Mom's Journal: The Week of August 1-7,1956

This week is well documented in Mom's journal from 1956.  It was the week that I was born, and even with a brand new baby, she took the time to write about what was going on with the new baby and her family.  While I have a vested interest in this week, I found Mom's writings also give an insight into the kind of friends and family that surrounded her during this time.  Hope you enjoy these writings as much as I did.

August 1, 1956--Uncle Chas. Trusdle (his birthday)
Hospital $19.20   Left for hospital about 1:30am.  Baby born at 3:08am.  Weight 7lbs 10oz  19" long  Has dark hair, large hands and rather resembles Martha and Lydia.  George here in evening said "She's a fat little pig."

August 2--Grandma and Grandpa Trusdle here in afternoon.  Baby is a little dummy about nursing.  Was up and had a shower this a.m.  10 o'clock at nite she managed one good feed....

August 3--Cards came from Aunt Verna, Nathers, Grandma Trusdle, Jeanie and Clifton, gift card from jewelry.  Visitors:  Mother Griffin-a.m., Bea p.m.  Dr. Yoder was in and ordered no bottles for baby after 8 hrs.  She began to work and got along very well.  Changed roommates--Mrs. Paul Kirkpatrick, Norwalk left--Mrs James Johnson-Lyons Park Trailer Court, Fremont immediately--hospital is full!

August 4--Cards from Phil and Elva, Penny and Bob Murphy, the Missionary S.S.   Since 12 a.m. this morning baby has been nursing every 3 hrs.  Had technician take blood sample--took a hot shower and washed hair--castor oil at 5:30 a.m.
Clifton and Jeanie were here.  Dr. Yoder was in.  Baby is nursing well and slept from one feeding to the next.  

August 5--Slept good.  Soreness is gone.  Baby is to get a laxative--nurse says she is turning onto her tummy and they are getting the "d" for it.  George came and brought gift from employees at F.B.  It was a yellow saque.  Bea sent card with note.  We had RAIN!  Martha's card came.  It said "I love you.  Have a nice time.  Congratulations mama.  Martha"  I loved it!


August 6--Going home day.  Baby refused to eat in the nite.  Spent 40 min. trying to get her to nurse at 6 a.m.  Practically no success.  Dr. Yoder was in.  Baby's care--water some after feeding
Mine--lite once a day for wk. (wt-140lbs)
Cards came from Richard and Russell Perry, Grandma Miller, Mrs. Kaiser sent blue fuzzy slippers, 2 lg nightgowns, 2 slips, 1 cap.  Visitors:  Grandma Griffin, the twins came--Lydia knew me, Lois didn't.  Ellen came and got supper and did dishes.  Armstrongs visited hospital just before we left.


August 7--Baby slept 4 hrs. between feedings--took 1/2 oz. water at 11 p.m., again at 7 a.m.  Wt on our scale--6lbs 14oz.
Dad and George worked on the pump house wall.


Several things I noticed from reading Mom's journal.  The first was that she stayed in the hospital five days.  This doesn't happen any more!  The second was, when she came home, friends, neighbors, and family members were there to help out with the other four girls, cook and clean, and just support the family.  Today, so many of us do not have a community of family and friends around us, caring and helping us through life's ups and downs; we are a mobile society, not living near our families.  May I suggest you find a church home, put down your tent stakes, get involved and make a "family" where ever you are.  I miss not living near my family, but I have a church family I can turn to when I need that kind of family support.

John 15: 12-14

"This is My command:  love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.  You are My friends if you do what I command you."--Jesus

Posted by Sarah