Best Friend, Worst Enemy

Dear Annai,

You're my best friend. You are my screaming buddy. You are my roll-on-the carpet buddy. I love to imitate whatever it is you do, whether it's lying flat on my stomach while watching television or carrying the poof from its place to the center of the hall and rolling on it.

You are also my worst enemy at this point of time in my life, because you take away all my toys. You run towards me and make me fall. You pinch me on the stomach and on my face. I ahve to share Amma and Appa with you!

Well, I suppose I should be thankful that you are at least sharing the sweets with me.

And I love kissing you good morning, it's the best part of each morning.

Happy 2011, Annai. Hope you enjoy school, and I will look forward to your return everyday so we can fight more.

Big hugs,
Eshvarhen

Jeethendra

Dear Everyone,

Jeethendra is the quietest baby I have ever seen. He's elder to me by two weeks, but notw half as naughty. He just sits all by himself and plays the lonelinest games.

I wonder why everyone scolds me when I try to make him join in my play by hugging him or taking his toys. At least it will encourage him to play a little rough.

For the record,I just received a big scolding from Mina Patti today for dropping Jeethendra while trying to carry him. *wink*

Oliver Twist

Eshvarhen,

You looks so pitiful standing there with the bowl and spoon and asking Amma and Appa for some of the food which they are eating.

Actually, it's really funny. I think I used to do the same.

Looks like we're definitely related after all.....*sigh*

Skinna Marinky Dinky Dink Skinna Marinky Do I Love You...

Have you guys heard this song? It's the best song ever! And I can do the hand movements, rolling my hands in front of me, and also immitate singing a bit of the "I love you" part.

I can also...ahem...kind of sing Twinkle Twinkle little star and Baa baa black sheep.

I sing....Baa baa back ship........

and then I sing......Baa baa baa baa...ah ahove baa  baaa....


And then I repeat everything all over again.

And I can dance just as well as Annai, with all my leg movements.

Nebulizing Eshvarhen

Dear Pandai,

You had to take a nebulizer dose today, and unlike your brother, who has never cried once for his nebulizers, you certainly brought the roof down.

And you also made my shirt look pretty disleveled when we remerded from the nebulizer room.

But you've got good lungs, son. You have LOUD lungs.


Hugs,
Big Lion

p/s - It's really worrying how proud you make me even when you're not doing the right things. =)

Footie Pandai

Dear Pandai,

Ahem.....do you like my nickname, son? I know it's not very manly, but I guess to me, that's what you are.

You're drivcing your puchcar very well, and I can see that you're not going to let the Small Tiger bully you any longer. I saw you drop off your brother's pacifier near him and then run off before he has a chance to push you or squeeze your head. Also, I note that you sit down immediately when he comes running to you, I suppose you already discovered that gravity is stronger when you are built closer to the ground.

Well....I was actually writing to brag about you being very good with the ball. But I got sidetracked I suppose. You can kick and you can throw, and you never tire to pick a stray ball. You seem to be doing very well for your age. I think Small Tiger and I are going to make a footie palyer our of you yet.

Take care, my little Pandai.


Hugs,
Big Lion.

A note to Laksmi Akka

Dear Everyone,

I'm making this entry because I want to remember my first nanny, Laksmi Akka. She's from india, and she takes very good care of me. Amma says she can do everything, except putting me to sleep, because I won't listen to Laksmi Akka. She's kind to me, because she gives me the finger biscuits when I point them out to her, and she also picks me up when Annai beats me and consoles me even when all I'm doing is crying crocodile tears. She was with me since birth, but she'll be gone in a months time, so thank you Akka for looking after me.

Big Eshvarhen hugs to Laksmi Akka.

370 days

Dear Everyone,

Today is the 370th day of my life, and I'm 10.5kg and 84 cm tall. I can take instructions very well, and I can imitate dance movements with my body and head when Appa teaches me. I also like to fight with Annai. I don't like it when Annai sits on my Mina Patti's lap, and I just love to pull Annai's pacifier out from his mouth. He'll pull mine out, and then a fight will ensue with a crying brawl.

My favourite game at the moment is to open the cupboards, steal a plate and run with it to the hall with my Mina Patti at my heels. I like to share my finger biscuits with everyone, althougth no one seems to want to eat it.

Alright, just making some notes on my progress. Big Eshvarhen hugs.

Happy 1st Birthday, Eshvarhen!

Hello everyone!

I turned one today! Hurray!!

I had a big birthday party, and everyone came. The theme was yellow and orange and I had BJ and Riff on my cake, Mina patti made me a yellow and orange cake, and Annai was very helpful because he helped me blow out the candle. I wore a yellow long sleeve shirt, and so did Annai! *high five with Annai*

We didn't have a clown, but Appa and Amma organised some games, and I think everyone had fun. I had fun, eating one lollypop after another.

Nithi mama was the emcee for the games, and Ammama and Periamma C even won gifts for solving the jigsaw puzzle. Sherlin periamma and Rita Attai won the women's musical chairs ( beaming with pride) Annai tried to play in the musical chairs, but he sort of became tired and then Mina patti had to carry him. Oh, and Nithi Mama, he was champion of the balloon bursting competition.

It was a great party, and thanks everyone for the toys!

And so I have celebrated the first year of my life. Love everyone loads. **Big Hug**

Dancing Baby

Dear Eshvarhen,

You're clapping baby, and you're dancing, turning round and round while you sing your song with the ba,ba,ba,ba.....

You're playing hide and seek with Sakkti Velan very well for your age, and you hardly crawl anymore, you're either walking or running. You seem to be sleeping through the night this past week, and I hope you're finally going to give up waking up for yoru feeds at night.

Okay, baby, Amm will write soon. Take care, my little Dinosaur.

Tying Eshvarhen

Mina Patti tied my waist me to the table today…..it’s supposed to stop me from running to the kitchen or climbing the stairs.

At first, I did not understand why my movement was restrained. But nobody’s going to tie Eshvarhen…I just wailed my head off until she carried me again.
**sniff** sniff***

Cry Baby

Eshvarhen, please don’t cry as if Amma is going to leave you. She’s just going to get your milk. She’s going to think I pushed you or something. Then who’s going to get the scolding?

Even if I did push you or pull you, you should not cry. I’m just “playing”. Be a sport.

Love,
Annai

27th July 2010

Hello everyone,

It’s me Eshvarhen, reporting my progress. I’m 10th months and 8 days today, and I’m officially running. I’m 8.5kg, and 74.5cm tall.

It all stared on the 23rd of June, when I started walking. A few gingerly steps first, and then I fall down…..but I get up again and walk.

Now I’m running from the hall to the kitchen, but I brake gracefully. And when I get to kitchen, I like to open the kitchen cabinet doors and take something that looks like a ball. Amma calls it “ONION”. She’s always scooping me up and putting me back in the hall…..grrr….now all I have to do is release myself from her , and go ALL the way back to the kitchen again.

Oh....and when I’m sleepy, I pull my ears. Apparently I’ve been doing it for so long tha Amma says my ears look a bit long now. I can’t help it….it helps me stay awake when I feel sleepy.

Eshvarhen’s Kolukattai ceremony

Note from Amma: Eshvarhen didn’t need to be told as he picked not one but two kolukattai and stuffed it into his mouth. Well done, son. May you have teeth as tough as the kolukattai. As of today, you have five teeth, two at the bottom, and three on the top. And you top two front teeth are HUGE=)

To Cameron Highlands & the Lost World of Tambun

Dear Eshvarhen,

This is your first long distance trip, and I must say, son, you behaved very well. Maybe you were excited that you had such a long car ride. And how well you swam in the pool at the Tambun Lost World! And when you were sleepy, you just fell asleep in your pram.

I hope you enjoyed the carousel, and the animals….just so you know, you also looked absolutely adorable in your jacket (which your Annai pointed out was his). I know it was cold in Cameron Highlands, but you took like a man.

Appa’s proud of you. Good night, son. We’ll definitely make more trips to see more animals.

Hugs always,
Appa

My first tooth

Hello everyone,

For the record, my first tooth appeared white and beautiful at the bottom part of my gums on the 4th of June.

Thank you.

Clucking and Sneezing and Sliding

I like to “cluck cluck” with my tongue. And I LOVE to hear people sneeze……it just gives me unlimited joy. Please, please….sneeze once….I’ll give you my million dollar smile…….

Have you ever tried taking a toy or a plate or a box or Annai’s books or a CD, placing it under one palm and SLIDING all the way across the hall? It’s fun I tell you. I could do this for hours……..except that I become a bit tired after a while, and the I have to go to the mattress in the maid's room and lie down under my rocker to recharge.

And then it’s off to SLIDE again……………………

A pool experience..

Today, I had my first swim in the pool. Annai was swimming in the pool, and I couldn’t stand it anymore. So I cried and cried until Appa relented and put me in the pool…baby suit and all.

I was so happy that I could play with Annai….though Annai was too interested to play by himself. He kept saying, “Shark”… “Shark” and was gliding all over the base of the pool. *Sigh*… Annai thinks my name is “Shark”….

The things 7 1/2 months do.....

Dearest Thambi,

It's amazing how quickly you crawl from the kitchen to the hall. But I'd really appreciate it if you stopped climbing over me. All I want to do is watch my cartoon. Maybe someone needs to point out to you that I'm not a stool.

You're being naughty , always wanting people to be by your side while you play your silly game of stuffing the toys in your mouth. Appa and Amma probably think it's cute, but I think it's just plain boring. Been there, done that.

You're noisy because you'r always banging the table and the stairs as you stand.....and then you fall down because you THINK you can stand without support. ANDneedless to say, you have to wail the place down and drown out all the delightful cartoon music. Just so you know, I could only stand by myself when I was 8 1/2 months. Since we're genetically related, maybe you cbe an just patient and spare me the earache.

I guess you think you can talk, but all you're saying in "bab bab bab...appa". Most of the times you try to talk to me, it sounds as though you're screaming. Amma tells me you're "cooing".....any idea what that means?

I think it's disgusting the was you spit your food out when Amma and Patti feed you your breakfast and lunch. I know I would get a good spanking if I tried to spit my food out.

You don't want to eat you food, but you fight to eat mine, And you're always trying to drink out of my bottle. Can't you tell the difference between pink and white? MINE is pink, YOURS is white.

You're 7 1/2 months as I write this entry to tell you just how much you're affecting me without you knowing it. Appa said you're 72 cm, I suppose that's a good height. I'm 97cm as I write this. Just thought I'd mention it.

But you know what, Eshvarhen, after all has been said, I think you're extremely adorable and cute. I just love the way you observe me in silent admiration as I kick ball and play pistol. Don't worry, I won't allow anyone to carry you away. Just stay next to me, I'll keep you safe.

I love you, Eshvarhen. Good night.

Hugs,
Sakkti velan

Eshvarhen's First Haircut

Wah.....Wahh...wahhhh..............

The auntie's cutting my hair, Amma...Amma.......Wahh....wahh......(Amma's note: Eshvarhen's face is all red)

Amma quickly carries me and tries to pacify me, but I still continue to scream the place down with my wails (does every one simply think you can just take me to a strange place, get a stanger to cut off all my hair AND expect me to be pacified so quickly?) Haha, no way.

So the VERY distressed (and evil) hairdresser hurries to a sweet bottle on the counter, and passes a sweet to Amma, who quickly unwraps it and holds it to my mouth.

Oh... my goodness ( Amma's note:Eshvarhen instantly stops crying), it's really tasty, Amma, why dont' you give me more of this at home...yummy yum yum....hold the sweet, Amma, let me eat some more.

Eshvarhen's note: Annai came with us to the shop.....but he was really calm and composed during the haircut...and would you believe the auntie gave him TWO sweets after he was done? Talk about being biased. Amma proudly said that Annai did not cry during his first hair cut. Annai will always be my hero...

Victory comes to the Hard-Working....

Hello Everyone!

I'm writing to day to announce that I am officially sitting! I sit a little on the sideways, but I can sit up very fast now.

At first, I had to put my bum real high in the sky and then force myself to sit....actually I'm trying to stand...but then I end up sitting.

And for everyone's information, I can stand up by pulling myself up in my cot. I think I'm making my Amma VERY nervous...she's always hanging around near me to ensure I don't fall anywhere.....hehehe

Eshvarhen's First Cough

Dear Eshvarhen,

You're six months old today. Congratulations, baby! You've come a long way for your tiny self.

You've been having a terrible cought for the past three weeks, and Appa and I've taken you to the doctor three times already. Each time the doctor tells us that you're having just a cough, and there's no phlegm in your chect- which is a HUGE relief.

The doctor told us that you're having a sorethroat due to virus- must be coming from all the times you lick the edge of the carpet in our hall.

I just thought I'd log this down since this is the first cough attack of your life=). I guess I should tell you to stop licking the carpet, but if that's how you're sharpening your sense of exploration, who am I to stop you......I just hope it tastes good...

Hugs always,
Amma

Playing the " Enga Eshvarhen" game

I like this game.....Amma gingerly puts me on her knees, faces me and coos, "Enga Eshvarhen???" and looks everywhere for me....!

"Amma, I'm right here in front of you! Where are you looking for me? Here, you see, I'm touching your face to show you where I am......"

And then Amma "finds" me and says, "Ei, Eshvarhen.....neenge inge thaan irrukenggela???"

I LIKE this game, Amma!

Don't walk away from Me!

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....Amma don't put me down and walk away.....

I'll cry....I'm crying.....Amma...Amma.....wait ( dragging myself really fast towards the direction in which Amma disappeared in)

Ahh....there you are Amma , I think to myself as Amma carries me .....whew!....I thought you were leaving me and going away somewhere...

Eshvarhen is happy now that you're carrying me Amma....I love being carried....hehehe=)

Bum in the Air

Hello Annai,

I have an interesting entry today. Amma told me that I'm trying to crawl, and I'm working real hard at it by putting my bum HIGH UP in the air and trying to crawl.......*sigh*....here comes more hard work!

Annai, Amma said you tried to do the same thing by putting your bum in the air too......(giving you a high five, Annai!)---and a big Ehsvarhen-hug!

The Lion's Roar

Hi son,

It's Appa again, and I figured it would be nice to write in your blog again.

It's been 5 1/2 months since my last entry, so I'd just like to log here that at 5 1/2 months, you're dragging yourself very quickly around the house, and pulling down the table cloth from the coffee table in our living room. You're 7.5kg and you're 68cm long.

You're also very fond of sucking your index finger and middle finger, whenever you don't have anything within your grasp to stuff into your mouth. What joy do you babies find in that, I wonder?

If it's any consolation, you're behaving exactly the way your brother behaved at your age, pulling the table cloth, pretending to cough so we will pick you up immediately, wailing really loudly when the maid tries to put you to sleep. Sometimes I wonder, if it's just something all babies know how to do, just like how you learn to drag yourself, or if it's genetics. Because if it is, I'm pretty sure they are from your Amma ( and secretly, I think she's proud that she was naughty too when she was a baby)........

So I guess I just have to see how mischievious your brother is now, to understand how to cope with you when you turn two.

But you know what, I just can't wait.

The Big Lion,
Appa

P/S - the one thing you're doing differently, at the expense of my sleep, is waking up at 6.30 a.m. every morning ( or earlier) regardless of what time you sleep at night. It gets pretty annoying during the weekends, son........

Food Feeding Ceremony

Today was my food feeding ceremony. I was sleepy and very hot throughout the entire ceremony, and I was crying the roof down the temple.

But Appa quickly fed me the sweet ponggal with his ring, and Amma took me to the car where she fed me and put me to sleep.

Amma said tomorrow I will be eating Nestum. Sounds like fun after all these days of milk.....but what delicious, yummy milk.....yummy, yummy milk....I love milk. ...ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

On Turns and Movements

Today I am 4 months old. I'm 62 cm and 6 kg.

Up to today....Amma said I've had 4 injections, and I only cried very briefly each time I was injected ( beaming proudly).

Amma said that when I smile, it's a shy smile, and she said I smile a lot. So I guess I must be a pretty shy baby, yes?

I've been trying to turn on my stomach since the 7th of December, and on the 27th of December, I successfully truned around and landed on my stomach. That was 20 days of severe hard work, motor coordination and extended use of my imagination. Nobody tells us what to do, do they? **sigh**

And then came the moving forward part. At first, I was not sure what Appa and Amma were yelling about, telling me, "Come Eshvarhen, come, come....."....and the whole time I was thinking to myself, come where??? You're all here right?

I became a little alarmed when Annai joined in the coaxing, putting my pacifier on the floor and asking me to come and get it. And then it struck me.....to get the pacifier (or anything else to stuff into my mouth), I needed to grab it first. And so came another 20 days of severe hard work and imagination, and then on the third month and second week of my life, I inched forward! Hurrah!!!!!