Standing up for Anna

Currently, I can sense this growing trend of the two brothers teaming up with each other against me. A few days back, S asked me if I would pack up his school bag with the timetable for the next day. I told him 'No'. A immediately came to me with his hands on the hips and said, "Why can't you keep S's timetable? He is tired and you can't even do that." Though the ulterior motive was to get to play on the PS3 sooner, it was touching to see the 4 year old fighting for his elder brother that I did eventually agree to do it. This standing-up-for-Anna thing has been happening quite frequently now days.

"Why can't you let S play for some more time on the PS3?"

"Why can't S do less homework today?"

"Why can't S have another chocolate?"

"Why can't you read another story to S?"

Mostly, there are certain ulterior motives attached to the demand. For instance, the extra story can be enjoyed by A too. Still the gullible S keeps thinking it's all for his sake. Needless to say, S is basking in all this support. There is a popular Tamil saying,'Thambi udaiyaan padaiku anjaan.' 'A man with a younger brother needn't fear any of life's battles.'

Guess, it is true!

A Little Summary of the Last Month

Aaru

Lots of thrilling happenings...

25.10.2010 Rolled over for the first time
30.10.2010 Attended a party for the first time (Vineesh's Bday party). Seemed to actually enjoy the proceedings. Was not perturbed by the screaming kids, blasting balloons or even the shrieking music.
31.10.2010 Laughed out loud for the first time. It was so funny to see that!

Sanju

Seems to start on a case of Sibling Jealousy...

* If I scold him, he asks me if I still love him? Then, why do I scold him?
* Why is the baby taking up so much of my time?, etc.
* Becoming tooo mischievous
* Refusing to be anywhere without me
* Not even attending evening classes

But loves n adores Aaru too...

For example, when I was scolding Aaru after another sleepless nights, he tried to pacify my grumpling by calmly explaining to me...

"Mom, babies don't know anything. Some of these babies are tough to manage. So, please don't scold Aaru."
Isn't that sweet?

Alone Again!

I am back in Mumbai after 3 n 1/2 months. We returned on 12th- a Sunday. Aaran was pretty okay to manage along the way except once when he bawled aloud at the Chennai Airport. I know there is a feeding room somewhere in this place, having bumped into it once by mistake. But now when I needed it, I couldn't find it anywhere. There were no signboards anywhere and both me & Aaru were getting desperate. Finally, I just plunked down in a little less-crowded portion of a waiting area and fed him. Thankfully, I wear only dresses with feeding provision and feeding bras as long as I feed the kids. When I quit feeding Sanju, I was so desperate for fitting dresses and lacy bras that I went on a shopping spree. As of now, I am still enjoying what I am wearing as it is too early to get bugged of it!

Days are getting to become very tough now that I am back alone, especially the evenings. Sanju is desperately bored of being stuck at home and Aaru refuses to leave my arms. Though I am quite adept at feeding Aaru as I am reading a book to Sanju, the whole process drains me out. Every few minutes that Aaru dozes off, me and Sanju play volleyball in the lobby. Very soon, he howls and we have to head back. I can see that Sanju is irritated and bugged up. That is why I took them both to Payal’s house today. Sanju had some half-hour of fun there while Aaru dozed in his pram. I desperately need some help in the evenings. Hope I get someone soon!

However, all said and done, I am so happy. I really missed my home and my husband. It’s good to be back!

Sibling Rivalry: I don't think so!

My son has enjoyed our unrivalled attention all these years and many times, I used to wonder about whether he would ever be ready to share his parents with another. Even when we started planning for another child, I and my husband felt that sibling rivalry might be a big problem for us.

Then we came across a story-book for toddlers describing the changes that a household undergoes when the mother is pregnant and has a new baby. It addresses the issues head-on in an understanding manner with suggestions to overcome the issue. After hearing the story a few dozen times, I felt a change in my son’s behavior.

Now, he behaves in a more mature manner as if he is the elder and more responsible person. He plans for the fun and mischief he can do if he has company.

The other day I told him that it’s time he slept in another room as a new baby might sleep with us in sometime. I expected him to cry and fight with me for his right to sleep beside me. But surprisingly, he agreed that the new baby needs to sleep next to me but he said he wouldn't move to next room but daddy can do so! So, now he, I and the new baby can all sleep together. So, I guess there is not going to be any sibling rivalry though I think there may be a serious father-son one!