Happy Birthday, Lauri. Reminiscence from Mom

On July 11th, a few years ago (or so it seems to me), we were living in Wells, Nevada. Dad was working for the Southern Pacific Railroad and I had just finished my first year of teaching school. Back in "those days" working while pregnant was not popular. When I told my principal I was expecting he said that if anyone ever complained about my condition I would have to quit. Nothing was said. In fact, when I was 7 months pregnant one of the other teachers told me that someone had said I was expecting a baby, and she said she wished the community would stop starting stories about the teachers.

On Saturday, July 11th, I woke up and knew something was happening. We drove the 50 miles to Elko, which was the closest doctor and hospital, and visited with my doctor. He said I was in labor but to go home, take a walk, and come back later. Rowland and I went to my parents home there in Elko, did as I was told, and returned that evening and was admitted to the Elko General Hospital. In "those days" natural childbirth was the in-thing and, of course, we did not know if we were having a boy or girl until she was born. Also, Elko, being the the progressive place it was, did not allow dads in delivery room. After we checked in, Rowland and I played Scrabble until my brain was too scrambled to think. Lauri was born at 10:04 that night. By the way, there is a reason natural childbirth did not remain a popular option...it was the pits!

While I was in the hospital, my Dad was also a patient. He was recovering from hip replacement surgery. I stayed that first week with my parents in Elko. I think they enjoyed having us there. It was good for me, too, because I had zero experience with newborn babies. When they brought Lauri to me in the hospital to change into her own clothes and take home, I didn't know how to proceed undressing a baby!

From day one we have had the most wonderful daughter! Happy birthday, Lauri!