Damla is 6

Damla's 6th birthday celebration was like endless festival this year. We celebrated it in different days with different people and all of them were equally special and fun.

First, grandpa and grandma came from Omaha. They come here every year to celebrate her birthday since she was born. They spoiled her with lots of love, attention and brand new IPad. We had been resisting not buying any tablet for years but finally we had to give in this year. We had fun packed couple days with them. Even we had a chance to have a mini holiday photo session together right before they left.

Her public school didn't forget her birthday. Her teachers gave her a cute little birthday crown and her friends sang the birthday song for her. And also her afternoon school had a mini celebration.

She had her first piano recital on Saturday. She was so nervous and excited. But she still did it. She played "Old McDonald" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb" songs. I was also the photographer of the recital, so I had cheated a little and took couple more poses of her.

But of course the biggest celebration was on Sunday. The weather was so gorgeous that we had grilling   and had bouncy moon in our backyard for her birthday FIRST TIME EVER. She is winter baby so we have always had her parties in one of those indoor birthday places. So it was a first for us. Kids were happy going in and out. The parents were happy not worrying about cold. It was so much fun. Damla wanted to keep all of her friends forever.

I had lots of fun too, but I am glad this birthday madness is finally over. I can focus on Christmas and New Year now.

Thank you all family members and friends who came over, sent messages, post cards and gifts. Her birthday celebration would not be same without you. We love each of you so much. And very special  thank to Wholly Sweets Bake Shop for the wonderful birthday cake.

This year's party theme was My Little Pony. Our new obsession!

This cake was phenomenal. Thank you very much Wholly Sweets Bake Shop!!!

I did a good job with decoration this year :)

My friends have the cutest kids!

Painting this house occupied them couple hours. Great indoor activity idea.

Bouncing never gets old!

Kids were wearing t-shirts and shorts in DECEMBER!

I love this little hole in the middle. Perfect spot to blow the candle :)

Poor Pony piñata!

Best balloon ever. Thanks daddy for this giant Pony balloon !

Damla's Christmas/Birthday photo shoot with grandparents.

And first piano recital!

It is hard to believe we did all just in couple days!

        Welcome, Baby!

I interrupted mom while she was saying, “Call me as soon…”

“I know mom, I know,” I said hugging her. “We will call you as soon as she is here.” Then my husband gave mom a quick hug and said bye to her. I looked at the window before we got in the car. She was there and had the same happy but worried expression on her face, just like the day when I left home for college.

“I will call you first, mom,” I whispered.

Casey helped me and my big belly into the car. He had warmed the car to make it comfortable on the cold December night. Our drive to the hospital was quiet, both of us readying ourselves for the moment to come. Once at the hospital he helped me out of the car.

 “Wait for me in the lobby,” he said. “I’ll park the car and come back.”

After the biggest snow storm of the last sixty years, it was still freezing cold and gray outside. As soon as I entered the lobby the hot air hit my cold face. First I saw a crying woman on a wheel chair and her panicked husband next to her.  She was in so much pain she couldn’t even answer the nurse’s questions. The experienced nurse looked like the only one who knew what she was doing. After a couple more questions, she took them to elevator to go upstairs. As I was watching them I realized how lucky I was not to be feeling any pain, and Casey put a quick kiss on my cheek. I was surprised and so happy that he was back.

He went to the Information Desk to talk to check in. I looked around while he was talking to a nurse. I was surprised there weren’t any visitors waiting in the lobby. Due to the Swine Flu epidemic the hospital decided not to accept any visitors other than significant others. I was kind of disappointed not being able to have my mom next to me on such a special day, but I thought it was better to be safe.

Soon a different nurse with the same experienced attitude took us to one of the labor rooms on the third floor. They gave me some medicine to induce my labor and the clock started ticking. It would prove to be a long wait.

After eighteen hours of pain, thirst and excitement, my doctor turned and asked me, “Are you scared of surgery?”

“No, not at all,” I said. “I just want to meet her.”

“Then let’s take this baby out,” he said, and then turned to his assistant. “Nurse Kelly, prepare the patient for a C-section.”

My husband and I looked at each other and both took a deep breath. The nurse gave my husband yellow scrubs and a mask, telling him to put them on and wait to be called in. 

“Isn’t he coming with me?” I asked.

“He has to change his clothes and we’ll prepare you for the operation,” the nurse said.

“But, but…” I was trying to convince them.

“I’ll be right there, askim,” my husband said.

I started to cry and said, “Okay!”

As soon as we entered the operating room the scenery suddenly changed. It was much colder and brighter than the rest of the hospital. There were so many people in the room. They were talking to each other and acting like they didn’t notice me. I just wanted my husband next to me. I wanted him to hold my hand and take me back home to our routine life. I felt like I didn’t belong there. Everything was so unfamiliar to me. 

“We will move you to the operation table now. Don’t be scared when we lift you,” said the one of the nurses. 

I was so sure those four people would not be able to lift me and my huge belly. I was holding the sheets so hard that I could feel my nails hurting my hands through the sheets. One of the nurses realized my useless effort and tried to convince me that nobody was going to drop me. But I wanted to be sure my unborn baby was safe.

I was on an operating table for the first time in my life. I was looking at those gigantic operation lights on the ceiling and thought that it was just like in the movies and TV shows. Then I heard my doctor’s familiar voice.

“Are you ready to meet your daughter, Ayse?”

“I am more than ready” I said. I was surprised to hear my shaky voice and I felt my husband’s cool hand wrap around mine.

“It is happening, Casey,” I said.

“It is happening,” he said, hiding his nervous face behind the yellow medical mask.

“Ok, I am starting. Are you ready?” the doctor asked.

 “Yes!” I said.

“Here she is!” the doctor announced with a calm, quiet voice.

Then I heard her strong, full-of-life scream.

“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” were the only words I could say.

I just knew my life had changed forever at this very first moment.

         ….

“Hello?” my mom said on the other side of the line.

“Mom, I am a mom!” I said.

Turkey Vacation 2015

As most of you know we went to Turkey in September. It was a twelve days vacation which was packed with lots of fun, food, travel and excitement. It was so exhausting but very fun at the same time. 

 I attended my cousin's wedding and was honored to take their wedding portrait photos. He was always like a big brother to me, so it was the way I thanked to him for all the wonderful things he did for me. The wedding was a great opportunity to see all of my relatives and old friends of my mom. I hadn't seen some of them over 20 years. We all hugged and lied each other about how we hadn't changed at all:) 

We went to Istanbul and took Damla with us too. I was so excited to show her the city where I was born and lived the first fifteen years of my life. We went to some touristic sides. And I took LOTS of photos. It felt so good and right to be in a big city. I miss that feeling every single day.  Even though I enjoy my quite suburb life in Virginia, I enjoy big city visits every once in a while.

You can see graffiti art everywhere in Beyoglu/Istanbul!

   This city is like a heaven for photographers. You never run out of interesting backdrop!

Giant green grass-hopers!

Damla wanted to sit and pose in front of every old looking door!

We had a boat ride to cross the Bosporus!

Haydarpasa train station is full of memories!

Galata Tower is beautiful from every angle!

And of course we went to Ortakoy and ate Kumpir and smoked Nargile!

My beautiful sister!

I also enjoyed Izmit, my hometown more this time. Izmit and I was always broken to each other since we moved there in 1990. I never wanted to move from Istanbul. I never liked Izmit. I lived there only for four years and moved to Ankara to go to college, and never went back. 

But this time, I decided not to be prejudice. It is very surprising to realize that when you change your perspective, everything starts to look different. Izmit looked much more beautiful this time. Damla loved sitting in the coffee houses and eating ice cream at the sea side. 

Just a regular restaurant in Masukiye/Izmit!

Damla thought it was the funnest swing ever!

I think I have the most handsome nephew! Your aunt loves and misses you so much Cagan!

I had some Turkish tea and watched the gulf of Izmit in a cloudy afternoon!

My dear husband had many cups of Turkish coffee cooking on coal ember!

And another beautiful scenery from a nice restaurant in Izmit, hometown!

These twelve days passed way too fast. We already started to plan our next trip to Turkey next year. Seeing Damla feeling excited doubles my happiness. I have a feeling that Damla is going to be my favorite travel buddy soon!