Thank You

Like many parents I started a journal for my children- Anvesha and Anvika, filling it with memories from their lives and telling them stories that they would perhaps want to read when they grow up. This, I felt was the biggest gift I can ever give them. In an era where families communicate in microbursts- texts, IMs and sticky notes, I am there writing real time stories and letters to my children.

For thanksgiving, I want to leave thank you notes to my girls telling them what about them I am most grateful for. It will be nice if they write back to me once they grow up. Until then a written thank you is permanent- kind of a keepsake that they will never forget.

Dear Anvesha,
I am so thankful to have been blessed with a girl. I am thankful to the way you take care of your little sister. I am thankful that your hair requires less fuss and you let me comb them with utmost patience because mornings are tough enough as they are. I am thankful that you are polite and well behaved- that way I don't have to worry about your behavior on play dates or in school. I am thankful for your love of learning and that you are anxious and happy to go to school each day. I am thankful for your heart which is so pure and innocent. I am thankful that you love paneer so much, since without it you would exist purely on carbs:) and thanks for loving the not so popular broccoli, beans and zucchini as well:) I am thankful that you are such an active girl that reminds me to take time out in a day- even if it's for half an hour to be with you. I am so utterly thankful to be your mom.

Dear Anvika,
 I am thankful that I am blessed with two daughters:) I am thankful for your smiles and I am thankful that you get so excited to see me around. I am grateful to you for teaching me the importance of being silly, or goofy. I am also thankful for reminding me that it's okay to be silly and laugh about it. I am so, so, so thankful to you for being a "not so difficult baby". I am thankful to you for being so social.... I can see that already. Last, but not the least, thank you for making our family complete :)

To my darlings, on Children's Day

Children- they may not always smell pure and sweet- a dirty diaper or a damped sheet. But with a loving cuddle and a beautiful smile, the joys of parenthood are all worth while.

This children's day is special as it is Anvika's first with us. It is such a joy to have her and Anvesha as a part of our family. Anvika means completeness and very rightly so. It is completeness in every sense..... thanks for making our family complete baby. When I started writing this blog, I was a new mom and now, I have come a long way.I have learnt a lot from my daughters.... to be patient, to be a good listener, to be happy for no reason, to be always busy with something. This list will continue to grow over the years.

This children's day I want to send a sweet note to my girls...

My sweet girls...
Growing up in this world is going to be tough, but I want to let you know that I will be right here beside you whenever you need me. Explore the world, live life to its fullest, love yourself before you love anyone else. You will never be happy if you don't love or respect your own self. Both of you bring so much joy and happiness to my life. When you have children of your own, you experience immense love and until both of you came into my life, I did not know love like this. Don't ever grow up.... be a kid always. Childhood is the most precious phase of anyone's life and I promise to give you the best memories that both of you can cherish for your lives.

Love you both to the moon and back. A very happy children's day to my darlings :)

Million Smiles

Baby's first smile is one of the highlights of early parenthood. Anvika's first (social) smile happened around 2 months of age. Although I got to capture it only today.I can't say that I remember the very first "social smile", since in the beginning so many of the little smirks were questionable. After weeks of giving this girl all my love and energy, she gave me smiles that told me, "Life is good Mamma! You're doing a good job and it's gonna be all right." In that instant, all the hard work of sleepless nights and endless diaper changes over the past several weeks seem well rewarded because my little darling finally flashed that pink gummy grin :)

Although I keep talking to Anvika throughout the day, but the massage time is the time which is exclusive to just us. She is at her best behavior since she is relaxed and enjoys the oil massage. The easiest way to encourage her to smile is to smile back and give her a cuddle. That way she knows that she has done something wonderful. I can see that she is a very social child. She loves to be around people and actually talks ( in her baby language) when you talk to her.

Anvika is growing up fast and starting to figure out human behavior. She probably understands that smiling at me gets my attention. I can now say for sure that she knows who am I since she gets super excited and rapidly moves her legs and arms seeing me first thing in the morning.

For her, its the beginning of socialization and for me- its an emotional time when I truly feel for her even more :) Its perhaps also the onset of many milestones that are in store for future.

Halloween Special

It's that time of the year again..... Halloween !!! Every year we use our brains to decide what to dress up Anvesha as.  The past years have been easy as I decided the outfit and Anvesha simply wore it. But this year, she has her own set of liking. This time all she wanted to become was a witch on Halloween. Maybe she was just fascinated by the hat and broom:) I did not get her the costume till the last minute thinking she can change her mind any time. So, I let her choose the perfect witch costume for herself. I was amazed as to how many different options you can have for a simple thing like a witch.  As far as Anvika is concerned, this was her first Halloween and she cannot sit as she is still a newbie:) The options were limited for her and so she just wore the strawberry constume that Anvesha wore for her first Halloween.

So here's presenting our witch and strawberry this season.

                            

The day was usual where I took Anvesha for trick or treat to some of the participating places. This time Anvesha's friend Sanah also accompanied us. At night we took a round of the neighborhood for trick or treat. Anvika was at home taking her nap. I promise baby next time when you grow up, you can accompany your sister for trick or treat :)

Some of the highlights of the day...

I can't believe how Anvesha has evolved from a strawberry to Tinker Bell and now a witch on Halloween.

As far as the halloween candies are concerned.... they have gone for donation :) Out of sight means out of mind :)Shhhhhhh !!!! 

Life with 2 kids

As I start writing this post, I recall 3 years back when Anvesha was born... those sleepless nights, cranky baby and managing the household chores. Becoming a parent is hard, challenging and life altering. First child, you are clueless about most of the things.... there are good moments and meltdowns as well. As a first time- stay at home mom, I recall when all I wanted was to sleep uninterrupted or get a break from my own baby :( There were moments of anxiety of high fevers and moments when I used to fret about her not eating enough ( although I do that even now). But there were moments when I could not spend a second without her. It was madness and pure happiness all at once.

Over the time, I got into the groove and moments that seemed "so hard" started getting manageable. At that time I questioned how people did this again with another baby? But as they say, "second kid is always for the first one" :) I am so glad God again blessed us with a daughter. Having a sister is something I missed and seeing Anvesha and Anvika makes me so happy. I look forward to watching them grow up together.

Anvika is 2.5 month old now and she is such a joy. This time, as a second time mom, is different in so many ways including the absence of a scared, not so confident mother that I was with my first daughter. So, here's what I am learning with my new life with 2 kids:

1. Enjoying small moments: This time it's all about enjoying little things and to live in the moment as much as possible.

2. Developing a system: Iam all about routine and structure. Weekly menus are planned at the start of the week and I make preparations ahead of time. Since Anvesha goes to preschool, I pick her outfit and pack lunch the night before. Although I get super exhausted at night, but it does help to make the mornings smooth.

3. Focus: I find it extremely hard to focus on my very active and talkative preschooler when the little one needs my physical attention, generally needing to be held, nursed or changed. Finding this balance can be tricky and extremely frustrating and it makes me feel somewhat guilty of not giving my 100% to both of them.

4. Meltdowns happen. Its amazing how Anvesha has taken the baby so well, but she is still only 3.5 years old and when things don't go in a certain way, she gets frustrated. With 2 kids I find it hard to calm her down when Anvika is crying or when I have to put her to sleep. Challenges like these make my day extremely hard and I do have moments when I can't figure out how to balance my own life.

Parenting continues to amaze me with all of it's ups and downs. As a mom of two daughters, Iam amazed how much I have changed as I continue to embrace this magical and challenging time.