37 weeks

In Turkey, a woman's maternity leave begins at 37 weeks.  I actually am not allowed to work beyond that point (hooray!).  It makes America look so barbaric with its maternity, or lack of, leaves.

So for my 37th week, day 0 I slept in.  Which means I got up at 7:45 instead of 6:00.  Tomris came and told me it was time to wake up.  It snowed today, and I had promised Teoman I would take him to school.  We were slow to get out the door because Tomris wanted to come, and her boots weren't quite right, her mittens were on wrong, they both wanted me to dress them ... I was sweating and frustrated before even getting out the door on this idyllic adventure.  The nanny came with to help.  Tomris refused to sit in the stroller because she wanted to walk through the snow.  That was fine with me, but our nanny kept telling her she would get sick from walking in the snow.  I didn't really get the logic of that one, but I didn't ask either.  The wind was cold and biting today, but it was dear to hold their little hands and clomp through the snow.  Our ten minute walk took about twenty, and then Teoman wanted me to then come into his school down to the breakfast table.  I did, and Tomris cried because she didn't want to be left behind.  (She had been crying about different things since we left the apartment.  The other teacher picked up Tomris and brought down with us.

Teoman sat at the table and instantly had a juice and börek placed in front of him.  Someone else gave Tomris börek as well to which she happily ate.  I knelt near Teoman, asking him about his friends and food then giving him a kiss and hug goodbye.  He wasn't to thrilled that I was leaving but seemed to accept it and gave us a final wave in response to Tomris's holler, "BYE ABI!"

We made our way home, had some tea and the. Tolga and I left for my doctors' appointment.  Tolga had taken the day off too.  We saw my doctor, had another ultrasound and listened to the heart rate.  A standard visit with my doctor is 300tl monthly check-up, which always includes an ultrasound, and today was an additional blood test for 150 to more.  We checked the price for the birth as well, and its up to 5000tl this year - cheaper if I tough it out without the epidural.

Blood test today

We usually have the kids with us, but it was fun today to be out again on our own - this is the third time out together in four days I think - and it is fun to relive these days pre-baby.  If I could free these moments in time I would: the anticipation of the baby coming doesn't make me impatient.  I think this time is the most beautiful.  Totally pregnant, the baby inside totally safe with everything she needs.  This life inside me, kicking and making me uncomfortable all the time is so precious and magical, and I won't get these moments back and so I'm relishing in it.

We went for Chinese food afterwards - we had been planning and delaying this for a few weeks, and it was even better to go with Tolga.  It was snowing big heavy flakes and we ordered all our favorite dishes.  We drove by my school, and I dropped of my medical report, said good bye to the different departments and administrators - feeling happier and freer by the minute.  I taped up a thank you note to the department with a scan of today's ultrasound, and I said a proper goodbye to most.

If the baby wasn't pressing so hard on my pelvic bones, I might have skipped out of there.

Found donuts! 

On the way home, Tolga and I were going to stop for coffee as a last treat, and spotted a donut shop.  You can't really find donuts in Turkey, and I had begun to crave them more and more.  Especially since I had seen this shop a few weeks ago and had thought it was closed down.  But on the contrary it was just opening.  I went in and ordered a dozen donuts for 45tl - all my favorites: glazed, sprinkles, chocolate with cream inside, chocolate with chocolate cream...

What a day.