Month: February 2008

Mama and Dada surprised Austen with tickets to Sesame Street Live in Madison Square Garden, NYC. The excitement began as we took the train into Manhattan and continued throughout the show. Austen also befriended another todler while getting snacks in the lobby before the show.

Austen enjoys feeding Neely fish. Neely (which means blue in Punjabi) is a siamese fighting fish (a.k.a. betta fish) so he can’t be with another betta lest they start attacking each other.

Wow, there were like a zillion courses at the Chinese feast. Austen did incredibly well, trying lots of new dishes like shrimp crisps, baby corn and hard-boiled egg. She screamed for Devan half-way through dinner and got a lot of attention for her questions about what he was doing. “What’s he doing?” “He’s sleeping?” “Where’s Devan?”

Mama and Dada enjoyed spending time with Daljit, Kimball and Angie. And, boy, those Indian kids have great hair. (All Devan’s cousins were in attendance.)

It was cool seeing Austen strolling around Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Mama wants to get her a Chinese New Year pendant: 2005 was the Year of the Rooster.

…while we drive in the car. She can be rather demanding but usually asks nicely (“All around the cobbler’s bench!”). It’s unbelievable the way she can recognize that we’ve forwarded to the right song after hearing only a few notes of music. She’s got a gift. Uncle Mark, after failing to note Lucinda’s musical background, is gonna be impressed.

Cha Cha was here to accompany Mama and Austen to Gymboree and lunch at Tinga. In the evening, Dada returned from his leadership conference and found a table full of gifts. Mama got a beautiful beaded necklace and tulips.

Mama is so relieved to have help. Austen enjoys playing with Cha Cha in the mornings, then she, Cha Cha and Mama go out in the afternoons for yummy meals and hanging out at the local stores. During soccer class and Gymboree, Austen clings to Cha Cha and isn’t as active as usual, but she loves storytime in the evenings. “Acangagua!!” she yells, when reading her current favorite story, Pedro.

While Dada was away on training for a few days, Chacha visited and took Austen to MyGym.

Austen is reconciling herself to time outs for unacceptable behavior (hitting, screaming too much). She even walked herself to the steps and went through the motions ALL BY HERSELF when Mama told her she was getting a time out. Dada was amazed. Both Mama and Dada are worried she’s not taking it seriously but often she gets pretty upset just because you tell her she’s in trouble and she’s getting a time out.

Austen is reconciling herself to time outs for unacceptable behavior (hitting, screaming too much). She even walked herself to the steps and went through the motions ALL BY HERSELF when Mama told her she was getting a time out. Dada was amazed. Both Mama and Dada are worried she’s not taking it seriously but often she gets pretty upset just because you tell her she’s in trouble and she’s getting a time out.