I can’t quite remember the little details anymore, Chotto-ma. When I see a newborn baby, it’s hard to imagine that you were ever that tiny. But you must have been.
Mamma had knitted two pairs of booties, one in lemon and another in peach, and parcelled them over from India. They came with matching cardigans and baby bonnets. And they arrived before you did. That first winter, you were either all peachy pink, or all lemony yellow. Little feet, flailing in little pastel booties.
Now, your shoe size is seven. And I need to remember the Chotto-ma you are today, in these shoes.
So, here’s who you are, at three.
This is your current favourite book:
Your favourite movie is The Wizard of Oz. And the first movie you saw in a theatre, on a big screen, was The Lion King, last month.
You have an elephant’s memory. You remember things in astonishing, photographic detail. Things that happened when you were a year-and-a-half. Places. People. What they were wearing at the time. Details of things you had in your room, in ‘The Blue Door’, the house we used to rent when you were in nappies.
Your most important ritual is a ‘group hug’ when Ba leaves for work in the morning. You also screech like a banshee and run like the wind when he rings the doorbell in the evening.
Today, while sitting on the kitchen worktop, watching me cook, you said “Look Ma, the smoke is going up, to say hello to the ceiling”.
The line above is a translation. Because, you always speak in Bengali. Unless you’re having a conversation with Peter Rabbit or Benjamin Bunny, since it’s quite clear that they don’t understand Bengali. ‘Ora to English lok’ .
When you grow up, you ‘want to be a writer; and live in Paris’.
You hate water on your face in the bath. Nothing bothers you as much.
You like to draw. A lot.
You are thoughtful beyond your years. You will talk in whispers when Ba has a headache. Keep even the smallest piece of chocolate to share with us. And ask to call Kolkata to check on Mamma and Dada every day if you hear they’re unwell.
You ask for a dream every night before you go to bed. ‘Aajke aami ki dream kori?’.
You ‘read’ in bed long after Ba and I have left your room.
This is your room, now:
Yes, you have your own kitchen, but you much prefer mine.
You are convinced that Ba and I will become babies when you become a ‘big girl’. You plan to buy us essentials like shoes and ballet dresses (yes, even Ba). And drive us around, after strapping us into our car seats in the back.
After Ma and Ba, the third most important member in this house is your teddy. Whose name is Teddy. Also sometimes called ‘Teddzabilly’.
You smile a lot. Talk a lot. You give lots of hugs. And are being trained to give a mean shoulder massage.
And your favourite food is a pancake. You eat pancakes for breakfast on Saturday mornings. But given a chance, you would eat them every day.
Apple & Cheese Pancake
Pia Ghosh-Roy 
She is just beautiful! Your words are just beautiful too! 🙂
I can well believe that one day she will live in Paris and become a writer, but looking at those pictures (which are amazing for three!), I think she might actually become an artist as well! The troll is brilliant, and exactly how all trolls should look!
I am also very jealous of that bedroom! (: Emma
How lovely it must be to watch her growing up like this. Hurrah for pancakes… I'm quite intrigued by the apple and cheese filling.
awww. super duper post Piya. Love it. Inspires me to write something similar for my daughter 😀 I love her room and the way you have done it. chottu ma looks so so sweet
'Beautifully written' is an understatement. Had goosebumps while reading it. And felt all choked up. 🙂
thank you for such lovely words, emma 🙂
i must admit i'm a little bit in love with the troll. also, when i saw the drawing, it reminded me that i needed to get my eyebrows done.
yes, it is, leaf. no two days are the same 🙂
this pancake is a hit every time – you must treat yorself to it sometime!
ooh, i would love to read one on mimi! looking forward to it now, anita 🙂
you've made my day, sasha :))
This is so sweet, and I can only imagine how much Chotto Ma will appreciate this when she grows up. Although, she must have figured out already what a talented mother she has.
beautiful post pia…she is growing up to be such a pretty pretty girl 🙂 and am totally in love with her room!!! btw, what's the name of her friend sitting on the chair? guess u missed introducing her…
love love love LOVVVEEEE the post! But then again you had a super duper subject :)…I absolutely love the 'smoke going up to say hello to the ceiling and what am I going to dream tonight'…would love to hear her speak-meet her-see her…
Hell, you make me want to have a daughter!
Lots of love to you both…Hugs 🙂
I doubt if the talent makes a difference – as long as you're a talented hugger, they're pretty much alright :))
zanks, huli! that, on the chair, is dotty. she sits at the desk all day, and studies nothing. she takes after me.
:)) then you definitely need to speak-meet-see her! and then, rush straight into that 'daughter project'! big hugs back, vandana.
Pia tomar writing porte eto bhalo lage. And, 'Aajke aami ki dream kori?' made me smile. That kitchen in her room .. so cute!!
thanks kankana :)or kitchen cabinets gulo amar kitchen cabinets er theke better!
Pia, I can feel the love through your beautiful writing. It's so poetic and soulful…
She is such a sweet little girl and so pretty too 🙂 I have fallen in love with her beautiful, expressive eyes. And I love her kitchen too.
Belated b'day to chotu ma.
your comment made me smile, sia. i'll remember your words for a long time. thank you.
what a beautiful piece of writing Pia– both the content and the style :). Michelle
thanks michelle – it was an easy thing to write on 🙂
The Troll! Ohhhh the troll! So unbelievably adorable. And the pancakes, such a great idea!
Aww how did I miss this ? A super Happy Birthday to the big little girl. That TROLL is quite a piece of work
the troll & the pancake – whoever thought they'd sound right together. but they do! 🙂
thanks sandeepa – well, she's three-and-a-half now, but a birthday wish is never late! i'm with you on the troll 🙂
Hi Pia, isn't little R as talented as you are !! We treasure the lovely birthday card she made for Krishna..Her imaginations are so vivid and I am sure she will become a writer and live in Paris one day!
Uma
thanks uma! i remember her having a super time doing krishna's card…i had to stop her from adding any more detail 🙂 i'm glad you liked it!
what a sweet post and a sweet girl! those beautiful eyes. and I love her troll picture.
thanks nishta! yes, the troll seems to have won by unanimious votes 🙂
Pia! My daughter who will be 3 this month end also believes we will be babies when she grows up. So much about your daughter is like my daughter! Aren't they just precious 🙂
an early 'happy birthday' to your little one, chinmayie! it really is the best time, isn't it? and in a way, they are right about us becoming babies – i mother my parents now, so roles do reverse with time 🙂
What a touching post! I don't have any children (yet) and reading your words and seeing the pictures I feel all the love that I mother has for her child. Your daughter is very lucky to have you.
Thank you, lovely Ute. Here's a hug just for leaving these words here. They feel very, very special to me.