I can walk now
Look at me, I can walk now
My baby finally started to walk. After all the months of anticipation, it had happened. Through his crawling days, I would wait every day to see if there were any major changes with him, any sign of sitting up. When he sat up, I just could not wait for the day till he could stand up and walk. Every milestone was celebrated with hugs and kisses.
The period between one year and three years is the most fun part as toddlers behave like little adults. They behave exactly like you and even remind you of your unconscious mannerisms. As any mother would agree with me, it is difficult managing a toddler. They keep running as they take pride in the fact that they can walk and run. Their curiosity knows no bounds as they keenly observe and explore their surroundings.
Images: Freerangestock.com
3 lessons from a toddler
Why are toddlers entertaining?
I went out for a stroll with my husband and one year old son. The roads were dusty but we went along with no particular agenda in mind. For those who used to roam occasionally without agenda get to know how much fun it is. We watched couples happily chatting, crowded bazaars where haggling was a daily phenomenon. It was a weekday. Personally I don't know if a weekday is worse than a weekend or vice-versa in a metropolitan city. Both have their merits and de-merits.
After walking for nearly twenty minutes, we happened to cross a hotel. Out of habit, I read their menu while attempting to cross it. The dish of the day was Chola Puri, my husband's favorite. I nudged him to show it and the next instant we were inside the hotel with our son. We ordered the item and sat chatting while my little Bunty played with the glasses on the table. The puris arrived and I eagerly took a bite. Meanwhile I placed Bunty on my lap. I also gave him my house keys just to distract him so that he would not have the constant urge to tear my puri apart. I was busy talking to my husband when my son threw the keys in a random direction. It hit the person at the next table. I profusely apologized to him. My son innocently reached for the glass of water and turned it upside down. I tried to get up from the place to escape the soaking water when Bunty decided it was the best time to grab my puri. The puri was in his hand. I tried to desperately save it by tugging but he would not let go. He grew angry and threw my precious puri on the floor. I looked in horror at my husband who did not even attempt to get up and help me one single second. He was laughing heartily while the entire restaurant was looking at us with amusement.I will never eat another puri without remembering this big incident!
Silence is golden
Until you have a toddler...
Then....
Silence is just suspicious!
Temple visit
As a highly religious family, we often take our toddler to the temple. Hindu temples are very spacious and occupy a large area. One day I took him to the famed ISKCON Krishna temple. In this temple there are a lot of saints in the temple premises. As we were sitting after the puja ceremony in the temple grounds, I suddenly realized Bunty was missing. As I looked around, people were smiling and pointing at something. When I saw in the general direction, I was surprised to see Bunty going from one priest to another touching their heads and shoulder. Most of them just bowed their heads and smiled at him. It was amazing to see the tiny tot going from one person to another as if on a mission of blessing everyone. I did not know whether to be shocked or happy. When he touched the final priest, he happily came back to me. To this day, I wish I knew what was he thinking doing such a thing.
Nine ways of bonding
Mind Blowing Observation
When my husband gets ready for office, Bunty accurately remembers the sequence of daily activities.
First he brings the shirt, then the pant followed by the belt.
Then he goes out and brings the shoes one by one.
Next he grabs the lunch bag nearby and hands it to my husband (I pack lunch for him).
Finally he points at the bike helmet and waves goodbye to him.
He never fusses when his father leaves for office like the other children do. His memory for remembering the sequence of things is astonishing.
I Know my Car
We were just coming out of a restaurant after a visit to ooty. The parking lot was designed such that cars were parked along the wall with a garden in the middle. The place where we had parked our car held twenty cars beside our own out of which four were in relative shades of red. Ours is an Alto in a dark red shade. The car was parked somewhere near the middle of the row. As soon as we came out, Bunty ran towards our car not even noticing the others and stood beside it signalling for keys. I was so surprised at his knowledge of his belongings. When my father playfully handed him the keys, he went to unlock the driver's side. He could not place the key right, but he knew the key went into the key hole and kept trying to insert it for sometime. Finally my father coaxed him to hand over the key. Bunty happily gave it to him and went to the passenger side and signed for me to open the door. Even I get confused finding my car in a huge parking lot. But this was amazing!
Mothers Note
Practically speaking mothers need as much energy as the toddlers to manage them.
Never ignore your health in the process of looking after your baby.
Even when times are testing, put up a smile and hug them. You will feel good about it later.
A two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don't have a top for it.
— Jerry SeinfieldWhat an Imitator!
Seeing my toddler is just like seeing my entire family in him. He can imitate all of us with embarrassing accuracy. For instance he knows I sleep with my right hand over my eyes and my legs crossed. He always assumes this position when I put him to sleep. When my father returns from office, he imitates him removing his shirt. During his tonsuring ceremony I caught him looking at my mother and chewing the same way as she does. She too was looking at him and was so surprised. My husband's parents use expressions like 'apppa' while doing some difficult things. He has learnt it and says it while dragging a chair or getting down from the stairs! He can adjust his hair like my sister while looking at the mirror. Sometimes it is scary to think what he might have noted while we do not notice him.
Gadgets are Cool
My toddler has to experience every gadget at close quarters. If it is portable, he is very excited to carry it around the house. He knows how to switch on the fan or the TV and is obsessed with the television remote. His favorite game is to change channels and play with the volume button. When he knows we are watching TV and not paying attention to him, he goes and switches it off manually and grins at us. Also he has a soft spot for mobile phones. He can operate any type of mobile phone - touch or slide model. In fact I knew a lot of applications built in my phone after he mistakenly opened it on my phone.
This recipe is highly nutritious for toddlers. It has a cooling effect on body and is especially useful in summer.
Ingredients
- Millet powder - 100 gm
- Sugar - 1 table spoon
- Water - 1/2 Cup
- Milk- 1 Cup
Instructions
- Initial preparation:
- Buy millet as grains and dry it in sunlight till the grains become crisp.
- Grind the grains into a fine powder and store it.
- Making the porridge:
- Measure two spoons of millet powder into a bowl. Add one spoon of sugar, one cup of milk and 1/2 cup of water to it.
- Keep it on a medium flame.
- It should be stirred continuously once it begins boiling. This is done to ensure uniform texture of the porridge.
- Boil it for three minutes on a medium flame till the mixture becomes thick.
- Remove from flame and cool it well.