Memory Lane - Here We Go Again (January to July 1985)

About the title of this post, I'll get to that in a minute. First the blur that was early 1985. January and February were so active and interesting that I could find no pictures from either month. I'm sure snow shoveling was involved as well as commuting, kid care and at least a modicum of carousing. 

There were a couple of noteworthy events that spring. The first was a family visit to Washington D.C. in late March, a place with which Nancy and I both became very familiar during our working years. These first few pics were taken as we stopped by some typical touristy spots on one of our first visits. There was this handsome structure, front and back. President Reagan was napping at the time so we couldn't get an audience.

Years later, because one of my work friends had a nephew on the White House staff, Nancy and I (and I believe daughter Cathy) were able to tour the West Wing. That time it was Bush 43 who was dodging us. Something about dirt-biking on his Texas ranch. But I did get this a nice pen.

Back to the trip. We also visited our first president's modest abode on the shores of the Potomac.

Nice veranda. Here's a picture of Nancy taken on that veranda during our visit. It wasn't that obvious yet, but she had more on her mind than George Washington that day. 

For good measure, on our way back to our hotel we dropped by the old boy's obelisk. It's nice to have your own obelisk. Saves having to rent one. 

Back in Dearborn, April brought an Easter celebration complete with appropriate attire. Here's our little darling modeling her fancy dress.

And sporting a new bonnet.  

We didn't realize it at the time, but it was likely during these early days that Christy began to develop her uber-awareness of the need to dress up and decorate for all holidays (this trait must skip a generation as my mother is the same way). Christy even has a "forever" tree in her condo that bears appropriate seasonal decorations all year. Most recently it was adorned with decorated eggs and tended to by a bunny. Irrepressible.

In May we attended a Memorial Day celebration with several friends. Here's a pick of Nancy with from left to right childhood buddies Linda C. and Kathy S. and college buddy Grant T., also known as Trig. This pic also is your final hint on "where we're going again". 

Did you figure it out? If not this next pick is also the reveal.

Here we have another high school and college friend Nancy N. sitting with her daughter Jennifer next to my Nancy and - our next bundle of joy! At least 7/9ths of her. Meaning Nancy is now seven months pregnant with Cathy. 

Here's one more pic from the party, of Tom Y. (husband of Kathy S.) filling Christy in on the finer points of becoming a big sister. Like how she'll soon have to share everything she has with a stranger.

So in June, knowing her world was about to be changed for ever, Christy spent as much time as she could playing with her favorite stuff. Like her trike.

 Her pool.

Her play table.

Her favorite swing and slide at the local park.

Even her brother.

As a result we often found her like this, sleeping off the day's activities.

Meanwhile, Cathy was getting ready to make her move. Or so we thought.

Obviously, Mom was very ready. But......it just wasn't happening. Nancy's due date came and went. No news. Another week went by. No news. 

On the 12th day after her due date, Nancy was induced. But...no news. After several hours, her doctor sent me home telling me they would try again the next day. 

On Saturday the 13th, I trucked back to the hospital and joined my bride for another day of inducing. It was also the day of Live Aid, a global concert sponsored by dozens of artists to raise money for the fight against world hunger. And it worked. The doctors, inspired by Willie Nelson and company, managed to entice Cathy to join us. Here is the last picture taken of Nancy as a mother of one. Despite her discomfort, She managed a smile for the camera. Sorta.

Then in a flash (well, a few hours actually) it happened. Cathy arrived. 12:14 am on the 14th of July. offered here by the attending nurse. 

Shortly after this picture baby and mother were wheeled off to their respective recovery areas, and dad was sent home to get some rest. I was exhausted from watching others work so hard. It was after 1:00 am.

The next day everybody spruced up for the customary photo celebration. Here's the proof. First the star attraction, sleeping it all off.

Next the happy couple taking our turns with Miss Catherine Elizabeth.

There was also the sharing of our exciting news with close family and friends. That device in Nancy's hand is a land-line phone (for those of you who may not remember the days before unlimited talk and text).

A day later Christy joined the celebration, happy to meet her new sibling despite not being quite sure what it would all mean. 

A day later we brought Cathy home. Here's a pic of her snuggled in her very own crib in our Dearborn house.

 

And so her adventure began. Little did Cathy know that she would be an international traveler by the age of one week. We'll pick that story up with my next Memory Lane post. Until then.

Grosse Pointe Charles