Children

Letter from Dad to Granny (Magdalena)

September 29th, 1951

Dear mother, we were pleased no end to receive your letter of the 26th. For a while I had feared that, after becoming a grandmother, you had lost your sixth or worrying sense. But now the balance is re-established, and I see that you continue to worry and misinterpret as usually. Since I feel that this makes you happier than taking things the easy way, I really don't mind it a bit. Unfortunntely, Jani tokes it much harder and gets upset by those worry-letters, although she should know you much better. To answer your questions carefully I am folloring your letter point by point. 

1. Nobody stays in a maternity hospital for more than a week, in New York even less. Early ambulation has by now become a generally adopted principle which everybody practices. My professor objected to her traveling immediately after discharge, not to her getting up. In addition, the facilities of the hospital here  were not such as to entice anybody to stay longer. One can die from boredom and one is not even compensated by good food. This does not mean that she could not or did not rest for the second week. She did not go home, but was driven home, where a very nice new bed awaited her and where she had the comforts of on own home. A visiting nurse and a caretaker for the house assumed the responsibilities for the heavy work. All Jani had to do was nurse the baby. I tried that once, but it does not seem to work. (So the story of the little refugee is probably not true: When looking for a job he was told that there was a demand for wet nurses only and exclaimed "Let me watch once and I can do it.")!. I watched many times and still cannot do it. The parents are coming tomorrow and will assume housekeeping obligations. Jani has not gone out further than the porch and spends a good time lying down. I took several days off starting today and will help.

2. The Bible states that Abraham circumcised all males in nis household regardless of age. Medical custom nowadays advises circumcision as early as possible, because it greatly reduces the incidence of cancer of the penis. Neither the bible nor medical publications made special allowances for Rosetta's child, and I think it justified that as glorious a baby as hers should have had a very special date for the circumcision. I trust the amputated specimen was preserved in a platinum frame! After two reeks it should have been of rather venerable size.

3. Jani was a patient in good standing, and, God forbid, did not upset any nurse..

4. I am rather astonished that you limit Jani to an afternoon nap, since I always insist on a morning and and afternoon rest. - The milk is running over, because apparently it did not ranlise that it needed 6 weeks to  establish itself. 

5. All presents arrived in time. Jani's reaction was probably, delayed, because she was so taken up with the baby. The handbag is really glorious and the coat the sweetest thing I have seen. My own present is really the only one that is delayed, not due to my fault. The mail situation. was snarled up for a couple of days only. I hod the choice of picking up the mil or staying with Jani preferred the intter.

Dearest mother, I love you very much with or without worrying. I only hope, on the threshold of Rosch Haschana, that for many, many years, your worries will have as little foundations as at present and in the past. Let me wish you a very happy year and a year which will witness the first meeting of grandson and granny. Worry as much as desire, because this is your prerogative. But, once in a while at least, give us credit for a little sense. Otherwise I'll have to start worrying about you, and you rouldn't want me to do that.

Leshono tauro Love Henry

Jani is feeding right now and sends her love. I want to get the letter off with the last mail which goes off in half an hour. Today we got a nice jacket from [??}

Letter from Dad to Aunt Franka and Uncle Tramer (Google translate)

February 22, 1954

Dear aunt and dear uncle

While I was not able to be the first to share the good news with you, it gives me the greatest pleasure to at least be able to give you the details first. Everything went very smoothly, although the child was consistently in the breech position and complications could be expected. At midnight Jani started. lose some water and half an hour later contractions started, which were fairly light for a long time. Only in the last hour did she feel more pain. The baby was born at 4:44 am on February 19th. So she was only in labor for about four hours. Shirley Ann weighed 7 lbs ¾ oz (about 3.2 kilos) and was 19¼ inches long (about 48 cm.) She is very fair with blonde hair and blue eyes, has chubby cheeks and looks very friendly. She doesn't resemble Babsy[1] at all, but somehow bears a resemblance to both grandmothers. The night before last Jani started feeding her and it seems she is doing well (Babsy was a bad baby). As you can imagine, I am extremely happy. We had very much hoped for a girl to complete the family. But you can't always choose.  Jani feels much better this time than after the last delivery. We had a very good doctor who stayed in the hospital all the time during labor and took great care of Jani. Of course she still has complaints, but she is in very good spirits. The heir takes the whole affair very calmly. During the night he didn't wake up despite the commotion in the house, and in the morning I was back to dress him and give him breakfast. He was prepared for the baby's arrival and readily accepted my explanation that Mummy was at the doctor's. He talks to Jani over the phone in his own inimitable way. Else is very happy and having a great time with the neighbors. But now I've taken a vacation and can take care of him more. Jani will probably come home tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Then of course she has to take good care of herself. But, as I said, I won't be going to work for two weeks, and besides, we have a neighbor who is on very good terms with Babsy and will often look after him.

Unfortunately, news of Shirley's birth overshadowed all other news. But that's not to say we forget all the other new developments in the family. Dear aunt, we were extremely happy when mother wrote to us about your appointment as professor. We congratulate you on this well-deserved honor. As I wrote to Uncle at the time, this outward recognition can hardly increase your scientific stature. Your achievements are unforgettable; but I am very pleased that the official authorities have now also acknowledged it. I must confess that I am very proud to be able to call two professors uncle and aunt.

...[see Psychiatric Exchanges ]

 -- So much for the science department. I'm about to go to Jani in the hospital, but I still want to send this letter. Jani will write to you personally. All the best and thank you for the adorable cardigan.

your nephew

Henry

Berne, 2/28/54.

Dear Jani and dear Henry,

I was very happy to hear that despite the difficult situation, the birth went well thanks to your brave behavior, Jani, and that the child is doing well. You, Jani, will probably have recovered soon too. But with you at en, I felt particularly heartfelt joy that it is a girl as desired, so that the family complements it "sensibly". Little Shirley Ann now sends my heartfelt congratulations "'afterwards" in an adapted form for happy prosperity on his "zero" birthday as.

...[see Psychiatric Exchanges ]

But now back to everyday life and this with warmest greetings to Jani and to you, as well as to the boy and the girl,

Your uncle