constant change

Tuana partially wakes up each morning and begins grunting.  

I check on her, and her eyes are closed - and she'll seem to be sleeping, and then she'll make a loud throaty grunt.  It's her gas problem - or needing to poop - I suppose.  Sometimes I nurse her, and while I fear it just fills her belly with more gas and her intestines with more food to push out - most times it settles her down - until I lay her back in her crib and the grunting begins again.  This usually goes on between 4-7 in the morning, and between 6-9 at night, and 11am -1pm midday.  Huh - it goes on a lot I guess.  

Tolga took the day off today - he's going to the field tomorrow and wanted to spend the day with kids before he left.  We bought some snacks, simit, and coffees which we brought to the park on another beautiful day.

Emily joined us, and one of her friends - an embassy person.  Embassy persons are a funny type of sub-culture within countries.  They are people that are paid well in light of the coveted dollar, with great government benefits that reward their service in a conflict zone, access to all the comforts of home through the military supplies, and stays of 1-4 years.  Some come and throw themselves into the culture, some dabble to show their friends, and most stay within their own subculture of Department of Defense friends and amenities.  At first I found their actions abhorrent - being classic Americans that refuse to assimilate but rather create their own little offensive America in the hosting country - but I've since come to understand that with so much change, that little sub-culture of American habits is the only constant, and maybe, comfort.

But it's hard to invest in these friendships.  It reminds me of when I nannied in New Jersey.  I was connected to a network of nannies that were placed by the same agency in the area - insta-friends.  But as I stayed year after year with my family, it got harder and harder to invest in these friendships where at best - we'd hit it off and the person could stay a couple of years and leave.  In the beginning especially, these friends were crucial because although we may not have had much in common - our job/living situation were common grounds to start from - having taken for granted how much we find our friends through work and school.  And slowly, while I became more invested in my community, church, and eventually school - I didn't need these insta-friends any longer, but some of those friends I met from the first year or two became lifelong friends.  

We ended our day with doctor visits for me and Tuana.  Tuana is 4 weeks old today, and she had her one month check-up.  (I can't believe I forgot to take her picture for this day, argh!)  In the last few days her alertness level seems to be rising.  She will now lay for longer stretches on the floor or in her basket, with eyes so big.  Anne or Baba will sit near her and talk to her ... it is so sweet, she will seem to listen and hold her big beautiful eyes with a small sound or smile escaping.  She's grown 6 cm, and gained 700 grams.  That's our girl!