I feel ancient, not just old!

Today proved to me that I am old! Ancient is probably a better word! I went with Hannah for her 25 week sonogram to measure the growth of her babies. My reaction was embarrassing to her, I guess. I just could not believe that what I was seeing was real. My 90 year old grandfather in the late 60's could not believe that what he viewed on tv was real, and that is just the way that I felt today. To explain, let me tell you how it was for me when I was expecting Andrew. First of all, we had no clue as to the sex, until he was born. Fortunately we had a boy's name selected, but had he been a girl, Dennis was not too pleased with any of my suggestions. As you know, we did not have to go there! Well, in November, we finally went to see a movie, Love Story. It had finally been released to the European theaters... oh, by the way, we were living in Hofheim, Germany, as Dennis was assigned to TASCOM there in neighboring Worms. Well, a few days after seeing that wonderful love story, I started to hemorrhage. Remember: first pregnancy, 1971, living in Germany, just moved to a new city a few months before. Well, Dennis rushed me to the infirmary, where I had been seen on a regular basis since our move in April/May. Well, the doctor there checked me out, tried to find a heart beat, and had me loaded me into an ambulance. I was transported to the nearest hospital, in Heidelberg. Unbeknownst to me, Dennis had to drive himself, so it was me... traveling alone in that ambulance (a first), not knowing what in the world was happening. All I really remember is that I kept thinking about Love Story, and was sure that I was going to die. Did Army doctors know what they were doing? Well, they put me in a ward with other "problem" pregnant ladies, and I became a spectacle. They drew lines on my stomach in preparation for a C-section. The biggest event was when they brought in a dop-tone machine and FOUND a heart beat! wow... I finally knew all was going to be all right. But wait, multiples of doctors continued to come to look me over, guess they were trying to decide what to do! I remember being in the hospital through my birthday. Dennis was very good at coming to visit me. I had him bring me books to read and my needlepoint. Of course, at that point in time, there were no tv's to entertain us... all we were able to get at home were German speaking stations. So, I was released finally, and told to go home, take it easy, and to have two drinks a day to keep me relaxed...wine, bourbon and ginger, a couple of beers. Did not matter to me! It seems that I had experienced a Placenta Previa, and they really wanted me to extend my pregnancy as long as possible. My due date was then about 15 January... but since I did not have a regular cycle, no one knew for sure! So, home I went. Hanni, our hausfrau and the little old lady next door (with the wonderful cherry tree) were so worried about me, but they only spoke German. However, they kept good check on me, as of course, Dennis had to go to work! I must admit that I remember there being some very LONG days, phone calls were nearly non-existent, and I wondered how I was ever going to get through all of the remaining weeks. One day, a box came from the Rogers side of the family. It was a "shower in a box", filled with so very many wonderful items for our expected little one. What a thoughtful gesture by all of those families. It was truly wonderful. Well, I was able to get through 3 more weeks, but then Dennis and I decided to go to a party at his CO's home! I needed to go, as they were giving us their German baby carriage... a treasure that I used for both of our kids. It was the neatest European pram, and it is still up in the attic at my mother's home in Vermont. I just could never bear to junk it! Well, I had my toddies, but then after dinner, dessert was served. That was my downfall:Rumtopf on vanilla ice cream, It was composed of dried fruit (apricots, prunes, raisins, etc) and I guess I overindulged. The discomfort began that night, and the next day, I was running to the pot all day. I had some funny feelings, but well, your stomach aches when you have it all upset! Well, guess what??? about 5PM, I began to realize that maybe this was labor, as perhaps that was my water that broke! hmmmmmmmmmm how does one know? we were encouraged to get ourselves on the road to Heidelberg.... so another adventure began..... for Dennis and I. We had made it this far, we intended to get through it, even though we felt like the only two people on earth. No one came to visit, to help or to just be with me. (to be continued, someday) All this was to say how much a woman knows now as she goes through her pregnancy. I really was a very naive person in a world with little technology.... just 37 years ago... guess that is a lifetime! Knowing that everything is progressing well is so reassuring to an expectant mom, or even the grandmother! That little hand waving...wow! I know the next 10 weeks will fly by !