Ana Ana Ana

Ri has learnt a new expression 'Ana' which in Tamizh means 'No'. She has a grand time saying 'Ana' for everything even when she may be inclined to say 'Yes' to it.

Her 'Ana' is entirely compulsive. Sometimes she will say it many times over till her point comes through which I think is something like ' Leave me alone. I am not interested in anything you have to offer me right now". Other times ( which is rarer though), she will say it to satisfy her impulse and then sweetly oblige.

Shall we have lunch now? Ana
Would you like to drink some milk? Ana
Can we change your diaper please? Ana
Can you hug Amma? Ana

She says it more than fifty times a day and while RD and I find it adorable most times, it can be frustrating after a point. Especially when RD has started saying it in an attempt to be cute. Not.

Did do some online reading about it and it looks like children all over the world go through this 'No' phase. It's amazing how independent, smart and self-assured little kids are. They know so much more than we give them credit for. I often wonder how Ri makes connections between visuals and words. How does she map them in her head? I've used the word 'No' with her but it's nowhere related to 'Ana'. How did she come up with her own word to indicate that she does not want to do something?

She sees pictures of Sonia and JJ on magazine covers and affectionately refers to them as 'Patti' (grandma). When Pranab, Manmohan and Karuna are on the News, she calls them 'Thatha' (grandpa). Middle-aged people are 'Mamas' (Uncle)and younger people are 'Annas' (Elder brother)and 'Akkas' (Elder Sister). I wonder how she knows how to differentiate between people based on their age.

RD and I often wonder what she thinks about, what she dreams about and what makes her smile in her sleep.

Would we trade these emotions and thoughts for anything else in the world?

'Ana'.

I want it that way

I tried teaching Ri to close her Funtainer after she had her sips of water from it. Sometimes I see traces of what could be the early onset of the Terrible Two’s but then quickly pacify myself with unrealistic self-conversation like.

‘ How could something that looks and smiles like an angel be capable of cunningly planning this high-shrieking till she gets what she wants’? Nah…..
or
‘ How can I expect my baby to understand instructions and discipline at 16 months when I have not understood it in 357’.

I went all Montessori mom on her, gentle and instructional, teaching her step by step the many hazards of keeping the Funtainer’s cap open. Well, she did look bored when I tried to explain that germs would touch the bottle’s straw so I tried a different approach.

Me2Ri: Ri cap moodu (close in Tamizh)   

Me (to myself) – What if she only learns to understand instructions in Tamizh?

Me2Ri: Ri close the cap

Me (to myself) – Maybe I need to associate the instruction with a sound. Hmmm

Me2Ri: Ri bottle a ‘top’ pannu (do in Tamizh)
* top – closing sound of the bottle cap.

Me (to myself): Ok…… That was Tanglish accompanied by sound.

None of the above had the desired effect. Not only did Ri do the opposite of what I was asking her to do, purposely opening the bottle everytime I taught her to close it, she kept hitting her head everytime I said ‘top’. Followed by a teeny tantrum where she insisted that the Funtainer’s cap remain open. More teaching lead to tears and Montessori mom had to make do with watching Ri playing with open dripping Funtainer where she banged it like cymbals against an empty stainless steel tumbler.

P.S : I love Blogger Stats. This week, I have 1 page-view from Japan and 6 from Iran.
Not that I don’t love you readers from India, United States and the other lovely countries in the world. But, Japan and Iran were exciting.

Konnichiwa my dear Japanese page-viewer. And to my fans in Iran, Chetori.

Blog Title: I want it that way – Backstreet Boys 

Aye Calypso

RD was in California when he called me from a Target store to find out what we could pick up for Ri.
I was talking to him while simultaneously surfing the store's website when I came across this dress, from
their Calypso St.Barth's collection. Speaking of which, is cool and summery and awesome.

I loved the pinkish red colour and the detailing on this dress and thought it came at a good price. Luckily for me, RD managed to find it in Ri's size.

Now to find an occasion to debut my little Calypso Queen.

Blog Title : Aye Calypso - John Denver

In the Summertime…..

This time of the year, the heat in Chennai is close to unbearable. As clean and dry as I keep her, I think Ri feels more sticky and tired than usual.

How do we protect our babies in the Summer and help them stay cool?

Here is what I do for Ri.

• Dress her in sleeveless, breathable cotton clothes. Mostly, shorts and wife-beaters at day and comfy pj’s at night. As hard as it was for me to do, I bid adieu to her adorable sleep n plays and footsie pj’s. Well I must admit, I did stuff her into those on some nights but then my guilt overcame me and before I could be reported to child services, packed them away. Sleep n Plays anyone?
  
• Give her chilled butter-milk at least once a day. Chilled? Believe it or not, I’m not one of those mothers who thinks that my child is going to develop a terrible cold and cough just because she drinks something out of the refrigerator. She drinks warm milk and drinking water at room temperature but I give her chilled butter-milk. I am inclined to believe that colds and coughs are caused by viruses and not by a trip to the ice-cream parlor, unless you held hands with virusey hand in parlour.
  
• Give her quick wash in the bathroom sink every time I change her diaper. Splash some water behind her neck and sticky back with a quick dab of soap.
  
• I am generous with the Himalaya baby powder to keep her cool and dry after bath-time. I recently discovered a new baby powder, Cussons. I think it’s a Malaysian product, not expensive, with a lovely fragrance. Bought Ri the Blueberry sorbet flavour.
  
• Keep her Funtainer bottle with water next to her all the time, so that she can take regular sips of water. Speaking of the Funtainer, I highly recommend it and useful for children across all ages.

I’m beginning to believe that environmental preferences are genetic. When Ri enters a room, she says ‘AC AC’ and has learnt to operate the air-conditioner’s remote by herself.

It’s funny. I am an AC addict and when I was younger, wanted to marry into a family that owned an air-conditioning business. On hindsight, should have wanted to marry someone from the electricity department.

Blog Title : Shaggy – In the Summertime