Tuesday, August 24, 2004
BEGINNING WITH JENNIFER....1972
The first order of business was to get Jennifer’s bed put together so we could make a place for her. The mobile home Warren and I bought for retirement was only a 12X60 and the second bedroom was just large enough for a full sized bed….we had intended living next to mom and dad to help them through dad’s last years and didn’t think we’d need a lot of space. Then we planned on going back to Johnson County somewhere. We were still young enough to get a good job…….so our thinking was on the “temporary” track.
Now with a baby bed and Becky we had to make some quick adjustments and decisions. We put Jennifer’s bed in our room and told Becky from now on it was “their” room. We moved into the mini-room. We made the necessary changes to make the place convenient for baby needs and Jennifer rewarded us with smiles and gurgles. Becky’s strength returned more with each day and mom and dad were frequent visitors to see Jennifer. She brought a big portion of joy with her when she came into our lives.
Aunt Beulah came to visit a few days and brought a rag doll she made for Jennifer. When Becky showed it to Jennifer, she brightened up with big eyes and said, “Aaahhhh, goo.” Becky immediately named the doll, Miss Aaahh Goo. No wonder Jennifer was taken with her….aunt Beulah had thoughtfully made her in bright colors which babies love….“just serve up the primary colors for me, please and I’ll be happy!!” Jennifer has Miss Aaaahh Goo to this day.
Life became good for Becky and Jennifer. Mom and dad were close by and Warren and I were here to help with any problem that came up. We were all privy to Jennifer’s first smile, first efforts to talk, to walk, to eat, teeth….the whole nine yards. George Jr. had Leave from the Navy during September so he and John drove down to see their new niece. I have enjoyed looking at the old pictures of the boys holding her….especially John. He was quite taken with Jennifer and is holding her in many of the pictures.
George was going back to the USS Oriskany, which was a carrier, this time. He had been encouraged by the Disbursing Clerk on the Monticello to take some classes and apply for the Clerk’s job on another ship. George was now going to be in charge of payroll for over 5,000 Sailors and Marines. Not bad for a kid who had trouble with the “new math” stuff they threw at him in Junior High.
Life was settling into a nice pattern and it was good to be close to mom and dad so they could enjoy Jennifer’s baby days.
Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther
Now with a baby bed and Becky we had to make some quick adjustments and decisions. We put Jennifer’s bed in our room and told Becky from now on it was “their” room. We moved into the mini-room. We made the necessary changes to make the place convenient for baby needs and Jennifer rewarded us with smiles and gurgles. Becky’s strength returned more with each day and mom and dad were frequent visitors to see Jennifer. She brought a big portion of joy with her when she came into our lives.
Aunt Beulah came to visit a few days and brought a rag doll she made for Jennifer. When Becky showed it to Jennifer, she brightened up with big eyes and said, “Aaahhhh, goo.” Becky immediately named the doll, Miss Aaahh Goo. No wonder Jennifer was taken with her….aunt Beulah had thoughtfully made her in bright colors which babies love….“just serve up the primary colors for me, please and I’ll be happy!!” Jennifer has Miss Aaaahh Goo to this day.
Life became good for Becky and Jennifer. Mom and dad were close by and Warren and I were here to help with any problem that came up. We were all privy to Jennifer’s first smile, first efforts to talk, to walk, to eat, teeth….the whole nine yards. George Jr. had Leave from the Navy during September so he and John drove down to see their new niece. I have enjoyed looking at the old pictures of the boys holding her….especially John. He was quite taken with Jennifer and is holding her in many of the pictures.
George was going back to the USS Oriskany, which was a carrier, this time. He had been encouraged by the Disbursing Clerk on the Monticello to take some classes and apply for the Clerk’s job on another ship. George was now going to be in charge of payroll for over 5,000 Sailors and Marines. Not bad for a kid who had trouble with the “new math” stuff they threw at him in Junior High.
Life was settling into a nice pattern and it was good to be close to mom and dad so they could enjoy Jennifer’s baby days.
Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther
