Being Grandparents -17

This post is a continuation of  the earlier posts (Being Grandparents ,Being Grandparents – 2, Being Grandparents – 3, Being Grandparents – 4, Being Grandparents – 5, Being Grandparents -6,Being Grandparents -7, Being Grandparents -8 , Being Grandparents  -9  ,  Being Grandparents -10, Being Grandparents -11, Being Grandparents -12,  Being Grandparents -13, Grandparents -14, Grandparents -15 & Grandparents -16)  as the previous  posts were becoming a tad bit busy.

 

 Tuesday   2 March 2010

This day both Sitara & Sachin came  to Deep River with their mom – to spend time with their Grandparents . On Tuesdays Sitara does not go to her BabySitter these days.   Sitara had a ball of a time outdoors – in the front of her Grandparents home –   she  made a snowman (helped by her mom & of course her nana) , She was so engrossed and enjoying making the snowman. She made body and then head. For a  nose she used a baby carrot and for eyes  she found 2 small stones in the garden area ( helped by her nana) . She was ecstatic and would not want to go in. At the edge of the snow pile, a seat was carved out for her to sit  and further her nana made a small tunnel –  for her to know what a tunnel is. She eased herself in it but found it a bit scary but also snow falling over her hair – which she did not like   as it was a bit cold on her skin.

Sachin was indoors with his nani – and as usual he likes to respond to all the attention he gets. He always gives smile and some baby noises.

After their nap in the afternoon, all had dinner joined by their dad. Nana had to leave to go for his card (Bridge Duplicate) game.

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Wednesday 3 March 2010

Sachin came to Deep River with his mom – to see his Doctor – for normal check for the baby. He has put on weight and is growing normally. This is the day he also got vaccination shots .   Sitara had gone to her BabySitter in Deep River – taken there by her dad in the morning (prior to him going to his office in Deep River) .   After the doctor’s visit – Sachen joined his mom & nani to go to Pembroke for various errands and shopping.   They all came back from Pembroke – in time to pick Sitara from the BabySitter.   After that they came home and had dinner with nana /nani . Sachen was a bit uncomfortable due to having vaccination shots in the morning. Sitara -as usual –  had time to watch one episode of Mickey Mouse.

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Tuesday 9 March 2010

This being Tuesday, both  Sitara & Sachin came  to Deep River with their mom – to spend time with their grandparents .

While baby(Sachin) was sleeping in his car seat, both Sitara & her mom spent time outdoors – this time in the backyard – over the pile of snow (a bit hardened up due to some melting as weather is unusually warm these days).   They prepared a tower from snow and just played around – with sun shining – a beautiful day -which is a bit unusual in early March . It is springlike these days.

As usual, they had a nap in the afternoon . Sitara is now recognising that there is a special room for her at her Grandparents.   Her own big bed – all well covered with Princess & Dora linen.

At the dinner time she tells her nana ” please go to my bedroom and get me my books – I like you to read these to me when eating my dinner “. This as so pleasing. For a 2 1/2 year old – to recognise this and to be charming about  it – is very soothing to her nana  . She likes books – always wanting someone to read a book to her.

Sachin had his milk bottle and then his solid food. This day he had his first  baby Apple food  –  at his Grandparents home.

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Friday 12 March 2010

SachinMan (as his mom calls him) resumed his swimming at the pool (at CFB DunDonald Hall ) in Petawawa today – after a break of few weeks. He was accompanied by his mom. The  swimming starts at 10 am (Tot/Mom program).  His Grandparents went there independently earlier as they go on a regular basis to the Gym (for exercise) at the CFB Dundonald Hall in Petawawa . His Grandparents started going for regular exercise at the Gym since about a week before Christmas, 2009.

Sachin was in the kids’ waddle pool with his mom and also his  nani , who joined them after her exercise.   Sachin just enjoyed being in the pool. He was paddling with his feet like a pro – of course held by his mom. He playing in the water was very comfortable for him and he just had great time.

After the swim , Sachin joined his mom & nani to go to Pembroke for some errands (also to review &  approve family portraits done by a professional photographer) & shopping.

Sitara was at her BabySitter for the day. She goes for swimming on Sundays (in the evening) – at the pool at Mackenzie School in Deep River.   She went there last Sunday ( 7 March 2010) – of course her nana & nani went to watch her splash in water (joined by her mom) .Her dad was also there with Sachin – all enjoying the fun and enjoyment that Sitara was having in the pool.

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 Sunday 14   March 2010

This day was Sitara’s final day for her swimmimg class – Duct Program at the pool in Deep River (located at Mackenzie High School) for younger kids.   She was in the pool with her daddy. Her mom was also present looking after Sachin – who was keenly & quietly enjoying the view and give a smile often . Sitara’s grandparents  also came to enjoy Sitara’s fun in learning to swim. They had earlier gone to Petawawa for gym excercise and than to Pembroke for shopping but returned back to Deep River by 6.00 pm so they could    come to the pool.   Sitara got her certificate of passing the course and now she will go to next level.

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Thursday 18  March 2010

This morning we got a call from Sitara’s mom that as her dad has to work on a sudden & important overtime – and thus can she be brought to her nana/nani home for the dinner and if needed for the sleep over – while her dad can go to office for the overtime work. This was not definite as her dad may not have to work overtime in the office  but could  bring work home.

However, her nana/nani were delighted – if she comes to their home. She is always a delight. Her softness, politeness and charm since her birth have won over her grandparents’ hearts.

It so happened that her grandparents went to Petawawa at the gym (in Dundonald Hall) in the afternoon but managed to be back by 4.45p.m and at that time Nina phoned to let know that Sunjay will drop Sitara for the evening. If she needs to stay overnight her night dress etc were also sent.

So Sitara came at about 5.00 p.m . Oh! she did not want to stay and wanted to go to Mackay to be with Sachin (her toddler brother) and her mom. She cried a bit – never seen her resisting before to spend time with her grandparents.   However, she calmed down when her nana showed her movie clips of her swimming classes, her gym classes and Sachin’s swimming etc.

After that she wanted to see her usual Mickey Mouse episode.   That she got to see.   She had her dinner – she wanted to sit with her nana – in fact she sat on his lap while eating. She managed to complete her warm chocolate milk   and grilled cheese sandwiches. It took a bit of coaxing by her nani . After thats he did her tooth brushing and potty business. She then played first with her nana and then with both nana & nani.

Her dad came to pick her up at about 8.00 p.m – just past it . Sitara wanted to take home her rubber bath ducky ( a larger one that she had at her nana/nani place) – this makes a complet set of whole family ducky set at her home in Mackey. She has a Sachin ducky, a Sitara ducky , a mommy ducky   and now with the larger ducky – now she also has daddy ducky.

At the time of Sunjay coming in the house – being a bit dark – a moth floated in thru the open door to the light inside. Nani  noticed that and she captured it into an empty “cottage cheese” carton and covered . Sitara   saw  that and asked what was that.   nani explained that there is bug inside and she wants to release it outside.   Sitara wanted to release it  instead. She said to her nani   “She will do it”.   She wanted the carton in her hand but this was given to her when she went outside with her daddy to go home.   Her nani went outside and gave her the carton and opened the carton so the moth can fly away.   But the moth was at the bottom  of the carton and would not make   a move to fly away. Oh! Sitara what a compassionate heart.   She tried to coax the moth -” please go to your mom  “, we love you , please  fly to your favourite  tree and go please go . But The bug would not budge. Sitara intoned in her most polite loving voice to get the moth moving. It so happened that when she said, in her softest voice to the moth  to fly away to the nearest tree – pointing to the evergreen tree in the garden next to the exterior wall – the moth suddenly took off and flew away towards the tree and then went away. Sitara was so pleased – ofcourse all of us – her daddy, nana/nani – were happy too . But we were also happy to know for the compassionate soul that Sitara has.  

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Saturday 20 March 2010

Today is Sachin’s birthday for being 8 months old. He is growing well and always a happy kid – responds well to all the attention. Lots of smiles from him .

His mom had planned to spend the day at the pool in the Petawawa Gym (DunDonald Hall) -as a family outing. Grandparents were invited too.Both Sachin & Sitara like being into the swimming pool. They all went to the  waddle pool – where there is a huge slide also. There is a  mini slide also where Sitara spent good time – making friends with other kids . Sachin, as usual, enjoy being in the pool and splashing his delicate feet and splashing water. I guess he likes the swishing sound when hitting the water with his feet.  Today Sitara swam in the water by herself – of course with her swim floatation balloons on her arm – but the point being that she did not need holding by her mom or dad and shwoing her ease and confidence in the water. At one time, she wanted to go on  the big slide – this one is a big one – with all kinds of turns when sliding down. Her dad took her – both seem to enjoy the slide and splash at the end of it. Her nana being watching and being happy at this innocent fun.  

Sachin’s nana played with him and took him into his arm and let him splash his feet – oh! he had a blue dcky in his hand which he was chewing off and on.

This day  is important to his nana also as he managed to do breadth width of swimming on his chest. His nana – though 70 years old- never mastered swimming except on his back – his nana can swim a little but on his back he found always very difficult and thought he  can drown if going in deep water .   But since going for excercise at teh Petawawa gym since last 3 months   (along with the kids nani) – and being in the pool few times in a week – he slowly thought thru – how to swim  on the chest – normal  way to swim.   So he started trying out and wow today he did it with swimming at least  three breadth  ( not together but separately) . In days to come, he will have to practice for more progress.

Happy Birthday my son, Sachin – 8 months went so fast – all is well. thanks to our Guardian Angel (Shree Jalaram) .

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Monday 22 March 2010

Today our “thapli” (our angel) came to spend the day with us – her nana/nani. She was dropped off by her parents on their way to Pembroke. Sachin went with the parents.     Sitara, initially , wanted go with her parents and expressed her willingness NOT to stay with her nana/nani . She was entreated by her dad to stay but she wanted to go with her parents – and thus burst into crying. At age 2 1/2 , She is now becoming aware of her wanting to stay with her parents – finding more attachments   to them and also security.

Her mom explained to her that they have to go to doctor’s office for medical check-up – which she understood but again still wanted to go with the parents. She kept crying – a way to say that she is not happy to be left behind.

However, after her parents left, her nana cajoled her and carried her in his arms and then took her to show some vedio clips (of her and her brother Sachin – swimming at the Petawawa pool and also her gym classes at Mackenzie High School in Deep River) on the computer. These video clips are taken by her nana’s Sony digital camera which can take   photos as well as vedio clips.   These clips are memory banks for the growth of Sitara and Sachin – what a wonderful invention of practical use -which  satisfies and cater to our emotions.   Sitara clamed down and was happy. After that she played with her nana & nani – of course separately – making puzzles and building towers of lego blocks.

It was a nice beautiful day – sunny and bright. So it was a good time to go outdoors and to the park for swings etc.   Sitara was all excited   .   Her friend Jordan joined also . Jordan is so sweet and has also a good vocabulary for conversation – she is a tad bit older than Sitara – I guess a 3 to 4 months.   So both Sitara and Jordan going to the park with their grandmas and also Sitara’s nana. Jordan’s grandma (Kathy) is next door neighbor  to Sitara’s nani (grandma). Both Jordan & Sitara play with each other also at their BabySitter.

Today, Sitara was not at her BabySitter and also Jordan was spending time with her grandma. So all ended up at the park on Huron Street – a walking distance. Jordan walked but Sitara was in her Stroller. They were excited and enjoyed their swings – wanted to go high and high – both grandmas working hard to push the swings  . It was all fun and girls chattering away expressing their excitement and happiness.   After the   swings – they all went on the see-saw. The girls on each side – and grandmas giving support and keeping a watch.

After the park outing, Sitara had a good appetite and ate her lunch and then went to sleep on her bed – in the bedroom well decorated by her nani – with “princess”   motiffed bedspread, pillows and also a covering for the bed headboard.   The room is pink and a touch of yellow.   This room used to be Sunir’s (her mama -uncle) but nowadays it is getting new identity as Sitara’s room. She calls it “my bedroom”.   Nana get my ‘my book” from “my bedrom” – I want you to read that to me. It sounds   so sweet – music to the ear.

In the evening, she was picked up by her parents and they all went home to Mackey – Sitara all happy and cool.

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Tuesday 23 March 2010

As indicated before – this being Tuesday, both  Sitara & Sachin come  to Deep River with their mom – to spend time with their grandparents.

Both kids were in good spirit. It was a bit dreary day and thus going out was not possible. Sitara played with puzzles and also stacking blocks and construction rings that she has.   She likes to make towers and other moscellaneous concoctions. Sitara also went around – between living room and kitchen – in her truck (the truck which all the bells and whistles – such a police car siren, fire truck siren and a fake cell phone (with authentic ringing sound).  

Her nani also played the “hide & seek” game with her -which she really enjoyed it . She likes to use the flashlight ( her nana/nani lets her play with the house flashlight) and would throw the light from the flashlight to find her ”  hiding  nani.   They had a ball of a time.

Of course , Sitara also saw her Mickey Mouse movie – her mom had brougt a DVD this time- which was useful as the VHS – VCR needed to have the heads cleaned up.

Sachin was happy as ever and played with his nani and nana – by cooing and responding to any call by his nana or nani.

He rolled on the carpet and also sat up for longer time. His nani then decided  to put him on the truck (Sitara’s) – he just took to it. He sat on it very ably and wanted to move around in it.   That was  a very satisfying new foray for him.

All in all they enjoyed their visit to nana/nani home in Deep River and their nana/nani had a great time with them.

Their dad also came from work and all had dinner  . Their nana left early to his Bridge Duplicate game (This is a steady winter season program for their nana).  They went home after spending some more time with their nani .

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Thursday 25 March 2010

Today, Sachin was home (Mackey) but Sitara went to her BabySitter . Normally she remains home on Thursday and goes to her BabySiter on Friday – but this week the schedule was changed so she can join her mom, Sachin & grandparents on Friday to go to Petawawa ( to  enjoy the Family Day Program at DunDonald Hall – organised by the CFB (army) for the families before the next contingent goes to Afghanistan)  

Sachin’s nana/nani went to Mackey to spend some quality time with Sachin. Well, by the time nana/nani arrived – he   had gone to sleep.   However, when he woke up -about an hour and half – bith nana & nani played withhim   – in between his   milk feed and changing diapers.

His parents had bought a new swing (those type with all the safety for babies) and had it installed on the outdoor swing set.

His nana took him out  –  the day being bright – though a bit windy and cold .   Sachin was on the baby swing -with nana pushing the swing. They were joined by Sachin’s mom and then by his nani.     Ah well, he was well protected by layers of clothing – so he was warm but then he became drowsy and falling asleep.   I guess all babies fall asleep in a swinging contraption. So Sachin is no exception.  

After some photo shoots – all trundled back indoor and then proceeded to have lunch. Sachin  was in his high chair to eat his   solid (baby food – all strained – powdery)  food.

After lunch, he spent some time with his nana & nani – then went to sleep. With that his nana/nano returned back to Deep River – having spent a pleasant few hours with Sachin & his mom.

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Friday 26 March 2010

 

Today was one of the best day enjoyed with grandkids.   It all started in the morning when all went to Petawawa Gym ( DunDonald Hall) for swimming and then all went to McDonald’s for lunch . After lunch all went back to DunDonald Hall at 2.00 pm to partake in the Family Day organised by the army  for the families before the next contingent goes to Afghanistan)    . It was fun all around. Both Sitara and Sachin were quietly enjoying the program. Sachin, being a baby do not quite understand the fun but he did remained happy and smiling and looking around.

Sitara enjoyed the bouncing in the bouncing tents and then watching the reptiles – demostrated by an expert.   Kids had a chance to touch and pat the reptiles – Sitara did – she patted a python and caressed him for sometime.   Sitara also enjoyed watching the acrobatics displayed by athletes on the  spring tarpauline.   She had her first taste of Candy Floss – so soft -but however she did not seem to like it and just had a taste but  refrained to have any more.

After that all returned to Deep River . There was so much more time to spend with the Grandkids.  Sitara played with his nana – blocks stacking making a bridge and a  tower . Today- she did not want to play with puzzles and she did not demand to see Mickey Mouse movie. She played miscellneous game including ” hide & seek ” with his nana.

Today it seem she was very happy and burst into songs -that she composed .

One  was like below (composed before dinner) & she sang this  melodiously – (for 2 1/2 year old girl)

Din Din Din

Din Din Din , Din Din Din

Din Din Din

Din Din Din , Din Din Din

Din Din Din

Din Din Din , Din Din Din

The second song she composed after dinner – when her dad was present .

She rolled and did “turn overs ” when singing – with smiling face.

It went like below:

Little Flashlight

Little Flashlight

 repeated the same refrain many times – in her musical tone

Little Flashlight

Little Flashlight

She was very happy . Sachin was happy   , nana & nani were happy and both parents were happy.

It was   a really fun day.

Pravin Shah