February 23, 1968: Doctor, doctor, gimme the news

Letter postmarked February 23, 1968 (Part 2, written the afternoon of February 21): In Part 1 of this letter, Mom's doctor (Dr. Danno) informed her that the baby might come early and she might be having twins, so he referred her to a specialist (Dr. Wright). Let's see what the specialist has to say.

Results from Dr. Wright: (1) He gave me a thorough examination and says the baby probably will not come for another six weeks. (2) He also thinks I should fly home end of next week or first of following week (3) No twins - in fact, this doctor was able to tell me that the baby is now about 11" long and weighs 4 lbs. I really did like this specialist and I'd give anything if I'd been going to him all along. I could talk with him easily and I really have confidence in his opinion. I will see him the day before I leave to come home just to make sure everything is alright.

[So the twin scare is officially over. That's something else I don't recall Mom ever mentioning. Dr. Wright's prediction is delivery in about six weeks, so that puts the anticipated delivery date in early April. We shall see.] [The fly vs. drive home decision appears to be settled now, too, based on Dr. Wright's recommendation. Mom and I might be outta here within two weeks. The end is nigh . . .]

Dave thought I might get depressed over going home early and no twins (we both were disappointed) so he took me over to the Hansen's. We all ate out together and wound up yakking until midnight. Gee, we're going to miss them. They have asked us to come and visit them in Denver in June. Barbara and Erland love Denver and really know the town well so they could show us a good time. Of course, we can't plan anything because of the baby, but it's fun to dream.

The Dirrs left Tuesday morning. I do not miss them as yet and I rather doubt that I will. They just aren't our kind of people. A favorite expression of theirs - used about me in my condition and used quite frequently to describe Suzie herself - was "drop a kid" instead of having a baby. Have you ever heard anything so crude? Every time I heard it, I'd wince and see myself as a cow.

[The Dirrs were in L. A. less than four months, and although they weren't "our kind of people" they certainly made our stay there more interesting and kept Mom from being as bored as she was the first couple of months there. Overall I'd say it was a positive that our paths crossed.]

I got your letter on Monday so I'll answer your questions, statements, etc. I swear I just don't know what to think about Sara. She just goes from bad to worse. In a way I feel sorry for her and in another way I just get disgusted. We might as well face it - she'll never get old because she just never grew up.

[Well, Aunt Sara turned 99 on Christmas Day of 2017, so Mom's prediction of her never getting old turned out to be somewhat inaccurate.]

I know I wrote you about our big weekend so I'll let that pass. Surely you've received that letter by now.

Dave and I haven't made any definite plans on my leaving. As I said before, Dave tried to show me a good time last night so I wouldn't be depressed (He succeeded!) and we really didn't have a chance to discuss dates. I know Dave will arrive on the weekend in the car - either March 9 or 16. I know I'll stay here this week and possibly all next week (February 25 - March 1.) If (and that's a big if) Dave will let me, I'd like to stay over that weekend with him and leave Sunday night, the third. The reason I'd like to stay the weekend with him is so he won't get lonely. I don't worry about him during the week because he'll be working, but the weekends may be rough on him alone - Barbara and Erland won't even be here then as they are leaving March 1.

David Wayne and I will be coming in at night rather than daytime. There is a night coach from L. A. to Dallas that costs only $55. Then it'll be around half of that for David Wayne, so it won't cost much. In fact, we figured that the price will be about the same with me flying - Dave won't have to rent a trailer which was $55, the motel won't cost as much with just one as it did for the three of us, and buying two meals a day for just one person is cheaper than 8 meals for three (Dave doesn't eat breakfast.) Also, I think Dave will be able to drive it in two days instead of three - he can get earlier starts and probably drive a few hours longer at night and the stops won't be as long.

[Well, darn. I don't get to sit in the front seat with Daddy on our drive back to Texas.]

Whatever happens I will let you know as soon as our plans are complete. I can hardly wait to see everybody and David Wayne is beside himself. Dave hates to see me go, but he is really relieved and I can understand why. I feel better knowing that he'll get home before the baby is born - I just didn't want him to miss that!

Well, I'll close - I'm just rattling anyway. Hey, see if you can get that baby bed before I get home. I will start work immediately on the nursery. That will give me a lot to do so I won't miss Dave so much. Can't wait to see you!

Love,

Linda

[No, this was not the last letter. I'll let you know when that one's posted.]