Tuesday, August 30, 1977 “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
So is our world traveler home yet? We’re planning to visit this weekend, but don’t fuss over anything to get ready for us. We know you’re both busy and that Mom will be really exhausted from “vacationing” in Japan!
Thursday, September 8, 1977 “Praise the Lord…for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:31) Hi! Thanks for the wonderful Labor Day Weekend. It is always such a treat to be with you. Aaron still talks about wanting to go to “Grandma’s house” and the buffalo (of all things). [They took us to a zoo over in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada, where there were buffalo.] The morning after we got back he wanted “Papa” (the picture of both of you) and said, “I kiss it!” giving it so many smackers I was afraid he would ruin the picture! I sure wish we lived closer and could come over for the afternoon now and then. Maybe in a few years. 
Fifteen minutes after we got home Monday night, Elizabeth Lang called. She’s to start nursing school at the University of Michigan this Friday, had already arrived in Ann Arbor, and was homesick! So, we told her to hop on a bus and come visit us until she got ready for school. She played with Aaron and helped me around the house, and Aaron and I showed her around Detroit. She left late last night and hopefully is ready to “attack” and enjoy college. It was fun to share her excitement and fears…and to remember my own nine years ago. Do you remember that Dad drove Wolle [my older brother], Alan, and me down to Detroit that Labor Day weekend? Wolle was in medical school, and Alan and I just starting college! I was so lonesome and homesick by the time I got to B.J., but Alan had sent me a huge bouquet of flowers and Marcy Ward came over immediately to be a big sister. Do you remember when you first went away from home? Sweet memories, huh?
Tuesday, September 13, 1977 It’s a rainy afternoon, and Aaron is having a nice snooze. Alan has been busier than a hound this week; he has to present a paper and orally review a case for about 40 doctors Thursday (after which people ask all types of esoteric questions…to which he’s supposed to give brilliant replies, of course), so he’s been burning lots of midnight oil all week.
I’ve got all the infant clothes unpacked and have re-juggled all of Aaron’s drawers to try and fit in all the new baby’s belongings. [Our apartment was 900 sq. feet…pretty small!] I’ve bought the needed new tee shirts, rubber pants, diapers, etc., so I think everything is ready for Baby II and Grandma I! All I need to do is pack a suitcase for the hospital, but that can wait for another week (I hope). Actually, I still think the baby is more likely to arrive October 1-8 than in September, but anytime now is just fine with me. I’m still feeling well, so it’s easy to be content waiting.
Aaron can now count to ten correctly but with the consistent omission of “seven” unless I remind him. He’s also beginning to get the hang of snatches of his ABC’s and several of his favorite songs. Everything is “I’ll help you,” so I hope you’re ready for a nice slow pace around our house, Mom! I remember that you always let me “help,” so I try to muster up some of your angelic patience and not mind the messes!
Friday, September 23, 1977 A new Dutch couple moved into our building, and I spend several days watching their two kids (twenty months and five years) while they got settled. Then too, Aaron and I have been fighting a losing battle with the fall cold season and have felt like doing nothing but cuddling on the couch and blowing our noses! I would truly like to get over this cold before the baby comes. 
Tuesday I had a pre-natal check up. At dinner that night Alan asked Aaron what the doctor said. “Michael comes!” he responded. He is already quite excited about having a “tiny baby” sister or brother. He has a “doctor bag” like Alan’s and takes out his red toy stethoscope to listen to the fetal heartbeat, etc. He was also really excited to say, “Hi” to Grandma on the phone last night and has been asking for you all morning!
Alan has his first big exam next Thursday. It might be nice to have Baby II after his exam, but then Aaron arrived just before Alan’s first exam two years ago, so maybe we should keep up a good tradition…Actually, I’d secretly like to have the baby on my birthday again. That would make such a nice birthday present! 
The terrible two’s seem to have begun for Aaron, not in that he’s so terrible, but he’s contrary. At first Alan and I would take him seriously when he’d say “no” (because he used to mean what he said), but we’ve finally learned to guess the best we can and act accordingly. For instance, Alan got off early the other day and invited us to Belle Isle to feed the ducks. Aaron said he didn’t want to go, so we headed in the opposite direction for a little drive to another park, but then Aaron lamented for ten minutes, “First feed duckies…Belle Isle!” So we all live and learn! 
Aaron’s looking forward to seeing Grandma soon, but he also wants you to bring Grandpa and Robert— think you could swing that??! I’m hoping for another October 2nd baby, but any time will do, probably October 2-8 or so.
Summer Setting 