The 30th Week

A very pleasant long weekend is behind us including the last Sunday of May which is the Day of Children and Whitsun Sunday and Whit Monday. Whitsun is a sign of Corpus Christi / Procession / the flower carpet around the church for me which is in 2 weeks time.
The sun was shining during those days but there were heavy storms throughout the country. My sister installed the air pool on the terrace and we had fun while the boys were picking the early cherries at our weekend house. Ancsa has several exams at this time, she has to learn a lot.
The dame next door stood a treat on Sunday on the occasion of the arrival of her son after 5 weeks Canada, from Victoria Island. All of us were invited, she prepared a whale of food and did this on her own.
I had to buy some new expectant clothes because only a few piece left which suit me yet (my stomach is 105 centimeters round, my weight is 68 kilogrammes) . Me and my sister visited the ”Tiger Market” where we always find gorgeous things on very favourable prices. We spent a long time and a lot of money there. It was worth very much, we made good bargain and good buy.
My belly often becomes deformed on account of the position of the baby. Sometimes as it were not belly shaped at all. We’ll go to ultrasound tomorrow, so I’ll know the baby’s weight exactly who is still very active. Last Friday I had a blood test because of antibody screening, my blood type is not typical, I’m ”A” RH negative and the baby might be positive because Krisz is positive as well.

The 29th Week

The wide open spaces always fascinate me, mainly if it’s combined with such a scenery like in Bakony where I was with the workers for 2 days last week. The accomodation was in a valley in a village called Bakonybél 127 kms far from Budapest (www.bakonyhotel.hu) encircled by pine-wood as far as the eye could see. In the circumstances I always realized how I love nature. I could admire it all day long enjoying every little rush of air, gazing at every shade of green existing, listening the many birds twittering and feeling the sun stroking on my skin. Relaxing habitually is needful in our overworked lives. We must spend time on ourselves. That’s why and on the occasion of our first anniversary we’ll go to Harkány at the weekend (www.xavin.hu).
Insomuch as our company performs in the building industry, the majority of the employees’ gender are male. I’d like to lead up to the fact that each and all of them were very thoughtful, payed regard to me and my state. The one made inquiries whether I am cold, the other asked whether I am thirsty, the one was waiting for me when I dropped behind the group because of taking photos, the other yield the place to me at once… These gestures gratified me, it was very kind of the boys. In the evening of arrival there was a BBQ and baker’s trade. Following day we were divided into two groups: we could choose either sightseeing within the village or hiking in the forest. We went home after lunch.
That day we met the cameraman and got the video theme of our wedding. It was a real joy (it was free because of the lateness). Although Krisz was on nightshift again (last time as a non-parent) we had a look at it on that night when he got home. On the whole we were satisfied. It’s a fine piece of work, we like it. The only problem is that we still have to wait for the uncut version…

The 28th Week

We took part in my cousin’s school leaver ceremony on Saturday in the country and we didn’t get back by the time the wedding began in Budapest. It was probable that’s why we had to choose between the two programs. What’s more, we were invited to a dance contention as well by our teachers in the evening. It was a pity that we didn’t arrive in time and to tell you the truth we were too tired to take part in it. These ”balls” usually last far into the night.
As regard the weather we had deuce of a luck during the ceremony and the whole day while we were in the country. When we woke up early in the morning there were grey clouds on the sky, it was raining all night long and even on our way to the spot was spitting and blowing. We were in dispair because I dare say that it’s necessary raining on the occasion of ceremonies like this in May. It’s an annoying thing in spite of the fact that there’s a phrase which says that raining in May is worth gold. It’s very true as regard the agriculture not open-air ceremonies like Maying, school leaver’s ceremonies, weddings… As we approached the city, the sun pushed through the clouds and get warmer and warmer and we felt hot. It was good to meet long-seen faces, relatives and friends. My growing belly was a newness for all of them although they knew that the baby is under way. We got a lovely bed clothes from my godmother in advance. After the ceremony we had a countrified lunch with desserts what’s more we went to a confectionery to eat ice-cream. Time passed fast, we had to set off and it was raining hard all the way home.
Sensation Nr1: the first tasty watermelon of the year (not Hungarian yet)! I like it! I eat it! At any time.
Sensation Nr2: it seems like we can take possession the movie of our wedding on Friday evening – after one year diagreeable waiting

Sensation Nr3: my mother's amarilisses are blooming
Thursday & Friday: two-days business excursion in Bakony Mountains, in the woods

The 27th Week

Weight: 65 kg
Stomach round size: 98 cm
Baby movements: consistent, all day long (he might be a football player)
Next doctor visit: 16 May
Favourite fruit: melon
Favourite food: Cheerios
Main pastime (beside office & house work): sunbathing
Special happening: Krisz copped 2 moles in the garden with bare hands on the same day - no more annoying molehill (they have been transferred to the airfield)
Probable programs on Saturday: either one of my colleague’s wedding in Budapest or my cousin’s school leavers ceremony in the country
Anniversary: Hungary joined the EU 1 May, 2004

The 25th Week

My stomach grows bigger not day by day but very unevenly. It’s a proven fact that it’s not a linear process. The baby (unfortunately, he’s still nameless) sometimes is really active. He may swim or dance or do gym in my belly, he may push himself off from the abdoman and strange though it may appear he already reacts to the outside world. I picked up on this fact this week. Namely, Krisz is on nightshift this week and we don’t meet in the afternoon, he usually arrives home at dawn, it’s around half past 3 AM. When I wake up, the little one wakes up too and starts to move madly hearing his father voice, taking delight in his arrival so that I hardly can fall asleep again.

Easter Retrospect

Nothing serious happening at Easter weekend. There was no pre-planned program. It was my Mum who was habitually prepared for Easter, I tidied up our pantry (I needed a great effort to do this without nauseate), weeded out our strawberry plantation which is now blooming and I was just relaxing and sunbathing.
In Hungary, people had better to make a careful decision where to go at this time because you can easily find yourself in a traffic jam in the approach of a popular open-air spare time scene and finally you fretfully realise that you spend the main part of the day in your car.
Once we went to the „Skanzen” in Szentendre at Easter and at that moment over there I made a resolution that I never go to a place like this at any high day when thousands of people decide to make an excursion. Actually, it’s a very interesting place, it’s an open air museum. The dwelling houses and outbuildings represent the characteristic house types and their dependencies as they had shaped during the centuries. Gravestones and grave-posts collected in cemeteries, a Calvary, mills and other objects enrich the traditional villagescape. Every house is fitted out with furnishings, objects, utensils and textiles, with the requisites of festivities and daily work, in compliance with the occupation, social position, religion and nationality of the inhabitants. The customs and activities are also demonstrated (bread baking, washing, eating, mourning, etc.), together with the structures housing homecrafts, handicrafts, and communal functions.

And once we were in Hollókő. It’s almost the same place in regard to its spirit. Hollókõ is a part of the World Heritage for 15 years and is the treasure of Palócland, a village representing a uniform style of architecture, and has been preserved in the most intact shape in Central Europe. Its greatest value is the Old Village of 58 protected buildings, still preserving the touches of the 17th century folk architecture.

The 22nd Week - It's a Boy!

We partook in a great experience on Monday, it was a prodigy, we got an inside view of my belly and could see our little child. It turned out that it’s pure boy! He wasn’t in his element this time, he hardly moved, he was sleepy. We saw him to yawn and to grab the umbilical cord. It was fantastic, we could see his full-face and it was a cute baby (his present weight is 492 gram) in spite of the fact that our doctor said that it was not the most suitable period to see the embryo because it’s looked like an ethiopian child and it’s more frightening than nice. I don’t do justice to her, it was a real baby and show himself, every part of his body were very well visible. To tell you the truth we were a little bit disappointed at first, mainly Chris. In former times I couldn’t imagine that I have a boy, I was always teetotal girl-minded. I was who had to tell the words of cheer to Chris. I regret that I have to aside the brownie girlish clothes temporarily that I treasured up for years as an impassioned baby clothes collector.

March Skretch

I’m going to delineate what happened in the near past. We had some days to celebrate: my father’s and my sister’s birthday and Chris’ name-day. It was three days running. My sister’s birthday cake was the most exciting: 2 pieces of coco-ball with candles on top made of biscuit by his boyfriend.
We had a long weekend in exchange for a hard-working Saturday. We’ve visited the Designer’s Outlet in Parndorf, Austria which was expanded very much recently. We were shopping all day long. I had quite good walking legs. I thought that I wouldn’t find any trendy, comfortable piece of clothes that suits my belly and doesn’t stress me. I found some in spite of the fact that there was no spitting store for me - what’s more by now I could develop my cloakroom with several pieces of ”kismama” clothes. My belly grew a lot in the last few days.
Chris has numerous plans in line with our garden, he painted our future garden for me just in thought. Flowery window frames, hanging flower boxes, a nice garden suite of furniture made of wood, upbeat decoration, lianes and huge stones on the brae, sod with grass… He has inspiration, he step into his father’s shoes, he was a great gardener. We already have started to go out on business, first we have bought some thujas, potted them and settled in front of the garage.
Today I have a day off, I went about my lawful occasion in the morning and we’ll attend an obsequies at 3 PM.

Is it a Girl?

According to the result of the last ultrasound, perhaps we have a daughter. I had a feeling that it was just guessing. The doctor wouldn’t had mentioned spontaneously the gender, he was busy with measuring the baby: thigh-bones, round the stomach, the crania, the spinal column, its weight. Finally I asked him if its sex is within sight. I never see anything on the screen apart from dark and light splashes but this time I saw its side-face what’s more it seemed to me that it’s a boy… The long and short of it’s still fifty-fifty. I’d like to take part in a 4 dimension ultrasound. I’d like to know who is inside!

Anyway, today it’s work-day. The point is that we are 4 of us in the office beside the boy in the reception and the security guard. We have to work instead of next Friday. We celebrate March 15th on Thursday which is National Holiday and in order that we will have a long weekend next week, Friday has been made a legal holiday. So next week is made up of 3 work-days. The colleagues took holiday because it’s Saturday. I willfully didn’t do this because I suspicioned that this would happen supposing a calm day and getting the office was a dream this morning.

Spring is in the air

I feel like the first flush of spring is here and hope that it’s not an early joy. The days warm up, the sunny hours increase, the trees burst into beautiful flowers. This is my favourite season. The meteorological spring is March 1st, the astronomical spring is March 21st. I’m glad that the best part of my sickness is beyond this nice period. I’m a little bit better but still not on top. I still vomit but far less times. I haven’t put on remarkable weight yet but I’m able to eat more but I haven’t have to buy any expectant mother clothes yet. I haven’t feel any movement in my stomach yet but it will turn out this evening who the tummy-resident is: boy or girl. I can’t wait but I have to resign that it can hide its gender or in case of showing something the prognosis might be insecure. Everybody’s divining is boy. Chris’ and my desire is girl.

On Sunday we were on the road the whole day 6 of us, we drove almost 700 kms in the country. I always enjoy the landscape, the lonely farm-houses on the flat in the middle of the diddly. I bore myself quite well, I didn’t have to fill any bag under way. It was a full relative visitation on three spots at my father’s side. We had different reasons to visit them: my father’s elder brother has an incurable illness (sclerosys multiplex) which is get worse day by day and slowly fractures the muscular system. My father’s other brother’s son came of age, ha became 18 years old. He’s one of the godsons of my parents. Our arrival was a real surprise, he was very happy. My mother baked a football-cake for him. The piggies are 2 weeks old, they're so cute!

The 17th Week

This is how we look like at this time. I’m still not near my starting weight and my stomach grew only 2 cms round in the last 5 weeks. I’m not apprehensive of being the baby in danger, he/she takes away from me what he/she needs. It’s a parasite – with an unlovely word – that’s why I’m so weak. The first embryo-movement is expected roughly in 3 weeks and this means that the sickness must be over at the same time. The gender will be determined at around this period if we have succes and the baby won’t be prudish.
The morning began not so well, I had a blood test, Chris kept me company for cupping. Certainly, I had to have an empty stomach and this was why I was close to fall down in a faint getting in the office.
It’s me again, while I’m eating ice-cream. This is one of the best eatables for pregnants with sickish feeling (and other cold things like frozen fruits, drinks with ice cubes...). Problem: no ice-cream is sold by most confectioneries during winter-time. My favourite one does although it’s not in the near.

Valentine's Day with Misery

Bad news: nothing has changed, I still feel uncomfortable, I often take bad. The situation is beyond control by Chris too, he doesn’t know what to do with me. We hardly go out, I’m just lie snug in the bed feebly after getting home from work to prevent an unexpected faint which is due to my low blood pressure and vomit is hold. Tomorrow will be the first time that I meet my obstetrix. So, she is a woman which is not very common in this profession. Several better and better obstetrician was suggested by relatives and I called all of them with no success. The main problem is that the baby will born in summer and they will be on holiday. Anyhow, I definitely have to give birth at the very beginning of August because the obstetrix will go on holiday from 10th August.
I was pretty much behind with my work in the office after 2 weeks sick leave and I need to make up for my lagging which took a long time. Housework hobbles, too.
Suitable to Valentine’s Day I spent endless hours year by year trying to put together the most special, wonderful, thoughtful present ever and looked up different ways of saying I love you. Forgive me my darling, I’m afraid the homemade candelit dinner with sweet romantic music and the whacking-great surprise are cancelled this year. I’m so sorry!

Metamorphosis - turning into a Mother

Sorry for writing not so frequently recently but I had a strong reason. My health has deteriorated, I’ve grown very weak, I have lost 5 kilograms. I’ve been vomiting for more than a month, exactly from Xmas Eve, since then every single day from early morning to late evening. Sometimes I feel a little better for a brief period but most of the time I feel sick, I’m seized with nausea, I’m off every food, I feel disgust, my stomach rises, dislike eating anything. I was (and I’m still) afraid of admitting into a hospital to get infusion against drying out completely. I tried every tricks I heard but nothing helped, I still need to wait to calm down. I’m at home this week, I’m on the sick-list.
But come to the point, the sunny side of the theme, the reason of this kind of sickness, the joyful fact: I’m pregnant! I’m in my 13rd week, so we’ve just started the 4th month. Unfortunately, the first trimester wasn’t so enjoyable and I’d like to raze it from my mind. Till now, I hardly could comprehend what kind of wonder is happening to us. According to the medical examinations everything is okay with the „embryo” whose recent size is 52 milimetres.

Eventless January

January is always seems very long and grey after the most exciting period of the year. There is no special occasions (excluding my mother-in-law’s birthday at the very end of the month), no snow (it’s 15 degrees with sunshine today), no gatherings, no new pictures. We have to arrange warranty repair because we have bought a cute telly to mum and dad for Xmas instead of the old one in the dining and its screen went black and white. The administration is quite difficult, the customer service is hardly available, over and above the opening hours are very unfavourable. Bad news: Chris’ dog has been put to sleep today, she lived more than 19 years. They grew up together, she was a real one of the family, Chris’ playmate for many years. He hopes from the bottom of his heart that his dog will meet his father.

TO THE MEMORY OF JENNY

Seeing the New Year in, the Old Year out

Hope everyone’s holiday season was filled with happiness, warmth & joy too! I’d like to improve the opportunity to wish all of you happy 2007, a New Year blossoming with smiles and sunshine happiness!

This year we spent Christmas Eve at my parent’s place six of us. On that day we were expected to a lunch at Krisztián’s grandmother and mother too. The festive board included the odd dishes as the inevitable chowder (halászlé) as my father prepares, fish in breadcrumbs with tartar sauce, stuffed cabbage, poppy seed and walnut strudel but I could carry on… By now I’m fill of them and I don’t want to think of eating. In turn New Year’s Eve comes with its cold buffet with good taste and good appearance, frankfurt sausage (virsli) after midnight with mustard, ketchup or horse radish and certainly the inevitable beefsteak as my father prepares (I don’t like it because it’s row meat) with toast.

We gave a toast to Botond (Györgyi & Péter’s firstling) who is my junior by 21 years and a day. Levente is as cute as ever, full of vividness, he was lurking under the Xmas tree and we were afraid of falling the 3 metres high tree over. The boys gladly displayed their newest toys that they have found under it. My mum prepared a cake called molehill with a little marzipan mole on top for Boti and for my birthday as well.

And what are we doing at this time? We enjoy the holiday with relaxing, cooking, taking delight in the presents, receiving guests, having long walks afield and it’s high time to make our big wedding album ready…

Finally, one more picture. This was taken at the ninepins alley in Tata on the occasion of closing the year in company way. These people are only a splinter group of the whole company. Ones omitted the active part of the day (me too, but in fact I was there as an eager supporter, just look for me on the photo).

The last hard-working days in 2006

We have less than a week till Christmas. I hardly believe that Christmas Eve is on Sunday. December is extremely flitting. Tomorrow will be our last workday and the year-end ceremony will be on Wednesday in Tata. In the afternoon there is always a sort of sport activity. Last year it was soccer for boys in a fitness camp, this year it will be ninepins. Then we go to the hotel where the festal dinner and a very short speech by the chief owner is and where accomodation and on the following day breakfast is provided. The majority will sleep there but I won’t, Krisztián wouldn’t liked the fact, so he will pick me up at around midnight. He said that he called for me at any place at any time instead of sleeping separately. Otherwise, I’ll be 26 years old on that day.

Pigsticking

The male members of the family (my father, Krisz, Lajos) got up at dawn on Saturday to stick a pig at my father’s sister’s place in the country 230 kms far away, in Elek. The poor pig had a feeling of his danger because it had eaten nothing for 2 days and had hidden in a corner of the pen. They brought the half of the pig home and prepared the sausage-meat, the greaves, the roast joint and the other „porklings” at home. The boys held their ground heroically in spite of the fact that neither of them have nearly never taken part in pigsticking. We made an end of that day at around midnight.
Xmas preparations are in progress, I primped up the house, my gift supply is rather incomplete than complete, I need to purchase western boots for Krisz, it will be his great surprise. The decoration is just a simple advent-decoration, Krisz remarked that our house is like a souvenir shop, now the best part of it is lag behind.

Saint Nicolas

This evening is a special one for children because they’re waiting for "Mikulás/Télapó" to bring countless sweets: candies, chocolates and in case of wickedness: a little rod. It’s said that they should put their cleaned boots into the window in order that He can fill them. I remember that I got frightened a little when I got my first rod. The buffers in the nursery were fearsome and made me to be a good child - awhile. When I was getting on in years, I had to take my sister to sledge (in those days there was still snow) or we went to the church where we heard a lot about the good works of Bishop Miklós and got a little parcel from the priest whose beautiful vestmen was always suitable to the occasion.

Water of Life

Finally, we chose the ecclesiastical program on Saturday, so we were in Esztergom with the chaplain. Seven newly married couples took part in the excursion (although far more couples were who decided to get married this year) icluding the couples who helped in the spiritual preparations for the wedding. We travelled by a private bus and talked a lot about the weddings and saw each other’s wedding photos. We started with a holy mass in the basilica that was said by our chaplain and was served by a little boy (as an altar-boy) of one of an accompanying couple. Then we visited the basilica and the crypt as well. The building is monumental, the internal high up to the cupola is 52 metres, the thickness of the wall at certain points are 100 metres. After the basilica we went to a christian art museum. When we became very hungry we had a luch in a plain restaurant. Before we got under way home, we walked the bridge that connects Hungary with Slovakai from which there is a great view to the basilica above the Danube. We prayed a lot (during the mass, in front of a candle for some people, before the lunch and on the bus as well), so we stopped some gaps in this way and I’m proud of Krisz because of his patience and endurance.I got up at 7 on Sunday to begin the cooking. We had some guests coming by 2 PM. The menu was „palócleves” by Krisz, „sonkasaláta” by me (my real favourite, I can eat at any time at any quantity, my mother found this in a gastronomic magazine called Magyar Konyha from 1985), mashed potatoes by Krisz and chickenlegs in breadcrumbs by me. As you can see, Krisz is a great help in the kitchen, I’m proud of him, again.

Dilemma

Our weekend agenda is quite full. I don’t kow where to go preferably, it’s too bad that people can’t be more places at the same time. On Saturday we should take part in an excursion that is organized by the chaplain to Esztergom. Those couples are invited who got married in the year of 2006. It might be a pleasing all-day cultural program icluding visiting the „bazilika” and praying. On that evening will be a so-called New York Ball. New York is the name of the dance club where we started to dance. Last year was the first time when we were witness of fantastic dance shows of certain couples. The beginners usually show their dance knowledge they picked up till that time, the advanced always go on the boards with something new and amazing. On Saturday I have to tidy up the House and cook in advance because we will have company on Sunday (two of my mates from college years – one of them with husband and with a little boy). I can’t wait to see all of them.
I would like to go on that excursion but if we go, I can’t get finished with the things I planned – although Krisz is a great help by cooking – and we’ll miss the ball in which we’re interested very much. Put the case that it will be bad weather on Saturday and the excursion won’t be as good as we expect.