Me back
after a month (grin grin grin).
What was
I doing?? Mmmm… Lazing around?! :)
You see,
it’s that special month of the year when I love to “pamper” myself.
Have
always harboured a special love for this month – so crazy was this love, that I
would think that the best picture in any calendar was the one in September.
(And the father indirectly aided this by
hanging multiple picture calendars in empty spaces on the walls around the
house & adorning each table with the smaller table-top versions).
And even
if it really wasn’t, I would still make myself believe - this is THE best image
amongst the 12 (or if the folks were
conserving funds, then 6) images.
Anyways, coming
to today. Guess which day is it? Yes, yes, yes… it’s a Saturday.
Last
night, before turning in, I told myself… “Tomorrow you can sleep in a little
more”. Hubby doesn’t have office to rush to & little lady doesn’t have to
be woken up for school.
Alas! The
mommy body clock woke me up at what I would once sneeringly deem as “unearthly”
hours. So there I lay, with eyes shut, but wide awake.
And then the
call from the one who gifted me to the world (imagine a devilish laughter here.. hee ha ha) ;)
“Happy Birthday!!”
Hearing
me whispering a beaming “Thank You” she asked, “Were u sleeping?”
“No”, I
whispered back. “Remember, I am now a mommy too. Your darling is fast asleep,
hence me whispering. Wait lemme get out of the room…..”
B.I.R.T.H.D.A.Yaaayyyyyy.
Aahh, let
me reminisce about those school days when I would count weeks to the birthday,
waiting for the surprise (and sometimes not-so-surprise) goodies to be gifted.
And one
new dress, mostly custom stitched (yeah… am
talking about those pre-historic times when readymade was secondary).
And there
would also be a special made to order cake with theme selected by yours truly (oh my, and I complained I was not pampered!!)
And most
years, a nice little birthday party with the cousins and friends creating a happy
pandemonium.
Party
games would be thought out in detail – like passing the parcel, pin the tail,
memory game & so on. Music would usually be manned by a responsible elder
cousin on the precious cassette player.
"Return gifts"/ "Back prsesnts" would be carefully selected & packed & duly handed over to
each guest.
As we
grew, I would wait for the friends’ phone calls on the now endangered landline
before going to school. Yes, we would meet in a couple of hours in school… so
what?
We
remembered everyone’s birthdays without the help of reminder aids.
Graduating through different celebration styles
When I
was teeny weeny bit younger than now, we graduated to going out - “giving a treat
to friends” is what the activity was termed. Had to painstakingly think of the coolest
newest yet pocket-friendly eatery in the vicinity.
Let me add here – a dear friend of mine
once hosted her birthday treat at the zoo. And let me tell you – that was the
best funkiest treat ever [this deserves a dedicated post].
Maybe
throw in a movie, especially during the college days.
By the
way, what continued was
- the excitement of waking up to phone calls from friends
- the delight at being quickly wished by family first before taking the phone call
- a new dress & the gifts & the cards [Oh I have always loved cards]
Post-graduation
added the the wait for the call in the morning from parents & bro back home
and the midnight hostel rituals like dunking with water, cake cutting, tiny but
precious gifts & the joy of basking in the glory of being THE B’day girl. E-cards got added to the physical ones.
Then came
along hubby – and his family & friends added to my celebrations. Surprise
parties were enjoyed and wishes multiplied. Lovingly thought out gifts from the
man would make the day so much more precious.
New Mommy
Now as I peek
into the room to check if little one has woken up and see that little sleeping
face, I know I got some more time to loll around on the sofa with a cup of tea.
Flashback
to a couple of years.
Yes my
special day – and there I was looking so-not a peppy B’day girl:
- dripping with oodles of post preggy fat which I was in no hurry to shed (who doesn't like being pampered at Mommy's place)
- large dark circles threatening to take over my plump cheeks - totally sleep deprived
- wearing the most comfy loose maternity top
- answering calls in a daze
- sometimes remembering to check & respond to the wishes on social platforms
But this
little 6 month old, did not care two hoots about mommy’s precious day (forget month). Her demands remained just
the same!!
So daddy
and her mama (my bro) decided to arrange a little “party” for me.
I was
floating in & out of dreamland. Had I ever been this eager to sleep on my
birthday ?!
Umm…
where’s that new stitched dress?? Oh gone is the tailor, energy is dipping. Oooh
wake up… So I put on my best readymade blue top (yeah one from the maternity
days), put on some matching earrings & bracelet.
And then thought
of dressing up the little one. I don’t even recall what she looked like that
evening. So I turn to my photo bank - a cute cotton dress, 2 tiny silver
bangles, a thin crown of hair sprouting, lower lip chewed by the upper one –
impending teeth, tiny eyes absorbing all that’s happening around (must have been wondering what’s all the fuss
about)!! Anyways, I got a peck on the nose J
Dream
time. Now for the special theme cake. Oh but I had been too busy tending to the
little one to even spare a thought for my cake. But my oh my, what’s this? My bro
had thoughtfully got “Happy Birthday Ma” piped on the cake :)
Wow… I
was celebrating my first birthday as a mommy. This would be the best cake ever.
Oh and
the grandparents had called for my favourite food items – what a spread !!
No fancy
party, no fancy outing, no fancy outfit, no fancy cake… Just simple happiness…
And a
very yummy chocolate cake – bring on the calories…
Me out of
dreamland. As I was about to bite into a chocolate loaded piece… the “carefully”
selected top felt a little different… oh that’s my little one wishing me …. A
very Nappy Birthday Mommy… :) :)
Beautiful!! Happy birthday again:)
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