It is SO FUN to tear it up.
Now to eat it.
Ohhh! There is mommy with the camera. Let me cover my face so she won't see me.
Please don't scold me. I wasn't doing anything at all.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Fun with Paper
Hey!!! Looks like some paper I can get into. Let me scoot over there. And Mommy is not watching.
It is SO FUN to tear it up.
Now to eat it.
Ohhh! There is mommy with the camera. Let me cover my face so she won't see me.
Please don't scold me. I wasn't doing anything at all.
It is SO FUN to tear it up.
Now to eat it.
Ohhh! There is mommy with the camera. Let me cover my face so she won't see me.
Please don't scold me. I wasn't doing anything at all.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Naming of Neil
If you are coming by from Kelly's Korner, welcome
I had always wanted to post about naming Neil. When I was pregnant, I had a girl name all picked out. I really had no idea what I would name a boy. We had some criteria. One was I wanted a name with a meaning something along the lines of God gave, answered prayer, gift from God etc. Another criteria we both had was the name needed to be Indo-Western. Since we are Indians, we did not want a completely western name which our family back home could in no way identify. These days a lot of my family does put names like that for their kids, but this was what we wished. On the other hand, we did not want to put a completely Indian name that no one here (including myself) could say. Say Dhanangjaya - for my life, I can't say this name. :) and I am betting most of you can't either.
Nathaniel was on my list for a name as it means "Gift of God" Although I liked it, it wasn't quite right for a whole name for us. At that time, my friend visited me and she suggested Neel. Neel in my language means the color Blue. At that moment inspiration struck and I started liking a variation of that - Niel (short for Nathaniel). I looked up Niel at babycenter.com and guess what I found? "Gift of God" So Niel it was. We never quite decided on a middle name until I gave birth.
My parents prayed for me to get pregnant and I was getting frustrated with all the delays and waiting. With all the issues I was facing, combined with the doctors verdict I had all but given up hopes of being a mom by October 2008. Then one day my dad called me and said that while he was praying he got a very strong sense that I am going to be pregnant before 2008 drew to a close. I laughed like Sarah (maybe I should have named him Issac!) becasue did not the doctor say that it was not going to happen given all the circumstances? But my dad had heard from the Great Physician. After all the failed treatments, I got pregnant on our own in November. We found out on our fourth wedding anniversary, December 24th. And when I talked to my dad he reminded me of God's faithfulness and also told me that I was going to have a boy. Way before the boy/girl parts were formed in my womb even.
When the ultrasound revealed a boy, I guess I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted hid middle name to be my dad's name, but I never consciously thought about it. His last name was going to be my husband's family name so he gets that legacy from there. Also, although I wanted him to be Niel, we figured that would create a lot of confusion with the spelling, so we named him Neil. To me Neil or Niel he is God's gift to us. So anyway that is how he ended up with
Neil Kuruvilla *Last Name*
I had always wanted to post about naming Neil. When I was pregnant, I had a girl name all picked out. I really had no idea what I would name a boy. We had some criteria. One was I wanted a name with a meaning something along the lines of God gave, answered prayer, gift from God etc. Another criteria we both had was the name needed to be Indo-Western. Since we are Indians, we did not want a completely western name which our family back home could in no way identify. These days a lot of my family does put names like that for their kids, but this was what we wished. On the other hand, we did not want to put a completely Indian name that no one here (including myself) could say. Say Dhanangjaya - for my life, I can't say this name. :) and I am betting most of you can't either.
Nathaniel was on my list for a name as it means "Gift of God" Although I liked it, it wasn't quite right for a whole name for us. At that time, my friend visited me and she suggested Neel. Neel in my language means the color Blue. At that moment inspiration struck and I started liking a variation of that - Niel (short for Nathaniel). I looked up Niel at babycenter.com and guess what I found? "Gift of God" So Niel it was. We never quite decided on a middle name until I gave birth.
My parents prayed for me to get pregnant and I was getting frustrated with all the delays and waiting. With all the issues I was facing, combined with the doctors verdict I had all but given up hopes of being a mom by October 2008. Then one day my dad called me and said that while he was praying he got a very strong sense that I am going to be pregnant before 2008 drew to a close. I laughed like Sarah (maybe I should have named him Issac!) becasue did not the doctor say that it was not going to happen given all the circumstances? But my dad had heard from the Great Physician. After all the failed treatments, I got pregnant on our own in November. We found out on our fourth wedding anniversary, December 24th. And when I talked to my dad he reminded me of God's faithfulness and also told me that I was going to have a boy. Way before the boy/girl parts were formed in my womb even.
When the ultrasound revealed a boy, I guess I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted hid middle name to be my dad's name, but I never consciously thought about it. His last name was going to be my husband's family name so he gets that legacy from there. Also, although I wanted him to be Niel, we figured that would create a lot of confusion with the spelling, so we named him Neil. To me Neil or Niel he is God's gift to us. So anyway that is how he ended up with
Neil Kuruvilla *Last Name*
Motherhood
Motherhood is sacrifice
The sleepless nights, the housework, for most an outside job as well, the constant laundry, wiping bottoms, noses, doctors visit, stopping having a life of your own and putting plans on hold while they are very young, the sicknesses. All of this with no pay. No one realizes while there is food, clean underwear, timely paid bills, maintenance done and everything is going well. When things are going well, mom is invisible. All the little things that hold the home together is unrecognized by everyone for the most part.
Motherhood is humiliating
When your child toots in front of others, burps like a frat boy in public, when there is poop in your outfit because the diaper leaked, when you walk around with spit up covered clothes, when you are in the car just covered in a blanket because your child vomited all over you.
Motherhood is humbling
All the big statements you made prebaby, crumbling right before your eyes. You feel like a jerk for making judgements on things you had no idea about. You eat a lot of crow and humbly pray to God for forgiveness. When you judged women out with their 1 week old babies and then you find yourself sitting in a restaurant with your 5 day old, that is humbling.
Motherhood makes you grow up
You have to be so much better than you ever thought you could be. Selfishness is not an option. When you think you don't have anymore to give, then you give some more. When you haven't slept more than 5 hours in the past week and you are sick yourself but then you again get up at 3 in the morning to soothe a crying baby, you are officially grown up.
Motherhood is rewarding
The first smile, calling mama, morning snuggles, hugs around the neck, searching you out in a crowd. And then there is the privilege to nurture a child, have him look up to you, and pray for him his entire life.
The sleepless nights, the housework, for most an outside job as well, the constant laundry, wiping bottoms, noses, doctors visit, stopping having a life of your own and putting plans on hold while they are very young, the sicknesses. All of this with no pay. No one realizes while there is food, clean underwear, timely paid bills, maintenance done and everything is going well. When things are going well, mom is invisible. All the little things that hold the home together is unrecognized by everyone for the most part.
Motherhood is humiliating
When your child toots in front of others, burps like a frat boy in public, when there is poop in your outfit because the diaper leaked, when you walk around with spit up covered clothes, when you are in the car just covered in a blanket because your child vomited all over you.
Motherhood is humbling
All the big statements you made prebaby, crumbling right before your eyes. You feel like a jerk for making judgements on things you had no idea about. You eat a lot of crow and humbly pray to God for forgiveness. When you judged women out with their 1 week old babies and then you find yourself sitting in a restaurant with your 5 day old, that is humbling.
Motherhood makes you grow up
You have to be so much better than you ever thought you could be. Selfishness is not an option. When you think you don't have anymore to give, then you give some more. When you haven't slept more than 5 hours in the past week and you are sick yourself but then you again get up at 3 in the morning to soothe a crying baby, you are officially grown up.
Motherhood is rewarding
The first smile, calling mama, morning snuggles, hugs around the neck, searching you out in a crowd. And then there is the privilege to nurture a child, have him look up to you, and pray for him his entire life.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Trip Highlights
We reached Portland safe. For the first couple of days we stayed with R's friend and his family and day before yesterday night we moved to the hotel. We had booked at the Marriott, but my word, the room was so small that we were tripping over stuff especially with our big suitcases and the crib in the room. Real estate must be premium here in Portland if an upscale hotel has such a small room. I wanted to get another place and we moved to the Hilton which is further away from his work, but at least I am not tripping over things.
Neil was very good on the flight. He was so excited to be on the flight and seeing so many people. He was flirting shamelessly with everyone and was just as happy as could be. Even in the car drive home, he was happy and singing loudly in his car seat. And he was okay even on Sundnay morning. Bay Sunday afternoon, he started getting cranky and has been since then. He doesn't like the jar food anymore and as for trying to change the diaper - It takes both of us to do that. And he kicks up a huge fuss. I am not even sure if there is anything bothering him or if he is just giving us attitude. I am getting a good lesson on patience - LOTS OF IT. I am assuming that all the traveling and the new places and time change has been hard on him. Or maybe he hates the lack of sun. I know I do.
I haven't done much here. Since R came for work, he is really busy. I had planned for Neil and I to do some activities around here, but it is so cold and rainy and with his fussiness, I am really too chicken to actually try and do anything. Just having lunch with Neil is adventure enough. Just yesterday while we were at lunch, he threw his pacifier down, and by the time I bend to pick it up, he picked up the paper napkin from the table and stuffed it into his mouth. When things get a litlle hairy in the room, I put him in the car and drive around. That calms him down and it is a little break too. R is so busy he doesn't really have a lunch break, so I pick up a Subway for him. His naps are erratic too, so that doesn't help.
Hopefully things pick up a little soon. I still love him even though he is Neil McCranky pants :)
Neil was very good on the flight. He was so excited to be on the flight and seeing so many people. He was flirting shamelessly with everyone and was just as happy as could be. Even in the car drive home, he was happy and singing loudly in his car seat. And he was okay even on Sundnay morning. Bay Sunday afternoon, he started getting cranky and has been since then. He doesn't like the jar food anymore and as for trying to change the diaper - It takes both of us to do that. And he kicks up a huge fuss. I am not even sure if there is anything bothering him or if he is just giving us attitude. I am getting a good lesson on patience - LOTS OF IT. I am assuming that all the traveling and the new places and time change has been hard on him. Or maybe he hates the lack of sun. I know I do.
I haven't done much here. Since R came for work, he is really busy. I had planned for Neil and I to do some activities around here, but it is so cold and rainy and with his fussiness, I am really too chicken to actually try and do anything. Just having lunch with Neil is adventure enough. Just yesterday while we were at lunch, he threw his pacifier down, and by the time I bend to pick it up, he picked up the paper napkin from the table and stuffed it into his mouth. When things get a litlle hairy in the room, I put him in the car and drive around. That calms him down and it is a little break too. R is so busy he doesn't really have a lunch break, so I pick up a Subway for him. His naps are erratic too, so that doesn't help.
Hopefully things pick up a little soon. I still love him even though he is Neil McCranky pants :)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Opinion Please
We need conflict resolution.
Subject: The photo below.
One person in our house thinks lame and girly, and the other person thinks cute and sweet.
Solicits your opinions. Only on the ensemble. Both of us are agreed that the baby is the cutest and the sweetest.
PS: Sorry about the blurry picture. The baby would not sit still.
Subject: The photo below.
One person in our house thinks lame and girly, and the other person thinks cute and sweet.
Solicits your opinions. Only on the ensemble. Both of us are agreed that the baby is the cutest and the sweetest.
PS: Sorry about the blurry picture. The baby would not sit still.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
8 months
Dear Neil,
You are eight months old today! You weigh 19 lb and 3 oz at the last doctors appointment. You are our little chunky monkey. You had a lots of firsts this month.
What is going on with you?
1. You said Amma for the first time. I am not sure you know it is me, but I am so excited. Then the next day you kept saying Baby. Your vocabulary is amazing or maybe I am just a proud mama. :)
2. You have TWO teeth now. And they are really sharp too. It is so fun to see those when you smile big. And you are smiling and laughing most of the time. You are a really happy baby.
3. You love us to shreds. Literally. You bite me which is actually kind of a really enthusiastic kiss or something which you have going on with you that leaves me with read marks. You are strong.
4. You have a tendency to jump out of my arms now when I am carrying you. Just so you don't miss anything. You are so alert and observant sometimes you have no idea where to look. Everything is so exciting, and new, and wonderful to you.
5. You used to sleep through the night, but don't anymore. I wish you would and I have to admit I am a little grouchy to be woken up at 3 am everyday. But as soon as I pick you up and calm you down (or feed you), you snuggle up real close with both arms around my neck. And then I am not so grouchy anymore. Just last week, one night when my sickness was at its worst, you were up at 3:30 am. I hardly had the energy to get out of bed to tend to you. I was breathing heavily and was picking you up and trying not to breathe in to you. That night as soon as I picked you up, you stopped crying, opened your eyes and looked at me. And you just kept looking with your eyes wide open. It was just like the day you were born and was placed in my arms for the first time. And without any more fuss you went back to sleep. I know that this memory will be etched in my heart.
6. You eat well, but you are not as excited about eating as you used to be. You go longer between bottles, but unfortunately your spitting up is just as before. We tried many things to help you with that, but nothing seems to be working.
7. We went out without you for one evening and left you with a baby sitter. I missed you most of the time. You put up a fight initially, but you did okay eventually and went to sleep.
8. You sit up for long time without flopping off and you are a rolling machine. You are not crawling yet, but you get everywhere you want by rolling and flipping. You try really hard to crawl by flapping your hands and feet and it looks remarkably like a fish and it is hilarious. Sorry baby, we do laugh at you.
9. You have a lot of separation anxiety now. Your mouth puckers and you start crying if someone tries to pick you up from me. But if you are in my arms and someone is entertaining you, you love it.
10. You love your ball and just laugh a lot if we roll the ball towards you or bounce it off the wall. You just look so cute then.
11. You have been really struggling with allergies and it is hard to see you sniffling and having a hard time. Just like your dad. I will be glad when all this pollen goes down.
I am so, so grateful I get to hang out with you all day. It is a little tiring to keep up with you since in a matter of seconds you are under tables, grabbing anything within your reach and just really active. Also, because of the separation anxiety, sometimes you just refuse to go to anyone but me. And I get weary at the end of the day. But I know I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
I love you.
Mamma
You are eight months old today! You weigh 19 lb and 3 oz at the last doctors appointment. You are our little chunky monkey. You had a lots of firsts this month.
What is going on with you?
1. You said Amma for the first time. I am not sure you know it is me, but I am so excited. Then the next day you kept saying Baby. Your vocabulary is amazing or maybe I am just a proud mama. :)
2. You have TWO teeth now. And they are really sharp too. It is so fun to see those when you smile big. And you are smiling and laughing most of the time. You are a really happy baby.
3. You love us to shreds. Literally. You bite me which is actually kind of a really enthusiastic kiss or something which you have going on with you that leaves me with read marks. You are strong.
4. You have a tendency to jump out of my arms now when I am carrying you. Just so you don't miss anything. You are so alert and observant sometimes you have no idea where to look. Everything is so exciting, and new, and wonderful to you.
5. You used to sleep through the night, but don't anymore. I wish you would and I have to admit I am a little grouchy to be woken up at 3 am everyday. But as soon as I pick you up and calm you down (or feed you), you snuggle up real close with both arms around my neck. And then I am not so grouchy anymore. Just last week, one night when my sickness was at its worst, you were up at 3:30 am. I hardly had the energy to get out of bed to tend to you. I was breathing heavily and was picking you up and trying not to breathe in to you. That night as soon as I picked you up, you stopped crying, opened your eyes and looked at me. And you just kept looking with your eyes wide open. It was just like the day you were born and was placed in my arms for the first time. And without any more fuss you went back to sleep. I know that this memory will be etched in my heart.
6. You eat well, but you are not as excited about eating as you used to be. You go longer between bottles, but unfortunately your spitting up is just as before. We tried many things to help you with that, but nothing seems to be working.
7. We went out without you for one evening and left you with a baby sitter. I missed you most of the time. You put up a fight initially, but you did okay eventually and went to sleep.
8. You sit up for long time without flopping off and you are a rolling machine. You are not crawling yet, but you get everywhere you want by rolling and flipping. You try really hard to crawl by flapping your hands and feet and it looks remarkably like a fish and it is hilarious. Sorry baby, we do laugh at you.
9. You have a lot of separation anxiety now. Your mouth puckers and you start crying if someone tries to pick you up from me. But if you are in my arms and someone is entertaining you, you love it.
10. You love your ball and just laugh a lot if we roll the ball towards you or bounce it off the wall. You just look so cute then.
11. You have been really struggling with allergies and it is hard to see you sniffling and having a hard time. Just like your dad. I will be glad when all this pollen goes down.
I am so, so grateful I get to hang out with you all day. It is a little tiring to keep up with you since in a matter of seconds you are under tables, grabbing anything within your reach and just really active. Also, because of the separation anxiety, sometimes you just refuse to go to anyone but me. And I get weary at the end of the day. But I know I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
I love you.
Mamma
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Precious Moments
It has been one of the sweetest days in my life.
Today when I was getting lunch Neil said Amma. (Amma means mother in my language) I really didn't pay attention because his vocabulary keeps increasing everyday so much that I thought it as one more of his boo goo words. Then he said it again and again and again. By this time, we were both intrigued and I was getting excited. Then he had his nap and after he woke up, I put him on the exersaucer for a bit. I was in the room at the time and left to go the bathroom. He immediately said Amma and started whining. Then after I came back, he just laughed and again said Amma. By this time I was giddy with excitement.
Then I tried to make him say it again, but he just went back to playing as if nothing happened. And finally in the night I had just finished his bedtime routine and was putting him in his crib. He was not asleep yet, so I just stayed there for a minute with my hand on his back. Then I removed my hand to leave and he caught it and said Amma. My heart just melted into a puddle.
Actually, the first line is not true. Today was not one of the sweetest days of my life.
It was the sweetest day of my life.
Today when I was getting lunch Neil said Amma. (Amma means mother in my language) I really didn't pay attention because his vocabulary keeps increasing everyday so much that I thought it as one more of his boo goo words. Then he said it again and again and again. By this time, we were both intrigued and I was getting excited. Then he had his nap and after he woke up, I put him on the exersaucer for a bit. I was in the room at the time and left to go the bathroom. He immediately said Amma and started whining. Then after I came back, he just laughed and again said Amma. By this time I was giddy with excitement.
Then I tried to make him say it again, but he just went back to playing as if nothing happened. And finally in the night I had just finished his bedtime routine and was putting him in his crib. He was not asleep yet, so I just stayed there for a minute with my hand on his back. Then I removed my hand to leave and he caught it and said Amma. My heart just melted into a puddle.
Actually, the first line is not true. Today was not one of the sweetest days of my life.
It was the sweetest day of my life.
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