Arunima - "The Glow of Dawn"

Arunima's Thrilling Three !!

2011-09-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

As Arunima heads for her fourth year...just thought of penning down some of her chit-chats in her thrilling threes :)

Aru had mosquito bites on her legs....
Me to Aru : "Aru we will not go to the park in the evening, the mosquitoes bit you"
Aru to me : "No mommy, the mosquitoes bit me while returning from the park. We will not return from the park". :)

Friday fun :) - While colouring a triangle (mountain shaped), Arunima took out the colour on all three sides. So I asked "Hey Aru , this is not proper. You have taken out the colour from all three sides". Arunima replies , looking very knowledgeable as always -" Mom this is proper. I gave it hands and legs. The triangle was requesting me soooo much so I had to na".

A big banging sound comes from Aru's toy room..I just asked ..."What's happening Aru?" ...A voice rings back even louder "I know I know...how many times the same thing " and after a pause..." But Mommy, why am I not ever supposed to do any naughty thing ? " :)

Girls will Be Girls - Arunima to me - "Mommy there is one polite request . Can you please get me all the pani-puris in the land ? "...and on eating some spicy ones with tears filled eyes - "Mommy you know I am not feeling Mirchi at all, just that I feel very thirsty while eating pani-puris. Could you please get me some water " ;-)

Was annoyed when Arunima didn't make her "U" straight even after practicing a lot. So I asked her rather sternly, why is your "U" not straight ? She replied politely- "Mom because it's having tummy pain. It cannot stand straight." and Why So I asked rather amused - "Coz its mummy fed him a lot of just food like you do "...I just kept quiet ..

Putting Arunima to sleep
Me- "Aru close ur eyes and go to sleep"
Aru - "Mommy I am closing but they are opening by themselves"
Me- "No it's under your control. Close ur eyes"
Aru - "Okay. Request them to close"
Me- "Aru's Eyes please close"
Aru - "They are stuck now. Now please say thankyou to them"
Me - "Thankyou eyes"
Good Gracious Lord...she's just 3 n a half right now !!

Morning muse - I asked Aru as to why is she a girl and not a boy. Here's what she said - "am a girl because I have eyelashes, I don't wear shorts in school , I don't have a spaceship n nor do I know how to ride one " :)

Arunima - Set to reach the TWO YEAR landmark

2009-08-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

Got totally exhausted with a tiring week of heavy work. What could be more relaxing than penning down my Sweetie's antics. Would be wonderful to remember them years down the line...How she was before she turned TWO.
This is what she can do/recognise :)

BODY PARTS
Head
Hair
Eyes
Ears
Nose
Mouth
Tongue
Teeth
Cheeks
Chin
Shoulders
Hands
Elbow
Tummy
Bums
Legs
Knee
Toes

FRUITS/VEGETABLES
Apple
Mango
Bananna
Papaya
Water Melon
Strawberry
Pomegranate(Balls)
Tomato
Potato
Cucumber(khira)
Mango

VEHICLES
Car
Truck(Lorry)
Bus
Bike
Cycle
Train
Aeroplane

NURSERY RHYMES
Twinkle Twinkle
Jhonny Jhonny

NUMBERS
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six
7. Seven
8. Eight
9. Nine
10. Ten

ANIMALS
Cat
Dog
Fish
Bird
Elephant
Lion
Tiger
Donkey
Sheep
Pig
Rabbit
Duck

ANIMAL SOUNDS/ACTIONS
Cat
Dog
Cow
Fish
Bird
Elephant
Lion
Tiger
Donkey
Sheep
Goat
Pig
Rabbit
Duck

EMOTIONS
Happy
Crying
Scared
Surprised

CLOTHES/ACCESSORIES
Pants
Frock
Pajama
socks
Shoes
Slippers(Chappal)
Clips
Jacket
Dupatta(chunni)
Towel
Cream
Comb(kangi)

Can Hold a spoon and fork and eat
Can hold a pencil and scribble.
Can differentiate between small and big
Can differentiate between one and Many.
Loves to pray. Would spend time infront of the small Temple. Holding the bell,offerring flowers,chanting (her) mantras,setting up the pooja thaali,clapping her hands and singing along the morning bhajans.

First Haircut !!

2008-12-19T08:58:00.000-08:00

Some things are just so ordinary in life that one doesn’t even realize that he’s been doing it for years together all so mechanically.

For instance – Brushing your teeth in the morning - Do u ever think about your teeth while brushing ? Mostly not unless you have a severe pain.
Opening the door – Did u ever think about the door strength, the key, its shape while opening the door ? Na, never unless your door got jammed or your key got misplaced.
Putting on the buttons of your cardigan – Well never really ...unless one of it was missing.

Same is the case with a hair cut. A ritual followed almost after a couple of months.
But yes it does assume immense importance when its happening for the first time, or for that important look for that very important occasion
So it was time for Arunima’s FIRST HAIRCUT. Am not mentioning the mundan ceremony which happened when she was 6 months old. It was the actual hair cut which she was going to have in a salon. Well style does matter what if you are a year old !!! :)

I was really excited and nervous and worried…a mirage of emotions ..
Excited coz I was going to give my sweetheart that cute look which I had selected after scrolling numerous magazines, surfing websites, watching kids programs and secretly noticing someone else’s kid’s hairdo. Had inquired about the best nearby salon for kids from neighbours, friends and colleagues. Had spoken to the hairdressers before even getting her there.

Nervous and worried because Arunima never ever let me touch her hair peacefully. Loud screams, screeches, continuous shaking of the head and running away on the very light touch of that cute kids comb. God how would she take the sight of the BIG scissors, moving to and fro and chopping off her sweet locks !!! How would we manage her then. How would I hold my heart strongly inspite of her incessant cries…I was really really worried.

Admist those thoughts I packed the bag…u might be scratching your head , packing a bag for hair cut ??? Yeah I packed so many things – Arunima’s most lovable teddy, a chocolate, a pack of chips, 2-3 empty cans, the rings and blocks she used to play with , my cell phone, a torch, a newspaper, a diaper, water bottle….hey hey don’t you carry your imagination too far…all this was meant for distracting her. My plan ,as one can call it , was to keep her engrossed in all these items - taking them out from the bag at specific intervals and somehow managing to pass those 5/10 minutes of agony.
So here we left for the BIG Haircut …bigger for us than for Arunima ;)

This was a new salon, not the one which I normally visit. Had got good inputs from people around. Searching for it was quite easy. Getting off the car I remembered God for one last time. Couldn’t hear any loud cries, any commotion…my heart which had lept by leaps and bounds by now was calming… "Kids section on the first floor ",a lady at the entrance told me. Holding Aru in my arms and her daddy by my side we moved. A nice warm place with smiling staff was a very positive sign indeed.

"I want a hair cut for my daughter " I said softly…and pointed to that one year old sitting quietly in her daddy’s lap . A brief wait after which a hairdresser came and said "This way please"…On glancing inside, I found there were only moms and kids…so daddy had to wait outside…God I had to handle everything alone…my mind stopped thinking .

Holding Aru I walked in a room full of kids..different age groups and all so calm. But the most tiny tot was huddled close to me. And would you like to know what happened next ??

Aru got so excited on seeing kids, mirrors, lights and smiling staff…she was the centre of attraction. Pointing her finger to things she smiled and babbled around. An aged hair dresser came up to me and asked me to put Arunima in her special seat….Hey it was a car !!! ) A sweet yellow kids car with a horn,and bright red tyres and so many other accessories….Arunima loved the very sight of it…The hair dresser involved Aru in her cute talks…gave her combs to play with and took out that medium sized scissors..The whole staff was enchanted by her . By now Aru was more than happy…licking the chocolate that I had carried along and playing with her teddy and combs . There was no need to take out other stuff from he bag….she was comfortable and all smiles. …My muscles, my mind, and finally my soul got totally relaxed…

One, Two and three......... three quick chops..quicker than I could imagine and Aru could know…the hair covering her forehead was cut neatly..Two more for the sides and it was all done. Didn’t want to remove the curly locks from the back…A blow from the hair dryer and my dolly was all ready :)

I was dazed… Was I dreaming ?? Had that BIG thing got over ? My senses were still confused. …It had all happened..so easily, so calmly… with my cutie enjoying her FIRST HAIRCUT instead of hating it .

Oh I was overjoyed!!! Thanked the hairdresser from the innermost corner of my heart and came out victorious. The difference was evident …no …..not of the long, messy haired and the cute, smart haired Arunima but of the nervous , worried and panicked to the proud, and confident mommy…No one knew it more than Arunima’s daddy and he too gave me a winning smile…
So we drove off happily after Arunima’s FIRST HAIRCUT :)

Living our dream !!!

2008-11-26T10:44:00.000-08:00

One blissful year has passed since we started drinking every moment, every second, every event of our lives . The happiest, most relaxing and enjoyable times we could ever wish , ever conceive.

Arunima – A wonder !!! has cast this enchanting spell that’s left us euphoric :) I close my eyes to see her smile flash past me. Sit in complete peace to hear her chirps resounding aloud. Lie aloof to feel her embracing me. Look for the jeweled twinkle of her sparkling eyes in complete darkness.

How she waves bye bye, when we leave for office। How she runs to the door and hugs us when we return। How she hides behind the furniture and plays hide and seek. Points out loud to whatsoever she desires. Licks and smudges chocolate till her face and hands have no clean inch left. Dances on hearing music. Holds out food to me when I sit to feed her. Carries her darlings (teddies) along all day. Gropes for mom and dad when asleep. Throws any cap that’s messing with her locks ;) only to chuckle back. Off the bed and here goes the stuff out from the baskets, the newspaper all crumbled up and littered in the room, teddies sleeping around in the house, keys/remotes misplaced :) Everything seems so amazingly interesting .
How ecstatic it is to live your dream !!!

Arunima turned ONE on 17th Sep 2008. One of the most precious events of our life. How to go about it was one big question ?? Wearing our thinking caps we decided of a luncheon treat to be organized for the day. It was all Mommy and daddy’s responsibility to make it a memorable day for their beloved to cherish all her life. Time to make arrangements, loosen the purse, lay the red carpet, call the caterers, decide the menu, have live food counters, send the invitations, select the most gorgeous dress for our sweetheart, order for the birthday cake, get the choicest of flowers/candles/balloons. Decorate the house…AHHHH!!! That was tiring ..

But definitely the satisfaction , the joy we shared in preparing for the D-day was incomparable :) How easy it would have been to get it done by others , give the responsibility and relax from a distance . But the whole meaning and charm would have been so so less…

So all arrangements done, birthday cake in place, dad rushing last moment to get the flowers, ballons in the balcony signaling to the birthday home , guests chittering and chattering around, caterers serving the drinks and appetizers. It was time for that BIG MOMENT!!!

Arunima, mommy and daddy… all together…. blew the candle and cut the cake. Arunima turned one in a graceful manner. The whole atmosphere was resounding with claps and birthday songs. Smiles all around.

Hunger which had grown by leaps and bounds by now was calmed quickly by the delicious lunch arranged downstairs। The live roomaali counter was an eye-treat। Colourful salads were a big rage। The desserts just melted in the mouth। The choice of menu ,the food quality and the catering were all complimented। Thanks to mommy dear :)
The star of the day was all there to elate the spirits.

We drank and ate the very feel of the whole experience Believe me ,were all full upto the brim . Time to send off the guests which both of us made sure was as warm as welcoming and winding up। All thanks to Shivamma. She is meticulous (only)when it comes to getting things done by others ;) Got all the stuff back home, even the ballons which were used for decoration downstairs :)

And then …we just relaxed, just dazed , just wondered. We did it !!! The birthday girl who had slept peacefully after having her share of food,

woke up to find herself surrounded by gifts…WOW !!!so many and all so nice.

Was engrossed in unpacking and eyeing them. Loved the sight of her being so happy :)

It was so amazing, so satisfying, so very joyful celebrating our daughter’s first birthday as we had thought…it was so beautiful “Living our Dream”………

Life is beautiful…!

2008-06-13T03:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder, does life have anything more beautiful, more lively, more satisfying than the antics of your baby ?

It's one of the best experiences I am having and to add to my joys, it's an endless one . The warmth, the love, the surge of emotions are difficult to contain . Bubbling and oozing out of my treasure house are the moments I want to relive time and again..

Yes all this and much more is because of one little ray of joy which struck us on 17th September 2007. Arunima “The Glow of Dawn”…which dawned into our lives to make it bloom wholly.

At a wonderful age of 9 months, she’s heading for an even more magnificent and delightful being. My heart is elated and spirits ready to drink the cup of joy God set aside for me. She can sit up straight now toppling over very rarely. How the whole room resounds with her claps. Two little hands go clap clap clap like the wings of a butterfly fluttering past each other. Its accompanied by her incessant screeches and the silver line dripping from the cute little mouth - agape by her own accomplishment. Furrr, gurrrrrr, gaaaaaa, mmmmmmmmmm nothing more delightful than these new notes of life. Called aloud to her Grandpa with her first word “BABA” .

Who taught her to shake her head ..left, right, left is still a mystery…but she goes on and on ….Smiles back when you smile at her and cries when u scold but when you are on the brink of anger, chuckles back at you washing it away all in a swish. An inherent hunger seems never to satiate…see anything and here is the mouth ajar again with eyes screwed into small buttons and fingers spread apart…wants to eat and feel the whole world J mausambi juice, biscuits and water are her all time favourites..enjoys crumbled chips too…winks and shrugs her delicate shoulders on having anything sour .Its fun eyeing her . But yes Nothing sweet..Girls are diet conscious from day 1 I guess ;) How her lips are zipped tight if something’s not approved by her palate. Hold the spoon there for hours but they won’t budge away from each other and the face will get sterner. Man I get afraid and withdraw. Once she’s full, starts to gargle things out..and here goes the stuff down the mouth, to the chin , dripping on the bib below and to the frock and pants finally. Her smudged hands ensure that the eyes are not spared in the process and then the chilly shriek running down the spine. Gosh !!! My ears are definitely having a hard time..

Has a new prized possession now a days…Her cute walker..How easily in the world she can go to places she had longed for…under the dining table , in the bathroom, near the fridge and television, catch a glimpse of mom while she’s cooking in the kitchen, the space between the sofas…its an amazing thing dad got for her. Has so many attachments she can involve herself in, a mirror to look at her soft face and sparkling eyes and buttons to play nursery rhymes. What use a Ferrari ?( actually …fuel prices have risen so much..its an option worth considering ;))

The most relaxing and satisfying moments of hers are in mom and dad’s laps. How she buries her face in my lap then looks up at me in admiration smiles back and then again buries her face. Clings onto me while feeding…no one in the world should separate us. Holds the hand so tight and sleeps with her legs on my face and shoulders all so safe and secure. Dads lap is the warmest and the most calming place in the whole world..How she falls asleep as soon as daddy cuddles her up and smiles in her dreams. Wants a reassurance even while sleeping that Yes they are still by her side.

But you know what !!! Potty’s 2-3 times a day and is happiest when mom and dad are running around the house to get newspaper, cotton, water to prevent the bed from getting soiled. And Lo and Behold…just the unwanted..she did it ..not again L ….she grins ...Happy cleaning .I got an expertise in guessing whether she has shushued or not …if the body turns stiff , nose goes pink , gaze is fixed and eyes are filled with tears..guaranteed she’s done it ;)

A new hobby of eyeing birds and flowers enthralls her but nothing more involving than a laptop. She can see things moving , hear sounds, enjoy colours…Moreover children are monkeys …Daddy’s little dolly apes him fully. If daddy can use it so can she…has begun typing already.

The bundle of energy is happiest when held high above…legs dangling back and forth and loud screams accompanying them. The zest seems to never end. How she hobbles and gobbles in our ears when we come back from office and hold her in our arms. Must be telling me how Shivamma relishes life when we are away.. uses my cream and doles out ghee on bread..delighting her senses…Silly me, I fail to understand.

All are happy -- we, our maid and the whole world…all because of this amazingly beautiful gift God granted us…ARUNIMA.

Yes life is beautiful !!!

~Anshuma