Joni's 32nd birthday and Tom's 57th

32 years ago on the 20th of July I was blessed with my very first baby and she was a beautiful little girl. I was up early to take Tom to work and then I had about a million things to do. Go to the store, pay bills, Dr's appointment and Tom's birthday. I did everything I needed to up until the Dr's apt but after visiting the Dr I went to pick up Tom because the Dr said I was in labor and was going to have the baby that night. We went to the hospital around 4 o'clock, Dr Rasmussen came around 5:40 to break my water and then we waited for our little baby to make its way into the world. Tom was with me the whole time in the labor room helping me along and then around 8:30 it was time for me to deliver. Tom got ready to go in and then at 8:48 pm July 20th Joni came into the world. Tom and I were both so pleased and I was so happy to have our little girl. She weighed 7 lbs 11.5 oz and was 20 3/4 in tall. Tom got to hold her for awhile and then they put her on my tummy so I could see her. She looked so beautiful. The nurse kept saying she is going to have black hair and I was so pleased that she had Tom's hair and not mine! I went to the recovery room for about an hour, Joni to the nursery and Tom to call friends and relatives.l We all got to together again around 10:30 pm and we fed Joni for the first time. Tom went home around 11:30 and then I tried to sleep which I didn't do all night. I was too excited I guess. The next day Tom, Joni and I all got better acquainted and I got to see what a good baby she was. She hardly ever cried. We came home from the hospital today. On our way we stopped off at Sears and bought a mattress for our crib which Tom held on to all the way home ( on the roof of our car). Our first day at home has been a success. Everything seems to be going well and the people in our ward have been a help. It is so fun to see Tom and Joni together. You can just see how proud Tom is and it makes me feel so happy. Tom has been doing the housework and I am just taking it easy. l I am heading off to bed now because I am real tired but a happy mother and wife. ( Journal entry July 21st 1978)

Happy Birthday Smart Cookie. You are a wonderful daughter and I am lucky to be your mom.