3 Days Post Family

To the right: Amiya taking a breather shortly after everyone left Tuesday morning. She was both sad and exhausted and not even playing with all the lip gloss in the world could maintain her attention. She needed a rest and (I guess) the bathroom rug in front of Daddy's mirror is as good a place as any.

Amiya was thrilled to find that Auntie Melody had left behind a box of popsicles for her. To be specific, they are mung bean ice cream pops - an Asian treat. Mommy loves 'em because there is absolutely no temptation factor here - so they can be in the freezer all the time. And Amiya loves 'em because bean ice cream isn't all that bizarre to a two-year old's imagination *and* she can use her teeth to shape them into Christmas trees.

And finally, it's an awful lot of work taking care of Rena, Mommy and Daddy all day long. You can see Dr. Gupta taking a break here - long enough to watch a bit of her new Princess video, but not long enough to take her steffecope out of her ears.

Christmas by Amiya

Christmas was great. I got to spend lots of time with my Uncle Andy, Uncle Mikey, Auntie Melody and my Grampa and Gramma. Mommy and Daddy pretty much took care of the grown-up stuff like food and drinks and I took care of making sure nobody ever had a moment's peace or got bored. My Uncle
Andy and my Grampa came down on Thursday and that was great - I had a whole day of Uncle Andy all to myself. He's in a grown-up body, but I've got my doubts about him - he's really too much fun to be a grown-up. He played horse with me all the time and he even let me wear his baseball hat. He was also pretty good at cuddling - especially when it was a 'cary part in a movie. Uncle Andy was never too busy to pay lots of attention to me and I had a great time with him! The only thing I didn't like was that Uncle Andy wouldn't let me sleep with him. I don't understand this. Something about all my wiggling and giggling! I thought that's what I'm supposed to do!

The next day Uncle Mikey, Auntie Melody and Grandma came to our house. They got to our house really late so I didn't get to play with them a lot. But the next day was really great. We all went to see some manatees and then we went to the beach. I saw lots of birds and even some raccoons. Auntie Melody played with me on the playground - I really love her. Grandma also brought me lots of my favorite cheese and you know I ate way too much of that. That night was Christmas Eve and I have no idea what that means except that I got to open all my presents from Mommy and Daddy, my Grampa and Gramma, my Aunt and Uncles and my family in Rochester. I don't know about you, but I think the whole idea is pretty cool. I got lots of cool presents - a princess movie, a cash register, a fishing rod set, some musical instruments and a doctor set. I like all of my presents, but I like the fishing rod and the doctor set the best. Everyone I know is very healthy because I have given out lots and lots of shots since I opened it up. I also give a kiss after every shot to save my band-aids. Grandma sewed matching pajamas for everybody - check out the plaid!

(Please note that I tried to tell Mommy and Daddy that two different plaids don't really go todeller, but they wouldn't hear it.)

On Christmas Day we woke up and I checked to make sure Santa ate his cookies. He left me some great presents - a soccer ball, Cinderella and a game with some ladders and slides. I don't understand the real rules, so I make them up as we go. Then we all went to Busch Gardens and you know that that means I had to go see Dumphrey the Dragon. We started our day at Busch Gardens with an insanely long train ride, but it was ok because I got to give lots and lots of cuddles to Uncle Andy and Grampa. I also stole lots of Uncle Andy's popcorn, but don't tell my Mommy because I'm not supposed to eat that yet! We saw great big animals and a Christmas musical and then I got to ride on some motorcycles and a train. Finally we went to see Dumphrey and I made sure everyone knew the rules - no going up on the stage before the show. When it was time to dance I was doing my best. I can't really get my feet going at the same time as my hands but I sure do try! I got to go up on stage and dance with Dumphrey again - can you even believe it? I love Dumphrey so much and I gave him a very big hug when the show was over. After this it was time to go home and I was really tired. It's hard to keep so many grown-ups together but I did my best.

The next day was a quiet day around the house. I had to keep doing check-ups to make sure everyone was healthy enough to travel. After many more shots, I could tell that they were. All day long everybody kept telling me that they had to leave and that just made me sad. I love them all too much and I made sure I told them that every time I remembered.

On Tuesday morning I woke up and I knew it was not going to be my favorite day. The first thing I said to Mommy was that I didn't want to say goodbye to anybody. It was really hard, but I know I'll see them again soon. I just love them too much.

Slippery Slope

We've started down the slippery slope of really unhealthy breakfasts around here. For a long time, Amiya's choice was toast, a waffle with jam, oatmeal or a healthy cereal (read grown-up sort - brown, not sugary, etc.). On the rare ocassion she gets chocolate milk it's not even Quik but Ovaltine or soymilk. For the most part it still is relatively healthy but we do throw in a Daddy/Daughter Donut Day a few Saturdays a month and an occasional McDonald's if that's where her pals will be. But not this week. Bad Mommy.

Mommy made a cake for Amiya's little holiday party yesterday and it seemed that Cookie Crisp cereal would make the perfect little accents. And it did - it was super cute (I'm just a bit immodest here). But after using approximately 20 of the cereal cookies, we were left with the remaining 876 to go. Amiya is in heaven! Every day that she's had them I've made it very, very clear that we are not going to buy this type of cereal ever, ever again. She looks at me as if she's already working up a devious plan to divert my attention to the mishmash of Malt O'Meal bags while she grabs all the boxes of Cookie Crisp that she can.

In what is perhaps a more worrisome development, we've been much more tantrum free lately except these past two days when Amiya had this cereal for breakfast and a large tantrum ensued shortly before lunch. Enormous sugar high and then deep crash? I don't know but I'll let you know tomorrow when Cookie Crisp will be out at the curb and she'll be back to her healthier options.

Jumpin' Rope

Someone on Clifford must have been jumping rope recently because it is all the rage at our house today. I'm not silly enough as a Mommy to give the child free rein with rope & hard handles, so she steals my tape measure to try and do her thing. It doesn't work. On so many levels. Amiya thinks that jumping rope is really all about standing on the rope and jumping up and down. For that, a measuring tape is fantastic because it's so thin and flat that it doesn't hurt her little tootsies. Check out her super girl smile here - she thinks she's got it down! And don't be too envious of her stylin' PJs. They are hand-me-downs from a cousin of mine and about as worn as worn can be. But, there is nothing so cuddly for a two-year-old as going to bed with Elmo and Zoe on your tummy and your bottom! If we tell her to go get her PJs we're pretty sure that these are what we'll see 9 times outta 10!

Letter from Santa

Christmas 2005

My dear Amiya Clare,

I'm so proud of you this year. You are almost three years old and you have learned so much. Think of all the new words and meanings that you now know and you will learn many, many more this next year. This year your learned to use the bathroom and now you can wear "Princess Underwear" instead of baby diapers.

Soon a new baby will come to live with you and I know that you will be a loving and kind big sister. Your Daddy and Mommy love you so much and they always will. They'll love the new baby too and each of you will be precious and special to them.

You have made progress this year with temper tantrums. My elves tell me that you are trying very hard to not cry and have tantrums. It's OK to cry when you are sad but not if you are mad or you can't have your way. Then you need to tell Daddy or Mommy how you feel without screaming or crying. You just keep trying hard. You're doing great!

The elves told me that you are a very good sharing friend and that you play nicely with other children. They also told me that you listen to your parents and put your toys away when you are finished playing with them.

Let me see... what else did they say? Oh, yes, they know that you are worried that I'll forget your house because there isn't a fireplace. Ho, ho, ho, don't you worry about that my dear. Santa has magic. I won't forget to bring presents to you. Will you leave a cookie and some milk out for me? The reindeer love baby carrots, too.

See you soon.
Love,
Santa Claus

Weekend Discoveries

This weekend was full of new discoveries for one little miss. The first was Mommy's all-time holiday favorite - cheap white chocolate covered pretzels. (I say cheap because I'm not sure the stuff to make almond bark is even considered white chocolate, but it's not important. It's too good to worry about.) Amiya helped me make white chocolate pretzels, dark chocolate pretzels with peppermint and turtle pretzels. She was dying to eat one and couldn't believe that Mommy was being so heinous as to not allow it until after dinner. When she finally got her little paws on a pretzel (smart girl chose Mommy's favorite), she discovered that she didn't like it all that much. Much like one eats corn on the cob, she nibbled all the coating off and left a pretzel stick.

The second big discovery of the weekend was 'stashos. That's pistachios for those of you who took Spanish and not toddler in high school. Amiya is a nut lover - she'll eat any and every nut that comes her way. Pistachios were one of the few holdouts, mainly because we rarely have them in the house. But one taste and the chick is hooked! Not only must she have 'stashos, but she must also shell them herself. This means Mommy and Daddy have to sift through the bigger bowl of nuts to find those that toddler thumbs are going to be able to break open and get at the meat of the matter. Heaven forbid she gets one of those that is just barely open. You can see her shelling station here - a bowl, a glass of water and her bench. She won't sit when she's shelling, it's serious work. The lower picture of Amiya in the green sweater is her begging for just one more 'stasho. I gave her just one more and she quickly changed her demand to, "I meant two, Mommy." Little twerp.

And finally, in what is perhaps my favorite weekend discovery - Amiya has forged a friendship with our vacuum. Daddy was vacuuming this morning (what a husband! what a husband!) and Amiya was freaked out - perhaps a sign that we don't vacuum enough.
I assured her that the vacuum only nibbles on the toes of girls who do not have nail polish on and she quickly determined that she did, in fact, have nail polish on so all was well with the world. Somehow, from there, she decided that the vacuum needed a friend. Not only did she take it drinks of (thankfully) pretend water, but she pulled out her Sesame Street dominoes and played a game of checkers with her new friend. How she knew this was the vacuum's favorite past-time or even what checkers are is beyond us.

Do you see the resemblance?

We think that Amiya might actually have been the inspiration for Dory of Finding Nemo fame. Nevermind that we sat with her in the theater when she was all of three months old and the folks who made the movie probably had thought about Dory long before Amiya was even a twinkle in her Daddy's eye. Witness the following exchange at dinner tonight:

Amiya: Why do Kate's Mommy and Daddy not love her anymore?

Mommy: What Amiya?

Amiya: Why do Kate's Mommy and Daddy not love her anymore?

Mommy: Kate who, sweetie?

Amiya: Kate, Mommy.

(Daddy twirls his spaghetti hoping to remain out of this bewildering conversation.)

Mommy frantically searches brain for any Kate we might know. Comes up with Baby Katie and Kate, Arthur's little sister, from the TV show Arthur. Baby Katie is well-loved and Kate rarely has more than an extra role in the show, so they can't be the Kate in question.

Amiya: Kate, Mommy!

Mommy (by some stroke of luck): Oh, Kate from the book with the new baby brother?

Amiya: Yes Mommy, Kate! (Said with as much duh!!! as a two-year old can muster.)

Mommy: Kate's parents love Kate and her baby brother, Amiya. They love both of them because Kate is such a sweet daughter.

Amiya: They love boff of them?

Mommy: Yes, Sweetie. Kate's Mommy and Daddy love both of them, just like Daddy and I will love you and your little brother or sister.

Amiya: You will?

Mommy: Yes honey. Don't worry, Kate's parents love her very much.

Amiya: Who's Kate?

See what I mean? This happens with startling regularity around here - this girl starts a conversation with 14 questions and then when we've finally gotten somewhere conveniently forgets she was ever involved.

Rudolph the 'cary Reindeer

You must think that we subject Amiya to random viewings of Die Hard or Platoon. The truth is that she's never seen anything more action-packed than Chicken Little and that was the glaring exception to our movie "policy." If it couldn't play on PBS, this little one doesn't see it.

We've tried a few others, but they just don't seem to fly. Nemo is passable, but we have to sit with her. Chicken Little didn't work at all (happily, she was free!). And you can see, Rudolph is way too 'cary for her (and she deems to 'cary for Daddy as well). It's about as much fun to watch her watch the movie as it is to see the movie itself.

Big Sister Material

Today has been a day of craziness at our house. We had a little visitor, Tyler, from 9-12 and another little visitor, Carter, from 11:30 - 2:50. Tyler is just a month younger than Amiya and Carter is just two months short of being one. Both of their Mommies needed to take care of some stuff, so we spent the day playing with them. Tyler was a cherub, an absolute cherub. We made cookies, we played at the playground, we colored snowmen. Carter was a cherub, too, but in the way of ten-month olds it was a lot of chasing and building block towers to be knocked down.
A good time was had by all and now good naps are needed.

See Amiya:

This actually is Amiya - you can see a bit of her hair in the upper left section of the striped blanket. She finally fell asleep just a few moments ago and apparently she did so in the midst of playing yet another round of Baby Bird.

Anyway, the point of today's blog is that she is as ready as she is going to get for her debut as a big sister. She was fantastic today with Carter. She shared when she didn't want to share. She was gentle. She was concerned. She let Carter play with the same block forever (or at least forever in toddler time) even though she really wanted it. She understood when Mommy couldn't play the o-rolling game with her. She really was just fantastic!

About the stockings....

Why did I ask you might wonder.

Vinay and I attended a holiday party this past week (mentioned below) and we were told to bring a funny or whacky (read naughty) gift for a gift exchange - sort of a white elephant thing. I'm feeling creatively-impaired lately and left our gift until the last minute. And so, to Target I went.

Four million people in Super Target does nothing for the imagination.

That might be stating the obvious, but I wanted in and out of there not thirty seconds after I entered. So, the whackiest thing I could come up with was a stocking filled with coal with a tag that said "For someone very, very naughty." Someone (ahem) didn't think it was funny and didn't think anyone else would think it was either. I wasn't expecting people to clutch their sides from cramps, but I didn't think it was a complete waste. Anyway, I'm glad to know a few people get that a stocking full of coal is culturally relevant.

And just to clarify - there was also a pretty cool CD in the stocking, so it wasn't a total waste of a gift!

The Parents

Someone keeps asking us why we never post our pictures. Mainly because this blog is about Amiya and Ob. But also because we're usually chasing after Amiya and rarely take a moment to be together, much less on that side of the camera. This is a self-portrait, so you'll excuse the fact that it is not photographic magic.

Nonetheless, here we are. We've turned a corner in our lives - Mommy and Daddy are trying to go out more without our out-of-utero child. Saturday night saw us on our way to a holiday party at a friend's house. Amiya did not understand why she couldn't come to the party much less why someone would even have a party that is not for children. She didn't understand why Mommy went to an "only Mommies" party tonight and she'll surely be baffled again this Saturday when we go out yet again.

You can say it because I know you're thinking it: "Live it up, Guptas. The end of all this frivolity is just 12 weeks away. Then you'll be stuck at home, not sleeping nights and smelling of baby burps." And so we are, in our simple Gupta way.

My Darling Daughter

Dear Amiya,

Someday, when you read this, I know you'll be old enough to understand. It may be that you are a seven year old big sister who wants your four-year old little bro or sis to clam up for four minutes so you can read the Goosebumps novel you're engrossed in. Or maybe you're a fourteen year-old who is babysitting the neighbor's toddler and you'd like to get a word in edgewise about changing her diaper. Or maybe you are a new Mommy (better not be before you are 25 and in a long-term relationship, young lady!) who only wants a moment of quiet to try and clear the fog from her brain. It doesn't matter, really, it only matters that you know that I'm writing this to you in love.

WON'T YOU EVER STOP TALKING?

I know, I know, you look at these cherubic photos and you can't imagine why I might be exasperated. But I am, sweet little child of mine. I am. We went to get these photos taken the other day - a twenty minute drive both ways, plus an extra long wait at the picture store. You did not stop talking even long enough to take a breath. Truly. The happy news is that you are starting to entertain yourself more, especially when you're in your car seat. You sing beautiful songs about your imaginary daughter, Rena. If you only love any children in your future as much as you love Rena they will be lucky ones indeed.

You also spend a fair amount of time singing to the baby in my "you-ta-rus." You sing about how much you love babies, how much you love this baby and you throw in, for good measure and clarification, that you love Rena, too. Daddy and I are confident that you're going to be a good big "sisser," although we're a little concerned about you forcing your little brother to play Cinderella and the like. That's all fine and good, as long as you play trucks with him, too. But maybe it's a little sister and all our worries are for naught.

Finally, my little girl, you've gotten into the swing of the holidays. You're planning on which cookies to leave out for Santa and you've started to worry how he'll get into our chimney-less home. We read The Night Before Christmas daily, as well as Elmo's version and a few other holiday books. You've already spilled the beans on what Daddy bought Mommy and what Mommy bought Daddy. And, it hasn't occurred to you to open up all those packages under the Christmas tree. You know that they're presents but you haven't gotten into them. Uncle Andy would be disappointed, but Mommy and Daddy are proud of you and we're hoping you won't start peeking until at least next Christmas! Maybe the cutest thing about you this Christmas is your insistence that we go to the store and buy some "'now." You tell me over and over that we really have to buy some and you don't believe me when I tell you that it can't be bought. It's cute and you're cute, Peanut.

Love you,
Mommy

Mulch Soup

After a quick stop at the park today, Amiya discovered bits of mulch clinging to her socks as we drove to the grocery store. Taking after the frugal nature of her Mommy (ha ha ha ha ha), Amiya decided that "waste not want not" was the adage of the day and announced that she was going to make mulch soup for Daddy's dinner.

"Oh, the joy" thought Vinay upon hearing the news.

"Oooooh, the fiber!" exclaimed his colon at the exact same moment.

I felt a moral obligation to tell Vinay that this would be awaiting him upon his return from work. Shortly after announcing tonight's menu, Amiya said (and this is a quote), "It's a surprise soup! He'll never know it's mulch!" Um, do you think she's maybe heard me saying that when I sneak tomatoes or eggs into a dish?

In any case, hurry home, Daddy! A thick bowl of mulch soup is waiting for you!

The Polar Express

Witness the trauma we put our daughter through last night. You'd think we played The Godfather or a Stephen King movie for her. But no, it was The Polar Express. That's right. A charming, computer-animated, G rated movie. There was finger-gnawing, mouth-covering, pleas for explanations and even nose-picking. And this was all within the first ten minutes of the movie because that's all she let us watch before it got to be "too 'cary!!!"

And so, if you all could take up a collection and send us money for more of the Disney Princess videos, we'd be much obliged. We have to fast forward through about half of those as they can be "too 'cary," too, but at least there's no nose-picking or finger-gnawing when Cinderella graces the screen.

Quick Pics

Just two quick pics for you to see the new things in our life. The first picture is not just a towel and a pair of jeans on our hastily-made bed. It's actually Amiya, a towel and a pair of jeans. This is the new game. She covers herself up with a towel or a blanket and pretends to be a baby bird who has to hatch out of her shell. Once she pops out she says, "Good mornin' Mama bird!" and then goes back into her shell to break her way out again.

This morning we were treated to a happy Amiya during our morning meal. She not only compromised and had waffles instead of the promised pancakes (how could Mommy not have buttermilk in the house???), she also tore "coupons" for the Katrina families and then turned said "coupons" into a moustache and a wristwatch so she could be just like Daddy.

Turkey Day

Thursday was a great day in the Gupta home. It was the first Thanksgiving I've ever spent without extra people around - either in Green Bay, France (just once) or Urbana (just once). I was feeling a little trepidation going in - who wants to cook a turkey and all the fixings for three, no, 2.5 people? I wasn't so sure about it - but I did and it was delicious. It wasn't a whole turkey, but the breast and it was mighty fine. The mashed potatoes were good (who needs turkey when there are potatoes with butter and milk?) and the stuffing stole the show (for me at least). Vinay liked the rolls the best and Amiya was gaga for the canned cranberry sauce. I know, you'd think with my cranberry fetish it would have been homemade, but my hubby is a stickler for canned cranberry sauce.

The morning was spent with Mommy in the kitchen and Daddy and Amiya tooling around in and out of the house. Then a lovely, late lunch was shared and all three curled up in one big bed for a family nap. Nothing like a tummy full of turkey and a toddler's knees in your back to lull you into a deep sleep and jolt you awake with alarming regularity. After nap Amiya bolted out of the bed to begin decorating the tree. Mommy and Daddy had set it up the night before and Daddy did a masterful job with the lights and the ribbon. Amiya was enthralled from the very moment she woke Thanksgiving morning. She wanted to do it "now." We used this to our advantage and told her repeatedly that she needed to be a good listener if she wanted to decorate the tree. As you can see, she did a fine job. Daddy helped hold her to get the high branches and Amiya took care of the lower ones all by herself. The evening ended with a quiet walk around the neighborhood and yet another viewing of The Disney Princesses Holiday video. Who would have thought that the daughter of Christy would be into the Princesses? Ah well, what can be done?

And the best part of the day for me? I finally got my feather on Amiya's Thanksgiving Turkey. It took a little prompting on Daddy's part, but Amiya came through in the clutch. (See the naked turkey way up top all the way to the final turkey on Thanksgiving Day.)

It's been so long....

since an update. I know and I'd like to promise it won't happen again but that's not something I can stand behind, so I won't do any such thing. Suffice it to say that we've been busy, busy, busy and this gets pushed to the end of the list.

Amiya and Daddy headed to Busch Gardens on Saturday to give Mommy some much needed time at home without a 3' tall shadow. They looked at animals, took a ride on the sky cable and Amiya even got up on stage and danced with Dumphrey the Dragon. I'm still in a bit of shock about it - she's always been intrigued but frightened by this feathery beast. Not so on Saturday, apparently. Having Daddy nearby bolstered her confidence and she talked with Dumphrey and even blew bubbles for him.

The rest of the weekend was pretty standard with Amiya somewhere between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When in a Dr. Jekyll mood, she either wanted to play Princess or a new "vawiation" of the o-rolling game. When it's time to be Cinderella, Amiya wraps herself in her blanket and sings and dances. Mommy is always the Wicked Stepmother (again, trying not to take it personally) and Daddy is assigned the role of the Fairy Godmother complete with blanket dress and measuring cup wand. I'd post a picture of Vinay in his get-up, but I like my marriage so you'll just have to use your imagination. He's got the bibbidi-bobbidi-boo down pat. The part of Cinderella is played so authentically by Amiya that we weren't quite sure what was happening when she wrapped herself up once, ran for the bedroom and started to cry. All at once we understood that we were in the pivotal scene where the stepsisters have torn her dress and Cinderella dashes off to the garden for a good cry.

I'd also like to report that Amiya is trying to turn Mommy's hair gray at the playground. We were, for a few months, content to play on the slides, the swings, the rope bridge. Now we must climb on all the things made for kids with longer legs and better coordination. It's hard to stand by and watch. In some cases, it might even be considered neglect - one climbing apparatus is wound like a tight spring and when she's at the top and lets go her chin goes thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk as it hits all 84 coils on the way down. So, a happy medium is what we're looking for. She needs the autonomy to try new things and see what she can challenge herself to do. I'd like her to come home with no more scars or bruises than when we arrived.

And what's Mommy been up to? Well, the last cake for our cake class. It was supposed to be a wedding cake of sorts with cascading flowers and pillars. That's so not Christy. I opted instead for a combination & variation of a tiled cake I had seen in the Wilton Yearbook and a fondant formed turkey as the topper that I had seen at www.cakecentral.com . I'm pleased with the results and equally happy that the class is over. This is stressful stuff and while I originally thought I might like to do big cakes, drop cookies might be more my style! This has just been too many cakes in a row, too many vats of Crisco and a whole lot of stained fingernails. That being said, I'd love to do cakes for people
who want them and I am looking forward to Amiya's birthday cake. I feel like I've got the confidence and the skills to do it now.

And finally, what you've all been waiting for -
recent turkey feathers go to:
Uncle Jon
Uncle Andy
Uncle Mikey
Coucou
and Grand-mère

That's right, still no Mommy. But, if I've been awarded the role of the Wicked Stepmother it's pretty much the same thing, right?

Turkey Update

Just in case you were wondering who the turkey feathers have gone to lately:

Ravi bhayia
Ms. Lauren
Ms. Dana
Ms. Kim
Tyler
Baby Katie
and
Mr. Matt

Go back and read through all the feathers - notice anyone missing?

I'm trying not to take it personally! ;-)

The Morning After

We returned from Rochester late (late!) Monday night after
a hard day of traveling. Had it been just me or just Vinay,
things would have been easier. But add a toddler to any situation involving small spaces and quiet voices and tension runs high. So, it was a hard day of traveling.

Amiya finally went to bed about midnight Monday night - four hours later than her normal bedtime. (Are you wincing along with me?) She woke up about 8:15 when her little friend Aubrey dropped in while her Mommy went to the doctor. That's a pretty normal wake-up time for Amiya. (Still wincing? I am and it's Wednesday night now.) All was well, fantastic really, until Aubrey's Mommy picked her up. And then, well, there just aren't words, Friends.

Bucked it up, I did, and headed out to the fire station for our Moms Club tour. I knew I didn't stand a chance of fending off the ferocious tantrum monster but I knew that a combination of her other 3' friends and getting to sit in a real fire truck might just do the trick. And it did. It was even a bit surreal. When has this child ever, ever stuck to me like glue since she's been mobile? When has she ever, ever put her head on my shoulder for more than two minutes if it wasn't a stalling tactic to prolong
cuddling and avoid bedtime? And yet, she did. She only let go of me long enough to take a seat in the fire truck. I'm not sure that she really enjoyed it, but she did it. Both pictures are of her in the truck - if you look closely at the second, you'll see eyebrows, forehead and bangs. Maybe next year she'll be tall enough to see out of the truck. I had hoped for a pic of her with the firefighter, but it was not to be. She must be missing that gene that propels all straight women towards men in uniform because she wanted nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the hottie* in all the gear.
Ah well, there is always next time.

I think it's important to note that she had regained her form properly by the time we went to lunch with her 3' friends. I think our little circle is about to be banned from Moe's restaurant, but until the make it official, bring on the toddlers!

*Please know that I used the word "hottie" only because it's still in the mid-80s with a lot of humidity. I felt for the man. Poor guy. Really. What were you thinking, anyway?

A Weekend in Rogers

We were in Rochester, New York for the weekend to see Vinay's brother, sis-in-law, niece and nephew. Amiya had been in a state of constant agitation prior to our trip - any talk at all was of going to Rogers. Rochester is a mouthful when you're two, so Rogers it was until she heard the pilot say it as we touched down. Magically it turned to Rochester.

Imagine, if you will, the joy of seeing your cousins who you haven't seen in almost a year. Imagine the happiness of a two-year old with two doting teenagers. Imagine a constant grin on the face of our little angel (that's complete sarcasm on my part). It was a great weekend - nice enough weather in Rochester that we were able to be outside and lots of time to visit with family. Amiya loved playing with Nisha didi and Ravi bhayia (her cousins). She spent time at the park, on the swings, on Ravi's skateboard, making Nisha climb stairs and freaking out during the movie Chicken Little. She also spent an evening in the company of many pre-teen girls dressed in beautiful Indian clothing and showing Mom and Dad the hand anytime we ventured to see what they were up to. It's never been more clear that Mom and Dad are just accessories to this glam girl's life. Nisha didi, Ravi bhayia and her aunt and uncle are far more interesting than we. I'm not sure if they were prepared for the level of energy which is Amiya, but they handled it admirably. The only time Mommy got any cuddles was at night when Amiya insisted on being my second layer of blankets. And Daddy, well, poor guy. He got nothing. Nothing at all. It got to such a level of cousin-neediness that when Nisha left for soccer practice Amiya was a mess of tears and quivery lips. When we tempted her with chicken nuggets from Wendy's, she absolutely wouldn't go without Ravi. And upon waking Monday morning to find absolutely no one in the house but boring Mommy - you can imagine the chagrin.

And an unrelated side note:
check out the mustache. Amiya discovered
cream cheese while in Rogers and is in loooove! It's not really that much of a stretch given her love for cheesecake, but she'd never encountered cheesecake's simpler, savory cousin. Now that she has, there's no going back.