Not only did Willie and Helen realize that Paula would be their last baby, her brothers and sisters knew it too!  That is why they all were very protective of her, and made over her pretty much all the time.  So when she was getting ready to have a birthday to celebrate turning one year old...they were all as excited as she was...maybe even more!
When Helen had Jimmy, she thought that he was probably going to be her last baby.  Even though his was the easiest delivery, the scares he gave her as a baby was something she never wanted to experience again.  Since this was her last baby, (or she thought) she decided to take the tray and arms off of the wooden high chair and use it as a step stool.  She was forever needing something from the top shelf of the cabinet and not being able to reach it.  Making a step stool solved that problem just fine.

Jimmy was the last baby?  Well, surprise!!!  Along came Paula, and now the high chair was armless with no tray.  No worries, while Paula was a tiny baby, there was no need for it.  But as she got older, they would scoot her high chair up to the table and tie her in it with a rag of some sort.  Paula didn't know the difference of being scooted up to the table or having a tray...she just knew it was time to eat when her mommy put her in that high chair.

It was July 29, 1953 and Paula was turning one year old today.  Her brothers and sisters were taking turns singing to her and telling her she was such a big girl today.  She was smiling from ear to ear and loving all this attention she was getting.  With five kids, you would think she had to fight for her attention everyday...but not true for Paula.  Being the baby of the family had it's advantages, and getting a lot of attention was just one of them.  Even little Jim Bo took his turn singing to her.

All morning long the wonderful smell of cake filled the house, because mom had baked Paula a special cake.  When daddy got home from work that day, it was time to celebrate and eat that cake they had smelled all morning.  Sondra tied Paula in her high chair so mom could light that lonely candle and bring it to the table.   I don't know if that is when they realized that their little family could sing pretty dang good, but they all joined in together and sang "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Paula....Happy Birthday to you!  (with harmony parts to boot)  Paula was so excited when she heard everyone sing her name!  She even let out a little giggle and clapped.  Then with help from daddy, Paula blew out her candle...maybe with a slobber or two spraying.  Nobody cared though...she was just so dang cute to them.

After the candle was taken out, mom cut the cake and started serving it up.  As was always the custom, the birthday person got the very first piece of cake.  So that first piece of cake was given to Paula and before mom could give everyone else their piece of long awaited cake...Paula was digging in her piece with both hands.  She had chocolate icing all over her face, and maybe even a little up her nose. 

They all got the biggest kick out of her!  Paula Pete was everyone's baby...and she was one year old!
 


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    Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin
    I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television
    _I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon & Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies.  (Joseph, Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love (Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington, Kentucky.

    As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons".  Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me.  God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all.   My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be. 

    I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011.

    You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link.  Happy Reading!!!
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