Role reversal

We’ve always had a bit of trouble trying to send Pickles to school. It was a battle every morning, when he first started. But once he got used to it, things got easier until something happened at school that he didn’t like and we’d be back to the dont-wanna-go-to-school phase. R and I would resort to talking, telling stories  and finally after a lot of discussion, tears, consoling and cajoling, he’d go. He would always come back with a smile saying he’d had a great day, and all the morning drama would be forgotten. Rinse and repeat. It's a lot better now and he loves school. Of course it is still hard to get him out of bed on some days. So this morning, just as he was waking up....

Pickles: I want to sleep more.

Me: yeah, me too. Lets just pretend it’s a Saturday and sleep, ok?

Pickles: Oh! Sorry amma but I HAVE to go to school today. It’s very important.

Me: Huh?!

Pickles: Yeah, in school we’re gonna..(going on to tell me what the plan for the day was).

Me: Oh no, then what shall I do?

Pickles: I have to go to school but you should stay at home. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.

Me (Making a sad face): Nooo

Pickles then randomly changed the topic and went on to tell me a long story.

And after the story he gently asks me,

“Amma, do you feel better now? Do you think you can go to office today? Its not so bad at all”.

Sometimes, he just blows my mind! <3 o:p="">

Inherited passion

Yesterday, Pickles and I went into a bookstore. I love spending time at bookstores. I could spend hours browsing and picking (and spending a fortune) and just being around books. It is however a pastime of the past now with Pickles and a full-time job. But yesterday, I had to pick up a couple of gifts for some upcoming birthday parties. And I generally like to buy books for kids rather than toys and I had to do it rather urgently. When Pickles and I set out from home, I'd thought it would be a quick entry and exit from the store.

So, Pickles is fond of books. We've been doing a lot of reading for him ever since he was born. He really shares my enthusiasm for them, of course he can't read just yet. And the library is one of his happy places. It's very hard to curb his enthusiasm on our weekly visits to the library. It's one of those things that he really looks forward to. I must mention at this point that I think the National Library is one of the best things about Singapore. And it is great that Pickles started out on his "reading" ventures here. He loves to run around and browse and pick books to read. Although most library staff are amused to see this little excited toddler happily browsing, some of them ask us to keep it down.  And although I didn't have to worry about keeping the silence, I still was nervous about the visit. And so, I set my very jittery feet into the bookstore with an excited toddler by my side. As we went in, I explained to him that this was a bookstore and not a library and he could not just pick up books to take home. I also told him that we were there to buy a present for his friend and he nodded like he understood and in a very adult tone said "OK".

And when we walked out, I was wondering why I worried at all. We stayed in the store for a good one and a half hour! And he was just as adult-like as I was. We walked into the different sections together and as I would look, he would browse too and would suggest "this one". I would then tell him why that particular book was not ok, and we would move on. He kept chattering on all the while about the different things in the books that he found interesting. And I managed to even browse for something for myself after I had picked up what I needed. The whole experience was such a joyful one, I almost had happy tears when I saw him sitting happily on the floor of the store, browsing for a while and putting the books back in place. I could see that he was as happy as I, when we were there. I had always hoped that he would enjoy books as much as I do but I hadn't expected that it would be this early.

I for one am very happy that he shares my love of books. I can't wait for the day when we can read our favourite books together and talk about them. Going by how fast things are moving, that day doesn't seem far at all.

Letting go

Milestones. They are those weird events that you wait for and yet when they actually happen, leave you with an ache in your heart. They sneak up on you when you least expect them to and before you know it, you are wishing to go back to old times. It is probably the fact that so many events seem to be happening so quickly in succession, but it suddenly seems so drastic to me.

It all started with the weaning. It was a huge milestone for me that passed with not as much difficulty as I had expected, considering that Pickles could be reasoned with, at most times.

And then recently, we converted his crib into a toddler bed, so he could slip in and out with ease without us having to worry that he will jump out of it. Pickles was of course very excited with this development and loved his new bed. It is indeed another matter that he hasn't really slept in it for longer than a couple of hours each night.

And the biggest change is his haircut! We shaved his head as per the traditional ceremony (more on that in another post) and his really cute curls are gone. And suddenly my little baby has turned into this cute little boy with big earnest eyes. I can hardly recognise him until he shyly gives me his special dimpled smile and hugs me with his eyes closed.

And I silently mourn this rite of passage that Pickles has made, from a cute baby to a naughty toddler. Just only until he puts his arms around my neck and says "I douve you, amma." Maybe toddlerhood isn't that bad after all.

Don't even ask!

The one good thing that happened because of the fact that I have crazy curly hair is that Pickles inherited the trait and on him, the curls are the most adorable little ringlets you've ever seen. Don't get me wrong. I'm all about making conversation with random strangers about Pickles. But the one conversation that I keep having over and over is this one:

Random stranger: He's so cute. Is he yours?

Me: (with a smile) Hmmm, yes!

Random stranger: OMG, those curls are so nice. Are they natural?

Me:(with a smile) Hmmm, yes!

What I actually want to say: Oh, no! I always wanted my baby to have curly hair like mine. So, I just got his hair permed at the neighbourhood parlour. We're just coming from there. 

Maybe I really should just try using it the next time!

That checklist in my head..

..before agreeing to a night out with friends.

Then,


"Do I like the company of people who asked me? yeah, sure!"

" Do I have an early morning tomorrow? Yes, no, maybe. It doesn't really matter!"

"Do I feel like going out? Yes, no, maybe. What the heck, I'm going!"

Now, 

"Can I ask R to come back home early at short notice?"

"Maybe I can ask the nanny to put him to bed! No, I should really tell R to do it."

"Have I cooked dinner for Pickles?" Check

"Wait, who'll brush Pickles' teeth?
R should really try but he won't. Its ok, I guess one night of not brushing teeth won't do him much harm"

" But will Pickles even sleep without nursing? He might but maybe not. Maybe I should get back by his bedtime. But that's too early! I'll come back if R calls to say Pickles is not sleeping."

"Maybe I should come back home after work and spend some time with Pickles and join them after he goes to bed! Yeah, right! That is provided I don't fall asleep by then! But I haven't seen my baby since this morning and he only woke up just before I left to work! Ok, I'll come home and spend sometime with him and leave in a bit, so at least I have spent sometime with him."

"But will Pickles let me go once I'm home? He doesn't even let me go to the bathroom without crying his heart out!"

"Will I be able to pull through tomorrow without much sleep, considering Pickles will wake up multiple times at night and super early in the morning? Oh no, I have that meeting at 9. Maybe I should skip it this time."

"It's really ok. I can go another time! I really ought to plan this better and in advance. I'll just cancel out!"

" But I haven't been out in a while..I really want to go out!"

"What the heck! I'm going!'

It sure isn't easy being a mom!