True to the stereotype, the boys love their rocks and slithery things. The other day, on a trip to the dollar store to redeem their activity chart rewards, both boys chose rubber snakes for their prize. These seemingly real things now curl around dinner chairs and the foot of the bed and are definitely not for the squeamish among us.
Not to mention the big ol' frog and the fish who live in tanks in the boys' bedroom.
Quite frequently, Simi picks up rocks from school and brings them home to me. He holds them up to me as if they were the most precious diamonds in the universe. To me, those rocks certainly are the most precious stones imaginable.
It'll be interesting to see if Leila shares the boys' interests in things that slither when she's a bit older.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Dragon Feet
While preparing for our Indian wedding ceremony, the wonderful women that helped me get ready put on one final touch: a small black mark around the back of my jaw. It was to signify that the bride was perfect with the exception of this one small imperfection.
That small imperfection is like Simi's toes. He has the ugliest toes. The problem is mainly in the nails, which are curved and wavy. We tease him and call them his "dragon feet". He is absolutely perfect, with the exception of this one small (and minor) imperfection.
That small imperfection is like Simi's toes. He has the ugliest toes. The problem is mainly in the nails, which are curved and wavy. We tease him and call them his "dragon feet". He is absolutely perfect, with the exception of this one small (and minor) imperfection.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Lovely Leila
Leila had her two-month doctor appointment the other day. After the traditional weigh and measure, we learned of her new growth percentiles. She is still in the 50th percentile for height but has now moved into the 95th percentile for weight. She's a fatty! Our little Leila is a fat girl! After having two skinny boys, the pediatrician and I couldn't help but share a laugh at the chubby little legs and the round Buddha belly on the Leila. She must get that from the RUBEN side of the family.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
On Being Two
Asher is, indeed, two years old. When he is with Simi, he seems so much older. His communication and gross and fine motor skills are at about a three year-old level, so it's easy to think of him as being older than his chronological age. But when you get to spend time with him one-on-one, you get to see that, emotionally, he really is two.
Asher stayed home with Leila and me for the past two days. It was a wonderfully scrumptious two days. He's such a sweet boy and such a happy kid that it's fun to be around him. Luckily, the weather was also absolutely beautiful, so we spent some time outside. I wish I could have more days like these past two.
Asher stayed home with Leila and me for the past two days. It was a wonderfully scrumptious two days. He's such a sweet boy and such a happy kid that it's fun to be around him. Luckily, the weather was also absolutely beautiful, so we spent some time outside. I wish I could have more days like these past two.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Two Year Old Asher
Asher has always tried to keep up with his big brother. He wants to do everything Simi does. He watched Simi use the potty and then potty-trained himself well before his 2nd birthday. He takes Simi's clothes and puts them on himself.
So it comes as a surprise when Asher does something, well, age appropriate. He seems so much older than his two years, that when he does something a two year-old would do, it takes me by surprise.
Yesterday was one of those days. Asher has been having bouts of "the twos", otherwise known as the "terrible twos" or "terrific twos". Totally normal behaviour - for a two-year old. It's a reminder that my sweet baby is, still indeed, a baby.
So it comes as a surprise when Asher does something, well, age appropriate. He seems so much older than his two years, that when he does something a two year-old would do, it takes me by surprise.
Yesterday was one of those days. Asher has been having bouts of "the twos", otherwise known as the "terrible twos" or "terrific twos". Totally normal behaviour - for a two-year old. It's a reminder that my sweet baby is, still indeed, a baby.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Simi's Menagerie
When Simi was just born, his aunt and uncle gave him two small, soft stuffed animals. One was a frog and the other a little brown puppy-dog. We put them in Simi's crib with him (another practice that's frowned upon these days).
As months went by, Simi-the-infant began to grab for one of the animals. It was always the same one: the puppy-dog. At first we thought it was just chance that he'd grab for the dog; perhaps that was the closest one to him or perhaps that was the one we'd give him. But if we gave him the frog, he'd drop it and reach for the puppy.
Four years later, "Puppy" is a member of our family. In fact, last year we put a "pet id tag" on the dog after we nearly lost it twice while traveling. Puppy was with Simi in the operating room during his open heart surgery. Sometimes Puppy even talks; his voice sounds remarkably like Simi's.
Simi's menagerie continually grows. Puppy is joined by "Dottie", a Dalmatian "beanie-baby" dog. He's also joined by "Blackie", a small stuffed Dalmatian dog. Most recently Puppy is joined by "Baby Sister", the baby doll we gave the boys before Leila was born. Sometimes he sleeps with all or some of his menagerie; sometimes all or some accompany Simi to where-ever he is going.
Interestingly, the stuffed frog sits on a shelf with some other stuffed animals. And Simi absolutely LOVES frogs.
Of course, Puppy is the consistent one in Simi's arms.
As months went by, Simi-the-infant began to grab for one of the animals. It was always the same one: the puppy-dog. At first we thought it was just chance that he'd grab for the dog; perhaps that was the closest one to him or perhaps that was the one we'd give him. But if we gave him the frog, he'd drop it and reach for the puppy.
Four years later, "Puppy" is a member of our family. In fact, last year we put a "pet id tag" on the dog after we nearly lost it twice while traveling. Puppy was with Simi in the operating room during his open heart surgery. Sometimes Puppy even talks; his voice sounds remarkably like Simi's.
Simi's menagerie continually grows. Puppy is joined by "Dottie", a Dalmatian "beanie-baby" dog. He's also joined by "Blackie", a small stuffed Dalmatian dog. Most recently Puppy is joined by "Baby Sister", the baby doll we gave the boys before Leila was born. Sometimes he sleeps with all or some of his menagerie; sometimes all or some accompany Simi to where-ever he is going.
Interestingly, the stuffed frog sits on a shelf with some other stuffed animals. And Simi absolutely LOVES frogs.
Of course, Puppy is the consistent one in Simi's arms.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
It's a Love Affair
Leila is five weeks old now and beginning to wake up from her newborn slumber. She's so sweet and cuddly and, well, "huggly". I think I can spend all day cradling her in my arms and smelling her sweet newborn scent.
She knows who I am. When she's awake, she looks at me with tender eyes. And now, when I look at her with that silly grin on my face, she smiles back with an incredibly sweet, gummy smile. I'm head over heals in love.
She knows who I am. When she's awake, she looks at me with tender eyes. And now, when I look at her with that silly grin on my face, she smiles back with an incredibly sweet, gummy smile. I'm head over heals in love.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
One month old
Leila celebrated her one month birthday yesterday. Simi said we need to celebrate her birthday. He suggested going to "one of the special birthday party places", because "they're a lot more fun than having a party at home."
At Leila's one month check-up today, she weighed 10 lbs. 12 oz. That's exactly a three pound weight gain in one month. Good eating Leila!
Oh, and she's still the perfect baby.
At Leila's one month check-up today, she weighed 10 lbs. 12 oz. That's exactly a three pound weight gain in one month. Good eating Leila!
Oh, and she's still the perfect baby.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Speaking of Heat Defects...
The Winter Olympics are now upon us and we get to watch the Olympic athletes doing their thing in Italy in search of the ultimate SMO (shiny medal object). It surprised me to learn that Shaun White, the red-headed American who won the gold medal in snowboarding, had two heart surgeries before he was a year old to repair a congenital heart defect.
Looks like his heart is fixed.
Way to go Shaun! Congratulations on your achievements.
Looks like his heart is fixed.
Way to go Shaun! Congratulations on your achievements.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Hindsight
It's been over four months now since Simi's open heart surgery. He's fine now. We've moved on, happy to be on this side of the surgery.
And not a day goes by when I don't think about the surgery in hindsight. We did the right thing. We went to the right hospital; got the right doctor. Simi had the best repair; the best possible recovery. And he's now better than new. We can breathe a sigh of relief. And we can move on.
And every day I give thanks for that outcome.
And not a day goes by when I don't think about the surgery in hindsight. We did the right thing. We went to the right hospital; got the right doctor. Simi had the best repair; the best possible recovery. And he's now better than new. We can breathe a sigh of relief. And we can move on.
And every day I give thanks for that outcome.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Adjusting
Every time we try to anticipate our child's/children's reactions to something, they always surprise us. They just never seem to react in the way we guess they will. Adjusting to Leila's arrival is no exception. Both Raj and I expected Asher to have some serious issues by seeing Leila in his mum's arms and we expected Simi to have no issues at all. Instead, Asher took in the newcomer with open arms and Simi is the one with the adjustment issues.
Yes, it's true: Simi, our sweet, good-natured, easy-going, loving boy has started acting out. He has started to be aggressive to Asher and has been whiny and defiant to us.
Admittedly, Simi's behavior, combined with my sleep-deprived state, has brought out some unsavory parenting skills in me. I'm short-tempered (even worse than normal for me!) and it just makes everyone miserable. I need a change in parenting style to help Simi (and all of us!) adjust better.
Yes, it's true: Simi, our sweet, good-natured, easy-going, loving boy has started acting out. He has started to be aggressive to Asher and has been whiny and defiant to us.
Admittedly, Simi's behavior, combined with my sleep-deprived state, has brought out some unsavory parenting skills in me. I'm short-tempered (even worse than normal for me!) and it just makes everyone miserable. I need a change in parenting style to help Simi (and all of us!) adjust better.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
The Middle Child
Asher is now the middle child. Just three short weeks ago, he was the baby of the family. Now, he's in the middle. The 'forgotten' one.
It's easy to see how a person is affected by where they are in their familial birth order. Poor Asher, who once received a ton of attention, is now sandwiched between Simi, who makes absolutely certain he gets as much attention as possible, and Leila, who gets all the attention she needs. Asher just tags along after Simi, following in his wake like a little tugboat in the wake of a giant cruise ship.
Truthfully, Asher doesn't seem to mind - at least not right now. Asher idolizes his big brother and happily tags along after Simi. And hopefully Asher will start getting more of his own attention in the near future.
It's easy to see how a person is affected by where they are in their familial birth order. Poor Asher, who once received a ton of attention, is now sandwiched between Simi, who makes absolutely certain he gets as much attention as possible, and Leila, who gets all the attention she needs. Asher just tags along after Simi, following in his wake like a little tugboat in the wake of a giant cruise ship.
Truthfully, Asher doesn't seem to mind - at least not right now. Asher idolizes his big brother and happily tags along after Simi. And hopefully Asher will start getting more of his own attention in the near future.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Lounging Leila
For the first month after Simi was born, his adorable little body stayed in the same position he was in while in utero: his arms were bunched up near his face and his legs were drawn up to his belly. Asher, too, was the exact same way. Little by little they uncurled their limbs and stretched out.
Leila, on the other hand, loves the lounging position. Yes, her adorable hands are crunched up to her face, but her legs are stretched out like she's laying on a chaise lounge by poolside. She was born lounging.
Leila, on the other hand, loves the lounging position. Yes, her adorable hands are crunched up to her face, but her legs are stretched out like she's laying on a chaise lounge by poolside. She was born lounging.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Two Week Mark
Leila had her two week doctor visit the other day. She gained exactly a pound in nine days. That's a lot.
I mentioned to the doctor that Leila is the perfect baby. Leila responded by keeping me awake from 11 PM to 4:30 AM that night. What a little teaser! That'll learn me for making such statements...
I mentioned to the doctor that Leila is the perfect baby. Leila responded by keeping me awake from 11 PM to 4:30 AM that night. What a little teaser! That'll learn me for making such statements...
Monday, January 30, 2006
How Quickly Things Change
Finally, with baby #3, I learn how to swaddle a baby. As soon as I learned, I read that we shouldn't swaddle babies anymore because they could overheat, be trapped in their blanket, and die. Now I'm glad I never learned how to swaddle a baby before.
It's amazing how quickly things change. Like the swaddling thing, tips and techniques on how to best raise a child changes so quickly. Just four years ago, when Simi was brand-new, the "experts" said that you should sleep with your baby and use a humidifier in the winter to help with the dry air. Now you should never sleep with your baby - for fear of suffocation. And that humidifier? It could be gathering bacteria and spitting it out into the air -- and that's bad. Now, instead of a $35.00 humidifier, you need to buy a $100+ ultrasonic humidifier that purifies the air before spitting it into the room.
If expert advice changes this fast, I can only imagine how the grand-parents of this generation feels with all the changes.
It's amazing how quickly things change. Like the swaddling thing, tips and techniques on how to best raise a child changes so quickly. Just four years ago, when Simi was brand-new, the "experts" said that you should sleep with your baby and use a humidifier in the winter to help with the dry air. Now you should never sleep with your baby - for fear of suffocation. And that humidifier? It could be gathering bacteria and spitting it out into the air -- and that's bad. Now, instead of a $35.00 humidifier, you need to buy a $100+ ultrasonic humidifier that purifies the air before spitting it into the room.
If expert advice changes this fast, I can only imagine how the grand-parents of this generation feels with all the changes.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Leila Update
Goodness! So much has happened this past week; where do we begin?
So far, Leila's been the most laid-back baby. We're still in that newborn honeymoon phase, where she's primarily sleeping, eating, and pooping/peeing -- and that's it. But she's doing all those things so incredibly sweetly. We're all head over heals in love with her.
The boys have welcomed her with open arms. Even Asher, who always has to be with his mama, hasn't even shown any signs of jealousy at all. To Asher, Leila's just another family member to love and hug and hold.
We'll post new photos as soon as we have a spare moment...
So far, Leila's been the most laid-back baby. We're still in that newborn honeymoon phase, where she's primarily sleeping, eating, and pooping/peeing -- and that's it. But she's doing all those things so incredibly sweetly. We're all head over heals in love with her.
The boys have welcomed her with open arms. Even Asher, who always has to be with his mama, hasn't even shown any signs of jealousy at all. To Asher, Leila's just another family member to love and hug and hold.
We'll post new photos as soon as we have a spare moment...
Monday, January 23, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Leila arrives!
Born Jan 21, 2006 at 10:36pm by C-Section
7lb 12oz
19.7in
Baby and mom are doing well.
Liz's water broke a little before 8pm. Leila was transverse so we went staight to C, and all went well. We're still waiting for Leila to get her shots and cleaned up and arrive in this room so Liz can finally hold her, soon...
-raj
7lb 12oz
19.7in
Baby and mom are doing well.
Liz's water broke a little before 8pm. Leila was transverse so we went staight to C, and all went well. We're still waiting for Leila to get her shots and cleaned up and arrive in this room so Liz can finally hold her, soon...
-raj
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Impatiently Awaiting Baby
Baby Sister hasn't even been born yet and she's already giving us trouble...
My body this week has been so incredibly painful, that I decided to have it checked out before my regularly scheduled appointment. It's a chronic pain and I just can't get away from it. And the thought of induction day being so far away made me cry.
Anyway, I'm really glad I did. I learned that 1. Her heartbeat is absolutely beautiful and 2. She really likes laying sideways in her womb. In the 10 minutes the sonographer spent looking at her, her head moved from my right hip to my right rib. She's nowhere near where she should be, which is why labor is not progressing at all. And that's why it's so incredibly painful. Having a full-term baby laying sideways inside you -- and stretching out - is quite uncomfortable.
The doctor, midwife, nurse, and sonographer conferenced around the ultrasound machine to try to figure out what to do about the situation.
I'm still considering my options to determine what's best for me and #3.
On the bright side, the sonographer treated me to a 3D picture of #3. On the screen, you could really tell what she looked like. Good golly, it was almost like seeing her outside the womb; it was that clear.
If this is her personality, Raj and I have a lifetime of thrills and spills with this one. It reminds me of "a mother's curse", where the mother says to her child during a particularly exasperating moment, "when you grow up, I hope you have a child JUST LIKE YOU."
I can hear my mum - up in heaven or where-ever she is - chuckling now.
So, it looks like January 22nd or 23rd will be Baby Sister's birthday. Three or four more sleeps - that's STILL a VERY LONG way off!
My body this week has been so incredibly painful, that I decided to have it checked out before my regularly scheduled appointment. It's a chronic pain and I just can't get away from it. And the thought of induction day being so far away made me cry.
Anyway, I'm really glad I did. I learned that 1. Her heartbeat is absolutely beautiful and 2. She really likes laying sideways in her womb. In the 10 minutes the sonographer spent looking at her, her head moved from my right hip to my right rib. She's nowhere near where she should be, which is why labor is not progressing at all. And that's why it's so incredibly painful. Having a full-term baby laying sideways inside you -- and stretching out - is quite uncomfortable.
The doctor, midwife, nurse, and sonographer conferenced around the ultrasound machine to try to figure out what to do about the situation.
I'm still considering my options to determine what's best for me and #3.
On the bright side, the sonographer treated me to a 3D picture of #3. On the screen, you could really tell what she looked like. Good golly, it was almost like seeing her outside the womb; it was that clear.
If this is her personality, Raj and I have a lifetime of thrills and spills with this one. It reminds me of "a mother's curse", where the mother says to her child during a particularly exasperating moment, "when you grow up, I hope you have a child JUST LIKE YOU."
I can hear my mum - up in heaven or where-ever she is - chuckling now.
So, it looks like January 22nd or 23rd will be Baby Sister's birthday. Three or four more sleeps - that's STILL a VERY LONG way off!
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