Friday January 20, 1984

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

Samuel has a hairy back and shoulders, you know. I have to record these things because in ten years time who will remember? A freezing but bright day. A full washing line again. Sister Matthews came to see our son for the last time. She is on holiday next week and so we are to have another nurse. Ally felt quite at ease with the homely Miss Matthews. Perhaps we'll see her again some day. Samuel's tiny bit of umbilicle cord fell off too. Cards arrived from Bessie's cronies: Avril Hargreaves at Chilland Barn, and Margaret Hellier in Doncaster. My pay arrived from the brewery. £420 for doing absolutely nothing. I haven't set foot behind a bar since Christmas Eve. I find their kindness heart rending. Our society isn't all grab and coldness. Orwell's 1984 isn't here yet though David Tyne does look a little like 'Big Brother'. L. Gledhill phoned at 10 as I was washing nappies and says we can start at the Moorhouse on February 13, a Monday. This should give us a little extra time with Samuel first. I have to go to court in Leeds on Friday Feb 10th. Ally phoned Bessie who is flying to Jersey and then on to Guernsey to join Frank. She is dining with a pack of bankers wives tonight and is taking photos of Samuel with her. The knitting needles are continuing to click furiously at Winchester and at Horton-in-Ribblesdale. We discussed Samuel's christening. How about Mothering Sunday? Godparents are to be Lynn, Sue, and Dave G and Andrew._________. Will shall have to find the church at Hunslet and start the ball rolling. This evening: had salad. Watched a St Trinians film. They are masterpieces of British comedy. Bed at 11. Snatched a few hours sleep. Dropped off to the sound of Samuel breathing furiously in his basket. Is he reallyh ours to keep?

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Thursday January 19, 1984

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

Before I forget - Samuel had his vitamin K injection yesterday. He was very brave and only squealed once. He was fed in the middle of the night and then slept until 7. I went out into the frost and ascended Paternoster Lane to collect a prescription for eye drops. Samuel has a weepy left eye which has matted. I slid around in the ice with all the folk heading out to work. What a blessing it is that I no longer have to battle my way into Leeds every day as in days of old. We had a leisurely breakfast sat at the table. Eating off trays does become a habit. In the middle of our repast a midwife appeared with a male nurse, and because of this my Rice Krispies went soggy. Sister Matthews gave Samuel his eye drops and inspected his umbilicle cord which bled slightly. It should have fallen off by now. Later, I added my son to the family tree. He is the fourth Samuel Rhodes in a line going back to about 1840. The last is of course my poor cousin Samuel ____________. 

We ate odds and ends and couldn't be bothered cooking anything. Ally had a fit of giggles writing to her aunts thanking them for presents. She was amused at some of the suggestions thrown in by me. Eventually she turned out a couple of run of the mill lettters. I went out to buy a loaf and a birthday card for Graham Smith. Ally phoned Charlotte Smith, who was delighted at our news. Isobel is three feet tall. Is this gigantic? Have the Smiths produced a monster? Ally then phoned Marlene. We were visited by Mary Moore and then John arrived at 8. He was without Janette. They have fallen out again. Saw 'Top of the Pops'. Paul McCartney is at the top. Saw David Attenborough on a mountain top. It would have looked nice in colour. Also watched James Fox play Orwell. An odd fish. Upstairs Ally fed Samuel all night. John, who left at 11, didn't touch the baby. Samuel is too tiny. 

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Wednesday January 18, 1984

 Full Moon

5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

At 7:30 I was flat out in bed and dead to the world. Ally feeding our beautiful son. The boy has such eyes. If we could only know what he is thinking as he holds his mother's hand as he feeds. Mum phoned to say they are coming. I went out to buy cotton wool balls. It's slushy under foot still. Mum and Dad came at lunchtime and we toasted Samuel in Charles VII champagne. Dad took me to town as Ally fed the boy and he visited the bank and took me to the register office where I have Samuel certified. They have changed the shape of birth certificates. I came away clutching two copies. To Mothercare. I spent £141 on a pram (blue), and harness, &c. Dad was horrified at the price. He says my pram cost £15 in 1955, but then he only earned £9 a week in those days, and so it's all relative. We carried the boxes to the car and returned home. Dad isn't used to town traffic and he dodged in and out like James Hunt coming back to Lidget Green. At home we erected the pram. Mum says she will be able to have her pearl wedding celebrations at the Moorhouse. An excellent idea. We sat looking at the baby and he sat looking at us. ________. They left at 8 to avoid Les Gledhill who sauntered in at 8:30. He had me signing wads of documents. I am to take over the Moorhouse Inn on 2nd/7th February, but Les is so very vague. "You'll get about seven thousand-ish" he muttered. He stood looking at my books mocking the royal family. He then spent ages looking at my map of Sussex. I bet he's a lonely guy. Felt tired, but happy. Samuel slept until after 10 and Ally fed him in bed. He much prefers her left side to the right. 

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Tuesday January 17, 1984

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

Bitterly cold, slushy. I went out to buy some copies of the YP. Samuel's birth is in both papers today. I collected Samuel's Konakion injection from the chemist. Dr Duck wants sister Matthews to administer it. We received a large knitted shawl from Auntie Mabel, and cards from her, from Sarah and Delia, and Auntie Annie, in Colne. I phoned Nellie Rhodes to tell her we have another Samuel (the father of the twins was a Samuel Rhodes, who died in 1928). Nellie says Edna fell last week and broke a leg. Auntie Hilda phoned and spoke to Ally, and I think she was surprised to find her at home and not in hospital. We can now expect a deluge of visitors. I don't mind. It will be great to show Samuel off. 

Useless information: Francis Pym, the ex-foreign secretary was presented with a grandson of the same name born on Jan 11. No important babies have arrived on the same day as Samuel. He is utterly unique. Today he is dressed in blue and as he lays asleep he has a Rhodes look about him. Probably the infant JPH springs to mind. I will have to consult my albums.

Sister Matthews came in a flurry of snow looking like a female Santa Claus and she bathed and weighed Samuel. He wasn't at all disturbed by the water but scowled and frowned when stripped of his nappy. Marita phoned. We have pinched her name. Samuel is on her list of baby names. I went out and bought an EP for the announcement. Other children have such ghastly modern names. The girls are all Leanne Louise and the boys Darren. Hopeless. Very tired tonight. I fried liver and onions, Yorkshire puddings, &c. 'Dallas' was on but we didn't watch. Ally phoned Auntie Mabel, Harry Miller, Gill (who says Philip and Carol are expecting issue in June or July), then Bessie phoned us. She's been buying again. Samuel must be one of the best dressed children in the western world. Bessie believes in spending her money while she can. I hold by that. To bed at 11. Baby was restless. Ally blames her 'faffing' and we didn't sleep before 2. Dirty nappies abound. Samuel howled and only stopped when over my shoulder. I paced the bedroom to give Ally a break.

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Monday January 16, 1984

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

Blizzard, but thaw later. We had a good night with Samuel (who fed at about 3am I think). He slept then until his 'breakfast' at 8. During the night he vomited some pinkish blood. Sister Matthews came at 11 and said Samuel might have a vitamin K deficiency (one in 10,000 babies is so deficient and it's more prevalent in boys). He may need a jab to reverse this. Sister Matthews sat and chatted amicably for an hour and when she went in walked Dr Duck in heavy boots and talked about the use of contraceptives. (Gynaecological redaction). I walked out to the chemist for something for Ally and slid around in the slush. I phoned the YP and had Samuel's birth placed in the YP and EP tomorrow. Spoke to Sarah who was pleased, but surprised I hadn't phoned sooner. Sue phoned, then Mum, then Auntie Mabel, who says she posted a package today for something for Samuel. I felt exhausted and fell asleep on the settee. Samuel sleeping peacefully in his cot. At 7 Les Gledhill phoned and spoke to Ally. 'When can you start?' he asked. And 'Why Samuel?' It's because we like the name of course. It looks as though we'll be at the Moorhouse Inn very soon. Gill phoned at 9:30.  We went to bed at 10.

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Sunday January 15, 1984

 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

Bessie woke me at 9 to say Ally had just phoned to say she can leave the hospital between 10 and 10:30. Elation. I scurried around stripping the double bed and putting the bedding into the washing machine. Bessie ran around with a duster and we sat with tea and toast. Frank's cold continues. He is glum. We sat looking out at the snow and debate whether the car will make it through. If I have to hire a husky and three mountain sherpas I'll see my wife and son at home today so help me. We went at 10 and found Ally looking wonderful packing up the tons of knitwear offerings. I made three trips to the car with the floral offerings. Finally, at 10:30 a nurse carried our son downstairs and we drove home in something of a blizzard. At Club St I carried Samuel from the car and into the house. A splendid, unforgettable moment. We snapped around with the camera and I took lots of shots of Samuel with his Grandma Dixon. Bessie was over the moon. Frank wouldn't touch the baby because of his cold, silly because the poor infant must be breathing in the germs. Soup and sandwiches. Lynn, Dave and the girls arrived at about 2, and Frank and Bessie set off home at 2:30 into the white and oblivion. Poor Bessie hates living so far away. They phoned at 7 to say they were safely home. They have spoiled us since Thursday. Busy afternoon. Sister Matthews came to inspect Ally. Lynn left just after 4. Katie is most definately no longer a baby. If she'd been a boy she would have been Samuel Lawrence.

 (Gynaecological redaction). 

The snow disappeared when they hit Northamptonshire. Mum phoned too. They are coming in the week. Watched The Thorn Birds. Stupid. Ally slept. Saw the news. Prince Edward has glandular fever. Tony Benn is to stand for Chesterfield. Samuel had hiccoughs for the first time and was sick.

Saturday January 14, 1984

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

Club Street (1984).

Very cold and snow. I was awake at 9:30 without a hangover despite the half dozen pints last night. Bacon for breakfast. Frank full of cold and restless. He said we should go out and so off we went in the red Mercedes and ended up at the Smith's Arms at Beckwithshaw, a Viking Tavern. Snow fell. We had soup and sandwiches. Back home tired at 3 and then to the BRI for 4 to see my wife and son. Joined by John, Janette, Lynn, Dave, Sue and Peter. They all came in to peep at my new found love. Sue was so enthusiastic _____. I have always said that newborn infants are always like poached eggs but my son doesn't fall into that category. He is a masterpiece. Ally looked great but Lynn says she looked 'peaky'. Cruel of her. All back to Club Street except Lynn and David, for gin and tonics. Frank and Bessie really took to Christopher. They all left in a flurry of snow at 6pm. I packed things for Ally and went to see her and Dave Watts at 7:30. Roads like ice. Treacherous. Vehicles were crashing everywhere. I spent three quarters of an hour with my favourite loves and then waited at the hospital until 9:30 for Frank who struggled to reach me in the snow. A slow drive to town. We ate at Giuseppe's Backyard. Steak today instead of veal. I am very relaxed with my in-laws. Who would have thought it? Frank used to terrify me years ago. We spoke about Ally and they both say what a brave little thing she has always been. So independent.

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Friday January 13, 1984

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

My first day,  full day, as a grown up Daddy. I retired to bed at 11 last night after having visited Ally at 7:30. Baby had his hair washed and I held him for a full hour. Ally expressed her dissatisfaction with the Chinese ward sister. I have taken great exception by the way Fran O'Brien phoned (last night) telling me I have to go to Middlesbrough today to see a policeman about the September massacre at the Why Not. This morning I went into town with Frank and Bessie and we bought masses of flowers and trailed around the market. Frank was vicious. He has a cold and was in no mood to walk. I went to Samuel's (jewellers, appropriately enough) and bought Ally a gold locket costing £57. Who cares? My God, she's worth it. For lunch we drove to Thornton and sat in a deserted pub. I had scampi. Bessie had a chicken leg, and Frank sat patting a fat poodle. Back home I went to see Annie Whincup and Phyllis Beale. The latter is an old moaner. To the hospital at 4. Just me and the four grandparents. Samuel is very much like his uncle Andrew. He has skin like a peach and the most beautiful black hair. He slept contentedly. Ally was cheerful and bright and so pleased that she can feed him. We all returned here and had gins and tonic and sandwiches. They all chatted away nicely. My misgivings about a possible Dixon/Rhodes clash of personalities passed away. I went to see Ally from 7:30-8:30. Out at 9 to the Red Lion with Dave Watts. We endured the child-like Chris Wills. Elaine was busily bashing on her organ. I am surprised to discover they are both younge than us. Saw Sheryl and little Enid. Home at 12.

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Thursday January 12, 1984

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

The most magical day of our lives. I was asleep by midnight and was awakened by Ally with stabbing pains in her back. She was in agony, and the pains were coming at 10 minute intervals. We were determined to keep out of hospital as long as possible after yesterday's fiasco. At 5:30 I called an ambulance and Ally was taken out horizontally into the frost. In the panic I forgot to pick up Ally's notes, and so after dropping Ally the ambulance driver brought me home to collect them, and then I returned to the BRI in a taxi (£1.30).  (Gynaecological redaction). The nurses or midwives were generally a good lot but one was antagonistic throughout because Ally refused an injection for the pain. This made Ally all the more determined to get through the birth naturally. At 1:14pm a large, pink boy was forced out. He was born in a kaleiderscope of colour. Turquoise umbilicle cord, and crimson placenta. I was choked at MY SON'S arrival. We all wept. The student midwife burst into tears too. Samuel Lawrence Dixon Rhodes weighs 7lb 12oz  and is 20 inches long. He has black hair, blue eyes (of course), healthy, long-limbed, and an absolute miracle. The rest of the day is a blur. No words can capture the scene. We sat until 4 and then Mum and baby went to Ward M4 (room 4). Mum and Dad came to pick me up and I gave them a peep at their grandson. Back at Club Street Frank and Bessie came at 6. Ally phoned her Mum and Dad, Lynn, Sue and the brewery from the labour ward at 2:15. Mum and Dad left at 9 and Frank and Bessie took me to the Pizza House.

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Wednesday January 11, 1984

 5 Club St, Lidget Green

Something is happening. (A large gynaecological redaction). I made a pot of tea and we debated whether we should ring the hospital. The sight of blood has made us uneasy. At about 6am Ally phoned the maternity unit for advice and they told her to go in. Heavily laden with luggage we went to the BRI. They put us in labour room 7 and we sat holding hands for two hours or more. Time stands still in hospital. I phoned Bessie and Mum with the news but by 10 I was beginning to regret it because Ally's contractions had ceased. Ally was good and calm and not in the least violent. At 11 they transferred us the the ante-natal ward, put out to grass, apparently abandoned. Dr Duck appeared and sent Ally for a scan, to which poor Ally went in a wheelchair, and I was sent home until visiting time at 4. Dad collected me in the rain at 12 and we joined Mum for some hideous fish and chips. We collected Ally at 5pm, by now slightly 'put out'. She had spent three hours in an overcrowded ambulance en route to the scan, and looked very pale. Home. Mum suggested a hot bath to 'get things going'. They left after a meal at 9:30 and we took baths. I was dead to the world and fell into a coma next to my large, pink,  and only true love.

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Tuesday January 10, 1984

 5, Club Street, Lidget Green, Bradford

The snots continued unabated. My £1.95 medication is neither use nor ornament. Ally woke with a hunger and at 9 I went out and bought a hot, brown loaf and the Daily Telegraph. We had boiled eggs upstairs, Ally balancing her tray upon her vast protrusion. We took hours to dress and drift downstairs. The waiting coninues. A bit of a strain. We decided to go buy a baby bath, a chair, and bucket for the dirty nappies. Wrapped up like mountaineers we went to Mothercare and spent £25 on these provisions. All our purchases are blue. This in no way means we expect a boy. We just didn't want white. After an hour in the soggy town we staggered back to the car. Ally like an overweight pug as she panted her way up Darley Street. At 2 she went to her mothercraft class at Odsal. 

I concocted a fish pie and listened to records at full throttle. I cannot do this when Ally is in. Her aversion to noise is growing worse. We listen to everything at a whisper. Ally was back at 3:30 and we ate half an hour later. Phoned John. The holiday was fine but he didn't enthuse. The temperature in Majorca was in the 60s. I told him that David Watts wants a dormer plastering. John needs some good indoor jobs. Later Dave Watts phoned to say he's found two family Bibles, and can he bring them? Ally told him no, tonight, and says we'll let him know. Mum phoned. Her cold has gone. We watched 'Dallas' and retired to bed. Ally sat reading 'The Moonstone' and I lay dribbling from the nose. To sleep after 12. Come along son/daughter.

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