Holy crap, Batman!

Let me just start by saying we have been busy. Busier than before. So busy that I'm tired. Worn out. Done. Etc. We're forgoing fireworks tonight because I just can't imagine it. That says a lot as I'm usually game for all such things. If they can't be seen from our lanai, they're not meant for the Gupta family tonight. So, let's take a pictoral look at what we've been doing these three long weeks.

Little Man in the pool. We go almost daily, if we didn't Kev might be severely dehydrated. We can't get him to stop drinking the water. Mmmmmm. Chlorine. Do you see his tan lines? That's right, just above his left elbow - he's got tan lines in his fat folds! So stinkin' cute!

And speakin' of cute.... he's got a Buddha belly. It's hard not to rub it!
And then there's not so cute. When he's decided that he's done eating, he sticks both feet up on his tray and screams until we acknowledge the fact that his stomach is full. We're sure our family in Rochester will appreciate this party trick.
Back to cute. Two feet, one Croc. He stood like this for a good ten mintues.
Reason #1 for not being online in forever and a day. We've had my French host sister, Celine, in town. We were at 4 different beaches in the ten days she was here, plus 84 malls (slight exaggeration). We had a great, great time and we think she did, too. Here she is with Amiya as the sun was setting on Vendido Beach in Naples.

Vinay and Kev, also Vendido Beach. I LOVEthis picture!

Who are these masked cats?
It's Diego and Diegette! Amiya's good friend Gabe gave her a ticket to see the Go Diego Go! Live show and wow - it was a good time! Nothing but smiles from Amiya the whole time. Especially cute was the one slow song in the whole show - Amiya put her arm around Gabe, he put his arm around her and they kissed each other's foreheads and cheeks repeatedly. It's all well and good until they're 12 and then ixnay on the issingkay.


I've been busy, busy on the cake stuff. Luckily, about four years ago I birthed a secondary dishwasher. That's what she calls herself, "Mommy's little dishwasher." I'm not sure she saves me any work in the end, but it's pretty cute to see her "helping" me. For the record, she does not help with things with raw eggs - only frosting. She's pretty mad at me about that - she thinks she should be able to help clean everything.

There's a show on TV called Oobi and it's these hands that have eyes glued to them. Amiya likes the show, but doesn't care for it more than that. Monday, however, was Oobi day around here. She glued eyes to her hand (very much like on the show) and Oobi'd and Uma'd around the whole day.
The Fourth of July! Amiya made my shirt for me - it's very, very puffy and patriotic. Kev was especially fascinated with the stars on the flag which were not in the best place for his constant attention. We went to a parade today - Amiya was very cute, waving and clapping and with her hand on her heart when the American flag and color guard went by. However, this may be the last time we attend a Fourth of July parade in the south - it was weird to see confederate flags being handed out. I know it's a different culture down here and a different represenation for a lot of people. Nonetheless, it was something we weren't comfortable with and now we'll have to explain it to Amiya if she asks.

This is a baseball hat cake for a friend's birthday. I am proud of this one - it's all new stuff for me - red velvet cake with a new frosting - both from scratch. With this cake, I am officially well over my $2200 needed for The 3 Day walk. So, now it's onto training and training and training. My longest walk so far was 9 miles and while I was tired, it was ok. This week is 8 miles and then next week begins 10 miles and above until the walk itself. We have a couple of weekends with walks of 17-18 miles on Saturday and 13-15 on Sunday. Keep me in your thoughts! It's hot, humid and sunny in Florida - if I can do these walks in this weather, the sixty miles in October should be a breeze!

And finally, the quietest moments of the day. We love when they sleep, but we're those pathetic types of parents who stare at them and talk about them the whole time.

They're just so sweet and quiet and relaxed and quiet and calm and quiet.

Another weekend past....

Weekends seem to fly by. Ugh. We would like someone wealthy to loan us their housekeeping staff for just one weekend. We'd like to not have to do one (or eight) loads of laundry, wash a single dish, cook a single meal or pick up a single board book. We'd like to just be able to sit on the couch and have the kids climb all over us for two straight days.

Barring the housekeeping fairies visiting us anytime soon, we'll take a weekend just like this one. Some housework got done, some lawnwork got done, some a lot of laundry got done, etc. but we also had time for a lot of tickles, some giggles and a whole lot of cuddles. Vinay loves his pictures and somehow Amiya conned him into believing that he wanted her to have a chocolate shake as part of his Father's Day. Watch out when she's sixteen, right?

We are getting ready for a visitor from France on Wednesday and then an action packed week and a half with lots of beach trips, zoo trips and probably even more giggles. Life is good.

And, because it's Father's Day, a few not-so-new pictures to share with you of the kids either doing stuff with Vinay or doing stuff like Vinay. No question they love their Daddy!

Amiya and Daddy tackling mounds of paperwork. He sorts and files, she shreds.

Kev reading the paper on a lazy Sunday morning. Checking out the sales, not to be bothered.

Happy Father's Day!

I'm sitting here tonight, working on V's Father's Day present while the kids are sleeping and he is watching a movie. When Amiya was 9 months old, I made Vinay a collage of pictures from her first nine months. It was his Christmas present "from" Amiya. It was terribly cheesy - one of those frames that has the cut-outs in the mat already. But, it was maybe the best Christmas present he ever got. To this day he loves it (or so he tells me).

So, for Father's Day this year, he's getting one of just Kev and a smaller one of our family - mainly pics of Kev and Amiya together. It's hard to give this man presents - polo shirts are always a safe bet, but we've got those covered. And so I found myself staring at this frames in Michael's about a month ago and thinking they might be just the thing.

And yet, I know that these pictures can never capture the truth of Vinay's relationship with Amiya and Kev. I watched Vinay cuddle with Kev on the couch today after the little guy woke up from his nap. It was the very picture of happiness, for both of them. Vinay said he didn't need any presents - that moment was present enough. And then later in the day, Amiya rode on Vinay's back while he pretended to be a horse and she a cowgirl chasing Kev around the coffee table. It was giggles and chortles and laughs for a good twenty minutes. Nothing more than three hearts entertaining themselves together. Joy and beauty without toys or movies or anything more than living that moment.

So, to Vinay on Father's Day, I wish you a million moments as precious as this evening was. Your children are the luckiest on earth.

Big Boy

In his "I love Grandpa" hat!
Please note - those are Vinay's knees, not mine.

Stuck and pissed (because he's stuck) in the high chair.
You'd think he'd learn.
I just love the little hat and the little butt.
Big smiles after the first real haircut. He did great, but he doesn't look like a baby anymore!
This is a preview of Kev as a 7 year old. Seriously, doesn't he look really old? If only he weren't in a baby swing he'd pass for a preschooler, at least!It's a lot of work to watch Diego every day. Kev shows you the proper watching position. And, I'll say it even though it doesn't need to be said, Vinay dressed Kev in this ensemble, not me!

Why we love Tampa...

The kids getting some sun at the beach a few weeks ago.

Too cool in shades and hat.

Oooh, sand. Yummy!

Amiya's sand castle.


Isn't he just about the most kissable little man?
Why will those cheeks be ruined with stubble one day? Why?

Stick a fork in him! He's d.o.n.e.


Friday night at the zoo. First merry-go-round ride!
He loved it!

Big sister couldn't complain or be nervous in front of her baby brother!
She loves them (now) too!

Amiya and Daddy take the skyride across the zoo.
Amiya says the best part was when they saw the rhinos and the tapirs.
Vinay says the best part was getting cuddles!

Leaving the zoo we were treated to a double rainbow -
one very bright, the other very faint.
And, we could see both ends of each!

Home from the zoo and exhausted.
Little man couldn't keep his eyes open!

This is weird!

Does anyone notice a Russian-like font to the right? What is goin' on, comrades?

It's the little things that make this all worthwhile....

It really is. The things that come out of these kids mouths and the way they move their little bodies is just about the best that we could ever dream up.

Today I was mock-scolding Vinay about something and I said, "Vinay! It's our children!" Kev wanted in on the action, too, because he turned to Vinay and said, "Nay! Ooh ne na cooola." So it doesn't sound exactly the same, but he completely had the inflection right on the Nay and children parts.

I went to wake Amiya up from her afternoon nap today so Vinay could take the kids to the kiddie gym while I go to a cardmaking party tonight. She had only fallen asleep about half an hour earlier and she did not want to get up yet. She mumbled, "I hope you're not coming to wake me up already because I'm not done sleeping." When did this happen? That's a fairly complex sentence and she's suddenly gone from "Mommy more nuffins peez." to the above. I repeat, when did this happen?

We're finding legos, tops and linking toys all over the house. We can't empty a garbage can without rifling through it to make sure Kev hasn't thrown away something precious or vital. We can relate entirely to that commercial where the Dad is frantically taking care of kids and then he hears the toilet flush and a little, breathy uh-oh! That is our daily existance.

Amiya tells us daily that we are her best Mommy and her best Daddy. We remind her that we're her only Mommy and Daddy, but it doesn't seem to matter. We are the best. We like that.

At night whoever puts Amiya to bed is subjected to the 3 Favorites ritual. We alternate, Amiya then parent, Amiya then parent, Amiya then parent, telling our favorite things for the day. Sometimes they are mundane (having a quesadilla for lunch), sometimes inane (riding a pink pony ???) and sometimes they are heartwarming (playing at the beach with Daddy). It's a ritual that she's come to love and that keeps us at her level re: what is most important to her.

Mea culpa

I know, I know. I've been very bad about the blog. But, with my Grandma's death and the ensuing trip to Wisconsin, things were well and truly out of whack for the first half of May and are only now getting back to normal.

So, please forgive me. I will try very hard to be a good blogger for the month of June. I leave you, tonight, with this pic. If you have ever thought that our calling Kev Monkey is cruel or unkind or not very nice, reconsider. Is there a more fitting nickname?

Three Guesses

It's time for a new contest friends. But first, perhaps, you would like results from the first?

A P.O.C. is a Poop on Command and Kev has mastered the art. Anytime he wants out of his crib he P.O.C.s and then yells "Ahnay! Ahnay!" until one of us rescues his delicate tush from the foul matter.

Since no one who was eligible to win (ahem, Mom!) got the correct answer, two batches of cookies went out - one to a dear reader in Wisconsin and one to my Grandmother.

So, the new contest - can you guess which food prompted the vast array of faces below?









The prize is (again) a dozen decorated cookies to be sent out in a most untimely fashion! Everyone's eligible as long as you weren't present at our house during this meal! Place your guess in the comment box - first correct answer wins!

(And look at that, three days, three posts! Oh my goddess. What is going on!?!?)

La donna et mobile*...

For your viewing pleasure, Dame Amiya giving a command performance of the Sleeping Beauty theme song, complete with tiara and off-tune wailing.

In other news, Mommy's going out tonight and Daddy's got a meeting late at work. Kev's first night with a babysitter. Anyone want to take bets on whether I get to stay out the whole evening?

(*that is not the correct spelling, it's Italian, I'm useless.)

Long time no blog

So, Vinay's been laying a guilt trip on me about not blogging enough. "Kevalin won't have any of his childhood written down." Here I am, ready to blog. But I guess no news is good news, right? Will you buy that?

I spent a quick two days in Wisconsin last weekend to visit my Grandma (paternal). She's not doing well, so I went while she's still with us. Vinay did a fantastic job with the kids all to himself, but did anyone really doubt that he would? And, perhaps most amazing of all, when they came to the airport to get me, both children were in appropriate, coordinated outfits and Amiya's hair was put up in not one, but two, adorable little ponytails! Great job Daddy!

A few other tidbits (or titbits, as Amiya calls them):

Amiya can count to 100 all by herself. Once in a while she'll say something like "sirty-eight, sirty-nine, sirty-ten, oops, I mean forty!...." She's no less proud of this feat than I am - I think it's pretty cool!

She has also graduated from a toddler bike to a big girl bike. She tells me that she went "past Mr. James' house two whole times!!!" while I was in Wisconsin, but she's pretty nervous about it as she fell a few times. We'll keep plugging along. The biggest challenge is that she's concentrating on everything but pedaling. For example, "Mommy, can we go to the pool tomorrow?" "Just pedal, Amiya!" "Mommy, can I call Aubrey to come over and play?" Just pedal, Amiya! "Mommy, can Kev have a fireman birthday next year?" For the love of all that is good and right, JUST PEDAL AMIYA! She's dying for a bell for her bike, but she can't have one until she rides all the way to the park. At this rate the bell might be part of her dowry. Not to be outdone, Kev needed a sweet ride of his own. So we pulled out the tricycle with stationary footrests and a handle for us to push. We strapped on the big bobbleheaded baby helmet and put him on. He stayed just about long enough for us to take a picture. Then it was a no-go. You can check him out in the background of the bike picture.

We recently attended a neighbor's birthday party at a children's gym in the area. Both of our darlings were in their element - Amiya was braving the monkey bars for the first time and Kev was toddling about like he owned the place, especially enjoying preening in front of the mirrors. Kev will probably be going back for more playtime as he is a shy little guy and this was exciting enough for him that it pulled him out of his shell more than anything else has. Perhaps the best part of the trip was that Amiya netted a humonica (harmonica) in her goody bag that went everywhere with us for several days. Nothing like an atonal harmonica song to make that car ride even more interminable. However, it does make Kev laugh and hearing those two giggling together is maybe the best sound in the world.

The Diego obsession has run rampant over our house. Rampant, rampant, rampant. Kev still has no intention of ever saying my name (except Ahnay! when he wants a poopy diaper changed), and yet when Diego is on TV or someone hauls out a Diego book, we hear a very guttaral, yet soft "Go! Go!" That's right, it's not just Amiya who loves this Central American Animal Rescuer, it's also Kev. So, while at the store the other day to find new pajamas for Kev, our attention was naturally called to the Diego selection and both kids were suddenly in great need of new clothes. Unfortunately, the people who market Dora and Diego seem to be a bit sexist in their ways. Dora, it seems, is only for girls and Diego for boys. Diego pajamas galore for Kev, none for Amiya. So, she got a pair of boys pajamas which is really just fine. She looks adorable and they'll pass down to Kev when he's as big as Amiya.

And finally, Kev seems destined for a career in interior design. He is forever remodeling our house. Baskets here, books there. Here you can see where the magazines now should be placed in our house. He also seems to have gone to medical school sometime since birth as, much like old magazines in waiting rooms, he tears the covers off to dispose of them.

My goal this weekend is to blog everyday. Call your bookies - the odds are not in my favor but I will try!

Hoppy Easter!

You may remember Easter last year:

I'm pleased to report that this year was much, much less traumatic for our youngest child. He hunted eggs with the big kids, taking eggs from their baskets and replacing them with eggs of his own or, in true toddler style, highly coveted playground mulch. Kev would rather chew on mulch then chocolate anyday, so his heart was in the right place (I think).

Both Amiya and Kev hunted for eggs on the Wednesday before Easter with our Moms Club and then also Sunday morning with our neighbors. To the left you can see Kev on our lawn (it's dry in Florida). He did a great job finding a few eggs and then lost interest, preferring to pick at the blades of grass. He did enjoy chasing around three "big" girls, though, something about the squeals, I think!

The final Easter picture is of Amiya with her two best buddies, Gabe and Aubrey and all of the little sibs. Trying to get a picture of toddlers and babies all in some semblance of order is like nailing jello to a tree, it just doesn't happen. I especially like Aubrey's face in this one - either someone has a really bad diaper or she had too much candy!

Morning at the Zoo

Have you ever seen such a cute cheetah?

Amiya tells:

There are new animals at the zoo. Leapin' lemurs, cheetahs, pippy (pygmy) hippos and (African) pink flamingos. We went to the zoo early in the morning. We ate breakfast and then I got my face painted like a cheetah. Then we looked at the noisy and slimy pippy hippos.

Amiya types:

We saw elephants at the zoo. And we saw giraffes and zebras.

P.O.C.

A P.O.C. is what Kev does everytime he wants out of his crib.

One dozen decorated Easter cookies shipped to the first reader who can guess what P.O.C. stands for.

Sponsor:
The P.O.C. Contest is sponsored by Christy Gupta. Christy Gupta is the mother of two darling children, one of whom P.O.C.s and the other does not (anymore)

Eligibility:
The Contest is open to readers of this blog who are 13 (Nisha!) years of age or older at the time the Contest commences. Employees, officers, parents, directors, agents, husbands, representatives and independent contractors (and their immediate family members and members of the same households, whether related or not) of Christy Gupta or the Republican Party are not eligible to participate.

Summary:
In order to enter the Contest, you must enter your name, and guess in the comment window. Bribery is acceptable and should be sent in the largest possible bills you have. By providing your name and comment, you become a member of the Anti-P.O.C. Foundation.

Prizes:
Each semi-final winner shall receive nothing except a Gurd Job! from Amiya, the Didi of the P.O.C. genius.

A single Grand Prize shall be awarded, as set forth in these official rules. The Grand Prize will consist of a dozen decorated Easter cookies to whomever wins.

Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. All taxes and other expenses related to any prize are the responsibility of the prize winners.

Cost:
There is not cost to participate in the Contest, however donations of large amounts are gladly accepted to subsidize the handling of the P.O.C. phenomenon.

Tears of Horror, Smiles of Joy

We have an intense son. He eats with two fingers only in a pincher-like motion. He steps with purpose and decisiveness. He uses few words, preferring to gesture in the general direction. When he's angry it consumes him. When he's happy he is nothing but.

Our first foray into fingerpainting. This is the least pained of all the expressions he made while trying this out. He does not like to have muck on his hands, he does not like food hanging out of his mouth, and he definitely does not like green paint on his hands.

On the other hand, going down the slides, swinging in the swings, rummaging in the mulch, anything at the park and the little man is happy, happy, happy. Thrilled, even. At least definitely much happier than when fingerpainting.

Happy Barfday

We celebrated Amiya's birthday on Sunday in true Amiya style. We had a party at the park and shortly after singing happy birthday and passing out the cupcakes, Amiya stepped away from the table and barfed up the contents of her breakfast and lunch. Good times, good times.

Here you can see Amiya and Reed, a friend who was visiting and also shares the same birthday, their cupcakes and goody bags. Approximately twenty minutes before barf.

She left the park with Vinay and Kev to come home and nap. Two fevers and two doses of Tylenol later and she woke up to us singing "Happy Barfday to you!" She thought it was funny.

She hasn't yet gotten a birthday dinner, so we'll do that sometime this week. She wants to have a backwards dinner (ice cream sundaes first, then pancakes), so we're waiting until she is completely cough free. She's also gotten almost a present a day - a Diego backpack full of Diego games, a Diego doll, a Diego computer game, Balloon Lagoon, a fabulous storyback, a gorgeous picture and handpainted frame and a ticket to see Diego Live! This was all after we said no presents at her barfday party. Plus she's also getting a day at Disney World and a trip to the jewelry/beading store with Grandma to string fabulous matching jewelry. Could life be any better for this child?

Amiya-isms

Some recent quotes from Amiya:

When asked how old she is (prior to her birthday):
Three and eleven twelfths.

Tonight in the car:
Mommy, I need to poop. It's an emergency.

Mommy: "Well, you'll have to wait until we get home or to Grandma's."

I can wait until Grandma's. If I just keep my bottom pushed down on the carseat then there's no room for the poop to come out and it won't come out.

A few days ago in the bathroom:
Mommy, I have poop on my shirt.

Mommy comes running because nothing good can become of those words. Upon arriving in the bathroom Mommy inspects rear hem of shirt for telltale signs. Nothing. Amiya points out a small red spot, chest high on the front of her shirt. It's here Mommy. I'm not sure - it's either ketchup or poop.

Daily
Mommy, I love you almost as much as I love Diego.

Tonight at bedtime
Daddy, I'm glad that you decided to be a Daddy. You're the best Daddy in the world.