Jay, from 2 to 3 - a Birthday Report

Elmo Cake, Candles, Balloons, Pizzas, Games and fun, Friends, Goody Bags...hip hip hurray....Its Jay's Birthday....The climbing, jumping, running, bouncing, ever-on-the-move toddler Jay is now a proud preschooler…not that he has given up any of the above said activities but its fun too see him move to a higher class, 3's as they call it in his day care. Fortunate that Jay falls well within the cut off date and will not be missing a school year...the least of his worries but am way too excited.

Here is a small recap from his last year highlighting his accomplishments, trips, milestones, cherishing moments and some of the key events and happenings from Jay's life.....


Jay Turns 2 -

Jay's second year began with the arrival of his paternal grandparents from India to join us for the celebrations. We had arranged for his "Aayusha homam" and a Pooja on a small scale on his star birthday followed by a cake-cutting party in his day care with his classmates. I wanted to use his school party as a dry run before planning the final event with a bigger audience more from our social circle. As Jay's response was very poor I dropped the idea of a second party - all he was interested was chase balloons and bubbles...He didn’t even show up for the cake cutting - Dad and I ended up cutting the Pooh bear cake.

Jay and his Grandparents -

Jay thoroughly enjoyed the quality time with his grandparents who stayed with us until Thanksgiving. We were still working on his communication though he never found that as an obstacle to articulate or get his things done. He learnt his numbers from his grandma and a lot of our native (Tamil) vocabulary from his grandpa. Jay was flourishing in the company of his grandparents who religiously pampered him day in and day out.

Jay and Halloween –

Even before we realized it was time for the Costume parties, bonfires, carving jack-o-lanterns, pranking people, reading scary stories...Yes Halloween was at our door. After a heavy contemplation he settled down for a Superman. Jay was thrilled about the participation in his school harvest festival, marched through a parade organized with the sole intention of showing off their costumes and came home with a huge bag of goodies. We went trick-or-treating in the nearest mall and his candy bag was overflowing. Thanks to Jay's ignorance on candies. He collected all the candies and promptly trashed them. I just wish he continued to stay as oblivious as he was with his candies.

Jay’s New Year Celebrations –

We stepped into the new year,2009 on a very happy note. It was definitely a refreshing start, celebrating the New Years Eve along with 2 other families in a time sharing resort at Masanutten, Shenandoah Valley. As it was Jay's first long trip as a toddler, I was a little paranoid about the travel and Jay's food habits. He proved me right in every way. As expected he went on a starvation mode but that didn’t do any damage to his spirits. The resort was packed with adventures though we were glued to the water park the entire time we stayed in the resort. With the currents driving us, waterfalls and spray features reaching us from all angles, Jay just freaked out. He was in cloud nine sailing in his tube through the Lazy River.

Jay’s Oratory -

His close association with his acquaintances in Masanutten must have woken up Jay's conscience about his tongue. By then I was fully convinced that we will be able to listen to his yaps only when he turns 3. But to our surprise, soon after the New Year episode he started blasting our ears with his diction. Jay began to focus on his vocabulary big time and within 3 weeks he was in full swing to the extent that he was able to keep a conversation going fine with his fellow buddies. He would miss all the conjunctions/prepositions but would still convey what he had to effortlessly.

Jay and his troublesome infections –

Spring is the sickness season at our residence. Jay had his first ear infection followed by a few other viral attacks which gave him a forced 3 week break from his school. Jay is so used to his schedule that this unexpected vacation was not well received by him. His routine went for a complete toss. He missed his school, teachers, friendly bantering with his friends, Cookie Monster and grass fun very badly.

Jay’s Task List -

As he was growing, the to-do's in his list also kept growing. Jay's weekend calendar is the busiest of all at home and all our plans have to revolve around his availability. For a period of time between April and August all we were doing was attending birthday parties. The only difference in each of the party would be the venue and the child. Still Jay managed to have enormous fun. He would get ready from the Wednesday of the week for the Saturday party and keep reminding us just in case we forget the event. A perfect Virgo!!

Here is what a typical weekend for Jay looks like –

Saturday morning - get ready for the bday party to attend
Saturday afternoon - fun at the bday party, eat pizzas and cakes and drive home for a nap.
Saturday evening - Beach visit. We were one of those few families who marked our attendance at the Bradley beach every Saturday in the few weeks of summer we got to have in NJ.
Sleep on the way back home.

Sunday morning - breakfast and head bath. He used to create a mess before his shower. Jay is allergic to head bathsJ
Sunday afternoon - Rasam rice + spinach followed by a nap
Sunday evening - Durga temple visit though the dinner at the Dosa grill afterwards was what mattered to him the most. When Jay and I visit the Durga temple Dad would be busy at the "Durga Hotel". The food served at the temple was the only motivation for Dad to drive us to the temple. Like Dad like Son!!

Jay’s Alma Mater -

Kindercare is Jay’s second home – after an exhaustive 8 hrs at school anyone would expect the child to retire peacefully. Though Jay follows a strict schedule during the weekdays never has he volunteered to go to bed. He is a spring of energy always in action. He had done quite a bit of learning last year. He even knows to spell his and my names. Jay was very fond of 2 teachers in his daycare. He was extremely attached to them that at times when he is wayward at home and we tried any of the usual control techniques, he would cry for his teachers. Unfortunately both of them left midway which took a very heavy toll on him.

Photogenic Jay -

Jay had his regular share of photo shoots both at home and at the studios which enthrall him. The most memorable image was “Jay as a girl”!!! He shares our admiration on these pictures now but not sure what is in store for us a couple of years down the line.

Jay is absolutely adorable, a great helper, enormously entertaining and notoriously naughty all at the same time. He swam through all his difficult times, profoundly rejoiced his ecstatic bright days and is now entering a new year. This year we look forward to see more of his mischief, chit-chats, constructive action and occasionally some learning too….