"...we can start her on baby food now."

Wed., Oct. 23, 1991

     No matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll ever get caught up with anything again, especially my writing. Even when Elizabeth takes a longer nap there are so many things I need to get done that I don't know where to start or I get sidetracked from one thing to another and don't get much of anything accomplished. Seems like I just keep doing the same things over & over all the time. Like trying to just straighten up the dining & coffee tables. No matter how little or often I do it, it's no time before they're all cluttered again.

     Luana Carter asked me if I wanted to trade baby-sitting with her. It would be nice except we live so far apart. She said she'd probably save her time up to use when John gets back from sea; that for every tow times she'd keep Elizabeth I'd keep John, Jr. & Alina. I don't know how I'd like that. I was supposed to call her about keeping Elizabeth one aft. this week & intended to call her today about tomorrow. But we had a rough day today.

     We had Ez's 6-mo. checkup yesterday. She's been fussier with these shots than the first two sets. She woke up overnight & I had to give her some Tylenol in formula. It took about 30 min. to get her back to sleep. She was fussy awhile after Guy left this morning but then she slept til after 9:00 AM. I took her temperature around 11:00 & it was 99.2 underarm. I gave her some Tylenol & it was down to 99 a couple of hours later. When it was time for another does I checked again & it was 98.8. I went ahead & gave her more Tylenol. She acted like she felt better but not 100 %. Then after her bath tonight she was acting like she had a little fever again. Guy said her temp. probably wouldn't be accurate just after her bath & went ahead & put Tylenol in her formula. It took her awhile to go to sleep. She just kept getting more & more fussy & Guy finally took her downstairs and walked her. Hopefully she'll sleep better tonight. She slept in my lap for about 2-2&1/2 hours today while I was watching the Dynasty movie I'd taped. Her left leg, the DPT, was sore this morning. She hollered whenever I moved her leg or touched it there. It was better by this aft. 

     Otherwise her checkup went good. She's 17 lbs. 12 oz. - still not big enough to turn forward in her car seat, 28 1/2" long. No wonder she's outgrown most of her sleepers. Dr. Karp said we could start her on baby food. She said we could use real food done in the blender but we went to Farm Fresh this aft. & got a few things. We gave her some squash after her bottle after supper & she ate 1/2 t. We're supposed to try each new food for 2 days before introducing a new one to check for any reactions. Her next checkup is at 9 mo. Dr. Karp was pleased with her progress so far. There were a few things I forgot to ask her that I need to call & ask about sometime, nothing urgent.

     She's doing better in her walker. She can push herself backwards some. I'm not sure it's deliberate yet. She does get upset if she's backed up against something and can't go any further though.

     Meanwhile, we went to have pictures made of the three of us Sat. We went to Sears first for their package deal. We tried to get there when they first opened but we were about 15 min. late & it took an hour to get to us. She was getting tired but the photographer was really good & I think she got some good shots. We went to Olan Mills that afternoon. Even though we had an appointment we had to wait over 30 min. and she was really tired by then so we weren't sure how those pictures would come out. Olan Mills called today to say that we wouldn't be able to get those pictures. They send their film by Federal Express and the box they dropped all of Sat.'s work in was broken into. The film was found along the interstate and none of it was printable any more. So we made another appt. for the 31st, Guy's next aft. off. We weren't using the club plan for this but the coupon we had for a free 8x10 of anyone (& family) in military uniform. Ez. was wearing the dress Guy's uncle in Utah had sent that had Navy Girl embroidered on the front. The photographer had said that wouldn't show though. The one at Sears didn't say it wouldn't so I hope it does. I may put a different dress on her next time. I don't know. Hopefully they won't have any problems next time.

October 19, 1991

October 19, 1991

     We may be getting a new vehicle tomorrow. We went out looking over a month ago and test drove a Jeep Cherokee, Isuzu Trooper, & a Dodge Grand Caravan. We even talked numbers with the Caravan but it was $335 a mo. for 6 years! I think it had way too many extras on it. We talked to someone at the credit union about a loan and they said payments for a $20,000 loan would be over $400! But there's a big "tent" sale at Met Park tomorrow thru Sat. I called the cr. union today & got some info on it then when Guy got home we went & applied for a $15,000 loan. They're supposed to call tomorrow & let us know if it's approved & if it's for more or less than that. If it's ok we plan to go out to Met Park & see if we can find something. The lady at the cr. union copied the info for the 1991 Troopers & Caravans. I haven't had a chance to look at them. The only reason I'm still up is to wait for the lottery numbers. I used to like staying up late but I just can't handle it any more.

     I forgot to mention that the car kind of broke down Mon. When we got home something was leaking out really bad. Guy had worked on some things before and finally decided we had a slow leak in the radiator. It turned out to be the water pump. He called Holland Rd. Auto & they said it's be $180. He called Steve Lowell to see if he'd be able to install a new one & he said he could come over after supper. Guy got the pump at Twin Bee. He paid Steve $20 for doing it. They dickered a little bit first. Steve said so many people from church ask him for help & never even offer to pay him so he really appreciated the money. Well, we didn't win. 

"...things are getting a little better with Elizabeth."

Sat., Oct. 12, 1991

     I think we're all over our colds. I'm surprised Guy had it the worst. And that mine didn't move down in my chest.

     Elizabeth got another tooth Thu. The lower left-next to center. It feels like the next top one will come in on the right. I've been using bubble gum flavored toothpaste on a gauze pad to clean her teeth at bedtime. Most nights at least. Guy still thinks she needs a bottle to go to sleep. At least he gives her a little water to rinse her mouth out. At least he's supposed to. He brought her up asleep tonight & let me go ahead & use the toothpaste

     Tues. morning Eliz. & I went to a Discovery Toys party at Cathy Rudolph's. It was so funny - Deborah Cuthrell was there (from church). I knew she lived kinda near Cathy from when I went with Gayle to Mary Ruiz's shower at Deborah's last month. She said it was only a few blocks away. They're in a food co-op together. She was looking for xmas presents for nieces & nephews.

     Anyway, they had some really neat stuff. I was looking for something with a crinkly noise but she didn't have anything. They are the ones who make those links I see everyone with. I'd been looking in stores for them. They look like chain links & the opening is on the side. It's a set of 24 in all the primary colors. I also got two rattles. One has an hourglass shape with lots of tiny multicolored beads inside and a sort of framework for holding onto. The other one is an outline of an elephant. His head swivels & his ears flop. His tail swivels & in his middle is a little ball that's half clear with little peanut shapes inside for the rattle. I let Eliz. try several things before deciding what to get. I'd planned on keeping it to $15-20 and Guy told me to keep it to $30 or less. I spent $27.17.

     I went & got my hair permed yesterday. I guess it's ok. I wish I hadn't had to pay $45 for it. I'd been saving up money for it. I wish it was a little bit curlier. I told her I didn't want it real curly though. She said she'd put in enough so it would look good to just let it air dry but occasionally use hot rollers. It didn't look so great after I slept on it over night. I'm not supposed to wash it for 48 hrs. but she said I could wet it down. I think I'll have to do that for it to look good tomorrow.

     Guy has duty weekend. He thought he'd get off at lunch but had to stay til 2:00. He doesn't have to be there til 11:30 tomorrow. He has the 12-4 watch. Last weekend was the first weekend he had off in a long time. He has Mon. off because it's Columbus Day. Every time there's a 3-day weekend this year he's got duty weekend or duty that Mon. He put in his leave for Thanksgiving but hasn't got it approved yet. I called one of the kennels (next to where we took Chief for obedience lessons). It costs $8.50 a day. That would be $127.60 for our trip. No way can we afford that. I think Guy's going to ask Mike & Carole if they'll keep him. We found out at the area-wide fellowship at Granby last week that they're trying to get pregnant again. Martha's only 10 mo. old!

     There's still a lot I need to catch up on but I'm getting tired.

     I just want to say things are getting a little better with Eliz. A couple of times this week she took longer naps. I'd decided to just go ahead & let her take more shorter naps. Seems like once we get used to a routine she changes. I'm still amazed at how fast she's growing. She's not a little baby any more, she's becoming a little person. She's so much more aware of everything around her. And she wants to be in the middle of whatever we're doing. We got her a walker yesterday. She doesn't move around yet but it has little toys hanging down in front over the tray that she can play with. It only lasts about 15 min. at a time so far. I was able to vacuum & get started dusting while she was in it this aft. Hopefully I can finish tomorrow.

"Sometimes I think I had no business wanting to be a mother..."

Sunday, Oct. 6, 1991

     We're all doing better I guess. Elizabeth did have a bit of a cough when she woke up the next morning. I called and talked to the same nurse again. She said we could switch to Triaminic Nite Light. We got some when we went to Wal-Mart yesterday. She really only has the cough when she first wakes up. We have been getting stuff out of her nose - doing it in the morning & at bedtime. It's harder to do it when she's tired cause she starts crying & screaming. So far everything's been clear. If it turns green is when we need to worry.

     We also got some bubblegum flavored toothpaste. I used it on a gauze pad last night and she did really well with it. I'll use the gauze til she gets used to the routine then switch to the toothbrush.

     We went to Wal-Mart to look for a walker for Elizabeth. She's gotten to where she can roll across the floor so I can't just lay her down on the quilt and leave her & expect her to stay there any more. She likes the Johnny Jump-Up better now but she gets tired. I guess cause she can't use her arms to prop herself up on anything. She just kind of twists & turns around. We wrote down numbers of the walkers at Wal-Mart to compare to Baby Superstore. They guarantee they'll  match any price. They had a walker like the one at W.M. but it was one number different because it was a different color. They said it had to be the exact same number for the low price guarantee. They're in the process of moving the store to Lohmann's Plaza & the girl said they might have the other model there. It opens Wed. It was only $5 more than Wal-Mart.

     I'm supposed to be taking a nap. I dozed while Elizabeth slept on my lap on the couch & Guy took his nap. I told him he could come back up & sleep some more but he insisted I come back up here. I have so many things I need to do. I was planning to get some things done yesterday, like I plan every Sat., and we ended up running around til the day was half gone. I did start folding my summer clothes. I put them in the porta-crib -- it's still set up in our room. I just feel like I never get anything accomplished. When I do get started on something I can't finish it. It sure would help if she'd take regular naps. I wouldn't trade her for anything but I sure wish I'd been prepared for this. Sometimes I think I had no business wanting to be a mother cause I'm doing such a lousy job at it. I just can't take care of her & the house & Guy & deal with Chief too. I'm afraid something's going to have to give & I don't know what that will be. Guy does help out but I need more help than he's able or willing to give. I don't feel I can ask any more of him cause he's always tired from work.

"...she has four teeth now."

Wed. Oct. 2, 1991

     Daddy went home yesterday. He called last night to let us know he'd gotten back ok. I really am glad he got to come and spend some time getting to know Elizabeth. We took a roll of pictures on Guy's old 110 camera for Daddy to take home & have developed. We took some pictures on our camera & the video camera. I hope she'll come to treasure them someday the way I treasure the pictures of me & Papa. 

     Meanwhile, Friday night my throat started hurting. It bothered me off & on all weekend & my nose has been a little clogged. But I think I'm over it. Guy started feeling bad Monday. He took a Drixoral that night & last night but he just tossed & turned all night. He took some Dimetapp tonight & seems to be resting better so far. But Elizabeth was congested a little this morning. I suctioned some stuff out of her nose. It was all clear & white so I wasn't too worried. And she didn't feel like she had a fever. I did call the ped. & talked to a nurse (Barbara). She said I could give her 1/4 t. of Dimetapp and if the congestion was too thick to use some saline drops made to loosen it up so you can suction it out. She also said to give her more clear liquids. So I had to go to the store cause we didn't have any of that. I also got some more baby Tylenol cause they don't have that at the commissary.

     I went to the dentist yesterday & had no cavities. I'd made my appt. with Dr. Pearle, the woman, at the office at the corner of Providence & Indian River cause it's closer than Green Run. I forgot to ask why afterwards - I saw Dr. Mendelson instead. He's the one I used to see before Dr. Pearle joined them but I saw her the last time and liked her & I just prefer women dr's anyway. I asked him about Elizabeth's teeth. He had the hygienist give me a children's toothbrush & show me how to put the toothpaste down into the bristles. She said I could also use gauze pads for awhile. We need to clean her teeth after every bottle of formula or juice, something we haven't been doing. Since Guy went to bed early tonight I gave her some water after she finished her formula to rinse her mouth out. He usually just lets her fall asleep with the formula & doesn't try to do anything to clean her teeth. I need to get Charlie to talk to Guy about it because I think Jason had problems with his teeth because of going to sleep with a bottle. Anyway, the hygienist said to just use a tiny bit of bubble gum flavored toothpaste because she'll probably swallow most of it. She's so stubborn about putting anything in her mouth besides a bottle or pacifier that I may put the toothpaste on the gauze for awhile & once she gets used to the taste switch to the toothbrush. I probably haven't written about it - she has four teeth now. Front top & bottom. It's been one a week for a month. It's been fairly easy from what I've heard of other mothers say. It really was a shock to find the first one at 4 & 1/2 mo. though.

     I'm really jumping around. Elizabeth was doing better by mid morning. It seems like she gets clogged up when she's sleeping though. We're using the humidifier in her room tonight, another suggestion from the nurse. I'm feeling better, just one side of my nose is clogged at a time. I'm surprised Guy has it worse than me.

"...I'm really worried about Daddy."

Sat., Sept. 28, 1991

     Daddy came to visit Wed. Sue ordered the tickets from a travel agency in Searcy and sent them to him. She had called a few weeks ago to check on dates with me. I didn't have it marked on the calendar upstairs so I forgot that the ladies retreat was this weekend. I'd already paid my $10 deposit but I got it back. I didn't really want to go anyway. It's too cold at night up there at camp.

     Anyway, I'm really worried about Daddy. He's starting to be the same way Mom started out - asking & saying the same things over & over. He's supposed to go back Tues. but he keeps talking about going back Mon. And he keeps tripping on the step-down. I can't think of how to mark it so he sees is. I just try to remind him whenever he goes that way. I'm glad he's able to come see Elizabeth but it's such a strain emotionally.

September 25, 1991

September 29, 1991

September 30, 1991

"Elizabeth's 2nd tooth is in!"

Sunday, Sept. 15, 1991

Elizabeth's 2nd tooth is in! The one on the lower left. When I got Guy up from his nap I told him & he said he'd found it while I was sleeping. He just forgot to tell me. We split the aft. for our naps. He had to work this morning & yesterday morning just like last weekend. Anyway, I'd told Carole at our small group meeting that Ez's first tooth was in. She said she was jealous but she didn't sound like she was mad. (Martha's almost 10 mo. old and hasn't got any teeth yet.) She said the same thing Sun. night when I told her the second one was in. She said the top front ones were next.

"It's just hard to find out such bad news about people you used to be closed to."

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1991

     Day before yesterday I got a letter from Nancy. She said the Paul Nance had died of AIDS and a brain tumor and that he was gay. He was only two years behind us in high school, when Beedeville H.S. was with McCrory. He & Stephanie Smith & Joyce free were in Mr. Turney's world history class with Nancy & Susan Hancock & me & maybe some others. They were all members of the church in Beedeville. I remember hearing rumors after high school that he was gay but I didn't want to believe them. He & Stephanie went together for a long time but she said he hardly ever kissed her or did anything more than hold her hand. He wrote to me while I was at Harding & he was still in high school. I think he went to ASU in Jonesboro after graduation. I don't remember if he wrote me any more after that. I just remember we gradually lost touch. His sister, Donna, was in my class. She told me at our 10-yr. reunion that he was living in California. I don't know if she said San Francisco but I remember hearing that somewhere - I think. It's been so long I'm not sure. I just remember that we were pretty good friends for awhile. I did have a minor crush on him for a short time. We went to a movie in Newport once. The Gumball Rally. He went to a concert at Harding with me once - I don't remember who. He used to stop by the house just to visit sometimes during the summer. And we'd see him and the others at church when Nancy & I would go there on Sunday nights sometimes. It's just hard to find out such bad news about people you used to be closed to. I just hope he had the time to and did repent before he died.