April 1982

4/1/1982: Michael & Peter got hold of a pair of scissors today and in fighting over them managed to slice Michael’s finger. Fortunately it isn’t too bad. I think both mother & son will survive.
We planted our garden tonight.
4/3/1982: Grandma, Grandpa & Sarah have come to visit for the weekend.
4/5/1982: Fresno called and offered Stephen the job! Hallelujah!
4/8/1982: 6:30 Seder Feast
Cindy arrived for the weekend just as we were leaving for church. A few minutes later and we would have been gone.
4/9/1982: Fresno is anxious to have Stephen. He was going to call and accept the offer today but they called him first. They offered $1,000 moving expenses. That will certainly help out. Of course he accepted the job.
4/10/1982: 10:00 Easter egg hunt
4/11/1982: Peter had a bloody nose today. He must have hit it coming down the stairs. It was a mess and of course he had his good clothes on. He wasn’t very cooperative about keeping his head back with a wet washcloth over his nose but we finally managed to get it to stop.
4/15/1982: WMS 9:00
4/17/1982: 9 – 11 Softball old timers
4/18/1982: We all took a walk to the ice cream shop today. The boys walked about halfway there and about halfway back. Peter ate every last bite of his cone but Michael didn’t eat much of his at all. Of course Daddy couldn’t let it go to waste! They were awfully tired when they got back and took about an hour’s nap.
4/20/1982: Michael climbed up the slide and went down all by himself today. Peter still tries to crawl up on his knees and sticks his feet out on the last rung instead of on the top.
4/22/1982: The boys are learning how to help dress themselves. They like to pull their shirts over their heads and Michael tries to put his own pants on.
4/29/1982: Wilma 1:00
4/30/1982: Stephen brought flowers today. Yellow and white daisies now brighten the kitchen.

March 1982

3/3/1982: Michael threw a tantrum last night at 1:00 in the morning. He cried for an hour straight. When I went in to give them their bottles this morning Michael was in Peter’s crib.
Iowa State chose another person.
3/5/1982: Finelli 8:00 Linda
Stephen wins two Boggle games.
3/7/1982: We moved the boys’ beds apart after Michael ended up on top of Peter. So last night when he got upset, he just climbed out of bed and came into our room. None of us got too much sleep after that. We were all so tired this morning that just Daddy went to church.
3/8/1982: Finelli 8:00 Steve
Peter’s bottom front tooth finally came through. We had begun to wonder if it ever would.
3/14/1982: Stephen left for Fresno today. I hate it when he has to travel. I’m not holding my breath about the job either, but we have to try every possibility.
3/17/1982: Hooray! Stephen gets home today. It has been a long week without him.
3/19/1982: Michael gets a cold. This time a month between colds – not bad.
3/20/1982: We went car shopping and decided to fix the Pinto instead. The cold germs are spreading as Peter gets it.
3/22/1982: We all slept through the entire night last night. That is quite an accomplishment. Barely a night goes by when Michael doesn’t climb out of his crib and end up in Peter’s or right next to the door. And if he’s quiet all night I usually have to visit the bathroom.
3/26/1982: This may not seem like a major accomplishment but the boys are learning how to blow their noses when I tell them to instead of me just wiping.

February 1982

2/1/1982: Rent
2/2/1982: Michael has figured out how to open our bedroom door.
2/4/1982: The boys have climbed another rung on the development ladder. They now can scale the door gates. They use the sit and spin toy as a stool.
2/5/1982: Linda reorganized the kitchen so the boys can be in it
2/7/1982: Jon's Birthday
Stephen leaves for a job interview at Iowa State
2/9/1982: Stephen returns home to find the whole family sick with bad colds.
2/11/1982: Michael and Peter using Mommy as a stool climbed into their beds. Stephen gets the "24 hour" bug. Also Michael can climb between the beds.
2/12/1982: Dobson 7 p.m.
2/13/1982: Peter eats lettuce
2/14/1982: With the side of his bed down Michael climbs out, thus quickly bringing an end to nap time.
2/15/1982: Michael surprises Mommy at the bathroom door. He now can climb out of bed with the sides up.
2/16/1982: Peter learns how to climb between their beds and climb out with the side down.
2/18/1982: WMS
2/19/1982: Volleyball 6:30
Cindy arrived just in time to play volleyball with us
2/20/1982: Sarah Birthday
2/21/1982: The boys like to put their heads through the openings of various clothes
2/22/1982: At meal time Peter has been having temper tantrums. Peter has been beating up Michael when he doesn't get his way.
2/24/1982: The boys have become "flashers." They like to expose their belly buttons
Peter was doing laps today. He would run from the kitchen to dining room to living room and back into the kitchen. He though it was great fun. Maybe he was training to be a marathon runner.
2/26/1982: Michael uses the sit and spin as a stool to turn the lights on and off
2/27/1982: Michael ate lettuce

January 1982

1/6/1982: 7:00 Eye Doctor
1/8/1982: Michael gets the 24 hour bug
1/9/1982: Cold wave hits -11 F
1/10/1982: The boys figured out how to climb up on the big round table using the over-turned rocking chair as a ladder. Once up they had fun with the thermometer turning it up to about 90. When discovered, their bottoms were warmed to about 90 too!
1/11/1982: Freno 11:15
1/13/1982: The boys went out and played in the snow for the first time today. Daddy put plastic bags and his socks over their feet since they don't have boots. He said they had a lot of fun and didn't want to come back inside!
1/14/1982: Pay Insurance
1/16/1982: Another cold wave -16 F
1/17/1982: Peter gets another cold
The high for the day was -5 F
1/18/1982: Today was real "warm" 19 F
Peter loves to hide behind Mommy when Daddy is trying to change his diapers.
1/19/1982: Freno 11:15
Peter weighs 28#
Michael " 24# 6 oz
Peter 33"
Michael 32"
1/20/1982: The boys like to spin around.
1/21/1982: The boys have their teeth brushed for the first time. They don't like the taste of toothpaste
1/23/1982: Aunt Cindy came to visit
1/25/1982: Peter got the flu today. It's surprising that it took over 2 weeks from the time Michael had it till Peter got it. Usually they have everything together.
1/27/1982: Mom's Birthday
1/28/1982: 8:30 AM McCreary
1/30/1982: It finally happened. One of the boys got stuck with a diaper pin. Peter was the unlucky victim and Daddy was the culprit. Still, our record is pretty good - 18 months without a stick.

October - December 1981

10/5/1981: Michael's eighth tooth came through today.
10/17/1981: I got a curly perm today. It didn't seem to phase Michael at all but Peter wouldn't have anything to do with me all day. He kept real close to his Daddy.
10/20/1981: 2:45 Freno
10/29/1981: 7:15 Friday
10/30/1981: The boys went trick-or-treating tonight. They really looked cute in their clown outfits. Of course their daddy got most of their candy
10/31/1981: Michael was so angry tonight that he flipped himself out of his crib. What can we do with him if he's not even safe in his crib?

11/23/1981: Stephen passed his defense today with flying colors. Just a few minor rewrites and he will be done. And to think he was so worried about it
11/25/1981: Cindy arrived today to spend Thanksgiving weekend with us.

12/2/1981: Stephen turned everything in today. He is now officially "Dr. Ott." He even beat the deadline by 2 days.
12/11/1981: Graduation was today. It was just a formality but it sure gave us a lot of pleasure. Anyway, he now has document in hand. Nothing can take his Ph.D. away from him
12/24/1981: We went to Michigan to spend Christmas with Stephen's folks.

July - September 1981

7/26/1981: The boys had their birthday party today. It was a success even though Mommy forgot to put eggs in the chocolate cake!
7/27/1981: The boys are 1 yr old today. I can't believe how much they've learned in one short year!

9/20/1981: We got back to Columbus today. It is so good to be home. Boy does our apt seem small though. It will be good to move
9/25/1981: We all have the flu. I thought it was the hot dogs we had for dinner last night but Stephen didn't have them and he's sick too.
Cindy has come to help us move
9/27/1981: We moved to our new apt. today. What a hassle. Cindy was no help at all - she got the flu this morning!

June 1981

6/3/1981: Stephen gave his 8th pint of blood today. He is now a member of the gallon club.
6/4/1981: Michael is learning how to climb. He pulled the cushion off the love seat and crawled up. He really enjoyed playing with all the trash under the cushions. From there he was also able to reach everything on the top of the love seat. Now where do I keep things?
6/5/1981: Prayer Breakfast
Michael stood up on his own today. He was standing in his crib when he let go. He grinned from ear to ear!
6/6/1981: Softball 11:00 O.T.
Stephen got his first hit of the softball season. Unfortunately it didn't help much. The team still has not won a game.
6/8/1981: Mountview finally won a softball game! They beat St. Marks 10-6. They've got a streak going!
6/10/1981: Stephen left for an interview at CSU this morning. He was fairly nervous about it but I'm sure he'll do fine. I just hope I can survive until he gets home Friday.
6/12/1981: Peter started clapping his hands today. He certainly is thrilled about it. He gets the biggest smile on his face every time he claps.
Stephen got home this afternoon!
6/20/1981: Merry's wedding was today. It was beautiful. It was all I could do to keep from crying.
6/21/1981: Michael has learned how to put the rings back on the rock-a-stack. Each day the boys develop just a little bit more
6/24/1981: We started the first leg of our trip to Colorado today. I am very pleased with how well the boys are traveling. As a treat, Dad and I took them swimming in the hotel pool tonight
6/25/1981: Peter's fourth tooth came through today. It has been just below the surface for a couple of months now.
6/26/1981: We finally made it to Mom and Dad's. I don't think the boys or I ever want to get into a car again. The boys were really wonderful for the entire trip.
6/28/1981: The boys are eating like little pigs. I don't know where they put it all! If they keep eating like this they're soon going to be too big for me to carry.
6/29/1981: Michael tried to climb over the gate today. I think he might have succeeded if Cindy hadn't been there to hold him back

May 1981

5/1/1981: Michael is doing a lot better today. The reason he probably had a fever yesterday is that he now has 5 teeth.
Cindy's trip to Ireland has been called off. I'm very relieved but she is understandably very disappointed
5/2/1981: Cindy and I went to King's Island today. We had a pretty good time until I started to get sick. I just can't tolerate the sun at all.
5/4/1981: Freno 11:00
We thought Michael had the measles this morning. He woke up with splotches all over. It turned out to be caused by the antibiotic for his eye so we discontinued it.
5/5/1981: Stephen had an interview by phone with Call-Poly, San Luis Obispo today. He thinks it went fairly well although he did tell them he preferred research to teaching. We will know about the results around the first of June.
5/10/1981: Steve's Mom and Dad came down today to watch the boys swim. Unfortunately the boys didn't do too well. Later we all went to Bob Evans. The boys really chowed down. Peter finally got another tooth.
5/14/1981: We started to teach the boys how to drink from a cup tonight. Michael seemed to catch on really quickly but Peter really didn't catch on at all. It just drizzled down his chin and he kept throwing the cup on the floor.
Steve is ready to write!!!
5/15/1981: Michael played peek-a-boo with the blanket today. He must have learned it from Peter who always plays peek-a-boo with a diaper or bib. Once he got tangled up in the blanket so I had to help him out.
5/16/1981: The boys had their first ice cream today. Actually it was soft serve that we got at Flipper's. We used spoons to give them bites off of our cones. The really liked it and were mad when we wouldn't give them more.
5/19/1981: Spring Banquet 6:00
Peter stood up in his crib today. He was really excited about it until he tried to get down. The he didn't know what to do except to let go and let gravity do its work.
5/20/1981: Michael is finally saying Mama. He doesn't know exactly what he is saying but at least he is making the sounds
5/21/1981: Michael started clapping his hands today. He thought it was really great and broke into a beautiful smile.
Micheal got his hair cut today so it would nice for his pictures. Unfortunately he moved so he has a big chunk out of the back.
5/22/1981: The boys had their pictures taken today. Michael smiled like an angel but Peter just gave kind of a blank look. You can't really blame him though - we had to wait a long time and he was tired and hungry.
At the picnic tonight Peter started to crawl for the first time
5/25/1981: Michael's sixth tooth came through today.
5/26/1981: Peter learned how to get down after he stands up. It was really fun to watch him trying to figure out how to do it. You could almost see the wheels turning. Now maybe he won't be so fussy all the time.

April 1981

4/1/1981: The boys and I went to Daddy's office for lunch today. We didn't tell him we were coming up and since we ended up being a little late he met us about halfway. Next time we won't try to surprise him. It was the boys' first picnic.
4/2/1981: Michael got another tooth today. It's the left upper front tooth
4/10/1981: 11:45 Finelli
4/11/1981: The boys took a bath with daddy tonight. It was pretty crowded in that tub with 3 boys in it together, but everyone seemed to enjoy it. Daddy especially got a big kick out of it.
4/12/1981: Today was the boys first swimming lesson. It was great. They both seemed to take to the water right away. Peter did especially well. He's going to be the real swimmer of the family.
4/13/1981: Michael finally got his 4th tooth today. I though he would have it within a day or two of the other one but it has taken almost 2 weeks
4/14/1981: WMS 6:30 PM
4/16/1981: WMS 9:00 Jelaine Lewis
7 pm Schellenberger 4661 Mooreland
4/18/1981: The boys went on an Easter egg hunt today and they each found 1 egg. Of course, it wasn't too hard since Daddy set them each down in front of an egg. Next year they'll probably find them all themselves
4/19/1981: The boys got us up for the early service today. Unfortunately, we had the wrong starting times and ended up being 15 mins. late. The boys were so cute dressed up in their little sailor outfits
4/23/1981: Michael was able to grab the mail off of the table. Now for sure nothing is safe from him
4/27/1981: Michael has a bad eye infection. The doctor gave him a shot and some medicine to take at home and she wants to see him again tomorrow. If it's not better he might have to go to the hospital.
4/28/1981: Thank goodness Michael's eye is better. He just has to finish the medicine and it should clear up.
Peter is learning the concept of "in." He has been playing with the bean bag and putting the beak of the chicken in it
4/29/1981: Peter stood up at the couch today. He really worked hard at and he was very excited about his accomplishment. Now we'll have 2 little boys pulling things off the furniture!
4/30/1981: Michael had a temp. of 101.4 today so we called the doctor. We have to go in to see her tomorrow.
Peter split his lip today. He knows how to get up but he hasn't figured out how to get back down

March 1981

3/1/1981: Joy of joys! Michael and I seem to have picked up Peter's cold. Cindy goes back to school today but we'll see her again soon for her spring break
3/4/1981: 11:00 Freno
Peter and I were sure having fun tonight! He was really in a laughing mood. He smiles a lot but doesn't usually laugh so I had to enjoy it while it lasted
3/5/1981: Peter has really figured out how to scoot. He doesn't get around as much as Michael but he can go after a toy he wants
3/10/1981: Peter's second tooth finally came through. It has been just below the surface for a couple weeks now
3/12/1981: The boys had their first graham cracker today. They seemed to enjoy it pretty well although I'm not sure how much the actually ate. Most of it ended up on their faces and hands and on the floor
3/13/1981: We started putting the boys in the high chair to eat today. It really seems to make a difference, especially with Peter. Now we have to find another high chair
3/14/1981: 6:30 Potluck bring salad
3/17/1981: WMS 12:30
Finelli 12:00
Cindy and the boys and I walked over to the fabric store to buy material for Cindy's swimsuit. Unfortunately, Michal seems to have caught a cold from being out.
3/18/1981: 9:00 NationWide
Michael sat up from his crawling position. He was in among my sewing machine, sewing chest and tge chairs which kind of helped him. The only problem was there was so much stuff around he couldn't get back down.
3/19/1981: WMS 9:00 Linda Cleverly
Well, Michael's done it. It took 2 days but I now have a cold. Michael got it Tues., Peter picked it up Weds., and now I have it too. It's not fair that we're all sick at the same time.
3/23/1981: We got our income tax back today. Uncle Sam decided to give us $497 more than we expected. They decided we were eligible for the earned income credit. We certainly aren't going to argue!
3/24/1981: Michael crawled today. We were at Grandma Fern's. He didn't crawl far but it was a start. To top that feat, he stood up in his crib. It won't be long before he walks from couch to chair, etc.
3/29/2001: 7:00 St. Andrew's Ball

February 1981

2/1/1981: Michael doesn't like the playpen. He much prefers being out where he can get into everything
2/2/1981: 1:30 Westphal
The doctor took the stiches out of my hand but I still can't do anything till Thurs.
2/4/1981: Peter sure gets frustrated seeing Michael scoot around. He hasn't figured out how to do it yet
2/8/1981: Michael and Peter both had a tooth break through today. We can't really see them yet but they are sharp above the guns!
2/12/1981: Peter has learned to roll from his back to his stomach. It probably won't be long now till he's scooting around too.
2/16/1981: Both boys held their own juice bottles today. Peter's not too good at it but Michael can take his out, play with it, and put it back in his mouth. Soon they'll be feeding themselves!
2/17/1981: WMS 12:30
2/19/1981: WMS 9:00 Judy Pope
Michael seems to be starting to recognize his name. He will turn around and look at me when I call him.
2/20/1981: Peter was really going after Michael tonight. He looked like a little puppy dog shaking his head and trying to get his mouth on Michael's head, face, arms, whatever was closest
2/21/1981: Peter was singing with Lawrence Welk tonight. It was a country western show and he squealed and beat his foot in time to the music
2/22/1981: Michael's second tooth is finally in. A corner of it broke through about a week ago but now it is completely through
2/24/1981: Peter has developed a habit of sticking his tongue out. Every time you look at him, there is that cute little tongue
2/26/1981: Peter has come down with another cold. I'm sure the rest of us will have it soon.
2/27/1981: Cindy got lost on her way here. Steve had to go rescue her.
2/28/1981: Peter pulled himself forward this morning in quest of the plastic bunny rabbit.
Michael somehow managed to get way under the playpen. I had to go rescue him

January 1981

1/1/1981: Michael rolls stomach to back
1/3/1981: Peter rolls stomach to back
1/5/1981: Dr. Freno 2:00
1/15/1981: WMS 9:00
1/16/1981: Dr. Westphal 11:00
1/18/1981: Steve's parents visit
Steve's toolchest is stolen - worth ~$169 - we have a $250 deductible on insurance
1/19/1981: Steve's parents visit
1/20/1981: Dr. Westphal 1:00
1/21/1981: Job Service 9:30
OARDC blocks unemployment for Steve
1/22/1981: The other guy accepted Missouri's offer
1/25/1981: Michael creeps forward - nothing is safe from him now!
1/26/1981: Michael rolls back to stomach
1/29/1981: RACC 7:15 PM
1/31/1981: We got the playpen today. We looked all over trying to find one big enough and sturdy enough for the boys but within our price range