I feel someone poking me in the eyes and nose. Lakshmi is wide awake and cheekily grinning at me. I try to sleep some more, but she is not having any of it. This touching the nose part is such a weird sensation. I find it more uncomfortable than being poked in the eyes. When she starts giving me sloppy kisses, I realise that it is time to get up.
I let her play with her mum’s colouring pens. She opens them and scribbles on the pad. I think she is ambidextrous and can comfortably move from one hand to the other. If she ends up being a tennis player, this will be good for her I think. She doesn’t want to come down with me to get her breakfast. “Off you go” she says and happily carries on with her drawing session. I go downstairs and leave her to it. Later when I come to check she has neatly put the pens away in it’s case.
We have breakfast and wait for her dada to pick her up. I find some more books that she received over the weekend as gifts. I read Peppa pig’s Birthday book with her. She knows and points out all the characters and gets involved in the story telling. I have to laugh like Daddy Pig and snort like George as I read the lines. Lakshmi does the rest.
I let her play with her mum’s stethoscope. She likes the word ‘stethoscope’ and repeats it. She puts it around her neck and listens to my chest. “Is that a cough?” she asks seriously.
Changing nappies is now a game for her as she jumps up and tries to run away giggling. I usually catch her when I see the mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she gets ready to dart. She can also contort her body into all sorts of yoga positions.
Everything children can do easily we have to work hard at, as we get older. The unbridled enthusiasm, inquisitiveness, cheerfulness and eagerness to learn. She is the joy of our life. There are times when I get caught out by her joyful face and just enjoy the moment. Maybe it’s different with grandchildren. Maybe you are more relaxed than in your younger days. Whatever it is, I hope the happiness is doubled with the second addition. I know it is not going to be the same all the time. There will be ups and downs, but I hope the good times will outweigh the bad ones.
