Of Mars and Venus - toddler style

1. One of the guys (drummer) had just come back from India and they(I am sure it was the Mrs selection) had gotten clothes for all the kids in the gang. That day the only girl in the gang of you boys, Snow White (as she shall henceforth be known) was also home. You had just finished lunch and she was still eating. Drummer uncle was home for lunch too (the Mrs was still back in India with the little one) and had gotten your clothes and Snow White's clothes. Once your finished lunch I excitedly opened your package and admired the colorful clothes they had gotten for you. But I could not resist wanting to open Snow White's package and look. So next that's what I did. I also took out the prettiest lace pink dress and was showing it to her and her mom. Me and her mom were gushing over how pretty it was. She sat there looking at it up and down very analytically and then said 'Can you show me the back of the dress'? It was a defining moment - she was the girl! I was so proud of her and so amused too. Sigh, I love my boy but the next time around I do think I would like a girl... (tee hee)

2. Our gang of pals had taken a vacation last year. We had all gone to a beautiful cabin at Lake Tahoe. Snow White had gotten her doll with her. One day when all was peaceful, meaning all the kids were playing with separate toys/books/napping Snow White took her doll, kept in in the high chair, offered the doll food and water and besieged her to eat. After a while the doll was forgotten on the high chair and off went Snow White to play. One of the lil guys came along, lets call him Om. Then Om proceeded to pull the doll by her hair and topple the doll's sippy etc. Then RK joined along and yanked the doll off the high chair with her hair. Then they both started banging the doll against the carpet just for fun. There was such a stark contrast to the ways of lil boys and lil girls right there built into their DNA.

My wish on #1 above came true in the fall of 2012. Now that I have one of each I can't wait to observe and hopefully record some of these moments. In some way they also help me understand this world a little better!

Sense of humor

1. A couple of months ago you had just finished dinner and started playing with your animals. And then you said 'Giraffe va grass chaapada vechutaan RK.'. (I kept the giraffe to graze). You then looked up at me and said 'Giraffe kku bib pottu vidu amma'. (Put on a bib for the giraffe amma). I looked at you funny and then you started laughing. It was so funny and you knew it.
2. You and me were going through what sounds all the animals make. Then you said 'Amma, bull says?'. And I asked you back 'What does the bull say RK?'. You responded 'Bull says bull bull' :-)
3. Another time when we were reading a book you have on farm animals, I told you that paapa (young) goose are called 'gosling' and on the next page I mentioned young ducks are called 'ducklings'. We turned the page and there was a chicken with some chicks on it. You said 'Paapa chick kku peru chickling' and you laughed with your pearly whites showing and your eyes all smiling. And once I laughed, you made this joke many times afterward and still do :-)
4. Yesterday we were driving back home after a weekday dinner out. Dinner out is a rarity these days (consciously so) and on a weekday even more so. But DT and I had a stressed out week and so needed a break. Anyways, on the way back you did something really cute and I said 'Amma loves RK'. I then looked over at DT driving looking handsome with a new haircut and clean shaven etc and said 'Amma also loves appa'. You responded 'Nooo..'. I said 'Yes, amma loves RK and also amma loves appa'. You responded this time with 'Amma, don't love appa'. Needless to say DT and I burst out laughing and thankfully you are not old enough to take offense and you laughed too :-)
   

For moments like this...

I am glad I did not have to wait a lifetime. Recording those that I remember while I remember them.

• The way you put your arm around my neck when you know I might have to leave the bed and your side for a day's work.
• The way you kiss me of your own freewill and on both cheeks too. Sloppy wet kisses that are the best.
• The way you look for me as soon as you wake up in the morning with an announcement of 'amma'.
• The way you say 'bye' to me when asked to and then immediately demand 'thooki' with a naughty glean. You know I have to leave and sometimes say gibberish (which is rare for you) to keep me talking. It is an "Awww" moment for me every time.
• When you are content sitting on my lap reading a book with me.
• How you want to snuggle close to me when drinking your milk.
• When you say 'Itsy Bitsy' knowing I will sing it and tickle you silly.
• You and me sitting on the porch swing listening to the birds settling down at dusk. It never ceases to amaze me how you can sit perfectly still for about a min or so when I point out a bird sound.
• The three of us horsing around on the bed on a Sunday morning when we know we have no place better to be.