Fashion show from last week (2 weeks old)

Napping -

I like to be swaddled but I MUST have at least one hand free~

Red seems to be one of my colors-

Daddy got this outfit in the Mountains of Tennessee before I was born and this blanket is the one "Grandma Marti" made for me!

This is one of the outfits "on loan" from cousin Nola ("born 2008").

One more week and I wont be ableto fit in it anymore I think so I am wearing it alot now!

My first bath was not as bad as I thought it would be ......

and I love my Elmo towel!

Tosca is my new best friend .....

and this is my little striped number I like to romp around in at times-

Finally - My "Viva Mexico" dress -

I wore this to lunch with Heather and her friend last week at Luna de Noche -

Home....finally

Once we had our paperwork from the hospital complete we still needed the attorney paperwork signed and notarized to move forward in the courts as soon as possible. While this is currently still "in process" on this end we had the mothers blessing to leave the hospital and begin the legal proceedings. More on that soon-



So we went up to the nursery and with a little last minute instructions, changed her into her "traveling clothes", bundled her up in a blanket "Grandma Marti" made and off we went to load her in the car seat ... for the "long" five minute car ride home.


I think she actually enjoyed it!

Once home, the next task was to introduce her to Tosca. He had been warned (with all our false starts) that she was coming home..... and once his curiosity was satisfied he felt comfortable in napping with her very soon-

Waiting to Go home - 2 days

While we were waiting the two required nights to go home we ate, slept ... and pooped.

Paul and I were given a room right next to the nursery on Saturday night so we could stay close... we kind of became the "pets" of the nurse staff I think.... but maybe they are that nice to all of their patients. They certainly were to us.

"Auntie Heather" came by and brought a plant and a paper from the Day little Addie was born. Other than that, it was just us running between the nursery and taking care to make sure "mom" was comfortable and had what she needed.

We got our paperwork for the hospital finalized with her mom and hospital legal staff on Monday morning in order for Paul and I to take her home.... but first we needed some papers done for our attny too... and that seemed like it would take a while!

Addison Isabel Rakestraw-Roeder

August 2, 2008 @ 10:20am

6 lbs and 10 ounces - 18.5 inches long

After numerous false starts and late night "practice runs" to the hospital the day finally came this past Saturday.


While it is all a blur I can say it was only 1 push for her head and 1 push for her body and she was ready to go! From the "OK" to the clean up was about 20 minutes... and it was all over so fast we did not know what to do except cry a little with joy!

By a little after Noon she was ready for us to feed her and talk to her.... but she was most interested in sleeping.



We were fine with that.... our only thought was at last we were all together!

Recent developments - on our way?

Alot has been happening in the past week that would indicate that we are moving toward an early due date.

To sum it up, we entered the hospital last Wednesday (23rd) at 7pm and due to some confusing "fluids", contractions, etc that resulted in a wrong diagnosis by our (now) "ex" doctor we did not come back out again until Fr (25th) at Noon. Despite a glowing sonogram (where we learned she has all her external and internal parts- and all look very healthy) and an "amnio" that showed fully developed lungs, and despite Charlette being on Pitocin to induce labor and having a epidural for almost the entire time.... we did not have the baby. We went from induction, to hold, to definite (no backing out induction) to discharge from the hospital. It was a tough roller coaster ride that resulted in lots of bad food and ending up calming down with Charlette and her cousin Jen by going to see Mama Mia ...... and you know how Paul loves a good musical :) You will see here a good picture of our friends Martin and Todd (who had to leave little Taylor at home), Jen (Charlettes cousin) and Paul ..... all taken while we were still new, fresh and glowing with the expected birth.

We were back again Sunday (27th) night from about 9 until midnight.

We had the appt with our new doctor (which we really like) on TU (29th) - for about 3 hours. You know how the first appointment always is-

We were back again last night (30th) in the ER/delivery from about 430pm until 6p or so ...... we are getting these false alarms down to a science! Even though she was having contractions 3 minutes apart for a stretch of 6 hours.... we were sent home and told to come back when they were "more intense". Across all of these visit we are always told how healthy the baby looks and all is very good!

Today is a followup sonogram.... and we are hoping for some indication of how much longer we have. Good thing is we have discovered the contractions will eventually stop when she lays down... and all of these "visits" have been good test runs that have resulted in Paul and I realizing we needed to get things ready and stop putting it off. After the hospital drama last weekend we went and bought all we needed and were fully ready by the next run .... and we think we have decided a name but are holding it (to make sure) until we must write it down .... to make the decision final.

The babies room- work in progress

We are finally making headway in getting the babies room all together.

Our theme has developed into being "circus" themed. Wizard of Oz was a close second but we thought she may enjoy that a little later.... and lots of animal images may be more fun for a little baby.

Todd completed two new paintings for her walls to make sure they were bright and cheery and the "monkey lamp" and small vintage ceramic cat are adding to the fun. We also repainted a wonderful vintage light fixture we had in storage that adds to the circus feel. From this the plan is to fill in where needed.

We bought the baby bed linens last weekend and the actual bed will come soon .... so all is lining up fast!

Her stroller is ready to go and Tosca is also spending alot of time in there (both in the room and in the stroller actually)- we think he is really ready for her to come home and knows what "fun" he has in store.

He is looking forward to his new little sister!

Month of May - Happiness, Tragedy and Miracles

On May 3rd I flew to Atlanta for a long weekend. "Mama", Auntrene and I drove to the Mountains for a long weekend (Paul had just started a new job at Kimberly Clark and could not go). We had a wonderful time and had fun shopping, eating lots and just acting silly all around. I flew back on Wednesday - Mama and Marti dropped me off at the airport.

On Friday we got a call and felt we needed to fly to San Antonio on Saturday to check on Pauls family. After helping out a bit there we flew back home on Monday.

Midday on Wednesday the 14th my mother was in a tragic car accident- hit by a driver that had warrants and no insurance. I had awoke at around 3am that Wednesday morning and could not go back to sleep- I was very upset, nervous and as the day progressed felt near a panic attack but for no reason that I could tell. It had gotten so bad, later that morning I called Paul and planned to take something to sleep through the afternoon and to calm down ... and I already had the medicine out when Marti called. Everyone knows how close Mama and I were and it does not suprise me that somehow, inside already knew what was in motion.

While we did not know the full extent of her injuries at that point when Marti called, we thought that all would be fine in the end. I flew out on Thursday morning and went straight to the hospital ready for a long stay of recovery. I slept at the hospital that night and all was going well enough on Friday for Marti and I to go home and not stay overnight at the hospital. On Saturday a turn for the worse - and with about a 15 minute warning she was gone. Paul was already on his way to the airport in Dallas, but we were lucky enough to have all our aunts and uncles and a couple of very dear friends with Marti, Onva and I.

There is not a day or hour that goes by that I dont miss her, and from the calls and cards I have received I am not alone .....

And in the end a miracle of happiness - born the next morning after the funeral, Brad and Jacquita had a beautiful adopted daughter delivered to them .... and her name is Nola.

Mama was so proud that little Nola was going to be named after her and even though they never had a chance to meet, I am sure she is already watching over her, and us all, from above.