New Year Goals

Its that time of the year, the time to make resolutions!!
Are mine to be forgotten in a month's time, or will some of these survive the whole year?
So, I have decided to do goals instead and with some of these I've made a POA(plan of action) to ensure I stick with it.

Fitness Resolutions

1. Lose the rest of the weight from Sudha's pregnancy (20lbs aka 2-3 dress sizes)
POA: Continue the gym that I've been so faithful to. Tweek a tiny bit - Try to get up 1 hr earlier so I can go in the mornings while Guru is not at the clients.

2. Run a half-Marathon and Complete a Sprint Triathlon
POA: My half (13.1miles) is on March 21st; and the short Sprint Triathlon(1/4 mile swim; 10 miles bike; 2 miles run) is on June 20th. I've just started training for both. I want to continue training and sign up for 2 more towards the end of the year to maintain the momentum.

3. Eat my veggies, drink my protein and take my vitamins
WHY is this so hard ?????

Personal Resolutions

1. Be more organized and neat.
POA: A difficult thing for me. Sigh ...
Dedicate 15-20 minutes a day for declutter and putting things away. Pick one room a week, and look after it.

2. "Take care of myself"
POA: Again a difficult thing with kids ...
Make a schedule for the beauty regiment, and set appointments in advance. Eg - first Saturday of the week = nails, threading, massage, etc. And second Saturday of every 3rd month = hair. Shouldn't be too difficult to split it like that, eh?

3. Think seriously about career
POA: Unless something awesome comes along way sooner, I'm going to revisit my options when Brinda turns 18 months. Ideally, I'd like to be home until she goes off to preschool in 2011/2012. So I'm hoping to look for odds and ends that I can keep myself engaged in until then. Maybe even look for short term projects of less than 3 months at a time.

4. Temper Temper Temper - lose it! a.k.a Be a playful parent
POA: Longer contemplation needed. What is up with me? What is a way to de-stress myself while dealing with kids?

5. Something secret ;)
POA: hmm... I could definetely do it, if only I get good sleep at night. Sigh ...

As we ring in the new year ...

I am thinking back to all that happened this year. Ups and downs ... a lot more downs that I'd have imagined. But thankful for having survived it all, hopeful that its made me wiser and praying that all that is long pas behind me.

The year started off wonderfully - my little Brinda was born towards the end of the last year, and she is the most happiest joyful little thing! I love her so much and so glad to have her in my life everyday.

Downs:
There were some terrible terrible moments this past year. It wasn't the fault of 2009; the events were already in motion in 2008 and some even before. But it was in 2009 that I came to know of all those events. Shock, sadness, despair, apathy, and anger were more in play than the glimmer of hope that flickered on the distant horizon.

I wanted to scoop up all mess and shower love to make it all go away.
I wanted to run away and hide myself so I wouldn't have to face it all over again.

But ... I (since this blog and recap is about me) survived.
My rose tinted glasses are gone. But I can still see. And I am thankful for having come out of it all with not-much visible damage. And I continue to pray that 2010 will bring a much more happier and trustful time for everyone.

Ups:
With 2 adorable kids, how could everything else not be up: :)
I lost all my pregnancy fat from Brinda's birth - 40 lbs of it all. All due to hardwork and dedication.
In spite of everything, the world continues to flourish and prosper.

Winter Wonderland at Gatlinburg

We went to Gatlinburg for a very short trip. For the first time in .. hmm... 5 visits, we stayed in a hotel downtown instead of a chalet in the mountains (it had snowed a couple of days back and I didn't want to risk the mountain roads).

We planned to do a lot of things while there, but due to Sudha's no-napping, our days were cut short to until 6pm. And then the nighttime nightmares of Brinda's no-sleeping started and after 2 nights I was exhausted and glad to be home.

We went to Ober Gatlinburg where Sudha loved seeing people ice-skate and ski; and she "skated" for a while in the outdoors on ice. We saw the wonderful lights at nighttime, and stopped for an impromptu "snowball fight" on our way back. Sudha has been remembering the "bear room" (we told her that there were bears up in the mountains that would come and get her Chapathi if she didn't eat fast enough ...lol)

Snow for the first time (although it had hardened into ice)

Watching the ice-skaters.

(I was wearing THREE layers of Tshirts, sweaters, and jackets over the red plaid coat)

Christmas decorations at 'The Village' - a little shopping center downtown.

The musical Christmas tree at the Ripley's Aquarium.

Both my babies all tired out.

"Snowball fight" on the side of the road.

We were preparing to leave, but Sudha wanted more snow. Instead of going up to the ski area (and paying parking fees!), we stopped at a lookout and the best 15 minutes of the trip ensured.

A rare moment alone together while the kids were sleeping in the car.

For comparison - a photo of us from October, 2002; our first anniversary.

A Christmas Story

Once upon a time, there was a young woman called Smitha. She was of a faith that celebrated tons of festivals, and she was from a country that honored many more.

Her recollections of Christmas while growing up was her mom treating her to one special cake of her choice from 'Adayar Bakery'. It was a Christmas tradition, and she loved her mom for it. As she grew up, Christmas was soon blended with the party atmosphere of the New Year celebrations that soon followed it.

When she arrived in the US of A, she was enthralled by the scale of celebrations in the mall and lights everywhere. But a year into everything, she was taken aback by the craziness of gift buying, the "Santa" who she seemed to remember as coming from Lapland, Finland; but who suddenly seemed to have moved houses to North Pole. (Hmm... maybe her geography and history weren't as strong as she thought? Addendum: Boo. Smitha WAS right)

And then, Smitha had a baby. A beautiful, sweet, little baby girl - Sudha Parimala. Smitha put in more effort to observe some of her numerous festivals in order to keep the tradition alive for her new family. Busy with work, overwhelmed by the new mother feeling, and with lack of support from her general surroundings, she felt she failed. She was happy if managed to observe at least the ones that happened to fall on a weekend.

And then came the Holiday Season that everyone took part in - the mad shopping rush, the decked out trees, the myth and legend of Santa, etc. Smitha was conflicted and concerned that she might be abandoning her own tradition by giving in to all this. She resolved to give gifts to others, but not have a tree, etc in her own home.

And so it was, for 8 years of married life, for 3 years of life with a baby.

But then, the little Sudha was no longer little. She learnt of different celebrations in school. She heard all her friends talk excitedly about their trees/Hannukah celebrations. Sudha came back and told her mummy that everyone had trees, but she did not. She would tell everyone she met sadly that she did not have a tree.

Sudha's excitement at listening to other kids talk about Christmas trees finally got to Smitha. One day, Smitha went to Target and bought a tree; and got lots of ornaments from IKEA. The family decorated the tree together with the cheap but glittery ornaments. And the delight on Sudha's face was worth all the confusion Smitha went through.

The not-yet decorated newly assembled tree

Christmas Eve

Excited to open her first gift - a little reindeer from Brinda :)

Princess Dress - 'Princess and the Frog'

(It's supposed to be sleepwear, but so fancy that she can wear it outside anytime)

Disney Princess collection storybook (gag)

Candyland game for the entire family

Teacup set with tea cart

Rolling luggage/backpack (I'm not very happy with this, both the quality and the princesses; but she likes it)

The gifts exchanged:

Little Piggybank - To Brinda from Sudha, I was so pleasantly surprised. Sudha said she had 2 piggy banks and gave the little one to Brinda.

Sippy Cups - To Brinda from Us

A Peter Pan book - From Sudha to Mommy. Which was again nice of her, since its her favorite book.

A toothpaste - From Sudha to Daddy. She said daddy needs a toothpaste. :)

A little reindeer toy - To Sudha from Brinda. (Brinda had picked up a couple at YMCA)

Princess dress - To Sudha from Us

Princess book - To Sudha from Us

Rolling Luggage/backpack - To Sudha from Us

Teacart with teacups - To Sudha AND Brinda from Us (although Brinda is using that as a walker :) )

Candyland game - To all of us

Running gloves and swimcap - From Daddy to Mommy (Although mommy asked for it ;) )

A digital Photo frame - From Daddy to all of Us

First Run

I hate running. I am not a runner. Heck, I'm not even a walker.
So, why did I lace up and go out to run?
Why did I attempt to do the impossible by registering for a HALF MARATHON????

In a fit - of enthusiasm or temper, or both, I decided I was going to do a half marathon after the debacle over my B'day and anniversary. I walked the Peachtree this year and felt miserable the last bit even though I thought I was in decent shape after the Zumba classes. The ING Half is twice the distance and a bit more of the Peachtree. I'm going to be creamed if I don't train properly. And I don't want to get creamed. I have a point or two to prove.

Its the road outside my house. Quite a rolling terrain. I've always been terrified of the hills, but decided to go for it today. Except for the last hill that I walked up (I told myself it was cool-down since my house is at the top of the hill) I ran up every single one.

The weather was just perfect for running. The last 10-15 minutes were a killer. I wanted to give it up and walk instead, but Guru had to go out to lunch and I had to be back asap. And so I continued.

My last race and road run was on Sept 7th; the labor day 10k. Everytime my heart has wanted to run, my mind has made excuses. Even when we go to the Chatahoochee river area, I make excuses and stay with the girls while Guru runs, although he always offers to stay with them if I run.

Buts its high time I started training seriously for the ING half in March. I HAVE to do it. Its a personal goal. I hate to run, I never stick with anything to completion, etc etc - so I have a million reasons why I need to do this for myself.

Santa at Picture People

I took Sudha in for some photos, and there was Santa. She refused to sit with him, but slowly warmed up and talked to him.

Show and Tell at School

Sudha took her Dora backpack to school for Show-and-Tell. The kids all found that nasal-voiced backpack the most amusing thing!

Weekend Changes

Yes, we got Brinda's ears pierced :)

Hair Yesterday Gone Today :)

Before

After

Just for comparison ... Sudha's first hair cut (November 17th, 2007)

Before

After

Love and Contentment

Comparison pic from May (Mother's day weekend)

Marshmallows and Ponies

We went to see the lights at Life University. My surprising girl walked right up to the ponies and asked for a ride! She rode the pony without anyone holding her. This from a girl who freaks out when the tiniest of dogs even looks in her direction!

Down the Memory Lane

Freshly baked, covered in vernex - an amazing waterbirth

She was really pretty (for a newborn), and latched on right away

2 days old

When we brought Brinda home from the hospital. It was cold cold and windy that evening.

1 Month old

She lost a lot of her fair color, and got some crazy hair. She slept swaddled almost all the time, and was a good sleeper!

2 Months old

The bouncer turned out to be her favorite over the swing. I'd put her in the bouncer and eat my dinner during the fussy/catnap time of 7pm. That 7pm catnap persisted until about 10 months of age.

3 Months old

Unlike Sudha, Brinda liked tummy time.

4 Months old

She started being much more aware of the world around her, and her sleep regression started. The baby that would sleep for 12 hours straight started waking up every hour.

5 Months old

Brinda was a very happy baby; except when it came time to sleep. She rolled over and quickly learnt to get to places by rolling over and over.

6 Months old

Brinda is so very active and adorable. Its definitely a change of pace for me from Sudha who was more calm.

7 Months old

She turned out to be a very very social baby; enjoying herself when we took her outside. She had fun watching the 4th of July fireworks, not caring about the dark and the bang.

8 Months old

She showed a clear preference for comfortable clothes over pretty ones. Mostly because she was commando-crawling all over the house and now started to sit up.

9 Months old

Although we had done her Annaprashanam (first food ceremony) at 5 months old, I started her on solids only now. Her favorite foods - Idli and Cheerios.

10 Months old

She moved from commando-crawl to actual crawling and would follow Sudha everywhere.

11 Months old

Brinda stands at a little over 2 ft - she started to pull up onto everything imaginable. She had her first trip & flight to Boston; and did wonderful there.

12 Months old

Brinda cruises along the furniture and walls, follows me into the kitchen, babbles, and fights with older kids for anything she wants!!

Happy Birthday, my Darling

Brinda's First Birthday Celebrations

We had a very small celebration for Brinda's first birthday. Pooja at home, and lunch with about 10 people. The small crowd made it much more manageable and we didn't get tired either.

The Sathyanarayana Pooja

Ayush Homam

Brinda goes only to Prasanna, and the minute he carries her, She'd put her head on his shoulders and relax :)

The cake was more for Sudha than Brinda :)

What's this?

Will I like it?

You Bet!

I'm going to eat some more.

And some more...

And some more still ...

I love this cake, Mama :)

(Lookie - 2 little bottom teeth!!)

Its all done, I've licked off the plate too.

Sudha loves playing with Camilla(6). They were reading so quietly on the sofa for almost an hour.

And just for comparison ... How daintily Sudha ate a tiny bit of her first birthday cake.