1949 Jean's Letter -Feb.1

Tuesday morning

February 1, 1949

Dearest Mother and Daddy,

It was nice of you to call last night and I feel quite ashamed for not having written to you sooner.  We really are kept very busy.

Its hard to believe that we are now Mama and Daddy but we do have a darling little girl.  Her face is filling out more & more and doesn't have so much of that new born look.  Her face is round like mine with a real pug nose and plenty of soft black hair.  Her features are quite delicate – ears – small close to her head – dark eyes and right now not much of any chin but I hope that fills out better later.

Her legs are on the thin side and has long narrow feet.  Her nails are long and well shaped but they wear those shirts with . . . .

. . . . put her at the breast.  The milk has just begun to come today though.  Each time she comes in, every 4 hours, she is usually sound asleep & soon becomes that way & refuses to be wakened.  She doesn't seem to be under nourished though & will no doubt make up for lost time when she arrives home.

The days have just flown by – in fact I can't account for each one.  They got me up for awhile on Sunday and yesterday they let me go to the bathroom by myself having been up twice during the day. And now I'm writing in the chair. 

The girl who is in the room with me has been quite uncomfortable as they gave her a spinal anesthetic and as a result she has had quite severe headaches.  She is only 19 – had a baby boy & was quite set on having a girl but all is well that way now.

There seems so much to tell but you must come over as soon as the weather clears for we are so proud of our little family.  No doubt I'll stay at least nine days in the hospital (that's Monday – the day of Harold's last exam).  Perhaps things have worked out best that Harold can have the house to himself to study now except he has a long way to come every evening.

Thanks for your call & I'll be writing more details soon again.

Love,

Jean, Harold and Catherine

[written on the margins]
Hope you like the name "Catherine" – it was quite on the spur of the moment but pleases both of us.

Received your letter – thanks too for the money.  In case you get to Pgh. we could use a sweater & bonnet as I will need those to wear home from the hosp. according to a letter they send around.