My Kids

Nothing much going on here today.  Anne and Baba are in Izmir for a wedding so we don't have any handy babysitters which means that, unless we go on an outing, the days are spent hanging around the house watching the kids.  So, here is what the kids are up to:

Nehir is learning how to negotiate friendships.  His best friend here is younger than him (4) and has a habit of saying "this is mine" about Nehir's toys.  I really can't tell if he is trying to bother Nehir or just trying to establish that he is going to play with that toy now.  Nehir goes berserk when he does this.  We have had to intervene in many fights and break up play-dates because their play descends into blood curdling screaming and occasional low-key violence.  I think I finally helped Nehir understand that even if Yusuf says it is his toy, it doesn't mean it is his toy, and we won't let him take his toys.  I also think Nehir is getting better at telling me what is bothering him instead of trying to out-scream Yusuf.  At any rate, today there has been less freaking out and more play.  

Nehir is also very happy about his little room. We converted a little balcony into a room by putting windows around it.  BabaAnne made thick curtains to block the intense morning sun, and now it is his little haven.  There is just enough room for his bed and a tiny bit of space around the bed.  It is more like a nest than a room.  He loves it and has been enjoying decorating it.

Nehir also continues to live in his fantasy world.  He loves, loves, loves all things related to superheroes.  His own creation, Cheetah Man, has massive, unlimited powers and is clearly how Nehir copes with insecurities.  He is an anxious guy sometimes, so I am trying really hard to help him learn optimistic habits.  I am reading a book about positive psychology to help me out with this.  Selcuk and I are not models of happy-go-lucky people so we have to be really careful about how we interact with him.  We are both working on setting boundaries with our head-strong little guy without showing unnecessary anger and stress.  It is easier said than done, needless to say.

Overall Nehir is doing really well.  His Dede thinks he is a genius and he is clearly an unbiased, impartial judge. There is no doubt that he is smart and I think school will be great for him.  He seems like a person who needs structure.  

Taylan is also doing well.  His favorite activities include running around naked, dancing, swimming, and talking jibberish.  He is so good natured and full of fun.  Even when he is mad and trying to throw a temper tantrum it is hard to take him seriously because he looks cute while doing it.  

He loves the cows that hang out in nearby lots (just like cousin Evan) and calls them doggies. Actually, most things that he tries to say sound like doggy. He understands a lot, but he seems to go for the syllables of words and the differences in sounds are still beyond him.  Thus, the only words he clearly, without a doubt, can say are doggy, Mama, Baba, Dede, and Derya.  I think he says Laura too, but since we haven't seen her recently, I can't be sure.  There are many other things that he calls dada because they have two syllables.

Taylan loves water. When we take him to the sea it is a challenge to keep him from jumping out of my arms into the water. He clearly wants to go solo and is frustrated if I try to hold him too close.  He likes it best if I hold him around the torso standing behind him so he can kick like a frog and flap his arms at the same time.  He squeals with joy and excitement while he swims. He has accidently plunged his face in a couple of times but, after looking startled for a couple seconds, he was fine and ready for more splashing.  I have been tempted to let go and see if all his furious motion could actually keep him afloat, but of course I don't, I wouldn't want to ruin his love or the water or his sense of safety.

Last night I gave Taylan a bath and then nursed him to sleep and I could not believe how beautiful and soft and innocent he was. Then I peeked in on Nehir's little nest and he was peacefully sleeping, kids are always so lovely when they sleep.  Selcuk and I are so lucky to have such wonderful little boys.