The First Year

Image courtesy of https://nicolesteffen.com/2025/10/28/why-pretty-design-cant-fix-a-broken-product/

The first time your parents met you they said you “kicked up a storm” and were quite fussy and cried much of the time they were there. When asked about her first impression of you, your mom stated, “When I saw her for the first time, I knew she was going to be just fine.” She thought you were cute and was not put off by your fussiness. They signed the adoption agreement the next morning. 

On the first home visit (6/23/1967) everyone in the family was happy and excited about the new addition to the family. Mrs. Brehmer stated Joey was not jealous of the baby and loved to watch the baby and laugh. Your parents said you were such a good baby from the moment they brought you home. You were a good sleeper and a good eater. You loved all food except green beans. The social worker thought your parents seemed very relaxed with you and handled you with ease as well as pleased and proud of your adoption. When the social worker held you, she thought you were a very strong, alert baby who would follow every moving object around you. She stated you seemed content and were very active and wiggly. You were almost able to turn over at this time. When asked how relatives were accepting the child Mrs. Brehmer stated everyone thinks she is adorable and looks like the Gerber baby.

On the second visit (9/29/1967) the social worker stated your mother talked very proudly of you and she could see why since you were a lovely baby with large brown eyes and medium brown hair that was a perfect length for your round face. Your mother stated you were the best baby and has barely had any trouble. Your family thought you were so special, and everyone would comment on how cute you were. While sitting in the social workers lap, she noted how quick you were to notice things and would reach for them immediately. You seemed to have good coordination and liked to stand up. You were unable to crawl at this time but would pull yourself across the floor and were quite mobile. You loved to turn over from one side to another and loved kicking. Your mother stated you could keep yourself occupied while in your playpen for quite a long time. You also seemed to enjoy the jumper babe. Your brother liked to take you around and show you off to people and watch television with you. 

On the third visit (12/19/1967) you were about to turn 11-months old and had seemed to grow much taller and heavier from the last visit. Your hair had grown out to show your natural curls. You had begun walking around furniture and your mother was sure you would be taking your first steps any day. The social worker thought you looked very strong and agile since you were rolling around and crawling. You were able to say “Mama, Dada and Baby” and did so quite clearly. You showed your talents of doing “patta cake and so big.” You were very bright and alert and did not appear to be scared of strangers. Your mother stated you were a joy to have in the family, were good natured, and ate and slept well. You no longer liked the play pen and would cry when put in it. You and your brother rough-housed a bit, and your mother stated you loved playing rough with your brother. 

On the fourth post placement visit (3/29/1968) you were described as a very pretty girl with brown curly hair, a round face, small brown eyes, fat cheeks, a fair complexion and usually had a ready smile on your face. You had six teeth at this time, slept and ate well, and usually woke up around 7 am. You were now walking and would tire yourself out more now, which led to more naps. Your speaking plateaued and you were doing a lot of squealing instead. You were very mobile, and your parents stated you got into everything. You showed off by grabbing a scarf and draping it around your neck.  The social worker stated you seemed a bit spoiled and would scream if you did not get your way. On this visit you enjoyed some strawberry ice cream and cake and appeared to have a sweet tooth. You later pushed a stool up to the counter to grab your ice cream spoon and began running it through your hair. Your mother acted very casually and asked for the spoon back and wiped off the mess. You pouted a little but then wrinkled your nose and burst into a large smile. 

On a home visit (6/7/1968) you seemed in good spirits and had grown a lot from the previous visit. Your parents stated, “they wouldn’t trade you and your brother for the world.” You were very healthy but were very afraid of the doctor at your last visit and would scream when they came into the room. You had nine teeth, but they were coming in rather odd. You had gotten molars instead of your eye teeth which worried your mother, but the doctor said not to be alarmed. As the adults were talking, you began playing in the social workers purse and seemed very curious. Your mother stated you were a daddy’s girl and would follow him around the house when he was home. 

Your adoption was completed on 10/7/68.