my in-laws

Tolga is away for work, and the in-laws are helpful to have around.  Mostly.

I realized today that also, being around my in-laws for the past 9 weeks non-stop (since I stopped working), my first response coming to mind is in Turkish, not English.  I notice that today first at the bazaar when a man told my Anne how impressed he was with my Turkish.  Then later, when I was talking to my family via Skype.  Even to my own son, I find myself saying things in Turkish.

"In-laws" have a bad connotation.  I know.  But, I think I have really great in-laws - well, at least in-laws with really great hearts.

Granted, it's not easy to live with in-laws, in a different culture, with a different language, during postpartum hormonal changes coupled with type-A tendencies . . .

But, I'll focus on the positive today: Community and comedy.  Lots of love, interaction, help given to Teoman and me.  Food and tea are prepared.  Bird cage is cleaned.  Couch is vacuumed.  Dishes are washed.

The other night was a big match for Fenerbahçe - the family's football team was playing it's arch rival.  Tolga's youngest brother no longer has the cable channel that has monopolized all the games so he Skyped us and watched our TV . . .

Gokhan setting up the viewing arrangement 

We got a new bouncer seat and this morning Gokhan put our 6-week old right in front of the TV, claiming he really loves to watch it.  I said, "Gokhan!"  And he giggled and quickly said he'd move him.  I came back a few minutes later and Gokhan had put the bouncer seat on the couch because he felt bad about leaving him on the floor.  "Gokhan!"  He giggled again but tried to explain to me that it was better having the bouncer seat on top of the couch . . .