Happy New Year!

Hello everyone,

2008 was one hell of a year. As you all know, the fall and early winter was a tumultuous time... hence the marked decline in written posts on the blog. I have missed reporting on all the goings-on of our resident gremlin, especially lately, as she has become ever more gremlin-esque. It is with great pleasure that I announce that life finally seems to be balancing out enough to offer me a little breathing room to update this here blog. Hopefully I'll be able to post something substantial at least once a month. In between big posts I hope you'll continue to enjoy our snapshot moments with quickly fired-off captions (usually because I'm rushing to type before Aydin tries to grab my iPhone away from me).

The big news on the Aydin front is: WORDS. She's trying! She says "nose," "shoes," "go," "hi," "bye," "uh-oh," and of course, "mama" and "baba." She is beginning to do a lot of imitating, both gestures and words. I guess Ozan and I are going to have to start curbing our language (and our inflections) lest we become the parents of the Cursing Kid in Kindergarten!

Other big news (as you can see): HAIR. It just keeps growing. We're officially out of the mullet stage and into just plain "long hair." I keep hoping that Aydin will accept the all-powerful barrette into her life but so far, it hasn't been easy. I would really like to try for a little bob, though, if her hair can just get a little longer. We may not make it that long... or else Aydin's grandparents are going to abscond with her and take her to a barber to trim her bangs!

What we aren't doing yet it WALKING. The little one took about 20 steps over New Year's, wobbled backwards and cracked her head on the corner of the brick fireplace. (It left a big old goose egg.) Ever since she cries if she even thinks about falling. That translates into a lot of hunchback-action for mommy as I hold her hands (two, not even one yet) as she goose-steps around the house and park. She was really into walking up and down the stairs but lately that's not been flying either. The princess wants her pony, damnit, and if there's no pony than mommy will have to do.

Other major topic of preoccupation (as always): SLEEP. The girl loves her early mornings and when I say early I mean the hour of 5. UGH. And naps are totally screwy. We're not sure if it's the dreaded 2-1 nap switch or if she's just thrown off by the new apartment (and all the stress that accompanied the move). There may be some teething going on too, joy! I tell you what: the girl's already got 12 teeth. How many more does she really need?!?!

Last note: at Aydin's 15 month appointment, other than behaving like a wild mule in a glue factory, Aydin weighed in (squirming, screaming) at a meager 19 pounds, 8 ounces. That's the sixth percentile! The girl is truly petite. But she's tall -- 31 inches, the 65th percentile. So the doctor thinks that's going to be her body type: long and lean. She also said to feed her whatever she wants whenever she wants it. At first I was kind of distressed but then I realized: hey, isn't that every woman's dream??? If it weren't for the dairy, egg, and nut allergy, the girl would probably be a sumo wrestler by now!

Lots of love to everyone and wishing you all the best for 2009. Stay warm!