Happy Birthday, Angelyn, with ((hugs)) . . .

Happy Birthday, Angelyn!



I think this picture explains just why I felt impressed to name you, Angel-yn. You were the most precious baby! Well, one of the top twelve in the world!

Here's an excerpt from a letter I wrote to a friend back in Guam. The letter was dated June 20, 1979.: We got the big event over with 8 days late on June 1 at 1:00 a.m. Boy-I went through so much false labor leading up to it-every evening for 4 days I had hard constant contractions. Finally when I got to the hospital to stay (I’d been in 3 times before), I was only there 1 ½ hours. When I finally got to the end they didn’t have time to drape me, or slop the disinfectant on me, or do an episeotomy-or ANYTHING except catch!

It all went so smooth until the after-birth wasn’t coming as fast as the Dr wanted, I guess; he put a little traction on it (I’ve read NEVER to do that)-when it finally slid out I began to hemorrhage and it took them a little work to get it to stop. I guess I didn’t lose too much blood because I didn’t need any replaced. They did have to start an IV with oxytocin in it to stop the gushing. The nurse was a little anxious and probed 5 times for a vein before she found it. Uck.

ANYWAY----we all survived.

Angelyn came through with flying colors. I’m trying to nurse her and floundering just a little. I guess 8 others is a little of a load and saps my strength. Lynn is gone over night frequently or doing 70's work in the evening-to be honest I feel a little stranded. Angelyn has her days and nights mixed up and the only way I can keep her still and “sort of asleep” is to let her sleep with us and nurse anytime she wants.



These are your cute little foot prints just above my thumb prints. Your feet were so small!!



This is your "Okay, Mom! Where's the grub?" pose.

Here's another excerpt from another letter written in June, 1979 to another friend:

I was recently assigned a new responsibility to fill in my slow hours (cleverly disguised as a sparkling squeaky new baby daughter). I can’t let any one know that I’m ecstatic over her so I complain a lot over how she keeps me up half the night and has decided that since she is not attached at the navel any longer that a constant mouth to breast connection will suffice. We named her Angelyn Louise. She arrived on June 1st at 1:00 a.m. and she completely blew our pattern of 2-2-2-2. Now it read 2-2-2-3 (that’s top secret code for 2 boys-2 girls-2 boys-3 girls.



October 12, 1979 -- line from a letter: Angelyn is doing great and thriving away on Mommies milk, I’m going to start her on solid food in the next couple of weeks.

November 26, 1979 -- Journal Entry: I’m sitting here on our bed with only Angelyn still up. She is busily getting on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth. She is such a little delight to her mommy, daddy and whole family. It has been such a beautiful experience to have her in our home. I wonder how many babies, someone like me must have before they get “old hat”. Every one from first to last is a dear and special spirit. I only wish I were better at conveying my affection-I must try harder on the hugs, praises and 1 to 1 contact.

Angelyn is making all sorts of deliberate babbling. Now I’m laughing back.

December 10, 1979 -- letter excerpt: Angelyn sits up all alone now and gets on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth for hours. One of these days she’s going to put one hand in front of the other and be off and crawling.




--end of 1979 entries--

Once again, Happy Birthday to you, Ang, . . . with a ton of love.

Mom

P.S. I dug a bit deeper and found a few more pictures to add in! :-)