First solo trip (5th Grade Camp)

A mighty first this one. M's school offers a 2-night-3-day camp at a YMCA facility somewhere in the boonies (I am kidding, it's a popular spot) for all fifth graders. 

Manya has always been an independent kid - I mean her first day at play school or preschool or Kindergarten has never ever been one with distraught - she has been happy and well adjusted from day 1 and is mostly not weary of strange places or people - and having already had her sleepover in October last year, I knew she was more than ready.

Earlier this year in May, she had come from school with all the forms etc - super excited and with a strict instruction that I should not volunteer. Honestly, I was not even sure if I wanted to - but once she was so clear she didn't want me to - the decision was made. It was an easy one - putting myself in her shoes - I wouldn't want my parents on a trip with friends :). Ofcourse I did tease her and gave her some good natured grief on what she was planning to do in my absence :).

Fast forward to Monday last week and the day had come. But let's rewind to the weekend - oh my god - I just about held it together - not from sadness but madness - the kid has actually gone on me when it comes to packing overpacking. I did not know that that was a trait genetically bequeathed :). Fyi, my mom's an overpacker too. Anyways, she was packing two towels, two swim suits, 4 pairs of shorts, 3 pairs of joggers, eight pairs of tops, two pairs of pjs and the list goes on (the list of toileteries alone was mind boggling: face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss - wtf flosses on camp? - face moisturiser for day, face moisturiser for night, body moisturizer, sunscreen for face, sunscreen for body, etc etc etc).  I asked her if she had plans beyond the camp because the rest of the school was going only for two nights. I learnt another fact, it is easy to cut down other's stuff than your own - so we went to war and finally reached a somewhat mutually happy packing list. 

This was also a mighty first for me. Vish's business trip coincided with the camp dates so I was home alone for two nights for the first time in 11 years!! Has to be a record of sorts. While I knew I'd miss my girl, I also chose to make the most of it. The first day straight after dropping her, I filled my gas tank up and drove to two remote outlet malls that I had always been wanting to go but never did - I drove 160 miles that day! Came home at 8 and slept soon after. The morning felt so weird - so quite, so long - that's the day I relearned that a day has 24 hours. I made myself a hearty breakfast and got to work (side note: I work on the district pta council board and there's always so much to do :). I had to edit web pages, create content, plan a program - all of that I accomplished on one single day. Heck, I even had time to update both my blogs :). I exercised and crashed early - no point messing with beauty sleep. The next morning I was kinda done being on my own :) I was missing the warm morning snuggles and cuddles, the incessant conversations - just her voice! Night 2 over and Day 3 had begun and it was time to bring her home - after a lovely brunch with my mommy friends, picked Manya up in the afternoon.

And after the first hugs and kisses and the first two hours of non-stop story telling I realized maybe I was too quick to feel so desolate in the morning :D :P - no I am kidding - but as we started winding down for the night one thing was for certain I had missed having this kitten in the house - alas there will be more days than less when she'll be on her own and all that I would ever want would be that she is happy and safe :).

As for Manya's side of the story, she had a blast, as expected - she says she was a little homesick at mealtimes and bedtimes. I knew bedtimes were going to be a challenge - apparently she hardly slept. At meal times she said "it was weird to not see you or hear your voice at all the whole day and then when I would sit down to eat with so many people I'd miss you". She was very quick to add that the rest of the times it was pure fun and she did not miss us one wee bit :);

First sleepover!

We have been talking about sleepovers for sometime now - but no real plans had materialized - until yesterday!

Miss M got invited over for a sleepover at one of her bestie's place with another friend - so the three of them. And there didn't seem to be a reason to say no. The girls have been friends for a while - we know the families - a couple a of streets away - it was time to let go a little more...

And so we had another of a big big first - first sleep over with friends, first night away from mommy, mommy's first night away from baby - but it all went over so well. My one and only criteria was that we should know the family and since that box was checked I had no fear in my heart.

Manya came back today with a huge grin and heave eyes - ofcourse they had hardly slept. But it had been super fun for them and she dropped dead in bed at 5pm :).

Foot note: Mommy also survived her first night away quite well - Vish and I hit a local pub, watched a movie at home and had icecream in bed - something we have not done in forever :).

First Day of Grade 2

2020 is surely going to be a historic year - and as our kids are caught in it, they are making history. First day of Grade 2 today. 100% remote learning. We missed the usual hustle and bustle of a new academic year - meeting teachers and new classmates, new bag packs and lunch bags and back to school outfits. These were replaced by a new desk, a new laptop, frenzied setting up of all the tech stuff - links and passwords, and calendar updates for all the meetings etc. 

M starts the year with a huge interest in Politics - what with it being an election year and all. Let's see how long this phase lasts. Meanwhile, I have made it clear to her that no arguments at home till she actually gets her law degree :).

First day of Preschool!

So we finally started preschool today. Many people think I waited too long but I think the time was just right. I was confident about letting go...and Manya was confident about letting go too (To be honest she has been school ready for a while but I always like to be double sure.)

The day went by exactly as I had planned down to the minute - Yes, I am a paranoid Type A mostly. Everybody was cheerful and all set - prepped enough, M knew what would be expected of her. She gave a very characteristic and matter of factly, "bye mom, I am going to be very busy now" practical farewell and was off.

We chose her school very carefully - not too long - just under 3 hours so that she has the time and energy for other activities. It is 5 days a week - thank god - not only because it gives me time off - but also because it is much easier to set a routine, It is one of the first Leadership based schools - established on the Leader in Me principles. I was sold when the Owner/Director of the school told me that they are not in the business of making great kindergartners or first graders but thinking, feeling individuals. So no worksheets, homework - very play and experience based. The focus is on practical learning rather than rote memorizing arbit letters, numbers or concepts. We are really hoping the school follows what it stands for in theory and I am sure then M will really blossom in the two years we plan she spends here.  

Board games!

We have finally introduced Manya to the wonderful world of board games. She got two to start with - Candyland Bingo and Hi Ho Cherry Ho - very age appropriate multi player games!

I remember doing a post on my personal blog a very long time back about the fun I have had growing up with board games - you can read it here.

It has been very exciting playing these with Manya as part of family time and thankfully she has been as enthusiastic. The other stuff that's keeping her really busy these days is puzzles. She can do upto 16 pieces now and is working on the 24-piece sets. That's one thing she can work on for a long time without having to be entertained by someone and I have been able to do my cooking and cleaning in greater peace thanks to that!

First movie in a theater!

While I would have wanted to wait a couple of more years before this first came along, but Manya clearly had other plans.

I spoke about her first movie ever (at home) - Finding Nemo, here. As luck would have it, she spotted Finding Dory marketing stuff all over the place - in clothing stores, grocery stores, book stores, and obviously wanted to know everything about it. And just like that, she decided she needed to watch the movie and if it cannot come on the computer or the TV, then she'd go to the theater.

And being the submissive pampering understanding parents that we are, we decided to go for it! So, ladies and gentlemen, it was Finding Dory in 3D with popcorn on the side and boy, did she enjoy it - she was already familiar with the characters and could relate to the story very well. So a great expereience and no, at this stage we don't want to really make this routine though she already told us, "It was a great idea bringing me ot the theater, we should do this more often!" Bleh!

M goes to the planetarium!

All of last year, Manya used to say she wants to grow up to be an astronaut (she want to be a Vet now) and consequently she has learnt quite a bit about planets, and stars and moons. We thought she was ready for her first trip to the Planetarium and we were correct! 

She was awestruck the entire time, and listened so carefully and watched with such amazement that it was absolutely worth it to go into the chaos of downtown braving a rainy day and crowded streets!

Swim lessons, finally!

We finally started Manya on her swim lessons. She has been asking for forever now and well we are there now.

Today was her first lesson and no surprises that she thoroughly enjoyed her class. She loves water so we really had no problems about introducing her to the class as such. We are on only for once a week classes and might up that in the near future. All the excitement and physical activity had worn our little tiger down quite a bit - she was hungry and sleepy almost immediately after (both very rare occurrences :))

Another first this year!

First drop-off class!

The control and plan freak that I am, this is how we have charted out Manya's initiation to one of the most widely believed in institutions - formal learning or school - So her highness starts formal preschool - 5 days a week, 2hrs 40 mins a day starting September. So that she is comfortable with the school environment, she'll be going for a summer camp in July-August, two days a week, 2.5 hrs a day. And to get used to staying without mommy, we have started her on something called a School Skills class (once a week - for two hours), which is just play, music and some project work at Gymboree, where she already goes for a mommy and me art class.  

Many people think I am crazy to micromanage the transition from being full time at home with mommy to being at a preschool, and I agree but then that's how I am :D. :p.

Anyways, so March 9th was Madame's first drop off class. If you have read my earlier posts, you'll know M has been showing signs of school readiness for a while now - we are potty trained, communicate well, and most importantly are damn bored sitting at home. She was well briefed by me as to what was going to happen and she was quite non-chalant about all of it. She just asked me the previous day that what if she really starts missing me and needs me, - I told her well if there's a problem your teacher will be able to resolve, else she has my number and if you "realllyyyy" need me, she can always give me a call. She also asked me if the teacher would give hugs and I told her if she wanted, she could initiate it herself. And that was about it.

I dropped her off and she said bye and turned around and did not look back even once - my mind tells me that I should be happy about it, but oh heart! To calm my nerved down, I sat in a coffee shop right across the street and once it was fairly clear I was not going to be called anytime soon, I ventured to a nearby mall.

I got a nice hug and a delightful squeal when I was there to pick her up - She showed me some projects and on the way home when I asked her what happened at school, she goes, "I told Teacher Jerda, I want to do susu, I forgot to say pee, but she understood. She had to help me get on to the pot but I pulled up my panties and pants on my own!" Oh and how I went awwww.

The other big happening was snack time apparently. After a couple of hours, she told e there was a boy who knocked down her tower and did not apologise but she didnt fight with him. We ofcourse have no corroboration for the story. And I believe another boy told her "he didn't want to be talked to" LOL.

So we are good and our little girl is all set to fly :).  

Her first big fat Indian wedding...

We were in India in Jan-Feb to attend the wedding of my brother. Manya was upbeat about it ever since the conversations around the event had started. Her classic "mama ki shaadi hai" had been doing the rounds since months.

Like a true blue Indian she participated in the various celebrations with full gusto - shopped for all the finery, danced at the music evening, was a sport in the long drive for the baraat, and back.

Here is what she has picked up from her first big fat Indian weddings:

• If you are getting married, you start staying together and don't go back to your own home for sleeping in the night.

• A lot of pujas and functions happen, but you are truly married only when you "dance around the fire."

• A chunni or a dupatta is a must have for any event. Or atleast lace, lot of bling, and frills and all that.

• And bangles too...like nobody goes to a shaadi without bangles.

• Only married people have children (and I did not tell her that -she speaks from her personal observation)

• Loud music and crazy dancing are important rituals at the wedding.

• Daddy married mommy, nana married nani and so on and so forth and she missed all the weddings and that is so unfair.

• Wedding means lot of strangers "poking my face" and asking me come to their laps even when I don't want to.

• Whenever life seems boring, ask any random person to get married so that "everybody can have fun!!"

What have your learnings from an Indian wedding been?

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was indeed very merry - A daddy with minimal work load at office and an overenthusiastic mommy made sure the year ended with a lot of fun.

The house was lit up, the Christmas tree was set in the living space for the first time ever, a mail was posted to Santa with a tiny wishlist, mommy soaked fruits and nuts in rum and wine for the cake, we even took a train ride to visit Santa, we woke up on the d day to wrapped presents and stuffed stockings, more festivities awaited at the party hosted by friends. All in all, one of the most joyous year ends and beginnings ever!

Finding Nemo!

Continuous rains have put all of us under house arrest and inspite of all genuine efforts to not become a couch potato, I sadly have to concede that screen time privileges for Manya have exponentially increased.

Having never seen a full length movie before, we were not sure how M's attention would pan out but wow, did she amaze us. She followed the storyline attentively and was very emotionally engaged till the end. It has become a sort of obsession for her  fishes, the story, it doesn't help that her aunt has already gifted her a FInsing Nemo playset that is her favorite toy these days.

We also introduced her to Kungfu Panda and inspite of an unsure start, she has grown to like it as well. I really hope Summers are here soon and we can resist these temptations. Am hoping, she waits a bit longer for the big screen cinema debut :P.

First time trick o' treating!

I had already blogged about M's Halloween obsession here. Well, yesterday was her first time ever trick o' treating and she did have a blast!

Dressed up as bat girl, our very own caped crusader had not one but two parties to attend. 

I was a little apprehensive about her going door-to-door for the trick o' treat, but was shocked at her independence and unabashedness as her cries for candy became louder as did the amount she was grabbing with each passing house. I would like to assume it was because she was with a known group and knew mommy is close behind - but I must also mention, at one point she asked me to go back home and wait for her. The gall of the girl!  

Wheels on the trike go...

It has been a little more than a year that we got M her trike and even though she had taken an instant liking to it, she had not really been able to pedal on her own all these months. 

Today, she took us by surprise by pedaling all by herself! I was so thrilled - she was too - a new found independence, I think, she feels. She has to lean to steer properly and pedal at the same time - just now the focus is all over the place - also I realized she still does not have the strength to pedal uphill - since almost all roads and streets we take our sloping, she will have to learn to go uphill to do downhill - oh well, all in her own time!

She is quite the cheeky brat thought, as she asked me "how are we celebrating my cycling?'

 Oh, and she also feels that since she "can cycle now, she needs a bike, a skateboard, and a scooter". 

And she also remarked that I should get my own cycle and then we can go on adventures together. 

Like seriously, keep the handle straight lady!

First (successful) shot at the pot!

Only a parent could do a post on this. I am so uncool yes - I was overjoyed to see M peeing in the pot. There I said it. Now the details :P...

In Jan this year, we bought Manya a booster seat for the main pot at HER insistence (yes, every once in a while I like to believe that I am not a parent that forces but takes lead from her bub) - anyways - a nice Dora seat with a matching step tool (which was a little too low) - My daughter was overjoyed - she'd sit on it for hours without doing a damn thing! Like never ever! You have to hear some of her very own comments:

• The pot will get dirty.
• It (it = the act of peeing or pooping in the pot) is disgusting.
• I can sit but I can't do anything.
• It is all getting stuck inside.
• Nothing's coming.
• I am a baby and need to use diapers.
• Everybody should use diapers.
• Diapers are clean - pot is dirty.

My own excitement gave way to frustration and we just parked the whole potty training schedule for May (my logic being she'd be 2.5 yrs old and an arbit date for me to giddy up!)

Well May is here - I ordered a brand new booster for her one which lets her leg rest on the step and fits very well into the adult pot. I made a resolve to start potty training in earnest and spoke to M about it quite a lot - she'd even tell her grandparent that potty training starts in May :D.

So I made her sit and told her in no uncertain terms - she was not going to leave till she did something! And lo behold, the sound of music of pee falling into the pot. Boy, I was thrilled. I hi-fived her and Vish, and both of them managed some half-hearted smiles a if to say what the fuss was about! But, what the hell, she did it! And you know like a pro, she grabbed some toilet paper, wiped herself and flushed it all! All grown up, huh?

Anyways, it is day 2 and we have managed to successfully use the pot only about 5 times till now. I have to remind her to go - she tells me only when the act is in play or has been done! Exasperated, I asked her today a little rudely - don't you come to know when you are about to pee. She calmly replied, "I don't - I come to know only when it is all wet." :(

Clearly, we are eons away from a diaper free tush but a teeny weeny step in that direction has been made. Amen.

Pierced!

My stand on ear piercing for M had been that I would not get it done till she really wanted it. My reason was simple - why go through the unnecessary pricking and poking, as if babies don't cry enough already. 

I know people say that ears are much more tender in the earlier years (earlier months is more most insist) and all that but c'mon, they don't become thick bricks ever - I remember having my ears pierced when I was 10 years old, and I didn't go through any carnage exactly! I wanted them, was prepared for the pain, and it worked out well - this is exactly how I had it planned out for M - Except that I keep forgetting, no plans work with M!

For the past many months now M had been asking about getting earrings. I had been telling her very matter-of-factly that it would hurt just as it does when she goes for her shots, and some after care would be required, and if she was prepared for that, we could get it done anytime! If I remember correctly, starting at 18 months itself, she had begun the insistence, she'd say,"I want earring - it will hurt a little - just like shots, and then all pretty". All this while, I was dilly dallying - I thought she was too young and should be left carefree really (or rather I shouldn't have an extra thing to care for :p); then was the India trip - I didn't want to do anything drastic on a holiday; then I also thought how much does she really understand and blah blah - finally it all came to a point that it seemed like my excuses were just that - and she "really" wanted earrings. 

So while strolling on the strip mall nearby, I saw Claire's, and very casually remarked to M that this is where we would come if she wanted earrings, and she suddenly jumped up and said, "I want earrings now." I asked her atleast 10 times before entering the store and atleast a 20 after - but she seemed to know what she wanted. And before we knew what was happening, her highness was perched on daddy's lap and earrings shot into her ears. She cried for all but 2 mins, and I had little sympathy to offer - She asked for it, didn't she! 

Anyways, she was happy with all the attention, and her shiny white gold studs, and she got a toy too! Off and on, she has been saying, can I remove it, it is paining a little, does it look pretty - I think she is just getting used to the newness of it - so hopefully nothing that really bothers her.

As for me, I am just left sighing to myself - she is growing a little each day, which is adding upto a lot - she is all but 2 and can convince me to get her ears pierced - something for which I was ready to wait atleast a couple of years more (hell, no way had I thought she'd want earrings before 5 or 6, atleast) - but looks like she has a mind and a plan of her own - we'll have to just tag along!

First visit to the dentist.

This visit was slightly overdue given the recommendation that a child should visit the dentist 6 months after the eruption of the first tooth. (Yes, I do try to go b the book, as much as I can :)). Anyways, the dentist said the visit was timed perfectly (haa!).

I had prepared M for the visit well - she knew that a lady doctor for teeth, the dentist, would be seeing her, asking her basic questions on brushing and finally checking her teeth and gums. The little anxiety that she did have about her mouth being invaded disappeared at the waiting room - stocked with iPads, bright board books, building blocks, an elf kitchen with pretend utensils and dishes and food, wooden puzzles (M's favorite these days!), a bead maze, a cheerfully painted table and chair set, M had stumbled upon an unexpected treasure!

Unfortunately for M, and fortunately for us, we didn't have to wait all that long - the assistant called us and as she briefed M got more soft toys (what a bonanza) to play with. She got to pick her toothbrush (Dora - Bingo!) and the dentist was a beautiful (daddy will agree), charming, cheerful, and pleasant young lady - who sang to Manya and played with her toy teddy and the cleaning and the mouth invasion (it did include some bt of prodding but M didn't flinch a bit) was a breeze! She told us her teeth were great and we were doing a great job with the brushing (can you see my collar high up :p).

M cheerfully bade a bye and thank you and then she hit a jackpot - she was asked to pick a toy to take home - a bright yellow ball made its way home with such a shiny set of pearls. 

You know some days where everything just falls into place - M was rewarded with an out of turn trip to the park - it was sunny and very springtime like - and we also spotted the first blossoms!

First taste of friendship!

During our India trip, M struck a special friendship bond with our neighbor-and-very-good-friend's daughter - who is just two months younger than her -K. 

It was such a joy to see the girls squeal in delight as they would meet each other every day. Their fights over toys and such were fun as they sorted out their own mess, requiring not-so-often adult intervention. The kisses and I love you's and good nights exchanged at the end of the day were ever so endearing!

M remembers K often though I feel the memory will slowly fade - like happens with most friendships huh - lost in the sands of time as we grow apart. We adults, though supposedly more aware, also often let relationships slip as physical distances seep in - it is sad. Anyways, I am hoping that M and K will continue to re-ignite their bonds and meet with the same fervor every time they meet!

Cheers to sunny days and bright smiles!

Our first international flight

Those of you who know of our first flight experience, would appreciate the fact that I was a bundle of nerves flying international - let me clarify - trans atlantic - Portland to Delhi - with two layovers and a two year old. That very well could be the definition of doom, hell or whatever.

I had prepared myself for the worst - I had two huge hand bags loaded with everything I could possible think of to keep M occupied. But most importantly, I was mentally prepared to face the worst - I had also grown ample thick skin for the co-travellers who wouldn't be sympathetic, and air hostesses who would hurry, and airports that would be child unfriendly.

So, this is the big lesson - brace yourself for a nightmare and whatever really happens will be better. In my case ,I was so pleasantly surprised - from this home to that, we were out and about for 30-36 hours and M must have fussed a cumulative of about 2-4 hours. It seemed a lot more then, but it wasn't much at hindsight. For the most part, she was such a cheerful trooper that a couple of times I could have cried at the brave face she put up - being dragged from one airplane to another, from one country to another, from one time zone to another, from one world to another. 

We did not meet any nasty people - everybody was very friendly, more than willing to accommodate us - the TSA guys willing to spend extra time with M convincing her that her monkey needs to go through security and she should let go, playing peek-a-boo with her while Mommy sorted out extra security thanks to all the extra liquids being carried; the random strangers at airports waving a friendly hi, helping with the stroller and luggage carts, picking up our bags from the baggage belt; our co-passengers who engaged M in play, even offered to make her paper planes and boats and get their hands messy with her play dough, flight staff that only had encouraging smiles - it is not such a bad world out there huh?

What ofcourse also helped us was - tonnes of finger food, juice boxes, crayons, markers, drawing books, sticker books, play dough, fav books, fav soft toy, bindi packets (the Indian influence ;), lotions and powder (to play with ofcourse), lots and lots of diapers and wipes (to kill time going to the washroom again and again to change and ofcourse wipes to "clean the airplane - don't ask for details ;)), and last but not way bit the least oodles of patience to answer all those questions - the same ones again and again - and to not lose it when she is losing it ;).

We did make it both ways and have our own backs to pat :D. Here are some memorable moments from he airplanes and the airports.

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M was so impeccably behaved in the 30 min flight from Portland to Seattle that the two flight stewards on board came together to applaud her and presented her with an Alaska Airlines badge! She ofcourse didn't realize what the fuss was about but got really excited when I told her this is what the Captain wears!

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Waiting to board a delayed flight from Seattle to Dubai, M walked upto the airlines counter at the gate and said I want to board airplane NOW. The guy was a little taken aback as to how to respond.

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In our longest flight ever - 14 hrs nonstop Dubai to Delhi - M lot her patience after the first 9 hours. She kept on pressing the Help button and after a while of my apologizing profusely each time, she very angrily tells one air hostess, "Manya wants to see the Captain - Why Delhi not coming!" Yes, I did hear a fit of laughter from all around.

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When we finally landed at Delhi after what seemed like forever, M and I hi-fived as the plane was taxing, and M comments, "yay, Delhi has come - Now I want to do potty". She did it right there as the passenger waited to deplane ;)

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On our Delhi to London flight, a guy was seating at the aisle seat and M tells him ever so rudely - "I don't want the man to sit here. Tell him to go away." I was so embarrassed - I told her you need a private jet then - and that opened a whole new can of questions :(.

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In London, we actually boarded the flight after the doors had been shut - I was all huffing and puffing with the running around and it was decided to keep the stroller inside the aircraft rather than along with the valet baggage because there was no time and so as I handed it over to the air hostess, her highness remarks, "Please keep my stroller carefully." The cheek!

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All through our return journey, I heard the following from M atleast 2.35 million times;

"I want to ride on the airplane wings. I don't want to sit on the seat. 

Does Captain love Manya? I want to ride the plane with the Captain. 

I want to hug the lights on the airplane's wings."

I am not sure if I'd actually prefer general crying over such arbit statements!

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At Chicago customs we realized, a bag had been left behind at London - I was talking to a couple of people about it, while M was patiently observing everything. After sometime, she very cutely says, "Mommy don't worry, London will send the package, I will take care." She is such a cuddly bear sometimes! 

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Waiting for the last flight home at Chicago, M and I walked into Starbucks - So, I ordered a hot chocolate for myself and asked M what she would have - I offered practically everything - muffins, puffs, crisps, sandwiches, all the junk everything and she looks around as says, "Mommy, I will just have a banana" - Oh my god, the gasps I got from all the people around! I did buy her the overpriced banana and to her credit she had about half of it!

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Finally, when we landed at Portland - I hugged M so tight - she had been better than I would have ever expected - we were still in the plane then, and she looked around and said to the people in front - "I need to go fast, Daddy has been waiting for sooo long." 

That was such a befitting closing awwww moment!

God bless us!

First ER trip!

We'll be two years old soon, and our resume did look a tad bit non-illustrious without a single ER trip - or so my daughter must have thought. Otherwise, what else could have led to the "happening"!!

So on the eve of my birthday (yeah, what an awesome gift, huh!), I received a package - I promptly opened it up with M (something that both of us really enjoy - receiving and opening packages) - it had those packaging peanuts - styrofoam - that had come with it. And M was quick to start playing with them - she was counting each one and putting them in and out of the box. A harmless distraction to win me a loo trip in peace, I thought.

I did a mental check - no choking hazard I assured myself - they were too big to be swallowed - so off I went. I was gone for a minute or so, when I heard M come crying to me saying "nose hurt". And what do I see - her left nostril stuffed with small pieces of the styrofoam - she had ofcourse managed to break it down - small enough to fit that nose! I was alarmed but slightly - I lay her down and asked her to snort like a pig - she does it very well and we use the technique to blow her nose too. She did - and I was able to remove one piece. Another one was slightly further inside and I asked her to blow again - but she didn't and I think it was really troubling her because she started crying and in all those sniffles - the piece went higher up. 

And that's when I panicked! With M refusing to cooperate at all, an ER visit was the only option. Thankfully, we have a hospital walking distance from home - I called Vish to reach there from work - strapped M in her stroller and rushed. M's mood was ecstatic - the speed, the rush, the huge corridors, the bright lights, the pampering and coochie-cooing nurses and doctors - she was trilled and her discomfort forgotten - she was busy smiling and exchanging pleasantries! I was close to tears, by the way, and could only manage a "she put something in her nose" - the first time the nurse asked me what was wrong. And it is interesting to note, that M was quick to clarify, "packaging" she said - the cheek of the girl, I tell you! The nurse was like :o:O.

Anyways, once in the triage room, the doc quickly came and asked Vish and I to try CPR first - least traumatic apparently - and the pressure of air blown in would pop the piece out - I tried but M was mightily amused with mommy blowing into her mouth and she was giggling uncontrollably making the process futile. Vish tried but his beard was troubling her and she started screaming irritably. Finally the doc had to put some instrument in and force the styrofoam out - M hardly cried for all but 5 seconds (I was consoled more than her, I can assure you :P) - after that she waved a cheerful bye and thank you and was done, while Vish and I spent more time completing paperwork than the time the actual "emergency" had taken.

To cut her some slack - she was very well behaved and patient through all of that - and the paperwork did take a while!

But, it doesn't end here. What made me lose my temper completely was that once home, she tried to put tidbits from her dinner into her nose (something she had never ever done before) - I yelled at her and asked her "do you know what happens when you put stuff up your nose". Her highness excitedly replies, "go to doctor in stroller".

I yelled even louder and shouted back, "And what does the doctor say!".

Her highness replies, "Doctor says Manya prettiest girl ever".

I swear the fumes from my ears were visible.

At bed time, I was lying down next to her, when she tries putting her Minnie's tail into my nose and pushes her mouth into mine - I screamed, "what are you doing!". She very calmly says, "Manya giving seepee to mommy". (seepee=CPR)

We have now stopped talking about this episode completely as we realize all this seems like a big game for Manya and any conversation around that is more encouraging than discouraging. I understand, and two important parenting lessons learnt - you can never be too careful, and two, you cant make a big deal of whatever they do (rolling eyes). 

But, you and I, from one human being to another, do you pity me?