Tosca

On Sunday (the 27th of February) morning (09:29 to be exact), our daughter Tosca was born in Giannina Gaslini Hospital in Genoa. The contractions started around 3:30 in the morning (our 3rd night in our new house) and at 7 we decided to wake up Auro. We arrived at the hospital by 8 and only one hour and a half of excruciating pain later (during the weekend there are no anesthesiologists present to administer epidural anesthesia) Tosca was caught in the hands of the obstetrician on call Elisa. Tosca came out healthy and cried immediately. She was measured to be 50cm long and weighed 3130 grams (which, besides it being also the postal code of Begijnendijk, the village where I grew up, is also the exact same number of Auro's birth weight!).

Final countdown

Seventeen days left... that is what the baby ticker on this blog says today. A little longer than 2 weeks before the baby is due (that is if she decides to come out around that date... Auro was born 5 days before his due date). That is not much longer. On the one hand, that makes me happy, because I can't wait to loose the extra weight I've been carrying around and I definitely won't miss the back ache and the 'lightly' swollen legs by the evening. And of course I can hardly wait to hold my baby in my arms!

On the other hand, however, 17 days is a very short time to do all the things we still would like to do before our baby girl arrives. All the baby clothes are washed, there's a cradle, a baby bath tub and even a car seat waiting for her, but... we still need to move everything to our new house! As probably only some of you know, we have recently bought a house just outside the city of Genoa. We started to look for a house last summer and in July we found one that we liked. A funny anecdote is that on the day we saw the house for the first time, I wasn't feeling too well. I was nauseous and dizzy and had no idea what was wrong. It was only a little later that I found out that I was pregnant! Because there were a lot of complications with the purchase of the house (that is also the reason why I have never mentioned it here), I still can't decide whether I should see the fact that my morning sickness started exactly on that day as an auspicious sign or not. Anyway, the deal was finally finalized in December and the previous owners moved out at the end of January. 

As, apparently, is rather normal in Italy, the previous owners stripped the house of virtually everything (from thermostats and light switches to the toilet seat!), so we have a lot of preparing to do before we can actually move in. The biggest thing so far was finding an affordable kitchen. While I'm writing this, Remo is unloading the truck that delivered the kitchen and has started  painting the walls of the room in which the kitchen should be installed this weekend.Since yesterday we were finally connected to the gas network (and therefor now have a working heating system). The plumber installed the water outlets to connect the washing machine. Our bed was delivered this morning and tomorrow they should bring the sofa. Now all we have left to do is buy some cheap foldable chairs and a temporary table and we are ready to move in! I'm hoping we can move next Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed!

Sing for candy

On the last day of the year, my brother came to Begijnendijk to do some 'nieuwjaarszingen' (new year's singing) with Auro. This is an old custom where children go from door to door to sing (wishing people a happy new year) and are in return rewarded with sweets (or some money). It still exists in many regions in Belgium, but has been disappearing from the less densely populated areas (like the one where my father lives). This year, however, it seems there was some kind of comeback of this piece of folklore, because the number of children that came to our door was bigger than I expected and we barely had enough candy (luckily my father is a stingy giver!). 

After we dressed Auro well to face the cold, we hung a cotton bag around his neck (to collect the candy) and off he went with his uncle and his father (who had tried really hard to memorize the words to the song, but could not follow the speed at which my brother sang and only managed to utter the words 'nieuwjaar' from time to time). I went along for a bit too, but returned home to look after my niece as soon as I started to get tired. When the boys came back with their impressive loot of candies and cookies, Auro was equally exhausted and in need of a loooong nap in the afternoon. 

Auro was the youngest singer on the block, but he sure looked the part ;-)

Auro quickly understood what it was really about: getting as much candy as possible!

This is the part that was invented for the fathers (and uncles)  who usually accompany the smallest ones: we are invited to come in and enjoy a glass of Jenever (=an alcoholic traditional liquor you can find in Belgium and the Netherlands, somewhat similar to gin)

Auro proudly posing with his 'snoepjes' (=candy)

Growing

On the 27th, we again traveled to the airport of Pisa and, unbelievable but true, after a delay of only 1 hour, our plane actually took off! Less than 2 hours later we finally were in snowy Belgium!

The next day, on the 28th, I had an appointment at the hospital for another ultrasound. Accompanied by my 3 men (my son, my husband and my father!) I stared at the black and white image of the healthy and ever-growing baby-girl inside of me.Even though I look as if I'm carrying an enormous baby, they estimated her weight to be a little less than 1,5 kg (which is a normal weight at 30 weeks).

Profile of the baby's face

Saved by Santa

Luckily, on the evening of the 25th, our somewhat 'lost' Christmas was saved by 'Babbo Natale' (Santa Claus) who dropped by with a bag of presents. Auro, who last year had still been completely unimpressed by Father Christmas, this time looked at Santa with some suspicion while he greedily accepted the presents that were handed to him. He needed some convincing, but he even posed with him for a picture right before he disappeared back into the dark night ;-)

A merrier Christmas!!

(25/12/2010) I should be in Belgium right now posting photos of our Christmas Eve in front of the Christmas tree and preparing for the big family dinner that I had been looking forward to so much, but instead I'm writing this from the house of my in-laws in Cesenatico (which is in Italy and not in Belgium) and the only photos I can show you were taken at the airport and on the train yesterday.

Let me tell you what happened. Last Tuesday (the 21st) we left the house at 8:20 in the morning for the airport of Pisa, where we arrived just before noon. We stood in line for the check-in and after we had checked in our luggage and gotten our boarding passes, the lady behind the counter noticed I was pregnant. We told her we had a letter from my gynecologist saying it was safe for me to fly. When we handed it to her, however, she noticed that the letter didn't literally say that I was healthy enough to 'fly'. After she spoke with her superiors, she told us the plane would have to leave without us unless the gynecologist could fax them another letter immediately. After some calls to the hospital, we found out that our gynecologist wasn't there on Tuesdays and no one else was certified to fax a letter like that. So, we got back on the train to Genoa. On top of that, Auro was not only exhausted, but had also developed a fever in the meanwhile.

The next morning Remo went to the hospital and got another fit-to-fly letter and in the afternoon we bought a new ticket for Friday (the 24th). On Friday we again left for the airport of Pisa (though a little less excited than on Tuesday). We checked in, they saw the letter and we made it to the gate... where we waited for some time (some hours) until they finally canceled the flight due to the bad weather in Belgium! Remo's parents, whose flight for Belgium from Bologna had also been canceled that same morning, told us to take the train to Cesenatico. And so that is what we did. 

Hoping that we will have better luck on Monday (third and final attempt), I end this post by wishing everybody who reads this a merrier Christmas than ours :-)

Pisa airport

Train between Florence and Bologna

Station of Bologna

Paper shoe

Last night, Saint Nicholas, the Belgian/Dutch (and original) version of Santa Claus, made a detour on his horse and visited our apartment in Genoa. When he came here last year, Auro still didn't have a clue why I was making him leave one shoe in the living room before going to bed, but this year he decorated a paper shoe days in advance. Yesterday evening, before going to bed, he neatly put it under the TV together with a glass of water for the thirsty Saint Nicholas and a carrot for his tired horse. When we went to check his shoe this morning, we found it full of chocolates and candy. Auro must have been a good boy the past year, because he also was rewarded with some toys, a book and a DVD. He discovered everything with great excitement and showed us proudly what the saint had brought for him. Only after a while he interrupted his play for a breakfast of chocolate and candy ;-)

November rains

I know I haven't written in a a while, but not much has happened since the last time I wrote. Remo has been going to work every day while I'm at home with Auro. The rainy  weather that seemed to last forever kept us locked up inside of the apartment most of the time. But here are some pictures of  the past month's 'highlights'. 

Almost one month ago, Auro's nonni (Remo's parents) came to visit us in Genoa. They were here for only 2 days, but it was as 'intense' as a one-week visit for Auro, who, (and as a pregnant and therefore most of the time exhausted mother I have to admit this) to my great joy, needed some extra long naps over the following days to recover from all the excitement. Since it was raining nonstop, we took Auro to la citta' dei bambini (a huge indoor playground/museum for children) here in the old port of Genoa. Needless to say he had a great time and the moment we had to leave (to make it on time for our lunch reservations) was, quite understandably, accompanied by the unavoidable tears... the poor thing!

Auro and I looking into all kinds of mirrors that give funny reflections

Auro dressed as one of his 'idols': Bob the Builder

And here are some photos of what we did at home while it was pouring outside.

Auro with his 'helmet' on his head, saying "Auro moto! Auro moto!" (moto = motorbike)

Auro showing off his 'new' bed (We removed one side, so he can get in and out of his bed by himself. I decided it was time for this, because lifting him in and out was becoming a bit painful for me. Also, with my ever-expanding belly I wasn't able to bend over and give him a goodnight kiss anymore. We are nearly one week later now and, except for the one time he kept climbing out of his bed during his nap time  because he didn't want to sleep, he has slept like an angel in there!) 

Auro posing proudly in front of the Christmas tree that we put up last weekend. He also knows that a Christmas tree is to look at and not to touch (except for the one Christmas ball that is hanging from the lowest branch, which he occasionally touches, ever so delicately, with one finger!)

Pink!

On Tuesday, we finally managed to fix an appointment with a gynecologist (I'm already in my 23rd week and the last time I saw a doctor was in August). So yesterday, we went to the hospital for another ultrasound. I don't know if you can make anything from them, but I post some photos here anyway. The two photos on the top show the baby's head and the one on the bottom left either one of the arms or a leg (it all looked a lot clearer 'live'). I have no idea what the one on the bottom right is supposed to be. But.... everything is OK!!! The baby seems healthy, is growing well and weighs about half a kilo by now. (I'm not going to tell you how much I weigh by now!)

Anyway, and this might be the news you are really waiting for, near the end of the examination, the gynecologist confirmed that the baby that has started kicking in my belly is clearly a girl (her words: "una bella femmina")! I don't have to tell you how happy I was to hear that after all the blue clothes, toy trains and toy cars, we will also have tiny dresses, dolls and flower necklaces. Hooray for pink!!!

My mother

On the 2nd of November (the day we drove back from Abruzzo), we also toasted to my mother who passed away exactly 2 years ago. How things have changed since that day! We can only imagine how happy she would have been playing with Auro, holding Zita , while eagerly waiting for the third grandchild to be born...

The photo I've posted was taken in Aarschot, in the year 2006, when my mum and I went for a bicycle ride.

Far and away

 

Last weekend we were invited to stay in the house of Remo's boss/colleague. So, on Friday, we left (almost right) after lunch, to arrive in Abruzzo 12 long hours later (we were stuck in traffic and lost about 3 hours). The region of Abruzzo lies to the east/southeast of Rome and is not a very touristic region, but known for its beautiful and unspoiled nature. Since we arrived at 2 in the morning, we didn't see just how amazing (and isolated) the place was until the warm autumn sun of Saturday brought out its full splendor. On Sunday, unfortunately, the weather changed and we were confined to the beautiful, but somewhat cold house. So, instead of going out for walks, we lit the fireplace, roasted chestnuts, talked, watched TV, ate and drank a lot. Auro, as usual, took on the task of entertaining  all of us and did a great job. We thank Marta (the daughter) for sharing her old toys and playing with him while we were resting lazily in front of the fire.

On Tuesday, we drove back to Genoa (less than 10 hours this time!) and, even though we enjoyed the beautiful nature and the clean air of Abruzzo, we were happy to see the thermometer read 15 degrees when we entered the city.

Our hosts

The house

The home-made pasta

Changes

On the 19th of October we finally came back to Genoa (Remo had joined us some days before in Belgium, so he could also visit his newborn niece) The plan is to stay in Genoa (or at least in Italy) until Christmas which we will celebrate in Belgium this year.

Since we have come back, I have again started to help Auro learn new things (it's very hard to teach a child anything when you are always in a different place among different people!). Because Auro turned two recently I decided it was time to put him on the potty. We are still at the very beginning of what I'm fearing to become a very long learning process and we have booked no remarkable successes yet, but I will let you know (and possibly throw a big party) as soon as Auro has mastered the basics of this new 'skill'. 

I also thought it was time for him to join the other 2-year olds I have observed over the passed months and to push him to learn to eat by himself (with a spoon from a plate). At first (read: during the first 5 or 6 meals) he refused to even hold the spoon  and was very upset that I was robbing him of his privilege of being fed, but then, all of a sudden, he started to spoon his food by himself and before we realized it he had eaten 3 full plates of pasta! 

The only transition he didn't find hard to make was the change from a sippy cup to a normal cup during his meals. After a little practice he was able to drink from it without spilling too much!

Auro also has a new hobby: puzzles! Usually while I'm preparing the dinner, he sits at the kitchen table with me and draws (mainly trains, or so he proudly claims). Recently I have started to give him small puzzles (4 pieces) and he loves making them. Here's a little sample of how that goes and some useful vocabulary ;-)

n-au-o = Auro (He says that because he wants me to give him the mobile phone I am filming him with. As for the 'n' at the beginning, I have no idea, but he tends to put it in front of a lot words staring with a vowel.)

kanni = kan niet (Dutch) = it can't = I doesn't fit or I can't do it

ecco facco  = ecco fatto (Italian) = there, I have done it!

a posso = a posto (Italian) = I will put it away or where it belongs

farmer Auro

During the two weeks that Zita had to remain in the hospital, my brother, who had taken a holiday, came to Begijnendijk often and took Auro out for walks in the woods and across corn fields. With his uncle, Auro not only discovered the fun of piercing mushrooms with pointy branches, but also the (apparently even bigger) joy of collecting acorns and putting them in the pockets of his jackets and cardigans (he still keeps some in his pockets now!). After this, my brother somewhat became Auro's hero and even now that we are back in Genoa, words like 'bos' (woods), 'mais' (corn) or 'eikel' (acorn) can always count on a smile and an eager reply from Auro with the word 'nuki' (=nonkel Chris).

the fortunate one

While we were in Turkey, my little niece (my brother's daughter) was born. Zita (the fortunate one) was born on the 28th of September, at 10 past midnight! Because she was small and not strong enough, she had to stay a little longer in the hospital, but after about 2 weeks her parents could take here home. Beautiful Zita not only made me happy to become 'tante' (aunt) for the very first time, but, as I was chosen to be one of the godmothers, she also gives me the pleasure to be able to spoil her from now!!

Turkish delight

 Some days after Auro's birthday, my father, Auro and I left for Antalya, Turkey. During the next 10 days we enjoyed the Turkish sun, sea and beach. It's indeed always a delight to visit Turkey!