Caro's Story
Begun on Feb. 8, 1998
- Part 11 -
Nov. 5, 2006
We brought our precious little son home from the hospital on Nov. 20 and introduced him to his sisters. The girls were ecstatic to have a baby brother. They couldn't do enough for him. They carried wet diapers to the diaper pail and empty baby bottles to the kitchen. Their greatest joy was holding him. Our family was complete.
It took me longer to recover from the pregnancy and delivery, so, as was her wont, Mama helped out a lot. She insisted that I get plenty of rest in order to be in the best of health for my upcoming surgery. She spent part of each weekday caring for the children and she would take all of our laundry home, to wash, dry, fold and return to us. I was, and am (to this day), grateful for her help and encouragement. To me she was an Angel, sent by God, and I love her so much.
On Thanksgiving Day, we went to Mama's and Poppy's for dinner. As per usual, Mama prepared a feast. The whole family was there: Mama; Poppy; my brother, Stan and his wife, Joan; their daughters, Sharon and Cathy; Joan's father, Dick; Buddy, Vikki, Linda, Randy, and myself. The star of the group was Randy, because it was the first time the rest of the family had seen him. Everyone was very careful to pay lots of attention to Vikki and Linda, too. We had MUCH to be thankful for that year.
As Christmas approached, I had much shopping to do. Finding just the right toys and clothing for the children was lots of fun. We were used to buying things for little girls, but this year we would be getting things for a baby boy, too. Wow! A cool, new adventure. I had to first get their Christmas outfits. I usually made them myself, but this year I couldn't. Luckily, I was able to find matching red velvet dresses for the Vikki and Linda, and a little "Santa" sleeper for Randy. I took them to "Frederick's & Nelson's" (a major department store) for their picture with Santa Claus. The girls smiled beautifully, but Randy slept for their picture. I cherish that picture to this day.
Christmas Eve was spent putting the toys together that would be from Santa Claus. The others were already wrapped and under the Christmas tree. We filled their Christmas stockings. Hot buttered rums made it fun and funny. Have you ever tried following the manufacturer's assembly directions for putting toys together? Clear as mud!
At 4 1/2 years old, Vikki was a veteran of Christmas morning. She was awake before daylight and, of course, woke Linda. Together they came bursting into our bedroom, announcing that Santa had come (at the top of their lungs). All that shouting woke Randy, who let us know that he was wet and hungry. GROAN! Buddy sleepily herded the girls to the kitchen and made them toast and cocoa, then proceded to make coffee. We called it "Goose Juice" and we sure needed it after being up so late the night before. He, also, put a bottle of formula on to heat, while I changed Randy. There's nothing like a sharp stab in the finger, with a diaper pin, to wake one up fully.
I gave Randy his bottle while the girls dived into their Christmas stockings. The joy on their faces was worth the early morning awakening. Next they went for the toys from Santa Claus. Vikki and Linda were so thrilled with the toys that Santa had brought them that they could have cared less about the other gifts under the tree. That was a break for us, so I put Randy back in his bassinette and headed for the kitchen for a second cup of coffee. Buddy was there just ahead of me. A bit later, the girls opened their other gifts, then it was time for a full breakfast.
After the children had their naps, it was off to Mama's and Poppy's for Christmas dinner and more gift exchanging. The whole family was there. Randy only had a bottle of formula, but the rest of us ate until we were nearly bursting. As usual, Mama had outdone herself, creating a wonderful meal. Vikki and Linda happily played with their new gifts, while the women helped clear the table, do the dishes, and get the kitchen back in order. Buddy held Randy and gave him another bottle, while the men discussed football and politics. It was a wonderful Christmas, and what better way than to spend it with loved ones?
New Years Day, 1969, came and went, then it was time for my surgery. Dr. Yarbro, while he was doing my operation, found that my uterus was far more damaged than he had guessed. He performed the tubal ligation and closed up. Later, he told us that I would eventually need a Hysterectomy. Nine miscarriages and four full-term pregnancies had taken their toll. In the meantime, I wouldn't have to worry about another pregnancy.
This was the summer of getting my driver's license. I had been driving without one for many years. When I was a teenager, I babysat for the police force of our town. including the Chief of Police. Since I was an excellent babysitter, and very much in demand, I suppose that gave me an "edge." Looking back in retrospect, I think they didn't want to alienate me by giving me a ticket, because they were afraid that they'd lose their babysitter. I'm sure that if I had been blatant about it, I would have gotten a ticket no matter what. But, I was a good driver, obeyed the law (except for having a driver's license), and remained very low-key and circumspect. Every once in awhile, one of them would stop me and ask if I had gotten my license, yet. I think they made a game of it.
Poppy drove me to the WA State Department of Licensing and I got a "Learner's Manual." I studied it with a vengeance and when I took my driver's test...I failed. The written part of the test was a cinch, but it was an automatic "FAIL," when I tapped the brake before going through a yellow light. I was crushed! Ninety days later, I took the test, again, and passed with flying colors. It was so nice to be able to flash my newly acquired driver's license the next time one of my police friends stopped me.
Vikki would be starting Kindergarten in September, so I became involved in a whirlwind of sewing school outfits for her. With her extremely wide feet (EEE width), I would wait until the last minute to get her new school shoes. I could only get them at a shoe store that specialized in extremely wide or narrow widths, and they were very expensive. Linda and Randy also had wide feet (EE width). Though not as wide as Vikki's, I still had to buy them at the specialty store.
Vikki's first day of school was traumatic for me. Seeing my little girl struggling to reach the first step of the school bus and then seeing it drive away...well, all I can say is that I shed a bucket of tears. Vikki was ecstatic about being a "Big Girl," and showing her teacher that she could already read.
I read to the children every day and Vikki took to reading quickly. Linda seemed to be following in her footsteps. Spelling would become something that they would do well. Reading, Spelling and English Grammar were my favorite subjects in school and I excelled at them. I suppose that my love of reading projected itself to my children, so they got an early start at learning these things.
The little ones also loved music. Since I had my old piano, I began to give Vikki basic lessons. As a child, I had five years of piano lessons, but singing was my first love. Anyway, having had piano lesson for so many years, I felt lucky because I could teach the children to play. Money was still very hard to come by and there wasn't any for a piano teacher.
Our refrigerator became a showcase for Vikki's artwork, special school papers and awards of excellence. Her report cards showed that she was a good student and learned quickly, but she was a "loner." She didn't get along well with the other children and kept to herself on the playground. She interracted much better with adults. Again, Linda would follow in her footsteps.
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Part 1
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Part 12
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