1956 4 4 Irene Schnack to Olive Schnack

This letter, written by my mom to my paternal grandmother, announces the birth of my brother.  My mother told me that she and my father had not told their families about this pregnancy because of the 'talk' of having another child so soon after my own birth.  My brother was born prematurely; he and I are 10-months apart in age.

The family members in this letter and their relationship to my mother are:

• 'Ma' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, her mother-in-law
• 'Cindy Lou' is Cindy Lou Schnack Arsenault Coffell, her daughter
• 'Jake' was Walter J. Schnack, her husband
• 'Eddie' was Edward Alexander Schnack, her brother-in-law
• 'Doris' is Doris Jane Rose Hastings, her husband's cousin
• 'Viv' was Vivian Eleanor Schnack Cope, her sister-in-law
• 'Mom' or 'Mother' was Ruth Elma Harder Cole, her mother
• 'Tinker' is Margaret Elizabeth Cole Gray, her sister
• 'Raymond' is Raymond Cole Schnack, her son

April 4, 1956

Dear Ma and all,

About a month ago I started a letter to you and got as far as the envelope.  About two weeks ago I got one page written.  Now I'm starting over again.  I hope to finish today.

Cindy Lou has finally cut a tooth.  It came through a week ago Sunday on the the bottom.  She sure is a little pill and gets into just everything and she's only 10 months old.  I don't know what I'll do when she starts walking.  She sure is jealous.  One of the couples we are renting a room to, has a two month old baby and she doesn't like it at all if Jake or I hold it.  She will stand beside you and just holler.  I'll have to break her of that, I don't want a jealous and selfish child.

I don't know what the thermometer reads today but it must be in the 90°s.

We have three rooms rented now.  I can't think of much of anything to say.

Yes, Cindy Lou both creeps and walks by holding on furniture or pushing a chair around.

How is Eddie making out?  Does he still like his job?  Does he get a vacation?

Yes, we got the money from the post office and we have had the teakettle for about two months.  I hope to get it sent soon.

We got a wedding invitation to Doris' wedding.  Would you find out for me what she would like and needs?

We got the More Journal.  I have read it all through and found it very interesting.

Would you send us a write up of Doris' wedding from the paper when its in?  We let our subscription expire and haven't felt we could squander the money for a renewal.  Now we get very little news from back home.  I suppose if I wrote more often, I'd hear more news.  I'll try to write more but I'm so busy and haven't been feeling up to par.

We got some more clothes for Cindy Lou from Viv.  We call the pink nylon her Easter dress.  We bought Cindy Lou a green corduroy coat and hat for Easter and since I found the first tooth, I got her a full, stiff slip to help the dress stand out.  We took her picture with the dress on Easter.  Of course, I'm standing behind the tree holding her hand so it will look more like she is alone.  She has a chocolate Easter egg which one of our ex-roomers got her and a chocolate bunny.  We haven't given her either of them yet.

Yesterday, I got a package from Mom with a darling jacket Tinker had made

for Cindy Lou, two polo shirts, two overalls, and a sweet little yellow dress.  Cindy Lou sure is a lucky child and we're lucky to not have to buy her too much.

I started giving Cindy Lou her bath at night in the tub.  You should see her.  She just loves the water.  She splashes and gets on her tummy and makes like she is swimming.

I had her to the Well Baby Clinic about two weeks ago.  She weighs 22 lbs. and is 29 in. tall now.  She is supposed to get polio shots when she is one year which won't be long now.  I didn't think I wanted her to have them but Jake and I talked it over and decided to give them to her.

I just can't think of much more to say.  I'll wait 'til Jake gets here to seal it up and maybe we can give you some more news.

Jake couldn't think of anything to add on so now we'll let you in on a secret.  We don't want any nightgowns or receiving blankets.  We have plenty from Cindy Lou.  We don't need any large blankets either.  You have another grandson.  He is six weeks premature but doing pretty good.  I'm fine myself.  They give the rooming in plan here but I can't have little Raymond for another day or two.  He is in the incubator.  Jake says he looks more like a baby than Cindy Lou did.  I had this one entirely without anesthesia.  They usually give Demerol but wouldn't give me any because of the baby.  Yesterday, the doctor told me they'd bring me the baby today, but changed

his mind this morning as they can't leave him out of the incubator yet.  I'm supposed to go home Monday.  I asked the doctor if the baby would be able to go with me and he said he couldn't say yet.

Now you understand another reason why I haven't been writing so often.  This pregnancy has kept me worn out.  I have been to the doctors every week since November. 

I had an appointment with the doctor Tuesday, my delivery day.  When Jake got home to bring me, I had my suitcase packed.  I knew I'd be staying.  I started my labor at 6:30 in the AM but it was very irregular until about 3:45.  I had 3 or 4 sharp pains and delivered little Raymond.

I haven't had him in my arms yet but I have seen him through the nursery window and right after he was delivered.

Well, I must close now and write the good news to my mother.

Love,
Irene Jake, and two little ones

P.S.
We hope you aren't angry with us for keeping the secret but we both wanted it this way.

Raymond Cole Schnack birth registration