Snowstorm
What a Day
Waiting for Baby
4:20
Monday afternoon
Barbie called about 20 to 9 this morning. I had just seen the girls go by all bundled up good--in the snow!
Barbie: "Looks like this is the day, Mom!" She sounded so happy. She said, "I'll call you when we leave for the hospital." At 9:15 she called to say they were on the way. Mary, Jim's sister, was there to take care of baby (Leigh).
I called Margaret and Martha to let them know--since Barbie had Jana and Lee so fast I thought she might have the baby by noon. When it got to be 1:30 my thoughts were becoming negative. Jim called and nothing was happening. She was not in labor, so not uncomfortable. Doctor was going to give her something this afternoon to try and get her started but not for a couple of hours, so Jim came home to lie down and rest. He really has not got all his strength back yet. He was planning to try to go to work today: fortunately Barbie had her "show" before he left so he was home to take her.
I did a wash, changed my bed, then I fooled with materials all day making pillows--helped to make the day go by. I'm so used to Barbie calling me and letting me know what is happening it seems funny not to hear from her on such an important day. I don't know why I should be edgy about her. I went to the hospital to give birth to both Barbie and Martha and had to wait around a long time with no real labor pains, but the were 2 weeks late. This baby wasn't due for several weeks.
Martha and her group were here...I wondered why they came out on such a nite, but I guess they go out no matter what. Martha walked from her place clear over to Barbie's. Mark went with her. She loves to walk in the snow--I guess she just wanted to visit with Mary LaHood. When I called and asked her if she knew any more--she said now but Jim was calling often. I said, "do you know if the doctor gave her pills to start the baby?" She said no.
They left at 9:30 so I called Mary and she told me the doctor gave her something to start the baby and he had been there since 3:00, and Jim said the contractions were 2 minutes apart so she should be doing something. I was glad to have direct information. I told Mary how wonderful it was that she could help out. She said she was enjoying it--I was glad to hear her say that: it made me feel better. She asked me if I wanted Jim to call me if the baby comes in the night, and I said "Yes, I would appreciate it." I sure hope Jim gets some rest tonight.
4:45 Monday evening
Dark is drawing in now as fine snow goes on and on--supposed to get much colder. All day the radio keeps predicting severe weather. I shouldn't listen: it always makes me nervous . . . along with being somewhat on edge with my darling daughter.
Marianna born 10:07 p.m. (but I do not hear of it until 11:20 when Jim calls from hospital).
5 lbs, 13 oz.
Praise the Lord!!!
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Bitter cold and sunny
4 p.m.
(It was 4 below zero at 7 am)
Barbie called me twice about 7:45 a.m. and a little later. She wanted to tell me all about her day on Monday. She did not have much discomfort most of the day--her contractions stopped after she got there so mid afternoon they started giving her things to start labor. I guess her strong contractions started about 8:00 p.m. but she said non were ever too hard. She was only in the delivery room for a few minutes: gave two good pushes and a little dark-haired baby girl started her life. Jim was in the room and saw his child born and he was greatly thrilled (he did not see Lee born). He thinks the baby looks like Barbie.
Jim stayed home with the children all day which was a good thing for him. The girls did not go to school, for which I was glad. I guess he is going in tonight to see Barbie.
December 7
Barbie in hospital
4 below at 7:30 a.m., sunshine on snow
10:15 a.m.
Barbie called me 4 times yesterday. The last time was about seven--each call was a happy cheerful one about her wonderful experience giving birth to her 4th little baby girl. She was in touch with Jim all day by phone and wanted him to stay home out of the bitter cold and be with the girls. This was the best all around--Jim needed the rest and not the struggle of getting out in the cold. She could rest easy knowing he was safe and warm and the girls were home with him. Today will be the same unless he decides he must see the new baby and Barbie. She called me about 9:30 today and she is feeling fine and the baby is doing very well so she thinks she should come home tomorrow.
It is such a fine thing her dear Doctor Ferdinand (lovely middle-aged woman who has looked after the other three girls) comes to the hospital and examines the new baby, then talks to Barbie--such a comfort. She said the baby was OK to go home any time.Barbie can't wait for the girls and me to see her.
7:30 p.m.
Another day past and a cozy evening to relax. I called Barbie at the hospital. She is all set to come home tomorrow, although she hasn't talked to her doctor yet, but she feels fine. Jim tried to clean and take care of the girls and found he was pretty tired by the evening, so he wasn't going to try and come down to the hospital. Jim had pneumonia starting November 19 and was so sick--104 temperature for 2 nites--he was just on his feet and thinking of going to work when his baby started coming, etc.
December 8
Praise the Lord!
Barbie and baby home by 2 p.m.
2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon
Jim brought Barbie and baby home before 2:00--she had to persuade the doctor to let her come a day early. All day it has been snowing a fine steady snow and all the radio reports say driving is bad--don't go out if you don't have to, etc.--announcing schools closing early since 4 or more inches are expected on top of what is already here. It doesn't seem like such an awful lot when I look out the window!
Friday
11:30 a.m.
Barbie called me about 8:10. All is well: the baby slept 2 1/2 to 3 hours at a time and then they fed her. They were able to pick up formula yesterday--Jim got it on the way to the hospital. Yesterday was a much better day for them to come home. Jana just called me to talk and I learned their sink is not working when she told me Dorie was upstairs doing dishes in the bathtub. I hope the toilets are not affected!
7:30 p.m.
Jana called about 5 to talk--she told me Jim's Dad brought their supper all cooked and with paper plates. Barbie came on the phone and said everything was OK--sink drain seems frozen but I guess toilets flush OK and water running. She did say that Jim is exhausted and I know she is concerned about him. She said she was trying to get someone to come in and help tomorrow--to watch Leigh. I called Martha later and told her Barbie's situation--she will try and help--and she will also get me some groceries, so that I can try to cook something for Barbie.
The baby announcement was in the paper today. Barbie had to call the Journal when it did not get in.
Monday, Dec. 12 WARMER--good news!
What a week that was for our precious new baby girl to be born--snowstorms, one after the other, below zero temperatures, roads closed all over the Midwest--it is a humbling proposition for this age to be held down in the grip of winter. Man thinks he has reached the ultimate in progress--but God's creation can bring him to his senses, with storms of every kind.
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