it up, felt the soft cloth (almost held it up to my face but remembered just in time the purpose that it was going to be used for and held it 0.01cm away from my face instead). Hmmm...should I start now or tomorrow? I gazed at the instructions uncomprehendingly. This looked a bit (just a tiny bit) tough. I had just steeled myself to using the little grey cells which were currently on a secondment when I thought 'Damn! I've forgotten to buy the safety pin. There's nothing to hold up the f%$*ing diaper!' Shit.
Never mind. The next time I went to a store I would just pick one up. Really there was no need to think this was a disaster. Silly me.
It was another 2 weeks before I managed to pick them up. Now, you didn't hear it here but maybe it took that long because of a certain person's fear that they wouldn't be able to fold the nappy in the correct way and a little concern about where all that pee and poo would land up once it passed through all the layers of that oh-so-soft cotton. Shhhh...
So this Sunday just gone past, I brought out all the paraphernalia - cotton cloth, nappy liner and safety pin. Hmmm... maybe I should have bought those waterproof undies coz isn't the pee going to leak on to me??? Nah, nothing to worry about. What's a little wee wee for a mom. Another reason to start that Sunday was that she'd poo'd first thing in the morning so I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to land up in a pile of crap anytime soon (usually it's of my own making. Ok that's gross. Stop).
The instruction leaflet is in front of me. There are loads of triangles here with some lines drawn. Hmmm. I open the square piece of cloth and put it on the bed. Squiggles is lying nappyless on her changing station, cooing quite sweetly actually. She has no idea of the bliss in store for her.
The instructions aren't making any sense. God, this is haaaard. I went to a WIMWI (Well-known Institute of Management in Western India, duh) and I can't fold a nappy. How stupid am I? I thought of calling the other alumnus of the school who also happens to reside in this household but then didn't want to lose face so I resorted to the individual who hasn't been to any such fancy school instead. Now, my maid has 2 kids of her own and she certainly hasn't contributed to the profits of P&G yet so she was the best choice (that was very logical wasn't it). Except that it's probably been 15 odd years since she folded a nappy.
So, there she was with me peering over her shoulder hopefully as she tried to fold the nappy. First this way, then that. With me constantly saying "Nah, that can't be right." or "No. No. That looks all wrong". Even though I was certainly not qualified to comment but you see I'm the boss and therefore I can get away with anything.
Finally she turned assertive and insisted it was to be tied in "this" way. By this time I was quite fed up and cursing the workings of an idle mind. I tell her to do as she pleases as long as Squiggles is in a damn cloth nappy by the end of it. So Squiggles is promptly removed from the changing station and plonked on the piece of cloth which has been folded in a weird way. My maid promptly does something and secures all those folds with THE safety pin.
I pull and tug at the diaper and I'm quite uncomfortable. There really is no way that pee is not going to leak all over me. So after several re-tries I give up and figure if she pees, she pees. I've had enough of our bumbling efforts and frankly I couldn't care less. So, I pick up my sack of potatoes and head out of the room. She's a bit hungry so I think let me just feed her and get that out of the way. She grabs my breast as if I haven't fed her for weeks (which could explain why she still isn't putting on any weight). We stay in that position for a while, Squiggles comfortable and I hunched over, very uncomfortable. I drift off into my own world, as you can only while breastfeeding. I'm feeling all warm and cosy. This feeling of benevolence doesn't come to me too often so I decide to bask in it for a while. Except that it's getting a bit too warm for my liking and a little too wet. I look down and spot the tell tale water mark on my pyjamas which is growing bigger even as I stare with an ever widening O. Mother's Instinct, I should've heeded it.
I sort Squiggles out but in anger I refuse to have a shower myself. I'm pretty sure all those mommies in villages don't go running to their fancy bath tubs every time there is an'accident'. This is punishment for DD who got me in to this situation in the first place. Humph.
"Can you f@*^ing read these instructions and tell me how to wrap this goddamn nappy?". And yes I resort to undignified yelling. So??? Quite reluctantly DD picked up the leaflet and stared at it for a while. I am proud to inform you that the other alumnus of the erstwhile WIMWI was similarly baffled. Obviously in this entire episode I was most worried about losing face in front of such an esteemed individual. So you can imagine my relief when I was able to snatch the instructions from his hand and walk off in a huff shaking my head, muttering unintelligbly "useless, useless men".
And oh about the waterproof undies for the not so waterproof nappies. They're still in a store somewhere awaiting my arrival with my hard earned money to waste. No, I haven't given up.
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This has become a bloody long post so I will keep the 'other stuff' short.
Just saw a little 3 or maybe 4 year old being dressed atrociously by her mom. She was wearing a chaniya choli for dandiya. She had a pot belly which would put DD's to shame and yet her mom had made her wear a tiny choli (blouse) with her belly bare. It reminded me of all those fat women who can't resist wearing low waist jeans with short tops so that everyone can admire their ugly tyres. I promise you Squiggles I will be considerate and will not embarrass you like this ever. Of course I will embarrass you in other ways.
And now I can't be bothered to continue so bye.
Full of this unwavering resolve to protect her tush I marched into a kiddie store. Like the super efficient mom that I am I picked up a packet of 10 cloth diapers with some crazy instructions, 2 packs of 100 nappy liners (yes, that's 200 and yes I went a bit overboard but the nappy liners were on offer and I am nothing if not penny wise, pound foolish).
I came home with this miss-goody-two-shoes grin on my face, feeling quite righteous and rightly so. I was going to change the face of the earth with my environment friendly initiative not to forget the many benefits to Squiggles' tush (I will say tush as many times as I want... tush tush tush tush tush tush...............). I took out one cloth diaper and opened it up, felt the soft cloth (almost held it up to my face but remembered just in time the purpose that it was going to be used for and held it 0.01cm away from my face instead). Hmmm...should I start now or tomorrow? I gazed at the instructions uncomprehendingly. This looked a bit (just a tiny bit) tough. I had just steeled myself to using the little grey cells which were currently on a secondment when I thought 'Damn! I've forgotten to buy the safety pin. There's nothing to hold up the f%$*ing diaper!' Shit.
Never mind. The next time I went to a store I would just pick one up. Really there was no need to think this was a disaster. Silly me.
It was another 2 weeks before I managed to pick them up. Now, you didn't hear it here but maybe it took that long because of a certain person's fear that they wouldn't be able to fold the nappy in the correct way and a little concern about where all that pee and poo would land up once it passed through all the layers of that oh-so-soft cotton. Shhhh...
So this Sunday just gone past, I brought out all the paraphernalia - cotton cloth, nappy liner and safety pin. Hmmm... maybe I should have bought those waterproof undies coz isn't the pee going to leak on to me??? Nah, nothing to worry about. What's a little wee wee for a mom. Another reason to start that Sunday was that she'd poo'd first thing in the morning so I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to land up in a pile of crap anytime soon (usually it's of my own making. Ok that's gross. Stop).
The instruction leaflet is in front of me. There are loads of triangles here with some lines drawn. Hmmm. I open the square piece of cloth and put it on the bed. Squiggles is lying nappyless on her changing station, cooing quite sweetly actually. She has no idea of the bliss in store for her.
The instructions aren't making any sense. God, this is haaaard. I went to a WIMWI (Well-known Institute of Management in Western India, duh) and I can't fold a nappy. How stupid am I? I thought of calling the other alumnus of the school who also happens to reside in this household but then didn't want to lose face so I resorted to the individual who hasn't been to any such fancy school instead. Now, my maid has 2 kids of her own and she certainly hasn't contributed to the profits of P&G yet so she was the best choice (that was very logical wasn't it). Except that it's probably been 15 odd years since she folded a nappy.
So, there she was with me peering over her shoulder hopefully as she tried to fold the nappy. First this way, then that. With me constantly saying "Nah, that can't be right." or "No. No. That looks all wrong". Even though I was certainly not qualified to comment but you see I'm the boss and therefore I can get away with anything.
Finally she turned assertive and insisted it was to be tied in "this" way. By this time I was quite fed up and cursing the workings of an idle mind. I tell her to do as she pleases as long as Squiggles is in a damn cloth nappy by the end of it. So Squiggles is promptly removed from the changing station and plonked on the piece of cloth which has been folded in a weird way. My maid promptly does something and secures all those folds with THE safety pin.
I pull and tug at the diaper and I'm quite uncomfortable. There really is no way that pee is not going to leak all over me. So after several re-tries I give up and figure if she pees, she pees. I've had enough of our bumbling efforts and frankly I couldn't care less. So, I pick up my sack of potatoes and head out of the room. She's a bit hungry so I think let me just feed her and get that out of the way. She grabs my breast as if I haven't fed her for weeks (which could explain why she still isn't putting on any weight). We stay in that position for a while, Squiggles comfortable and I hunched over, very uncomfortable. I drift off into my own world, as you can only while breastfeeding. I'm feeling all warm and cosy. This feeling of benevolence doesn't come to me too often so I decide to bask in it for a while. Except that it's getting a bit too warm for my liking and a little too wet. I look down and spot the tell tale water mark on my pyjamas which is growing bigger even as I stare with an ever widening O. Mother's Instinct, I should've heeded it.
I sort Squiggles out but in anger I refuse to have a shower myself. I'm pretty sure all those mommies in villages don't go running to their fancy bath tubs every time there is an'accident'. This is punishment for DD who got me in to this situation in the first place. Humph.
"Can you f@*^ing read these instructions and tell me how to wrap this goddamn nappy?". And yes I resort to undignified yelling. So??? Quite reluctantly DD picked up the leaflet and stared at it for a while. I am proud to inform you that the other alumnus of the erstwhile WIMWI was similarly baffled. Obviously in this entire episode I was most worried about losing face in front of such an esteemed individual. So you can imagine my relief when I was able to snatch the instructions from his hand and walk off in a huff shaking my head, muttering unintelligbly "useless, useless men".
And oh about the waterproof undies for the not so waterproof nappies. They're still in a store somewhere awaiting my arrival with my hard earned money to waste. No, I haven't given up.
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This has become a bloody long post so I will keep the 'other stuff' short.
Just saw a little 3 or maybe 4 year old being dressed atrociously by her mom. She was wearing a chaniya choli for dandiya. She had a pot belly which would put DD's to shame and yet her mom had made her wear a tiny choli (blouse) with her belly bare. It reminded me of all those fat women who can't resist wearing low waist jeans with short tops so that everyone can admire their ugly tyres. I promise you Squiggles I will be considerate and will not embarrass you like this ever. Of course I will embarrass you in other ways.
And now I can't be bothered to continue so bye.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Folks, guess what???
Squiggles just turned over from her back to tummy! Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. At precisely 2102hrs Singapore time. Oh god I am so sad :))). At the age of 4 months, 2 weeks and 1 day. Get a grip girl. And DD was there to witness it as well which is kind of sweet since he misses most of her 'firsts'. I need to get a life. But I'm so happy.
*trails away skipping and humming tunelessly*
*trails away skipping and humming tunelessly*
Friday, October 19, 2007
A tradition, from me to you
When I was a little girl there was always one festival that I loved and looked forward to above all. The day I would be revered like a deity. The day I was supreme. It was the Ashtami (the 8th day) that fell during the Navaratri (Festival of nine nights). My mom would fast during the Navaratri and it was on the Ashtami that she would break her fast but only after she'd done THE puja in the morning. Every morning I would start my day with, "When are you going to do my puja?". She would always respond smilingly, "It will come, don't worry. Ashtami is till a few days away".
I'd wait impatiently for the week to pass, constantly lamenting the requirement for the puja to be held on the 8th day. Patience has never been my virtue :). Finally after what always seemed like months (in fact exactly 7 days), the morning sun would herald the much awaited day.
The preparations for the day would start early. The prasad had to be prepared. Traditional stuff - kale chane (black chickpeas), sooji halwa and hot puris. Once she was ready she would sit me down in front of the mandir (temple) and bend down in front of me. Very carefully she would pick up my feet and lovingly wash them with water. Then she would wipe them gently with a soft towel and place my feet back on the floor. Reverently she would touch my feet seeking my blessing. A little red tikka would find it's way on my tiny forehead. A little bit of the sweet milk that she prepared specially for me as Charnambrat. A beautiful thali filled with all the yummy treats that she'd prepared earlier would rest by her side. She'd break off a bit of the puri, take some of the halwa and chana and feed it to me. And keep doing so till I'd had my fill. She'd then hand me a token sum of money which was free for me to spend as I chose.
Last night when I realised that today was Ashtami, all the wonderful feelings associated with the day came rushing back to me. I was smiling as I thought about how excited I would get about the day, how special and superior I'd feel because my mom would wash my feet. And how such a simple gesture made me feel so cherished. I thought how lovely it would be for Squiggles to have such memories too.
So, even though there were a number of things lined up for the day, I decided to do the simple ceremony for her. My own tradition for her, handed down to me from my mom and now for her to enjoy and hopefully one day to hand down to her daughter.
Here she is with her dainty little feet bathed in milk.
"Ooh I want one". She truly understands that the whole purpose of the day is to enjoy the food!
"What's this Ma?" She won't be saying that for long!
"Something else that can go in my mouth. Good."Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Night Night
DD's friend from London sent Squiggles this really really cute PJs from BabyGap. They're sooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute, I think you get the picture. No really, you get the picture. Here.
I just had to show you guys. I want one too. NOW.
Oh and while I'm at it, I've been going bonkers with the camera today (plus DD is out for dinner so I have nothing better to do) and here are a couple of my favourites.
I just had to show you guys. I want one too. NOW.
Oh and while I'm at it, I've been going bonkers with the camera today (plus DD is out for dinner so I have nothing better to do) and here are a couple of my favourites.
If you look carefully you can see a drop of her drool just below her chin :).
Sweet words and a kind soul
Awards are always nice. You like them and appreciate them. So, when Mnamma dropped by and said she had one for me I went through a range of emotions - excitement, happiness, calm acceptance and then nonchalance. 
That is until I went along to her blog to read about it. And my jaw dropped. In fact I'm still struggling to close it a bit. The generous soul that she is, she not only gave me the award but also had these wonderful things to say about me.
She is smart, funny and writes wonderfully. She has this knack for finding humor in even some of most mundane daily happenings! Here is to you ‘Posh Domestic Engineer’:)
Mnamma - Have you been reading someone else's blog????????????????????
If it weren't for the reference to 'Posh Domestic Engineer' I would have thought she'd made a mistake. So I read it again. Sure enough all these words were being used to describe me. Wow. I know I know but it sure feels strange *shaking head from side to side in disbelief*.
Me???? Wow.
So, even though the award is nice the words mean much more. Mnamma, you managed to find time from your busy life of being so many things in addition to a wonderful mommy of twins to say such kind things. Thank you. It means a lot.
In turn, it's only fair that I don't hog it all to myself but share it with the people who really make this a community.
Desi Momz Club - All the fantastic mommies at DMC. I need to get my rear in gear and get involved too but there's time for that. I have to tell you that I love reading up on what you all are up to.
Kodi's Mom - I don't know why but I like you :). Maybe it was Kodi's cake that did it (I'm still dreaming about it). I love the way you write - straight from the heart. And you always have a warm word to say whenever you visit any blog.
Choxbox - Maybe it's the London connection but you're my link to a world that I no longer inhabit. And so this award is very appropriate as you take me back to a place I love. I know you've already received it but what the heck it's free *oops*.
DotMom - I enjoy reading what you have to say. You write so clearly and calmly that I tend to linger to see if something else will turn up.
Y - YOnEarthNot??? I think you're really funny and I want to see how gracefully you accept this award *cheeky grin*.
Ta da.
That is until I went along to her blog to read about it. And my jaw dropped. In fact I'm still struggling to close it a bit. The generous soul that she is, she not only gave me the award but also had these wonderful things to say about me.
She is smart, funny and writes wonderfully. She has this knack for finding humor in even some of most mundane daily happenings! Here is to you ‘Posh Domestic Engineer’:)
Mnamma - Have you been reading someone else's blog????????????????????
If it weren't for the reference to 'Posh Domestic Engineer' I would have thought she'd made a mistake. So I read it again. Sure enough all these words were being used to describe me. Wow. I know I know but it sure feels strange *shaking head from side to side in disbelief*.
Me???? Wow.
So, even though the award is nice the words mean much more. Mnamma, you managed to find time from your busy life of being so many things in addition to a wonderful mommy of twins to say such kind things. Thank you. It means a lot.
In turn, it's only fair that I don't hog it all to myself but share it with the people who really make this a community.
Desi Momz Club - All the fantastic mommies at DMC. I need to get my rear in gear and get involved too but there's time for that. I have to tell you that I love reading up on what you all are up to.
Kodi's Mom - I don't know why but I like you :). Maybe it was Kodi's cake that did it (I'm still dreaming about it). I love the way you write - straight from the heart. And you always have a warm word to say whenever you visit any blog.
Choxbox - Maybe it's the London connection but you're my link to a world that I no longer inhabit. And so this award is very appropriate as you take me back to a place I love. I know you've already received it but what the heck it's free *oops*.
DotMom - I enjoy reading what you have to say. You write so clearly and calmly that I tend to linger to see if something else will turn up.
Y - YOnEarthNot??? I think you're really funny and I want to see how gracefully you accept this award *cheeky grin*.
Ta da.
Does anyone else also think that...
.... Shah Rukh Khan is going the Michael Jackson way???
I recently saw promos of his latest movie 'Om Shanti Om' and boy oh boy does he look effeminate or what. I am convinced he has had a face lift. It's like his facial skin has been stretched, it's so sleek and smooth. He gyrates like a hijra (eunuch) - chest all waxed out, shiny substance rubbed over....ugh *shudders*.
This is how MJ also started his evolution from black man to RIN safedi white.
SRK's made enough money, has countless cronies, is treated like a King and yet continues with this grossness. Let's see some genuine acting mate. Where's the DDLJ guy who made hearts flutter, I ask.
And for all the SRK fans out there.... I'm wearing a bullet proof vest (I'm not afraid, honest).
I recently saw promos of his latest movie 'Om Shanti Om' and boy oh boy does he look effeminate or what. I am convinced he has had a face lift. It's like his facial skin has been stretched, it's so sleek and smooth. He gyrates like a hijra (eunuch) - chest all waxed out, shiny substance rubbed over....ugh *shudders*.
This is how MJ also started his evolution from black man to RIN safedi white.
SRK's made enough money, has countless cronies, is treated like a King and yet continues with this grossness. Let's see some genuine acting mate. Where's the DDLJ guy who made hearts flutter, I ask.
And for all the SRK fans out there.... I'm wearing a bullet proof vest (I'm not afraid, honest).
Friday, October 12, 2007
Positive Infants
As I mentioned the other day, Squiggles and I did something special this Wednesday. I realised a few weeks ago that I'd been in Singapore 6 months and didn't know anyone besides my parents and cousin. What with being 8 months pregnant, having a baby, moving homes with an infant, hosting guests from India and just getting used to motherhood I'd been lazy about meeting new people. I was getting bored of just sitting at home and only mouthing goos and gaas all day long. I needed to get out there, meet some people, preferably with babies, so that Squiggles could benefit from being in a different environment with other adults and babies too. I don't think going to the mall counts because that's more like going to the circus really. All flashing lights, people rushing about, lots of noise - I'm sure that's how Squiggles perceives the whole thing.
So, when last week I received an email from the centre where I attended my ante-natal classes about a mother-child 8 week session I thought what the heck let me give it a try. This was their excellent marketing stunt.
Combine gentle yoga play, careful sensory stimulation ideas, massage and lots of musical moments, expressive communication and you have here a program that engages young infants, creates and strengthens neural pathways and aids their growth. All these while accompanying parents develop the skills of positive parenting through guided parent forums.'
I'm trying to find ways to meet new people and this seemed a good way to start. Plus they were offering a trial session so I didn't have to sign up for the full 8 weeks till I'd sampled it first hand.
The session started at 2 but I decided to get there earlier so I would have enough time to feed and change Squiggles. It's a good 30 mins away and even though I fed her before we left home I fed her some more when we got there just to be sure she wouldn't be hungry and cry during the class.
There were 5 other Mommies and babies there. The youngest baby there was all of 2 weeks old! In fact Squiggles was the oldest baby there :). I'd almost forgotten what she was like when she was tinier but it was so nice to be reminded of just how oh-so-sweet newborn babies are like. I really must admire that woman. I was so zonked out in the first couple of weeks that heading out of home alone with Squiggles was not something I would have even considered. And here she was all alone with her 2 week old looking so cheerful and happy.
It was a nice friendly group and we soon started chatting as all new mums do. Does he do this? Does she do that? Oohing and aahing over each other's kiddos. Someone even said that they thought Squiggles was younger than 4 months which is definitely a first for us! A couple of people were late so we waited for a bit and chatted to the teacher. I thought she was a bit artificial. You know the kind of people who smile deliberately and are ultra sweet. I've found that here in Singapore people in the service industry are all very smiley and sweet. Now I don't mean that I want sour faced people but rather a lot of it seems feigned and not genuine. Or maybe after the non smiling British it's taking me time to get used to what may be genuine friendliness. Whatever.
Anyways, she was really good at the whole thing. We did little stretch exercises, sang songs, danced around with the babies, did texture stuff. Not rocket science, most stuff that I would do with Squiggles through the day in any case. I realised I didn't know any of the songs except Wheels on the Bus and I was really relieved when we came to that one, so much so that I mentioned it aloud as well. That's when an Australian lady next to me looked at me and said "Me too. I only know ABCD". I realised none of us knew the songs and we were just pretending all along! Phew, I didn't feel like such a useless mom after all. By the way, does anyone out there know any Hindi rhymes or songs for kids? Or if you know where I can find them I would be grateful. I seem to be singing only English ones to Squiggles and I want to rectify that.
It was a lovely afternoon, all young mamas completely enamoured with their little ones, secretly praying "Please don't cry". There was a shared camaraderie and feeling of warmth that pervaded the room. Maybe I haven't been out with like minded people in a long time. But it was very relaxing. The babies looked at each other curiously as they lay on the mat. The older babies cooing and gurgling through it all. Squiggles behaved beautifully which was a relief as she has really developed an attitude recently but that's the subject for my next post.
However the one thing that really made the session worthwhile for me was the realisation that unconsciously DD and I had ended up making very negative comments around Squiggles lately. Typical statements pervaded our home - "She's so cranky", "She's such a tantrum queen", "Oh she's going to cry now". Not that we didn't say anything positive or kiss her or hug her but that the negative statements were there more frequently than is good for any child. During the class, after every exercise the teacher would ask us to hug and kiss the child and "honour them for their participation". Every time we did that I saw Squiggles gurgle, coo and smile and I realised I wasn't doing that often enough at home.
I came back with the firm mind of changing how I said things around her and I think it's already working. For example, she always starts crying when I put her in the car seat, so now when I do so I say, "You're such a good girl. I know you'll enjoy the car ride." and I follow that up with a few smothering kisses. I'm leaving her with something positive while I leave her in an environment which she doesn't like. Or now when she's whimpering during a diaper change however annoyed I am, I bend down and hug her afterwards and thank her for being patient. And the whimpering stops and she looks at me with her eyes wide and her face splits into a grin. She's been very difficult for me to handle lately and I have been feeling very frustrated but this approach makes me feel like I am making an effort to approach everything in a more positive way. I can see that it makes her more relaxed and I find myself feeling better about the time I spend with her.
Needless to say, we're going back :) and I'm looking forward to making some new friends.
So, when last week I received an email from the centre where I attended my ante-natal classes about a mother-child 8 week session I thought what the heck let me give it a try. This was their excellent marketing stunt.
Combine gentle yoga play, careful sensory stimulation ideas, massage and lots of musical moments, expressive communication and you have here a program that engages young infants, creates and strengthens neural pathways and aids their growth. All these while accompanying parents develop the skills of positive parenting through guided parent forums.'
I'm trying to find ways to meet new people and this seemed a good way to start. Plus they were offering a trial session so I didn't have to sign up for the full 8 weeks till I'd sampled it first hand.
The session started at 2 but I decided to get there earlier so I would have enough time to feed and change Squiggles. It's a good 30 mins away and even though I fed her before we left home I fed her some more when we got there just to be sure she wouldn't be hungry and cry during the class.
There were 5 other Mommies and babies there. The youngest baby there was all of 2 weeks old! In fact Squiggles was the oldest baby there :). I'd almost forgotten what she was like when she was tinier but it was so nice to be reminded of just how oh-so-sweet newborn babies are like. I really must admire that woman. I was so zonked out in the first couple of weeks that heading out of home alone with Squiggles was not something I would have even considered. And here she was all alone with her 2 week old looking so cheerful and happy.
It was a nice friendly group and we soon started chatting as all new mums do. Does he do this? Does she do that? Oohing and aahing over each other's kiddos. Someone even said that they thought Squiggles was younger than 4 months which is definitely a first for us! A couple of people were late so we waited for a bit and chatted to the teacher. I thought she was a bit artificial. You know the kind of people who smile deliberately and are ultra sweet. I've found that here in Singapore people in the service industry are all very smiley and sweet. Now I don't mean that I want sour faced people but rather a lot of it seems feigned and not genuine. Or maybe after the non smiling British it's taking me time to get used to what may be genuine friendliness. Whatever.
Anyways, she was really good at the whole thing. We did little stretch exercises, sang songs, danced around with the babies, did texture stuff. Not rocket science, most stuff that I would do with Squiggles through the day in any case. I realised I didn't know any of the songs except Wheels on the Bus and I was really relieved when we came to that one, so much so that I mentioned it aloud as well. That's when an Australian lady next to me looked at me and said "Me too. I only know ABCD". I realised none of us knew the songs and we were just pretending all along! Phew, I didn't feel like such a useless mom after all. By the way, does anyone out there know any Hindi rhymes or songs for kids? Or if you know where I can find them I would be grateful. I seem to be singing only English ones to Squiggles and I want to rectify that.
It was a lovely afternoon, all young mamas completely enamoured with their little ones, secretly praying "Please don't cry". There was a shared camaraderie and feeling of warmth that pervaded the room. Maybe I haven't been out with like minded people in a long time. But it was very relaxing. The babies looked at each other curiously as they lay on the mat. The older babies cooing and gurgling through it all. Squiggles behaved beautifully which was a relief as she has really developed an attitude recently but that's the subject for my next post.
However the one thing that really made the session worthwhile for me was the realisation that unconsciously DD and I had ended up making very negative comments around Squiggles lately. Typical statements pervaded our home - "She's so cranky", "She's such a tantrum queen", "Oh she's going to cry now". Not that we didn't say anything positive or kiss her or hug her but that the negative statements were there more frequently than is good for any child. During the class, after every exercise the teacher would ask us to hug and kiss the child and "honour them for their participation". Every time we did that I saw Squiggles gurgle, coo and smile and I realised I wasn't doing that often enough at home.
I came back with the firm mind of changing how I said things around her and I think it's already working. For example, she always starts crying when I put her in the car seat, so now when I do so I say, "You're such a good girl. I know you'll enjoy the car ride." and I follow that up with a few smothering kisses. I'm leaving her with something positive while I leave her in an environment which she doesn't like. Or now when she's whimpering during a diaper change however annoyed I am, I bend down and hug her afterwards and thank her for being patient. And the whimpering stops and she looks at me with her eyes wide and her face splits into a grin. She's been very difficult for me to handle lately and I have been feeling very frustrated but this approach makes me feel like I am making an effort to approach everything in a more positive way. I can see that it makes her more relaxed and I find myself feeling better about the time I spend with her.
Needless to say, we're going back :) and I'm looking forward to making some new friends.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Busy Busy Busy
It has been that kind of a week. I've had so much on, not one moment's peace and yet I didn't do anything! Do you know that feeling? Well there's loads to tell so hang on to your seats coz this is going to be one loooooong post :).
Where do I start. Oh The Body Shop had a massive massive sale last Friday so of course I couldn't miss it. I cancelled my training session (which is sacrilege) and took Mum, Squiggles and my maid along. It was fabulous. Mum and I were like a couple of chickens, look here pick up stuff, look there pick up more stuff, put the previous stuff back, pick up other stuff, oh the stuff there is cheaper blah blah blah. I bought loads of body creams, gift sets, lipsticks, shower gels to give as presents when I go to Delhi in Dec (oooh I can't wait). I know that I won't have the time to buy specific presents for everyone because of Squiggles so I hoarded. It's such an easy present as well since most people like The Body Shop stuff. And I bought myself a mandarin orange salt scrub which I still haven't had a chance to use but I know it's going to be fabulous. I ended up spending loads but that's besides the point isn't it :).
Then went along to buy frozen foods for family in Delhi since my Mum was going to India this week. Anybody looking at my trolley would be forgiven for thinking there was a food shortage just that they hadn't heard about it yet! My whole family is a foodie just like me so sending food is the best gift you can send. In fact if you send presents but no food people are so disappointed whereas food without presents isn't a problem. Got back home late and just crashed. I had frozen pizza for dinner (like the ones you get in Waitrose back in London... sigh I miss those) and DD was happy with dosas, a win-win situation.
On Saturday went gymming in the morning and couldn't drag DD out of the house until the evening because of the bloody grand prix as well as countless replays of all ODI's that India has ever played. Now I do love cricket but really I can't get the whole excitement of watching a replay when you already know the result! It just beats me.
Saturday evening was fabulous though. When I managed to drag DD out of the home, we went on a long drive with my dad and Squiggles. We decided to navigate without a map and just meandered along, ending up in places we had never been to before. In 45 mins we had covered most of Singapore :) and just by chance we ended up close to a fabulous Italian restaurant where we wanted to eat but didn't have the telephone number to make a reservation. Instincts or what?? So, we booked a table for 9.30 the same evening. Then we headed down to a gorgeous cafe which I'd last been to in my last month of pregnancy. We had some really nice tapas and coffee and headed back home. Squiggles was a model baby through most of it. She slept on the long drive, woke up in the cafe and behaved beautifully, threw a hunger tantrum on the way back so ended up feeding her in the car, very typical.
Barely had we made it back home than it was time to head back for dinner. I nursed Squiggles, put her in her PJs and we headed to the restaurant. She was a darling and fell asleep on the way and slept all through dinner even though it was really noisy. It was a really relaxed dinner. A gorgeous Chianti, great food (pizza just like I've had in Rome, superb), divine desserts. We had this Chantilly cake which really melted in the mouth, honestly I am not exaggerating. I've decided I'm getting that cake for my birthday. Yummy. We headed back home and crashed about midnight.
The next two nights were a bit zombie like because Squiggles woke up during the night for a feed. So the days are a bit of a blur. Actually now that I think about it the blur is clearing. Oh how could I forget, she was super super cranky Sunday and Monday. I cannot express my frustration with her those two days. It was her 4th month birthdhay on Monday and it was really hard for me to stay positive with her throughout the day. I had no idea what was wrong. She kept whining and wanting milk. I felt like I was on demand 24 hours. She refused to go to anyone else. Really tough.
In the midst of all this, we had her 4th month check up on Tuesday morning. I dropped my dad at work, rushed to the doc with the entire entourage (mum, S and maid :)). Her weight gain was stagnant over the last 2 weeks. So, we're back on her reflux medicine. The doc asked me to try giving her a bottle of expressed milk everyday to get her used to taking the bottle. We're back for a review in 2 weeks. If she doesn't take the bottle by then, then we may need to start giving her solids. Here in Singapore the docs don't give solids until 6 months especially for girls because they believe this is the best time for the child to build up on calcium deposits which will help them later on in life. So, that's the answer to your question Rbdans.
My mom left to go to the hairdressers while we were at the doc. I rushed around to get Squiggles' medicines, formula (while we're trying out the bottle the doc didn't want me to waste my precious expressed milk, once she takes the bottle I will start giving her expressed milk), cloth diapers and other stuff. Realised halfway through that my mum had walked away with the car keys!! So we were stuck in the mall until she was through with the hairdressers which was in a different part of town. Sigh. I decided to buy a birthday present for my sis while I was waiting. Left Squiggles with the maid in the nursing room and started shopping earnestly. Mom called to say she was asking her maid to come to the mall with the spare set of car keys. I finished shopping but the maid was no where to be found. She turned up 45 mins later by which time my Mom had already reached home but couldn't get in because she didn't have her house keys and her maid was out delivering the spare car keys to us! Finally we got the car keys and I took my mom's house keys from the maid so I could give it to her on the way back and set on our way. We had barely reached the lift when my mom's maid came running back because the keys to her bicycle lock was with the house keys. Such a comedy of errors. Phew.
We reached home at 1 and barely had time for mother daughter to have our respective showers and lunch before we headed back to mum's with stuff for her to take to India. Took a breather for 30mins then headed to the airport to drop Mum off. Picked up Dad from the office as well as he couldn't bear not to bid her farewell. Mum's off for 2-3 months and I'm mighty upset. For all the usual selfish reasons - where am I going to get good food from, who will help/guide about Squiggles, who will I vent all my frustrations at etc. etc. If Squiggles is even 5% better than me then that will be a big relief. On the way back picked up DD from the office as well and came home and crashed. Had barely put up my feet when Squiggles was at her tantrumy best. Several hours later crashed again. By which time I was so tired that I couldn't sleep. So lay awake in the dark staring at nothing, tossing and turning. And soon it was morning and the start to another day.
It was a much better day and Squiggles and I did something different which deserves a separate post. So, I will promptly do that one as soon as I've finished ranting. Phew.
Now that I have all that out of my system I can relax.
Oh I forgot to mention one very important thing, silly me. The doc said that Squiggles is a high maintenance baby and that I'm doing very well by dealing with her patiently. Now Squiggles, you're probably reading this when you're in your twenties. See, how nice I was even when you were such a demanding little brat. See how nice I was, am and will be. How're you gonna beat that girl???
By being super nice to me you ungrateful one!!! Which means you just need to buy me the gorgeous Ferragamo clutch that I've seen but cannot afford, the Aston Martin DB9 that I'm lusting after and while you're at it a villa on a sea cliff with a fully functional spa would quite nice too :). And no, I'm not joking.
Where do I start. Oh The Body Shop had a massive massive sale last Friday so of course I couldn't miss it. I cancelled my training session (which is sacrilege) and took Mum, Squiggles and my maid along. It was fabulous. Mum and I were like a couple of chickens, look here pick up stuff, look there pick up more stuff, put the previous stuff back, pick up other stuff, oh the stuff there is cheaper blah blah blah. I bought loads of body creams, gift sets, lipsticks, shower gels to give as presents when I go to Delhi in Dec (oooh I can't wait). I know that I won't have the time to buy specific presents for everyone because of Squiggles so I hoarded. It's such an easy present as well since most people like The Body Shop stuff. And I bought myself a mandarin orange salt scrub which I still haven't had a chance to use but I know it's going to be fabulous. I ended up spending loads but that's besides the point isn't it :).
Then went along to buy frozen foods for family in Delhi since my Mum was going to India this week. Anybody looking at my trolley would be forgiven for thinking there was a food shortage just that they hadn't heard about it yet! My whole family is a foodie just like me so sending food is the best gift you can send. In fact if you send presents but no food people are so disappointed whereas food without presents isn't a problem. Got back home late and just crashed. I had frozen pizza for dinner (like the ones you get in Waitrose back in London... sigh I miss those) and DD was happy with dosas, a win-win situation.
On Saturday went gymming in the morning and couldn't drag DD out of the house until the evening because of the bloody grand prix as well as countless replays of all ODI's that India has ever played. Now I do love cricket but really I can't get the whole excitement of watching a replay when you already know the result! It just beats me.
Saturday evening was fabulous though. When I managed to drag DD out of the home, we went on a long drive with my dad and Squiggles. We decided to navigate without a map and just meandered along, ending up in places we had never been to before. In 45 mins we had covered most of Singapore :) and just by chance we ended up close to a fabulous Italian restaurant where we wanted to eat but didn't have the telephone number to make a reservation. Instincts or what?? So, we booked a table for 9.30 the same evening. Then we headed down to a gorgeous cafe which I'd last been to in my last month of pregnancy. We had some really nice tapas and coffee and headed back home. Squiggles was a model baby through most of it. She slept on the long drive, woke up in the cafe and behaved beautifully, threw a hunger tantrum on the way back so ended up feeding her in the car, very typical.
Barely had we made it back home than it was time to head back for dinner. I nursed Squiggles, put her in her PJs and we headed to the restaurant. She was a darling and fell asleep on the way and slept all through dinner even though it was really noisy. It was a really relaxed dinner. A gorgeous Chianti, great food (pizza just like I've had in Rome, superb), divine desserts. We had this Chantilly cake which really melted in the mouth, honestly I am not exaggerating. I've decided I'm getting that cake for my birthday. Yummy. We headed back home and crashed about midnight.
The next two nights were a bit zombie like because Squiggles woke up during the night for a feed. So the days are a bit of a blur. Actually now that I think about it the blur is clearing. Oh how could I forget, she was super super cranky Sunday and Monday. I cannot express my frustration with her those two days. It was her 4th month birthdhay on Monday and it was really hard for me to stay positive with her throughout the day. I had no idea what was wrong. She kept whining and wanting milk. I felt like I was on demand 24 hours. She refused to go to anyone else. Really tough.
In the midst of all this, we had her 4th month check up on Tuesday morning. I dropped my dad at work, rushed to the doc with the entire entourage (mum, S and maid :)). Her weight gain was stagnant over the last 2 weeks. So, we're back on her reflux medicine. The doc asked me to try giving her a bottle of expressed milk everyday to get her used to taking the bottle. We're back for a review in 2 weeks. If she doesn't take the bottle by then, then we may need to start giving her solids. Here in Singapore the docs don't give solids until 6 months especially for girls because they believe this is the best time for the child to build up on calcium deposits which will help them later on in life. So, that's the answer to your question Rbdans.
My mom left to go to the hairdressers while we were at the doc. I rushed around to get Squiggles' medicines, formula (while we're trying out the bottle the doc didn't want me to waste my precious expressed milk, once she takes the bottle I will start giving her expressed milk), cloth diapers and other stuff. Realised halfway through that my mum had walked away with the car keys!! So we were stuck in the mall until she was through with the hairdressers which was in a different part of town. Sigh. I decided to buy a birthday present for my sis while I was waiting. Left Squiggles with the maid in the nursing room and started shopping earnestly. Mom called to say she was asking her maid to come to the mall with the spare set of car keys. I finished shopping but the maid was no where to be found. She turned up 45 mins later by which time my Mom had already reached home but couldn't get in because she didn't have her house keys and her maid was out delivering the spare car keys to us! Finally we got the car keys and I took my mom's house keys from the maid so I could give it to her on the way back and set on our way. We had barely reached the lift when my mom's maid came running back because the keys to her bicycle lock was with the house keys. Such a comedy of errors. Phew.
We reached home at 1 and barely had time for mother daughter to have our respective showers and lunch before we headed back to mum's with stuff for her to take to India. Took a breather for 30mins then headed to the airport to drop Mum off. Picked up Dad from the office as well as he couldn't bear not to bid her farewell. Mum's off for 2-3 months and I'm mighty upset. For all the usual selfish reasons - where am I going to get good food from, who will help/guide about Squiggles, who will I vent all my frustrations at etc. etc. If Squiggles is even 5% better than me then that will be a big relief. On the way back picked up DD from the office as well and came home and crashed. Had barely put up my feet when Squiggles was at her tantrumy best. Several hours later crashed again. By which time I was so tired that I couldn't sleep. So lay awake in the dark staring at nothing, tossing and turning. And soon it was morning and the start to another day.
It was a much better day and Squiggles and I did something different which deserves a separate post. So, I will promptly do that one as soon as I've finished ranting. Phew.
Now that I have all that out of my system I can relax.
Oh I forgot to mention one very important thing, silly me. The doc said that Squiggles is a high maintenance baby and that I'm doing very well by dealing with her patiently. Now Squiggles, you're probably reading this when you're in your twenties. See, how nice I was even when you were such a demanding little brat. See how nice I was, am and will be. How're you gonna beat that girl???
By being super nice to me you ungrateful one!!! Which means you just need to buy me the gorgeous Ferragamo clutch that I've seen but cannot afford, the Aston Martin DB9 that I'm lusting after and while you're at it a villa on a sea cliff with a fully functional spa would quite nice too :). And no, I'm not joking.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Happy 4th Month Birthday Squiggles
Hey you... Happy Birthday. Here's a quick look at what you've been busy with. You were super cranky today so this is going to be a post in photos.
Peek-a-boo takes on a new meaning in her world. The only problem is she can't get rid of the book now :).
She does have a keen sense of fashion though. Check her out in her latest frock.
And another one!
Oh look the legs are defying gravity!
One good thing about Squiggles is that she isn't fussy about food. She can eat anything.
She's thoughtful this one. Each momentous crying session is preceded by some serious thinking.
She has started displaying her creativity. In the absence of an actual phone she still manages somehow.
Peek-a-boo takes on a new meaning in her world. The only problem is she can't get rid of the book now :).
She does have a keen sense of fashion though. Check her out in her latest frock.
And another one!
Oh look the legs are defying gravity!
That's all for now. A more detailed update later on :).
How the Mighty Have Fallen
Those were the days when she played a sophisticated Yamaha piano.......
.......... and now it's just a khatara plastic one!
Which is being licked to her heart's desire......
.....and being stomped upon as well!
PS: That's her 4th month birthday gift from DD. I think we should buy Fisher Price stock, their shares are about to shoot through the roof after a terrific sales performance in the 3rd quarter!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Me??
Swati tagged me and then Mnamma tagged me as well. So, before anyone else tags me on the same tag I better do it and quick. While Swati wants me to list one characteristic for each letter of my middle name, Mnamma wants me to list a fact related to my life for every letter of my middle name. So I'm going to do a mish mash instead.
First of all the rules of the game.
Rule 1. The rules must be mentioned in the beginning of the tag.
Rule 2 You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
Rule 3. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
The most difficult bit is choosing the name. I don't have a middle name and I sure as hell am not going to attempt my blog name because I don't have one (Squiggles Mom isn't a name really, it's way too long and what the hell I am going to say for 'Q')? Does that mean I get out of doing the tag? Naaaahhh.
The name I choose is ADITI. This was one of the names we were considering for Squiggles but then decided on something else. Hence, it's very dear to me.
D for Decisive - I've always known what I've wanted and set milestones for myself early on which I've met. I decided that I wasn't going to study Science despite a lot of pressure to do so. I completed B.Com (H). As planned I followed it up with my MBA. Marriage was planned for 24 and I got married 6 weeks before my 24th birthday. I wanted 3 years of enjoying myself as a couple. Squiggles was conceived in our 4th year of marriage. Child at 28. Tick. I've just realised that I need to set new milestones for myself. I've been so busy that I hadn't realised that I've run out!
I for Impatient - Or rather I was till I became a Mom. Patience is a completely new concept to me. I am amazed by how much I have changed. The girl who would stamp her feet, grind her teeth and wail "I'm getting bored" can now spend endless hours dealing with a cranky infant. Wow.
T for Trustworthy - You can trust me with anything. I have never betrayed a trust and it's very sacred to me. Of course it does help that I have such poor memory that I forget what you've entrusted me with! Well, sometimes :).
I for Initiative - I'm happy to volunteer to do stuff as long as it doesn't place me in the limelight. I'm happy to take the first step with friends as well since someone has to. I've always felt that if we waited for someone else to start, we'd all still be waiting at the starting line :).
And that's me done!
I should be tagging more people but I'm not sure anyone is left to be tagged :). So, if you haven't been tagged and you're reading this then you're tagged! And no, just because I won't know that you're reading this is no excuse because YOU will know that YOU are tagged.
Psst... I've just realised that this post doesn't meet any of the rules completely :).
First of all the rules of the game.
Rule 1. The rules must be mentioned in the beginning of the tag.
Rule 2 You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
Rule 3. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
The most difficult bit is choosing the name. I don't have a middle name and I sure as hell am not going to attempt my blog name because I don't have one (Squiggles Mom isn't a name really, it's way too long and what the hell I am going to say for 'Q')? Does that mean I get out of doing the tag? Naaaahhh.
The name I choose is ADITI. This was one of the names we were considering for Squiggles but then decided on something else. Hence, it's very dear to me.
A for Ahmedabad - The first place I tasted true independence. Until then I'd always lived
at home. This was my first stay away from home. The jail like rooms, terrible mess food, rigorous academics, crazy ramp parties, midnight ice cream treats at Dairy Den, yummy food all over the city and above all beautiful relationships. This where I met DD and made loads of wonderful friends. Two unique years of my life.
D for Decisive - I've always known what I've wanted and set milestones for myself early on which I've met. I decided that I wasn't going to study Science despite a lot of pressure to do so. I completed B.Com (H). As planned I followed it up with my MBA. Marriage was planned for 24 and I got married 6 weeks before my 24th birthday. I wanted 3 years of enjoying myself as a couple. Squiggles was conceived in our 4th year of marriage. Child at 28. Tick. I've just realised that I need to set new milestones for myself. I've been so busy that I hadn't realised that I've run out!
I for Impatient - Or rather I was till I became a Mom. Patience is a completely new concept to me. I am amazed by how much I have changed. The girl who would stamp her feet, grind her teeth and wail "I'm getting bored" can now spend endless hours dealing with a cranky infant. Wow.
T for Trustworthy - You can trust me with anything. I have never betrayed a trust and it's very sacred to me. Of course it does help that I have such poor memory that I forget what you've entrusted me with! Well, sometimes :).
I for Initiative - I'm happy to volunteer to do stuff as long as it doesn't place me in the limelight. I'm happy to take the first step with friends as well since someone has to. I've always felt that if we waited for someone else to start, we'd all still be waiting at the starting line :).
And that's me done!
I should be tagging more people but I'm not sure anyone is left to be tagged :). So, if you haven't been tagged and you're reading this then you're tagged! And no, just because I won't know that you're reading this is no excuse because YOU will know that YOU are tagged.
Psst... I've just realised that this post doesn't meet any of the rules completely :).
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Breaking News
Close sources have confirmed that Ms. Squiggles from Singapore has been conferred an honorary doctorate in Human Psychology by the University of Infants Rule the World. Our correspondent in Singapore brings you an exclusive interview with the elusive Ms. oops Dr. Squiggles.
***********************************************************************************
As I enter the room she lies on her tummy, head raised high with bright inquisitive eyes taking in her surroundings. She's dressed in a cute little orange onesie. Her eyes swivel towards me, absorbing everything in a long unflinching glance. I can see the intelligence in those eyes and am no longer wondering how someone so young could achieve so much so soon. My curiosity aroused, we begin.
First of all Congratulations Dr. Squiggles! How does it feel to receive such an honour at the tender age of 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days?
Dr. Squiggles *gushingly, hands over face*: Oh thank you! It feels wonderful. It was totally unexpected you see. I'm really happy that my efforts are being recognised.
Dr. Squiggles starts pulling her legs up, trying to catch hold of them with her hands. I cough a couple of times to get her attention but a blue frog has caught her fancy and I'm struggling.
Dr. Squiggles! Dr. Squiggles!!!
I'm loud enough to get a cursory glance. Before she looks away I plunge in.
What would you consider are your major achievements?
Where do I start? Hmmm...
1. I'm quite fond of my mom. And I really don't like it when she hands me over to someone else as she does quite often. So I decided to get rid of this nonsense. Now as soon as someone else picks me up I start crying and I don't stop until I'm back in her arms.
2. I have almost got rid of my dad. Everytime he comes near I start wailing. As a result there's little opportunity for my mom to spend time with my dad. The plan to separate them is working really well. In fact the other day I overheard them arguing. Mom thought Dad wasn't making enough of an effort and Dad kept saying that there wasn't much point because I was crying loudly with my eyes shut tight. I do that really well. She was suggesting that maybe Dad should get off his backside and walk around with me. As if that would work *smirk*.
It's the orange monkey now.
Dr. Squiggles!!!
Oh yes, sorry. 3. I get bored quite easily. I think Mom has finally figured out that I need constant attention and entertainment. Sometimes she gets a bit lazy and tries to put me in my crib with the mobile playing. But I've told her in no uncertain terms that is not going to work anymore. Just because I was stupid enough to lie there quietly watching it when I was younger doesn't mean it's going to work now when I'm older.
4. I now communicate with all strangers (everyone except my mom that is) while perched on her shoulder. I coo, gurgle and smile at everyone from a comfortable distance. I don't like to get too close and I think I've got the message across pretty well.
I: How hard has it been for you to reach this stage?
It was surprisingly easy actually. Adults are a piece of cake to manage. I am quite fortunate that I have first time parents. That makes them especially vulnerable (stumbling a little on that long word) to crying infants.
I: What are your key strengths?
Persistence. I can outcry the best of them. My parents have tried all kinds of tactics - ignoring me, trying to distract me with funny noises, joining in and imitating my cry, doing funny little jigs, getting outsiders to help. They're quite creative really. But I have been quite persistent with my wailing. As soon as they cave in, I quieten down.
My second key strength is Innovation. The moment my mom thinks she has figured out a way to distract me I come up with another reason to throw a tantrum. E.g. When I was smaller I hated the car seat and would cry all the time when she put me in it. Now that she's managed to convince me of its merits, I cry everytime the car stops. So, you see innovation is the key.
Dr. Squiggles has just spied her mom and starts whimpering for her attention. I wave a rattle in her face to get her to continue with the interview. I succeed but only for a bit longer.
I: Any special tips for other infants out there?
What I have found works particularly well is to continue to whimper in a complaining manner after the tantrum. This I find serves to remind my mom that I have not forgotten the latest cruelty lest they contemplate putting me down or giving me to someone else to carry. Any further attempts to have their way are promptly discarded.
The other thing that I would like to say to all the other infants is keep them on their toes. Don't ever get into a routine. The uncertainty means that they are constantly wondering what's going to happen next and all plans are at your mercy.
Oh and tears, of course. Nothing like good old tears.
Dr. Squiggles is looking beseechingly at her mom again. I hurry.
I: Is there anyone you would like to acknowledge before we end this interview?
This *holding up the plaque* is for my Mom. It wouldn't have been possible without her. I love you Ma.
***********************************************************************************
As I enter the room she lies on her tummy, head raised high with bright inquisitive eyes taking in her surroundings. She's dressed in a cute little orange onesie. Her eyes swivel towards me, absorbing everything in a long unflinching glance. I can see the intelligence in those eyes and am no longer wondering how someone so young could achieve so much so soon. My curiosity aroused, we begin.
First of all Congratulations Dr. Squiggles! How does it feel to receive such an honour at the tender age of 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days?
Dr. Squiggles *gushingly, hands over face*: Oh thank you! It feels wonderful. It was totally unexpected you see. I'm really happy that my efforts are being recognised.
Dr. Squiggles starts pulling her legs up, trying to catch hold of them with her hands. I cough a couple of times to get her attention but a blue frog has caught her fancy and I'm struggling.
Dr. Squiggles! Dr. Squiggles!!!
I'm loud enough to get a cursory glance. Before she looks away I plunge in.
What would you consider are your major achievements?
Where do I start? Hmmm...
1. I'm quite fond of my mom. And I really don't like it when she hands me over to someone else as she does quite often. So I decided to get rid of this nonsense. Now as soon as someone else picks me up I start crying and I don't stop until I'm back in her arms.
2. I have almost got rid of my dad. Everytime he comes near I start wailing. As a result there's little opportunity for my mom to spend time with my dad. The plan to separate them is working really well. In fact the other day I overheard them arguing. Mom thought Dad wasn't making enough of an effort and Dad kept saying that there wasn't much point because I was crying loudly with my eyes shut tight. I do that really well. She was suggesting that maybe Dad should get off his backside and walk around with me. As if that would work *smirk*.
It's the orange monkey now.
Dr. Squiggles!!!
Oh yes, sorry. 3. I get bored quite easily. I think Mom has finally figured out that I need constant attention and entertainment. Sometimes she gets a bit lazy and tries to put me in my crib with the mobile playing. But I've told her in no uncertain terms that is not going to work anymore. Just because I was stupid enough to lie there quietly watching it when I was younger doesn't mean it's going to work now when I'm older.
4. I now communicate with all strangers (everyone except my mom that is) while perched on her shoulder. I coo, gurgle and smile at everyone from a comfortable distance. I don't like to get too close and I think I've got the message across pretty well.
I: How hard has it been for you to reach this stage?
It was surprisingly easy actually. Adults are a piece of cake to manage. I am quite fortunate that I have first time parents. That makes them especially vulnerable (stumbling a little on that long word) to crying infants.
I: What are your key strengths?
Persistence. I can outcry the best of them. My parents have tried all kinds of tactics - ignoring me, trying to distract me with funny noises, joining in and imitating my cry, doing funny little jigs, getting outsiders to help. They're quite creative really. But I have been quite persistent with my wailing. As soon as they cave in, I quieten down.
My second key strength is Innovation. The moment my mom thinks she has figured out a way to distract me I come up with another reason to throw a tantrum. E.g. When I was smaller I hated the car seat and would cry all the time when she put me in it. Now that she's managed to convince me of its merits, I cry everytime the car stops. So, you see innovation is the key.
Dr. Squiggles has just spied her mom and starts whimpering for her attention. I wave a rattle in her face to get her to continue with the interview. I succeed but only for a bit longer.
I: Any special tips for other infants out there?
What I have found works particularly well is to continue to whimper in a complaining manner after the tantrum. This I find serves to remind my mom that I have not forgotten the latest cruelty lest they contemplate putting me down or giving me to someone else to carry. Any further attempts to have their way are promptly discarded.
The other thing that I would like to say to all the other infants is keep them on their toes. Don't ever get into a routine. The uncertainty means that they are constantly wondering what's going to happen next and all plans are at your mercy.
Oh and tears, of course. Nothing like good old tears.
Dr. Squiggles is looking beseechingly at her mom again. I hurry.
I: Is there anyone you would like to acknowledge before we end this interview?
This *holding up the plaque* is for my Mom. It wouldn't have been possible without her. I love you Ma.
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