Minion's India Haul ( Favorites)

We got back from our India vacation  last week and still in the process of settling down. Gosh, the hangover is real.

Anika had a wonderful time getting all pampered by the family (special mention: the grandparents). She enjoyed chasing behind dogs, Moo'ng at the cows, calling out for Autos, all the attention she got during her Chitapa's wedding and so many other precious moments that has made it to the 'beautiful memories of her childhood' which she will one day listen to.

We got back not only with truck loads of memories but also suitcases filled with goodies and I figured I might as well share some of my favorites from this trip.

1. School bus storage bin

This is the coolest bin I have ever seen! It is a storage bin that looks like a school bus from outside. I stumbled upon a Facebook group for toys and bought this from the 'mompreneur' who runs the group. It is really sturdy and the quality is just great. Holds up to 40 books ( depending on the size of the book) and of course it can be used to store toys or just about anything.

2. Nat Geo kids book

This is a set of 3 books - Animals, Space and Why.  Although it is available in US, it turned out to be way cheaper in India. Minion is obsessed with the book of animals. She enjoys identifying the animals and have even started naming some of them. I can't wait for her to get hooked to the other two. I am sure the book will grow with her for years to come. I bought this set from another mompreneur in another Facebook group

3. Naisha series

This is a set of 12 books and revolves around the main character named 'Naisha'. It takes us along with Naisha to mall, farm, zoo, airport, park etc. It introduces the toddler to sight words and helps relate to everyday objects.

No surprises, I got this from a mom in a facebook group! I am yet to read it with the minion. Hoping she likes it especially after seeing so many great reviews. Will keep this space updated.

4. Good night stories for  Rebel Girls

OH.MY.GOD! I was literally screaming in joy when I ordered this book. I have been eyeing this book for the longest time and just couldn't bring myself to buy it for $35. Yes it costs $35 in the US. So I was waiting for the right deal and oh boy, am I glad that I waited!  Guess what, I found this book on amazon.in for Rs400. Whattttt! That is close to only $7. A steal! Come on! You got to scream with me now! $35 and $7 Yayyy!

Unfortunately, the book got delivered only the day after I left India. But as always, what are friends and family for. I am sure it will soon reach me and I can't wait to read it with the mini.

5. Firstcry.com

Firstcry.com is my go-to website for clothes for the minion and I have always been pleased.

I really love the PJs that I got for her this time. And this is my personal favorite!

How cute is that.

The quality is great and the price point works great too.

I had ordered couple of dresses for the wedding and this is my absolute favorite.

So firstcry.com - strongly recommend.

As you can see ,this the minion's haul. Let me know if you would like a post on the amma's haul (although its not a lot)

On Vacation

If by any chance, you are here to check for my new post as it is Thursday, thank you so so much for checking in. As much as I tried to schedule a post for today, I was not able to get around doing it with packing and other travel preparations.

As you read this, we will be in India on our vacation for 2 weeks. I will be back on Dec 7!

See you guys soon!

Love
R

Disney Is Always Right !

Trust me, I had another post almost ready for today but then  I really needed  to write this down so it stays as a reminder for the times to come.

Last couple of weeks have been crazy with the minion literally crying for no reason at all. She has been acting all cranky and as much as I hate to call names, I am left with no other choice of word - stubborn (maybe, strong- willed? Hmm)

She was going through her fussy week. If you do not know what it is, you should totally read the book 'Wonder Weeks'. It is literally my bible. Babies tend to go through a huge developmental leap every once in a while and it gets too much for them to handle. So they get all cranky and worked up.

I get it. I totally get it. It is rough few weeks for the tiny ones as well. When she was much younger, I was an angel of a mom being all empathetic and sympathetic but it gets tougher not to react when the said baby is now a toddler and the helpless cries are now tantrums.

Like

Ask her not to grate a whole apple with her teeth  ( that she just got recently) , hell breaks loose.

Try changing a diaper and she starts screaming.

Try changing her dress, its bloody murder.

Ask her not to chew on batteries ( that she managed to take it out of her toys), she literally sobs and sobs.

Leave her to play in the living room and walk to kitchen which is just few inches away, she comes running, crying and hold my legs like I ditched her for good.

And worst of all is her meal time. I started dreading meal times as it got really really stressful. I used to look forward to her meal times especially when she was 6 to 9 months old. She was such a happy eater and now it has gotten so scary.

She just doesn't want anything to do with food for the last three weeks or so and this has been going on and off for last few months (coincides with fussy weeks).

I resolve every single time not to get stressed about it. I strongly believe in not forcing food. Maybe skipping breakfast is okay. Give her early lunch and she just pushes it away? Oh yeah, maybe she is still not hungry. Let me wait it out. But when it's 3.00 pm and all that she has eaten for the day- 3 slices of watermelon and half a cucumber, that is when it gets over me.

I try and try and she pushes and pushes away! And its gets to my head. Although my brain says to stop trying and give her a break, it seemed just not that easy for me to let it go and let her have her way.

When I think about it now, its like

"Do YOU think YOU know when YOU are hungry? Ha, no way. I know things better and I decide it for you. " Sounds crazy right? Yeah I know.

I wouldn't really call her a 'fussy eater'. It is a phase that comes and goes. So is it not better to let it go as I know she will definitely come around. She has always done that, goes for days like this and then eats like there is no tomorrow for few days to follow. She always  seems to  enjoy food when I do not force it on her. She is now an individual by herself capable of making her own choices.

So why don't I just  LET IT GO for God's sake and make it little less stressful for both of us as we have so many diaper and dress changes to deal with already (along with so many toys to check for batteries). Atleast, I know that she is going through some major developmental leap and the poor thing doesnt even realize what is going on.

I tried to follow her lead completely yesterday when it comes to eating. I am not sure if it is the end of her wonder week  ( mentioned in the book) or the change in my attitude or both, it made a world of difference. We enjoyed our day after two long stressful weeks. We even managed to click pictures with the fall leaves (the ones you see in this post). Hoping this calm lasts longer or atleast till the next wonder week hits me right on the head.

So the next time the going gets tough, before you get the tough going, see if you can follow Disney Frozen and just LET IT GO! Sometimes it can be as simple as that.

Wishing you all a very happy weekend! Yes, Friday is part of the weekend to me. And yes, I make weekend sound like Diwali or Christmas coz it really is.

And also, countdown to my India vacation starts ( yes, second india trip in a year).

10 more days to go!

5 Baby/Toddler Products We Love

Yay! It's Thursday and I actually made it on time. If you read my previous post, you would know my goal  to publish a post every Thursday. As simple as it might sound, trust me, the struggle is REAL.

I am in love with few products that we have been using for a while and thought I could do a series of 5 products we heart every now and then.

Here are some of my recent favorites in no particular order. And also, these are really not essentials, just some add-ons that makes life tad bit easier !

1. IKEA Bib

Anyone who sees the minion eat would wonder if she is straight out of the caves. It is a sight to watch (not!). And to make it even better, she HATES bibs or to be honest - I think she loves it so much that she starts chewing on them the second I put it on and I ended up hating them. So this bib from IKEA is a life savior. This is like a dress that you can wear over your actual dress and it is also very easy to clean. Minion may or may not like it depending on her mood but I loveeeeee it!

2. Munchkin 360 trainer cup

Minion loves drinking from cups. As much as I love to encourage it, I cannot take too many risks with carpets. So this miracle cup to the rescue. This is a spill proof cup - sway it to your right and sway it to your left, turn it upside down and you are still good. It comes with two handles that makes it easier for the tiny hands to hold them.

I wanted to take a picture of a happy baby holding the cup smiling and enjoying her water, but babies are always not the happiest, right? Sometimes they are upset, angry and well, just not happy. So thought I might as well keep it real. See, I told ya, its spill proof!

3. Buckwheat cereal

I tell this story every single time I recommend this product to any of my friend -

" I was at the Whole foods supermarket looking for XYZ product for the minion and asked an employee's help in figuring out where the product was. I generally find whole foods employees super sweet and this guy was no exception. He not only helped me find the product I was looking for but he also introduced me to this amazing cereal which happened to be his son's favorite. And I will forever be thankful to him as this is minion's go-to cereal for now. She would settle for this cereal any day even when she is not feeling it for any other food!"

Now that I told you guys the story, I consider the recommendation done!

4. Learning tower

I guess toddlers are the most curious beings there can ever be and minion is no exception. She just HAS to see what is cooking on stove. She will one day make a great quality inspector. She needs to see how many spoons of what goes into what. So the husband made this learning tower and we love it. Sometimes it even makes a great snacks stool for her to stand and enjoy food. I am sure we will put it to great use for the next few years!

5. Dear Zoo

Last but not the least, books! She loves books is an understatement(for now!) I will try to make a post on all her favorite books sometime soon but her current obsession - animals! Both her obsession in one go - 'Dear Zoo'. She loves reading it again and again and again!

That is all for today! Enjoy the rest of the week and have a beautiful weekend. See you again next Thursday.

Hi. Hello. I am still alive!

Hello! How are u guys doing? It's been a really long time and am so excited to be back here

Minion is now 14 months! Actually, a week shy from turning 15 months! Can u believe it?!?

I Am Being Watched!

Yougaizz, this is serious! I started sensing that I am being watched two months back. But things got pretty serious in the last couple of weeks! I am being watched ALL THE TIME that it gets so creepy and freaks me out like crazy.

I think it all started when the Minion was  around 3.5 months old or atleast that is when I noticed it. I was having my usual cup of evening coffee! She was observing me as I drank my coffee, her eyes following with such focus from the mug to my mouth. I casually brushed it off telling her she needs to wait for a really long time to have her first coffee.

But then couple of weeks back, I noticed that very same pair of eyes watching me all the time - when I eat, when I brush my hair, when I sneeze, when I cough, when I use my mobile phone, when I apply my lip balm and yes, literally all the time! It was no longer funny.

You may wonder what the big deal is about it now and all babies do the same. Yes. All babies do that. And that is why it is a huge deal. I am sure every parent will have a spark of the moment at some point or the other when they realize it and this is probably mine!

It hit upon me how much I have taught her  these 5 months even without my knowledge and how much I have influenced her with no intentions at all.

Believe me, I am no preacher. I don't think I have ever preached about anything in this space but this time I am going to - not to anyone else but myself.

 When you give it a serious thought, babies are just like a sponge soaking in anything and everything that is offered to them. Don't they?

Husband and I joke around often at home calling each other crazy etc. Although we know we are just goofing around, I very much doubt if the Minion knows it. We most certainly don't want her to call either of us crazy or any other name anytime soon.

The other day I caught her staring at me while I was browsing on my phone! Am I not teaching her that it is okay to get distracted when you are with company? Can I even complain when she is hooked to her phone without responding to me when she grows up?

If I leave behind the toys without clearing after her playtime, should I not be prepared to see her do the same in future? Can I even expect her to clear her own mess?

Am I not setting the standards here of what is acceptable and what is not!

As scary as it may sound to me, I play a huge part in  shaping her 'normal'

So when I try to evaluate myself -

I try my best to reduce phone usage as much as possible when she is awake. But that is not enough. I need to work on it more however tough it might be.

I need to make sure I eat on time and most importantly  the 'right' food at the 'right' place. I must remind myself that couch is not the place to eat. This is the phase that will set her eating habits and I really want to make it right!

I really need to watch my words. Thankfully, neither do I use swear words often nor do I fight with husband bringing the roof down, but I must definitely be more conscious of my choice of words (definitely not use the word '$#!t' which I tend to use when I don't get things my way!)

I have always been generous with "please", "thank you" and "excuse me" but I must put more conscious efforts to keep doing it day to day basis.

Some may think I am over reacting as she is just 5 months old.  But all I know is I can't undo the lessons I have unintentionally taught her these 5 months but I can definitely make up for it if I start NOW. 

Changes do not happen overnight. It needs practice. There is no time better than NOW and I really don't want her first word to be '$#!t'.

Jillu And Ammu

There can be nothing more precious than watching your baby bond with your mom. My mom fondly calls the Minion - 'Jillu' and although I call my mom by different name, 'ammu' rhymes better, so 'ammu' it is!

They have an amazing bond right from the very beginning. No kidding! Just look at the way 'Jillu' looks at 'Ammu' on day 1.

And that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. They say, "Grand mom is little bit of parent, little bit of teacher and a little bit of best friend". I totally agree!  'Ammu' is all that and more to 'Jillu'. 

Month 1

Jillu loved her exclusive time with paati in the early mornings and enjoyed chilling away to her heart's content.

'Jillu' need not say it aloud or show in actions, but it is right there in her eyes and smile! She always reserves the best of her smiles for 'Ammu'. She is always the happiest when it is her paati holding her! 

Look at these two - matching outfits! 

When you are held by someone who loves you unconditionally, happiness is an understatement, right?

My mom had to return back to India when the Minion was 4 months old and I was feeling bad more for the little one than for myself. It was really beautiful to see their friendship blossoming day by day and felt really guilty to separate them by distance. 

Airport scene

We were not sure if the Minion would feel the absence at home as we felt she was too small then. But surprisingly, she did! She cried for no reason at all in the afternoons for couple of days. I like to believe it is because she missed her paati.

I cannot wait for these two be reunited when we go to India this year.

 Until then, here are some of my favorite videos of my favorite girls-

Their conversations when she was 2.5 months old

This little stinker went to her paati to complain about me when she was 3 months old. All I did was give her milk when she was not hungry!

Play time with paati

Those giggles