Happy Birthday, Savannah!

Almost 27 years ago on March 7, our baby girl, Savannah, was born. Parker was visiing Mamaw and Pop in Aliceville to give me a break. Dennis had gotten up early, around 4:00 a.m., to study for a calculus test. (He had recently sold our clothing stores and was in engineering school at Alabama.) I woke up around 4:30 a.m. not feeling "right". I really wasn't sure if I was in labor or not. With Parker my water broke and back labor kicked in immediately. There was no doubt about him, but this time I wasn't sure. To make a long story short, Dennis and I headed to DCH, and I was admitted. At this point, Dennis was wondering whether to take his calculus test. I encouraged him to take it so that he would not have to start all over studying, and he would be home the next week when the baby came home. He finished his test (made an A) and got back to the hospital around 2:00 p.m. Savannah was born at 2:15 p.m. While he was there, he wasn't. Dennis's stomach is not made for the delivery room. I remember when she was born, and the doctor told me we had a healthy girl. (Remember twenty-seven years ago couples did not know the gender of their child until he/she arrived.) As I had an epidural this go round, I was able to watch her birth. She was such a pretty little thing, and I remember crying over the miracle of it all.
Momma came to visit that night, and I swear I think she bought every pink gown, rosebud dresses, bows, etc. that the stores had in stock!! That first day was great with all the visits, calls, etc. But the next day was different. Because Dennis became sick with fever, he could not come stay with me. And because he was sick, Momma and Daddy had to keep Parker and could not come. I had a little post partem and was truly feeling sorry for myself. Still, I had that precious baby girl and couldn't wait to get her home.
On the day she was to come home, it snowed!! Not long, but enough to guarantee that they would let me leave earlier. We had not, at this point, named Savannah. I wanted to name her JoAnna Shelby after my momma and grandmother. Dennis wanted to name her Savannah Shelby. (The name Savannah was in an old family Bible of my grandmother's. The actual name was "Anna Savannah Victoria Leigh Gray". Now, we used to make fun of this very long name, and in so doing, Dennis heard it, and fell in love with Savannah.) Shelby is my mother's maiden name, and I am all about family names. AND, since I named Parker, I relented and let Dennis name Savannah.
We took Savannah home on a Saturday. Momma, Daddy, and Parker were there to meet us when we arrived. What a wonderful journey this ride has been with our baby girl. We love her so much and are so proud of her!


This is a three month old picture of Savannah. The little booties that she has on were crocheted by my Granny Gilliam. I still have them, and Libby has worn them.


This picture reminds me somewhat of Libby--all that hair and a paci in her mouth!

This was her one year picture.