Mummy, Riya ab badi ho gayi hai!

It seems like yesterday when she was many months younger, this innocent infant playing in our arms. I don't know when time just crept on us and she turned into this grown up girl, a terrible-two toddler, a chatter-box of endless questions, a graceful observer of things, a mind blowing conclusion drawer, a mocker, a teaser and so much more. Here are some hot and sour delicacies of my sweet heart...

We are going out, and I make her sit to put on her shoes.

"Nahi Mummy, Riya khud se shoes pehanegi".
Ok, have it your way.
"Riya ab badi ho gayi hai", she adds firmly with a no nonsense expression.

I'm working on my laptop. She comes to me and watches for some time. Tries to distract me. I ignore her.
"Mummy Riya ko laptop per kuch likhna hai".
Why???
"Riya ab badi ho gayi hai, isliye usey bhi laptop per likhna hai".
Huh???

Her dad comes over from office and barely sat on the sofa. A happy Riya walks over and demands.
"Papa, Riya ke saath play karo. Mummy ne kaha hai ki Papa play karengey".
A tired Dad asks her when did Mom say that.
"Mummy ne kaha...Rain Rain go away, Come again another day, Papa wants to play, Rain Rain go away...isliye Papa aap play karo".

Riya had sung this rhyme with me about an hr ago. Can things be inferred in this way? I had no idea:)

"Mummy Riya ko potty karao".
"Beta, Riya is a big girl now...Can you sit on your potty seat and do it yourself?".
"Nooo, Riya abhi thodi badi hai, aur thodi choti hai...Mummy aap hi potty karao", in comes the prompt reply.
Needless to say that her grown up status is quite flexible. She adjusts it all the time to get things going her way.

"Mummy ye kya hai?", she points at the sugar jar.
"This is sugar", I tell her.
"Nooo, ye cheeni hai", she recalls from a probable earlier conversation.
"Oh! haan ye cheeni hai, but....".
"Ha ha, mummy ko nahi pata tha. Mummy cheeni ko sugar bol rahin thi. Mummy bhool jaati hai", she giggles and points at my mistake.
"Beta, we call it sugar and we also call it cheeni", I try to clarify what I think is best for a 2 year old.
She looks at me with suspicious eyes processing this information in her own way. Few secs later...
"Hum log isko fan be kahtey hain, aur pankha bhi kahtey hain". She points at the ceiling fan. Phew! I sigh with relief.
 

This has to be the best phase of parenting by all means. In front of me is a young learner, who challenges my authority, my explanations, my patience and my love in each and every conversation that we have. I think she makes me a better person every minute. And as she advances into these new milestones, I'm really excited for what's more to come. But sometimes I just want to say...

Riya, slow down, please don't grow up so fast!