Yesterday’s post really got me traveling down memory lane so I decided to show y’all some pictures from my sixth birthday (December 6, 1986) when I got to adopt Dixie Lee. 

I actually remember that day well.  My parents had talked about the trip for weeks and I was beyond excited.  They stressed how important it was to take very good care of my doll because I was adopting her (which really meant a lot to me since I’m adopted)…and I think the hefty price tag played a part in all the emphasis of caring for her too.  

It was a cold, sunny, Saturday morning when we made the hour trip to Cleveland.  I was wearing my favorite rainbow sweater and had brought my Cabbage Patch kid, Pearl, with me to help her choose her new sister.  (I hope MM brings Gracie Bea one day too when she adopts her baby.)

I narrowed it down to three preemies.  Then two.  Dixie Lee and Farrah Rose.  Dixie had a beautiful white gown and Farrah had a light pink gown.  I really wanted Farrah, but since I couldn’t pronounce my /r/ sounds it came out “Faw-Wah Wose” and I wanted a doll whose name I could pronounce.  So Dixie Lee it was.

I really wanted dimples so they took Dixie back into the operating room while a doctor performed the surgery while I watched from the window.  She was given laughing gas so she didn’t feel anything.

Then it was time to adopt her.  I had to raise my right hand and give an oath.

Afterwards, I held my new best friend.  For years I loved on that doll and took her everywhere.  A lot of my friends had real Cabbage Patch dolls, but their parents wouldn’t let them play with them since they were so expensive, but not my parents.  I was allowed to take her wherever I wanted.  And I did.

Here’s Dixie today.  A little stained, yes, but very loved. 

 And something else I noticed yesterday.

Remember this picture of MM with the dolls?

 Well, here is a (very scary) Santa and me in the exact same spot almost 23 years ago!  (Look at the columns–everything else has changed except for them)

 And for anyone who wants to see a cabbage give birth there are tons of videos on YouTube.  They are actually so funny to watch for all the puns they use.  C-Section means “Cabbage Section”, instead of a baby being born breech they are born “branch”, etc.  This is a short one I found.