Feb. 28, 1903 Herbert 8 months old today; weights 16 lbs., a gain of 10 lbs. since birth
March 15 – Herbert donned his first short clothes today; also his first pair of shoes – black patent leather, with white kid tops; laced.
May 17 – Christened Herbert Beardsley Martin, at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 21st St. and Lovelace Ave. Los Angeles
June 28 – 1 year old. Weighed 20 lbs. 27 inches tall.
June 29 – stood alone.
July 12 – commenced to walk. Walked alone today first time. Says “gone” “tick-tick” “bye-bye” “car” “gobble-gobble”
Sept 17 – First tooth appeared today; incisor, lower jaw
Oct. 17 – Herbert sat at table for the first time today, in his new high chair. Eats bread and butter, mush, fruit; chews beefsteak, etc.
Dec. 20 – Has five teeth – 3 upper and 2 lower, all incisors
Dec. 28 – weighs 25 lbs. 29 1/2 inches tall. 18 months old today
June 13, 1904 – Herbert’s first conversation over the telephone today. His father phoned to mother from downtown; then the receiver was placed to Herbert’s ear. Hearing his father’s voice calling “Hello, Herbert,” he replied “a-low, allow, papour”
June 16 – Herbert donned his first “Russian Suit” today. Very proud boy.
June 28 – Herbert is 2 years old today. Is 33 1/4 inches tall. Weighs 25 lbs. Has entirely discarded the “bottle”; drinks milk from a cup now. Sat for his photograph at Coule’s gallery.
July 17 – Herbert commenced wearing drawers today (Important event!)
Aug 28 – Herbert can count up to 12, and can spell
Nov. 28 – 29 months old. 35 inches tall. Weighs 28 lbs. On Election Day (Nov. 8, ’04), when Theodore Roosevelt was elected President of the U.S., Herbert shouted “Hoo-wah fo’ Teddy!”
March 4, 1905 – While eating walnuts today, Herbert choked, a particle lodging either in the ventricle of the larynx or in the right fances <?> – or possibly in posterior nares <?>. No inconvenience resulted at first – a distinct wheezing being the only evidence of its presence. Examination disclosed nothing in upper part of larynx. The child’s resistance to further examination was so violent, nothing more was done; wheezing continued 14 days, stopping abruptly on the 18th. A cough was present, apparently caused by irritation of foreign object in throat, during latter part of period.
June 28 – Herbert is 3 years old today. Weighs 31 pounds. Is 36 1/2 inches tall. Sat for his photograph at Mushet’s gallery.
Aug 29 – Herbert’s first bath in the ocean surf. At “Venice of America” Calif.
Sept 5 – Herbert’s first experience with a dentist. Four upper incisors filled by Dr. Arthur Whomes – cement filling. 50¢ per cavity.
July 20, 1906 – Herbert has decided upon his life work as follows: First, to be a “band man” (bass drum artist); then a school teacher; then a candy store man; and finally “a doctor, like father”; or else a “dentist-doctor, to fill up boys’ teeth.”
Nov. 15 – Herbert had his hair “shingled” today, having worn it isn the square-cut, thick, French style heretofore.
Nov. 27 – Herbert entered school today, enrolling in the kindergarten department of the Grand Avenue School (Los Angeles Public Schools); Miss Jones, teacher.
Dec. 4 – Herbert, with a number of other children, took part in the initiation exercises of the officers of South Gate Chapter No. 133, O.E.S., at the rooms of South Gate Lodge No. 320, A.F. & A.M., 33d and Main Sts., Los Angeles. This being his first public appearance, the young man is proud of the fact that he “went to the lodge.” The children performed a number of marching evolutions, then presented flowers to the officers, and finally were seated in pairs by the side of the “Points” of the Star during the remainder of the ceremony. Herbert’s father and mother are members of South Gate Chapter. His father is a member of South Gate Lodge.
Dec. 21 – Chicken pox. First eruptions noticed today on body; no other symptoms. 23rd – temperature 100°; eruptions spreading. 25th – nausea; slight temperature; eruptions on scalp, neck and body; drowsy all day. 26th – convalescent; 27th – mischievous as ever. At the end of three weeks eruptions had entirely disappeared. This illness coming during Christmas holidays did not interrupt school “work.”
May 1, 1907 – Herbert’s parents gave up housekeeping this day; hence his first experience in a boarding house. Lives now at Mrs. Maxson’s, 1950 Park Grove Ave. Half a block away is the Norwood St. School, in which Herbert is enrolled for remainder of the term. Has for a playmate Maxine Maxson, 5 1/2 years old.
June – whooping cough. Osteopathic treatment lessened the severity of the symptoms, and in six weeks cough had ceased.
June 26 – Herbert accompanied his mother to Oakland, Cal. (to which city his father had preceded them) – on the steamship “Santa Rosa.” After his father and mother had attended a two days’ session of the State Osteopathic Ass’n, Herbert saw the sights of San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Sausalito, took trips on the Bay, etc. Sailed for Los Angeles July 7 on the steamship “City of Puebla,” arriving home next day. No seasickness either trip.
June 28 – Herbert celebrated his 5th birthday at Oakland. Weight, 36 1/4 lbs; height, 41 inches.