The View from my Window

Being Grandparents -15

December 20, 2009 on 8:46 am | In Miscellaneous Musings!, Family/Self | Comments Off

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)  as the previous posts were becoming a tad bit busy.

Friday 18 December 2009

Yesterday both Sitara & Sachin came to Deep River with their mom.  They came and visited the Grandparents in the afternoon -had lunch . Sitara’s time for nap came about and she was tucked in the crib (that her Grandparents have in the previous  Sunir’s room). Today, she was just playful and did not go to sleep. She kept talking and playing in the crib. At about 3.30p.m she was calling her nana . Repeating “nana” “nana” “nana” . So her nana went to see her in the room and after that she just wanted to come out of the crib.  Her nana brought her out and then cajoled her to go to sleep. Sleep (rest) is necessary for babies -she is just 2 years and 5 months old . Her nana tried to put her to sleep on the bed (in her mom’s previous room) . read her a story book but she kept playing with her ‘toy baby - made of cloth & rags  as well as with her stuffed elephant (she calls him -”hathi” - an Indian word for an elephant). Well she did not sleep and finally we (her mom) decided to bring her up and let her play . She had also time to watch her Mickey Mouse movies before supper.

Sachin was all content sleeping and having his feed etc. He is  very playful and responds well -however today he was more resting .

Today (i.e Friday) Sachin went for a swim at Petawawa with his mom. His grandparents also joined though only his nani went for the swim with him (& his mom) . His nana waited in the foyer of the DunDonald Hall . He had a tour of the facility - gym. pool and walking tracks etc.  His nana then joined the Gym -along with his nani - for 6 months. Paid the dues ($87.00 for six months).

After the swim , all went for shopping and then went to Toyota dealer in Petawawa . His nana was thinking of buying a new car (Toyota Corolla) and had done previously some investigation and dealt with the Car Salesman. He needed the consent of his nani and mom -as to the  choice he is making is the right one.  Sachin was in his car seat - observing but quiet. Sachin came with us for  a test drive -in the Toyota Corolla LE - a car which was a pre-owned car with only 1800 km on it. However we all collectively decided not to buy a pre-owned car but go for a new one . So his nana/nani made the deal for a Toyota Corolla CE- with enhanced Conveneince Package - and traded in their 2001 Neon (Chrysler) car .  So sachin became part of a big purchase for his nana/nani today.

Tuesday 22 December 2009

This evening we were all invited to pre-Christmas Party at Ken/Leela house. Sitara and sachin had come with their mom and their dad came a bit later -as he was busy at the office. The grandparents came separately and when her nana came inside Ken’s home - Sitara was there all runninmg to he nana and just jumped upto his embrace. She remained with nana for an extended time - onle wanting his warmth and love. She was the only child so far and she was a bit bewildered with all the adults and needed protective cover. After while Hiten and his brother Kevin came and slowly Sitara became more relaxed anmd enjoyed the party very much. She also was happy to see her dad -which made her to enjoy as she was now with her familiar family members. Ray (Ken’s son) who has come home from Toronto played with Sitara which made Sitara a bit excitable for fun.

Sachin was all okay - had his usual feed and sleep but towards the end was cranky as it was getting very warm and noisy at teh aorty and he had been missing his sleep. His nana took him in his hands and slowly he came around and stopped crying. He responds well to his nana and usually cools down, So he did but then his nana got a bit tired holding him and thus gave him to his mom. Oh! Boy, his crying started again and would not stop. So his nana & his mom decided to rock him in a impromtu hammock (using his blanket) and rocked and he loved it . His nana sang him a song (Ramaya Vasta Vaya Ramaya vasta Vaya - an Indian Bollywood song) and he fell asleep within  a few minutes . It was somehow soothing to him. This song, his nana sang to him for the first time since he was born . His nana used to sing this song to Sitara since she was born but had forgotten about it till Sachin’s mom had jolted his nana’s memory a few days ago.  So it became useful this evening.

What fun!

Friday 25 December 2009 (Christmas day)

 This was the first Christmas for Sachin & the third for Sitara. It is the day , both the parents and grandparents wanted to celebrate very joyfully with the kids but primarily, Sitara being 2 years and 5 months old , to note and enjoy Sitara’s happy expresssions at the tiem of Gift opening. She  can communicate what she feels and also what she wants very clearly and very charmingly. Well Sachin being only about 5 months old -was to be cuddled and given his toys and gift and have hin participate fully.

So as usual (since last year) ,we have two Christmas gift sharing parties - one on Christmas Day and one after Sunir & Shannon arrive from Toronto. Shannon & Sunir come the day after the Christmas Day as they spend the Christmas Day with Shannon’s parents as they are in Toronto and live not far away and this way they also can cekbrate Christmas with Shannon’s sisters and grandparents.

This year , we (nana & nani) went to Mackey on Friday (Christmas Day) in the morning about 11.00 a.m . The Christmas tree at Sunjay’s home was resplendent with lights and many ornaments and a star at the top.So Sitara was all excited about the gifts under the tree but she was restrained in her behaviour. She saw her nana/nani also came with gifts and placed these under the tree. Sitara was all active to rearrange the gifts under the tree - all packages of similar colors were to be kept together etc. Even then she was not rushing to open any gifts as she was told by her mom that they were not yet ready.  When Her mom was ready - getting Sachin fed and ready - Sitara was promped to obtain her gift- ofcourse she was helped to pick out the gifts. One by one she opened her gifts - from her parents, from Sachin and from her nana/nani   . She got a camera from Sachin (pink color) and books, games and clothes from her parents  and grandparents. For each present, she spent good easy time to open each of the gift, unwrap it majestically, savour it, say thanks and give hugs & ‘I lov you’ to her parents, brother and nana/nani. She was just in the form and mood without even getting wild or excited wrongly - though excited for having fun and contentment.  After that Sachin was taken on the lap first by his mom and the by his dad 0 to open his gifts. of course he is a baby but he was helped to play and touch the gifts.

We had lunch and then we spent the afternoon together. This day Sitara graduated to join us at the main table  (away from her usual Child High Chair). She got a booster seat (to be put on the regular chair). She was just good conversationalist and kept us all very entertained.

Sitara gone to have her nap about 3.00 p.m. After dinner together, nana/nani returned back to Deep River.

Saturday 26 December 2009 

Sitara & Sachin’s uncle Sunir & Shannon Auntie (SunirMama & ShannonMami ) travelled from Toronto to come home (Deep River) to celebrate Christmas with family. They stopped in Mackey to spend sometime with the kids & their parents.  Both Siatara & sachin had some time to get re-acquainted with their mama & mami.  After that Sunir/Shannon drove to Deep River to be at home. We had good dinner and then played cards - exchanging tidbits and memory notes .

 

Sunday 27 December 2009

This day we all were going to Pembroke for a family portrait. Nina?Sunjay & kids were coming from Mackey and we all (Sunir/Shannon & us) travelled from Deep River. The photo shoot was at 11.00 a.m. at Mike’s studio . We all arrived in time . The photo (the family portrait and others)  shoot was complete by about 2.00 p.m - Sitara was all excited and went a bit in “rinning” mood and would not stand steady for long but all in all she gave good poses. Sachin was happy in the beginning but then went a bit ib crying spell - I guess due tu locale and dark room etc.

Ahter the photo shoot, all came back to Deep River- we had nice light lunch - Sitara did not take her nap -as she was wide awake from all the excitement from the photo shoot and also saw lots of gifts under the Christmas tree at her garndparents home.  The Christmas tree was all lighted with colored lights and well decorated with all the ornaments and laso had family ornaments collected over the years when both Nina & Sunir were kids.  After lunch and sometime to relax and feed Sachin - the gifts were opened. Sitara  was just majestics -all content for her own gifts and sharing with all others . She distributed others gifts too and let Sachin enjoy his gifts . The family was all content and happy with each others sharing.

After that we had dinner - Johanne (Nina’s friend) and Pankaj (family friend in Deep River)  also joined the dinner. 

Sitara just was ecstatic with her ShannonMami. They played and talked. Her ShannonMami read books to her and together they decorated a Ginger Bread House and had lots of fun. Sitara has a singing voice and would draw her ShannonMami’s attention  by calling after her “ShannonMami   ShannonMami” and would cuddle with her.

Sachin was pampered by both Sunir & Shannon and he as usual will give a smile and responds with infant grunts . 

Everyone (except Pankaj - who left  a bit early) then stayed and enjoyed each others company until Nina/Sunjay and kids retired to Mackey late in the evening. 

Note: Sunir & Shannon left for Toronto on Monday after lunch.  The weather was not very conducive for travel- in accordance with their cell-phone contact-  white-outs etc and passing a couple of accidents on the roads. However  they were safely back at home in Totonto - late about 9.00 p.m.

Nina/Sunjay & Kids went to NorthBay from Mackey for the day.   They seem to have weathered the weather well and came home safely.

Tuesday 29 December 2009

During the Christmas opening of gifts - Sitara got a supply of normal child panties. So today - she graduated away fom her pull-ups and went to wear the normal panties. She is just getting used this new way of handling her bodily functions and is slowly but definitely getting used to going to bathroom by herself and using toilet facilities.

 

Thursday 31 December 2009

This is the end of the year 2009 during which we had an addition to the family - here in Canada.

In 2008 we had an addition - when Sunir got married to Shannon in October - thus we had a new member to our family.

But in 2009, we were just delighted to welcome Sachin - who was born on 20 July to Nina/Sunjay at the Ottawa Hospital. He is very much loved and coddled by his sister, Sitara - who is only 2 years older than him.  Sitara always looks after him and offers him her toys etc and lots of kisses & hugs. She is just proud and goes around showing off her brother. She is also cognizant of his wants and keeps away when he is feeding or sleeping or changing (though she likes to help when he is changed and washed).  She is never tired in taking Sachin’s name  “Sachin _ _ _ Sachin” -  I luv him - she says so lovingly.

Well sachin is now 5 months old and he starts sitting a bit, rolling and movinga bit. He likes to communicate - never dull but always responding with a chuckle and s giggle to those who coddles him.

This being the last day of the year- we all were invited to the New Year Eve Party at Usha/Subhash house. Nina/Sunjay & Sitara & Sachin came from Mackey to the party and we (nana & nani joined from Deep River). This is Sachin’s first New Year party and he was just fabulous. Very enjoying - all cool and smiling and no crying at all - though party went until 1.00 a.m - before they retired to their house to Mackey. Sitara - this being the third New Year Party - she was dressed in a fine dress - a princess gown - lavender . She always enjoys parties and she has this technique of being coquetty and smiling and friendly with everyone. She also has a good vocabulary and her singing type voice mesmerises everyone. Her tossing of her long hair is an art she learnt herself in these short life -which just makes everyone just go ‘ga ga”.

Best of everything to the kids & both of our children & their spouses . 

Their (Sitara & Sachin’s) nana/nani have started some investment for each one of them (this year) - so they can have some help in future for their higher education & miscellaneous needs. 

 We love you - you make our lives young and enjoyable.

 

Pravin  Shah