2.6e+4 hours of filling my world! Happy Birthday little one!

This is a year that has seen us all through a lot and what a trooper you have been. 90% of the time the past year I clung to you as my stabilizing factor. It should have been the other way around right? Well you were the reason life went on the past year. You were the reason we saw the bright side at times of darkness.

You talk and talk and talk. You teach, you preach. You laugh, you giggle and make me look forward to tomorrow.

This year I watched you learn languages and relationships.

You connected the dots and found answers and demanded explanations.

You learned the power you have over your grandparents and parents and manipulated all of us. You bribed me with hugs and kisses and “I love yous”.

This year, I stood back and watched you – in amazement and fear. The fear of being a parent. The fear of letting you down. The fear that keeps me going. The amazement of seeing you grow, learn and discover. Oh the joys of being a parent.

I love seeing the grown-up you. I love how you come to me and say “I like your dress mommy”. I can envision shopping trips with you in the years to come.

I love how you decide what you want to wear and what accessories to match with. I admit it frustrates me at time. I would like to select your outfits but it is not working.

I love how you negotiate “First I play in the Ipad and later I sleep mommy”. I dread those battle of wills we will eventually have.

I love how you teach “This is hong se – red in English. Say it mommy. I cannot hear you. Louder please”. Maybe you will decide to be a teacher years down the lane.

You drive me crazy by refusing to sleep. Sleep is a barbaric ritual we force upon you. As a mother of a 3 year old, I do not think I should be waking up 3+ times a night. Sigh. I have already told you – night watchman would be an ideal job for you 🙂 And when I say that your only complaint is that the guard room does not have toys and books.

Your Tamizh/Tanglish makes me howl with laughter. It is cuteness and I am biased just like every other mother. It is hard to be objective around you.

Your love for the library and books rival mine. With you I read Dr.Seuss and Eric Carle – authors I have never read before. I look forward to reading Ronald Dahl and Enid Blyton with you.

You know your mind – I had ideas for your birthday party. But you put me in place – you decided what you wanted – the colours, the theme and the guests. All I had to do was follow your orders.

We had our list of firsts for this year – first time spending nights without mommy, first trip to the theatres, first mehandi, first diaper free days and more.

It has been a great year watching you grow sweetheart. I do not know what this year will bring us – changes are in the air. But I know you will keep me going and keep me grounded. You will be my anchor and together we will make our days special!

Happy Birthday kuttyma

Here is to today and tomorrow! Happy Birthday Kuttyma!

Let the party begin! Pictures will follow