1966 Recap

 

In 1966 ... Chris came. There is already a post documenting this momentous event, but there were a few other items happening with the Westras this year as well. In Dad's Dropbox history, there is only a "Trip to Seattle" noted February 4, 1966 as far as getting out and about. Based on the photos though, that wasn't the only traveling done. In March, it looks like not only the Westra family, but Rex & Zada, went out to California for a reunion with Merrill, returned home from his mission. Pictures are at Nelva and Arnold's house, with little cousins Dale and Karie. Then it looks like the crew returned to Utah, and made the rounds with more visiting to the Grandparents. The group picture includes both sets ... Zada's mom and her husband (Hannah and Arthur Bohne) and Rex's folks. No Chris in those pictures ... in March, he was still a little bun in the oven. No Dad/Lamar in those photos either, methinks he was likely the photographer.

A little later in the year, Rex and Zada made a trip to Washington to be there for the birth of Christopher ... that's when Dad/Lamar caught the big fish! It looks like the Westras must have made a trip back to Utah, or Aunt Diane made a trip up to Washington, as those two families are pictured together (cute little cousins Chris and baby Brad, and Scott and Mauri). Photos of little Scott enjoying the Thanksgiving turkey. Grandma Lucille had written a Christmas Letter in 1967 mentioning that Steve had gotten engaged Christmas of 1966, and left for service January 1967 (so that picture was probably taken one of those times). 

1966 looked like a fairly full year!

Chris Came ...

Three years after Scott came into the world, he was blessed with a little brother ~ Christopher Mark Westra. 6 pounds, 7½ ounces, 19¼ inches long. Born at 11:42 am. You might wonder why there is a picture of Dad with a fish combined in the collage of photos of baby Chris, but it's because while the grandparents were up to see the baby, Rex and LaMar went fishing on the Columbia River and caught a steelhead that weighed more than Chris did!

Here's some of Mom's memories from the big day ...

Since Scott's labor was only maybe around 4 hours, I expected Chris to be even quicker. So we went to the hospital and I was dilated only to 3 and they sent me home. I was in labor all night with the pains 5 minutes apart and scared I would wait too long, but didn't want to be sent home again.  When I was admitted, I remember being in the delivery room and the pain was so bad, they gave me gas and put me "under" for a bit. When I regained consciousness, I recall thinking "somebody is screaming," then  realizing "Oh, it is me screaming...."  Chris was born on a Monday and I never missed a week of church. September 5th was Labor Day in 1966. The Labor and Delivery dept. was very overcrowded that day and there was no room to put me in after he was born, so my bed was just out in the hallway. I was sitting up and a nurse came by and said, "You shouldn't be sitting up!" She thought I hadn't had the baby yet and was in labor. Chris's was my hardest and longest birth, which surprised me because he wasn't that big.

Some memories from the baby book ...

• Dr. Robert E Chase. Nurse Beulah Liechty. 
• Kadlec Methodist Hospital/Richland, Washington. Room 419C.
• Hair was dark brown at birth, lighter later on, very sparse on top, one inch in back.
•  Blessed October 9, 1966 in Richland 1st ward. When Chris was held up after the blessing, he spit up at the congregation. Two other babies blessed that day.
• Very spitty baby (more than any of the other kids). Had to have a burp diaper on every chair around the house to grab quick when needed.
• Red birthmark on the forehead.
• Noted Events: The war in Vietnam. The popularity of the Beatles. Fashion trends - long hair on boys, miniskirts, granny dresses, the twist (dance).

Here's a little look at what else was going on in the world in September 1966 ...

 I just paid $1.09 for a dozen eggs in 2020 ... no inflation for eggs?

Check out the blog post "Baby Books and a Chris Questionnaire" for more memories of baby Chris!