Yet another new funda. We used to say:
"Varun, I...love..."????
and he would spring to attention, and with a cheerful and knowing face, say :
"gung!!!"
Which technically means "you", but is said in a language only we understand. He could say anything like "light" and we would still say it means "you" because, let's face it, we are parents and understand exactly what he means, even if it makes us look silly to other people.
Now we go to graduate lessons and say:
"Varun, I love you. You...love...????"
and he goes:
"MEEEEEEEEE".
"mee, mee, mee".
"mee, meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, meeee, meeeeeee, me"
"meeememmemmmeeeeeeeee"
and so on till he finds a fly running around on the floor. Which he points to and looks at us, and in that knowing, cheerful look say, "DADDY!".
And we know that he has said, in his language that only we understand, "makkhi".
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The world I know
I read somewhere that small children particularly toddlers are acutely aware of their size compared with the 'giants' around them and may have fears springing from their imagination which are associated with this difference in size. I was reminded of this when one day D and I, forgetting that it was a Sunday (for we never head to those mad places called malls on weekends), went to what was effectively a congregation of the whole world and its family at a city mall.
This was also the day when, while dressing Varun, I was telling him where we were going in an attempt to make him wear his clothes a little faster (just the knowledge that he is changing to go out makes him react a little more favourably to the act. Read: he becomes a docile kitten). So, in the midst of wiggling and scurrying away the tenth time, he suddenly became absolutely still on hearing the word 'mall'. He lay still and observed my lip movements while I slipped on his t-shirt. While I was wondering what had brought about this miracle, he sprang it at me.
"MO!", he said! And since then he curls his lower lip inward very consciously and brings out both lips in an exaggerated pout to reproduce the syllable which delights us so. Now, all this is very nice till he decides to say this lovely word at midnight when we are trying to get him to sleep or have taken him for a drive since he is not sleeping. Small formalities like time of day or night barely matter and he decides that it is time to 'tata' and 'mo' (get out of the house and go to the mall). In fact, he even remembers many days after when asked, "Where did you go to the other day, Varun?" Pat comes, "Mo!". It doesn't matter that 'the other day' we went to the local market, or to the doc., or to the grocery shop, or for a drive. That is the place 'he' went to since that is the place with so many lights!
So, on this one day when we accidentally landed up at the world's congregation in the mall which is just about capable of accomodating all the citizens of Liechstenstein, Varun reacted not with fear but with complete curiosity. He refused to let us carry him and was insistent that we let him down and that he should run around in the madness - which he did for a while, with us on his heels for I was quite sure of a stampede in this shopping mecca. I wondered what he thought of this land of 'giants'.
He was quite clearly not intimidated. In fact, he had a ball. He didn't have a care in the world about bumping into someone or knowing where he wanted to go. He just wanted to run. He managed to weave his way around all the huge figures around him, with us following close behind. It was then that a very tall lady brushed past him and nearly made him stumble and fall. I was temporarily irritated by her lack of not just caution but also courtesy. She was tall and was only looking straight ahead unaware of the little figure close to her heels. I caught a momentarily shaken Varun take a long look up to see who had nearly kicked him out of the way.
Watching from the sidelines, looking down to where he was standing looking up at and walking away backwards from the woman who had scared him a little in his trusting walk through the giant world, it struck me how, at times, I see only what's on our eye level, preferring to live in the world I know, occasionally forgetting to slow down a while, bend on my knees and take a peek into Varun's world - from where he can see best.
This was also the day when, while dressing Varun, I was telling him where we were going in an attempt to make him wear his clothes a little faster (just the knowledge that he is changing to go out makes him react a little more favourably to the act. Read: he becomes a docile kitten). So, in the midst of wiggling and scurrying away the tenth time, he suddenly became absolutely still on hearing the word 'mall'. He lay still and observed my lip movements while I slipped on his t-shirt. While I was wondering what had brought about this miracle, he sprang it at me.
"MO!", he said! And since then he curls his lower lip inward very consciously and brings out both lips in an exaggerated pout to reproduce the syllable which delights us so. Now, all this is very nice till he decides to say this lovely word at midnight when we are trying to get him to sleep or have taken him for a drive since he is not sleeping. Small formalities like time of day or night barely matter and he decides that it is time to 'tata' and 'mo' (get out of the house and go to the mall). In fact, he even remembers many days after when asked, "Where did you go to the other day, Varun?" Pat comes, "Mo!". It doesn't matter that 'the other day' we went to the local market, or to the doc., or to the grocery shop, or for a drive. That is the place 'he' went to since that is the place with so many lights!
So, on this one day when we accidentally landed up at the world's congregation in the mall which is just about capable of accomodating all the citizens of Liechstenstein, Varun reacted not with fear but with complete curiosity. He refused to let us carry him and was insistent that we let him down and that he should run around in the madness - which he did for a while, with us on his heels for I was quite sure of a stampede in this shopping mecca. I wondered what he thought of this land of 'giants'.
He was quite clearly not intimidated. In fact, he had a ball. He didn't have a care in the world about bumping into someone or knowing where he wanted to go. He just wanted to run. He managed to weave his way around all the huge figures around him, with us following close behind. It was then that a very tall lady brushed past him and nearly made him stumble and fall. I was temporarily irritated by her lack of not just caution but also courtesy. She was tall and was only looking straight ahead unaware of the little figure close to her heels. I caught a momentarily shaken Varun take a long look up to see who had nearly kicked him out of the way.
Watching from the sidelines, looking down to where he was standing looking up at and walking away backwards from the woman who had scared him a little in his trusting walk through the giant world, it struck me how, at times, I see only what's on our eye level, preferring to live in the world I know, occasionally forgetting to slow down a while, bend on my knees and take a peek into Varun's world - from where he can see best.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The outdoor fantasy
Going out of the house is now an eternal desire. Varun wakes up, can barely open his eyes, and when I've held him up he rubs his eyes and looks at me lovingly, like I am the perfect person to have this conversation with right now, and says "udhar".
Which technically means anywhere other than here; "here" meaning this house. And if you take him to the door, which has hidden mysteries behind it every single day, he will look at you and say, "tata?".
Nothing to do with the Indian multinational family named business; the sum total of his interest in business is about what ingenious ways he can get us to play his rhymes. Note that these are not just rhymes anymore. They have pervaded to the very interior of my subconsciousness, such that when I'm dreaming I dream of Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, and ring-a-ring of roses; all in that silly tune that plays itself over and over again in my head, causing my brain to turn to jelly. Which explains the endless rambling in this post, but hey, what do you care, you've already read till here, haven't you.
And rhymes are bait for anything. Food. Iron drops. (which S will soon remember I forgot to give yesterday) General sit still for five minutes entertainment.
In the end, when he's so tired he can barely stand, and he's now sat down and looked at his rhymes book (of course there's a rhymes book) and torn a few more pages, played with his fingers, analysed the stars out of the window and such major winding down activity, he will stand up and look at us with copious amounts of love.
And smile. And walk slowly, and surely, towards me or S. (who am I kidding. Mommy is far more important) And say the words we have learnt to absolutely adore.
"tata?"
Which technically means anywhere other than here; "here" meaning this house. And if you take him to the door, which has hidden mysteries behind it every single day, he will look at you and say, "tata?".
Nothing to do with the Indian multinational family named business; the sum total of his interest in business is about what ingenious ways he can get us to play his rhymes. Note that these are not just rhymes anymore. They have pervaded to the very interior of my subconsciousness, such that when I'm dreaming I dream of Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, and ring-a-ring of roses; all in that silly tune that plays itself over and over again in my head, causing my brain to turn to jelly. Which explains the endless rambling in this post, but hey, what do you care, you've already read till here, haven't you.
And rhymes are bait for anything. Food. Iron drops. (which S will soon remember I forgot to give yesterday) General sit still for five minutes entertainment.
In the end, when he's so tired he can barely stand, and he's now sat down and looked at his rhymes book (of course there's a rhymes book) and torn a few more pages, played with his fingers, analysed the stars out of the window and such major winding down activity, he will stand up and look at us with copious amounts of love.
And smile. And walk slowly, and surely, towards me or S. (who am I kidding. Mommy is far more important) And say the words we have learnt to absolutely adore.
"tata?"
Friday, July 11, 2008
Varun's version ...
... of "Johnny, Johnny" "Yes, papa"
Me: "Johnny, Johnny ...?"
Varun:
Me: "Eating sugar ...?"
Varun: a very pleased and a very sure - with the stress on the long vowel "... aapa!"
Me:
Varun:
Me:
Varun: "huunn" (his way of filling in the blanks where he knows the word exists but cannot utter the sound yet)
... and of "Hickory, dickory"
Me: "Hickory, dickory ..."
Varun: "... huunn"
Me: "... dock!" "The mouse ran up the ...?"
Varun: "... huunn"
Me: "... clock!" "The clock struck ...?"
Varun: "... huunn"
Me: "... one!" "The mouse ran ...?"
Varun: "... huunn"
Me: "... down!" "Hickory, dickory, dock!"
It wouldn't be so much fun every time but for the finger he keeps in his mouth through this along with that naughty grin because he just loves to play games like this one. And of course we love the game too (after all, it's also one of the ways to keep him from wiggling away long enough to put that diaper on, or to slip on that t-shirt!)
Me: "Johnny, Johnny ...?"
Varun:
Me: "Eating sugar ...?"
Varun: a very pleased and a very sure - with the stress on the long vowel "... aapa!"
Me:
Varun:
Me:
Varun: "huunn" (his way of filling in the blanks where he knows the word exists but cannot utter the sound yet)
... and of "Hickory, dickory"
Me: "Hickory, dickory ..."
Varun: "... huunn"
Me: "... dock!" "The mouse ran up the ...?"
Varun: "... huunn"
Me: "... clock!" "The clock struck ...?"
Varun: "... huunn"
Me: "... one!" "The mouse ran ...?"
Varun: "... huunn"
Me: "... down!" "Hickory, dickory, dock!"
It wouldn't be so much fun every time but for the finger he keeps in his mouth through this along with that naughty grin because he just loves to play games like this one. And of course we love the game too (after all, it's also one of the ways to keep him from wiggling away long enough to put that diaper on, or to slip on that t-shirt!)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A small step ...
Even though Varun has been communicating with us in so many ways - an affectionate look, a weepy face, asking questions by pointing to the picture of the object he wants to know the word for and saying 'uh?', generally squealing in delight and running with his arms outstretched when he is happy with his world, gritting his teeth and hugging his teddy bear or his mum and dad to express his love - today, it really hit home for me.
He said his first half-sentence. I closed a door and he said a crystal-clear, and perfectly pronounced (except for the incorrect consonant) 'bung kar de' (close it). This is so because I keep telling him to close cabinet drawers, doors and other things that he has opened to pry into. This time he got his own back. Even though it was after I had completed the task.
He had been trying to say this for a day or so with 'bung-kede' and similar sounds. The fact that he got it right brightened his eyes and mine too. He was darn pleased with himself and I was struck by the realization that he and I were really on the way ... not just towards talking with each other but hopefully talking the same language.
So, this one is just so that, when you grow up - if sometimes - you don't understand my words and I yours, I shall remember that we have come a long, long way from the time we both took that first small step ... and how it felt to know what you wanted to say.
He said his first half-sentence. I closed a door and he said a crystal-clear, and perfectly pronounced (except for the incorrect consonant) 'bung kar de' (close it). This is so because I keep telling him to close cabinet drawers, doors and other things that he has opened to pry into. This time he got his own back. Even though it was after I had completed the task.
He had been trying to say this for a day or so with 'bung-kede' and similar sounds. The fact that he got it right brightened his eyes and mine too. He was darn pleased with himself and I was struck by the realization that he and I were really on the way ... not just towards talking with each other but hopefully talking the same language.
So, this one is just so that, when you grow up - if sometimes - you don't understand my words and I yours, I shall remember that we have come a long, long way from the time we both took that first small step ... and how it felt to know what you wanted to say.
Things that Mama forgot ...
... to put in the list of things I say, other than 'udhar' which daddy has already reminded us about.
"कीधर"
"इधर"
"boo, boo" (doggy, also an answer to 'doggy says ...?')
"oooo" (ouch, i got hurt, or 'i fell, there was a chance of getting hurt' or 'i dropped something, it broke and by implication 'it' got hurt)
"थी, छी" (the dirty mop that I so love to play with, the diaper dustbin and other things labeled 'dirty')"hoon, hoon" (cars - derived from the sound that my remote car makes)
"that"
"bite" (bat)
"जी, जी " (potty)
"that"
"bite" (bat)
"जी, जी " (potty)
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Cleanliness ... or godliness?
The other day Varun did the pee thingy in the dining room right outside the kitchen door. He froze as usual and looked down to observe the act, but this time he didn't wait for me to clean it up. Instead, he walked very purposefully across the kitchen ... to the mop on the floor in the corner.
All this is happening with him oblivious to my presence and the fact that I am watching what he's doing. So, he walks across, picks up the mop, walks back to the pee area, bends down, and wipes it off ... to the extent that the floor is completely dry and I need do nothing more. It has been done to perfection.
All this is happening with him oblivious to my presence and the fact that I am watching what he's doing. So, he walks across, picks up the mop, walks back to the pee area, bends down, and wipes it off ... to the extent that the floor is completely dry and I need do nothing more. It has been done to perfection.
Affectionately Yours
It's that time of the year when Daddy decides to write. Because Mommy has written like three posts and Daddy is feeling left behind. Not to admit that he's fat. Now why would anyone write that, unless he was feeling guilty. I'm talking about someone else here.
Varun is now officially a walking, talking, doll. That hugs back. When I tell him "gimme a kissie" and offer him my cheek, he'll first look at me and smile, sorta like saying "Ok Dude, you want me to indulge you".
Then he'll consider the options. Do I have anything to do that's more interesting than the mundane act of showing affection? No? Ok, now, I'll do this thing.
After which he walks, very purposefully, towards me, apply his entire face on my cheek because, let's give him a break here, he has no idea how to plant a kiss. (Note: such lack of knowledge is not expected to be for long, he was born Feb 14)
Immediately post this act he will look at me, with a lot of affection, point outside the door and say "udhar". Which is one word Mommy missed out in the previous post.
Oh yes, and for another, quite apltly, "tata".
Varun is now officially a walking, talking, doll. That hugs back. When I tell him "gimme a kissie" and offer him my cheek, he'll first look at me and smile, sorta like saying "Ok Dude, you want me to indulge you".
Then he'll consider the options. Do I have anything to do that's more interesting than the mundane act of showing affection? No? Ok, now, I'll do this thing.
After which he walks, very purposefully, towards me, apply his entire face on my cheek because, let's give him a break here, he has no idea how to plant a kiss. (Note: such lack of knowledge is not expected to be for long, he was born Feb 14)
Immediately post this act he will look at me, with a lot of affection, point outside the door and say "udhar". Which is one word Mommy missed out in the previous post.
Oh yes, and for another, quite apltly, "tata".
My first few words ...
... in their order of utterance (or as far as mum remembers it to be so):
"iight" (light)
"daddy"
"mum, mum" (nope, not mommy but 'food)
"mama" (Yup, it's mommy this time around)
"daddy" (baby)
"daddy" (teddy)
"daddy" (froggy)
"daddy" (piggy)
"dee" (give, with it I also mean 'take')
"no"
"aunty"
"aowa" (hawa)
"aaja"
"ani" (onion)
"apa" (apple)
"no, no" (scissors, a knife, any sharp poky object, anything I'm not allowed to do / hold)
"didi"
"cooka" (cooker)
"bung" ('bund' - close it, or i closed it)
"unca" (uncle)
"cooka" (this I mean a 'kaouwa', and a 'cuckoo')
"mum, mum" (this time I mean water too)
"iight ge" ('light gayi')
"undi" (nope, not what you're thinking, it's anything round - a balloon, a tomato ...)
That's all that mama can remember for now, but in actual fact i say a lot many more words, for example, 'piki piki yaa paa' that she has no clue about. I possess my own vocab and my own dictionary ... but we'll talk about that another time ...
"iight" (light)
"daddy"
"mum, mum" (nope, not mommy but 'food)
"mama" (Yup, it's mommy this time around)
"daddy" (baby)
"daddy" (teddy)
"daddy" (froggy)
"daddy" (piggy)
"dee" (give, with it I also mean 'take')
"no"
"aunty"
"aowa" (hawa)
"aaja"
"ani" (onion)
"apa" (apple)
"no, no" (scissors, a knife, any sharp poky object, anything I'm not allowed to do / hold)
"didi"
"cooka" (cooker)
"bung" ('bund' - close it, or i closed it)
"unca" (uncle)
"cooka" (this I mean a 'kaouwa', and a 'cuckoo')
"mum, mum" (this time I mean water too)
"iight ge" ('light gayi')
"undi" (nope, not what you're thinking, it's anything round - a balloon, a tomato ...)
That's all that mama can remember for now, but in actual fact i say a lot many more words, for example, 'piki piki yaa paa' that she has no clue about. I possess my own vocab and my own dictionary ... but we'll talk about that another time ...
A year ... and nearly a half!
Yep, that's Varun in a month and ten days. So, this one's just for the heck of it, to those times I remember still ...
February 14, 2007
February 14, 2007 <3.13pm>: The final push and that crazy but clear-as-crystal feeling of your little body slide out of mine.
February 17, 2007
July 12, 2007: You struggled with this one for many days and after many frustrating attempts, you finally rolled over onto your tummy ... and then did it all the time!
September 3, 2007: Your first tooth - then, ten days later out popped the second one. You started trying to crawl this month - went in reverse gear first, again this one made you raving mad! After all, why were you ending up away from that little teddy you so wanted to get to! :-) You uttered your first word "light" (of course, you said it without the 'l' and so it is even today!)
October 2, 2007: The big day! You leap-frogged forward! You would gather enough courage to somehow make it the edge of the carpet, and were wary of the cold, hard floor till curiosity took care of that one. The rest is history! Soon, you were half-sitting ...
October 25, 2007: You sat up on your own, just like that, got so interested in a toy at a friends house and that was it ... two days later you stood up on your knees and pulled up on your feet holding on for dear life ... to the wall, the tall mirror in the corridor, to the television ...
February 20, 2007: You started walking holding my hand! You had been cruising holding the wall for a few weeks now. Today I was holding you with both hands as you stood. You shook your right hand out of mine and started taking beautiful tiny steps forward and as I walked with you, your hand in mine, you were absolutely delighted in this new-found skill.
March 23, 2007: I had just returned from a trip to Delhi where you had tried to take a few steps on your own. Suddenly, a day after I came back, there it was, you walked off on your own. No looking back!
Now you walk, run, walk backwards, climb on and off the bed and are a general riot full of laughs and squeals all day. So, here's to many more memorable days ...
February 14, 2007
February 14, 2007 <3.13pm>: The final push and that crazy but clear-as-crystal feeling of your little body slide out of mine.
February 17, 2007
July 12, 2007: You struggled with this one for many days and after many frustrating attempts, you finally rolled over onto your tummy ... and then did it all the time!
September 3, 2007: Your first tooth - then, ten days later out popped the second one. You started trying to crawl this month - went in reverse gear first, again this one made you raving mad! After all, why were you ending up away from that little teddy you so wanted to get to! :-) You uttered your first word "light" (of course, you said it without the 'l' and so it is even today!)
October 2, 2007: The big day! You leap-frogged forward! You would gather enough courage to somehow make it the edge of the carpet, and were wary of the cold, hard floor till curiosity took care of that one. The rest is history! Soon, you were half-sitting ...
October 25, 2007: You sat up on your own, just like that, got so interested in a toy at a friends house and that was it ... two days later you stood up on your knees and pulled up on your feet holding on for dear life ... to the wall, the tall mirror in the corridor, to the television ...
February 20, 2007: You started walking holding my hand! You had been cruising holding the wall for a few weeks now. Today I was holding you with both hands as you stood. You shook your right hand out of mine and started taking beautiful tiny steps forward and as I walked with you, your hand in mine, you were absolutely delighted in this new-found skill.
March 23, 2007: I had just returned from a trip to Delhi where you had tried to take a few steps on your own. Suddenly, a day after I came back, there it was, you walked off on your own. No looking back!
Now you walk, run, walk backwards, climb on and off the bed and are a general riot full of laughs and squeals all day. So, here's to many more memorable days ...
Friday, July 04, 2008
NO, NO!
Yep, that's what Varun calls things that he is forbidden from touching i.e. scissors, knives, screwdrivers ...
Here's how a typical conversation goes (for example when we walk into the kitchen and he spots the knives set):
Varun:
Me: No sweetheart.
Varun:
Me: NOOO!
Varun: NOOOO, NOOOO (this woman is not getting it!)
And so on it goes - everyday - with all the above listed objects. Ofcourse, it's tough not to laugh when he goes behind the television, and stretches his arm to touch the wires behind, wears an impish smile, looks at me with the look that says, "There Mama, I know I am not allowed to do that", says "No!" and then walks away with a glow in his eyes and a lovely little smile on his lips.
Here's how a typical conversation goes (for example when we walk into the kitchen and he spots the knives set):
Varun:
Me: No sweetheart.
Varun:
Me:
Varun:
And so on it goes - everyday - with all the above listed objects. Ofcourse, it's tough not to laugh when he goes behind the television, and stretches his arm to touch the wires behind, wears an impish smile, looks at me with the look that says, "There Mama, I know I am not allowed to do that", says "No!" and then walks away with a glow in his eyes and a lovely little smile on his lips.
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