Seasons Change

Winter was nothing like winters in Austria. This part of the United States rarely received more than a few inches of snow. After a storm had left four inches of fluffy snow, the children had an opportunity to have snowball fights and the girls built snowmen.

After it melted the temperature moderated and buds began to appear on trees; green leaves were soon seen and over the next couple of weeks the famous cherry trees began to bloom. Once again the entire family rode the bus to DC to see the flowering trees.

And during this time, the baby in Maria's womb was also growing; so much the waistline of Maria's dresses was becoming tight. She asked Isabel. "Do they make clothes for pregnant women?"

"I don't know. I suppose you and I should go to the ladies store and ask."

The next day when the shops opened Isabel and Maria left the house; as usual Franz accompanied them.

The ladies entered the shop and were immediately spoken to by a sales clerk. "May I help you?"

"Yes," Isabel answered. "Do you sell clothes for pregnant women?"

"Yes, recently the clothes manufactures decided to make clothes specifically for them. They made a skirt and blouse from the same material. The skirt is worn above your baby sac protrusion and the blouse is extra long so it covers your protrusion. Would you like to see how it works for you?"

"Yes, please."

"Come with me to a dressing room and you can try one on."

The saleslady explained. "The waistband of the skirt has several buttonholes; button the one that is most comfortable for you. The top goes on like a coat and it will cover almost all of your hips; the fullness hides you protrusion."

Maria looked at herself in a mirror. It looked big on her but then she thought I know I will get bigger.

She bought two in this style; one was a deep rose color, the other was a light blue with subtle white small dots.

Before going home with her purchases, she and Isabel stopped at a lingerie store to buy both panties and new bras to fit her changing figure.

And neither told the children they had bought the outfits. Maria didn't tell Georg either. But he did comment once he saw her dressed in the rose colored one the next morning.

"Tell me about your outfit; the color is perfect for you."

"The saleslady told me this is made specifically for the expectant woman. The skirt has several buttonholes, making it adjustable as the baby gets bigger. The top has extra fullness."

Maria pulled the material away from her body to show him. "I'm sure expectant mothers were quite pleased to find clothes which fit them and looked lovely. Which of the children do think will be the first to comment?"

"Maybe not the usual one Georg; we'll learn together."

They had heard the chatter of the children before they went downstairs. The couple waited until they were sure they were in the dining room before joining them there. They quietly entered the room.

Liesl, Louisa and Friedrich were having a conversation about a school assignment as were Brigitta and Kurt. Marta and Gretl were the quiet ones. Marta saw Maria first."

"Mommy, what are you wearing?"

The others heard her and looked at Maria. "It's a dress mothers wear when they are going to have a baby."

"The color is beautiful Mom but it looks too big for you."

"Yes I know it is, Louisa. It needs to be big so I can wear it until the baby is born in June. That time will go by fast. You need to eat so you can get to school on time."

They did eat and soon were getting ready to leave. The couple watched them leave and Maria once again told Georg.

"I still find it amazing how well all of them, but especially Marta and Gretl, have adjusted to life in America."

"I do too. It's also time for me to leave. The President is having a cabinet meeting first thing this morning."

And again Maria thought Georg is fulfilling his destiny.