I realised I haven’t done a Mintlet post for a long time now. She is keeping me so busy that I rarely have time to get off my toes and do anything constructive. Most of the time I am doing damage control, running behind this child.
I chanced upon a few photos taken in the beginning of this year, when she must have been seven months or so. And it jolted me to the core, how small and babyish she is looking. Compared to the hellion she has become at Month 14.5!
She is rarely ground level these days. Ever since she started walking (she took her first steps on Krishna Jayanthi) she rarely pauses to stop and smell the roses. From the minute she wakes up to the minute she is dragged to bed kicking and screaming, she is forever running. Running to the under-sink cupboard where I keep the cleaning fluids, so she can dump them on the living room carpet. Or running to the bedroom, opening my wardrobe and getting amidst my clothes. Or in her brother’s room, tossing aside clothes and toys and making his already messy room messier. Or climbing on chais, and then on to the dining / computer table. Hanging off the backs of the chair. If she isn’t doing one thing, she is doing ten.
She can get rid of her nappy easily and when no one else is looking. Many a times we have chanced upon us walking bare-bottomed. Usually, at such times, her bodysuit tails would be soiled as the monkey would have gotten rid of her poopy nappy and stashed it somewhere ‘safe’! We just have to follow the pong to find out the special spot she has found for it!
She also loves dancing. She understands and says the word ‘dance’ very well. Minute you say dance, she’ll start bending at the waist and nodding her head side to side (if she is seated) or shake her booty. It is really hilarious to see her do that. Switch on any music – be it Suprabhatham or jazz or Wake Up Sid, she will start mumbling and start dancing. She won’t just do the same movements either – she will keep changing her arm movements, the way she bounces, some tiny changes always in tune with the music. Recently she has started humming along with the music too.
She babbles a LOT now. Her first word was typically “Pratik”! She also calls him “eesh” and can point him in any photo. She also says “yesh” clearly and sometimes, says “hi”. Tell her “NO” and she will counter with a “yesh” and get back to whatever naughty act she was doing. She also says “ta ta” very clearly, coupled with a waving hand gesture. But she won’t just bestow that on anybody!
Typical of a second-born, she also competes with her brother a lot. If he is reading a book, she has to pluck it off his hands and either tear a paper or two off it or fling it in the farthest corner of the room. If he is at the computer, she HAS to climb next to him or even on him and tap on the keyboard. If he is taking bath, she has to go to the bathroom and push the shower curtain aside and babble at him. If he is eating, she has to climb on his chair / hang off it and generally make him yell “Mummmyyyy, Minty’s bothering meee!” That plaintive cry is generally heard many, many times during the day. It is hilarious when this happens ‘cos, on one side would be Pratik, his face red and puffing like a steam engine; on the other side it will be this chit, who upon seeing me would scrunch up her eyes and start fake bawling. It takes all my energy not to break into a smile!
Let me wind this up with a funny story. We had recently gone on a weekend visit to one of hubby’s cousins. They have a nine-month old boy and though she didn’t really notice him much, The Mint just used to bash him on the head with the remote etc if he ventured too close. Sunday morning, we were all sitting in the lounge, the baby was getting his nappy changed. The Mint saw his, er, private parts and sat up straight! She pointed to her nappy, pointed to the baby and went “eesh!” Translation: he’s got stuff just like Pratik!
Ain’t she a card?
I’ll leave you with a recent photo of her, all dressed up and ready for the play group.
LOL! at rhe eesh
uh, removes nappies, poops on the floor, hides poop-filled nappy… i think i am going to try and keep an ocean between us for a couple of more years.
bwahahaha! why do you think i am timing my move to coincide with yours? remember pratik’s early toilet training days?
What a handful! And a delightful one at that- before you know it she’ll be all growed up:)
she is growing up fast already dips
ROFL at the funny story
LOL LOL and how familiar! Damn cute this one is. You’re moving? When?
Either by May 2010 or 2011, depending on hubby’s studies.
Such a fun age, before they turn into monsters
Oh ho.. ma khasam bawa! Childrens I tells you!!! He he, she is so precious. Hugs galore for the babe… and that nappy being tucked away into a safe soft was JUST SO PRECIOUS