Walk in the Woods

We were ecstatic to find a forest within a 15 minute walk from the metro line last week! Having waited a few weeks from our last trip to the forest, we were delighted to see the fall leaves falling. It was a beautiful day and a refreshing respite from the city. 

 Here I am at 20 weeks! Hooray...the nausea has finally abated and though I'm tired a lot, I am thankful to not feel sick all the time.

 Micah was excited to discover gravity....

 ...even as it relates to leaves being dropped on Hugo's head.

 The boys with their walking sticks.

Micah and Dad and the Gandalf style walking stick Dad provided Micah to aid his trek.

Kiah's 5th Bday

Last night we attended a birthday party on the Asian side. It took an hour to get there, but it was well worth the fellowship and the kids hyped up on candy and cake. Did I also mention they had out of this world Tomato Basil Soup and Burritos with BLACK BEANS!! It's the small things in life. The stores here don't sell black beans. I was thrilled to find red kidney beans last week so that my chili might be a bit more authentic...but tacos have been limited to pinto-style beans. I need to learn to cook more local dishes that use the ingredients available here.

Micah's favorite part may have been the pinata bashing. I know the older boys loved it! Sorry I can't get this video to turn sideways...you'll just have to turn your heads and imagine.

advertising worked on me!

So....the poster below has been posted at nearly every bus stop in the city for the past month. For someone who never eats MickeyDs in the States, it is odd that I found myself suddenly craving a big McChicken. I blame it on pregnancy and the completely 'brushed up' tantalizing version of the sandwich in the poster.
Anyway, not having bought fast food in awhile and not really paying attention to currency exchange rates, I imagined that you could actually buy these super menu items for $1.40, $2, and $3.60. When we got to the counter and the cashier informed us they were for the "ikinci menu", I then thought "ah, so we buy one at regular price and get the second one for this great deal price. Slightly better than a 2-for-1 deal. That sounds more accurate."
The cashier continued to try to convey to us the true meaning of the ad which we finally understood after we ordered....you buy one at regular price ($6-7) and then you get the second one for $1.40 less....thus $4.60. Not such the great deal we envisioned...especially when I was reminded that the McChicken is just a big nugget on a bun. Lesson learned. Next time it's BK all the way...my way right away. Or a nice local sandwich. ;-)

Republic Day

 Many times this year we have found out about a holiday the day before. This week, we had a little more warning for Republic Day - the celebration of when the constitution was amended and the country became a republic. We thought there would be a parade of some sort, but were pleasantly surprised to find out we had fireworks in our harbor instead.  This first set made our giant bridge invisible!

 Micah was actually quite enthused to point and clap at the different fireworks...especially the 'green' ones as that is his new favorite word. It is difficult to capture that enthusiasm on camera, but believe us, he enjoyed staying up past his bedtime!

Our plaza was packed with people watching the brilliant display. Boats throughout the harbor set off rockets so that you could see the show all the way down the Bosporus. Very cool. We'll definitely put this holiday and event on our calendar for next year!

on being pregnant...

Last week I passed out on one of the public buses. Thankfully Rick and my mom-in-law were there to catch me and such. That's not the interesting part...

At the doctor's office the next day...
Dr: Any issues you want to talk about or questions you have?
Me: Well, I passed out for the second time yesterday.
Dr: Hmm.
Me: Should I do anything about that?
Dr: Make sure you always do it in a safe place.
Me: Hmm.
Me: Anything else?
Dr: You have low blood pressure from your pregnancy, eat more salt.
(My mom-in-law, the ob nurse, had told me I should eat more sugar...so I guess I'll just eat more in general).

A bit later...
Dr: Would you like a prescription to prevent stretch-marks?
Me: A what?
Dr: Many of the women here are concerned about stretch marks. I'll write you a prescription and you can choose if you want to have it filled or not. It's very easy.


Moral of the story:
I may pass out on a bus full of strangers, but at least I won't have stretch marks.

another banner year - 31!

Last Friday my boys served me breakfast in bed as a precursor to a lovely birthday. Micah jumped right up next to me and proceeded to eat half my breakfast. Rick must have predicted this as he had extra large portions available.

 

After such delicious service, we took off on an adventure. Those who know me best know that the best gifts are "adventures" and "words of affirmation". So, we headed out the door in pursuit of the Belgrade Forest - a beautiful forest outside of Istanbul that we have only previously been to by friends' car. After a bus ride, a subway ride, and a taxi ride, we arrived at the entrance...only to discover that the walking trail inside the forest was a 2.5K walk from the entrance...a factor not necessarily anticipated by those who have only been there by private car. Anyway, we had a lovely walk through the woods. Micah was excited (mostly) to run free and I enjoyed the exercise. The leaves are not yet changing here, so we will have to go back in a couple weeks. We saw the start of the walking trail, but decided a 2 year old and a pregnant lady could only handle so many miles in a day. On our way to the exit, we were escorted by two street dogs that Rick named Limpy and Skinny. They kept Micah entertained, which is the important part...as nap hour approached.

On our way home, we stopped at a mall to enjoy some McDonalds...another posting to come...and then headed home.  Some family bonding time, and the best gift of all...to bed at 7:30. I slept 12 hours! I've since discovered that was the first night of a cold, but thankfully I only felt tired that night and not the itchy, sneezy, ickies of oncoming days. All in all, a great birthday with the fam. Thanks to all who called or sent cards or e-mails. I got warm fuzzies all over! :)

Visiting the Hagia Sophia

Our first family visitor arrived this week! We have been excitedly showing Rick's mom around all of the major touristy spots. Micah and I go along for the morning and then head home for a nap after lunch while Rick and Ginny continue their touring. Unfortunately, there has been A LOT of rain this week. But, there is plenty to see indoors. We started with the Hagia Sophia. Micah was excited to play hide-n-seek behind pillars and such. Who knew that the once largest church in Christendom was also the largest playground?

We're glad we sat inside the bus for this tour...