Wednesday 10 October 2012

You, at four






Chotto-ma, you're four years old. We know, that's onetwothreefour fingers of your hand. On your birthday, you woke up a little disappointed that you were the same size as the night before. But like you like to say, "Never mind".





























You look like me, you sit like Ba. And you're nice. A really nice person. Like Ba. That's what I love most about you.



You're very independent, always have been. You dress yourself, tidy up your bed when you wake up, you like your own company. Of course, there's independence, and then there are cuddles. Thankfully, you like lots of both. Only we don't call it cuddles, we call it chotku.



The one thing that you do more of than anything else is draw. You draw, all the time. You record everything you see, everything you think. And I'm running out of paper.
































This was your birthday dress this year, gifted by Mamma and Dada, chosen by you. My usual anti-pretty stance didn't stand a chance.





























This was your cake, because you have itchy feet. Just like us.





























This was your card from Ba and me, because you like to see everything upsidedown. Who'd have thought a card company would know that?





























'My pencil's become a bird'. That's what you said today when you needed a sharpener.






























This is your room now. You sleep under the stars.





























This is the book on your bedside table now.





























This is your handwriting. You love to write. Head bent low. Careful concentration.
































The other day, you remembered something that made you sad, and large teardrops rolled down your eyes. You came and sat down on my lap for a more comfortable cry. Then suddenly, you looked up and said, "Look Ma, my tears watered your shirt and made flowers grow". This is what I was wearing.































You love school. And this is how you usually get there every morning. The only child in the city with an Indian Perch.




























You can hardly wait for it to be December, because that's when you're going to go to Kolkata. Your itinerary is uncomplicated - See Mamma Dada. Eat shondesh.



You're very clear about things that are 'real', and things that are 'pretend'. Magic is pretend. Rainbows are real. Unicorns are pretend, horses are real. "Ghosts and monsters are pretend", we often hear you tell your friends. You've already asked us if Jesus Christ's real or pretend - that talk took a while. I'm worried for Santa this year.



These are your shoes. Feet size 7.




























Our favourite part of the day with you is when we wake up in the morning. We know you're already awake, and waiting in your room. You're always up first. Sometimes you sing us a 'lullaby' softly from your room. Sometimes you talk in whispers with Teddy. You always wait for us to call you. As soon as we do, you call out "Ashchhi Ma, ashchhi Ba!", (Coming Ma, coming Ba!). You pitter-patter in with a big smile and slip in between us. The perfect sandwich under the duvet. And the filling's the best bit.



We love you even more at four.





















19 comments:

  1. you made me want a daughter. like read bad.

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    1. Oh that's a good thing to want! I'm glad I did :))

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  2. I am on a journey with u Pia. Keep it coming.

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    1. Then I'm counting on you sticking through the ride, polo :)

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  3. What a beautiful beautiful post... I will confess it made me cry a little. Getting bigger is good, but it's so bittersweet kissing goodbye to the baby moments and moving on to more grown up things... She is such a talented artist too you know, I think she gets that from you! :)

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    1. Emma, thank you for such a lovely, lovely comment. Yes, I know exactly what you mean -'bittersweet' describes it perfectly.

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  4. Such a poetic post! It made me cry, a happy cry :) I could realte to almost all the things you have written here about Chottu Ma, Pia! Motherhood is the best thing to happen in my life, well, one of the bestest things :)

    And such a talented girl. Her drawings are really beautiful, just like her.

    Wishing her all the happiness, love and success and more! She deserves everything and more. Belated b'day wishes, dear Chottu Ma! Don't worry, you will grow taller soon and then you will reach the sky and play with the starts :)

    Much love
    Sia

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  5. PS : I love her ride to school, her b'day dress, her cake, her room, her drawings, and her shoes :) Did I miss anything else? ;)

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    1. Oh your words made my day, Sia. I'll remember them for a long time to come. And chotto-ma will read your lovely birthday wish with a smile some day. Much love back!

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  6. A very very Happy 4th Birthday to L'il R from Puloma Mashi and Aishik (mesho?) or just Aishik?? or Ash?? whatever...

    Tell her that i LOOOOOOVE her satiny pretty dress with a big blue bow...I love her drawings and her pencil bird and her velveteen rabbit book...oh, and tell her that I will feed her a lot of shondesh in December....till then...

    Love to you three....

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  7. I just read it out to her - so now she's very happy-shy :) Big hug from her, and love back! (I went with 'ash')

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  8. Pia .. eto shundor likhecho about your chotto Ma! Khub bhalo laglo pore :) And a Very Happy Birthday to the princess!

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    1. Thanks kankana :) Ei ekta subject niye lekha khub shohoj :)

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  9. Happy birthday Chotto-Ma. You made me cry, in a happy way.

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  10. Loving this. Your voice is quite distinct. I love reading your words!

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    1. Hello Julia! It's good to have you here :)

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  11. Adorable! I'm new to your blog and love it :) LOve LOVE LOVE your girl's drawings too :)

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    1. thanks paula! it's lovely to have you here - welcome in :)

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