Doctor I am three years old

We had Rian's three year old check yesterday. Thanks to a very special friend of mine, we had introduced Rian to a doctor playset before he was two. He plays very often with it, and now he's a pro. He talked to the nurse like a grown up. The nurse asked him to take off his shoes, his pants, and he did all that (with some help from me). He stood on the weighing scale, and let his height be measured. He asked the nurse a LOT of questions - can I have the ruler? can I see my temperature? can I touch the red light? can I read the numbers? What does this do? The nurse was very patient, and answered each question very politely, and gave him reasons too. Amit and me were sitting in the two chairs in the room, watching this drama unfold, with a proud smile on our face. When the nurse was done with Rian, he asked him - do you want to read some books? Rian says - umm, yes, I'll read this one.

Rian picked out the Goodnight Moon book, and started flipping through it. He told us - I have the same book at home, but the one at home is a little bit dirty. I need a new one. Can I take this one Mumma? My my, we were floored :-) He kept reading the book till the doctor came in, and was chatting with her about the book. He totally engaged with the doctor, and we got full marks for communication. Doctor is very proud of Rian's speech, and lots of other things... Another proud parent moment for us. This was by far the best well baby visit we've had so far. Doctor also said - I just love this age!

He asked the doctor - where's the chalk? I want to draw. Where is the eraser? Finally doctor gave him a chalk. Rian surprised all three of us by drawing an A. Rian said - Mumma look, I made an A. Amit and me were on top of the world! Three year Rian finally got his fine motor skills tuned to draw an A. (today he made an H).

We had an eye exam for Rian. It was a bit tough to get him to sit still. He recognized all the shapes. When it came to covering one eye with the black spoon, Daddy improvised by covering with his hand. Rian just wanted to turn back and look at the original shape, instead of the mirror one after that point :-) Daddy improvised with his hanky, and told Rian - look, we are going to cry with one eye now, into this hanky :-) Rian obliged and our test flew by with flying colors ;-)

Such a cutie pie

I really hope Rian stays the cute thing that he's turned into. My cute pumpkin is coochie poochie super cutie lovable, huggable, kissable, and kisses back!

Last week the neighbor's son dropped in for an impromptu playdate. We've always told Rian that he's Aaron "dada" and in Rian's untainted mind, "Dadas" cannot do any wrong. Well, Aaron wanted to open the patio door and step out to do some "fishing". Here are the conversations:

Aaron: Does this patio door open?
Rian: Umm, it is a little bit open.
(Both pull the door)
Rian: It is opening! It is open now.
Aaron: (tugging at the screen door) Does this open too?
Rian: Umm, it is opening.

Both pull the screen door completely open, while we watch totally astonished. Then Rian says:
Daddy, can I go out please?

Aww... how cute is that? He's asking for permission :-) People tell me this cute, compliant stage last till they turn around 5. Their personality takes over after that....

My three year old

It's true... time flies when you're having fun. This year has been fun fun and more fun with Rian. With trips to San Diego, India, and Mexico, Rian's second year was totally "happening" travel-wise. Rian also had many Saturday classes, me being the soccer mom and driving him mostly. Two seasons of soccer, three seasons of dance lessons, and two seasons of gymnastics have Rian all pepped up and ready to mingle. Swimming is next on the agenda, with Rian making the ground-breaking declaration "Look Mumma I'm swimming like a fishie" while floating in Mexico. Rian also has a trailer bike now, and is towed by Daddy.

The biggest change in our lives has been school at 2.5 yrs. School started in winter, and Rian had his fair share of illnesses, with no weight gain for 9 straight months, but growing tall all the same. Warmer months have brought Chitra-Aaji and her yummy cooking here to make Rian appear all gol-matol again, fingers crossed. Sticking to a schedule is still something we are working on, and I'm sure we'll get it down pat to a routine by the time we get into Kindergarten ;-)

Rian's vocabulary has exploded, with 3-4 words, now going on to a non-stop all day long talkathon that makes us often think "Where is your off switch??" After the introduction of school, Rian has started speaking much faster. In the last 2 weeks, Rian has picked up the American accent, rolling his Rs :-( He knows a lot of the rhymes, at least 6-7 songs in Marathi, numbers from 1 to 100, numbers from ek to panchvis in Marathi, 12 marathi vowels, many Marathi consonants, and is a constant sponge. We are amazed at the speed with which the kiddo's picking up.

Rian has specific demands on his music. He now asks for certain CDs, and songs. His favorites are "Yo Gabba Gabba: Music is Awesome" and "Pop Go the Wiggles". My old faithful 60GB second gen iPod is totally helping me, carry all my kiddos music everywhere. The moment we sit in the car, Rian says - Mumma I want Life is a highway. Yesssir, coming right up!

This year Rian's car obsession has taken on new rails :-) and graduated to trains. Thomas is our favorite character and the Mtn View light rail station our dream destination to see Caltrains passing by.

Rian has many friends now. We've mostly had playdates with best friend Shayona, and a few more with Riddu, Moksh, Arth, Veer, Parv, Achal... We have our favorite Dadas and play mates. We are starting to strike friendships in our community, and Aaron Dada and Ansh Dada are our new playmates.

This year Rian has graduated from his toddler bed to a twin Lightning McQueen bed. He enjoys having his own space to sleep, and is very proud of his "big bed which is up".

Thanks to Cely, Mumma and Daddy had two quarters of desi dancing with the Mona Sampath Khan dance company, one with a performance too. We are hoping the memories of it make Rian get into dancing too. No such luck so far :-)

Rian had a rocking third bday party in Braly Park in Sunnyvale. Highlights of the party were a circus girl Miss Ember from Happily Ever Laughter Parties. We had Maharashtrian food catered from India Chaat Cuisine in Sunnyvale. Appetizers were sabudana wada with peanut chutney, yogurt, and kanda pohe. Main dishes were puris, batata bhaji, cauliflower bhaji, pulav with raita, papad, and gajar halwa. I also made a moong strawberry salad to go with it.

As I write this, the past three years seems like a blur. Each and every day is more amazing, with Rian learning new things. From Daddy and Mummy, many many happy returns of the day to Rian. May you have a rock star year #4!!

Marathi immersion

My mom's been here for a month and a half now. Slowly and steadily, she started "immersing" Rian in Marathi. Rian was curious at first, then asked questions. Then he went silent, like a sponge. 3 days later, he says a Marathi poem. A day later, another Marathi poem. He learnt a long Marathi poem which included days of the week in Marathi. His latest is counting numbers upto 20 in Marathi :-) and Grandma is already leading him on from 21 to 30. This is fun stuff!

We've never forced Rian to learn or stay away from any language. This kid just shows his interest, and we are happy that he's eager to learn.

Here are the Marathi poems he says now:
(1) Yere yere pavsa
(2) Yega yega sari
(3) Shankarachya devlat Somwari (days of the week)

(4) Chandoba chandoba bhaglas ka
... few more I do not recollect.

Happy Birthday Aaba

Yesterday June 22 was Aaba's 63rd bday. Rian was very excited in the morning, and helped Daddy to fill up Aaba's bday greeting card. Daddy and Rian drew a picture of Rian and Aaba holding hands, and Rian holding a flower. Rian wrote some sweet nothings on it too.

Right after this, Rian took the card from Daddy and went into his bedroom. He was looking at the drawing for some time. Daddy spotted him and he says to Daddy: I miss Aaba. My sweet poodla had little tears in his eyes. My sweet senti baby!

Last night we called Aaba to wish him on phone. Rian sang the whole Happy Birthday song to Aaba. This is the first time Rian actually sang this song so well, and on the phone, with full attention. He now gets the concept of talking on the phone, and doesn't just want to press buttons. Thanks to Chitra Aaji for helping here, as she has been practicing Rian talking on the phone with me almost every day.

Summer and socks

Rian has always been a neatness freak :-) He hated the first time he was in sand, and the first time he landed in grass. Over time, and with Daddy's nudging, he gets better about it, and even enjoys it. But his first reaction is: eww. This is why I think it was easy to potty train him at 21 months!

He's crazy about wearing socks, and Mommy also nourishes his fetish for different colored socks. Our 9 month long winter is finally over, and summer is here with a freaking 95F yesterday. Last night we forced Rian to give up his socks. Through his crying he says: Mumma I could not walk on the kitchen floor because it's sticky! Ah, so now I know why you love your socks, little one :-) We'll clean out the floor tonight.

The funny gene

On our way back from our recent trip to Yosemite, Rian cracked his first joke. My less-than-three-year old seems to have inherited the funny gene from Daddy. He totally "knows" he cracked a joke, he was so sure of it, and he had this patented knowing smile of his which says "I know I did it right". So here goes:

Rian: Mumma is this a pepperoni pizza?

Me: No Rian, this is a plain pizza.

Rian: (after 15 second pause) Mumma, in the plane, we eat plain pizza :-)

In our very set night routine, we introduced a play on the hugging routine. First, we used to squeeze Rian between us, and give him a "tight". Now we ask Rian if he wants to be the cheese between two breads, me and Amit. After a few nights:

Rian: Mumma, I want to be the bread

Me: And Mumma?

Rian: Mumma also be the bread. Daddy is the cheese.

(After hugging)

Rian: Now, the two breads go to the bedroom (of Rian)

... and he was all giggles for having marao'ed that dialog!!

Now this repeats every night, Daddy gets squeezed every night, and Rian wants to say his joke every night :-)