27 Years Ago

Happy Birthday

Timothy John

August 18, 1981

7:03 p.m.

8lbs, 2 oz.

21 "

He was born C-section after I had labored all day with this kid. I was induced due to high blood pressure, plus it was my second wedding anniversary, and that was pretty special. But after all day and getting no where the doctor said we needed to take him. I said....PLEASE. So they prepared me for surgery and he arrived at 7:03 p.m. He was so pretty. (sorry TJ, but you were a PRETTY baby!)
His name was after his dad, Tim and his two great grandfathers who were both named John. We did not want a "Jr.", and I didn't want Big Tim and Little Tim, and I loved the name John but didn't want a Johnny. So we agreed on Timothy John, but called him T.J. He was such a good baby. He was a happy baby, ate and slept good too. How did I get so lucky especially with my first one. I was still in college and had to lay out that fall semester but it was ok. I was in love staying at home with my little guy.
He didn't smile a lot for the camera. He was a rather somber boy, but yet happy. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's true. I think the camera turned his smile off sometimes. His Aunt Lisa worked at a baby clothing store called Sugar -n- Spice so we kept the kid dressed pretty well. Poor baby boy, but it was fun.
At one year of age that kid had a head of hair. It was thick and I loved it. It was brown but a light brown. Now, he doesn't have as thick of hair, and it really doesn't matter for he keeps it really really short!!! Good grief!
I remember when TJ was in high school kids were asking him what the T.J. stood for. His last name is Goodpasture, and people often thought he was part Indian. Remember we live in Oklahoma, "Land of the Red Man" so he told them that his name was Turtle Jumper. You know often Indians name or named their children after things they see when the child is born. That is true and most people know it, so the girls bought his story. It was a long time before he ever told them the truth. I still laugh about that. He is German...not Indian, It is Timothy John, not Turtle Jumper, and he is my little guy, all grown up into my wonderful son/man. 27 years ago, a long, long day, ended with the birth of a wonderful new beginning. Happy Birthday TJ. You have made me very proud and I love you.