April 3, 1948 Another Crazy Day, The Long and Short of It, The Four Poster Crib and B Starts Lunch

                                       Laundry Day  (www.shorpy.com)

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Happy birthday, Mother.  You'll just about get this on your birthday but your package will probably be late.

This is another crazy day.  The sun is bright but there is a very cold wind and it is blowing like everything.  It has been snowing but has stopped now.  I got half way through hanging clothes out when the wind got so strong things started flying so I came in.  We may be picking up clothes all over East Berlin this afternoon.  B did the wash while I bathed and fed Bobby.  It takes most of my morning to get formula made and him cared for.  I couldn't leave him and go to the basement anyway, so B still does the laundry.

Bobby is getting real plump and is so sweet.   He is so different from Beulah's babies or Steve.  Beulah's babies were so short and plump but Bobby is so long.  He laughs and talks most of the time.  His hair is getting thicker but I can't see that it grows very much.  I keep watching to see if it is going to curl but I guess it's still too short to tell.

I went to church by myself last Sunday.  I didn't plan to go but the Easter music made we want to go and of course we couldn't both go.  The church was full and the flowers were lovely.  People wore winter clothes, though.  I finally finished my red dress and wore that.  It is really very pretty.  I haven't cut the grey one yet but hope to next week.  Sunday afternoon we went to the Swann's for a while.  Bobby was good as could be.

I am a hostess for the Faculty Wives meeting next Thursday.  I guess Alice will keep Bobby for me.  We had a committee meeting last Tues. and since the other girls didn't have cars and couldn't come out I had to go into New Britain.  B rode with Dr. Richards and left the car for me.  I put Bobby in the basket and we got along fine.

We went to look at a crib yesterday but it was too fancy--had 4 posters.  I want a plain one.  Bobby sleeps in the carriage now but really needs more room.

B has started lunch so I'd better go help.  Hope you are both fine and you'll have a nice birthday, Mother."

                  Lots of love,

                        B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  In the news today, April 3, 1948, Truman signs the Marshall Plan, developed to provide 5 billion dollars of aid to 16 European countries for post-war recovery.  http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/marshall/mars3.html

To view the document itself and an interesting photo:  http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc_large_image.php?doc=82                                 

March 27, 1948 Still Sewing, Still Haven't Heard and No News About Baby

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"There just isn't any news this week.  B had yesterday off since it was Good Friday but we weren't out of the house.  Today is cloudy and gloomy but at least it's warm.  The ground is thawing out and the streets are just awful.  Our street is black-topped and is full of big holes where the surfacing has broken.  The winter was hard on everything.  Tomorrow is Easter but I haven't a new bonnet.  I plan to buy a navy hat when they go on sale after Easter if I see anything I want.  I hope to finish my red jersey this afternoon and then start on a wash crepe.  It is grey with white polka dots and I think I'll make it like that brown wool with buttons down the front with gold buttons.  It will have to have short sleeves though.  Did you notice that petaldown is available again?  They had several pretty pieces in the store here but no polka dots.  My material is not petaldown but much like it. 

There isn't much news to tell about Bobby.  He grows so fast we can almost see him grow and he's getting so heavy.  He makes lots of different sounds and is always surprising us with a new one.  The only bottle he has now at night is at 10:00 but he's ready at 6:00 every morning and sometimes earlier.  I guess you have the pictures by now.  We were real pleased with this group.

We still haven't heard more from the Ill. job so I have given up hopes.  B thinks he'll hear from them but it has been so long now that they probably have found someone else.

Bobby is sleeping.  He always takes a short nap before his bath.  It is getting close to bath time so I'd better get busy."

                 Lots of love,

                       B & Bonnie
              

Clipping in the letter from the NY Times

NOTE from Ann:  In the news,  there was continuing talk about the U.N.'s decision on Palestine.  See Eleanor's comments in her My Day entry:  http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1948&_f=md000925
                                                       

March 21 and 22, 1948 Traces of Snow, Rather Plain Pumps, Pretty Ears and Sewing By Hand

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"B's vacation is almost over and we sure are going to miss him next week.  We have been out almost every day.  The weather is getting better all the time and it has been real warm the past few days.  It's supposed to be 68 today.  There are still traces of snow but these warm days will soon get rid of it.  Today is the first day of spring and it looks like it too.  The school yard is beginning to get green.

We had company all afternoon last Sunday.  The Waggoners came and had just left when Swanns came.  We have been shopping several times and went riding several times this week.  Yesterday we drove to Middletown and I got some black shoes.  They are rather plain pumps with a button on top--very practical shoes.  I wanted something I could wear any time of the year so they have closed heels and toes.

B has gone grocery shopping and we may go to see the Rollins this afternoon.  We were at Richards for a few minutes yesterday afternoon.  I almost forgot to tell you that I got my hair cut real short and a permanent Thursday.

I'll try to finish this letter now.  B came in with groceries and we had to have lunch.  He brought your letter too.  The dining room set is very pretty and I know you're anxious to get it.

Bobby weighs 12 lbs. today.  We have finished another roll of pictures so when B gets around to printing them we'll send you some.  Bobby sure loves company.  He likes to go to the kitchen when we have breakfast and then he's awake all afternoon.  He kicks and talks in his basket.  He's too long to sleep in the basket now so we're going to try to use the buggy for awhile.  It's nice and big.  Bobby is still a good baby.  He was real good when Alice kept him.  She thinks he has such pretty ears--they are so close to his head.

I'm so glad Beulah is better.  It's about time she was feeling like herself once more.  I was thinking the other day that it has been a year now since I was home.  We certainly have lots to be thankful for.

Grandma wrote that Billy had a job in a bookstore.   She sure wrote me all the news.

I'm still working on my red jersey.  Aggie got her machine while I was in the hospital.  She was doing something on it and I don't want to ask for it because I've already used it so much.  It is easy to sew on the jersey but just takes so long by hand and I haven't had much time either.

We're still waiting to hear about the job."

             Lots of love,

                     B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  Truman and the State Department are at odds over the Palestine situation:

"Then Truman did something that greatly complicated his position. Breaking his own rule about not meeting with any more Zionist lobbyists, he received the Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann at the White House on the evening of 18 March 1948. Truman did this at the behest of his longtime Jewish friend Edward Jacobson, who in turn had been recruited to intervene with the president by Zionist members of B’nai B’rith. [27] Apparently forgetting his agreement with the State Department to revive the trusteeship option in the event of chaos in Palestine, Truman personally assured Weizmann that the U.S. government would support partition without qualification. Unfortunately (but typically), Truman did not inform the State Department of this personal pledge, or even that he had seen Weizmann. When, on 19 March 1948, with violence and mayhem besetting Palestine, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, Warren Austin, moved to suspend partition and announced his country’s shift of support to temporary trusteeship, Truman exploded in anger. “This morning [March 20 1948] I find that the State Department has reversed my Palestine policy. The first I know about it is what I see in the papers! Isn’t that hell? I’m now in the position of a liar and a double crosser. I’ve never felt so in my life.” [28]  Truman seems never to have considered how his own failure to inform the State Department of his dealings with Weizmann contributed to his predicament. The State Department was acting according to a preapproved script and had no way of knowing that Truman, in his conversation with the Zionist leader, had changed that script."  http://www.palestine-studies.org/journals.aspx?id=10710&jid=1&href=fulltext

March 22

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"B got these made last night so we thought we'd send them on.  Isn't Bobby getting cute?  B says I brag a lot about him.  He probably does too when I'm not around.  Ha!  We're plenty proud of him anyway and sure wish you could see him.  I thought you might want to order one of these purses.  They look pretty nice."  Love, Bonnie  

March 13, 1948 The Governor Died, The Schedule Changed, The Letter from Grandma and Another Snow Storm

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Saturday again!  The days go by so fast now that I can't keep up.  It doesn't seem like Sat. for B has to go to the school.  This was exam week and everything was scheduled.  The governor died and they closed every public building on Wed. so that threw the exam schedule off and some have to be given today.  B has been knee deep in papers to grade.  We haven't heard anymore from the job.  No telling when we will know.

The doctor says Bobby is fine.  He has averaged a 1/2 lb. gain per week.  Dr. Bernstein opened his mouth to look down his throat.  When he put a tongue depressor on Bobby's tongue Bobby giggled.  We were all so surprised.  The doc laughed too.  I guess he expected him to yell.  We haven't weighed Bobby today but he'll probably weigh about 11-1/2. 

B has next week off.  It is between terms at the college.  I want to get a permanent while he's home.  I think I'll have my hair cut real short.  I've been trying to get a dress made.  It's the bright red wool jersey.  I can't get much done at a time. 

Aggie and I went to the Faculty Wives Club on Thurs.   Alice kept the kids.  We wanted to go to the Feb. meeting which was a big Valentines tea but Alice had broken her arm and couldn't work.  She fell on the ice sometime ago but she is back at work now.

Do you like your new furniture?  How big is your dining room set?  Did you get a china cabinet?  Several N.Y. stores are advertising Haviland china once in awhile.  It's still scarce though and the patterns seem to be pretty fancy.

I got a 6 page letter from Grandma this week.  I always enjoy her letters for she tells me about everyone in the country.  I had one from Beulah too.

Did you get the paper?  The garden section is a special feature of the N.Y. Times once a year and I thought there might be something in it that you'd enjoy especially since you'll be setting out new plants.

We're had another snow storm and you probably have too according to the radio.  We're really going to be glad to see spring if it ever comes."

                Lots of love,

                       B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  For a brief biography of the Governor of Connecticut, James McConaughy:
http://www.cslib.org/archives/finding_aids/rg005_030.html

In the world news, Truman is still dealing with issues related to the partitioning of Palestine and of the increasingly bad relationship with Russia.  He and Eleanor Roosevelt were engaged in active communications about the world situation.  For an excellent chronology of the communications and to read the letters:  http://www.trumanlibrary.org/eleanor/eleanordoctemplate.php?pagenumber=1&documentid=hst19480313

The image at the top is Norman Rockwell's well-known "Weighing Baby", image courtesy of www.normanrockwellvt.com.

March 7, 1948 The Birthday, The Discovered Fist, The Wanted Job and The Perfectly Horrid Weather

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I got your letter today and was surprised to have it after getting the pretty card and dress.  Thanks a lot for the dress and dollar.  I was glad to get both and am anxious to get the dress made.  I don't know what size pattern either for I still can't wear most of my clothes.  I weigh 126 but hope to lose part of that.  I bought some red wool jersey for a dress and want to make it soon.  My birthday was like other days except I went for my six week check that day.  B gave me some cologne and money to buy some black shoes.  Dr. January says I'm healed extremely well and I don't look like I've had a baby.  He wants a picture of the baby.

Bobby is fine.  We are taking him to the Doctor this afternoon.  He checks him once a month.  Bobby discovered his fist the other day and holds his head up real well.   We took a few more pictures but haven't developed them yet.

B heard from the Ill. job yesterday and they offered just about what he makes now--a bit more but he would have a higher rank and greater possibility for advancement so he thinks he'll write and say that he is interested.  Of course, they probably have lots more after the job so he may not get it but we want it.  We're just as anxious as you are about it. Both Dr. Hill and Brubacker advised B to take it and we think their advice is worth a lot.  Brubacker was up Thurs. to talk to one of B's classes and then B took him out to dinner.  We would love to have had him out here but that's possible now--for a while anyway.

I'm glad Grandma liked the picture.  Did she ever say she got the Xmas candy?  I have wondered about it but knew she couldn't write then.
The weather here is perfectly horrid.  More snow is predicted for tomorrow.  We want to go to Sully's some Sunday but the weather won't let us.

I finally wrote to Beulah.  It takes me so long to get anything extra done for I have to stop so many times.

It is time to go to the doctor so bye and write soon."

                     Lots of love,

                             B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  In the world news, the Dodecanese Islands officially became part of Greece.
http://www.discover-rhodes.com/features/the-integration-of-the-dodecanese-with-greece/

And for the top hit of the day, Peggy Lee's "Manana":  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iVpIc0eh4Q

February 28, 1948 Camera Antics, The Illinois Job, The Loveliest Buggy and Baby Calls

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I was so disappointed that you had not received your pictures when you wrote.  I made a special effort to write you Sat. so you would get them the same day others got theirs for I knew you would all be talking together about the pictures.  Anyway, I hope you have them now and I finally got around to writing to Grandma and sent her one.

Bobby was interested in his Mommy and not the camera.  Don't you remember the antics we used to perform for Beulah's kids when we took pictures?  How I wish you could see Bobby!   He is so sweet and is growing so fast.  I guess I'll be one of these mothers that talks about her baby all the time but I know you won't mind.

We still don't know anything definite about the Illinois job.  They offered B about the same amount of money as he makes now and of course he wouldn't take that so they were going to see if they could get more money for him and then would let us know.  It was a long trip and train connections were terrible but we are really interested in that job.

ISNU, Normal, IL (Library of Congress digital image)

We bought the loveliest buggy for the baby.  It was second hand but looks just like new.  It certainly was used carefully.  We gave $22.50 for it which was more than we planned to give for one but it had cost $45. and we feel we got a good buy.  Now if the weather will only get fit to use it.  It is snowing again today.

What style dining room furniture did you get?  The aqua furniture will be very nice with your rugs.  Now you need some bright flowered drapes or figured chairs or something figured.  I'm so anxious to see everything.

Bobby's calling so I've got to stop."

                Lots of love,

                      B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  On this day in the world news,  there was tragedy in Ghana.  A group of unarmed WWII veterans were marching to the Governor's residence in peaceful protest to present a petition regarding unpaid benefits, poor living conditions, etc.  British colonial police ordered them to stop and when they did not, police ordered their men to open fire on the group, resulting in the death of three.  Rioting resulted in many parts of Ghana.  http://dustaccra.com/the-accra-riots/

To read more:  http://www.ghananewsagency.org/details/Politics/Ghana-remembers-the-28th-February-Crossroads-Shooting-incident/?ci=2&ai=26013

Also, Truman received a memo from Fanny Molner, Chicago Chairman of the Community Affairs Committee, reinforcing his responsibilities outlined in the Civil Rights Act and encouraging the formation of a Fair Employment Practices Committee in an effort to end discrimination in the federal job sector.  To read the entire text:  http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/trumancivilrights/documents/index.php?pagenumber=2&documentdate=1948-02-28&documentid=5-4

February 21, 1948 Eating Well, Smiling Alot, Awfully Cute, Wouldn't That Be Something and Nice Weather

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This will be early but I wanted you to have the pictures.  They aren't so good but it will show you how he looks anyway.  The three were taken at 4 weeks and you can see he changed in just one week.  I will send Grandma one in a day or two when I can find time to write her a letter.

We are all fine.  Bobby eats real well and still has a 2 A.M. feeding.  Then he's ready for another anywhere from 4:30 - 6:00.  It's supposed to be 6:00 but he won't always wait that long.  He weighed 10 lbs. today.  We have Aggie's baby scales so we can weigh him every week.  He's getting awfully cute and smiles a lot now.

I'm sorry you have a cold.  Seems like there has been a lot of sickness around but we have been lucky so far although Aggie's kids have had colds most of the winter.  They think Bobby is pretty wonderful.

B goes to Atlantic City tomorrow for that job interview and we can hardly wait to see how it comes out.  B wrote Dr. Hill to ask his opinion on the school and he wrote back that it will be a wonderful opportunity if B can get the job.  That makes us more interested of course.  If we should go there we will be a little over 300 miles from home--a day's drive.  Wouldn't that be something?

I know I'll like your house even if it is all white and it will be yours which means so much.

The weather has been nice this week and lots of snow has melted.  The street is dry for the first time since before Xmas.  It is cold today but had been quite warm.  We want to get a used buggy so I can take the baby out when it does warm up.

Hope you are both fine."

               Lots of love,

                     B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  Truman continues to lose support of Southerners for his Civil Rights Commission proposals and in an election year, begins to strategize.  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_truman.html

Eleanor Roosevelt's comment of the day: 

NEW YORK, Friday—"On Sunday, February 22nd, Brotherhood Week begins, and it seems rather ironical that, just before this week is celebrated, some of the Southern Democrats refused to go to the Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in Washington because the President has upheld the report of his Civil Rights Commission, on which both Northerners and Southerners were represented.

I am willing to believe that some things must be done more slowly in certain places; but how people who have any concept of the world as a whole and the need for peace in that world can feel that a small area of one nation can govern the feelings of races towards each other, is beyond my understanding." http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1948&_f=md000895

February 15, 1948 A Little Free Time, Bonnie Wants Fat and B Goes To Atlantic City

 Baby's favorite Golden Book, Busy Timmy, illustration by Eloise Wilkin

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I thought I'd take advantage of a little free time and write tonight.  Even if Bobby is awfully good he takes a lot of time.  B is washing diapers.  We get 80 a week from a diaper service laundry which furnishes the diapers and washes them but we still run out.  When Bobby is a bit older he shouldn't take so many.  We bought a baby washer and after awhile I want to buy my own diapers and do them myself.

Bobby is getting plump but still is not fat like I want.  The Dr. has changed his formula three times but this one seems to suit him better.  He was hungry all the time on the first one, the second one made gas but this one is better.  It has cream of wheat, Karo and evaporated milk in it and has to be cooked an hour.  We gave him Pablum tonight in hopes that he won't be hungry again till morning.  He certainly has our appetites.  The Richards came to see him today and he really showed off--just laughed and laughed.

I am anxious to see your house.  It really must be nice and I'm so glad you got a new stove.  You needed one terribly.

Bea and Sully sent us a blue all wool blanket so we can get along fine now.  Cotton would be fine but the wool is much nicer of course.

Bobby's hair is still sandy but there is not nearly enough to part.  It is only about 1/2" long.

B is going to Atlantic City next week-end to be interviewed for a job at a college in Normal, Ill.  They wrote him long ago but their offer wasn't good enough to interest us and B wrote them about that.  Dr. Brubacker had recommended him and after they got his records from Yale they wrote again and wanted to see him.  Nothing may come of it but we want to find out anyway.  I'll write you more about it when we find out more.  Hope you are both fine now."

                 Lots of love,

                        B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  NASCAR is in the news on February 15, 1948 with its first sanctioned race.

"Fonty Flock's #1 Al Dykes 1939 Ford lies in a patch of palmetto bushes after tumbling off the course during the first NASCAR race at Daytona's Beach-Road course. Flock was shaken, but not seriously hurt after flipping end-over-end nearly a dozen times."  http://www.nascar.com/news/features/history/

February 10, 1948 Wrapped Up in the Baby, Snow from Somewhere and The Young and Patient Doctor

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Beulah's letter came this morning and I'm so sorry Daddy is sick.  I hope he's better now so you can enjoy your new home.  It's wonderful that you are moved at last and Beulah says the house is beautiful inside.  B's mother and Rosalynn both had written how nice it was.  I've been so wrapped up in the baby I haven't had time to think about much else. 

My letter last week was late because B forgot to mail it and of course I had no way to get it mailed.  We're awfully busy people since Bobby came and B has to shovel snow almost every morning.  Seems like it snows every night.  I don't know where it comes from.

We can almost see Bobby grow and he gets sweeter every day.  He laughs when we talk to him.  We took him to the baby doctor Friday and he had gained 12 oz. in a week.  Changing to the formula didn't bother him at all.  He is such a good baby--aren't we lucky?  I think I'm going to like this Dr. as well as Dr. January.  He is young and so very patient.  A lot of the faculty women take their children to him.

I really got my work done early for Bobby is an early riser--up and ready for breakfast at 5:00 this morning.  I still don't do any hard or heavy work although I'm sure I could.

Bobby has received so many presents I can't remember what I've told you about.  The little boy upstairs brought him a pair of blue pique shoes yesterday and Dot sent him a pair of yellow overalls.

Take good care of yourselves and don't try to do too much at once in the house."

               Love,
     
                    B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  In Eleanor Roosevelt's' My Day entry of February 10, 1948, she comments on local activities which she believed provided background for support of post war European recovery and humanitarian assistance through the Marshall Plan and the UN.  See:  http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1948&_f=md000885

In other news, Truman had recently addressed Congress on civil rights.  His proposals were not generally well received in the South as one example below shows:  

For a good review of Michael R. Gardner's  Harry Truman and Civil Rights: Moral Courage and Political Risks:
http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=6354

February 4, 1948 No Longer Bored, Time Flies, 18 No More and Pampered

 Dear Mother & Daddy,

"There really isn't any news for we haven't been anywhere or done anything.  The days go by awfully fast now and we certainly don't get bored anymore.  The weather is still awful.  It thawed some today but B said everything was like glass when he came home.

Bobby is gaining fine and every day we can see some new developments.  He is such a good baby and cries only when he's hungry or uncomfortable.  We had to put him on the bottle but he didn't seem to mind.  Maybe it's better this way and we are both fine.

The Swanns sent him a little suit today--one he can wear later on.  It has green pants and a striped top.  Dustins sent a little knitted cap and a bath set (oil, powder, etc.).  The only thing he really needs is a crib size blanket or sheets.  We have plenty of basket size covers but practically nothing for the crib when he outgrows the basket which won't be long.  Aunt Nora may think that's too much so suit yourself about telling her.

Our telephone is New Britain 706J.  Aggie's is 706R.  We're on the same line.

My waistline is not back to normal yet but I have been wearing that read shirtwaist dress.  I asked Dr. January if I could do anything to tighten my stomach muscles and he answered, "Bonnie B, you'll never be 18 again after carrying that big baby around."  Then he said he could give me some exercises but thought I'd have enough to do taking care of the baby.  He doesn't approve of exercising but tells me to rest which I do.  I love taking care of the baby and that's all I do.  Don't worry about me taking care of myself.  B will see to that.  I don't think I have ever been so pampered in my life and I haven't been down the stairs a single time.

B's shirt is fine.  I hope you didn't have too much trouble getting it.  Hope you're both fine."

         Lots of love,

                B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTES from Ann:  In the world news on this day, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) gained its independence.  For details:  http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2012/02/03/independence-day-making-sri-lanka-%E2%80%98democratic-hub%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98wonder-asia%E2%80%99

Arab and Israeli fighting continues to escalate.  See:  http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/1948_War.html

January 27, 1948 Home, Happy, Fussy, Better, B Cooks and All About Baby

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We are home and are so happy to be here.  B came for us about 12:30 Saturday and we got home about 1:30.  Soon afterwards it started to snow and kept it up all night.  There is so much snow piled up that there's no place to pile anymore.

We are getting along fine.  The baby has been fussy both nights but was better last night so I guess he'll soon be used to being home.  He has been so good all day today.  Alice came early and cleaned up the apartment and washed Bobby's clothes.  I don't do anything except take care of him and lay around.  I really could do what there is to do but no one else thinks so.  It will probably be better in the long run if I don't do much, I guess.  B does all the cooking and has really been feeding me good.  It is wonderful to be able to eat what I want and as much as I want.

Thanks for the dollar.  We'll start Bobby a bank account with it.  Billy Young (the Springfield boy that was at Yale the first year we were there sent one too and Sully's mother wrote me the loveliest letter.  We didn't send them an announcement but I guess Sully had told them about the baby.

Tips from Woman's Day Magazine, 1948

There just isn't any news so I'll stop.  I want to powder my face before B comes.  I took my bath early this afternoon but never did get my make-up on.

Hope to have a letter soon."

             Lots of love,

                   B, Bonnie & Baby

NOTE from Ann:  Sad world news this week, for Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi only a few days following the end of his fast for peace.  For the interesting account by an American reporter: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/gandhi.htm

January 19, 1948 It's All Over, Thank Goodness for Dope, Wonderful Ever Since, The Big-Headed, Sandy-Fuzzed, Taylor-Nosed, Awful-Sweet Baby and The Three B's

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Well, at last it's all over and now we are three.  Little did I ever dream that having a baby could be so easy.  I know it could be horrible without anathasthesi (I can't spell it), dope.  I knew nothing about it and have felt wonderful ever since.  B said you were so excited when he called that you hardly knew what he was saying. We had the first signs that the baby was coming about 2:30 Sat. morning but nothing happened so we finally gave up and went back to sleep.  We were still hoping though and about 10:00 I began to have tiny twinges.  They were so tiny in fact that sometimes I thought I was imagining them but they became regular.  We were still wondering about calling the Dr. because I expected something big to be happening.  I called him and told him and he said to come right then.  By 4:00 I was all checked in and waiting for the big event.  The real thing began about seven but I didn't know about it until Dr. January told me I had a fine boy Sunday morning at 6:13.  He weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. and the Dr. can't get over how big it's head it.  It is just like B--has a long head, high forehead, sort of sandy hair (fuzz).  His nose is large but is a Taylor nose.  He's real long and awful sweet.  Dr. January keeps telling me what a "good girl" I was and he certainly got a big laugh out of the Sunday dinner I ate.  Now I know why he made me diet.  I can imagine how big the baby would have been if I hadn't.

Announcement in the Richland Mirror, incorrect date of birth

B called our college friends to tell them Sunday after he talked to you and they were all just about as excited as you.  Ours is the only baby & the only boy in the education department.  They have all been as impatient as we have.

If everything continues as well as now I'll not have to stay more than a week.  B spends every visiting hr. with me & can hardly wait till we can go home.  He's the happiest thing you ever saw.  Wish you could see us."

            Lots of love,

                         The Three B's

NOTE from Ann:  The US Billboard Top Hit of January, 1948 was "I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover".   If you really want to hear it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY-_8XOrvTs

In the other news on Jan. 18, 1948, Gandhi ended his fast when opposing leaders finally agreed to end the violence.

 Happy Birthday RBB!

January 12, 1948 Haven't Done Anything, Haven't Been Anywhere, Waiting and Wondering, Reading and Crocheting

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It has really been cold the last few days and the wind was just awful yesterday.  It is supposed to be a little warmer tomorrow.  We still have lots of snow but it is all cleared off the highways and most of the city streets.

We haven't done anything very interesting all week and haven't been anywhere except shopping one afternoon and Hartford on Wednesday as usual.  I got me a new coat sweater.  It is a soft gray and quite nice.  The elbows were completely out on my brown one and I wear a sweater most of the time.  I can't stand from my arms to be the least bit cool.  All the stores are having January sales now on coasts, dresses, etc. but I'm not interested in clothes yet.

I guess Beulah told you what Dr. January said last Wednesday.  We keep hoping I won't have to keep this week's appointment but probably will.  It isn't that I feel bad or am very uncomfortable.  It's just the waiting and wondering everyday if that will be the one.  I have everything done that I planned so I don't do anything much but read and crochet.  That's gets boring after awhile.  We washed yesterday so I have an ironing to do tomorrow which will help pass the time.  Since the big storm I haven't got to walk much for they didn't clean the streets and now they're slippery.

Bea and Sully were here for a little while this afternoon.  They had been to her folks in Darien over the weekend so stopped by.  We were so glad to see them.  Their little boy is certainly sweet and so good.

We had a letter from Bessie this week but she didn't have much to say.

There just isn't any news so bye for now."

                  Lots of love,

                          B & Bonnie


NOTES from Ann:  In the news on Jan. 12, 1948 was the Supreme Court decision that Ada Lois Sipuel, formerly denied admission to the University of Oklahoma because of race, was entitled to admission to the law school and an education equal to that available to whites.  It would be 2 years after her initial application that she would finally be admitted.   For an excellent summary of the decision and biography, see:  http://crdl.usg.edu/collections/sipuel/?Welcome

Also in the world news, Gandhi began a hunger strike is response to unrest and rioting between Muslims and Hindu factions.  India had become an independent state following partitioning with Pakistan.  Communal violence in major cites caused significant destruction and many deaths.  This would be Gandhi's last successful fast for peace.
See:  http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_gandhi_mohandas_karamchand_1869_1948/