What Mornings Look Like...

Just a normal end to a normal day.......slept off at 11:45pm last night......strangely woke up at 5:17am this morning feeling completely energised....not an inkling of a wanting to go back to bed again.
That's pretty unusual for "the not a morning person" that I am......but then I decided to utilise the time.

Walked to the passage.....had a good look at myself in the mirror......noticed an ageing me.....(woes of mid-thirties) uffff.....i then smile at myself and think......who cares about ageing when you can captivate with a smile like that :-))))))).............went to the kitchen.....made myself a nice cup of coffee (ummmmm) and sipped it sitting alone on the couch (what i experienced was Bliss). I cant resist the phone.......(woes of e-age) i scan through my phone.....watch a video on the effects of smoking (nothing to worry about.....i grab a puff like once in 6 months :-P).....moveover to sudoku .....try to solve a game....and then i go WTF!!! why waste my time on the phone!!! I'm quick to take corrective action....... I lace up and head out for a walk and thereafter it was 45 minutes of "Me Time".........thoughts.....thoughts.....more thoughts........a lot of talking to myself.....some self motivation......a brisk walk.....soaking the early morning sun.....chirping of the birds......sweet smelling flowers......(there's so much beauty that an early morning witholds).......senior citizens walking in small groups.......and it wakes you up to the reality of a life that is to come.
A check on a number of rounds......wow.....i've walked 8 rounds.....decide to try jogging on the next...manage just half a round........and then finish the final lap walking........Man! Do i perspire!! Feels rrrrrreal good.
I'm back home......log on to my laptop......and the rest that follows is happening right now.
Tanya wakes up......a warm hug follows.......my charging ipod grabs her attention......and she enjoys some music while I write this blog.
Amma is preparing idlis and there....whirrrrrr (the sound of the grinder). Breakfast beckons!! What a start to the day......i'm glad i gave myself these 2hours and 55minutes.....yup....a timecheck says in 8:12am

What I call cute conversations.....

June 2012......

finally the rains have hit Mumbai bringing with it some respite from the heat. 

Pappa says: "It's good the rains are finally here......so the summer heat finally ends".

Aisha who was part of the conversation quips: "I don't want the garmi ka season to end"

Pappa: " Why baba?"

Aisha: "so we can sleep in AC"
:-)))))))

Pappa who was so concerned about the soaring electricity bills bursts out laughing at his little potli girls remarks


August 2012....the day my brother was leaving back for the US.....and all of us were obviously upset.....

Me: "Aisha....Gilly mama is going back to America.....now what will we do?" 

Aisha: "We will sleep majja se in our room"

:-O  ......that's me with a "Jaw Dropped to the floor" look on my face......

Realised later that all that mattered to my princess was that she got her room back which was occupied by her Gilly mama since the time he came down. Couldn't stop grinning at this one :-D

August 2014
Tanya my little bunny in her usual morning ritual of clinging on to me....asks me 

Tanya: Mamma, why you removed this papood??  (papood - clothes). 

Me: "because mamma has to go to office bunnie"

Tanya: "mamma why do you have to go to office?"

Me: "So i can buy you chocolates bunnie"

Tanya: "but mamma if i eat chocolates my teeth will get spoilt" (we tell her this everyday but nevertheless can you refuse a chocolate to a 2 year old who with those big kitty eyes welled with tears looks at you and says......"onniiee wone chockate")

Me: "Oh yes!, So i can buy you fruits"

Tanya:" But if i eat fruits i will get cold mamma" (ahem.....i told her this the previous day to avoid fruits at night")

Me: "But then who will buy you clothes and toys and pretty hairbands"

Tanya: "Ok mamma, you go to office" (heheheheheeee......such a gurrrrrl :-))

A Confession

I am not the best mother my children could have......and I truly feel they deserve much better.
So I'm gonna set things right.

10 Commandments that I give to myself 

1) I will hug my children and smother them with kisses everyday.

2) I will let my children know that I love them very much; everyday.

3)  My children are a mirror of my behavior. If there's something wrong about the way they speak or behave, I better take a good look at myself.

4) If my children make a mistake, they have a good reason behind it, and I'm gonna ask for it!

5) I have to be a good listener to make my children good listeners.

6) I will not react to any comment made about my children the moment I enter home.

7) Yelling does not solve any problem, communicating does......so No Yelling!

8) I will Never Ever!!! resort to name calling.

9) I will Never Ever compare both my kids to each other.

10) Everything can be corrected without a spanking.

Greeting Cards - the almost forgotten gifting trend

Greeting cards were probably the best way to wish a loved one no matter what the occasion.

And I think it's really unfortunate that the practice is slowly dying down. I don't mean to criticize the current trends of e-greetings now replaced by SMS and whatsapp wishes.....No.......wishes through these modes also make me feel very special. But receiving a greeting card with that small little hand written message goes a long long way.

Yes....maintaining these cards is a task.....but it's like creating an album of the best photographs....to help you keep your memories.

I received one such card after.....say....2 years
on my anniversary....chosen by my baby....bought by my mommy.
22nd January 2014.

and like the card mentions......Manish and me did have some time together..just the two of us :-)

Thanks to my mom,
I experienced the joy of receiving a Greeting card.....and my daughter experienced the joy of gifting a greeting card :-)

Puppie and Bunnie on Puppie's birthday 2013

I liked this....and I want this to be here!

What can I expect in 2014!!

into the second month of the New Year.....I haven't been able to get myself to write.
Maye it's time to make my life a little more entertaining...
It's time to make some resolutions....give myself some goals......something fun...something exciting....for myself!
Ok...so here's my list

1) The road beckons......I will learn to Drive before February ends.

2) Enroll bunnie into Wonder Land play school....... (Tansi so wants to go to koooool)

3) I think I should put those strong vocal chords to some use....and make use of that guitar I brought myself

4) Take the kids to Kidzania.....and write about it










5) Lose 6 kilos and maybe a few inches as well :-D hahahahaa

6) Splish Splash Splosh------Aisha has to take up swimming lessons!!! And maybe I can join her :-)

7) Learn a new language.....maybe French or Spanish or then maybe become fluent in Tulu....hmmm now..that's interesting

8) A family Holiday..........international if possible....America!!!

hmmmm....let me think............
9 ) I have got to stop playing Farmville 






10) I've got to see the Taj Mahal this year.

is there anything else..????/
nahhhh All for now......good luck to me!

love hugs and kisses :*

Bunnie starts her baby banter

The first sound Bunnie made was a very clear Na-Na
The first time she called out to me......"Mammmmaa" ...it turned out to be my Diwali Gift :-)
Baa-baa's and boo-boo's......baaaa (ball)......Ammmm (Amma)......and many many more additions to her baby chit-chat followed.

At 14 months and 28 days Tanya...my bunnie, has quite a cute vocabulary :-)

Ashhaaa - That's how she calls her Didi Aisha :-)
Appaal - Apple
Auapish - Office (That's where almost anyone & anything who's not in her sight is at)
Amma - Amma (Grandmother)
Attha - Ajja (Grandfather)
Aapathi - Chapati
Appaan - Open
Ba-na-naa -  Banana
Baaal - Ball
Baai - Bye (which means she wants to go out)
boo-boo - that's how she refers to a Dog
buaa - that's someone she should be scared of...however, the buaa is beckoned by Tanya herself
chockate - Chocolate (the fridge is a chocolate factory as per bunnie)
Da-daa - Dadda (Her Daddy)
deu-deu - which is a must have in the morning - DuDu (Milk)
Didi - well almost sound like deu deu - but that's how she refers to her sister
Down - well most kids should get this right....where does Tanya want to go....pat comes the reply,"down"
Ello - that's the way we say Hello.....a rare occurrence....but it happens
Mammaanaa - Mummum (which is food)
Mamma - Mamma (Me...her mommie)
Maaaaau - Meow (for a cat ofcourse)
Maunin - Morning (and that's actually the way she says Good Morning)
ba-ta-ta - Batata (which is potato and lining them up on the kitchen platform is her favorite pass-time)
thaatheee - Carry (which is the first and only word I hear once I'm home)
ousshide - this is the answer to where is Tanya's car  - yes...Outside it is!!
Paappumm - Pamper
Pappadh - Papuud (which is a baby term in konkani for clothes)
Paaishhhaa - Paisa (which is money and she is one cute paisa collector you can't refuse;-))
Theetthaa - tikka (her kajal tikka is her favorite make up...the powder & lotion happen to be a delicacies)
Taataannn - a very melodious tone to it...this is the way we say "Thank You"

Well....it's amazing how quickly kids pick up words, languages, signs and other media of communication. And this is just the beginning of the cute chit-chat with my cute kiddie and very soon.....this will mean....I stop talking and start listening. :-P

Puppie and Bunnie .....bond :-)

Watching your kids bond over a meal....a game.....a toy.......is probably the best part of watching your kids grow up together.
I have and will always want my kids to be the best of friends....and well...that's just the way they look like.
This trip to Goa helped me capture a few such moments puppie n bunnie shared and from the looks of it......they sure had oks like they had fun.

 Having fun with a friend's cycle...and I am glad they took turns.

Here they are seen sharing window space

playing around ...watching TV

Sharing a Mango....:-) 

Sharing a favorite meal.







A sibling is a friend ....a gift that's granted....someone who shares your toys...clothes.....books......TV....room....and the parents too :-) And with Aisha and Tanya....i hope the madness continues.....the love grows......the mischief is in abundance...and the innocence is never lost.
mmmwwaaaahhh :*

memories made through music

Like a long, lonely stream
I keep runnin' towards a dream
Movin' on, movin' on
Like a branch on a tree
I keep reachin' to be free
Movin' on, movin' on

There's a place in the sun
Where there's hope for everyone
Where my poor, restless heart's got to run
There's a place in the sun
And before my life is done
Gotta find me a place in the sun

Like an old dusty road
I get weary from the load
Movin' on, movin' on
Like this tired, troubled Earth
I been rollin' since my birth
Movin' on, movin' on

There's a place in the sun
Where there's hope for everyone
Where my poor, restless heart's gotta run
There's a place in the sun
And before my life is done
Gotta find me a place in the sun
Gotta find me a place in the sun

Engelbert Humperdinck - his songs are timeless.....
I heard these songs way back in the early 80's. And listening to him brings back memories of a wonderful childhood. 
Dad, mom, my brother, my Papa and me.....5 people, maybe a few hundred square feet of space.....lots of love......and lovely music.
 

It's 44 after 1

Time flies............and it flies fast. No warnings....no replays.....no rewind.

Time brings with it moments which unfold with every passing day...every passing hour....every passing minute... And it was in such a passing minute that Tanya chose to walk! This was a minute of waking to a realization that bunny was growing up and boy...was she growing fast.

27th January 2013....Republic Day.....at Nana-Papa's home.......Tanya walked.

To an extremely charmed audience comprising of her Nana, her Luiza nana....Jocelyn mashaan, Sybil mashaan, her mamma, Dada and her Didi, Tanya showed off her newly acquired skill with so much enthusiasm and delight it was impossible to take our eyes of her.

"Come to Mamma", " Come to Dada", "Come to Didi", "Come to Nana"..........and awwwwww she obliged us all with that endearing smile that never went away from her face...........100% satisfaction guaranteed :-)  

That is probably one of the few milestones I have been able to record of my sunflower...my little bunny girl.

Today.....44 days after Tanya has turned 1 year old; I Annette.............mommy to Aisha and Tanya am again attempting to script memories for my loved ones, my friends and my family. And I hope I am able to do justice to my girls :-)

To Aisha and Tanya!

Aisha makes her wish!

It was a warm July afternoon in the year 2011.........

We were at the baby shower of my sister-in-law when I knew something was different.......
I dint feel good....was tired....looked terrible!!
I recalled how Aisha kept asking me if I was having a baby in my tummy as well as if....... a baby in her aunt's tummy meant all other women also have babies in their tummy's. ......which thus included her grandma's as well.
In her own trademark style she'd ask "Mamma in your potu babu is there?", I'd say, "Nope".
She'd then run to Amma and ask,"Amma, aapke potu mein babu hain?" (I was amused everytime I saw Amma chuckle at Aisha's silly questions)
One fine day.....she came up to me and asked me the same question.....to which I answered...,"no baby....no babu in mamma's potu"....to which she replied, "In your potu babu is there!!" (ofcourse i wasn't amused..)

Deepu at her Godh Bharai and feeding a kid a piece of boiled egg  which is a custom
Well, the sole boy got the first preference...however, I was sure deepu was having a girl...
The glow of a girl is seen on Deepu's face.

Well, a week later we are at Deepa's godh bharai (baby shower)
and I am delayed by a week. And by the punctuality of my dates, i decided to take the test......and Aisha was right!
Manish & I were expecting our second baby and .....Aisha;
.....her sibling! Well, Manish excitedly broke the news to puppy and asked her the obvious question...,"Kuku....Mamma ka potu mein babu is there!!!, what you want??? brother or sister???"
Aisha does not hesitate a moment before stating,"I want a sister"
And....there's silence......and ....ahem........looks were exchanged.........
Oooopss.......everyone at home which includes me were like,"sister!!! why don't you want a brother???....if u have a sister, you will have to share everything with her".....but that never changed Aisha's preference.

That's my little puppy....with her little cousin Pritika, whom she couldn't keep her hands off.....(all of 2 years and 10 months......clear in her head......throughout the nine months......Aisha was sure.....she wanted a sister!
The wait had begun.....she was to have her sibling in March.(coincidently...Pritika is also a March baby :-))

at a loss of words

That's probably what losing a loved one does to you....... Never ever thought that I'd spend hours and days wondering what to write. People always said that I was gifted at being able to pour out my feelings in black n white.





But here I am.....at a loss of words...unable to express the why, what, how and when's of my life of the last 13 months that have flown by almost unnoticed by me. As I write today..... Life has changed....and I find myself orphaned by the loss of my father and gifted in the birth of my second daughter. Someone somewhere has some sense of timing!!! I love you daddy.....and I promise you....Aisha and Tanya will never forget you.

mamma's lil love letter to you....

I have held you in my arms & promised myself never to let go

When I looked at you & you looked back at me I was so happy
Each time I placed my finger on your palm & you closing your tiny fingers around my finger was more security for me than for you.
Everytime you call out to me....maaammmmaaaaa..........I feel a joy I cannot express to this day
The big hugs and tight kisses are oxygen for my daily survival.

If I have one reason to come back home it has to be you..........
If I have one priceless moment I won't let anyone take away from me is to be by your side when you wake up & smile.

That is how important your being is for me.
Each time I say, "Aisha I love you"......and when you respond with a, "I love you mamma" ....its......an inexplainable feeling

Aishuneeeee.....puppieeeee..............kukuneeeee........lotsa love....hugs.....kisses & all thing bright & beautiful............All I could ever wish for......I wish for you......and your little sibling to be :-)

Mamma loves you BIG!!!!!!

cares unspoken.....yet answered

T'was a nice weekend that I spent at mom's place.....

Guess Aisha realises that I love going over to mom's place and her enthusiasm from the moment I announce that we have to go to her Nana's place makes the visit to mom's even more fun.

Mom and dad get to meet Aisha over these weekend stayovers or when mom n dad visit our place for just a bit. My mom n dad live by themselves.......courtesy Me & my brother....

Me...:Well I got married like any other girl & had to move out to live with my husband.

My brother....lives in the US

So......since the time Aisha was born it was a new reason for their existence...

When purchasing fruits.......papa buys two papayas.....cause his potli girl will ask," you bought only one papaya papa????"

Mom goes shopping for random stuff for her home & picks up things for her babunee....nighties, pillow covers...cute lil inners....socks......raincoats.....petticoats.....cherries....choclates...etc etc..the list is endless.

I also remember mom n dad having fights on how to feed her..."mash the rice well".......dad would advise....& mom would frown back....."I know!! this is not the first time I'm feeding a baby" :-)

Well....all for the love they have for their grandchild.....

While on this weekend visit Aisha went up to mom & said....."Nana when u become very old.....I'll come and stay with you...ok"

Mom was touched ofcourse but more than that totally taken aback at the profound statement her lil princess had made...

As she asked me why Aisha made such a statement I didn't know the answer but mumbled something to mom and in my mind I kept wondering.... it was as if.....Aisha knew all the anguish I was going through about my lonely parents.....and that she wanted to let me & my parents know.....that she is aware & she will be there!

to this day i have come to realise the many bonds that motherhood creates....

I love you Aisha.

Girl Power Prevails

And the mystery was unfolded when Deepa, my sis-in-law delivered her first baby on 28th September'2011
A sweet little baby girl......
Something about babies born on 28th September.......the first one was my lil Aarushi :-) pinkest,prettiest...puppy girl.

Wel....my niece was pink too......like any other baby who's gone through the ordeal of a natural birth and the striking resemblance she had with her father was amazing! Not that we doubted whether she'd ever look her dad but the whole thing surrounding pregnancy, birth and the similarities they have to family members is just a miracle.

Well, I must say that Deepa was blessed with a very fine & peaceful pregnancy. What more can you expect when you have mom ke haath ka bana khaana......a lil niece like Aisha who's a delight to look at.......just 30 minutes of travel to work.....that too to & fro.....add to that a vehicle pick up from just accross the street. Now, that's really something preggy women would look forward to in the busy hustle bustle of Mumbai. What's was even better was her labour!
27th September, 11:15pm....her water bursts......11:25pm she's inside the hospital..........12:00pm she is into mild labour.........28th September 1:59am....she delivers a healthy baby girl! Lo! and we never thought she'd have such a smooth & quick delivery. But.....some people get things real good!

So.....
The chinese calendar went wrong..........& my prediction came true.
Deepa had a girl.......& she's one kid who's here as a surprise package cos other than her dad & her aunt (which is me) nobody expected Deepa to get a baby girl.
Leaving the boys for the second round......Girl power prevails! .......Girls rule......Girls Rock!!!.....

Morning Glory

This is to my morning glory......my Smiley Aisha.

well.....
wake up time is probably not the most endearing time one would spend with kids.....
it consists of loads of prodding, tickling, pulling, carrying straight into the bathroom etc etc....
but with Aisha.....it's always been waking her up to see her smile.
may have to do with the wake up regime that we follow with her.....love filled calls of Aishuuneeee....kukkuuu......some amount of tickling in the way that she likes.....
but i don't think that should take away the credit from her of being such a delight to wake up.

When she was little....she'd call out..."mammaaaaa.........& with those tiny fingers curling up calling...."ummmm....ummmm" (Read come...come)

Well...she still calls out to mamma and many a times to her dada as well............
the "ummmm" has now been replaced by "Come" and the fingers don't curl up to beckon anymore..

Nevertheless Aisha is a delight to wake up to........and a delight to wake up too....

Our Morning Glory.

Watching Aisha in her random moments

First Make up ......
When she managed to lay her hands on her nana's lipstick....mom says she warned me as a kid whenevr i touched her dressing table but all she did when she saw Aisha like this was laugh :-) motherhood changes a lot of things......grandmotherhood changes you!

first face painting experience.

Aisha's first ICC world Cup & India won it. Aisha was the lucky mascot that evening. "Mamma I also want India flag on my face she said"

Toys go OUT.....Aisha's in the box!!!

Counts to Calmdown

Clam down Annette...calm down....it's just a passing phase!

Attended a Time & Stress Management Workshop about 5 years ago.....
Recollected some supposed to be useful tips.....

Tips to control a temper outburst ....
count backwards from 30 to 1........else count backwards from 100 to 1 if your temper is at an all time high!

Tips to beat stress
Breathe in....breathe out...
Now think colours as you breathe in & breathe out......
breathe in soft, subtle colours & breathe out the blacks & greys

While trying to meditate
Close your eyes....chant the "OM"

But guys & gals............get someone practise it first. Because I certainly can't vouch for it :-P
Too lazy to follow tips.........for me Just one thing works........0 minutes of silence.......2 hours of cribbing & abusing......4 whole days of sulking.....1 night of crying..........1 day of fasting......& at the end of it all.....
5 minutes of silent prayer.
Now I just need to reverse the order to set things right.........& I can definitely vouch for 5 minutes of silent prayer!

And....the Cup is OURS!

Well….what a wonderful display of cricket! India defeating Australia in the Quarter Finals..the best outcome of the match was that India was to play Pakistan. WOWWW!!! Who doesn’t love watching India play Pakistan????And when India win……it’s like a dream coming true….a dream every Indian dreams of.
Then came the triumph over the Lankans & India were declared the winners of the ICC World Cup 2011.

And as all the action took place……..each Indian experienced only one emotion….Joy!
Class……Colour…Creed….Religion…Gender…Age .........no bar!

Just like many would have done….Manish, me & Aisha huddled up at a friends place to watch the grand finale of the World Cup. Preparations were all done & how! A hookah, Crates of Beer, a dhol, crackers, a trumpet, whistles & the best part……a chini chef! Serving some yummy Chinese delicacies as everyone watched the match……& we watched like we’d die if we missed a single wicket of the Lankans going down…..& cheered every single run our batsmen took like our lives depended on it.

One girl from the group…Khushboo, I cannot forget her for her sheer enthusiasm & her constant reminders to us to do away with any negative emotion for the day, “The CUP is OURS” she exclaimed at every interval!

Two gentlemen, one of whom was ofcourse my husband…..played the Dhol non-stop. The dhol turned out to be a lucky mascot eventually…….It was brought out post the fall of the Viru’s & Tendulkar’s &….it’s as though the dhol had some connection because as long as the dhol played the Indian score board kept ticking!!!

& While all this was happening, the sabse happening thing was hamari raani bitiya Aisha, who was at her bestest behavior that day. Equipped with a whistle around her neck, Aisha did complete justice & joined the cheering everytime we all got up to cheer every boundary, every no ball, every wide ball…..every misfield, every run....then into the 50’s, 100’s …………I think the group was cheering just about everything about the match  & Aisha cheered with us all through.
Somewhere maybe into half of the second innings, she came up to me & said something very softly in my ear & I literally jumped with joy when I heard that she wanted an Indian flag on her face :-) (the Others had painted their faces too) & her wish was granted.


India only played better & better and the fate of the World Cup was sealed! The Cup was indeed OURS! Amidst shouts of joy, crackers, dancing, screaming the CUP was lifted by the Indians leaving each & every Indian PROUD!!!! Sachin Tendulkar…. The GOD of cricket hoisted & carried around the ground, each & every team member proclaiming that they played & won the Cup for Sachin was so touching….. ….I was totally, completely and emotionally drained at the end of it. It was a memorable night! I have goose bumps as I write this very bit.


The celebrations began (hamare nahin.....but it was the turn of the Indian team now) ……the group dispersed to their respective homes and just as my heart started beating normally I realized I was hungry & we headed for some more Chinese (I could barely eat what the chini chef served)

Good decision to step out into the roads…………what an experience it was! People on their bikes in multiples of 3 & cars overflowing with people seated on the windows………, Flags hoisted high…….replicas of the World Cup erected onto the cars………shouts of whoohoooo……and INDIAAAAAAAA………….INDIAA……………

It was so much fun even Aisha refused to sit down to dinner since she was so fascinated by the cheering crowds and seemed like she just couldn’t get enough of it. In the end………as we rode back home……soaked in high spirits……….we reciprocated the cheers of each passing bike & car……& came accross people beaming with joy ! expressing sheer happiness over the Glory brought to the nation by our Indian lads!

The Cup is OURS! So…thanks to the Indian team for this WIN…..a win we will all cherish for our life time & for the memories that we will carry forward of having witnessed a phenomenon in the Final of the ICC World Cup 2011.