19th March 1931

Three aunties to a small birthday party, Daddy still in US. He sent Marion a birthday telegram.

30th January 1931

Two lower back teeth. Cannot say Grandma, so says Ha-Ha instead.
Father left for America to see after Grandad there, as Uncle Percy died on 21st January.

25th December 1930

Large Christmas tree with electric lights on Exmas Eve, presents lying beneath, Grandmother well enough to be wheeled in for a short time

12thJuly 1930

Baby took her first real walk alone, toddled from mother's room, through dining room all over sitting room.

19th March 1930

Baby’s first birthday, we gave a party, all grown-ups and she sat in her little playing pen in sitting room, enjoying it all. Mrs Haggie brought white teddy bear. Auntie Nellie sent Mary from a Bavarian toy factory. Auntie Mollie brought a rubber swan, with bunch of violets tied to its neck.

14th March 1930

Two more teeth arrived, one at the top, one below.

9th March 1930

Baby's first tooth made its appearance today, below right.

15th December 1929

She can sit up alone. 71 centimetres long. I bought a large doll, her first big one, that said "Mamma", her eyes were very big and round, as she eagerly reached for it.

17th November 1929

Grandmother returned from Paulmentoft hospital and was treated at home by Dr Mirkovski.

14th October 1929

Grandmother fell ill with ulceration of stomach.

4th September 1929

She tried to sit up and caught hold of her toes.

31st August 1929

We moved into our new flat in Wilhelmstrasse 11, with Grete, our maid, mother, myself and Baby, driving down in an open carriage.

2nd July 1929

Baby reached for grandfather's locket, around my neck, while I was feeding her.

19th June 1929

Baby could hold up her head.
Uncle Percy came to visit us for ten days from Philadelphia USA. He gave Baby her bottle one day, saying she was a bit of his own flesh and blood.

9th June 1929

She measured 53 centimetres

3rd May 1929

Baby smiled for the first time and has steadily gained weight.

5th April 1929

When she was 17 days old we took her to Pension Primavera, snugly lying on a large cushion, with a big white shawl wrapped all around her. Nurse went with us and remained there ten days. Then we returned to our flat with Nurse Gertrude who stayed six weeks with us.

19th March 1929

Marion Ross Bethel born on 19th March 1929 in Rotes Kreuz Wiesbaden Germany at 4 a.m. Tuesday, weighing 5 Ibs. She was so dainty and tiny, nurse Marie one day brought her to me in the basket, they kept wadding in. I insisted on having the little darling with me in my room, instead of leaving her in the nursery with other babies. She had two tiny curls on top of her head which disappeared completely later on.