Dear Lui & Shobbs,
There were a lot of ways in which I wanted to write this post. The first plan was to do a comparative analysis of the differences between the time when you were wee little infants and your current boisterous selves.
I dropped that plan pronto π
(No point in going back to the infant you. That time is long past. You are individuals in your own right with a mind of your own π )
Then I thought of doing a round-up of the year, of listing all the major milestones covered, the achievements, the speed-breakers….but then I realized that I have not chronicled this year very well π¦ . There were large gaps between my posts and not much can be inferred from what I did put up! I regret it deeply and I guess this situation kind of motivates me to write more often, take down every little thing you say or do π
Frankly, this year was very different from the past few. This was the first time your father wasn’t here to pamper you silly. If you were a little older, you could understand how deeply he was hurt at missing your birthday. His prayers though, are with you , as usual π
We didn’t have a party on your birthday, per se, but two days before that. It confused you a bit initially, but you realized soon enough the difference between “just-a-party” and “actual-birthday” π
You got more gifts this year than all the years before put together!
This was the first time you both helped me with the decorations, suggesting where to put up the balloons and how to string the streamers π
You didn’t cry or throw a tantrum, rather, I guess this was the first time you were comfortable with the crowd and enjoyed the company of other children π
You didn’t eat a single bite of the delicious chocolate cake or the kiwi one π¦ (everyone else enjoyed it immensely except the two it was meant for !)
As I went through the party snaps, I realized with a pang that you two have indeed grown up. YouΒ Lui at 3’8″ and Shobby at 3’5″ are not nearly as tall as other children your age, but when I see the confident gaze as Lui looks at the camera, or the casual stance that Shobby takes as he poses for his snap, I realize just how much has changed. You have become aware, if I may use the term here….aware of your surroundings, things, people and each other. You understand your effect on your family. You know the reactions you can get out of us with your one statement or action. The difference now is that you aren’t as naive as before π ….and I haven’t been able to figure out if that is a good thing ! π
This year, you added to your vocabulary by leaps and bounds. It is futile to have secret conversations around you two π¦ . Which reminds me of your new-found love for secrets! Though you both confide in me, it is a little surprising that you both want to keep secrets from each other! Maybe, just maybe, you are making an attempt to wean yourself off from each other! Yet again, am not sure if that is a good thing π
This year I saw you both going through your own set of hurdles Β …..friendly Lui had trouble keeping friends , got bullied ,was nick-named a cry-baby (even at home) but came back with excellent grades in school. Shobby, you turned into a popular guy in class, had to struggle with memorizing sentences, excelled in maths and drove everyone nuts with your constant volley of questions! None of the hurdles were bad enough to stop you two. And we are trying to make sure that you continue to do good in the things that interest you.
This last one year has been a little sad, with you both missing your “favorite Abbu” (your words, not mine π ) like anything and insisting on talking to him every morning and night π . Somewhere along the way, I realized that you two had taken control over the situation much better than we had anticipated (Alhamdulillah). Though Lui cried buckets when your father was leaving last time, she was back to normal the next day, even philosophical about why he had to be away π .
This year, I saw an immense improvement in your manners and your public behavior….more than once, I have swelled with pride when people have congratulated me on you. I shouldn’t be taking credit, I’m not responsible for your good behavior alone.Β Your grandparents and Chachu have done pretty much from their side in bringing out the best in you π
Dear babies (and I’ll continue to call you that even when I’m halfway to my grave), you are the light of my life and your father’s life itself! We both love you so much, it is difficult to describe in words how we really feel. Many a times, when your father is here and we see you sleeping peacefully, your lashes fanning your soft cheeks, Shobby curled into a little ball like a hedgehog and Lui’s arms and legs flung across the bed, we can’t help but marvel at the wonder of having two gorgeous babies like you two and wonder, for the umpteenth time, what we did right in life to deserve you two π
Happy Birthday Sweethearts…may you have all the best in life in all the coming years. Ameen.
I know I should have done this post yesterday but I was too busy spending the day with you to notice when time flew by! Its a day late, but I know you wouldn’t mind π
Love you both! A thousand times over π
Yours,
Yes, yes, love you two darlings, Shobby and Lui! Happy birthday!!
“Thank you Pallu Aunty aka ‘Mojo-Phoebi ki mummy’ ” as the kids put it π π
Hahaha. π I like that term. In fact the kids think a lot like me cos I too ask Pallu sometimes how her bacchas are. π π
LOL!!
π π
M and P are her babies. Period π
OMG, I can’t believe they are 5! I started reading about them when they were much smaller and here they are 5 years old, in the blink of an eye.
Belated though it is, my birthday wishes to the munchkins!
Thanks Shail π
Time did fly by pretty fast.
am pretty dazed myself π
Many many happy returns of the day to Lui and Shobs. They look all grown up. Totally love Lui’s fairy outfit. The only thing that beats it is her smile. And Shobs looks like he’s the older mature one.
Thanks Tulika π
They sure look older than five….am missing their baby-ness π¦
Happy Birthday Kiddos. God Bless.
Thanks dear π
Wow, they surely have grown up eh? loved Lui’s outfit :):) Happy Birthday to both of them π
Thanks RM π
Lui’s outfit plus the wings/wand/hairband combo came up to 600/-
Somehow, the whole get-up looked more expensive than it really was π
Shobby is looking so smart in those grown up clothes. One looker he is going to be. And look at how confidently Lui is posing for the camera there. π Love and hugs to them both. Best wishes from all of us.
Thanks G π
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HAPPY B’DAY shobby and lui.. i liked the dress..kids grow up so fast na..
Thanks dear π
LOL at the ‘favorite abbu’! Your li’l darlings remind me of my 7 year old. She claims too, ‘ you’re my favourite mother, Amma!’ Yeah, as if she has some 1000 ammas to choose from! π
Wishing your li’l seethearts a very happy b’day! That was a beautiful and heartfelt post π
God bless them both!
LOL!!!
π π
The twins use the ‘favorite’ word for me too…as if they had a choice π
Thanks for the good wishes π
Happy birthday wishes π
Thanks Srihari π
Would you please squeeze the two of them for me? They look so cute and all grown up! Please pass belated birthday wishes to them.
I almost saved a tear dropping off my eye at this line: “we canβt help but marvel at the wonder of having two gorgeous babies like you two and wonder, for the umpteenth time, what we did right in life to deserve you two “. That’s exactly what Abbas and I do when Mantam are fast asleep π
Wish you and their favourite Abbu many more years of happy parenthood.
Hey Seema,
Thanks for the good wishes…don’t kids look totally angelic when they are asleep?
I feel that I’m dreaming…that I’m undeserving of their innocence and beauty π
Truly lucky to have them (Alhamdulillah!)
π
Happy birthday kids !! Hope to see you in Chicago π god bless !!
Sure….would to catch up there π