Happy 4th Baby !!

My Dear Cutie Pie,

A very happy 4th birthday to you. Can't believe it's been 4 years already. You are the one who turned me into a mom and you are such a joy and full of life. "You're my favorite person in the world", is not something that you hear from me these days, ever since Anvika came into our lives. I have two gems and both are my favorite.  It's hard though, not to keep thinking about it.

You are the one who taught me what unlimited, unconditional love feels like, Even though you are not my ONLY child, or even my only girl, you will always be my first. You are the first one to make me forget myself. You are the first person I ever said, "I love you" to, to more than 10 times in a day.You are the first person whose temperature I took, whose nose I wiped, whose dirty diaper I changed and who ever vomited on me. With you I made my first time mom mistakes, like leaving the window open so that you accidentally fell off from the second floor :( Who knew you could push the mesh so hard that it could fall off? Thank you for not getting hurt.

While you are not my only child anymore, you will probably be the kid who knows what it's like to have my  undivided attention. This realization also gives me guilts, but then again Anvika, does have some advantages. I can't imagine that she can be bored or lonely for long- not with your unlimited songs, dance moves, gymnastics and many tricks :) She loves to watch you do that and you are an amazing big sister.

You were my first newborn, infant, toddler and preschooler. With you I have had many "firsts" and you're the one who continues to surprise me every day with your super gymnast skills :) So if you are feeling frustrated that I am holding your baby sister instead of playing hide and seek with you or when I am using stern words with you and not her ( she's a baby), or because I can't stop saying just how cute she is, you should know that there is more than enough love for both of you, because of the ever expanding place in my heart that you made.

You, You, You- you will ALWAYS be my first :)

A very Happy birthday to this awesome ballerina who is also an amazing big sister!!!

Hugs & Kisses, Mamma

Baby gear that we love

Anvika is my second child and by then I knew what baby products we absolutely needed when she was born. With Anvesha, we went over board with baby shopping and ended up not using 50% of the baby stuff. But now, I have become somewhat of a minimalist and have only kept  baby items that are absolutely necessary for our everyday needs.

When we were moving to our new home, I donated a ton of stuff and only kept the ones that I felt made my life so much easier as a new mom. There were also some new items that we bought along the way that helped me. I agree that babies need a ton of stuff, but baby products are insanely priced most of them are only a feel good factor that they outgrow so soon.

Here's a list of baby products that have helped me along my journey of motherhood :)

1. Bumboo Seat- This is one product that has been used by both my girls. It is so light and easy to throw practically anywhere. Anvika isn't quite able to sit up straight yet, but, nevertheless wants to be involved with all of us. We simple have her sit in her bumboo seat and she has so much fun looking at all of us, especially Anvesha.

2. Swing- This is one product that has been extensively used by Anvesha. She loved it so much that she could practically sleep on it all day. This also came as a big help when she had a sleep hiatus. She wouldn't sleep on anything else. I think that this is probably the best investment we have made- a complete value for money.

3. Baby carrier- This is a must have in any baby registry. This goes with us everywhere, since you never know when Anvika wants to be held and I don't have the hands to do it. It's also comfortable and easy on the back. I love that it can grow with her as she gets older. A versatile baby carrier.

4. Swaddle-  Anvesha hated to be swaddled, but little Anvika absolutely loves it. Although she has outgrown that age of being swaddled, but this was a miracle in the first 2 months to help her sleep better.

5. Boppy Pillow- I didn't use the boppy pillow for breastfeeding with Anvika, but has used it a lot with Anvesha. But with Anvika, I have used it a lot in these first 4 months for tummy time or just have her sit there with support and let her look around. It is soft and keeps her secure.

6. Auto Mirror-  I had one post dedicated to Brica auto mirror in the past. This is a great product for babies who hate car seat and need to be occupied with something to keep them distracted. It worked well with Anvesha and is working with Anvika as well. The music, lights and sounds keep the babies happy and they can look at their own image in the mirror that also keeps them occupied.

7. Baby bouncer- This has been gifted to us by a friend and Anvika loves sitting on it. I usually have her sit on this while I get some cooking done. She watches me and plays happily with the toys. Sometimes, she falls asleep on this. Thanks Satya for this wonderful gift :)

                                   

I am sure there zillions of other baby products available in the market, but these are the ones that have worked best for us and made life much easier. I am sure ten years down the line, looking at how we have brought them up,will certainly bring a smile on both my girls' faces. Few products do have a sentimental value attached to it, like the swing and over the years, the list will keep growing :)

Learning to write

Most parents enjoy the way their child first writes her name. That careful concentration in forming each letter and then the look and pride when she is done is a significant milestone in the lives of small children. Although children vary in their age of writing their name, a lot also depends on the age when they start attending preschool. Anvesha knows how to spell her name, knows her address and also my phone number :) This, I feel is great for her age.

It all started with scribbles and over the time these scribbles started taking some shape and slowly she began to develop more interested in drawing, coloring, painting. She used to keep requesting me to draw a snowman for her on her chalkboard. Now she has started making more elaborate and accurate drawings- her favorite one being a butterfly and a flower :) I can't wait now to put her in to a drawing class once she turns 4.

Anvesha is a curious soul and her love for phonics is a great beginning to her reading skills as well. Beginning to write is a process in itself. The only way to keep encouraging her is by providing her with crayons and paper so that she can practice writing. Her early attempts at writing didn't look much like words or sentences, but now I can say that her scribbles and drawings were helping her get ready fir writing. She loves her markers and finally has begun to hold the pen properly. One great way of practicing writing is tracing letters and numbers. She has been doing this for a pretty long time now and can write her own name pretty well. She derives some pleasure filled with pride when she signs off her work at school with her name all by herself :) Although the lines and curves of her letters extend haphazardly into each other- some are backward, some lie on their side as though they have been pushed by a school bully. She still has a few years before writing will come naturally to her, but like many kids her age, she is beginning to tackle the skills of penmanship.

This is a proud moment for me as this is a big milestone in itself. This is just the beginning- hope she continues to write and you never know- turn out to be a great writer one day :) Ha ha ha..... Love you cutie!!

Happy Holidays

It's no wonder that when you ask most kids what's their favorite time of the year, it's either their birthday, Diwali or Christmas. The days that fall between November and January are usually filled with Thanksgiving, Diwali, Christmas, New Year's and in our case, Anvesha's birthday :) All special days make for wonderful moments as they are happening as well as memories that will never be forgotten.

The best part about celebrating holidays with kids is not just the actual days themselves, but the days that lead up to them. December is full of holiday lights, carols, decorating the house, setting up the Christmas tree, making the ginger bread house as well as ornaments for the Christmas tree. All this fun and activities are made even more enjoyable when you include your child. Even during the hustle and bustle of Anvika falling sick,  a sleep deprived me, we involved Anvesha in decorating the Christmas tree, making the ginger bread house which was so so so exciting for her.

The month of December started with her school winter concert where the kids sang holiday songs for us. All of them looked so cute singing Christmas carols. Anvesha and her class mates sang to the tunes of "Oh Goodness me...." and "Candy Cane". They had been practicing for a long time and the show came out perfect :) Good part was, Anvesha was not nervous like last time when she was just standing on stage overwhelmed. She also had her holiday ballet recital on stage. I am so glad that her ballet moves are becoming more smooth now, thanks to Miss Sue:) 

And finally the much awaited date with Santa Claus. We had taken Anvesha last year and decided to go this year as well with Anvika. But poor baby, she slept in the car and missed meeting Santa. That's okay sweetheart, we will go again next year when you'll reach an age to understand things :)

This time Santa Claus came with Elsa, Cinderella and Belle. Anvesha was so excited to meet all of them. She even wrote a letter to Santa on what she wants on Christmas :) She had put it on her small Christmas tree and carried it along to give to Santa. It was such a delightful sight when Santa read what she wanted for Christmas:) Her wish this year is to have Shopkins  and we have told her that she will get it only if she is a good girl because Santa gives gifts to only children who have been good throughout the year :) So Anvesha is at her best behavior these days so as to impress dear Santa :)

Here's wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a delightful new year.

Anvika @ 4 months

Phewww!!!!! 4 months seem like a long time, but not to me. These 4 months were kind of a roller coaster. The first month with Anvika was super challenging and slowly I got into the rhythm and started to understand her schedule and worked around it. The first 3 months were not so bad since I had my mom's help and things just somehow fell into place. After mom left, it became challenging for me- things that normally we don't even consider to be things seem to matter so much. Stepping out of the house for instance. Earlier I always kept a buffer of 10 mins, but now with 2 kids, I need to have a buffer of 30 mins precisely. My biggest challenge was when I had to go pick up Anvesha from school since it was Anvika's nap time and she almost always used to wake up as soon as I kept her in the car seat. Then coming back home and feeding Anvesha while Anvika was sleep deprived, was a hell of a task. I used to think, things can't get worse than this- but I was wrong. Call it the 4 month sleep regression, or a sick baby, the past few weeks were the worse period out of these 4 months. Anvika was down with cold and cough and gave us a difficult time. Those 7 sleepless nights, hope I never have to go through them again.

Anyways, Anvika is 4 months old now. She sleeps for about 10-11 hrs at night, wakes up for feeding twice and sometimes even thrice. Daytime naps are spread out for around 4-5 hrs each day.  Sleeping through the night is probably a long way to go yet. We have now settled down into a routine, although sometimes there are still end of day fussy periods. She is much playful now as compared to earlier days and loves her rattles. Her face gets so delighted by it's sound. She is becoming more and more alert each passing day and loves to express herself through smiles, laughs, gurgles and coos. :)

Her hands are becoming more dexterous now and she is beginning to grasp things that are within reach like her rattle, my necklace, Anvesha's hair :) She is very fond of her big sister and loves to watch her play. Sometimes, I just have her sit in her bumboo seat and she happily watches Anvesha play.

She is still on just breast milk. Although we can start solids at 4 months, but it is always recommended to wait till 6 months- thats exactly what we are going to do. Her annaprashan will be in India with family and so will be her mundan :) Yes, we are visiting India next month and this will be Anvika's first international trip- rather her first flight as well. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Travelling with an infant is hard, but when you gotta go, you gotta go :)

Like with Anvesha, we celebrate her monthly birthdays. Here's a video from her 4 month birthday.

Happy 4th month birthday sweetheart. Grow up fast..... Muuuaaahhhh !!

Sister love

When I found out that  I was expecting Anvika, I had mixed feelings- I was thrilled, but a little anxious as well. All these 3 years Anvesha had been the center of our family and the center of my universe. She had my undivided attention at all times. My biggest worry was, how would she handle the arrival of a new baby at home? I have heard about sibling rivalry and tantrums once the baby arrives. All this left me nervous. But, I am glad and relieved that Anvesha loves her sister so much that sometimes it gets difficult explaining her that she is just a baby and can only handle gentle cuddles. The arrival of Anvika certainly has brought so many changes in all of us at home. Anvesha has been undergoing a big transition as well. She has learnt to share and wait. I believe family is a boot camp for having healthy social relationships.

Having a sister is like having a best friend that you can't get rid of. I love watching Anvesha as she plays with Anvika, such a precious moment!! This is a pic of Anvesha when she came to meet Anvika at the hospital for the very first time:)

Anvesha calls her "Guggu" and loves to have her in her lap- of course we need to monitor her all the times. This raksha bandhan we had them tie rakhi to each other- a tradition that we will perhaps continue. Anvika too, is super fond of Anvesha. Her face lights up when she sees Anvesha. She starts moving her hands and legs in excitement. Sometimes, she even calls out to her in her baby language and her eyes follow Anvesha wherever she moves around in the house.This is one song they dedicate to each other. We call it the Aanu-Anvi song:) 

Touch Wood!!! Hope this sister relationship always grows more stronger with the passing years.

I am so glad and relived that once Anvika grows up, they both will have each other's company and will be so busy playing with one another that they will not need anyone else. It is always nice to have siblings who are also same in gender in the family. This also helps to cope up with the challenges of life and makes it easier to relate. No matter how hard it is for us right now, but the happy times far outweigh the stressful ones :) It's just a matter of one more year.Can't wait to see them grow together and share everything- clothes, toys, room, accessories...... 

Favorite Characters

Cartoons are favorites of every child during childhood and all of us can relate to them. On Sunday mornings we were glued to the television watching Duck Tales. I think we are made physically and psychologically to be attracted to a variety of kinds of people and as kids we might focus a little too much on a particular character. Out of all the characters there might be one who is smart, cool and oh so funny:) We grew up watching Tom and Jerry, Duck Tales and Jungle Book. But today there are so so many characters and every kid has his/her own favorites.

So what are some of the characters Anvesha loves to watch and gets absolutely excited on hearing their names? So here it goes.......

Mickey Mouse and friends- Joyful, vulnerable and lovable. Mickey Mouse came into our lives decades ago and and still reigns supreme. He is like the Jesus of all characters. Anvesha absolutely loves him and all of his other friends including Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Goofy & Pluto. She was thrilled to watch Mickey Mouse at our recent visit to DisneyLand and every day we give her a little screen time and Mickey Mouse is what she chooses to watch :)

Elmo-  This little red guy has been Anvesha's favorite since she was one year old.... and that was one of the reasons why we planned an Elmo birthday party for her 3rd birthday. Apparently, he is very popular among kids 1-4 years and I love him too. I know his speech is rather annoying, but he is a funny guy. Anvesha has an Elmo night suit that she loves. She has many Elmo(s) in different shapes and sizes that she has collected over the time and she keeps singing the Elmo song too ;)

Tinker Bell- Tinker Bell was the perhaps the first character that Anvesha was introduced to when she was one year old. She has a big fat book of fairy fables and Tinker Bell is her favorite among all the others in the Pixie Hollow. Thats the reason why she wanted to be a Tinker Bell for Halloween last year and still wants to wear the dress every time she sees it in her closet :) Although Anvesha has not seen any of the Tinker Bell movies, but a girly girl that she is, she loves fairies and has also demanded a Tinker Bell party for her next birthday :)

 Anna & Elsa-  These Disney characters are the most popular amongst young girls. Wherever we go, there are Frozen characters everywhere. Anvesha has an Elsa doll, a purse, talking Olaf and many books of Anna- Elsa- Olaf. She loves her sparkly hair brush that has Anna & Elsa.

Caillou- Caillou is a Canadian educational children's series and I love it too as it is perfect for all preschoolers who are Anvesha's age. It is centered around a 4 year old boy named Caillou . I first introduced this character to Anvesha through books and later she enjoyed watching it as well.

Dora- Dora is Anvesha's favorite as well- She loves few Spanish words that keep repeating in this series, like "Hola" and "gracious". She has been learning Spanish in school and can relate to few words that keep repeating in this series

Off late she has developed a liking towards SpongeBob, Thomas & Friends and Minions, Sophia.Her list of favorites will keep changing and evolving as she grows up. I can't wait to see what characters Anvika will like. Is she going to follow her sister's footsteps or have her own set of favorites? We'll find that out too :)