Sarva

I've been a little distracted in the last few months so blogging has not been a priority. But my mind keeps coming back to how different little boys and little girls are. Sounds obvious. But let me explain.

Sarva is physically quite the specimen. There's no other way to describe it. He runs harder, he falls harder, he pinches harder and he eats... harder. His head is larger than N at the same time, as is height, weight, strength and pound for pound mischievousness.

At 9 months, Sarva was already talking clear words. On returning from India he could say "catch" very clearly, then pick up a ball, lick it like a fast bowler and then throw it. By 12 months he had progressed on to two words such as "haath hatao" meaning remove your hands from that object you shouldn't be touching little boy as well as "giraffe" "haathi" (elephant) and "haaat" (hot from hot potato). He's now at 15 months saying phrases such as ball gone and snake. However, what's been amusing us the most is his penchant for asking how we are at all times of day.

Sarva: "Hi"
Me: "Hi"
Sarva: "Kaise Ho" (How are you)
Me: "Teek hai (fine), tum kaise ho (and you)?"
Sarva: "Accha. Hi" (and repeat)

This conversation usually occurs at the bathroom door at 6:45 in the morning. It's hilarity. Obviously arguable that he's learnt a lot from his sister and how to get our attention by non-physical means, but it is such a pleasant surprise when he comes out with a new word. Like when at friends house recently he came out with "No touching". Seriously.

He's also been climbing stairs from about 10 months. On one occasion Naina opened the gate and left it open. He silently and confidently followed her up. And I've caught him counting on the steps as well. Deepti likes to walk him up the stairs in the evening saying the numbers. He's got to six already. I'm flummoxed. The boy's a verbal genius destined for reform school. You see....

In recent weeks I've caught him in the flour cupboard throwing rice and flour everywhere, about to hit me with a hardback book because I can't read fast enough, biting all three of us when we're not expecting, running out the door at great speed for the road, breaking both ducted vacuum door flaps through sheer force, breaking several dishes, breaking into the wipes bag and throwing wipes everywhere, breaking into the kitchen draws and throwing items everywhere, starting the washing machine by himself and most recently (which awarded him a smack), tipping the formula tin on to the floor, opening it and contentedly eating away at dry formula. Other favourite meals - wood chips, mud and spicey foods.

I'm sure this phase of naughtiness will evolve into something less destructive, but I'm not putting a date on it. Did I mention he likes to hit me with books when I don't read fast enough to him?