I have had to tie my refridgerator doors shut. Addison opens the doors and starts throwing salad dressing on the tile floor. She is fast. However, the tie HAS helped with my diet! :)

Granny on a rant!

Since Addison's diagnosis..I have had a lot of emotions to deal with that I did not expect. When I first realized how much attention Addison would get when we were in public together, it bothered me. I got angry at people who would gawk at her in restaurants. I finally decided I could NOT live this way and would not concentrate on the gawking but just enjoy Addison. Easily said right!! It helped but did not stop people from asking stupid questions, "Is that her real hair?" "What color are her eyes...they don't look blue to me?" I told Melissa that for strangers it was not worth the lengthy explanation..just give them a quick answer and go because a lot of people would start showing pity when you explained her hair was not blonde "like their nephew" but had no pigment. Why bring them down? Just say "yes, her hair is really white" and go on with your shopping. I didn't expect people to ask the rude questions. I didn't expect a whole kitchen staff to come to our table one by one to stare and say nothing. I didn't expect one friend to tell us that another had not come to visit but to get a picture of Addison to show her friends.
I felt anger growing again but did not know to what degree until Melissa and I were driving back from an engagement party. We stopped to eat and as we were leaving the restaurant I passed an older couple (early 60's). I heard the man say loudly, "Wow it really is blonde!" I turned around to respond in time to see his wife mouth the word...ALBINO. Okay, that was it ..the volcano erupted. I gave her a look that must have been frightening because her whole expression changed and I walked toward her..then I turned and went out. I was still mad but got in the car and we started for home. Thirty miles down the road I said, "AHA I should have said, "she is not the ALbino she is Addison who has albinism, I don't appreciate your label anymore then you would appreciate me calling you a dumbass because of you ignorance!" Wow that felt good..that is what I would say, I felt better. Then, I started to remember when Addison came home. No one told us anything was wrong but I kept seeing nystagmus (eye movement) and I had noticed the hair was really white. What do you think I typed into google?? ALBINO BABY! There is was..my own ignorance. Two years ago if I had seen this baby would I have mouthed that same thing to Tom?? I can't say I am sure I would not do it. So the decision is made..the only way to fix ignorance is to educate. I am going to have something printed to hand out. After all that is said, I need suggestions...I am going to cover frequently asked questions and the Noah website. Someone already suggested I put a warning about the angry Granny. :) If you have any ideas...let me know DebbieAkins7@aol.com
Now, the rant is over and I feel much better. Thanks for listening. Also, Melissa does not seem to have these issues, she is such a better person then her mom. I am so proud of her.

Okay, I finally learned how to post pictures. I can not guarantee that I will remember this information, but I will try to do my best. Addison is walking and running nonstop. She is emptying my refridgerator daily and as I am cleaning up that mess, she moves on to the ice maker or a cabinet. She keeps her Granny running all day long. I love every minute of it. :) Addison is going to preschool two days a week now and that is going well. She plays with the other children and loves to play on the playground...which is covered...so that is a good thing. She did get a bite to her upper arm. You could make out each and every tooth and the bite lasted for a week but that is a hazard of being around 1 year olds. Of course we had to calm her Pappy and explain that "these things happen" as he is a little over protective. More tomorrow.....I need the practice. Melissa wants me to post a picture by myself also so I may have another picture coming tonight if I do it right !

See my teeth?? I have a mouthful.

I love being silly with my momma~~!

Notice I only have on one shoe!

This is my serious look.

This is my silly look which is usually all

the time.

Okay, with Melissa in school and VERY busy..Addison's Granny is going to attempt to write on this blog. I am not as talented as Melissa but maybe I can keep you updated. Addison is running around the house like crazy. She is so much fun. She started going to preschool a couple of days a week. This helps when mom is at school and helps Addison to meet and play with friends. She is doing very well. Aunt Kara works at the preschool and checks on Addison to make sure she is happy. So far, things have gone VERY well.

Thanksgiving

That scarecrow was SCARY!!

What is this??






I just want ya'll to know, i had a dress picked out for these pictures, but Casey went and bought addison these overalls. He picked them out himself!! He did good!! :)

Addison and Her Uncle Cody at the pumpkin patch

Family photo :)

She was helping me cook! :)

I love her!

Things have been crazy around here. Addison is now walking, she is into everything. She has been walking here and there for a while now, but she finally got the hang of it and now walks constantly. All i do is chase her around the house and pull foreign objects out of her mouth. In an attempt to relinquish a dime out of her mouth this morning, I was bit by her sharp teeth and still have the marks imbedded in my finger. BUT..... I WON... I have the dime!! That probably sounds really childish, but after a 10 minute fight over a dime or a hour and a half fight trying to get to sleep I really feel like yelling "HA! I won, brat!" :)

Thanksgiving was crazy this year! A few weeks ago Addison got a boil on her bottom. I took her to the dr and he said just to watch it because it didn't seem to bother her and it wasn't very big. He determined that it was caused from diaper a diaper rash. Things went downhill from there. The boil got bigger and bigger and began to really hurt. She wasn't even able to sit on her bottom without crying. We went to the dr again and he barbarically drained it and told us to come back the following day. The next day, we held her down and drained it again. He had four nurses hold her down while he pushed on it as hard as he could. All the while she screamed in pain. I cried harder than she did. He gave us antibiotics and told us to watch because it was a staph infection. The NEXT DAY, her temperature rose to 105. To make a long story a little bit shorter, we visited the ER twice in one day because her fever wouldn't subside. They lanced the boil and made us visit a open wound specialist to have it packed. Her fever was still really high and we couldn't figure out what the deal was. Doctor called 2 days later and told me her cultures came back and she had a UTI which causes severe pain and a high temperature. That was our Thanksgiving break. She is just now recooping and catching up on her sleep (as am i) It has been a long couple of weeks and I need a vacation!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Addison's Aunt Steph and Uncle Jason Jaquess. Elise Danielle was born Monday, October 26, 2009 at 9:39pm. She weighed 5lbs. 15 oz. 18 1/2 in. long. She is 10 months younger than Addi and soo stinkin cute!

CONGRATULATIONS Jaquess Family!! We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

My Rockstar

When she saw me with the camera she walked to me :)

Thanks to Dede for the sunglasses!! :)

Ravioli Dinner! YUM YUM!

Addi had raviolis for dinner. She is very independent and thinks she need to eat big girl food and feed herself.... so we let her :)

addi trying to walk

Casey and Pappy were trying to get Addi to walk.

Addi and her dad!