The Bald and the Beautiful

Yesterday we shaved H2's head and gave H1 a haircut. They both look adorable! And H1 kept on saying how her hair looked like a brush now (Her cut was a bob).

Today, just after waking up, I kissed H2's head and said, 'The bald and the beautiful.' H1 who is exteamly vain, always assumes that if someone mentions 'beautiful', they would invariably mean her! So she said, 'No Ammi, it's the bald and the brush!'

Seasons Greetings!!!

H1 and I made this rag doll angel for our Christmas tree. The base is a toilet roll. Made the wings from elephant dung recycled wrapping paper so it's a green angel!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

Four months already!

My darling four month old,

A lot of changes happened in the last month. You definitely have changed from a helpless baby to a baby with an attitude! You absolutely know how to show your displeasure by screeching non stop. You don't cry. You screech.

You can finally touch your toes now and grab them when ever possible. You also want to grab everything that comes in contact with your hands and they all go straight into your mouth. I don't know why I bother to sterilize your soother or bottle when you put every other thing in your mouth. You also love to lick our shoulders or hand when ever we carry you. Thaaththi absolutely hates it as it tickles him. I think you are teething and your gums must be scratchy because you get so annoyed and frustrated when you can't bite the things your bring up to your mouth. Of cause your hand to mouth coordination is pretty poor, so you get so mad when things don't work the way you think they ought to. You love to gnaw on my chin. You would pull my face towards you by grabbing my hair and pounce on my chin like a little puppy.

You can make lots of different noises by moving your lips in different ways. You look like a little bird with a pouty beak and I just want to squeeze you then. Sometimes we have a whole conversation of ooh aah talk for almost fifteen minutes.

You've also started patting my breasts when feeding or pulling at my t-shirts. You would gaze into my eyes while feeding and every now and then would stop feeding altogether to give me a smile as if to say 'thank you', and my heart would melt to a mushy goo and I'd think, 'Oh how I love you. I love you my baby...'

When I place you on the floor mat, you move around quite a bit by lifting your bum and pushing from your legs.

There are so many little moments that I want to hold forever and I wish you'd stay a baby for a lot longer but I know I'd delight in every little change as well. I love your little chubby cheeks and pudgy hands and every other bit of you.

Thaaththi and I are so blessed to have you and Akki in our lives.

Hugs and a bucketload of kisses

Ammi

P.S
I started this blog for your sister 3 years ago on this day. I know she won't mind it that you get to share it with her now.

Sri Lankans at a concert

H1's play school held their annual 'Concert and Graduation Ceremony' last Friday. In true Sri Lankan style the invitation card said, 'Please don't be late' after the time. So there we were half an hour before the start and guess what, we were like the second family to arrive. Hubs and I was escorted to the front rows as H1 was 'Graduating" and our guests (H1's two grandma's, Puncha and Nanda) were asked to sit a few rows back from us.

We waited for the rest of the parents to arrive...we waited...and then we waited some more. The concert was supposed to stat at 3.45 p.m. By four most parents had come and now we were waiting for the Chief Guest to arrive. We waited....and waited...and...waited....aaaaaaaaaaaaaand waited. Then we were asked to arise to welcome the chief guest. So we all got up and waited and waited and waited for about five minutes when another announcement was made to say that "Oh dear we are so sorry but the chief guest is still on the way and would take about another ten minutes to arrive." So we placed our well worn butts back on the chairs and well, waited. A good one hour after the actual time the concert was to start, the honorable chief guest, who was a former teacher of the head of the play school and who should have known how difficult it is to keep a bunch of kids and parents waiting, arrived.

While we were waiting for her Lateness to arrive,  there was a family sitting behind us (ma, pa, grandma and sister). Let me call them AH for short (figure out what it stand for). The director of the school came over and kindly told them that these seats were reserved for the graduating student's parents and would they if they don't mind please move to the seats allocated for them. Once the directer left, the Pa half heartedly told the wife, 'I think I better go back.' to which the Ma replied, 'Ane don't aney..don't worry. There's plenty of room,' and none of them budged an inch while the couple who was actually supposed to sit there had to be seated in the corridor because there wasn't enough room. Even seeing this, the AH family didn't budge and even had the galls to complain 'Ane hari kathai ne cheif guest parakku una eka.'

While the concert was going on, whenever their child came on stage, the grandma would say in a rather loud voice, 'Ours is the smartest noh? See, she looks better than the other kids.'

When it was time for refreshments, I went the car to feed H2, so was a little late in getting in the line for food. By the time it was my turn, there was no food left as everyone in front had not only taken the food bags for them selves but for their kids at home, the neighbours and the family cat. The grandma of the AH family was a little ahead of me and when she realised that her fat tummy wasn't getting fed, she went off in a huff looking for a teacher to complain to. Those poor teacher's had enough on their plate looking after restless kids, but one said she's so sorry she'll see what she can do.

I am being unfair when I imply that Sri Lankans are all like the AH family because 95 percent were conciderate people, but just like people notice the black dot on a clean white paper, I could only forcus on that indiciplined family of visigoths.

Brotherly Love

H1's cousin brother came for a visit over the weekend. This was the first time they met after we came back from Singapore. So H1 was highly exited. She was a bit worried too. She came over to me and said, ' I don't have any boy's toys Ammi. What will M-Ayya play with?'

Once he arrived however, all those worries seems to be forgotten as they chased each other all over the garden. Then H1 had the brilliant idea of comparing their slippers and claimed that hers was bigger. Now this wouldn't do thought M and said, 'No! Mine is Bigger,' which promted H1 to claim, 'NO! Mine is BIGGER!' This made M so mad that he grabbed her slipper from her and ran away with it and hid it behind a tree. H1 who is used to getting her way and being the boss all the time just couldn't stomach this.

I could see how she was struggling not to cry. When it became too much for her to bare she quickly ran to her room. She only came out when M went in to say sorry to her and she claimed that it was soooooo hot in the garden, that's why she went into her room!

M being equally strong headed and bossy as H1 proved to be a tough play mate. After one of their many mini battles of wills H1 in an exasperated voice told me that 'Brother's are really silly!'
After a battle of wills with me she shouted, 'Mothers are as silly as brothers!'

We took them for a swim and H1 got out of the pool in a huff because she didn't like M splashing water on her constantly. Her Aththamma told her that boys are like that to which she replied, 'But I am a girl and girl's don't like that sort of thing because we are special!'

Before bed time both of them wanted me to read a story.  It was called 'Keenthi Keeyada' (How angry do you get...I think). M said he especially brought it for Nangi because she gets mad all the time. M's mother said, 'Well, you too have the same book and I bought it for you because you get angry all the time too'
Then H1 not wanting to be second said, 'No! I get more angry than M!'

While I was reading them the story, M started kissing H1 on her back. Then when H1 got up he said 'Oyata hada passak thiyenawa!' (You have a lovely butt!). I nearly chocked on the words I was reading. That coming out of a six year old! :o)

Ah kids these days....

I need help!

OMG! I think I seriously have an addiction!
H1 accidentally sold my 40000 coin Barn for about 2000 and now it's gone from my farm. I screamed at her and I snapped at her! Seriously....for loosing a bloody virtual farm. Like I said in the comments in my previous post, I think I need a FarmVille Anonymous group or something.

I calmed down enough to applogise to her in about five minutes. I sat her on my lap and told her how sorry Ammi was for loosing her temper. I told her it doesn't matter because it's only a game. (But I am not letting her anywhere near it again! ;o)

HELP!!!!

Lovely ebooks for kids

My brother-in-law sent me this lovely link with e-books for kids by Janaki Sooriyarachchi
All the illustrations are by her too and they are so beautiful. H1 loves her stories. Do check them out for your kids/nieces/nephews/grand-kids.

http://www.tikiri.com/e-kathandara.html

This sixteen thing

Thanks Santhoshi for tagging me. So many have written to their 16 year old self that I feel it's getting a bit stale reading them (ok ok this is my excuse because I am feeling soooooo lazy to write a long post.)

The only thing I'd say to my sixteen year old self is that if only you knew that you'd marry the kind of man who'll gladly look after the baby because you had to harvest your crops on FarmVille, you wouldn't have tried flirting so hard with anything that moved.

If you knew that you'd find the kind of work you loved and bosses so great that they'd come to see your baby 6 years after you leave the organisation, and is ready to have you back anytime, you wouldn't have worried so much that you didn't get selected to a local university.

If you knew that your sister would become so close to you that she'd be ready to move house just to be near you and be such a great Puncha to your kids, you'd have not fought with her every time the two of you opened your mouths.

All in all I would have told you not to worry at all about your future, at least untill you are in your thirties, because life so far has been good to me.

Since all have seems to be tagged I am going to leave an open tag

The third month

My little baby has become so inviting and responsive. She smiles when you talk to her, grins are getting wider and she talks to you using funny little sound. She makes aaaah, eeeeeeh  and oooooh sounds. She coees, she gurgles she giggles (very rarely!)

When I hold her hands she tries to lift up her head and shoulders as if to help me pick her up. She loves to stand on my lap for a few seconds while wobbling like a jelly as her legs are not strong enough. H1a nd I would usually say 'My goodness girl, you are shaking like a leaf,' (copied from Skipper, the official leader of the Penguin Commandoes in Madagascar 2!) and H1 would laugh every time.

She has different cries for different wants. She has a 'feed me' cry, a 'FEED ME NOW!' cry, 'I want to sleep' cry, 'pick me up' cry and a very emphatic 'PICK ME UP NOW OR ELSE' cry.

H2 doesn't keep me up much in the night too. She wakes up at about 2 or 3 for a feed. Then maybe again at 4 or 5 and promptly falls asleep after getting her tummy full.

It's so fascinating to watch her now. She likes to sit in her bouncer than lying down. When she sits she can see her legs. She would gaze at them as if to say, 'What are those interesting things' and she would move them this way and that way while trying to grab them with her hands. She misses most of the time though as her hands swipe at them rather than aim.

It's soooooo exiting to watch my baby grow! I love my little girlies to bits!!

It does rhyme at least...

A few weeks back, while I was breastfeeding the baby, H1 asked me the name of what the baby was sucking on. So I told her the correct name for it.

Yesterday, while I was feeding H2, H1 came up to me and knowlageably said, 'Nangi's sucking on the pimple!'

It does sound the same doesn't it...sort of....

First giggle

She giggled for the first time
my heart soared and giggled with her
she smiled and giggled again
kicking her legs
and waving her arms
I couldn't get enough
of that beautiful sound

There's a Rat in me kitchen

Hubs was singing UB 40's 'Theres's a rat in me kitchen what am I gonna do..."

H1 who has never heard the song was singing ' There's a rat in me kitchen what's Ammi gonna do..."

Come take a walk with me

Last couple of weeks, there has been a load of activity of the animal kind around our house. I have no idea what most of them are. Maybe you can help me identify some of them.

This bird came a few times and would always land on this post. Maybe she (?) was looking for a place to build a nest. Is it a pigeon?

These were seen in the paddy field in front of our house. Anyone care to identify them for me?

This I know is a crane.

"Hello! How do you do? How come your wings have black in them? Where can I get mine done like that?"

My helper told me this one is called 'Pan Kukula.' Wonder what the English name is...

And this fellow was HUGE. You can't see the tail. It was loooooooooooooong.

This lizard was white when she was on our garden wall. Thn she came to the ground to lay her eggs and changed her colours to black and green. She dug a hole and started laying her eggs. When I got closer, she puffed up her whatdoyoucallems (those thingys in her face) to scare me off. After she laid her eggs she closed up the hole and was never seen again!

A pretty dragonfly (is it a dragonfly?)

Most our mornings were like this last week. The whole world was covered in mist. H1would go out running and shouting, 'The clouds have come down...the clouds have come down!'

Feet up the stairs

Hubby was working on a weekend project with his tool box open. H1 picked up the measuring tape and pulled it up to her head and asked, "How tall am I Thaaththi?"
Squinting at the tape, Hubs replied, "Three feet."
"No, no, no," said H1, "Ammi said I was one hundred and more!"
"Yes, darling, that's about three feet."
"Stop measuring my feet silly, you have to measure up to my upstairs*" said H1.

Note* - anything above ground level is 'upstairs' to H1. In this case she was talking about her head :o)

Racists and Humans

A few incidents got me thinking...
- a video I saw on RD's blog


- A video I saw on facebook



- a conversation I had with hubby
He's involved with a project that finds sponsors for the kids of the armed forces who need financial assistance. He was telling me how some people ask specifically that the kid they sponsor should be Sinhala and Buddhist. How some refuse to help if the family in question is Muslim or Tamil. These have to be kind people in the first place, because they want to help someone. But why is it that they can't see beyond the race? Didn't these kids fathers serve the land? Shouldn't they be picked above the others because they fought a racial war and didn't consider their race?

Why do people act this way? Upbringing? I think I was a bit 'race sensitive' before I met my husband because I was brought up to see the differences. I wouldn't have called me a racist then, but I guess I would have said things like "I'll never marry a Tamil or Muslim." I guess my husband sort of made me realise that it really doesn't matter.

I think the kids born to the diaspora too are fed racist hatred by the parents. That's why I think the Sri Lankan kids in countries like Canada, Australia and UK still fell so strongly about the racial divide in Sri Lanka.

I strongly feel that it's mostly the grownups that set the mindset of the youngsters when it comes to these racial issues. I think parents should make it a point to bring up their kids so that they would see no difference between themselves or anyone of another religion or a race. They should be brought up with the notion that we are all just humans.

The Second Month: Big Smiles

My baby is two months today! 'The second month is baby's social debut - the coming out of her self' says Dr Sears' Baby Book (my baby bible by the way).

H2 does smile now, but she is a little stingy with her smiles. I remember H1 to be a big smiler by the time she hit two months. H2 however smiles quite a bit in her dreams. It's amazing how much of things she can do in her sleep that she is unable to do when she is awake. She laughs out loud, chuckles and sobs in her sleep. She can't do these while she is awake. It's such a mystery. We Buddhists believe that the baby is seeing things from her past life. (I mean, what can a two month old laugh about? She even chuckles like she is enjoying a good joke and sobs like she is really sad) Doctors say they are 'feel good' smiles or that they are just reflexes. I've heard Christians say that they are smiling with angels. I would really like to know why babies can do things in their sleep, that they can't do while awake. Any ideas?

While pondering on the above, take a look at H2 smiling in her sleep (The quality is quite bad cause it was taken from my phone). Enjoy!

Birth Order of Children

I got this in an email from a friend and couldn't help laughing because it's so true!


BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy. (- I was soooooo scared that tight clothing would hurt the baby ;o)
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.
_____________________________________________________
Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing!
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month
______________________________________________________
The Baby clothes:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, colour co-ordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains. (I actually did this...most of H2's cloths are H1's hand-me-downs. I didn't bother buying new ones)
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
______________________________________________________
Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby. (I remember calling the pediatrician in panic the first time she threw up milk !)
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
______________________________________________________
Dummies:
1st baby: If the dummy falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and sterilise it.
2nd baby: When the dummy falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
______________________________________________________
Nappy changing:
1st baby: You change your baby's nappies every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their nappy every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their nappy before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
______________________________________________________
Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
______________________________________________________
Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
______________________________________________________
At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
______________________________________________________
Swallowing Coins:
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!
_____________________________________________________

The Tooth of the matter is...

...it's gone!

H1 lost her first baby tooth a couple of weeks ago and now the adjacent tooth too is shaky. H1 was pretty shaken when her first tooth started wobbling but the promise of the arrival of the Tooth Fairy and the riches she would leave made her a bit calm.

When we asked her what she would buy with the money she said, "I want a lollipop!' (There goes the new tooth!)

Once the tooth fell, H1 carefully wrapped it in a tissue and saved it till Hubby got home to show him. After examining it, he promptly misplaced it! Of cause we didn't tell H1 that. We told her we'll keep it under her pillow once she fell asleep.

The Tooth Fairy did arrive and leave a twenty rupee note under the pillow. You have to forgive her, you know, what with the recession and all. It was enough to buy a lollipop with after all.

Now, H1 is eagerly waiting for the next tooth to fall off to buy another lollipop.

Introducing my Son-in-Law...

 

...yes, he is a Pillar of Success! ;o)

We have three pillars outside our house and Hubby has noticed that one had become very dirty compared to the other two. There were little dirty hand prints and other markings around it. When he asked H1 about it she had casually remarked that yes, it's her husband and that she has been kissing it during play acting.

We've gotta Hand it to ya...

 

It's been one month...

Yep...it's been one month since we were blessed with Baby No 2. During the first month babies seldom make enough major changes to write grandma about but we've noticed major differences between Baby No 1 and Baby No 2.

H1 was a high demand baby. She kept us on our toes from day one. She let us know that she means business and will do everything on her terms from birth. (She didn't want a natural birth...there I was having contractions, when H1 decided she had enough and decided to make things more interesting by passing meconium. So being the drama queen that she is she made sure her birth too was dramatic by making sure I had an emergency ceasarian.)

We were bracing our selves this time around for long night-time battles because H1 would wake up 2 or 3 times a night and would stay up 2 to 3 hours at a stretch. I have no idea how we survived on about 3 hours of sleep those initial months.

H2 however, has been an easy baby so far. She doesn't cry much. (H1 cried for hours at the end of which I too would be nearly in tears of frustration) and though she wakes up a few times in the night, she doesn't stay up long. Even during the day I could leave her in the cot by her self for a while. (H1 girly had to be carried ALL the time)

It's amazing how different their personalities are from the very beginning. I wonder if H2 will be a quieter baby...


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Meanwhile in the blogsphere, I've been give a sweet award by Mommythecook
Thank you so much MTC :o)

Nick knack, Paddy wack...

I think I've mentioned before that we live near a paddy field. We thought it was an abandoned plot of land but imagine our surprise and delight one morning last week when we saw the following sight.



I was so happy that H1 got to see what city kids rarely get to see...the old fashioned farming techniques that we used to see as kids in villages.


Who needs David Beckham posing for Armani when you get Sri Lankan men in loin cloths ;o)


By about two in the afternoon they finished up...


and gave the buffaloes a well deserved rest. I was feeling a little sad for the hard work the buffaloes had to do, but felt a bit better when Hubby got talking to the men and we could see they actually cared for the animals. They said, 'Of cause they are tired...but they only do this once a year. The rest of the days they just spend roaming around...'

And while looking over the wall, we noticed this fellow change its colour to suite his surroundings. It was amazing.


I love living in Sri Lanka...

For Richer or....

If you ask H1 what she would like to be when she grows up, she always says, 'I want to be a Mommy.' Most of her games involve getting married and having kids. She would constantly talk about her husband, how she would treat him and her kids.

A couple of weeks back, while she was making mud pies, I was asked to be a visitor to her home. While commenting on how good her pies were, I said, 'You have a lovely oven. How much was it?'
'Fifty dollars,' said H1.
'Wow! That's quite expensive.' I said.
'It's OK. I married a rich husband.' said my daughter with a tilt to her head.

I don't know where she gets these ideas from but she knows how it works don't you think ;o)

Well...What can we say?

We've realized that our eldest is always one step ahead of us...

She was being very rude to us and Hubs gave her a time out and was made to sit on the 'naughty spot.' She was asked to think about why she was put there.

After a few minutes Hubs went to get her. 'OK, you can come out now.' Before he could preach or say anything else, H1, still sitting on the naughty spot said, 'I haven't finished thinking Thaaththi'

Love to me is beautiful.....

I've been tagged by Lady Divine and Santhoshi...yei!!! ;o)

So, to me Love is...



And I tag...Sach, Harumi, Angel and Chavie
you need to write on what Love is...

Birth Story - Part II

So...after stitching me up, I was taken to the recovery room. I was so impatient to see my baby one more time and to be with my family, but I knew it might take a while because getting a room immediately at Durdans is close to a miracle.

After about an hour I was taken back to the labour room as there were no rooms available. I saw H1 and my sister eagerly waiting for me in the corridor. H1 was jumping up and down and asked me where Nanga was.

I was left on that darn gurney for about five hours until they found a room for us. All this time poor H1 & co. had to wait outside the corridor. Finally a nurse came and told us that a private labour room was available and that was after good 6 hours or so on that darn narrow bed.

Finally, my whole family was together and we were able to celebrate our new addition. H1 was elated and kept saying, "Don't cry Nanga, Akki is here, Akki is here." We were a little worried that she might feel jealous, but H1 was quite happy and proud to be given the role of big sister. We were also concerned about how H1 would react to the fact that she will have to sleep without both her Ammi and Thaaththi, but she accepted it quite calmly and went off with my sister without much of a fuss.

Then a few nurses came over and said they were moving me back to a cubicle. The nerve!! After all that waiting! That's when Hubs put his foot down. We had been so patient with them, without complaining like some of the other patients were doing, I guess they thought they could get away with it. Then the nurses said, 'I hope you know that this room costs more.' Hubs told them that they should realise that I had had a surgery and I should get some rest and not be moved from place to place and put into a cubicle where privacy is only obtained by having a curtain around you. After that they left us alone.

Then started the real drama. By this time I was starting feel some pain around my incision and told a nurse about it. She gave me a suppository. I waited half an hour for it to take effect...nnnhhhhnnn...nothing...then I waited an hour...mmmmmhnnnn...still nothing and the pain was getting worse. I asked Hubs to tell the nurse again. She came and gave me two Panagon tablets. Again I waited. Oh boy! Nothing seems to work.

The pain was unbearable. I remember thinking "Now I know how victims of the Cruciatus curse felt in Harry Potter (duh! I know..but I was in pain alright!)..it was indeed 'pain beyond pain'). And to make matters worse, my legs were acting up. What you ask? Yep, they were acting up...meaning, I sometimes suffer from something called Restless Leg Syndrome. It makes me want to move or jerk my legs...an impossible task when you've undergone surgery and is in mortal fear of moving in anyway because of the pain. The nurse came over and told me there was nothing more they can do and that the next suppository can only be given in another 6 hours.

That's when I started crying...and talking gibberish in pain. Poor hubs was made to rub my feet all night. This was when I decided that I am going to make it my life's mission to tell anyone who'd listen never to have a c-section if they can help it!

Finally around 4.00 am when I couldn't take it any longer, just to see if it would help, even if it meant more unbearable pain, I decided to get out of my bed. With the help of Hubs and two attendants, I slowly got off and walked over to the toilet. When a nurse heard that I was up, she came and took off my catheter. Boy was I glad that that horrible thing was off.

All in all it was a horrible horrible night, where I had to depend on kind strangers to change my pads, give bed pans, see me cry and all in all take care of all my embarrassing bodily functions including holding my breasts up to my baby's mouth, as I couldn't turn my body towards the baby.

After I walked about a bit, the pain did become bearable and both Hubs and I was able to catch about an hours sleep.

After that horrible night however, my recovery was OK and I was able to move about, feed the baby and even have a bath the very next day. They finally gave us a room around mid-day the next day. We were allowed to go home on the third day and it felt great to be back.

Now that it has been more than two weeks, I can fully move about with no pain and it amazes me how the human body can recover so fast. But folks I have decided that two babies is enough for me...no way am I going through another Ceasar!!

Birth Story-part I

It's exactly two weeks since we were blessed with another baby girl. Let me tell you how she arrived.

Because H1's was an emergency c-section (yep..even her arrival was full of drama...being the drama queen that she is), we decided that Nanga baba too will be a caesarean. My doctor decided on 23 Aug, Sunday as the day and asked us to admit on Saturday.

Oh well, ze junior had other plans...
Monday, I was purging the whole night and around eight on Tue morning I felt what I thought were contractions. Hubby was getting ready for work, so I told him to hold off going to work and time my contractions. Good grief they were coming every five min! Which was sudden I must say. H1's started about an hour apart, so we had plenty of time to prepare. We hadn't even packed our hospital bag as we thought we had plenty of time.I quickly packed it while Hubs called the doctor who told us to come right away.

So, off to hospital we went. By 9.30 I was hooked on to monitors and the doctor checking my contractions called my doctor (Dr Athula Kaluarachchi...b;ess him!) that I was indeed having mild contractions. Dr A asked them to have me ready for surgery by 11.00 am.

One reason I opted for a ceaser this time as well was that I remember I didn't suffer too much even after the surgery. I was in pain only the first three days or so and that too was only when I tried to get on and off the bed. Another was that, Dr A said he will allow Hubs to be with me this time around.

So around 10.30 I was wheeled to the theater, where they gave me the epidural, which I was dreading, but much to my relief didn't hurt at all.

After putting up drapes and prepping me, everyone calmly waited for Dr A to arrive. Everyone except me of cause. I didn't know I was nervous...but i could hear my heart beat through the monitor and boy was it fast! Once or twice a few alarms went off and the anesthetist asked me, "Are you nervous deary?"

I gave a weak smile, but I don't think she saw it because of the oxygen mask. But none of them seemed too concerned about the alarms because everyone was calmly chatting and joking. I tried saying Ithipisso and Karaneeya metta sutta, but kept forgetting the words. Then Dr A called around 11.00 to say some road was closed and he's stuck in traffic and will get a little late. I think it's justified that a few more alarms went off after that don't you think?

Finally around 11.30 Dr A arrived and my Hubs was allowed in. It was sooo good to have him with me that I think all my readings were very normal after that and I did not hear any more beeps.

After a lot of shaking and pulling at 12.05 p.m. arrived our Angel number 2!!!!

Helooooooooo Everyone!

Ah! I know these two!

Somebody give me a bath!

Stay tuned and I will tell you about my recovery after the C-section...Oh boy!

Go Figure!

H1 talking with her grandma, "Kiriamma, why are you called Kiriamma? Why not Cheese amma?"
After a giggle from Kiriamma, "Or why not Watermelon amma?"

Preggy Post

It's been a week since our new arrival and so far she has been a fairly easy baby compared to H1, maybe to make up for all the worries we had during the pregnancy.

I so wanted to blog about all my preggy experiences but after the 12th week, just when we thought it's safe to announce to the world that we were expecting, the most scariest thing happened.

I had just put up these two posts, 1 and 2, when one night I started bleeding. It felt like the whole world collapsed around me. We quickly rushed to the Emergency Room and was told that the baby was doing OK, but it could be a threatened miscarriage, and I was put on bed rest for a few days.

I quickly took the posts off the blog. Those were the most terrifying of days. I just chanted pirith all the time hoping that everything will be alright. Though I wanted to share all my experiences like the first kick or how the pregnancy was progressing I didn't want want to jinx it in anyway so I kept it quite even from close friends, relatives and this blog.

After a few days of bed rest, when the spotting had stopped I went to the mall and walked a fair bit. The spotting started again and the doctor put me on bed rest again for a few days and told me its OK to go back to work after a few days. So again when it stopped I went back to work and started spotting again.

Though the doctor told us that there is no connection between walking or working and the spotting, I noticed that it was when I walked a fair bit that this happened. We decided that nothing was worth than our baby and decided to give up my job. Luckily I had already told my employers that I would be leaving soon as we were getting ready to go back to Sri Lanka, so I was able to stop immediately.

Then on our 20th week ultrasound the doctor gave us more scary news. He said that I have a low-lying placenta and it was completely covering the opening of the cervix. This can later cause Placenta Previa. Now we were really scared as in a few weeks time we were to fly to Sri Lanka. I was sooo scared that flying would harm the baby, but the doctor assured us that since it's a short flight, the risks were very low. But you know how mothers are...I was worried the whole time and again right throughout the journey I kept chanting pirith to keep my mind at ease.

We had made an appointment with my gynecologist, Dr Kaluarachchi (who was H1's doctor), the same day we landed as we wanted to make sure the baby is alright after the flight. It was so reassuring to see him again. He's such a calming person that I immediately felt safe with him. He told us that there was nothing to worry about and not to think too much about the placenta as most move away from the opening of the cervix as the pregnancy progresses.

All in all, this pregnancy was filled with worries for me and I am so thankful that our baby came into the world without further complications.

Stay tuned and I will tell you about the whole birth experience...that one was scary too.

Look what the Stork brought in

A baby girl!!!

DOB 18/08/09
TIME 12.05 p.m.
WEIGHT 2.7 kg
LENGTH 48 cm
HABITS nocturnal (gaaaaaaaaah!)

details will follow after I get some much needed sleep and am able to keep my eyes open.

Garfield keeps getting fatter!

How I see it

H1 watching a heard of cattle walking leisurely down the main road, "They are going on a field trip...that's the teacher right in front..."

Art Stuff

H1's kindergarten had an art exhibition last week. These are her handy work.

That purple and pink fish is mine!

I drew this part of the picture

These are our group projects

Is it worth it?

I watched yesterday's news item of a school girl's suicide over a confiscated mobile phone with shock and disbelief. I can't imagine the pain the parents are going through right now (she was their only child).

What makes a little girl take her own life when her mobile phone is found. When you know you are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school, what makes you bring it in the first place. The news item said that she was scared of the parent's finding out that she had a mobile and that after the Principal called her to the office, she wanted to go to the toilet where she hung her self with the aid of her tie.

Why is a little girl so scared of her parents finding out that she did something wrong? What's the worse that can happen? She will get a scolding, she will be grounded. Is it worse than taking your life? Is it worth taking your own life?

As a parent it scared me. It scared me because I can't understand what makes children act this way. It scared me because just a week ago 8 students took poisonous seeds because birthday cards and love letters were found by a teacher and two of those students died. They too were scared of the parents finding out.

Are parents monsters? Is loosing your life better than facing the music...

I am determined to remember that I was a teenager once when my kids reach the turbulent years.
I am determined to remember that I was curious about the opposite sex, that I was the biggest flirt around, that I had numerous crushes, that I sent millions of valentine cards every year.
I am determined to remember that I lied to my parents sometimes to get to a party, that when there were sleepovers, we spent hours looking at male genitalia because none of us had seen a real one by then.
I will remember that we were once chased out by the Vijitha Yaapa manager for browsing sex books with pictures.
Though I never smoked, drank or experimented with drugs, I will remember that teenagers are curious about these things.
I will remember that all these are normal teenage behavior when the time comes, though H1 will probably be grounded for eternity should she attempt any ;o)

Are parents too strict with kids for them to be so scared? My father was very strict with us. Heck..he didn't even allow us to watch TV after 9.00 pm as 'those Amercan bullshit' will corrupt our little minds. But my mom was sooo cool about everything. We could tell her about our heartaches and crushes. We used to even show her those valentine cards. I think that's the way to go. Be approachable.

I want H1 to know that no matter what, no matter how much trouble she is in, the safest place is in her parents arms. That though she might get a scolding, those arms will encircle her all the time.

Even now we make sure that after a scolding or a time out, we hug her, kiss her and say that it's alright. We let her know that we forgive her and love her. I hope that will let her know that no matter how much she has misbehaved or done wrong that nothing will ever change how much we love her.

I hope that no child ever takes their life in fear of facing their parents...
That no parent ever has to go through the agony of loosing their precious child...

Deathly Issues

With the passing of Micheal Jackson, because of all the media coverage, H1 has suddenly become very interested in death. Maybe interested isn't the correct word...more like apprehensive.

Most conversations were like this:

H1: Does everyone die?
Me : Yes darling. Everyone dies sometime or the other.
H1 : But I don't want to die!
M : Don't worry love, you want die for a long time. You usually grow old before you die.
H1 : Kiriamma is old. Is she going to die?
M: No love. She's not that old. She'll live a long long time. Maybe even till you grow up and get married and kids of your own.
H1 : What happens when we die?
M : Well, we think that we will be born somewhere else.
H1 : And I won't be H1?
M : No.
H1 : (Crying by now) But I don't want to be different. I want to be H1. I am so pretty. I don't want to look different. There is only one H1 in the world!

And by this point I would try to console her and divert her attention to something else.

Yesterday, after seeing a dead bug, she started asking me questions about death again.
H1 : Ammi will I die too?
M : Yes love. But not for a very long long long time.
H1 : If I drink a lot of milk will I not die?
M : Well, if you drink a lot a milk and eat your veggies, you'll be very healthy and healthy people don't die for a very long time.
H1 : Isn't there ANYTHING I can take to stop dying? (tears slowly sprouting from the eyes)
M : No love. But you don't have to worry. It's not going to happen anytime soon.
H1 : But I don't want to die! I don't want to be different! I will be different, maybe like a BOY! (Crying very hard)
M : No sweetheart, if you are a good girl, you will be born in a good place the way you want.
H1 : But I am naughty sometimes...
M : It's OK to be naughty sometimes because you are still a little girl.
H1 : Grown ups can't be naughty...
M : That's right.
H1 : Can I play the 'Queen' game now?
M : OK. That's a good idea (relieved)
H1 : "OK. You be the queen. Can I get you a soup your majesty?"

Reema Pottu Mee

Much to my chagrin this has become H1's favourite song. She calls it "Reema Pottu Mee song" and would come running from whatever she is doing if she hears it on TV. Maybe bacause half the words are in English and she understands parts of it :o)
What a long advertisement!!

Sometimes parents make mistakes too...

H1 was so looking forward to colouring with her father before bedtime. She kept on saying, "Can you come now Thaaththi, can you please come now?" and her father kept on saying, "Give me five minutes darling...just wait OK?"

Finally when her father was ready, H1 skipped to her room only to be told, "Let's brush your teeth and get ready for bed first and then we'll colour." Boy wasn't she disappointed. So naturally she threw a mini tantrum. But her father was adamant. So H1 comes running to the mother complaining about this huge injustice. To compromise the mother says, "Why don't you coulour for five minutes first, then brush your teeth and then go back to colouring?" Both father and daughter are reluctant to back down. So the mother keeps quite while trying to sooth the daughter.

The father finally wins and gets his way, but H1 gets to colour with him for half and hour after brushing her teeth and getting ready for bed.

While the mother puts her to bed H1 says in a very sad voice, "Why doesn't Thaaththi listen to me once? I do EVERYTHING for him." "Oh you poor baby," the mother say, "Sometimes father's make mistakes too. But it's OK because you got to colour with him for a long time right?"

After H1 falls asleep, the mother relates the conversation to the father who by now feels so sorry that he says, "I want to go and hug her." The mother says, "Please don't do that, you'll wake her up. Why don't you tell her you were wrong in the morning when she wakes up?"

So, the next morning as H1 wakes up, the father rushes into the room, hugs her and says, "You know darling, I am sorry about last night. I should have coloured with you first. I am sorry," and H1 smiles serenely.

While getting ready for school she says triumphantly, "See, I was right!"

A school for Hooty

We are so relieved that H1 has been accepted to the school that we were hoping for. It's absolutely crazy the way we have to go about ensuring a good school for the kids.

There is no way that we can hope to put H1 into a so called 'popular' government school because of the distance issue. I went through the form just the other day and how they allocate marks for a child. They reduce 5 marks for every school that is in between the school of your choice and your place of residence. Because we are in the outskirts of Colombo, H1 will end up getting minus marks!

We are lucky that we are fortunate enough to be able to send her to a private school. But it makes me sad about the lack of choice for most people and the disparity.

The whole process of this school business was hilarious actually, but I can only see the funny side of it after H1 got through. Many agonizing weeks were spent before we got the letter of acceptance.

You first need to pay and get the application form. And believe me, our poor cousin had to stay in line for 2 hours (as we were in Singapore then) just to get the form.

Then if you are lucky, you get a letter informing you that you and your child has been called for an interview. Yep...they even interview the kid!

Our time was given as 11.00 a.m. So there we were taking our time getting ready when one of my friends who had gone through the whole process before, gave me a call around 8.00 am.
"What are you still doing home?" she asked.
"It's only at 11" I say.
"Are you crazy. You better go now. Even though it says 11, the earlier you go, the better for you. They issue a number when you go and you will be taken in according to the number and not the time given."
"OMG!" I said now in total panic mode, "We have to get dressed and go NOW!" I called out to bewildered hubster.
"Does H1 know what you and Hubby do?" my friend asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"They ask the kid what the parents do to make sure what you put down as your jobs in the form are true"
"OMG!" I say hyperventilating, "I don't think she knows!"
"Does she know where you live? They ask that too and even though it says just bring the letter and birth certificate make sure you take all your educational certificates, letters of employment and what ever you think is necessary because they might want to see them." said my friend.
"OMG, I gotta go. There's so much to do" I said, running around like a headless chicken.

So, while getting H1 ready I asked her, "What is Thaaththi's job darling. What does he do?"
"He does EVERYTHING!" she said.
"Hmmmm...what does Ammi do?"
"She cooks!"
"OMG Hubby, she doesn't know what we do!" I scream. Tell her quick! What shall we say?
Oh dear...oh dear" squealed the headless chicken.

"Where do we live Sweety," I asked in the car.
"Matara!" said H1.
"That's where Aththamma lives love" I said trying not to throw up.

After prepping her, we finally arrived at the school and the heavens parted. Yep...and we had no umbrella! So Hubby dropped us at the gate and holding the hundreds of files above our heads we made it in where we were body searched...you heard me right...by a security guard before we were given a queue number. 288 it was and the time was barely 9.30 a.m.!

I looked around the tense atmosphere and every single woman there was wearing a sari...good enough for a wedding, and there I was in pants and a blouse. "OMG, they will reduce marks for not wearing a sari...what do we do? WHAT DO WE DO??" I asked hubby. "It's OK. you have an excuse. It's obvious you can't wear a sari. Don't worry." my calm husband assured me. I was 7 months preggy you see.

All the kids were dolled up. All were in pretty little pink dresses, hair in ribbons and clips. I saw little kids being brought in by them selves without the parents after their number was called. So I quickly told H1, "See, those little girls go all by them selves with the big akki's. Ammi and Thaaththi won't come with you OK darling? Don't worry OK. It looks like fun! Wow! I wonder what they did. I think they had fun in there," while keeping my fingers crossed!

By the way, while waiting for our number to be called, I went to the toilet three times to pee (which was next to the interview room)..yep THREE. I have no idea what everyone thought of me! Well there was a bubba using my bladder for a comfy seat!

When our number was called, we went in and H1 was suddenly grabbed by an older girl and taken away. I was too stunned and so was Hubby. There was no time for a good bye even. I am so glad I prepared her. Apparently if the child cried at this point, she is crossed off then and there!

Hubs and I were asked a few abrupt questions about what we do and what our schools were and that was it! H1 apparently had to go to five teachers who asked her questions (yes, they did ask what does your parents do!) and was asked to identify some colours, animals, find the difference in two pictures and do a memory puzzle. I was really worried about how she would do as she is still not conversant in Sinhala. When I asked her how she did, she said "The teacher asked me questions in Sinhala. I answered in English." I guess she did well as she was accepted. Phew.

Then came the waiting...calls to people I knew who had gone for the interviews..."Did you get a letter yet?"

Finally after 3 weeks we did get it and fortunately for us...it was a yes.

Cat Chronicles

I think I posted about these two coming to dinner a few weeks back. H1 is delighted that she has such cute dinner guests. I've forbidden her to touch the fellows as we don't know whose cats they are and have no idea whether they have been vaccinated against rabies and such. But they must be cats from some neighbour as they are not scared of us and seems to be quite used to people but they sure are hungry all the time!

Feed me! Feed ME! FEED ME!!!


I will follow you to the end of the Earth if you give me food...


What more can you ask for...a 'foot massage' after a good meal


H1  playing a 'lullaby' for the cats...at least that's what she claimed it was ;o)


When the cats refused to go after a while (and you wonder why???) Hubby 'shooed' them away and shouted for them to get a move on. H1 was very upset about this and said, "Thaaththi! DON'T scold the cats. I am very disappointed in you!"

And turning to the cats she apologised, "Don't mind my Thaaththi. He doesn't mean it OK?"

Sleeping Alone

Now that H1 has a room of her own we were keen to get her to sleep alone. We thought it will take at least a few weeks for us to get her used to it. But H1 had other plans. She was so exited to get a room of her own that she herself suggested that she wants to sleep in her room by her self! Weren't we so relieved!

She has now slept in her room for about a week. She would wake up occupationally and call out to me or come into our room. But things are working out just fine I think. Phew!

Puncha

I can't explain it...the love between my sister and H1. I would call it unconditional love without a doubt. From the time that H1 was born my sister has loved my baby like she has never loved anyone. Even when we were in Singapore, she made it a point to collect money and come every December just to see H1 even when she couldn't really afford it.

Now every week Puncha, as H1 calls her, comes to visit her without fail. And H1 has a ball of a time. I am amazed at how much time and energy Puncha puts into making H1 happy.

You are one reason I am sooooo glad we came back to Sri Lanka Puncha, and I dedicate this post to you. Thank you so much for the happiness you bring my angel.



Puncha made H1's first ever Wesak Lantern with her


H1 loves playing 'Saloon' with Puncha. Puncha being given a manicure.



Let me make you pretty Puncha. (Notice how pink she looks ;o)

Advertise to me

(I've been sooooo lazy to even log into the blog the last couple of weeks....)

It's amazing how kids are influenced by the advertisements on TV. H1 seems to have become the spokesperson for several brands by now.

There's an add for instant noodles apparently fortified with all the vitamins there is, and H1, who is a huge instant noodles fan, says to me, "See, that's healthy! you MUST buy it."

A few days back Hubby was looking for a hair gel at the supermarket and just picked up a jar. H1 rushes over and picks one particular brand that has an ad showing a guy who styles his hair into to several looks, and says, "Thaaththi, use this and you can look different!" Today in the morning, while Hubs was getting ready for work, H1 noticed him putting on the hair gel and says, "Now your hair will start standing up Thaaththi."

While watching the abysmal performance of our team at the 20/20 match yesterday, H1 says, "They need to drink Milo, that's why they are not winning," because as you might have already guessed, the girl drinking Milo wins the tennis match in the ad.

Anyone in the advertisement arena looking for a mini spokesperson, please feel free to contact me!

Joy Ride

Got behind the steering wheel for the first time in about 4 years. It felt soooo goood! Was a little wobbly and shaky at first but like Celine Dion would say, "It's all coming back to me now..." ;o)

H1 who has never seen me driving was highly impressed and thrilled. "I didn't know Ammi can drive," She says and after that goes on to a long discussion about how she would drive when she grows up.

"When I get married Thaaththi, I will choose my husbands car." says H1.
"Good idea darling", I say looking at the one my Hubby's got.
"It's going to be one without a roof."
"Wow! A convertible. The girl's definitely got taste." I say looking at my Hubster.
"Yes. and we will wear sunglasses and hats when it's sunny and have umbrella's when it rains." H1 says.

That car is going to have lot's of fungi growing me thinks.

New Companions

H1 has so many new friends. We love this place. Every morning we are greeted by little chubby birds (battichcho?) and fluffy squirrels. So we'd go out into the garden and share our breakfast. I am so glad that after living in stark flats in Singapore, H1 finally gets to enjoy the beauty and joy in her fellow creatures.



These two seems to have moved into our rain drain and called it home sweet home. Even after three days, they are still there. Maybe they are thinking of starting a family.



And everyday we see this heard of buffaloes munching their way through the paddy field.



I think I'll have to get a book on birds to identify all the birds that come visit us.






This fellow and a black one (very like Nayomi Knatolee ;o)...comes to dinner everyday.



It makes you glad to be alive just to see all these lovely creatures everyday and I am glad that H1 seems to have inherited our love of nature and all creatures. She only has one complaint about her new companions though. "I just don't like the flies and mosquitoes in Sri Lanka Ammi," She told me just the other day.

Settled

Oh my...I haven't been this way for ages. Finally things are falling into place. We found a wonderful place. It's easy to forget that we are so close to Colombo cause the house we found is right by a paddy field. H1 finally has a garden to play in and numerous creatures to marvel at.

Talking of creatures guess who our first visitors were....a couple of these who came to steal our mangoes!



On a whole differnt note, both Harumi and Santhoshi has tagged me..thanks guys.
theses are the rules:

1. you need to write 5 words describing your thoughts / views about the recent events of Lanka
2. you need to tag 5 bloggers
3. you need to.. sit back and relax! =D

so here are my thoughts...

* Happiness
* Hopeful
* Help
* Future
* Thankful

Everybody seems to have tagged everyone else so I am going to leave an open tag. But let me say this. I am soooo thankful that I am in Sri Lanka right now.

Vesak

One reason for coming back was for H1 to grow up in a Buddhist environment. However, I think I managed to somehow scew-up the first lesson!

H1 asked me what Vesak was and I told her that it's Budusadu's B'day. I didn't want to elaborate the enlightenment and passing away as I thought she wouldn't grasp it. So I told her since Budusadhu told people to be good and do good, they would go to the temple and give to the less fortunate and so on.

On Vesak day we took her to the temple and urrrrrrm H1 started singing "Happy B'day to you, happy B'day to you, Happy B'day Budusadu, Happy B'day to you." Oh well...

Home Sweet Home

Finally got an internet connection....

The heat is killing. Someone tell me please that this is just in May or I might start regretting coming back! ;o)

Anyway life is pretty hectic right now with me nearly going crazy living off a suitcase. Poor hubby boy is out all day looking for cars and houses. I am keeping my fingers and every other body part crossable crossed mighty tight hoping that we'd find a decent place soon..but by Jove the rent prices are crazy in Colombo!

H1 however is adapting beautifully without a complaint. On our way into Col from the airport she pensively said "Now there will be lot's of itching for me to do..." I think she remembered all the mosquito bites she had the last time we were here ;o). Yesterday Puncha took her to a park nearby and when H1 returned, her cloths were covered in dust. Hubby remarked how dirty her cloths were and she philosophically said, "That's how Sri Lankan parks are Thaaththi. Dirty. Anyway, we can always wash our cloths" That's my Sri Lankan girl, I thought!

She had her first school interview and I think it went well. There's another one at the end of the month. Hope we'll get her into that school. must start looking for kindergartens once we settle down. Did I mention that life is hectic right now? Maaaaaaan life is hectic. But every time I think of complaining about our no-where-to-stay status I think of the IDPs....

Our bags are packed and we are ready to go...

Finally!!! After tons of packing and cleaning and washing...

Tomorrow we are homeward bound. I might not update the blog for a couple of weeks as we'll need to find a place to settle down and get an internet connection. I am sooooo looking forward to eating food cooked by someone else!

It's our turn to do something....

I am going to borrow a few sentences from a friend's blog because he so eloquently puts across what I want to say: "Let me start by saying that I don’t believe in war, and every war takes it’s toll on people, leaving them mutilated, suffering and traumatized for life."

But we are trying to provide some relief to those affected by this war.

We have details of over 200 children of Sri Lanka armed forces members who have either laid down their lives or have suffered physical disability while defending our motherland. Please show your gratitude to these heroic men and their families by sponsoring the education of their children.

* Stipulated monthly amount is Rs.1,000 (~US$ 10). You are welcome to donate more if you wish.

* Your donation will go directly into the child’s or guardian's account.

* Recommended period of scholarship is 4 years. You have the flexibility to decide on a longer or shorter duration based on individual needs.

* You could either make a one time payment of Rs.48,000 (or more) or make monthly donations over the duration of the scholarship.

* Bank account number and the contact details of the child and the family will be provided by the SLAF Seva Vanitha upon submission of application. If you wish you can contact the family and verify the details before starting contributions.

Please visit www.ranavirufund.org/ranaviruchildren.html to download the application form and a detailed description of the procedure.



Also, there is a call out there for providing essential items for the IDPs. Please help in any way you can and show our fellow brothers and sisters we really do care about them.

Items needed:
- Wearable used/new cloths
- Bottled water
- Food items
- Dry rations
- Milk powder for children (Laksprey, Anchor etc)
- sanitary items


Collection centres
BMICH Colombo and all the Divisional Secretariat offices in the country and to relevant media institutions.

Happy Birthday My Princess

Five years ago you were placed in my arms

A pink screaming bundle

One look at your beautiful face

Made me an emotional muddle

The first year flew by so fast

All I remember is a pinky haze

Of endless feeding and dirty diapers

And me walking around in a sleepy daze

Then you turned a bubbly One

And started chattering and walking

There was me on all fours

Trying to keep you from falling

Ah, then came the terrible twos

Where tantrums were a daily ritual

How I wanted to tear my hair

I think the feeling was mutual

Then my darling turned three

Where I gave a big old sigh

Hoping and praying that

the end of tantrums were drawing nigh

Four brought about such a change

A sweet and gentle angel you became

Hair band, bangles and pretty pink shoes

All became part of the game

Happy B’day my princess

Today you turned five

You are my pride and joy

One of the reasons I am glad I’m alive

I love you with all my heart

And hope all your little wishes come true

That you’ll grow up to be a kind and wonderful soul

Is my wish for you…