to my first born

It's Teoman's birthday today - he turned four years old and can show me, with careful concentration, the number with his fingers.

He was so excited for his birthday today - he willingly went to sleep.  He woke up just before 7am and came to me (I had switched to the recliner at some early hour in the morning).

I'm four!

"Mama!  It's my birthday today!  Can we open my presents now?"  I smiled and hugged him, and he said, "Im going to go tell Babanne."  I heard him crash through her door.  He came back a minute later, asking about his presents again.  He woke up Tomris and she smiled and dutifully took his hand as Teoman led her out to the living room.  We had bought two presents for Teoman and one for Tomris - and promised to take him to the toy store as well to pick out a toy.
He loved his toys - he told me so - "I like my toys."

I had already laid out the days plan to Teoman the week before - so he was ready for each step.  After playing with his new toys for a bit - we changed and went to the mall.  Tolga and I got coffees and ate  simit - the kids drank hot chocolate.  We wondered around the mall to a bookstore where Teoman found a superhero puzzle, then to the toy store, the grocery store for its car shopping carts (they both love to "drive"), the baby store for one last item and home.  It was a new mall, empty because of the early morning, and we took our time wandering around.  On the way home we stopped and picked up Teoman's batman cake.  Looking at it later, Tolga and I both realized it wasn't so impressive, and tasted even less.  The bakeries here can make great desserts and specialty cakes - and I don't know how we managed to find the worst one out there.  But Teoman's four - he didn't care.  The batman toy on the top ended up being his favorite toy.

Teoman's buddy Mina came over as well - She was asking all day about Teoman's birthday - and when I told Teoman she was coming - he could hardly wait another minute.  We had pizza for dinner at Teoman's request and cake.  It was low key but still tiring - but perfect as well.

Our house

So what can I say about Teoman at four years old?  He is our famous son.  Everyone knows him at school, at the hospital, and wherever we go - his blonde hair and blue eyes are what always catch people's attention first.  He is expressive - in Turkish and English, enthusiastic, and so sensitive.  He has a strong sense of justice and the need to save the weak.  He is obedient but testing the waters these days about how to get mad.  His is logical and thinks things through when you explain it to him.  He also is learning how to negotiate...or manipulate, depends how you look at it.  He is Mama's boy when it comes to feelings, and Baba's boy when it comes to cars, superheros, spaceships, and fighting.  He is observant, yet bold - and I love to hear him talk - his ideas, his games, and his beautiful non-stop singing.

May God bless him, and our family