Aarnavi's words

Aarnavi's babbles are getting more and more meaningful by the day. Feels like it was yesterday that she said her first word. It was "bakabaa". No one knows what it stands for. Even today we are clueless. Everyone who knows her, knows "bakabaa" but doesn't know what it means.

Anyway, I though I should list out all the words she says now, most in Konkani, some in English. Wouldn't it be lovely for her to read when she grows up? So here goes

Bakabaa
amma / mommy
annu/ daddy
ajja - grampa
aamanaa( supposed to be 'aanamaa') - granny (daadi)
taka taka - for her bua, Neetakka
mauma - granny(naani)
akka - didi
aNNa - bhaiyya
unkun - Uncle
aunty - aunty
mama - mama
mayi - mami
Deepi akka - Deepika, my niece who is her akka
Idhii - Ridhi, Deepi's sibling
baabu - baby
Umi mi - our house help who's name is Uma
Aanani/ Aananu - Aarnavi
Kamath
kesu -hair
matte - head
doyo (stb dolo) - eye
patti - eyelashes
nank - nose
ga ga (stb gaalu) - cheeks
onto - lips
potti - stomach
bembi - belly button
jibi - tongue
dant - teeth
kaan - ears
haath - hands
paya - legs
botti (stb 'bot') - finger
phathi - back
nankut - nails
daapad - diaper
desssh - dress
bhamba - ornaments
kaakan (stb kankan)  - bangles
kookum - kumkum
di - give
nakka - don't
jayi - want
busha busha - bath
no no no
mobaay - mobile
good girl
Tinka tinka, oww aye onda - twinkle twinkle rhyme
kaakaamaamu - crow, or for that matter any bird
titi - light/ fire
fan
ghakaa - home
mammam - snacks
bikki - biscuits
koko - lunch/ dinner
doodh - milk
chokit - chocolate (she doesn't eat any)
ada (stb 'uda') -water
ata (stb 'utha') - get up/ wake up
aniiiiiiiii - aaaaaaaand
pease - please
tenk ii - Thank you
appo/ abbho- when she wants to reprimand
ummeh - kiss
shoes
socks
appyii - apple
ball for ball as well as for balloons
cat ((which was earlier called 'tac)
dog (which was called god until recently)
passi - purse
booku - book
pen
Happy to aanaanu, o god bass oo - Happy birthday to Aarnavi, may god bless you!
cake
tel - oil
Phiss-phiss - deo/ perfume
bussi - brush
pasthi - paste
paakaa - iPad
paint - nail paint
liptik - lipstick
baniyan - vest
cyca - cycle
car
Beem beem - Chota bheem
sun
moon
yo - come
aggi yo - come soon/ fast
hanga asa - it's here
game
kaanan - stb kanadaka - specs
one, two thee,sis,eig, nine, ten -  when asked to count cars
buchi - cattle
goat
sheep
nayya - dog
duck
tiger
shish - fish
tu-tu-tu - rooster
phuppi - flower
zhad - plants/ trees
kaapi - coffee
khappi - scratch
makandi makandi - makka di meaning give me some
bibi - cashewnut/ almonds
teek - hot as in spicy
hoon - hot as in temperature
shaeko - feeling hot
undoo - laddoo
aabiyya - sit down/ or when she wants to sit somewhere
pusss me - push me
toggu - down
makshi - back/ behind
go
start
stop
ok
bhyin - i am scared
taaaata - sleep/ sleeping/ go to sleep
aa paa - high five
owdodo -how do you do?
Singham - her toy
Ten nan for sheldon, her favourite toy baby
mogu mogu - love
bandh - close
teddy
tata
byeee
see you
ayyayyoo - I love you too
okku (stb vakkad) - medicines
pip - clip
kad - take it off/ remove
ting tong - bell
aati - aarti
ehshee - AC
patta (stb padta) - fall down

That's some of many that I can recollect. She responds to questions and it is lovely to hear her speak new words almost daily. :)

Why I Hate My iPad!

So, I got an Apple iPad as a gift from Kiran for our 3rd wedding anniversary. Roughly 7 months back. No, it isn't as you think. It was a gift, essentially for me and not the husband. It has my FB and my Gmail etc. And the husband asks before he uses it. It is however a different tale with Aa. Whenever she wants it (which is every time I have it in my hands!), she yanks it from me. She screams, cries and throws tantrums till she gets it.

As soon as we got it, we installed many kid friendly apps for her. She enjoyed it too. In fact, 7 months back, she was younger and much more innocent than she is now. She dutifully watched the episode of Mickey Mouse clubhouse and was happy with just that.

I was to come to India all alone with Aa, who was but 1yr 4 months then. I was scared to death. I had no faith in my abilities to be able to take care of her and myself on the long journey. Many advised me that I carry the iPad with me which will keep the kid engaged. This boosted my confidence a bit.

However, it worked to my disadvantage. I was carrying a heavy backpack - food, milk, diapers, wet wipes,  extra clothing for Aa and me, medications, 3 passports - 2 mine, 1 Aa's, iPad and Aa. While at the security, Aa would take the iPad and run away. I, along with the backpack and passport dangling in one hand, would catch her and get her back in line. Trying to get her back was not an easy task. Her screams pierced the entire area and every eye turned on me. I was burning with embarrassment (not to mention that heavy backpack adding weight on my already fragile back), when in the process of picking her up with the iPad, I dropped our passports. Now to bend down to pick passports with Aa, iPad, the backpack and my fragile back was impossible. I had to let go of Aa and her iPad.

Aa screamed again as she wasn't then adept at the features of touchscreen. I gathered the passports and hauled Aa too. Thank you for noticing that no one bothered to lend a hand, neither with the kid, nor the iPad or the backpack or my back! And I was in no state to ask for help either. Tears came rolling down - some because my back was killing me and rest because of the extreme humiliation that I felt.

After the security check, I decided I had had enough with the whole dumb thing. I stuffed the iPad into my backpack which was now bursting at seams. The rest of the journey was much much better as Aa behaved.

Problems grew as she did. She has now understood the whole funda of touchscreen and opens my Gmail, Fb, Instagram and Pinterest among other installed stuff. She even plays videos of some hindi songs. She knows there is Youtube and her uploaded videos. Long story short, she navigates through everything on that thin machine! She gets frustrated when it doesn't work as she wants it to. Now how do I explain wi fi connections to her?

Probably since a month back or so, she started using it far too often than she should. Like I said, if not given to her, she would throw tantrums, cry and be unpleasant, which she usually isn't. There were days when she ignored all of her toys - even her favourite ones - and played with the iPad. I hated to see her getting addicted to it. We tried keeping it out of sight, but she demanded her "Paakaa" - that's what she calls it. And we would relent and give it to her instead of facing a big tearful drama, followed by exasperation and spoilt evenings.

It wasn't until some 10 days back that I had had enough. That whole day she had Paakaa on her lap and songs, nursery rhymes, and videos were playing on a loop. It drove me crazy. There was no bargaining either. I do not even believe in bribing my kid. Aa was quiet the whole day, ignored me, her toys, Chota bheem - rather everything was pushed away.

I talked to Kiran and we decided it was time to wean her off  iPad. We decided to go cold turkey. (It works very well with Aa. That is how I got rid of her binky habit too). She asked for her Paakaa repeatedly during the day and we told her that kakmaamu (a crow) has taken her Paakaa away and will return tomorrow. She kept asking for 2 days and both days we gave her the same answer. By 3rd day she had forgotten all about that dreaded thing.

We are in much happier place now. We have decided not to use it in front of her. We hide it whenever she is awake and just do not use it, however urgent it may be.

I have never been in favour of introducing technology to kids so early. I was/ am never proud that Aa can handle electronic devices. I hated for letting myself do it when I strongly believe otherwise. I have seen far too many kids who are glued to fancy products. Not just that, I know of a kid who has damaged 2 of his father's smartphones. I did not want my kid to turn out that way.

When I saw that it helped keep my kid engaged while I get my things done, I more than easily gave up my belief. I shouldn't have, but I slipped. However, henceforth I am going to avoid such slip ups. Now, Aa is not allowed to touch Kiran's smartphone. We tell her it is his office stuff and she is not supposed to touch it. It is difficult to keep that hidden from her. She is slowly learning... she tries to touch it and looks at me. One look of disapproval and she goes exploring some other thing.

When I think of it as a parent, I think it is my responsibility to help Aa understand what is a toy and what is not. It is important that she learns why she should respect boundaries and learn the values of things. I have realised that it is never to early to teach kids right from wrong. There is no use reprimanding them for their mistake that we allow them to make.

I agree there are times when even after best care, kids tend to indulge in mischiefs. Like the time Aa chewed at the charging point of the Samsung Tab (when I was busy with some other thing) and rendered it useless!

I do not want Aa to be a slave of technology, like I see many kids today. Even at a social functions, kids as young as 6 borrow their parents smartphones and play games. Unlike, in our times when we would be happy to see another kid of the same age.

I do not know how far I shall be successful in my endeavours. I am hoping to find like minded parents and involve Aa in real play time and friendship.

I wonder if it is as tough as it sounds?

That Pause, again!

It is during these silent phases on my blog that I am made to realise that I have admirers, rather blog admirers. A lot of you ask me when is my next blog post and why I don't write often. It is indeed heart warming to hear from readers, and the fact that they want you to write, gives a high.

Like I admitted to a friend yesterday (who asked me if I was letting it go); when I don't write, there is this constant nagging at the back of my mind. That voice keeps reminding me of how long it has been, how necessary it is and how I should gain some control over my non-writing phases. It is annoying to keep hearing that over again. And it is impossible to keep that voice at bay.

Yes, I have not been too regular on this space. And for that I apologise. In my defense (as an excuse?), I will say that I lack internal motivation as also the right resource. When I write, I put in a lot of thought, which requires peace - mental as well as physical. I need absolute silence. And a lot of time to frame it the way I do. I cannot fix myself an hour and write a post. It's just me. Even for a post that comes straight from heart, like this one, needs a long time. I write, erase and rewrite over and over. I re-read the post from the beginning after each para.

I don't just write. I indulge. How do you feel when you have that piece of chocolate? or anything that is your absolute favourite? Don't you love to take your time to enjoy the experience of that chemical reaction that is tingling every bit of you. That's exactly what I feel when I write. I like to settle down, take my time thinking and then let everything flow out.

I hate to be disturbed while writing. Any kind of distraction is not welcome. Not even music. It irritates the hell out of me. If I cannot hear myself think, then I cannot write. It looks like writing comes easily to me. It does, but only when all the above conditions are fulfilled.

Given the situation nowadays, it isn't too often that I get what I demand. It is hence difficult for me to focus and dedicate ample time. Nevertheless, there is such a lot that remains to be let out of the system.

Is it too much to ask for? Perhaps, yes. That's the way I function and to be able to function like a well-oiled engine, I just have to have what I want. :)

P.S. Next post coming soon.