Nature Lover

These here are pictures of me, Amma and Appa during our visit to the Malacca A Famosa Resort.

Beach Bum Baby

Today, on Christmas day of 2008, Amma and Appa took me on my first swimming experience. I am exactly 1 year 5 months old, and here I stand in my very funky swimming attire. That's a

starship I'm swimming in...

I totally enjoyed myself, and although I wanted to hold on to Appa and Mama almost permanently, I did not cry. I was shaking out of cold most of the time though……

Amma said I was really a big boy. **blush**

Then Amma and Appa took me to the seaside, where I played with the sand and the seawater.

Finally, we went on a boat ride…..and boy, was I frightened at first! But after a while, I began enjoying the ride, and Appa thought me how to blow the whistle.

That’s us in the picture, enjoying ourselves.

WHAT an adventure in the sun!

A letter from Amma

Dearest Sakkti Velan,

How are you, my kandu kutty? Amma’s missing you like crazy.

It snowed here in Geneva today. It’s my first experience with snow, son, and I wished deep down in my heart that your Appa and you were here with me to share the joy of my first snow. I can only imagine how you would be pointing enthusiastically as the snow falls, with your sound effects that leave your Appa and me in stitches.

I heard you are enjoying yourself with your cousins. Amma wishes you all the fun, it’s not often you get a chance to play with children your age.

Each time I see a child on the road or in the departmental stores, all wrapped up in their winter attire, I can only see and imagine how you would look all wrapped up like that. Though, I doubt you would sit as patiently as these children in their prams. You would be wriggling and uneasy, needing to run free.

It’s been four long days, and I’m counting down the next 72 hours before I see you and your Appa again.

I look forward to Sunday more than I look forward to the 6 o’clocks every evening when I can fly home to see you and cuddle you.

Amma’s sleeping with your bolster, so I am comforted by your familiar scent. I wish you were here wit me so I can cuddle you to sleep.

Tell you Appa that I miss him too, and I miss his reassuring presence.

Good might, my love, and kiss your Appa goodnight for me.

Hugs so tight,
Amma

Writing on the Rice

NOTE by Amma: In Hindu culture- writing on rice grains is symbolic when a child wants to start his or her formal education. It's done on the 10th day of the Navarathiri Festival, the Vijayatasami day. This ritual is believed to bring success to the venture into education.

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This Vijayatasami - I wrote on the rice grains- Amma said I was too small - but since Amirthinee and Valermaty were writing - I joined the brood. Just for fun.

Amma held my finger while we traced the character "Pillayar Sulli", then the character "OM", then the words "Saraswathy Thunai", then my name "Sakkti Velan".

Actually- all the while, I was too preoccipued with staring at the rice - Amma did all the writing.

Sakkti Velan discovers his shadow.

I discovered a friend today. He follows me no matter what I do, and I spin and spin around trying to look at him……

And Cinnama Loshini, just to let you know that I can now imitate the sound of an elephant trumpeting…..

The World ROCKS for the 'King' of the Brood

Lately I’ve discovered that if I walk without direction and shake my head from the left to the right continously while I do this- the world around me rocks!

Yeah!!

I love this game! * shake….shake….*

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Just in case everyone hasn’t figured it out by now- I’m the only boy baby on my father’s side - I’ve got four other cousins – who coincidently adore me –

But I think Mina Pathi is the one having the biggest cultural shock- me being her first grandson and all - I’m climbing the stairs and the gates like none other- and when I speak- I shout – and I think it’s a pretty manly shout if I may say so myself –

Arrgghhhhh….argghhhhhhh……argghhhh……..

Of murukkus, lollypops, cats, chicken and bears

At 13 months, I’m 80 cm and 9.5 kg. I love to play catch, and go everywhere in the house- walking and running.

I love the taste of murukku- and I know exactly how to show it’s location to anyone who is kind enough to get it from me. No Amma, not achimurukku or Farley Rusk * yuck*….I WANT MURUKKU!!! Yes…thank you …… (at this point, I faithfully remove the pacifier from my mouth with my left hand, grab the murukku with my right hand and run really far away…….in case someone tries to take the murukku back!)

I also enjoy eating lollypops. I grabbed my first lollypop from Valermadi, and ever since then, everyone- that is Tata, Ammama and Nithi Mama especially – always seem to have a lollypop handy whenever I go to visit them.

I love the cats and chickens at the back of my house- and I find endless entertainment in watching them whenever I have my breakfast, LUNCH AND DINEER. In fact, Amma says that right now, I don’t even want to watch television while eating- I only need my friends the chicken and the cats.

And Bear- well Bear is my friend- whom I try to feed whenever Amma gives me a bowl and spoon to play with. And also the one whom I try to share my pacifier with….hehehe….

One morning in Sakkti Velan's porch

See what Sakkti Velan does when he's let free in his house porch for 15 minutes.........

Sakkti Velan's 1st birthday bash

Today was my very first birthday bash!

My birthday invite will tell you that Bob the Builder RULED in my party- yeah!!

SO everything- from the balloon to the backdrop to my birthday costume, was Bob the Builder. Amma even insisted that the guest come dressed in red, yello and orange, to match Bob’s shirt.

It was a nice party- there was Mr. Stanley the clown- and everyone had a chance to dance and take part in the games- but I was quite sleepy altrough the party.

Oh, did I mention that my cake had Bob the Builder sitting on it?

“Bob the Builder….can we fix it?”.....

*clap clap** clap clap….zzzzz…………..ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

I was fast asleep before my party was over....hehehehe.....

Dear Bumi Matha,

I’m ONE today!

Amma and Appa celebrated my birthday at the Ballemy Murugan temple- by giving food – and I cut my very first cake!

Amma said I had a very confused face- and I bent over almost double trying to touch the cake- before Appa help me cut my cake.

The priest put me at the foot of Lord Muruga for blessing- although I cried through the entire little ceremony thinking the priest was going to kidnap me….

Amma's back

Ammama was feeding me my milk when I saw my Amma standing at the gate. I knocked away the milk bottle and screamed in joy. "Amma......where did you go?!!""

Amma carried me and kissed me and told me that she missed me. Yes, Amma, I missed you too....

I told Amma how well Appa took care of me when she went away.....Appa taught me how to play catch with the ball......and now I've become Appa's pet......

Amma, watch, I can walk even faster now. I can turn while standing and not land on my bumsy.

I love you Amma. *** SMILE****SMILE**** SMILE***

The Avasaram Baby

I can walk......maybe I can't balance as well.....but I DEFINITELY can walk.

I walk quickly and fast...too fast because I'm excited.

I walk too fast and then I trip and fall. But after my fall, I SMILE at everyone and stand again. And before long, I'm walking again.

~Who the smart baby??~

On Fevers and Rashes

Amma told me today that I was not well the past whole week. She said I had the fever. I think I undertsand what she's saying because I wasn't feeling too good the whole of the past week. I did not want to eat, and my body ached continously. All I wanted to do was sleep. Amma kept wiping me with cold water and I cried and cried because it was cold.

The only good thing about having the fever is I got to sleep on the big, big bed with my Amma and my Appa for the whole week.

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My fever's all gone now, Amma said, but I've got the rashes. What's rashes Amma? As if she understood my question, Amma showed me my leg and I smiled at her. Amma's playing with my leg, I think to myself. Amma ruffles my hair. Amma's baby, she tells me. I smile at her again. I babble back to her.

I go about my play as usual, completely unaffected by the 'rashes'.

BABY ANTICS

Bumi Matha,

Today, I , Sakkti Velan, am 10 months old.

And I thank you for the wonderful ten months of my life.

I can open drawers, open cupboards, climb the staircase, bang the table and doors, play push with my favourite toy the Combi push-walker, chase my favourite my squeky football, bite electrical wires, dig my nose, make noises when Amma sings, scold Appa when he scolds me and I am virtually unafraid of the dark.

I’m also standing up for longer periods now, although I still land fairly often on my bums.

I enjoy playing cath with my Amma, and I refuse to be carried for long periods anymore.

Attai is trying to makie me read a book, but seriously, I’m just plain uninterested in it. Unless it’s a book that’s good enough to eat, of course.

Yesterday, I caught a live cockroach, but Amma grabbed it from me before I could make a light meal out of it.

I love to play in the water when I bathe, and I love to babble.

I like watching "Thomas and Friends" and "Bob the Builder" on television. And I love to shake my head. Sometimes I’m saying “No” and sometimes I shake my head to the music that I hear.

It’s not going to be easy being a ten-month old, as I have officially begun my age of exploration and adventure. But as long as my bolster is by my side, I know I'll be just fine.

Ouchh……….

I burnt my index finger on the incense stick my Amma was holding today. It stung a while and I howled. But Amma quickly applied a soothing cream on my finger.

I was angry with Amma for letting my finger be burnt, but I suppose I cannot hold her responsible for my actions. After all, I chose to touch the incense stick.

So after frowning at her all the while while she changed my wet napkin, I decided to bestow her with my million dollar four-toothed smile.


And then, it was back to my play. The rattler I had for my snack tasted really good!

Nappy Talk

Amma’s making me wear napkins now...and I'm loving it!

They’re so comfortable and soft, not to mention it’s airy and cooling as well.

The only problem is, I become too impatient for Amma or Kakak to pin the napkins on me, and always end up getting a scolding for being an antharam.

My Kakak

My new friend is my Kakak. It took me two weeks since she came to my house for me to warm up to her, but now, I don't mind playing with her sometimes.Amma calls her Hayati. Whenever Amma and Appa go to work, my Kakak looks after me.

I only don’t like my Kakak when Amma is around...those times I insist ( in my cute adorable way that melts my Amma's heart) that my Amma feed me and change me, and of course play with me.

Baby can do what baby wants...hehehe......

Million dollar baby smile =)

My Attai says my smile is fake.

But it’s the smile I’ve got now, and it shows my four teeth,

two on the top and two below.

Amma says I have a million dollar smile. I wonder what a million dollar is….

Staying the night at Ammama's

Dear Bumi Matha,

I knew Amma and Appa were leaving yesterday, so I pouted my lips. But I did not cry because my Ammama was carrying me. AND because, big boys don't cry.

Amma did not tuck me into bed tonight. I when I woke up at 2 a.m for my feed, I looked around and found that I was still in Ammama’s house. So I guessed that Amma and I are sleeping in different houses.

Well, I still have my Mama to play with with, so I’m not complaining. I'll just wait for Amma to come pick me. I know she's missing me......because I'm missing her and Appa like crazy.

My "Kolukattai" Ceremony

Hello Bumi Matha,

I had an interesting experience today. Ammama and Mina Pathi dropped some food on my head, and then when I picked the food up, everyone clapped and cheered.

I’m confused now….Amma always says so sternly, “No, Sakkti Velan, ...ka..ka” whenever I pick up something from the floor and she takes it away from me. So why did everyone clap? ?

And then when I put the food into the mouth, everyone claped even louder.

Mmmm…..I know I’m not supposed to put things into my mouth….but well, the stuff tasted soooooooo good and yummy. I had another bite…and another….and then Appa picked me up and Amma took the food away from me.

* Amamamamama….Amma….amma….*

It was good while it lasted.

*SIGH*

Eating my first cockroach

This stuff tastes really bad….but I’m going to chew on it anyway. Just as long as I am eating something.

Then Amma grabs me and pries my mouth open…and she screams “ Ayya, you’re eating a coackroach!....Silly boy, silly boy!”

And she makes me rinse my mouth….hehehe….but I’m actually drinking the water! I'm just so clever.

Calling my Amma...."AMMA"

Bumi Matha,

I can say Amma now…..

but most times I suppose it sounds like

Amme…ammme…amma…amma….ammeme……

Whatever I'm saying,

I know my Amma is so proud of me,

because she keeps telling me,

"Sakkti Velan, Amma Caayang....."

My Magic Bolster

I love my Bolster……

Nobody better it be taking it from me!

I have the right to throw my bolster, hold my bolster up vertically while I fall asleep, eat my bolster, suck my bolster, sleep on my bolster and roll with my bolster. In fact, my bolster’s my protection whenever I venture into the realm of the unknown…..Prateeb Cittapa’s room or Ammama’s room while I develop my navigation and crawling skills.

So LEAVE my bolster alone. My Magic bolster….my precious.

Sitting, Standing...... and then only Crawling

It’s not too hard to do, except that I keep falling down whenever I let my hands go. Amma and Appa seem to be able to stand up without holding anything….

I’ve tried so hard, pushing my bum right up into the air and yet I can’t stand without the support of the sofa or the table.

Just so you all know, I started sitting when I was about 8 months old, and Amma said I officially started standing when I was 8 and a half months old.

And I’m beginning to crawl now. Appa says I’m doing things in a reverse order….but who’s to say a baby has to crawl before he can stand.

I’m Sakkti Velan.

Teething without the BLUES

Dearest Sakkti Velan
Your teeth have come out, two on the top and two on the bottom gums. I dont' think you're feel exactly that uncomfortable.

Only occasionally,you like to bite your fingers. ….or the Vicks bottle. .….or the powder bottle.

Somehow I think you find biting these things A WHOLE lot more interesting than your various toys. ……..

Tricky Tongue

I watch with my saucered eyes as Amma puts her tongue out. Looks easy enough for me to do....but I'm still trying to figure out how to shape the mouth.Mmmmm.......

I watch closely, determined to do what Amma is doing and to make her proud.

Amma lifts me up and says, Ayya, cannot do yet ah....never mind , Appu, we try later.

Then it happened. Amma, watch me stick my tongue come out!

Yeah!!!....who's the brainy- baby?

Baby's first wave.....smooth.......

Today when I heard the car sound, I waved my hands to gesture a bye-bye to my Amma. I’ll see Amma again in the evening only.

I’m dragging myself real fast on my tummy now…but am still wondering what to do after I land on my fours. Should I move forward? I don’t know how to do that yet, Appa….don’t scold me, please….~ smile smile ~

Appa’s playing with the new car that Ammama bought me, green and blue in colour, and Appa’s saying, Sakkti Velan, go and take the car and bring to Appa….mmmm…..now how am I to do that? I can see that Appa is making the car move with a toy in his hands….I wonder what toy that is….and Appa…I’m only interested in the toy in your hands…not the car!

Bumi Matha, Amma’s feeding me rice now, and I’m beginning to enjoy the rice for lunch and the cereal for breakfast - I just love the wheat and honey…it’s lip smacking good! You should try some….

I’m trying to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star….Amma….I’m singing….can you hear me? ah..ah...ah...ah....tata...dada..di...tata...a..ju.....aaatai ~ smile~ because Amma's kissing me! YIPPEE!!!!!

A Day in the Life of Sakkti Velan

I start my day at around 7.00 a.m. This is around the time I can hear my Amma saying, “Sakkti Velan, Ayya….Amma sayang…..Elumbongo……Ennum enna thuukkam engalukku…..elumbungo….pasi ara….laam”..and I just stir a little but continue sleeping, hoping my Amma will let me sleep on.

But Amma never lets me. She carries me out and she kisses me, and I’m forced to open my eyes after a short cry of protest.

Amma makes me pray…and then I have to greet my Mina Patti good morning. All this while I’m still in a VERY bad mood, and still half asleep.

Then Amma changes my diapers. By this time I’m wide awake because the wet wipes are so, so, so cold, and then Amma starts making sounds and I smile to oblige her.

After that the battle begins with my breakfast. I do not like breakfast, and we fight through the entire meal- while we both get covered in my cereal.

Then Amma cleans me and changes me, and we comb my hair together. Them Amma puts me down to play. And I play, really hard, banging my head on the floor and trying to grab the nearest toy. My favourite toy is a black car my Ammama bought for me. You know it’s so frustrating when you’re a baby and you’re trying to reach for a toy. But I know how to drag myself and reach for the toy.

Then I know Amma has to go to work. And I continue my morning sleep until later when I’m woken up and am given a bath by my Mina Patti.

I love to bathe, and now I can play in the bath tub….hehehehe….

Then it’s battle time again with my lunch…before I snooze off to my afternoon nap…..ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……

Then I sometimes go for a car ride with my Rita Attai.

When Amma comes home, she changes me, plays with….Appa too…..then I’m fed my night drink and I go to sleep…..I hardly cry for my feed at night nowadays, but sometimes….I become too hungry and Amma has to feed me about 3 am.

So that’s my life, folks. Interesting, na?

Sitting in my own chair

Amma was so excited to see me sit today, I could see. She put on my seat belt and let me play in my stroller.

Soon, I won’t need it anymore, Amma says. Ayya is a big boy. Amma's kandu kutty is a big boy. I just love to be called all these pet names......tell me more, Amma...

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I love to play in my baby walker. Valaermadi uses my walker sometimes and I DON’T LIKE IT! It’s my walker now because Rita Attai gave it to ME!

When I sit in my walker, I play with the object in front of me that spins. Sometimes I press the horn. But most exciting of all is when I reach the coffee table in the middle of the hall and when no one is looking, I pull the table cloth out and try to chew it. That’s when Amma scolds me and tells me that Mina Pathi doesn’t like babies who pull her table cloth out.

And she takes the cloth away from me! Boo...Hoo!!

Ayya's first fall......OUCH!

Baby Sakkti Velan,

Today you had your first fall while you were trying to reach for your bolster;  you fell down from the bed and landed on your forehead. I had a shock and screamed for Mina Pathi. You wailed.

Mina Pathi rubbed your forehead and the swelling subsided.

I shouldn't have left you on the bed even for that split second, baby. Yur were too quick for me...

6.5 Months and Growing

I can say “Baba” and “Aaa tai” ……and look at me move forward. I can drag my toys towards me, and I can put my toys in my mouth. I can put my toe in my mouth.

I know how to put the pacifier in the correct way into my mouth.

I will demand to eat anything that I should not be eating--- and I have been refusing to eat my Nestum for the past few days. Wish I could tell Amma in grown-ups language that my teeth hurt.

I love watching the television and there’s something about video clips that excite me and grab my complete attention. And boy, do I enjoy watching the birds fly in the sky.

And you want to see a neat trick, I know how to cock my head sideways and look at you. And I love playing "Peek-A-Boo" with my cum, my Appa.

Cool…….

Weekend at Ammama's

We stayed over at Ammama's last Saturday. We had lunch in conjunction with Ammama's 62nd birthday- where I scared the man sitting on the table near by by screaming suddenly because I was sleepy. Nithi Mama said he literally saw the man jump out of the chair!

But as Appa has proven himslef over and over again, for I only want to fall alspeep in his arms and his arms only.

Appa rescued me from Ammama and I slept for a while. Actually, I was just giving everyone a chance to eat!

Then I was treated to ice-cream when I woke up.

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Periamma C came to visit me. She made time (she made the baby feel sooo loved!) to come see me, so I made sure I told her all the stories that I know of - in baby talk- and kept her entertained all through dinner.

Amma said Periamma C wanted to come see me again on Sunday-- but I was sleeping-- as always.

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You know a baby is loved when you get home after a weekend out and your Rita Attai makes an extra effort to come and see you. I was excited to see her too, and as always, insisted I was carried by her.

But I'm very sleepy already, Attai, so I have to go to sleep.....and you can see I am already banging my head on the pillow - what more sign does a baby have to give to indicate I need to be put into my cot to catch up with my best buddy- SLEEP......

Good night, Bumi Matha.

**ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............**

1st time sick baby

I’m 6 months old today, 67 cm long and 7.5 kg big. I feel like a big boy today as I spat on the nurse who tried to measure the circumference of my head. I did not actually spit, ALL I did was blow a few harmless bubbles at her, but Amma and Appa had a shock anyway…and if I may proudly say, the Nurse Aunty as well…..muahahahahaha…

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I cant’ drink the milk Amma, that’s why I spit it out.

My throat hurts.

Amma and Appa take me to see a pediatrician and he says I have ulcers in my throat….I spent the whole time in the hospital trying to eat the curtains….but the spoilt sport of my Amma kept pulling the curtains away from me. ARRGH......................!

Baby's First Words..

Bumi Matha, I can say “tata” now….and so I say it as often as I can….tatatatatatatatatata

Baby's day out at the Zoo

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Bumi Matha.


Today we went to the Zoo with Ammama, Tata, Nithi Mama and Vani Aunty.

I think Appa was very excited to see the animals. But I enjoyed the fresh air, though I did sleep a lot.