Ashwin Did It!!

A long time since I wrote..The first two weeks of Potty Training consumed a lotta my time.I wound up all my work by 9.00 a.m. and took Ashwin to the potty every 1 hr.We read books,sang rhymes, played with water...until he goes.Initially the entertainment went about 10 - 15 mins...and then slowly Ashwin started letting me know that he needed to go....still, I kept entertaining him,but for a lesser time.I was just a lil cofused if he really understood.But then in 2 weeks time he started telling me his urge to use the restroom...and he got trained using the potty during the day...even long before I realized.I continued his diaper at nights.For 2 consecutive days he didn't wet his diaper at all.I was a lil unsure if I can let him without a diaper at nights,just that he was'nt 2 yet!But,I still wanted to give it a shot..and guuess what...It was a SUCCESS.Now..I give him his last cup of water for the day at 8.00p.m and then make him use the restrooms for 3 -4 times by 9.00p.m. and put him to bed.Thats it..Ashwin Did It!! Was'nt really a tough job for me though..as Ashwin got trained by himslef..another Milestone easily accomplished..Thanks to Ashwin for making my job easy.

Potty Training...

I salute to Moms who have successfully potty trained their kids!! Oooohh...it's difficult than I thought it'ld be.The actual process of  'potty training'  might be  simple...but to get the kids ready for it and to make em sit on the potty and finally get them to do it is a hectic task.I got a potty seat for Ashwin when he was 18 mos.I never made him actually sit on it.It would just lie in the restroom.I remember Ashwin being very curious and eager looking at it..trying to sit on it..not knowing what he needed to do with that....and then one fine day I placed his potty seat on top of ours and without me saying a word Ashwin sat on it and was trying to play with the potty.He was a lil sad at first 'cos this toy seemed very different..no lights..no sounds...nothing to stack..but for some reason he enjoyed sitting on it..I guess that's why it was different to him.Then on, whenever I take him to the restroom for a bath or to wash his hands..he'ld take his potty seat...place it and sit on it.

The next improvement?! was he would get down to his diaper all by himslef...and then started removing it too. He didn't feel comfortable on the diaper esp when wet or soiled.Most websites suggested that the right age to start poty training would be 2 1/2-3yrs.But,Ashwin showed a lotta signs to be potty  trained or rather I shld say 'get me outta the diaper' kinda signs!! So.. its his 2nd day of potty training...and he did lemme know twice that he needed to go...not to forget 2 accidents.I hope he shld'nt take long to be on track..lets Wait n See!!!

Ashwin's 2nd Star BdaY

We celebrated Ashwin's 2nd star bday yesterday(Nov 21).We had to take care of some business in the morning....so we celebrated his bday in the eve.It was just his dad,I and Ashwin.We had a very good family time.Got a small cake for him and he cut it by himself.This is actually the first time ever he had cake with a liking.I had tried giving him cakes before...but unless forced he wouldnt eat it.He's more inclined to spicy stuff.His Dad and I would prefer anytihing spicy to sweet..so, no wonder Ashwin's like that!! I wanted him to have his Bday cke atleast...and to our surprise he reaalllly liked it.We had plans of going to the temple,but dropped it due to chances of snow.I did miss India for that reason.On any auspicious day,the first thing we would do is go to the temple...as the climate favors us most of the time.But in the U.S its diffilcut for that matter.Anyway...we still did some prayers in the mornin and I made Kesari for prasadham.Ashwin as usual didn't have a bit of that.I was a lil upset as elders (in India esp) usually suggest that we have to have something sweet on these occasions.We also had to hurry up out...and I didnt wanna  force him and make him upset.Inspite, I'm glad that he enjoyed his Bday cake!!

Busy Mondays..

Mondays are usually busy.So was yesterday.Ashwin was cranky in the morning as his dad left to work.Everyday as his Dad comes home...Ashwin is all exuberant,running behind him,,jumping on him....and never wanting  me :-( .It's ofcourse better when my husband has time to spend with him.As soon as he's back from work...Ashwin will be waiting for him to turn on the ipod and both will  dance,jump all over and have a nice,fun busy time and I'll have my own busy time too.I would browse,make dinner,watch my fave on the T.V. or sometimes just join them and have a lil family fun time there!!! Now...here comes the difficult part,when his Dad might not have enough time to spend with him...busy with some work or tries to have his own space for a while..and Ashwin just wouldn't let him.He'ld also not wanna do the same dancing and playing with me. Also,during weekends his schedule'ld be a mess, 'cos his dad is at home.Starting with brushing his teeth to put him on bed at night..his routine can't be followed,thus leaving me busy Mondays when I'ld again try to get him back on schedule.

Its all about stacking...

Ashwin is now got into stacking things.For him, it doesnt have to be blocks all the time...he can even stack 2 or more books,puzzle sets, spoons and cups or even tomatoes!! I have actually quit getting any toys for Ashwin.He just wont have them for more than a couple of minutes.So...wonder how he spends his time ??? Well,its the kitchen Utensils.He's just happy if I'ld let him play with them even all day long.He takes spoons from the drawer (all grown-up and no more help needed ),picks up utensils..oh...I know ur question..Yes,I do have all my cabinets child proofed.Guess what... he garbs them from the Dishwasher (smarter haan?!). I still wonder how he could lift heajuk,.vy thavas with ease.After picking up the stuff he needs he'ld sit by the window in our dining room ,arrange all vessels in a circle or in any pattern and clack them with spoons or stack them over.Its been difficult lately to stop him from going near the dishwasher.When he was small just a rhyme or a toy would do to distract him.Now..if I try doin any of that..he'ld quickly grab wahtever he can and the next moment he'ld be outta that place,running all around the home.I neither wanna invite any trouble nor make him aggressive..so I just let him play with anything he wants,unless its dangerous.This did work out well actually.I find myself being less impatient and find him more creative.Ashwin has his own fun time now and he does feel happy about it.So,lets see what tomorrow has got for botha us!

Getting started...

Its really been a very long time since I used the Laptop.The one we had before would not start at all or would just start and shut down immediately.This is a new one we got on Diwali...and hope it works just fine.Ashwin is 1 yr 11 mon 6 days old.Oh my...Just really cant believe how fast the kids grow up!!! Its been like he was just born...and busy with all the feeding and stuff,made his first roll-over,tried to crawl,reach for things, made lil steps holding the sofa,learned to walk faster without a support and now...He's just all over the home...not walking but running!!! I'm really amazed at all the things he does...like building blocks,the Puzzles he solve,Identify the colors and shapes,Dance for rhymes with corresponding actions... kids at his age woud do all these ...and thats what the books say. But, I bet most Moms would be amazed and woud have cherished those moments when it comes to their own lil ones.