Saturday 26 December 2015

Talking about adult stuff!

I recently met an acquaintance, let's caller her M, who is also a mum at a Christmas party... It's been a while since we've met.. She has a toddler boy and a 5 year old daughter... 

I was there, with my pudding of course and there was another couple from my side with a kid and from her side with multiple kids... 

All was good and we all got talking while the kids were playing.. 

We caught up on the whole introductions bit .. How we all know each other and common friends and stuff.. And casually the conversation drifted to kids schools.. 

Now most of us had atleast one kid that was roughly the same age and the rest were a few years up and down.. 

School and admissions as most parents are aware is a major topic of discussion... 

We spoke about it for about ten minutes when M suddenly goes... 

" hey can we not talk about schools and admission processes.. Can we talk about something other than the kids?" 

Hmmmm.. Ok.. A little awkward but everyone agrees and we start talking about movies and film gossip... But at some point the conversation goes to the best kids films that have come out recently and what age is a good age to take the kids to a Theater.. 

So miss M once again cuts everyone short and says " can't we just have an adult conversation or does it always have to veer back to something kid oriented?" 

Now everyone was clearly awkward, because yes, sure we would all like to talk about things apart from our kids, have 'adult' conversations.. But has that ever really happened? 

I mean once you're a mum.. Or a parent .. It's just inevitable.. Natural.. A no brainer really... 

You could be taking about quantum physics and a mum can bring her kid into that conversation... 

It's not like we mean to or want to.. It's not like the baby is really the only thing on our mind.. Ok yes in a way they are.. But to be honest for me atleast.. Anytime I find an opportunity to learn something about something that will help me better, or make easier, my parenting life.. I'll take it.. 

What was really odd was that that's the kind of reaction I expect from a non parent.... I also understand that reaction at a bar or dinner place where the kids aren't there.... But at a kids party.. Very tough! 

Once you're a pattern somewhere you got to admit to yourself that almost 90% of your time and conversations and reading and googling will revolve around something to do with your kids... And that that's ok...! 




















Tuesday 1 December 2015

Some fun calculations!!

It's been 1011 days today since I had siddy ...  And I just thought about this: 

I must have kissed him around 50550 since he was born keeping 50 kisses a day as an average! 

And 45495 hugs at 45 hugs a day as an average!!  

Been upset with him atleast for 1/4 the time so that's around 252 days... 

Smiled in the day because of him at least 15165 times with around 15 times a day average! 

Laughed with him around the same.... If not more.... 

That's also like 24264 hours with him!! 8088 he's asleep, 3033 he's eating ( an hour a meal 3 meals!!) 

200 days a year in school...  500 days in 2 and a half years that's 1500 hours gone there... 

That leave us with 12000 hours together since he was born!!!! 

Point is I've had this pudding driving me nuts in my life for so long now that I've started doing fun crazy math!!! 







Friday 27 November 2015

My to do list!!!


1 start designs for client three 
2. Mail client one's designs 
3. Go to printer 
4. Go to laser cuter.. 
5. Get methi
6. Get DIAPERS TODAY
7. Fix leaking tap in loo 
8. Buy hand wash... Scratch that .. Use the refill pack you got last time
9. Make sure Aadi's shirts are ironed. 
10. Clean my cupboard
11. Find the glitter paper we got last month. 
12. Call client one to confirm return gift bag size. 
13. Tell cook to make beet paranthas for siddy 
14. Get rid of his broken cars- discreetly! 
15. Change bedsheets. 
16. Make tomorrow's list!!! 



Thursday 19 November 2015

Dear "stop writing your blog" mom!!

So there is a blogger I follow on facebook... I never really end up reading her blog any more.. Because just the short write up she has to her blog on facebook is starting to tick me off...

Every single blog is about a tired mother, an exhausted mother, a sad mother, a mother who is fed up a mother who just can't handle it anymore... She writes in this open letter format so its always " Dear tired Mom" or " Dear fed up mom"

Its been a while since i've seen a single post of hers saying " Dear Mom who figured out that there is more to being exhausted" or " Dear mom of the kid who is so affectionate or well behaved and good job to you"

Mother hood is an exhausting experience there is no getting away from it...

There is no kind of mum who isn't tired... stay at homes, work from homes, working moms... all of us are tired and fed up and crave for "me " time all the time... but hello... did you start your blog to encourage other women or discourage them from ever having kids?

Dude.. no matter what you do and how well you balance and how much help you have or don't.. once you've had your bumling its all madness down that road... but its really also so full of happiness and affection and love and warm hugs that the exhaustion will just disappear...

Thats what you should be telling the mums i think... about how post it all you get to curl up next to this little beautiful thing you created that will hug you like you are the whole world... and that gooey fuzzy heart wrenching feeling is really all that will matter...

I don't believe that you must have kids... I think if you don't want any you just shouldn't have any... but if you ask me for my opinion.. I would say have at least the one... just to experience true magic...

and while you will read blogs like the above mentioned one... don't get overwhelmed by them... don't take them at face value... each mother child journey is different.. and while i do too feel tired like hell at the end of the day... i really really don't think that would be my description to motherhood...

but don't also think its all a bed of roses because it isn't... the roughness and toughness is there... but its just one layer... the rest of the layers are pretty fun!



Sorry for the rant... just tired of moms who write blogs just to tell people how much "Work" it is to have kids!!! Also if i was a ruder person I would have written this to her... but i'm not.. i'll simply unfollow her and move on!!!!!

Tuesday 10 November 2015

Driving skills....

So we're in the car and my brother in law is driving... And he asks, very sure of the answer 

" Siddy, who is the best driver in the world?" 

Our man is thinking ...thinking ... And says 

"Papa is the best driver in the world!" 

Ok then!!! 

"Papa is the cutest driver in the world" 

Fine I agree with that... He really is the cutest ... But what really got me was the next thing he said.... 

"Papa doesn't honk... Only Mumma and Neneh honk while driving" 

Seriously... Observation skills of a two and a half year old...seriously?!!!! 


Monday 2 November 2015

The Reason to have a Baby!

It's time to pick a college... you pick a college...

Its time to get a job... you get a job...

Its time to get married.... you get married....

Its time to have a baby.... you don't have a baby....

Never ever ever have a baby because its the obvious next step.... no way.... its the absolute last reason to have a baby... no wait... I take that back... the absolute last reason to have a baby is if your marriage is on the rocks....

But next to that.... just because its time or its the next step in a marriage...NOPE... don't do it...

A kid... a baby is a part of you... its a part of your partner... its something you two create together in a moment of sheer love.... its magic.... its knowing that you have made this one beautiful little thing that belongs only to you... that will be yours no matter what happens in this world... something that will look at you and see his whole world... that will run to you for love, protection validation... everything... its having something that no one else has because its your own unique little combination...

and to be able to see that everyday day in and day out... to be able to hug and kiss that little thing is the only reason to have him... to know what unconditional love is... not to complete or tick mark the next thing in your life...


Monday 26 October 2015

The only thing you need to know before you have a kid!

The only thing I really wish I had known before I had a kid... Was just how much you could possibly love something... 

I mean seriously.. It's no rocket science that babies give you sleepless nights, dark circles breaking backs... Takes away your social life almost completely ya di da di da.... 

But just the sight of that little face scrunched up in pain or a single (almost always fake) tear rolling down that soft cheek would wreck your heart ... Why does no one tell you that? 

Recently I've been reading all these posts " ten things I wish someone had told me before I had my baby" " fifty things to know before your baby comes" 

Hello...

There is seriously nothing anyone can say that can prepare you for that kind of love that just takes over all your senses!! 

The rest... The practical things are just that.. Practical things...  

How to sleep your baby, wrap your baby wean your baby... How to keep your toddler active all day or how to keep in quite at "quite time" ...

Every kid is different.. What works for one will not work for another... Trust me... Some babies will sleep thru the night some just won't... Some are happy with one toy some have ADD at one!!! 

You learn on the job... You figure it out... Sure a few guidelines are always good... But stick to the basics.. The absolute necessities... 

Because everyday new types of parenting are introduced... And each one is just some persons way to doing it really..

So my two bits- the only thing you need to k ow before you have a baby.. Is to know that from that moment on of holding that little thing in your arms is the moment you will feel infinite happiness and infinite feelings of protection and love towards that tiny tot... And nothing can ever make you feel like that again.... 

So have one only if you are prepared to feel that kind of intense feeling!! 






Thursday 15 October 2015

Little Stories-1

One:

Its just me and the pudding at home... he's playing with his car in the living room ... and i'm working at the dining room... he can see me... i can see him....

I need something from the other room... so i got to get it...

next thing I hear is a quick pitter patter of feet and this little thing is now standing behind me, looking very angry and sticking his tiny little finger up at me...

" you cannot do that"

"what baby?"

"you cannot do that mumma"

" what i did baba?"

" you cannot leave childrens in the room alone like that"!!!!

silence.... really did he just say that?

" but i can see you na baba... "

" bad mumma... you cannot leave childrens alone like that" and he walks off disapprovingly!

ok then!!

Two:

A friend came over last night to show us his swanky new car... we took the baba down as well...

The friend suggests a drive and we all get into the car...

"lets go for an ice cream drive..." pudding tells my  friend!!!

how does he even know what an ice cream drive is?!!! ha ha... yes i mean we have done this once or twice.. but i didn't realise it had become a thing for him!

Three: 

I'm bathing the pookie... i have the bucket filled with slightly warm water... pour a tumbler on him and he jumps back... (over actor)

"are you serious mumma... " looking at me with eyes of betrayal..."are you serious you will put hot water on me?

two and a half years people.. he's just two and a half years...










Sunday 4 October 2015

Advice to friends and family of new parents!

The one thing not to tell new parents is:

"chill ya.. It's nothing.. Don't get so hyper" 

Never ever ever say this to a new parent.. No matter how true it is.. No matter how nuts they are behaving.. Just don't say this.. 

So my brother and sister in law are brand new parents to the most adorable little pookie ever.. 

And I suddenly feel like I've become this seasoned mom.. And in the last few times I met them I noticed I have got into this " oh please it's nothing" thought process every time they get worried about something...

I think as our kids grow and as we start letting things go.. We also start to forget that feeling of having a little baby who is entirely your responsibility... 

I mean yes.. Of course I still do feel responsible for siddy and I worry about every little thing he does and doesn't do.. But since he's bigger now and can express himself.. I have started to relax a little.. 

But I'm also sure that as a new parent I didn't... 

I too.. Like my brother and sis in law.. Wanted everyone to wash and sanitise their hands and would worry each time some one picked him up..  I would ask everyone to switch off their phones... And all sorts of these things.. 

And yet...when I hold their little one and check my phone and my brother tells me anything, I'm suddenly all like " hey I grew up siddy OK na? Then why are you worrying?"  

And I realised today.. That's not good.. To make a new parent feel like their worrying and their looking out for their little pudding is too much.. Not a good thing... 

You have to find a nicer way to do it if at all.. Because while yes, some new parents can go beyond a certain point of logic to look after their kid, most are really just very scared... 

And in their fear they do the best for their kid that they can... And the truth is that they too will ease up in a few months or years.. 

They too will reach where I am today, where my eye is constantly on him but I don't jump every time he falls ... 

So while there are a thousand bits of advice you can give new parents .. My advice to friends or family of new parents is to never make them feel like they are being too protective.. It's the most natural thing.. And it's something that will automatically ease up.. 

Let them grow with the kid.. Like you did! 

















A day without diapers!

I think the biggest milestone in a baby's life is the day he goes out minus the diaper for the whole day! 

And we have achieved it !!!

Woohoo!!! 

I can't begin to tell you how awesome that is.. All parents of little puddings will get where I'm coming from.. 

No more diapers!! 

But hey.. Let me tell you it's a big big task... And a major commitment on the parents.. And I'll be honest it would not have been possible without my mum.. Who pushed me to start the whole no diaper scene in school.. And at home..

I was truly apprehensive... Read lazy. And forgetful... To take him every hour to the loo, because initially he wouldn't tell us so we had to time it.. And then the few times we were too late and the little accidents that happened.. And I'm talking no 2 accidents!!! 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha Ha!!! 

We've had incidents of susu on our bed on the couch... 

It's been a crazy ride.. Full of talcum powder and steel rulers! 

He still wears one at night.. Because I still don't have the guts to let that one go..!! 

So the first time was actually a fluke.. We were going for a movie.. Shaun the sheep.. And we ran out of the house since we were a bit late.. And I actually forgot to make him wear his diaper.. 

Luckily he passed out mid film and as soon as the movie was over.. He woke up and I rushed him to the theatre loo... 

Post that we've done short trips to my brothers house or a friends house minus the diaper.. We've been ok... 

Also he goes to school daily without one and spends the day at home without one.. And now he pretty much tells us every time he needs to go...

But over the weekend we had a full baby's day out plan.. And we decided to do it diaper less! 

So though we carried a few and a few change of clothes.. We went thru the entire day.. Incident less! 

Started with brunch at the social.. Cookies at sweetish house mafia.. Play time at millk.. And ended it with snacks and a swim at the club.. Every time we reached a place we went to the loo.. Every time we left we went again.. That's the secret.. 

And it was seriously amazing! 

It's an achievement I tell you.. You feel like your baby has finally grown up! 

And its definitely one of those days you have to document.. So here it is! 

Well.. Next step is to chuck the night diaper..wish us luck!!












Friday 2 October 2015

Proof!!

This is the proof people.... That having a baby is not as time consuming as having a toddler! 

My last post here was on the 8th of sept... It's been nearly a month.. And honestly I'm only writing because I have just started reading Twinkle Khanna's book Mrs Funnybones and midway I realised... God, when was the last time I wrote? 

Too long back... Too too long back... And not like I haven't tried.. There are many drafts.. 

Little snippets.. One sentence to keep the idea ready... One word even sometimes, like pizza party ( ya ya that's two I know... But you know what I mean!!) 

Point is I used to be so regular with my blog when the bumling was just a bumling... Now he's a tumbling fumbling dumpling who's all over the place!! 

My days seem to disappear between him and work and the house and the maids and the little bit of catching up with family and friends.. 

The catching up also seems like a major plan these days... Because by the end of the week there is just soooooo much exhaustion that all you really truly deeply want to do is to lounge... And binge eat and binge watch rubbish on tv... And more of the eating... 

Because week days are mental.... The mornings you're on an a kind of fast forward mode ( post coffee that is) breakfast breakfast brush teeth bathe change lunch dabba lunch dabba one snack here two there water bottles into the respective bags..., Shove tiny feet into tinier shoes ( how quick are those damn feet growing??) wave good bye shut the door and breathe... 

Then it's either straight to work because the coffee and two measly biscuits are going to get you thru the day or have breakfast ( read a quick egg fry) only because crazy coach is going to come to make sure you can't do anything else with your arms and legs for the rest of the day... 

Early lunch.. At 12:30 because you realise you can't survive on coffee and two measly biscuits or because the coach worked that little egg fry out of your system... 1:15 off to pick up the monkey from school..

Now once he's back.. Everything else goes on a back burner... His food his clothes his toys his tv his water his games... His crankiness because he's super sleep but won't sleep and won't let you work or sleep yourself.... Him him him him and oh, did I mention him?!!! 

If I'm lucky he'll pass out ... Just ten minutes before his nanny comes at 4:00... So yayie....! And if not then I get some relief to get back to my work... If I'm not bulldozed by my mum to help her with hers { ;) ;) } 

If he has slept.. He'll wake up by 5:30 6:00 when its too dark to go down and play... So again we will have little cranky pants on hand.. Or somedays he will wake up in a good mood.. And simply play with his nanny leaving me to continue working.. Or blogging or pinning or something to do with my phone or laptop.. 

Then of course it's back to him him him him him time... Post the nanny's end of day time.. So I play with him and feed him and enjoy the potty training sessions we are going thru... !!! 

By 8:30 hubby is back and it's dinner time.. Here I get some major relief but as soon as daddy is home mommy is treated with such indifference I can't tell you!! Which is good sometimes but quite a stab in the heart somedays! 

Ten is in the room time, sometimes 10:30 it depends on his evening nap ( note I didn't say afternoon nap!!!) and hopefully we are passed out by 11:30... I know the hubby is... But not necessarily this monkey... Even post two three book readings .. He still rolls around the bed and tells himself some stories before he passes out.. 

And by then I'm so done with the day .. And to be honest after all the chatting and noise all day, I have no energy to form full sentences .. Especially not with auto correct and this small key pad driving me nuts!!! 

But well here it is .. A story about a day in my life multiplied into everyday... Equalling to a zapped out energy for this adorable blog of mine as well as making any big party plans for the weekends.. Where to be honest you'll find Aadi and siddy and me happily hanging around in the house. Them both playing and me, well, binge eating and binge tv watching!!!!  

When he was a baby I think the routine was simpler... Feed burp watch him while he sleeps... Maybe I'm forgetting .. I don't know.. Fact is.. I blogged more then than I do now.. So well there you have it...  Proof!! 









Tuesday 8 September 2015

Things I know for sure...

Things I know for sure...that I would love for siddy to know: 

1.Family is the most important... Everyone in your family is different, some may be nuts, some infuriating, some funny, some lovable.. But how ever they are, they are the people who will have your back no matter what.... 

2.Being fit makes you feel confident, being the opposite makes you feel the opposite!! I'm not saying you have to be skinny... Nope, having a damaging body image and pushing yourself to get thin is not the solution... Fit for me is having a good stamina.. Being able to climb mountains, run in marathons, play with your kid without getting breathless.. And yes it doesn't harm one to have a flat-ish tummy... Clothes do look better and you do feel better as well ...  You have to stop killing yourself but don't give up on yourself either...

3.Friends you made in or before your early twenties will last forever... The ones who've known you when you were a silly kid and have watched you grow into a sillier person will always stand by you! 

4. Patience is something I've still not mastered!! Especially with people... Slow dumb people! No but seriously... It's important to be patient with people.. More like to give them a chance... Because at the end of the day each one has had a different journey and has reached this point in life using a different path.. So you have to learn to respect that... Or else you might just miss out on getting to know some awesome people..

5. You will feel like giving it all up at least twice a year... Work relationships life everything.... The trick is to weed out what didn't work for you.. Remove the toxic people the toxic thoughts... Make a drastic change once every year... From something small to something big.. Change homes or shift jobs, get a new dress or hair cut.. Join a class in something you never would... Anything to shake things up a little.. It will help you realise what you really want to change and what you are ok with... 

6. Put being happy as your topmost priority... Work money friends family deadlines commitments will all fall into place...just let your core be happy... Even when things get tough and you feel like nothing is worth nothing... Especially then actually, dig deep into your core and keep it happy...

7. Travel is very important ... Not because everyone is doing it, not because it's cool to do it... But because it's a waste of a good healthy life to not see the world and everything it has to offer... The things you will experience cannot be compared to anything else... 

8. Help others... And be selfish..! It's one and the same.. When you help someone you will feel a part of you grow, a part of you expand... So for your own happiness ... If nothing else...Help others!!!! 

9. Read a lot... Books of every kind... Every genre.. Every size... Don't get stuck to just thrillers or just self help.. Sometimes you can learn something valuable from a very simple story book... 

10. Keep your mind calm always... I have the worst temper ever.. The slightest thing sets me off.. But over the years I have worked very hard to keep calm.. To take a deep breath.. To let things go... A calm kind mind will always help you think better, make smarter choices, learn more.... 

And 11. Love more... Love with your whole heart and soul... Don't love based on what you think you will get in return.. Love because that's what you want.. When you can feel that kind of deep soul wrenching stomach hurting love.. Love more.... 



Wednesday 2 September 2015

Kids who go down to play!

The sound of kids playing meant nothing to me a few years ago.... I didn't care for it at all... in fact there were days i would hate it... but today... every time i hear this little squeal, this little laugh... i run to my window... just to see his tiny little face scrunched up in laughter... or him running (read hopping) behind all the other kids....

he loves going down to play... he gets lazy about it before he actually goes (gone on his mum there i think!!!) he fights it everyday....

But once he's down... he runs around and shouts in glee!!!

And going down and playing is really something i encourage... not just for my sanity... but for him..

He gets some fresh air... he gets to really use his body... he gets to meet and interact with other kids of various ages ....

He runs behind the older boys.. They hi fi and fist bump him... he sits and chats with the little girls, makes them giggle... plays with Preeti, his nanny...

He gets to meet all the doggies who come for their evening walk.. he gets to play with sticks and make up stories about the forest like mangrove in front of our house...

He really gets to experience a sense of freedom and being young like nothing else... We are blessed with having a house which is the last and only building in a dead end... we have no cars coming there really and the kids can all ride their bikes on the road (with adult supervision of course)

I wasn't a very outdoorsy kinda girl.. I'm still not... camping and mountains aren't really my thing... I'm more of a beach bum... never move kinda girl... i remember my brother used to be out all day playing with the kids in the area... running, skating, bicycling... i on the other hand spent my days in my room pretending to be a dancer or a cook or a magician and all sorts of other strange and funny things.... If you ever saw me out it was because my mum had thrown me out...

And i don't want that for siddy at all... being a boy, i have a feeling he might have way too much energy to stay home, but still i really hope he loves being out...

Luckily Aadi was a very run around, play basketball cricket kind of guy.... he loved cycling and playing with the boys... so hopefully siddy will get it from him....!

But till he starts actually playing games... I will enjoy standing near the window and watch him hop around the other kids... enjoying himself...!

Funny Story 01:

His bike is kinda big for him to be able to peddle... his feet reach, but he can't actually peddle (mum, don't you dare say anything about this bike)

anyhow... point is he loves this bike, and it has an arm rest... So what he does is he sits back with his arms well rested while Preeti well, pushes him around!!

its hilarious how all the other nannies tell me "your son sits like one king and gets pushed around"!!!!!

ha ha ha ha!!

Funny story 02:

He has this blue ball that all the kids seem to like a lot... so Preeti told me, the other day while he was on his cycle. the big boys took the ball and started playing foot ball.. when he saw them he got off the cycle and went to them to play, but because they were really kicking the ball around, they told him to stand back, the genuinely didn't want him to get hurt... what does mister do?

He picks up his ball, frowns and tells Preeti " lets go home" and he actually came up!!!!

Hilaroius no?!!

Its good... for all of you who have met siddy know he's very soft with people, almost gets bullied around... so its good he's learning to be assertive... and just to be nice, i sent a box of popcorn down for all the kids the next day... so he learnt to share as well!!!

So you see, going down and playing is good... for everyone!!!!!!






Sunday 30 August 2015

Questioning the little pudding!


1.   Favorite Color: Red
2.   Favourite room : Kitchen 
3.   Best friend : Nikki 
4.   Favourite song: Uptown funk!
5.   Favourite animal : Cow 
6.   Favourite cartoon: Dora 
7.   Favourite book: Tractor book
8.   Favourite Toy: The blue ball
9.   Favourite Fruit: Banana
10. Favorite Drink: Orange Juice
11. Favorite Animal: Tiger
12. Favourite Food: Rice and curd

Cake or Ice cream : Ice Cream
Noodles or Rice: Rice
Cars or Motorbike : Motorbike
Dancing or Singing : Dancing!

And my favourite question: 

Hugs or kisses.... after both were demonstrated a hundred times by me... he picked:

Hugs!!!!



Saturday 22 August 2015

That feeling!

You know the best part about being a kid? 

You can pass out anywhere anytime and you know somehow you'll be back in your bed at night! 

Its an amazing thing no? 

At restaurants you can eat and then simply pass out on the sofa while the rest of the people are still eating... 

At a party, once you're done playing and dancing and eating like a crazy person, you can find the closest cushion, or your mum's lap and pass out... 

You can travel on a flight or go for a long drive... You can pass out while looking at the clouds or the street lights and close your eyes and comfortably fall back because your mum or dad will hold you... 

And carry you... 

And change you... 

 and tuck you into bed... 

What a feeling that is isn't it? 




How we did it!

One of the biggest questions in everyone's mind is how did we do it? 

How did we vacation without the baby? 

Eight days people.. We took off for a full eight days.. Just the two of us... Without a care in the world... 

And the only way we could do that was because ---- here it is--- pay close attention now--- because of our parents

Yup..!! 

Like I have always said... If you want to have a baby .. Make sure you have your parents around and make sure they are happy with you!!!!  

Ha ha ha ha!! 

No, but seriously... 

It is the only way you can ever consider doing this.. Taking time off.. Vacationing just like before... something we always tell people who want to become parents right? "oh things will never be like before" ummm... they can be!

Now a days I think, because of that " we are independent individuals" and the whole " please ma you have no idea how to look after a baby anymore" " my way is the best way" thought process we end up alienating our parents from our kids.. 

It's terrible... 

Kids need grandparents... they will  experience a kind of love that's just beyond compare... And trust me, grandparents need their grand kids... It makes them younger and happier like nothing else can...

I have known this little secret from day one.. If you nurture this relationship.. You will always get time off... Stress free!!! 

I know that these nannies and nurses are all very competent and very in sync with the new age parenting methods... and I'm not taking away from the couples who don't have a choice... maybe their parents live in other cities or worse other countries.. or are too old to help... but in general I would personally pick a grandparent to look after the pudding than a nurse or a nanny. 


That would be stress free for me... because as many indulgences they might entertain... I know that they will always have the kids best interest... and no one else could possibly love your kid as much.... and for me that is most important...  

So even if you're parents stay away from you.. go visit them often or have them over often... let the kids know them... if they are out of town too... make sure summer diwali winter any kind of vacation the kids should want to go visit them.... 


I remember my childhood... weekends were always at my nana nani's home with my cousins...where we would go the beach or spend nights playings cards... and bigger vacations meant going to pune to my granny's place with cousins from the other side... we stayed in a very quiet part of pune where we could run around with no  worry in the world and ate mangoes like they were getting over!!! and trust me i wouldn't exchange that for any other kind of childhood... the memories and relationships I built then... incredible!


and what did my parents do while I was out enjoying my childhood... they probably chilled like never before!!!

So thats how i did it... I made him fall madly in love with my mum and aadi's parents... and then I ran away to London with my boyfriend/husband/father of my son and had a blast!! 

We walked around hand in hand, danced all night (well at least till the last train left the city to get to Langley!!) shopped peacefully, lounged in hyde park... drank for most part of the day, chatted away.... and all the while not one real thought about "is he ok... is he missing us? " nothing. 


Thats doesn't mean we didn't miss him.. we missed him incredibly once a day.. and usually when we saw some adorable boy running around or another... but no worry.

And he was good too... he was with people he loved in jaipur... meeting more people (cousins of ours came to visit him in jaipur) who would love him and make him the center of attraction, just how he likes it... and for the three days he was in bombay with mum, his darling mamu and mami came visiting... then he visited them and his little brother... So overall he was good!!

Hmmmmm ya, we can totally do this annually... next year maybe we can increase it to around 10-12 days... what do you think?!!!!




Thursday 20 August 2015

10 things about my 2.5 year old!

1. He's talking non stop now... Tells us stories even... What he did in school.. Who his friends are.. It's non stop chatter!! There are days he goes into gibberish still.. But I think he does it purposely..! He likes our reactions to his silliness! 

2. He's grown tall.. So tall ...  He's growing out of all his clothes... His pants are too short.. And shirts show his little tummy!! We've got many pairs of shoes he's only worn like twice or thrice.. 

3. He's pretty potty trained... Well atleast 85% which isn't too bad!! He's got his first set of undies.. Avenger ones.. With hulk and captain America!! He loves them!!! 

4. He has friends .. His school friends and his building friends.. He understands what the word friend means! He calls his building friends " my boys"!!!! And he fist bumps them all when he goes down to play... He also get upset when they don't give him much attention.. Well they are 8 and he is 2.5!!!! 

5. He has and displays feelings... Including tantrums!! He gets upset and happy and shy and shows all those emotions in such a grown up way... It's not all just various kinds of cries that you try to decipher... It's actual words and feelings and emotions.. And he has quite a wide spectrum for a toddler! 

6. He loves singing and dancing. Oh he loves it! Uptown funk with his dad.. Man that kid can dance .. I mean, ya its in his genes... But still .. The love for it is crazy! Any beat on TV any form of music and he starts dancing to it!!! There are evenings he will ask for his music on either of our phones and say " let's dance papa" and then the top will go around the house bouncing to it!!! 

7. He loves curd rice... South Indian he is  like his dadi! No, but really.. There are days he'll pick curd rice over anything .. Rotis, chicken, daal, pizza even!! I think it's his comfort food!

8. He sleeps on his own... Rolling around the bed till he passes out... The biggest blessing off life if i may say so myself! All I need to do is switch off the light and stop talking and next thing you know he's rolling on my tummy on my face all over the bed and then suddenly he isn't.. And I look at him and he's passed out! 

9. He plays quietly.. With his cars and his veggies.. You know this is such a great thing especially when you work from home.. Times when I need to focus and keep him busy.. I pull out his cars or plastic veggies and he sits quietly and plays... He'll talk to himself and his toys and sometimes come over to me with a plate of fried corn or coffee in a cup!! But otherwise he just does his own thing!! 

10. He knows what love is and expresses it! Somedays he will just come up to you and kiss you and hug you and make you feel like he most special person in the whole wide world!!!  It's incredible... How much love he feels for you.. He even crushed you with his hugs!!! And smashes your cheeks in with his kisses!!! It's adorable!! 

This age, this phase is probably my most favourite... Because he talks, he asks for things, he reacts, he over acts, he can do a lot on his own, but he still needs me... 

He's still young enough for me to bully him into kissing me and hugging me... But old enough to eat some meals on his own! 

He does and says the funniest of things and even though he understands everything.. He's still a little baby somewhere in there! 

It's a really fun and funny age.. And I hope it lasts for a little longer!!! 


Sunday 26 July 2015

Yes I am his 24/7

So someone recently asked me if now my 24/7 was my son...

Hmmmmmmmm

Wait let me think about that...

I was pregnant for nine months, had a baby who's only connection to this world is me (and his dad of course), he slept on me for three months, fed on milk coming out of my breasts when he was an infant, he pooped and peed on me, 

Even today he needs me to feed him, play with him, look after him.. Teach him, love him... 

When he cries he gets comforted in my arms... When he falls he calls out to me...
When he's sleepy he curls up to me...

I made him.. I got him into this world... He's a part of my husband and me... He's more than just my 'family' he's a culmination of our love for each other... 

And he's just two years old... He just about talks...just about manages to eat on his own... Has just about started making friends in school and in the building... 

He still can't bathe himself.. Can't change his clothes can't tie his shoelaces... He can't make his own food... He can't drive himself anywhere...  

There is a whole lot he still can't do... But he isn't my 24/7 I am his... 

And that's the things most people don't get about a mother... 

I have other things to do in my life... I work... I meet my friends... I have hobbies.. I go out with my husband.. I keep in touch with my family... I party ... I eat out.. I watch movies in theatres... I paint I draw I sketch I stitch, I cook somedays...I read I daydream... I am addicted to my TV and phone... 

I do everything most people do.. But to my son everyday 24/7 I am just his mum. 

I could be doing anything in the world, but when he needs me I am there for him..

But people, especially without kids, will never get this...

A woman who has a kid, and mostly one who isn't working at a 9-5 job or maybe even then, is only looked at as a mom, like its a bad thing.. Or more like, like its a menial thing.. A boring stay at home cleaning poop all the time thing. 

I can't wait for these guys to have kids. 


Tuesday 21 July 2015

No rushing!

I remember reading this one post long back, about how a mum realised that she was just hurrying up her little kid all the time...

Rush rush rush in the morning... Rush back from school.. Rush at the super market.. Rush at the park... 

It was always about getting that one task over and done with... That was important..

We have a play date... Plan, get to it, play play play and get home in time for dinner.. 

Till one day she realised that while her kid was walking behind her slowly it was because she was looking at the clouds.. The reason she took time wearing her shoes was because she had noticed a little line of ants in the kitchen... 

Small things like that.. Things that are new to a kid.. Fun for them to observe.. But we give them no time to do..

Just because we are on a schedule we drag them along all day too...

But what if we just moved at their pace? Wouldn't that be nice? 

I thought of all this today because I realised I do this to siddy a lot... When I get him ready for school ... When I pick him up... I rush him to eat so hopefully he can catch a nap.... Once he's up I'm hurrying to feed him again so he can go down to play, lest the other boys get done playing and go home.... 

It's always about keeping up to the day's schedule... 

But today when I picked him up and we parked the car in the building, it was drizzling... And there were puddles all over the compound... 

And our little man started splashing...

My first instinct was to tell at him.. Because I had to rush up and feed him and change to go for a meeting... 

But then I saw him... He was smiling from cheek to cheek.. He was jus so thrilled... He ran around the whole compound looking for tiny puddles to splash in... 

He squealed with joy each time the water splashed on him...

By now his shoes and socks were both drenched .. I was sooooo late.... 

And then I get two calls telling me not to travel today since the rains were creating havoc across town... 

Floods, a fire and a collapsed wall ... 

And yet I smiled and continued watching the cutie have the time of his life!!! 

I guess things have a way to work out... You just have to enjoy your special moments.. And those really are the small ones... The ones that seem like they are nothing... But they are.. They are the ones that bring the biggest smiles to your face... 

It did for him... And for me!!!










Sunday 12 July 2015

Words you shouldn't use!

So careful you have to be with the bumling now... What ever you say...be prepared to hear him say it back... 

Also, as hilarious as it sounds coming from him... I have to be sure to not laugh about it too much... 

Here is why: 

Now, I'm essentially a person with very little patience.. And the one person who really pushes all limits of my patience is my maid... 

She will refuse to wring the wet clothes before hanging them to dry... She will refuse to put our shoes in the drawer.. She won't shift the center table to clean under it... No matter how many times I will tell her.. 

And so invariably, everyday i say this sentence to my mum " this stupid woman, again she hasn't done this and that" 

My mum doesn't care anymore.. But you know who's listening...! 

So the other day his toy cupboard wouldn't open... It's one of those glass doors with a magnet at the bottom.. You have to push it in to open it.. 

And he goes 

" this stupid tai has locked my cupboard" 

And he has this ridiculously adorable frown happening ... And he looks genuinely upset about this situation!!! 

Hmmmm... To laugh or not to laugh.. Oh I laughed!!!! 

And he said it again a bazillion times to get my reaction but I haven't called my maid a stupid since then!!!! 

Now while this was kinda ok... Because hey stupid isn't such a bad word but... f**k is! 

And I use it like a noun, verb, adjective, in between sentences.. Beginning of sentences end of sentences... Hello it's a versatile word ok! 

And in my defence I have started fudging it when i say it!!! 

But this one day... I decided to forever stop ( forever being a few days now) 

Aadi and I are watching TV and bumlings on the iPad... Suddenly something went wrong with the app he was watching and he goes " oh fuck... Oh shit! Oh fuck!" 

We have literally held our breaths so as to not laugh... And Aadi whispers to me " don't react ... Don't react baby.. Let this pass" 

And it did.. And we didn't laugh or shout or anything.. We just stared at the TV, didn't look at him even ... We just let it be. 

But oh my god!!!!!! 

Not only has he picked up the word.. He knows when to use it! Dammit! 

Luckily he hasn't used it since... And I think it's because we didn't react.. 

More often than not they do what they do to get a reaction from us... So when you don't say anything they think what they did was nothing, and so they won't repeat it... 

But don't be too sure... Parenting is one of those things where all tips and tricks change by the millisecond! 







Wednesday 8 July 2015

Piece of my heart...

Aadi and I were out today for some work... It took more time than we had estimated... 

Siddy was with mum.. And he had had a cough and cold the last few days... But he was going to school happily so we were ok... 

When we left from bandra we messaged mum that we were on our way home like we always do.. No reply. 

Closer to home we get a call... Where are you, how long will you take? He's a bit off he's been crying. 

We drive a bit faster. 

Mum never calls unless it's something serious... 

In ten minutes she calls back... His ear is hurting get some drops... And he threw up a little..

Now we are worried... Ear hurting is not a good sign.. And throwing up with it is worse.. 

We called the doc ... He recommend an ibugesic... There is some at home so we rush now... All the painful autos come in our way... All the bottle necks are suddenly blocked... When you're in a rush you always get the slowest driver in front of you...

We get home.. Run up.. And there he is.. He sees us and and his chin starts quivering... Big tears are now rolling down his little cheeks and his arms are stretched out to me...

I take him and hug him.... And kiss him... He seems so small... Oh he's too small for this... He keeps pointing to his ear... 

We give him the ibugesic and he's quietened down a little... I take him in the room put on the ac... The heat is ridiculous .... 

Curl him up to me and sing him some songs.. Read him a Bruno book... And next thing I see his eyes are shutting... 

He's asleep...

Nothing in this world can wrench at your heart than your baby and his quivering chin... And nothing can make you feel better than knowing you're the one to make him feel comforted...

Something about being the person, whom, when he hugs, he forgets all his pain and feels happy and protected... It's a high.... It can make you feel like heaven.... 

To have that little baby stretch his arms towards you... Oh my god! 

Babies really are just a piece of your heart walking around you... They are the most vulnerable part of you... And when they get sick... You feel like hell.... Even a basic cold... When I can see him struggle to breathe... Or when he coughs so much that tears roll down his eyes... It's unbearable.... 

But he woke up better... He stayed in a zone for almost half an hour after he woke up... But then he was good.... 

He played and ate a little and had all his medicines... We put nose drops for the cold, Vicks too... 

He's sleeping next to me now... His soft breathing is calming me down...  

But oh god... He's too small... 


Saturday 4 July 2015

Change Of Plans!

I had a post called No Plan For Certain.... and well, this weekend has really been true to that!!

So a few weeks ago a very old friend of mine sent me an event invite on facebook about her story telling sessions... Usually bumling falls short on the age limit, but this time he was old enough for it... I got super excited, clicked on join, invited another friend so Siddy and I would have company, marked it on my phone, on my home paper calendar.... I was just so excited for it!

My friend and i even made post event dinner plans, I asked Aadi to pick us up from there post his work... called my maid earlier that day... everything was planned and ready...

Come the day, i pack his bag, get annoyed because he goes to sleep just fifteen minutes before the cab comes to get us, but well, i guess that means he will be fresh for the session... 

Now most people who know me, know my sense of timing is quite warped, I take traffic for granted and almost always have to be told a time fifteen to twenty minutes before to get anywhere in time.... in my defence... i blame the kid!!!

Anyway, this time i decide its going to be different.. This time i was planning it all in advance... The event time was 5:30 onwards... from my house to the venue is about 40 mins ... So i call for a cab around 4:25... may as well be early no?

Well... what i learnt yesterday was that no matter how much you plan, how much you think about... when things have to go wrong they will!

My cab came at 4:45... I reach my friends house... she's running late because just today her maid decided to be a duh... rather than packing her kiddo's bag and the dabbas, she wanted to wash the washing machine... which meant apart from dressing up her doll... she also had to pack her bag and everything...!

Finally we leave around 5:00... ok we got half an hour... maybe we'll miss about ten fifteen minutes... but hey... what starts on time in bombay anyway?!!

And of course, our cab driver takes the longer route... and on route the other pudding decides to do her "business'!!! do we stop and clean... do we get to the venue and clean? what to do?!!! the driver says we aren't to far... so we decide to wait a bit...

By now though both the kids are restless... we've been in the car for around 40 mins.... all four of us smashed in the back together... knees in our stomachs... elbows jabbing our necks... we need to get out!!

Now here is the worst part of the story... and the one where i admit to the awesomeness of having google maps, no matter how large an app it is, on your phone at all times.... which i didn't yesterday and hence... I simply took the name of the building.. Oberoi Splendor, assumed it must be near Oberoi School and Oberoi Mall... because hey... its an Oberoi building... and went in the opposite direction...

We reach Oberoi Woods, the building complex near the Oberoi School and Mall... and we think Oberoi Splendor must be just around the corner... On asking a guard we find out its a good 25 minutes away!!!!!!!

By now, we have our windows rolled down... and we (the two mothers that is) are hot and sweaty and irritated and frankly in no mood for a story... we simply need to clean our kids, and feed them!

So we can our plans, head to the mall... and after a few seconds of major disappointment , mainly on my part, we had a fantastic time at the mall!!

There was some live music and there was the forever 21 mad sale going on!! 

We gave the fresh kids a toy car each and a packet of chocos, the sweet lady at the store gave them small shopping bags and looked after them while we enjoyed a little retail therapy!

There really is nothing better than finding pretty stuff at ridiculous prices without having to stress about the kids! 

In fact the kids got so much attention from all the shoppers in the store... they were as much in heaven as we were!

Then we got them some healthy watermelon juice and some tasty very non healthy fries and chilled at the food court!!

Finally we took an auto ride home... which they both thoroughly enjoyed and headed to my friend's place for dinner... the kids were up till 12:30... which was fine because as fed up as we were of them, they were fed up of us and were so happy to have their dads now... that we got to sit by the window and enjoy our drinks!!

Some days really don't work out the way you want them too... especially with kiddos... but honestly if the night ends with friends and a great meal... and two puchkas dancing and singing till they literally fall off to sleep... then you've had a good day!!

Of course... somedays things don't end there... we had great weekend plans of going to Pune for our friend's daughter's fifth birthday... meeting my cousins who adore the monkey..... but in the middle of the night, his little sniffles turned into a full fledged cough, cold and slight fever.... we waited till about 9:00 in the morning hoping he would be better.... but nope... so here we are... at home watching the middle... while the little things sleeps next to us.... 

ah well.... heres to hoping this change of plan makes for a good weekend.... get better soon my pudding!!!





Friday 26 June 2015

Random stories!

The other day we took bumling to bandra to meet the new baby... when I got home, Aadi was there, so I told bumling

"Tell Papa where we went today"

Then I waited expectantly for him to say 
'We went to mamu and mami's house and we saw the baby, etc etc...'

Instead out of no where he goes, rather dramatically "We went to Juhu beach.... we sat on the beach"

ummmmmmmm........no!

And the best part is he's so believebale my juhu beach hating husband gives me the 'look' !!!

and this story telling is also getting us to become good at making excuses... And the randomness of it all is hilarious...

Like yesterday he had some crayons in his hands.. I saw a book too so I wasn't worried... 

Suddenly he comes up to me and says 
'Mumma look what I do' 

Which he generally says when he has messed up something for sure! 

So I get up to look for it... Expecting him to have coloured on the walls or floor or my work stuff....

I'm looking but I can't see ...

' I drew on the glass Mumma' he admits finally pointing at his toy cupboard glass door... 

It's actually nothing and I know it's going to come off in one swipe but now I have to be all tough and upset since it is a not a good thing that he did... 

'siddy' in my stern voice ' Why you did this? You know you're not supposed to draw on anything apart from your book' 

So he's thinking why he did it and he goes 

'Because the mosquito came no' 

'Ummm mosquito came no means what? What does that have to do with the drawing?' 

Scrunches his nose and looks at me like why aren't you getting it.. The mosquito came and I drew on the glass ... How can you not see this makes sense? 

Like I said .. Too random to really get upset with... 

It's amazing though the imagination in the two years four month old kids little head... 

:) 




Saturday 20 June 2015

Train them young...

This is not a judge-y post...

Ok maybe a little...! 

But in all honesty it is a 'train your kid young or don't get them out' post...

Let me start from the beginning .... 

So Aadi and I went for dinner last night.. And we took the pudding... We went to Mainland China and for all who have been there know it's a kind of 'proper' place.. Sure it's a family restaurant and all but it's very quiet and sophisticated... But not in a snooty way..

Anyhow.. We got a corner table and next to us was a family with four kids ... The youngest was around nine to ten months sitting in his high chair... There were two women and one man so I'm not sure how the kids were split .. 

We order our meal... Dumplings for siddy and fish for us and are sitting chatting away... I have given siddy two cars and he's happily playing... When suddenly the  baby starts to screech.... 

Not scream not shout... Screech.

It's really shrill ... 

Happens a few times and stops. 

Aadi and I give each other a look like 'wow that was loud' 

Dinner continuous... We reach the end of our meal and the baby has screeched and shouted a number of times now and the elders on the table are oblivious... 

Now he's off his high chair and throwing a tantrum.,, literally lying down on the floor and going kinda berserk .... 

The mother looks embarrassed... But she isn't really doing anything.... The other lady is looking away and the man is simply on his phone.... 

Finally the lady picks up the kid but no scolding no stern voice nothing.... She just sits him on her lap and shows him her phone... He's quite for sometime .., by now we have called for our cheque and are dying to leave... 

Again the kid goes nuts.... And when I say nuts I mean he's bringing the house down... I can see the waiters and managers looking uncomfortable ... But no one is saying a word. The family looked like they had called for the cheque too but honestly why wasn't this woman just taking ur kid out? 

She tried giving him milk, tried rocking him nothing worked... 

But why was she ok with all the other people's night out being ruined is what I wondered... 

Clearly the baby was sleepy .. He was uncomfortable in that high chair for so long... They should have just packed their food and gone home... 

We have taken siddy out when he was that young... But we always timed the outings.. Carried his bouncer... Toys books anything to keep him occupied.. 

She had nothing with her... 

Also seriously... If your kid is wailing at a high pitch - take him out... Maybe he'll get distracted he'll stop... 

She wasn't a new mother... One of the other three kids was hers for sure... And if she was then the other lady wasn't and she should have helped.. 

I think the root of this problem lies at home.. 

When the kid throws a tantrum at home ... The family laughs and encourages him.. And if they ignore him that's worse he'll continue till he gets a reaction.. 

You have to be stern with a kid when they start to throw that tantrum... 

I remember siddy's first ... He lay on the floor kicking and shouting ... Mum and I stood there and stared him down till he stopped.. 

We told him very seriously he was being bad and naughty and this would not work... 

I think he tried his luck one more time and then gave up! 

I'm not saying he never throws tantrums... Of course he does he's two.... But luckily they are never in public and never uncontrollable..,, 

If ever he goes a bit nuts..we simply pick him and distract him.., 

Distraction is the best thing during tantrum sessions... Especially the silly ones... For the serious tantrums you have to use the serious talk..,  

And the younger you start the sooner they will learn... 

Of course in all this craziness what was most hilarious was siddy's expression every time the kid shrieked... He was just so confused!!!!! He would stare at the kid with this look of ' what???? Why!?!' On his face!!!! 

So we treated him to a cupcake at night ... Also because it was our first no iPad in a restaurant night!!! 






Tuesday 16 June 2015

Yayie!!! Got Nominated for the Liebster Award...!





When I started blogging my sole reason was to chronicle my life with the biggest miracle of my life... It was really something very personal... but slowly i started sharing it... with family and friends... and next thing i know... I met random people, whom I know vaguely thru some social platform or another and they come and tell me how much they enjoy my posts... how adorable my bumling is... 

and its a strange warm fuzzy feeling.... I have no clue how to take compliments, so i blush and give them my oddest smile...! 


but yup... inside I'm dancing like a a unicorn on a rainbow!!!


So imagine how i felt when i got a comment from Charu at Mutter n Tochter saying she was nominating me for the Liebster Award!! I had often seen this award on mommy blogs I read.. and always thought "Wow... someone really appreciates this blog and this bloggers work.. must be some kinda awesome!" 


So first of thank you Charu... for making me feel some kinda awesome... especially to have it come from someone who's blog has been on my bookmark list for a while now..!!! Her blog is a one stop for everything you needed to know about things from activities with your bubba, recipes advice and gossip!! 


So here are the rules for the Liebster award:



Thank the nominating blogger
Display the award in a blog entry
List the award guidelines so your nominees will know what to do
Answer questions from the nominating blogger
Nominate your blogger friends for the award
Give your nominees questions to answer
The award is intended to help new bloggers with fewer than 200 followers to get the attention they deserve.
Here are my answers to Charu's questions:
1. What do you consider as your happy place?
My happy place needs to have all my crafty things my husband and my bumling and lots of books and a TV and oh ya lots of food!!! Any place with all of these becomes my happy place!
2. 5 Words that describe you the best
Crafty... a bit mad, happy, affectionate and short tempered!
3. A dream that you would like to see tonight?
To be able to read my entire Harry Potter or Bartimaeus series with lots of Chinese food and Dia wine all night with no one bugging me... and most definitely, the TV has to be on.... for background sound!!
4. Your fav song/book/movie and why?
Sounds cliche but there really are too many. And each book, each song is depends on my mood... 
Currently George Ezra tops my song list, re reading Harry Potter and last movie i loved was SecondHand Lions... awesome stuff!!
5. One secret of being a successful blogger…
I don't know if I can truly answer this because I'm not sure if I fall under that category (yet!!) But I think to be a successful blogger you need to be consistent and active on as many social platforms as there are... and you need to be an extrovert whenever you can be... while you can happily blog from the safety of you home, to be really successful you need to be out there... something i'm learning slowly but surely!!
My Nominations and my Questions :)
1. Subha -http://myikatlove.blogspot.in/
Someone who's blog was an initial inspiration for me to get into blogging!
2. Shenaz- http://shenazwahidblog.com/
A beautiful writer and a beautiful person!!
3. Janhavi - http://mommyblunderstoo.blogspot.in/
My Go to Mommy for everything!!!
4. ArtsyCraftsyMom - http://artsycraftsymom.com/
The most fun colorful comprehensive blog i have seen!

5. Vidyashree - https://thestoreyhouse.wordpress.com/
There is one post as of now... but the things you can expect from her blog are going to be amazing!!

Questions:

1. If you could spend a day anywhere in the world, where would you go?


2.  A person you can't imagine life without...

3. If you were to write a book, what would you call it?

4. Whats your favorite time to blog in the day?

5. If you could have a face to face interview with someone, anyone in the whole world, living today, who would it be?!

Alright then!!

Got that done... took me a few days to pen all this down... but it feels pretty awesome!!

I honestly have no clue really how this whole thing works... its not like there is some actual award, I think the whole point is to acknowledge the work of your fellow bloggers whom you admire... Im always happy to do that!!

Also its some thing like a chain letter... I'm not a big fan of chain letters... but I think this is a fun way of getting to know more bloggers.. :)