Big Brother

Hello! I know I’ve been away a long time and, unfortunately, this post is not my eagerly awaited return. On the contrary, it is with a heavy heart that I must say goodbye to my loyal readers, at least for a few months…

I know how lost you will all feel and I’m crying inside for all of you (I’m not crying outside because that will bring Mommy running)! But this is a sacrifice I must make; giving up the adulation of my fans is very hard indeed, but I’m a big boy now (all of 13 months) and have heavy responsibilities weighing on me.

You see, I’m going to be a Big Brother soon, and this is a Very Important Position. As the man of the house when Daddy’s out, it’s my job to look after Mommy, not only because she is carrying my (obviously big fat) brother or sister, but also because she hasn’t been so well.

She’s got too much sugar in her blood, which makes her diabolic or diabetic or summat (as Daddy would say). I always knew Mommy was sweet but now the doctors have confirmed it, and, apparently, that’s not a good thing to be. Mommy needs to be a lot less sweet so my little brother or sister doesn’t grow too podgy to pop out! Mommy had high blood sugar before I was born too, but I was a smart baby and stayed svelte. Any sibling of mine should be the same but you never can tell!

Mommy also has Es-speedy. I’m not sure what this is (no-one except doctors and pregnant sufferers seem to know) but I can see it’s painful from the way Mommy hobbles around- it makes her anything but speedy!

But enough about ailments! I’ve had a few since I last blogged but I rather tell you about my achievements. I’ve notched up a brace in the last few months while preparing for big brotherhood. After all, I have to set an example for the new baby- show ‘em how it’s done (and maybe just nudge them along with a gentle poke or two if they falter).

I had my 1st birthday on the 3rd of May and it was loads of fun (at least the bit I was awake for). All my English friends and family joined us for the big day. They brought me fantastic stuff to play with and really trendy togs to wear. My family in India sent a heap of fab clothes too.

I started the day being sick and then, falling asleep on my Grandma’s lap but after a good long snooze, I was roused for the cake cutting ceremony (if I look a bit dazed in those photos, that’s why!). As everybody sang ‘Happy Birthday’, I blew out the single candle with Mommy’s help. Daddy helped me cut the scrumptious chocolate cake. While all the grown-up guests tucked into Daddy’s delicious Chilli Con Carne and other snacks and desserts, I shared the yummy fruit-filled jelly that Daddy had made (with my name on it in bold raspberry-red letters) with the other kids. All us kids then played a game, which involved tearing tons of newspaper to find sweets or a beach ball or other random gifts which rather baffled me (I’ve asked my parents to leave the party games to me next time). I was sad to see everyone leave my (sorta animal-shaped) balloon and banner-decked home at the end of this very special day but soon perked up when I saw just how many fantastic new toys I had to play with!

Since my birthday I have done one new thing after another- I have started nursery, made new friends and developed new skills. I’ve been making up my own songs for ages, and dancing vigorously along, but last week at the nursery, I added another feather to my cap (this is figurative, you understand, I wouldn’t trust a cap as far as I could throw it). I did my first painting in lovely blues, greens and yellows- an abstract of a gorgeous summer’s day, because I do love the outdoors and I’m out playing every chance I get.

My Dida’s presence this summer also means I’m picking up lots of new words in Bengali. I always called my Daddy ‘Baba’ (Bengali for father) and Mommy, my very own variation, ‘mum-mum’, but now I can say ‘Dida’ too, and a range of phrases that sound suspiciously like Bengali but not quite! If my pronunciation (in either language) isn’t spot-on yet, I make up for it by having a very expressive face and gestures that leave no one in doubt about what I mean. I wave, clap, point, and mimic and do many other apparently hilarious things that send everyone into paroxysms of laughter.

Of course, I’ve been speaking for a while now so the really big news is that I have taken my first unaided steps. I can also climb (and clamber off) really well and run ever so quickly with my walker but everyone seems far more impressed with those little unexciting steps I’ve been taking. I now not only stand on my own for ages but also lift quite large, heavy items while standing unsupported which makes Mommy wonder whether she should have named me Bam Bam instead!

Mommy and Daddy and Dida will probably tell me there’s more to write about, but I must bid you adieu for now because I’m a busy baby with things to do. Mommy has another flurry of hospital appointments this week and I am determined to give her moral support. This is hard but satisfying work consisting of never letting her out of my sight when she’s at home and letting her kiss and cuddle me to her heart’s content (though I’m a tad too old for it now but I won’t tell her just yet). All in all, I’m a baby with serious responsibilities that I must discharge to the best of my abilities.

So, it’s goodbye for now but I will drop in to say hello and update you on my exciting life every now and then and when my little brother or sister is born, you will be the first to know!