"I'm not sure I like this"
"Lets take off"
"Yay! I want more"
"Yay! I want more"
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
First Bike Ride
I picked up a toddler bike attachment at a consignment sale (I want a Chariot Cougar when we have our next baby) and we decided to try it.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
It doesn't matter where she sleeps
... as long as we are sleeping next to her.
Ah well ... I love having her next to me (as long as she doesn't start poking me), so I'm going to enjoy this time together. And just make sure that I start her bedtime routine after I've had dinner and am in a better temper.
Ah well ... I love having her next to me (as long as she doesn't start poking me), so I'm going to enjoy this time together. And just make sure that I start her bedtime routine after I've had dinner and am in a better temper.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
The Children's Museum and Centenial Olympic Park
To celebrate Sudha Parimala's birthday, we went to the Children's Museum and the Centennial Olympic Park following that.
Future Van Gogh/Picasso in action
Adding finishing touches to the masterpiece
Yet another masterpiece
Daddy teaching Sudha Parimala to "fish"
Trying to hook a "fish"
Gah! It's much easier to "catch" them.
Making a cup of coffee for Daddy
Making a cup of coffee for Daddy
A "Beeeeeeeeeeeeeg Hugggggg" (Big Hug) - her new favourite thing to play
Monday, February 25, 2008
Its all in my mind
A weekend of no cooking and some rest helped rejuvenate my mental model regarding her sleep. I decided that I had to change my attitude to get her sleep better. The more frustrated I got, the more she played up. The more relaxed I was, she stayed calm as well.
So - I changed her routine slightly.
I think she hates being put to "sleep". She doesn't like the sleeping position of lying down. So while she recognizes that she is sleepy, she doesn't want to lie down and prefers going to sleep sitting. So after dinner, pajamas and a glass of milk, we go over to the bed and sit and read books (instead of lying down to read books). She sits on my lap while I read and I cuddle her. 3 books later, lights off, I hold her in the same sitting position and start singing lullabies. After one song, I move her so that her head is on my shoulder and I'm still holding her. When starting the 3rd song, I lie down with her on my chest and slowly put her down. She still protests, but I'm holding her close rather than dumping her on the bed. Sometimes she wants me to still hold her or pat her and drifts off. Other times (like last night) she will get up and want to play or will want to sleep on me.
I tell her that sleeping on me hurts mama and a good nice girl sleeps next to mama. Surprisingly she listened! Even when she woke up in the middle of the nights and tried to sleep on me. And when she was playful, I gave her 2 choices - I stay with her and she tries to sleep or she plays and I go out of the room. She wanted me to stay :) It did take a total of 1 hr 10 min before she finally drifted off, but it was much more pleasant!
I knew I was making the right decision by not forcing her to sleep on her own before she was ready for it.
So - I changed her routine slightly.
I think she hates being put to "sleep". She doesn't like the sleeping position of lying down. So while she recognizes that she is sleepy, she doesn't want to lie down and prefers going to sleep sitting. So after dinner, pajamas and a glass of milk, we go over to the bed and sit and read books (instead of lying down to read books). She sits on my lap while I read and I cuddle her. 3 books later, lights off, I hold her in the same sitting position and start singing lullabies. After one song, I move her so that her head is on my shoulder and I'm still holding her. When starting the 3rd song, I lie down with her on my chest and slowly put her down. She still protests, but I'm holding her close rather than dumping her on the bed. Sometimes she wants me to still hold her or pat her and drifts off. Other times (like last night) she will get up and want to play or will want to sleep on me.
I tell her that sleeping on me hurts mama and a good nice girl sleeps next to mama. Surprisingly she listened! Even when she woke up in the middle of the nights and tried to sleep on me. And when she was playful, I gave her 2 choices - I stay with her and she tries to sleep or she plays and I go out of the room. She wanted me to stay :) It did take a total of 1 hr 10 min before she finally drifted off, but it was much more pleasant!
I knew I was making the right decision by not forcing her to sleep on her own before she was ready for it.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
"Pretty Pretty"
What was I thinking!
After a week of being frustrated with her sleep, we thought moving her into her own room would help things. We don't have her room set up other than a twin mattress on the floor.
So, after a no-nap afternoon, when she was sleepy early, I put her to sleep in her room. It felt so strange, and I was so miserable. When she woke up twice within 3 hours, I brought her back with me.
Why did I get so swayed by people's free "advice"? She is not yet ready to sleep on her own. And I don't think making her CIO and pushing her is going to solve anything. She can move out and sleep on her own when she is ready for it. She is going to be my baby for only so long. She needs me right now, and I will be there for her as long as she needs me.
ETA: After waking up with a miserable headache because of trying to get Sudha's hands out of my face in her sleep, I wonder at the love and the tiny shred of patience I have. But no, I might continue to crib and moan about it every night, but I will not let her CIO. Sooner or later, I know she is going to start repeating her amazing night.
So, after a no-nap afternoon, when she was sleepy early, I put her to sleep in her room. It felt so strange, and I was so miserable. When she woke up twice within 3 hours, I brought her back with me.
Why did I get so swayed by people's free "advice"? She is not yet ready to sleep on her own. And I don't think making her CIO and pushing her is going to solve anything. She can move out and sleep on her own when she is ready for it. She is going to be my baby for only so long. She needs me right now, and I will be there for her as long as she needs me.
ETA: After waking up with a miserable headache because of trying to get Sudha's hands out of my face in her sleep, I wonder at the love and the tiny shred of patience I have. But no, I might continue to crib and moan about it every night, but I will not let her CIO. Sooner or later, I know she is going to start repeating her amazing night.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Happy 2nd Birthday, my little baby
My little baby is 2 !!!
Time flies!
She is the most amazing thing that could've ever happened to me. I cannot comprehend how a pint-sized person could hold so much of my love.
She has the sweetest disposition and is a very happy baby.
She is very cautious and is amazing while negotiating stairs and other obstacles.
She is very social and loves to be around people and to go out.
She is picking up a lot of words and uses them in the most perfect context.
She is a little ham - repeating her cute Ooohhh to get kisses on her boo-boo.
She loves singing and 'mooffic' (music) and reading books.
She is obsessed with the TV and thinks it a HUGE treat when she gets to watch 30 min or so every other day.
She likes playing dressup, combing her hair, carrying my purse and trying on my shoes.
She is still a nighttime terror ... sigh.
Time flies!
She is the most amazing thing that could've ever happened to me. I cannot comprehend how a pint-sized person could hold so much of my love.
She has the sweetest disposition and is a very happy baby.
She is very cautious and is amazing while negotiating stairs and other obstacles.
She is very social and loves to be around people and to go out.
She is picking up a lot of words and uses them in the most perfect context.
She is a little ham - repeating her cute Ooohhh to get kisses on her boo-boo.
She loves singing and 'mooffic' (music) and reading books.
She is obsessed with the TV and thinks it a HUGE treat when she gets to watch 30 min or so every other day.
She likes playing dressup, combing her hair, carrying my purse and trying on my shoes.
She is still a nighttime terror ... sigh.
The party at school
We had a small "party" in her class today. I got my favourite strawberry-kiwi cake, and got little goody bags for her friends. The little munchkins were more fascinated with Ms Sally cutting the cake than eating it (they always get cupcakes).
Birthday gifts
Got her this little play kitchen to keep her from under my feet when I'm cooking. This is now in my kitchen, so she can "cook" while I cook. She seems to like it so far, even though I don't have any pots and other stuff for her yet.
We went to Toys R Us later in the evening to pick out her gift. And of all the things, she liked liked the doll stroller and a train table. I couldn't carry out the train table easily, so got her a doll and stroller. She likes to put the doll to sleep (strange for a girl who doesn't like to sleep herself - go figure!) and push it around in the stroller.
We went to Toys R Us later in the evening to pick out her gift. And of all the things, she liked liked the doll stroller and a train table. I couldn't carry out the train table easily, so got her a doll and stroller. She likes to put the doll to sleep (strange for a girl who doesn't like to sleep herself - go figure!) and push it around in the stroller.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
2 yr Stats
Weight - 25 lbs 4 oz (25-50th percentile)
Height - 33 1/2 inches (25-50th percentile)
Head - also in the 25-50th percentile
So she's grown up from her older 10-25th percentile.
She got her booster shot for the flu, and a shot for a TB test. She did not as much make a whimper for either shot!
Height - 33 1/2 inches (25-50th percentile)
Head - also in the 25-50th percentile
So she's grown up from her older 10-25th percentile.
She got her booster shot for the flu, and a shot for a TB test. She did not as much make a whimper for either shot!
Monday, February 18, 2008
I don't think I can take it any more
with Sudha Parimala's sleep issues :(
The girl is a darling, a sweetheart in the daytime, no issues other than the usual "2s". But come bedtime and it seems like she is a different person altogether. She just doesn't want to sleep even though she is yawing her head off and is overtired. An earlier bedtime, a later bedtime ... nothing works. I'm afraid its taking a toll on my nighttime parenting. I need to find some patience from somewhere.
I cannot and will not let her CIO, even if it miraculously yields results. Though I must admit that after a rough start to the night, it sounds very tempting.
At this stage, I can only pray for more patience, more ideas, a change in her sleep disposition, and some more patience.
The girl is a darling, a sweetheart in the daytime, no issues other than the usual "2s". But come bedtime and it seems like she is a different person altogether. She just doesn't want to sleep even though she is yawing her head off and is overtired. An earlier bedtime, a later bedtime ... nothing works. I'm afraid its taking a toll on my nighttime parenting. I need to find some patience from somewhere.
I cannot and will not let her CIO, even if it miraculously yields results. Though I must admit that after a rough start to the night, it sounds very tempting.
At this stage, I can only pray for more patience, more ideas, a change in her sleep disposition, and some more patience.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The cutest baby EVER
Mum and Me ! Isn't she pretty!
Tata (Grandpa) and me!
Mum, Dad and Me!
is ME !!! Sudha Parimala comes a close second though :)
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Meeting Great-Grandpa
We met Sudha Parimala's great-grandfather, i.e my grandfather (my mother's father) and the rest of the family. He was so excited to meet Sudha Parimala, and got her the prettiest little dress! She wasn't in the least shy there. Guess by that time, she had lost all her shyness of strangers. 
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Bella Bambini, Amore
"Bella Bambini, Amore" (Beautiful Baby, Love you) was the reaction Sudha Parimala got from almost everyone in Rome.
Italians seem to genuinely love babies and they took to her immediately. We stayed in a little hotel/B&B "Caesar's Residenze" and everyone there spoilt her with candies. When we'd stop on the road or at the sights , people would look at her and go "Bella ... ". Her sitting in the Carseat with GoGoKidz was an added attraction. Sudha Parimala lapped up every bit of attention and learnt to very neatly say "ciao" (goodbye).
Of course, who could resist loving her (even if I say so myself)
Italians seem to genuinely love babies and they took to her immediately. We stayed in a little hotel/B&B "Caesar's Residenze" and everyone there spoilt her with candies. When we'd stop on the road or at the sights , people would look at her and go "Bella ... ". Her sitting in the Carseat with GoGoKidz was an added attraction. Sudha Parimala lapped up every bit of attention and learnt to very neatly say "ciao" (goodbye).
Of course, who could resist loving her (even if I say so myself)
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Worst dressed and fattest person in Rome
Yep .. thats me :(
Romans are wonderfully dressed and seem to have perfect figures to boot. The couple of tourists we met were Australians and they of course are miniature Parisians. So that left me - with wild hair, no make up, dowdy sweatshirt instead of a neat winter coat and sneakers instead of knee high boots.
Sigh ...
But no one could be happier after a jaunt in ancient Rome.
Romans are wonderfully dressed and seem to have perfect figures to boot. The couple of tourists we met were Australians and they of course are miniature Parisians. So that left me - with wild hair, no make up, dowdy sweatshirt instead of a neat winter coat and sneakers instead of knee high boots.
Sigh ...
But no one could be happier after a jaunt in ancient Rome.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Another Ear Infection
My suspicions have been confirmed!
She has another year infection!
Her cold, which was getting better suddenly worsened and she'd wake up screaming in the night every hour or so.
We had to take her in to the urgent care center in Kennesaw and get her some meds. Poor baby. We leave tomorrow and her ear is going to be uncomfortable in the airplane.
She has another year infection!
Her cold, which was getting better suddenly worsened and she'd wake up screaming in the night every hour or so.
We had to take her in to the urgent care center in Kennesaw and get her some meds. Poor baby. We leave tomorrow and her ear is going to be uncomfortable in the airplane.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Stomach Bug
Poor baby has a stomach bug :(
She threw up at 1am last night and had about 12-13 poopy diarrhea diapers. She's gone to bed early with lots of water to drink (Dr said no milk or diary) and some rice as dinner. Luckily she doesn't seem to have any fever, but I'll still need to take her in to the Dr tomorrow morning.
She threw up at 1am last night and had about 12-13 poopy diarrhea diapers. She's gone to bed early with lots of water to drink (Dr said no milk or diary) and some rice as dinner. Luckily she doesn't seem to have any fever, but I'll still need to take her in to the Dr tomorrow morning.
Monday, December 03, 2007
A rare occurance
Guess who went to sleep by herself tonight !!!!!!
I am beyond excited !!
After our bedtime routine, I put her in bed, snuggled with her while reading her night books and gave her the teddy and blanket. I was lying down next to her while she was trying to suffocate teddy with the blanket. I had an uncontrollable urge to pee and I sneaked out without her knowing. She didn't raise a fuss as she usually does and so I thought I'd do the dishes until she cried for me. She was babbling and talking forever and then .... silence. I am stunned !
I did not believe this day would EVER come.
I don't care if tonight was a fluke night, but it was AMAZING !!!
I am beyond excited !!
After our bedtime routine, I put her in bed, snuggled with her while reading her night books and gave her the teddy and blanket. I was lying down next to her while she was trying to suffocate teddy with the blanket. I had an uncontrollable urge to pee and I sneaked out without her knowing. She didn't raise a fuss as she usually does and so I thought I'd do the dishes until she cried for me. She was babbling and talking forever and then .... silence. I am stunned !
I did not believe this day would EVER come.
I don't care if tonight was a fluke night, but it was AMAZING !!!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Monkeying around at Monkey Joe's
We went to Monkey Joe's in the evening for a round of jumping fun. The last time we went there Sudha Parimala wasn't that excited, preferring to stay on the ground and watching other kids play. Tonight she was really really exited and was squealing in delight all the time we were there. She jumped and bounced off the moonwalks and even did a few tumble!
I joined her for a little while, but soon ran out of energy to keep up with her. She, on the other hand, had plenty of energy and had a blast.
Eating a banana, in true monkey fashion, while watching football
I joined her for a little while, but soon ran out of energy to keep up with her. She, on the other hand, had plenty of energy and had a blast.
First step on one of the moonwalks.
Eating a banana, in true monkey fashion, while watching football
Saturday, December 01, 2007
The Santa Encounter
Santa visited St. Charles Square (our community) today. I had completely forgotten about it, but happened to drive past with a camera at the right time and decided to make a stop. She loved seeing other kids, but totally freaked out when I took her near Santa. Even the bribe of a candy cane did not work.
Being a mean, photo-crazy mother I made her sit for 10 seconds to get a couple of shots.
After the long car trip to and back from Charleston on Friday, she was overtired on Saturday but would not nap. Daddy went in to try to rock her to sleep - this is how I found them after some time :)
Being a mean, photo-crazy mother I made her sit for 10 seconds to get a couple of shots.
After the long car trip to and back from Charleston on Friday, she was overtired on Saturday but would not nap. Daddy went in to try to rock her to sleep - this is how I found them after some time :)
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