Monday 23rd - Friday 27th August 2010

Monday 23rd August

Abigail was awake at 6.30 again this morning. I tried to take her into our bed to lay down with her but she wasn't having any of it! She wanted to be up and awake, so in the end I brought her into the dining room where I laid a duvet on the floor and put lots of toys out for her then I went to get a coffee. Dylan woke up at 7.30 and asked to watch Numberjacks. I thought he may go back to sleep, but he didn't. So, both children up really early this morning – I'm was hoping they would have a lunch time nap as we were going to Emma's house so Dylan and Tia could play. As it turned out, neither of them went for a nap.

At about 10 o'clock the doorbell rang and it was the security from downstairs bringing us another parcel! Thank you Laura! We had lots of fun opening the parcel and seeing what surprises were inside!

We left home at 2.45. Emma had sent her driver to pick us up and we made it back to her house (which is across the other side of town) in record time. We were there just before 3.15. Tia has a really lovely playroom with lots of nice toys so Dylan had so much fun playing with all the different things. At about 5.15, I said to Emma that I should be making a move as she was going to send us with her driver and he had to be back to pick up Emma's husband at 7. She went to get her phone and when she came back we got chatting. The next thing I knew it was 5 to 6 and too late for us to go with Emma's driver. So, I called Penri who couldn't pick us and then called Tyagi. Luckily Tyagi was available and he was with us by 6.20 to take us home.

The traffic was absolutely appalling and when we got to crossing the big highway, it was just solid stand still traffic! So, we were sitting in the car in the middle of a very main road trying to get across this junction and Tyagi gets out the car and walks away. He started diverting the traffic and telling people where to go and which lane they should be in. It was crazy!! Then the traffic would start moving again so he would jump back in the car, move a couple of inches forwards and then it would stop again. So, he'd get out again, go and direct traffic and the whole process would repeat itself. I was getting so frustrated and if I didn't have Abigail in my arms, I am sure I would not have been able to stop myself from getting in the driver's seat!

We finally got home at 8 o'clock after and hour and a half in traffic. It was late, both children were tired, neither one had been fed and I was exhausted. I cooked DJ's dinner as quickly as possible and then while he was eating I fed Abigail. Then I got them both showered and dressed and put them to bed. Within half an hour of them being asleep, I too went to bed!

Tuesday 24th August

We had an up and down night but again, we were awake early! Once Abigail wakes up in the mornings and sees it's light outside, it is very difficult to get her back to sleep! Because
she was up so early, she went to sleep at 10 a.m and DJ and I nipped out to the fruit and vegetable stall. Penri was still home and he was asleep too. I told him to listen out for her and that we wouldn't be long and off we went.

Can you believe – we bought : 4 large potatoes, a cauliflower, 6 carrots, garlic, ginger, 3 large handfuls of peas, a cabbage, 3 lemons, 4 tomatoes, a cucumber, 4 bananas and 2 green peppers for Rs.150 – about £2. Stuff like fruit and vegetables are so cheap here. It's so cute because DJ is starting to understand about paying for things so whenever we go to the shop (or the veg. stall), he always pays for the stuff and then gets the change. The funny thing is whenever he gets change, he thinks it is for him to keep lol.

When we got back from the shop, Abigail was awake and laying on the bed next to Penri (who was now also awake). He said she had woken up pretty much as soon as we left the apartment. She is really not sleeping so well these days and I don't know why. I can only imagine her teeth are giving her grief and causing her some pain. She has the top two front ones that have now cut through! I cannot believe how quickly they are coming in! I don't remember Dylan's teeth coming through that quickly. Anyway, it's great and SO cute!

Abi went in her walker while DJ and I washed and started to prepare the vegetables. I had decided to cook a roast dinner as I haven't actually 'cooked' a proper meal since we moved here. I mean I've made pastas and rice and vegetables and stuff like that, but not a proper dinner!

It is a public holiday today – brother/sister day or something. I tried to get Penri to take the day off but he told me there was no chance of that happening! Because it was a holiday, all the schools were closed so at about 11 a.m Isaac came over to play. He didn't actually stay very long before Divya (his ayah) said he was going home. So, I gave Dylan some lunch and then the children relaxed, played and watched some television while I did a bit more cooking. I marinaded the chicken in lemon juice, garlic, ginger and pepper and it smelt lovely. It's not how I would usually cook chicken for a roast, but I didn't have any other herbs or spices to use. As it turned out, it was lovely anyway!

At about 5.15 Alex and Isaac came over and the boys had fun playing and making lots of noise chasing each other up and down the corridor. Dylan went to bed at 7.45 and Abigail refused to go to sleep. I saw Stephanie online so Abi and I went on Skype and talked to her for a while. At about 8.15, Abi was starting to get restless and I could tell she was getting tired so I put her to bed. Penri came home just after 9 p.m and we had our dinner. It was really lovely and such a nice change but as Penri said – I'm not sure it was worth all the time and effort it took to cook! It was delicious though and there was nothing left but a bit of cabbage! :)

Wednesday 25th August

Today we had a relaxed morning. The children played in the playroom for quite a long time and I ended up taking my computer into the playroom so we could talk to my mum on Skype. She is in UK at the moment so it's actually much harder to talk to her because of the time difference. When we're up and about early in the morning, it's like 3 or 4 a.m for UK and then when it's afternoon in UK, it's evening here so I'm starting to get the kids ready for bed. Anyway, we managed to catch up with my mum, which was really nice.

While DJ was playing, he got the box of plastic animals out and was going through all the names of them. He would stand one up and say what it was, e.g 'cow', then he would look at me and say 'Where's other cow? Here it is!' while picking it up. It was so cute! When he got to animals he didn't know like hyena and polar bear, he would hold them up to me to tell him. We got to one animal and I have no idea what it is. He has two of them and I really haven't a clue what they are. It looks like a monkey in the body, but then it has a huge long thin black and white tail. Not sure! Anyway, he kept holding it up to me and looking at me for an answer. I didn't want to tell him the wrong thing so I was trying to distract him with other animals. He was determined to find out and kept holding up this monkey thing to me. In the end, I said 'raccoon' even though I know it's not. It wasn't a nice feeling not to be able to tell him! So, anyway, he lined all the animals up with all the horses together, all the cows together etc and then before I could stop her, Abigail rolled over and reached out for one of them and in the process knocking most of them over. They were like dominoes – they just fell one after the other. Dylan was so upset and he was saying 'No Abi! No Abi!' and then he just looked at me with despair in his eyes. I calmed him down and as quickly as I could, picked all the animals up for him so they were back in their line. He likes to be organised!! :)

At 1.45 both children went for a nap. I was really pleased because I had a taxi ordered for 2 o'clock to take us to Megan's house for a play date with Nathan. Laura phoned at about 2 just as I was trying to get sorted to leave. I dashed off the phone in a panic trying to get ready to go. As it turned out, I had a phone call from Tyagi to say the taxi was late and would be with us at 2.30. So, I called Laura back for a catch up. During our conversation both children woke up and I got them ready to go. At 2.30 with no sign of the taxi, I called Tyagi again and he told me that the driver coming to get us was late and would be with us by 3! I was really annoyed about this as I knew it would take about half an hour to get there and we had to leave at about 4.30/5 in order to miss the traffic so I thought we would only get an hour there.

The taxi turned up at 3.15 and we arrived at Megan's house at 3.45. She has a lovely house in a complex called Laburnam. She's in an independent house as opposed to an apartment and it's really nice. Nathan's playroom is really cool and as soon as we got there Dylan looked at me and said 'Bye Mummy' and went to play with Nathan. Megan and I sat and chatted and Abigail played on the floor in front of me. Dylan and Nathan played really well together and the time just flew by. At 5, I was thinking I really should make a move. As it turned out, I didn't leave until 5.25 because after changing both children's nappies and getting my stuff together I wasn't very organised.

The traffic coming home was HORRENDOUS! Even worse than the other day coming back from Emma's house. I don't think I have ever seen it so bad. It literally was at a stand still. At about 7, after being in the car for an hour and a half I was so tempted to get out and walk because we just were not moving! Two things stopped me – I didn't have a pushchair with me and I had two children and three bags; and it was starting to get dark and I wasn't 100% sure where we were. I spoke to Megan and she also said to me not to walk as it is not safe! So, we sat there in the traffic. For the first two hours of our journey Dylan was talking about what he wanted for dinner (as he hadn't eaten) and he was saying 'potatoes, carrots, cheese'. Then he would say 'DJ potatoes, DJ carrots, DJ cheese' and I told him that yes that is what we would make for him when we got home. At about 8 p.m (after being in the car 2 and a half hours) DJ said 'Bed! Bed! No potatoes, no carrots, no cheese. DJ bed'. I felt SO bad for him and there was actually nothing I could do. I put the nappy bag on the seat and told him to put his head on it and rest, but he couldn't fall asleep. Abigail had fallen asleep on my shoulder which was good because at least I didn't have to worry about her. We finally got home at 8.25 after THREE hours in the car!

As soon as we got upstairs I put Dylan some potatoes in the microwave, put some carrots on to boil and then I washed and changed both children while the food was cooking. I set Dylan up in front of Dora with his food while I took Abigail to bed. Ten minutes later she was asleep and I came back and helped DJ finish his dinner and then I put him to bed too. He was asleep with five minutes – he was just exhausted and I knew how he felt because I was too. I went to bed within 10 minutes of DJ being asleep! What a day!!!

I have decided from now on – no more play dates on the other side of town unless they are in the mornings or I can leave to set off for home at 3! I'm never doing that nightmare journey in traffic again. I said to Penri, in addition to the above, I either need to start driving here or we need to buy a second car seat for Abi so that when I travel in taxis she can be in a car seat because it was so difficult to hold her and keep her happy for three hours whereas in a car seat she probably would've slept the whole time.

Thursday 26th August

We had a very busy morning today. Our bank sent over a representative at 8.30 to get my signature (as I am going to be a signatory (is that the right word?) on our check book). He needed copies of my passport, visa, residence permit, marriage certificate and proof of address. I didn't have copies and asked if I could send scans over by e-mail but every document had to be signed twice so they wouldn't accept scans. In the end, the guy took all my original documents and went off to photocopy them. He came back about 45 minutes later and I signed everything.

We had run out of drinking water so I ordered some from the shop downstairs. We buy it in 20 litre containers so it is really really heavy which is why they deliver it. At 9.30, the shop delivered stuff and then at 10 o'clock, the doorbell rang again and it was this motorised bike I had bought for Dylan from a lady who is leaving. I was really disappointed actually because although I had seen it (when I bought it), I didn't actually try it out and it went super super slow!! I took the battery out and charged it for about 8 hours and tried it again – it moved at a good speed for about 4 or 5 minutes before going slow again. So, I charged the battery for another 8 hours and still, it wasn't great! So, I was very disappointed and a bit angry too. I would never sell anything knowing that it was faulty or not working properly. I have been thinking about ringing her to complain to her but what is she going to do?! She's leaving India on Saturday so she's not going to care, is she? I just think it's really dishonest! Just to give you an idea how slow it is – when he's riding on it down the corridor Abigail rams into the back of him in her baby walker because she's faster than he is!

Abigail went for a nap today at 11 and she slept until 2.30! I couldn't believe it – that is such a long nap for her!! While she was sleeping Dylan and I had some quality time together which was really nice. I think he really enjoyed it too!

I decided this morning that today is the day I am going to start potty training Dylan properly. I have tried a few times before but I have not been 100% committed to doing it. So, I'm really going to try this time. This morning as soon as DJ woke up I put him on the potty. He did a wee wee and I made a HUGE deal about it. Singing and dancing and whooping down the corridor. He thought it was brilliant! We also put up a sticker chart on his bedroom door and we stuck the first sticker on it. Then, I put him in pants. I have decided to put him straight into proper pants after advice from a few friends on the subject. We had a really successful first day of potty training and he did four wee wees on the potty and about eight or nine in pants lol. But, it's going to take perseverance and some time for him to get used to it. He loves the sticker chart though!

Isaac came over to play at 5.30 and I made them both pasta with carrots and peas for dinner. I made Penri and I a chicken pasta in sauce with onions, garlic and peppers. I was so surprised that Isaac preferred the pasta in sauce to plain pasta. DJ wouldn't eat the pasta with sauce at all! Also, Isaac liked the raw peas that Dylan loves. :) Dylan went to bed at about 8 p.m and Abigail didn't sleep till about 9.30.

I spoke to my dad and Mel on Skype tonight which was really nice. My dad has booked our tickets for Doha which I am so excited about. We are travelling at the end of September and will be going for a month! I can't wait to spend some time with my family and for my dad to meet Abigail. It was so cute – tonight when we were talking on Skype, when it was time to say goodbye, I said to Abi 'Wave to Aunty Mel and Grandad' and I normally lift her arm and make her wave, but she did it herself. It was amazing!! I thought it might be a fluke so I asked her to wave again – and she did!!! So wonderful! :) I love it when they learn a new skill – I get so excited by it (as I'm sure most mums do)!

Anyway, Abi went to bed and I called Pen to see when he was coming home. He said he didn't want pasta and asked me to order him a curry. Then he changed his mind and asked for pizza, so I ordered his food, ate my pasta and went to bed.

Friday 27th August

I woke up early this morning as I planned to take DJ to try out a new preschool. I ordered a taxi for 9.45 and then I set about getting things ready to go. It's like trying to plan a military operation just to get out of the house with youngsters. I packed the nappy bag, snack bag, my handbag (with dummy (just in case), a couple of toys, and all the other things – mobile, money, camera etc). Then I got myself ready and then finally at about 9.30 started getting the children ready. Anyone who has small children will know that you don't get them ready too early or before you leave, you will need to change a nappy or change clothes or something!!

I put Dylan in a nappy because although we had a successful first day of potty training yesterday, I thought it was too soon to take him out in pants. I explained to him that because we were going in a taxi and going to school, he would need a nappy but when we got home, he could wear pants again. He was very cool about it and was really excited to be going to school!!

The taxi arrived late again – at 10 a.m. It was a friend of Tyagi's. Normally Tyagi is pretty good – he is fairly prompt and if he is late it's only by about 10 minutes at the most. So far, I have not been impressed with any of his friends that he has sent as they have been late by at least half an hour! Anyway, we went downstairs to the taxi and when I got outside the security guy told me that the taxi was at the gate. I was annoyed, but glad to have the double buggy and set off to the gate. When I got there they told me the taxi had come inside. I was getting annoyed now because I was getting hot and bothered. In the end, after standing at the gate for five minutes, I walked back into the compound and found the taxi, who was just driving around to the gate.

We got loaded up and off we went. It took about 25 minutes to get there and as soon as I walked in, I was impressed. The facilities were really nice and clean and the environment was very calm and relaxed. I was also happy to see there was only one gate in and out of the school and there was security on the gate. I went in to meet the principal and she showed us around. Each class has a home room and when the children arrive in the mornings, they go to their home room for circle time. After that, they move around the school (it's pretty much all on one level), to different rooms for different classes. So, the rooms they have are : a library/reading room, a music/drama room, an art room, a cognitive skills room, a study room (where they learn about a different topic each week) and a large role play room where there is a play house set up with a little play kitchen and there are costumes and household things. Downstairs they have a huge open room with lots of ride on toys, a trampoline and a slide and then outside they have slides and swings. When DJ saw the downstairs room with all the ride on cars, you should have seen his face. It was sheer amazement! So, we walked around and then Dylan played in the role play room with the class that he would go into while I talked to the principal in the office. I was really happy with what I saw, impressed with the facilities and the cleanliness etc. Dylan would be the only expatriate child there but that doesn't bother me. He was happy to go and play and he seemed very comfortable there in contrast to the last place I took him. That is what sold it to me – how content he was.

After leaving the school we went to a mall I have never been to before called Sahara Mall. It was really nice to have a change of scene and we went to Big Bazaar in there which seems to be much bigger than the Big Bazaar in Ambience Mall. I found cake tins!! I was so happy that I bought three – now I can do some baking with DJ. I also bought Dylan some more pants and a couple of t-shirts, some new books and a couple of other bits and bobs. I did look for things for Abi but the clothes and toys for babies in there wasn't very good. We walked around a couple of the other shops and before I knew it, it was 1 o'clock. With both children and I exhausted, we headed home.

We got back at about 1.30, I made lunch, washed and changed both of them and Abigail went to sleep at 2.30; then at 3 p.m Dylan asked if he could go for a sleep too. They both slept for two hours and I know I should've been sleeping too at that point but I didn't. I did get loads done in that two hours though and I got to speak to Mel on Skype so it was worth not sleeping!

The children woke up at 5 and Isaac came over to play at about 5 to 6. I made the boys dinner at 7 and then Alex came over when she got back from work. They all left at 7.45 and I put DJ to bed and then went to put Abigail to sleep. Dylan didn't actually sleep until 11.30 p.m!! That is what napping in the day does to him.