what were you doing 40 years ago today? 99/366

Back when I was a kid, I got married. (I was 18)

Back when I was still a kid, we wanted to start our family. (I was 20)

breakroom at Berean Christian Bookstore, before I was 5 months.

 My OB was part of a group of 4 doctors. At my 5 month check up he told me it was time. He had explained to me at my first visit that I would have visits with the other doctors at some point so, if for some reason he could not attend the birth of our first child, the attending would not be a complete stranger. When I went in for my 6 month check up I told the new doc I thought I might be having twins. I described the movement I was feeling and expressed concern about how big I was getting. He kind of chuckled and downplayed my concerns. As he examined me, he said "you are a first time mother", the movement was normal and that I was just going to have one big baby. He was the professional, I was the rookie and since he was the educated one I hesitantly trusted him. I saw the second associate at my 7 month check up, the third at my 7 1/2 month visit. At 8 months it was time to see my primary OB. Near the end of the visit he said "I think there might be twins in there. Let's schedule an ultrasound."

40 years ago ultrasounds were were not part of "normal" OB care. They were done at hospitals and since this was not an emergency the first available appointment was two weeks away. So, for fourteen days, give or take, Bill and I kept quiet and prayed. 

Tuesday April 8, 1980 we went for the appointment. As the ultrasound tech guided the doppler over my belly she smiled big. Bill and I left the hospital hand in hand not knowing gender, but assured that there were indeed two healthy babies sheltered in my womb. We left feeling more vindicated than shocked. My mother's intuition was right. Education is important, but sometimes moms know things. 

It was late afternoon. We decided to follow through with our plan of going to church for the monthly "calling program" which consisted of those who could make it sharing supper together then breaking off and going to visit people in their homes. 

It had rained all day and there was a large mud puddle in the driveway behind our car. A mud puddle I slipped and fell into, landing belly first. I was not hurt, only spitting mad. I had two outfits that still fit over my belly. Thankfully the other was clean so I was able to shower, change and we went on. Dinner was probably great. I can't remember for sure, but I think the normal visiting may have been cancelled because of the weather. But Bill and I still had three homes we had to go to. 

His mom and dad's, my dad and stepmother's and my mom's. It was fun to see the looks on their faces when we showed the ultrasound picture. The were relieved and excited as we pointed out the one healthy baby. When we pointed out the second, the change on their faces was priceless. (Technology has come a long way baby!) Two grandbabies? Are you serious? Bill and I were very deliriously happy serious. We decided we weren't quite ready to announce it to anyone else. We wanted to relish the news. We still had a week.

We went home, retired for the night and I did the normal late pregnancy accelerated get up in the middle of the night to relieve my bladder routine. Except that about 2 o'clock I purposely woke Bill up. I was pretty sure that wasn't pee running down my leg. I grabbed a beach towel to sit on and away we went, back to the hospital for the second time in less than 24 hours. It was confirmed, my water was broken. Soon we would hold our babies in our arms.

At 9:42 AM Elizabeth Anne joined our world.

At 9:44 AM Sarah Christine joined us.

What a blessing and privilege it is to be their mom.