Sunday, April 09, 2006


MONDAY MEMORIES..........

Last week I remember one of my favorite bloggers writing about the birth of one of her children so I thought I might try writing about the birth of my first born.

I was very, very young when our first child came into this world. We were married on Jan. 25, 1964 (long time ago for some of you very young bloggers)!!

Our first child was due on Oct. 25, 1964...exactly 9 months later!! Some of the older ladies in our small town had their calendars out and were marking off each of the days making real sure that my wonderful young husband and I had defintely HAD TO GET MARRIED!!

You know back then that was a very "hush hush" sort of thing. Now it just seems to be talked about and brought out into the open like it is just something that is done all of the time. Back to MY STORY....

As I said I was only 18 when I got married. On my birthday (at the ripe old age of 19) I suddenly began to feel very sick. My young friend told me that since I was not feeling good and also since coffee made me feel sick when I smelled it that maybe...just maybe I was pregnant!! Oh no, I told her. I could not be pregnant because my young husband had taken care of all of that for me!! (ha!! was I ever naive' at that period in my life).

I kept feeling worse and worse. Finally one day I asked my mother if she would go with me to the doctor. I made an appointment. We both went and sure enough. I WAS PREGNANT!!

Now I was NOT AT ALL READY for this kind of responsibility yet!! First of all I did not know how to cook yet, let alone take care of someone else. I was just learning how to care for myself and my young new husband. How would I ever take care of a little tiny soul!! I was completely taken off guard when the doctor told me..."Sandy, You are pregant!" I know I was supposed to be happy, but it did not hit me that way at all....

The nurse came in to ask me questions to do the "paper work". She asked my name and all of the simple stuff. Finally she asked, "Now who is the father?" I said, " Michael L. Wagoner!!" in a very not so nice voice. She asked, "How do you spell that?" I said, again in a not so very nice voice, " R-A-T!!"
My mother said, "SANDY!!"

I then started crying and was so upset!! I just hated the thought that at the great old age of 19 I was going to have a baby!! What was I going to do!! I guess that I was scared and was just not ready to be a mother yet!!
That night I was in our small tiny apartment. I was trying to think what to fix to eat (I am still doing that after 42 years of marriage)!! My dear young husband came in the door with a big smile on his face. I will never forget what he looked like.

He said, "Well, what did the doctor say?"

I said, very sadly, "I am pregnant!!"

He ran over to me and picked me up and swung me around and around!! He was so happy and thrilled to death.

Thus began months and months of vomitting and new experiences that I had to go through.

At the end of those 9 months my little boy decided not to come. He waited another 2 weeks before he decided to make his grand appearance. We had a time getting him here. He was born at 7 lb.s 3 ounces. The MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY in the whole wide world at least to me and his daddy. We named him Jon Michael.

He is now a grown 41 year old man. He is 6 ft. 4 " tall and has made a great life for himself.

I know you are thinking how silly you were ....YES I was but I was also very young and inexperienced and was not ready. I would do it all over again. God has helped me through it all and grown me up fast!! I had to grow up very quickly in order to up Jonny grow up too. What a life!!

7 comments:

Kimmy said...

My favorite kind of memory. I was 19 when I had my Jacob. Jacob Michael (the Michael is after my baby brother).

I love that you told the nurse how to spell your husband's name "R-A-T". Ha! Jacob's father really is a R-A-T! And we were not married. Not that he didn't ask me over and over and over again. But the moment Jacob arrived... the R-A-T left. But we're better off!

By the way... is your son single? ;) Just kidding...

Maggie Ann said...

I really enjoyed reading this post Sandy. I like your honesty and how everything had a happy ending...smile. Our first baby was a girl and I was very inexperienced as a new Mum and when her teeth came in she had the most awlful time of it...poor baby.I remember feeling exhausted all the time. You know what most of us say, we would never want to go back in time again...I'm thankful for the children and love them like crazy, but now is nice too...smile. Though, you know what I miss, I miss the special feeling knowing we were all together at night, tucked up into our beds, calling 'I love you' through the walls.

Ladybug Crossing said...

I wasn't ready at 27, but... we all got through it!!
Thanks for sharing!
LBC

Anonymous said...

Sandy I remember that day very well, when you were told you were pregnant, should have been a happy day for you, as you are a great Mom. Also remember the night we had to call Mike that you were needing to go to the hospital, what a night and day that was. But I know it was all worth while, as our first grandson is so special to ua. He is such a wonderful young man and has done so well for himself, so just be happy for him. Loved your blog today, I read them all in time. Just us

Anonymous said...

Dear Sandy,
Yes, I remember when you were sooo sick!! You have made a wonderful Mother & now a wonderful Grandmother!! I'm so proud of you! Have a great evening! Bonnie

YellowRose said...

What a wonderful, funny story!!! I loved your response to the nurse!! ROFLOL!!!

Great memory, sorry I am a few days late!

Reflection Through The Seasons said...

Sandy... What a lovely posting. We are from the same era so I can empathise exactly with how things were in those days. I was married at 20 and had my daughter two years later. I remember how scared I was and taking into hospital, a copy of Dr Spock’s book (the famous paediatrician of that time), I kept it under the pillow of my hospital bed and read & reread the section on labour, I was so concerned about getting everything right, of course husbands where not allowed anywhere near you when you gave birth in those days, I had to wait until the official visiting hours before he was allowed to see our beautiful baby girl. How times have changed!
Easter Blessings to you and your family. Marion