Holly's Birthday: The REAL Story from her Pa

Mom was pregnant for the seventh time. We had some concerns that all would be well since the possibility of Down's syndrome is always there. We refrained from amnioncentesis since we would hae accepted the baby however God chose to give us.

Christmas and Mom's due date were near. All the presents were wrapped and decorating done.  Everything was favorable for labor and when I made rounds at Unity Hospital that Sunday morning I picked up one pitocin tablet to initiate the onset of labor later in the day. We had an early supper and about 5 PM I gave Mom the pill. Within the hour she was in active labor. Leaving Joe, 14 at the time, in charge of the rest of the Olive Plants, we left for Unity Hospital.

Dr. Clark Shattuck was on call and he arrived at labor and delivery promptly. I did not tell him that I had given Mom the pitocin. The labor proceeded uneventfully and Holly was born at 10:30 PM and she weighed 10 lbs., 12 oz., setting the record for all of the Olive Plants, She was perfectly healthy. Holly was the only Olive Plant that was not delivered by Dr. Don Halverson at the Winnebgo Hospital and had moved to California.

I returned home and Joe aka "Joey" had done a splendid job and he and all the others were abed and sleeping.  Morning arrived and everyone was excited!  We all bundled up and drove to Unity Hospital. That was the last year that children were not allowed on the maternity floor which was at that time on the 4th floor. So you six Olive Plants stood outside in the snow and cold, waving to Mom and did get a distant glimpse of Holly as well.

Mom and Holly stayed the usual five days and I brought them home on Christmas Eve. Each and everyone had a chance to hold her and I believe that somewhere I have photos of that happy event.  Your Mom and I had decided that it would be a good idea to purchase our first snowmobile and had bought what came to be known as the "Snow Pig" as well as a sleigh that could be towed behind it. These came from Robbinsdale Marine and included a snowmobile suit, helmet, snowmobile boots, and special snowmobiling gloves for each of the Olive plants, for Mom, and for myself.

On Christmas Day morning you children looked out the front window and saw the snowmobile and sleigh in the driveway complete with a large red bow, which each year thereafter served in a special photo with Holly, and which I still have to this day, usually placed on top of the lamp over the bar. The presents were opened and a very Merry Christmas was had by all! The snowmobile and sleigh were were put into immediate use that day!

Incidently, Ann later on affectionately nicknamed Holly "Squally" which rhymes nicely.  Dad used to sing this song to her: "It's a very nice baby, it's a very nice girl, rinky, dinkey poo-poo."