Darwin was in the Navy, so we were based in San Diego, California. I was ssoooo sick in the beginning, I could not keep anything down. We went to the Balboa Naval Hospital for help, of course there is never a Doctor on duty when you need one. An Intern gave me something for the nausea and told me to come back the next morning to see the regular Doctor. We found out the Intern had given me something pregnant women should not take. The Doctor fixed that and slowly after three or four months, the nausea passed. As I sit here, I remember taking plastic bags with me everywhere !!
I had a friend I met in Church, she was a Primary teacher with me. Betty Hepworth was a great lady, she took me home one day with her and made me a maternity dress. It was pale blue with little dark blue and pink flowers. A sign it was going to be a boy!! We had a great ward there in National City. The Relief Society gave me a baby shower! Our neighbors here in Delta, the Panhorsts, La Dawna's parents were in that ward. Small world.
Back to Shawn. When I was seven or so months along, the Doctor did an ultra-sound. As I lay there with my BIG belly covered in that jelly stuff, in came a class of interns !! The Doctor/Teacher then asked if I cared if they observed? Dah! Kind of late to ask!! The Tech confirmed it wasn't twins, hallelujah! And, no, he would NOT tell what the baby was....it wasn't always what the Tech said it was. I guess that was how they protected themselves then, if they didn't tell you what they thought it was they wouldn't get in trouble and cause disappointment.
At eight months I went home to Riverton and lived with Mom & Dad until the baby came. Only Shawn had other ideas, he was 3 whole weeks late. This is where the Doctor told me it was the quality of the baby, not the quantity of time I carried him. Darwin would call every night to see when he should come home for the birth. To him, it seemed like forever !! Finally !! After 3 weeks, I was going to be induced. I called to let Darwin know and he drove to Riverton. Shawn had other ideas again, I went into labor the night before and 10 long hours later he was born !!
I remember as they wheeled me through the hall and past my parents, I told my Dad, Darwin was not going to touch me again !! He just laughed !!
We took little Shawn home to Mom's and after 3 days, Darwin went back to California. He had about 10 or 12 days left before his discharge date. I remember sitting and looking at Shawn for hours. It seemed so unreal and he was so perfect !
Have a Happy Birthday Shawny-brooke! Haven't called you that forever......
