Hello Eight!, the Ira way

 

                                Hello Eight! 

This year as we ring in our little human beings 8th birthday, we are amidst nature doing things she loves and also doing absolutely nothing :). 

The last year has been a journey where we have seen her grow, expand her horizons, learn to deal with tough moments and accept when someone says no, learn to make new friends, learn that it is ok not to like some things, learn that being kind and loving is the most important thing in the whole wide world. 

Us

                                My Precious

                   Chocolate cake and cheers

                            Birthday Morning

Summing up eight interesting moments / things she did last year that were new experiences and now are a part of the Pramadhs' stories, like forever. Sharing these, with eight E adjectives that describe her and her experiences! 

Eager- After being home schooled last year, made new friends in her new school and travelled in a school bus for the first time ever, even going on a short trip to the bugs hotel. 

Energetic- One thing she missed the most during peak covid was her play time with the apartment friends. As things eased, she managed a lot of play time, also took her karate belt exam in person, along with attending a nanchack workshop. 

Exciting- Over the years, Ira has grown to be quite an avid reader. There are also few days when she doesn't touch a book. But when she reads, we have had constant reading happening. She started the Harry Potter books this year and finished the series. Has taken to Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Ruskin Bond, David Walliams books very keenly too. She reads and also shares the stories. This holiday, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid has got her attention. She also did a writing workshop with Amar Chitra Katha this summer. Am sure excited to see her churn out new stories :) 

Elaborate- Prashant is a process person and has inculcated that in Ira. Be it her morning and newpaper reading routine or other life skills. She recently learnt to negotiate while buying plantain leaves at the Yeshwantpur Market. She asked lot of questions, got the process aorted in her head and followed instructions to the tee. 

Earthy- Her name means Earth and she is quite at home amidst nature. Ofcourse, doesn't like the leeches much, but this year has heard owls hoot, peacocks call and many other birds. This was the first time she did 2 camping trips in the span of a few weeks, with small treks and also slept under the sky in a tent. 

Earnest- She tried a few things with utmost earnestness this year. Made breakfast for us first Sunday of a few months. Overtime, life took over and we lost the rhythm but hope to get back to those little chef mornings. She does partake in food prep when Papa cooks :). She also has been writing to her pen friend, Sonali. Sometimes they areletters, sometimes apost card. An interaction she takes quite seriously. 

Empirical- We encouraged her to do journalling through the year for various experiences. So, her little treasure trove has small handmade books with many things written about little things she did. Be it a story, a song, writing how she is feeling or about her travels and holidays. 

Effervescent- Being parents to her is a life full of surprises. Sometimes, she says the philosophical things with a straight face. Eg. Mamma, Covid is here to stay. We must move on. This was when the Pramadhs were going through lot of health challenges and mamma was frustrated and stressed. Or when she dishes out potty jokes teaming with Papa, her partner in crime. She has her inner circle and is aware that her Joi will do the most crazy and kiddy thing with her, like having a lollypop. She has learnt to navigate relationships, share how she feels and find her place in a group. 

      A Cute message from our favourite Kalpan Dida, along with big bear hugs

27th May 2022 began with Mamma and Papa waiting for Ira to wake up. She had declared last night that she is eight and will sleep in late. She was up at 7. 30am (quite late in comparison to our normal waking up time). 

We gifted her some clothes, some books and card games. Harish from Varshini had made puri for breakfast :) She wore her new jeans (she wanted distressed jeans as a gift) and tee with the HP sorting hat in sequens and posed for Papa. Our heart skipped a beat, wondering when did she grow up so much. Lunch had fish and there was chicken curry for dinner. We managed to also get a chocolate cake from the town nearby. With Dadu-Dida, Meshodadu-Mashidida, Joy, Rony, Malu on the video call, we sang the birthday song marking year 8. Our dear friends, H&N joined us for the day with their nephew. 

               Manjarabad fort, posing adults and kids with swag

To family and friends, far and near, who sent their love for our little girl through calls and messages, Thank you! 

Let the #EffablesAtEight begin! 

#Ira #Iraisms #IraAtEight #EffablesAtEight #Pramadhs #EightBirthday #HappyBirthday #BirthdayHoliday #Happiness #Love #Gratitude 

Papa's Birthday, Secret Mission and Mango Juice, the Ira way

Ira: Happy birthday Papa

Mamma: Happy birthday Sweetie

Papa: Thanks Girls

When regular conversations make it to the birthday card that also references your age, because Ira loves birthdays and the corresponding numbers :) 

Papa celebrated his birthday recently. We did a pre-birthday dinner, with some friends, where Ira cut the cake on behalf of Papa. It also marked Ira completing this year at school. 

A short camping trip in a valley amidst the hills where we basked in the heat, lost ourselves in nature, ate food made from locally sourced vegetables and camped below the stars. Prashant loves the mountains and slowly, we are also falling in love with them. 

This year on his birthday, We veered a little away from our regular tradition of going to Blossoms as both Papa and Mamma were working. Ira accompanied Papa to  a work meeting and then we did a yele oota lunch at one of our favourite places in Ooru. 

The day began with Ira and Mamma surprising Papa with a well planned breakfast, a birthday card, a menu card and some gifts. Ira and Mamma went on a secret mission the previous day and somehow Ira let it slip that they had gone out :) As always, Papa gifted us too on his birthday. Books for me and a dress for Ira with reversible sequens (she loves them since she was little)! 

Closed the evening with a lovely dinner and memories to count. Guess who was happiest? Our little human being who relished both the pork belly starter and her mango juice with equal gusto <3 

#Pramadhs #Us #Love #HappyBirthdayPapa #Treking #LoveMountains #TravelTrails #Ira #Iraisms #IraAtSeven #StoriesAtSeven #LoveFood #Happiness #Gratitude #SecretMission #MangoJuice 

41, accepting and liberating.

                 My first attempt at Gond art- 

                  'A woman seeking Liberation'

The birthday gone by! 

Blessed in many ways, grateful for many things. 

The year gone by has been trying and the focus has been to find space for myself amidst all the chaos. 

Had a quiet birthday with Ira and Prashant. He made some delicious food like always, I ate and took an afternoon siesta. Had a quiet birthday. Some would even term it boring and getting old :). Ira made a beautiful card and wrote, "I hope you are happy to be 41 years old today. " 

A friend dropped by and made ambodes for the birthday girl, another sent boxes of cakes and another boxful of sinful chocolate delights. The next afternoon, a nice lunch at home with 2 friends who have been our pillar of support constantly. 

I spent the afternoon attempting a Gond art. Learnt the basics as part of an interaction with Ira's school art teacher the previous evening. 

The heart was overwhelmed but the mind continued to be in chaos.  Some days, actually many days have been a battle for me. A person who stepped out at the drop of a hat today gets cold feet. I have almost stopped meeting people, I haven't met people for socialising in group larger than 6 to 8 (just one meet up with 8 people including us recently) in the last 2 years (not considering the days I go to MCC). I did not meet one of my closest friends who was leaving town. That is how deep the fear was. May be even irrational at some point. I have cancelled plans, postponed them indefinitely and have learnt not to make plans too. I have at times stopped even trying. 

I have had more quiet days than I have had in the last many many years. I am no more the person who sent the Good Morning message on groups diligently everyday (not random ones, but the ones with close friends). I hardly do calls and I hardly have stayed in touch with many friends. Friends have been kind and understanding. I have also lost friends and acquaintances and learnt that life goes on. 

I have learnt not to have the need to be wanted, to be seeked. I am still here, but I am learning to make peace with not existing, for people. Difficult for an extrovert who derives energy from being amidst people. 

What has kept me sane are my reading , my work, cooking,the two amazing people I live with, Baba, Ma and Joy; and some friends.

'He' has been my anchor. The acceptance, the hugs, the unconditional love and the difficult conversations when I most needed them, some random plans to push me beyond that comfort zone, the understanding of the silent and weepy moments. My little girl has been a star. She has seen me dazed, losing my cool and just not being in my element. She has helped me be stronger and push myself in these dark moments. She has helped me be a mother who takes care of herself first, so that she can be there ready for the day ahead. 

So, to the year to come. The challenges may continue, the road continues to be rough. I hope to find moments with myself, focus just on self. Do things for myself and my well-being. And find the acceptance of these fears, thoughts and actions liberating. 

Happy 41 to me. <3 

#HappyBirthday #41sBirthday #Happiness #Gratitude #Acceptance #Love #Pramadhs #Ira  #Us #Family #Parents #Liberating 

Papa's birthday and Dutch Truffle Cake

Another year and another lockdown birthday for Papa. 

The excitement however remains, with our little girl making a card at 10.15pm the previous night. A lot of secret planning with mamma and choosing  a cake that fits all requirements. 

The morning begins with wishing Papa at every instance, giving him the greeting card and a menu for the day. 

Being a foodie family, we had discovered  a one pot chicken vegetable noodle soup and that made it to the birthday menu. 

The cake was Dutch truffle from one of Papa's favourite patisserie. 

And like always, Papa had surprises for Ira and mamma. I got dark chocolates and Ira got  a book :) 

Little things, little moments we are grateful for. 

And yeah, Papa celebrated his birthday in April. 

#LockdownBirthdays #PapaBirthday #IraAtSix #StoriesAtSix #Iraisms #Happiness #LoveCake #Gratitude #LoveSoup

A Lockdown Birthday, The Ira way

Our little girl turned 6 today! A full hand and another finger :)

Ira loves making conversations, with us, her friends, her superheroes! The last 10 weeks have been hard for the little one with only Papa and me for company. She kept dropping hints and asking if we had planned any surprises for her birthday. Papa said that it is a lockdown birthday and nothing much is possible. While she was disappointed and expressed that immediately, a few minutes and she was back into her own world.

I do wish we adults were like that and our conversations and expressions were that simple. Papa and Mamma had over the last few days once lockdown got eased managed to arrange for some simple things for Ira- stationery and craft items, some snacks and chocolates. Also, our advanced planning behaviors ensured we had a few interesting things on the gift list. On 26th, the idea 'Let's do a treasure hunt!' took shape. Mamma wrote the clues, Papa wrapped the gifts and we did all this once she was in bed. Gifts and clues were placed in specific places at home and we were technically set!

27th Morning our 6 year old woke up to a chit and a handmade card by her bed. Mamma had tried her best to replicate all that Ira currently draws- human stick figures, rainbow, love symbol flowers and ice cream. Ira was surprised and thrilled that her parents had afterall planned something.
The day was spent discovering clues,solving them and discovering treasures.

She answered calls and video calls this year, cut a a vanilla cake with sprinkles that Papa and she baked in the cooker, a first for the Pramadh household; and also another chocolate cake sent by Malu ! Dadu, Dida, Joy, Meshodadu, Mashidida, Rony all joined the call and were virtually given the vanilla cake :) Ira also had two surprise visitors, Mesho dadu and Joy. Along with them some goodies that made her day.

Ira is a foodie and so planning the meals for today were exciting in their own way.  Alu paratha with ketchup for breakfast and Mango. Lunch was Macher jhol Bhaat primarily for her. And dinner was puliogere. It takes very little to make a child blissfully happy.

We did our own photo shoot with some smiling faces and some crazy faces too. Ira in the morning wrote a little thank you note and gave us and end of day, gave a thank you speech. All the planning, the suspense and the surprises had overwhelmed our little girl. The 10th gift which was a book was to arrive by Amazon but was delayed. Thankfully, we had some back-up books!

The birthday celebrations came to a close with a family movie time, watching Onward. Ira is also a movie buff like us and you can only imagine the smiles. She loves singing loudly and also penned a lyrics in her story writing notebook! Our hearts swelled with pride.

As our girl becomes 6, we also complete 6 years of parenting! It has been a roller coaster ride with thrills and joys outweighing the apprehensions. The adrenaline rush is as relatable on that first moment when we saw her and told ourselves, "We made THIS" to now when we see her and find that she is so much like either of us in different moments!

The #StoriesAtSix begin! Happy Birthday to our precious, with whom Our 'Earth Rejoiced' and always will.

#Ira #Iraisms #IraAtSix #HappyBirthday #IraTurnsSix #Cake #Family #Surprises #LockdownBirthday #LockdownCelebrations #Parenting #Gratitude #Happiness #EarthRejoiced 

"My Wish. Heart can be any colour. Happy Birthday Joi!"

Ira sends him messages in words, emojis, gifs and voice messages every day. Sometimes, 100 messages at a go. She tells him that she loves him and asks him to call her when he is eating breakfast.
She narrates her day and expects him to do the same. She fights with him and will fight for him. She calls him 'Joi' ever since she could speak and ofcourse tells people that his good name is Dheeman Das. To ascertain his position in her life and claim that he is her 'Joi', she will say, 'My Maama'. Maama is maternal uncle in Bangla.
Today was his birthday. Everyone is celebrating and making the most of lockdown birthdays. Papa planned a surprise and we wore our masks, took all precautions and drove down to see her favorite person. We had also swiggyed the cake home so that we could take it with us. Papa prepped Ira telling that in case we are not allowed into the apartment, to be prepared to wish him Happy Birthday from a distance and give the cake, the hugs had to wait.

Thankfully, we managed to grab a few precious hours together. Ira and Joy played temple run, had lunch together and then they scooped into a Ferrero Rocher Jar cake. Ira also drew him a card which had them holding hands. Her floral hairband and his spiky hair was the highlight, along with a colourful flower and a yellow heart. When Joy asked her, "Why is the heart yellow?" ; Ira replied, "My wish. Heart can be any colour. Happy Birthday Joi!". It was a day when her wish was fulfilled. We stepped out of home after almost 55 days. 

So, Happy Birthday to my little brother (he will kill me for this) and to Ira's big source of happiness, 'Joi' (Joy as we call him).

Cherishing moments in these times and grateful that we got to be together today.

#Ira #Iraisms #TalesAtFive #IraAtFive #HappyBirthday #Happiness #Gratitude #LoveCake #LockdownConversations #StaySafe #StayHome #LockdownBirthdays

The birthday girl wants to go to the beach!

                              Happy Ira.
Yummy choco almond cake from Monginis.


This year we rang in Ira's 5th birthday at Goa. When asked where she wanted to go in summer, she said, "The Beach". This was ofcourse courtesy her December vacation holiday at her friend A's place where she literally discovered the joys of a beach- sand, water and all things fun.

So, what did our five year old do. She played on the beach, ate some of her favorite sea food,swam and played in the pool with Papa, did some writing activities with mamma and cut a chocolate cake. Ofcourse she got gifts that were books, activity kits and accessories inspired by some of her favorite superhero and cartoon characters. She attended calls and also shied  away from some. Sent some video messages and some audio thank you messages. She told Papa how she was getting so many calls :)

                          The birthday selfie

The day was constantly interspersed with her taking about herself in third person, "The birthday girl wants to..."

                Kite flying with Papa on the beach

There is a whole world that she wants and we hope she discovers every bit of the world with each passing year. To more goofiness, more madness, more adventures, more dreams, more independent conversations, more cuteness and more crazy moments!

      Flower and a cheesy pose with Mamma

#TalesAtFive begin today! Also yeah, happy five years of #Parenting to Papa and me.

#Ira #Iraisms #IraAtFive #BeingIra #Happiness #Gratitude #HappyBirthday #FifthBirthday

I am so glad it is my birthday today!

                               Be Happy

Ira turned four today and we celebrated four years of parenthood. The day was spent thanking everyone who wished her; we witnessed a less shy her , more open to acknowledging and smiling when someone wished her.

                      The cake was yummy!

Of course all conversations were interspersed with , "I am so glad it is my birthday today". A buffet breakfast with family where the highlight for her was her birthday cake- chocolate truffle and the Captain America figurine she received as a gift. So, we all took turns all day being Captain America and saving each other in imaginary situations.

Ira loves long drives and the next pit stop of her birthday celebration was Prani, The Pet Sanctuary at Kanakpura. We had chanced upon this place on a friends timeline few months back and it was on the to do list. Ira loves natural spaces and animals and we couldn't think of a better way than this to spend the day. She fed the birds, petted the animals, held rodents, saw iguana, terrapin and emu with great curiosity, played on the swing and even declared that the lemon juice was yummy. When we asked her which was her fave animal, she counted almost all of them on her fingers. She even told us that she loved the place and wants to go back and stay there and be with the animals.

                   A Day, just the way Ira likes it

For me personally, planning her gifts is one exciting task. This year we got her a small paint set, and a telescope so that she can explore the sky having recently ventured into reading about the space and playing a 'space' infotainment game with papa on the tab. We also got her a book called  Relativity for Babies (a fabulous series by Chris Ferrie) and a story cube game from Shumee. You roll the cubes and which ever sides face up , you make a story with that. Hoping to spend many story telling and story making evenings together.

Another year, bracing ourselves for more new things and new #TalesAtFour
#Ira #Iraisms #HappyBirthday #IraturnsFour #Happiness #Gratitude #Parenting