Posted Date: 2010/10/21
Louie went back to the vet today. It has been 2 weeks since his last appointment. He has been on two different medications. One to treat an auto-immune disorder (not sure if that is what it was... but we were trying), and the other was an antibiotic trying to get his wounds under control. I knew he looked, and was getting worse. I did not think the news would be good this time. Louie has lost about 40% of his body weight since his last visit (even though he is eating and drinking well). He no longer has a good quality of life, so the OSU vets and I decided that it was time to let him go. They put him to heavenly sleep this evening (October 21). While my heart hurts and my eyes are full of tears, I know this was the best decision for him. I will always remember the joy he brought to my life.
I can't even begin to thank the OSU vet team for taking such great care of Louie and for all of the research they have done. I have decided (no persuasion from OSU - I actually talked to them about this a month ago) to let them keep Louie's body for further research. This way they can try to find out what was wrong with him, and it will actually be a reported case. Hopefully by doing this, Louie will help some other hedgehog.
I will never forget Louie tearing up a whole roll of paper towels. He unraveled it like a tunnel. He had fun with it for weeks!
More catch-up!
Below: Tad is in LOVE with football! He went to the Garber vs. Covington game and has been in love ever since. He recognized that there were football players on the front of the newspaper and got really excited.
Below: Tad had an open house at his Friday school. Ashley had to go early to help set-up and before she left the house she picked out Bryan and Tad's clothes. Bryan did not realize that Ashley had picked out matching clothes. I think it is cute!!
Below: The Antelope Valley church held a baby shower for Ben and Angie. It was so pretty and everyone had a great time.
Below: Ryan and I went to the 16th Day Celebration Parade in Perry. Ryan knew but didn't tell me that Alyssa and Grayson were going to be in the parade too!!!
Below: The boys must have had a lot of flat tires lately. Tad was pretending to change all the cars tires.
Below: Ben was teasing Angie and giving her a foot rub with gloves on. Ben had Tad come and give her a foot rub and all was fine until he saw Ben had gloves on. He then had to have gloves too!
Below: The Tad man jumps off of everything these days.
Below: One of my new favorite pictures of Tad. This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago. Tad really wanted to go swimming but decided the water was to cold and went with the water hose instead.
Below: He kept spraying his head! It was to cute!
Below: The Hunter Methodist Church held a baby shower for Ben and Angie also. Below is the happy couple.
Below: I asked Tad if he was going to give the kitty some love. His love is turning his head sideways and leaning in so you can give him a kiss. Here he is attempting to give the kitty some love.
Below: Having a good time at Grandma's!
Below: I bought a huge box of baby girl clothes from a couple in Hennessey. Tad was really into helping me sort through them. He accidentally fell forward and got stuck in the box!
Below: Whew... upright again.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE!! Welcome Addison Sue Reinschmiedt!
Addison was born October 7, 2010, at 2:55pm. She weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and was 20 inches long. Everyone is doing great!!
Below are some pictures from Addison's birth day!!
Below: Ben and Angie before the big event!
Below: The whole gang of course stood outside the door waiting for that precious cry. Mom was waiting on Donna to go in first...
Below: Proud daddy showing her off!
Below: Everybody trying to get their first look at Addison.
Below: The nurse stamped Addison's foot prints on Ben's arm. Too cute! He looks so proud in this picture. I am so happy for them!
Below: Mom holding her precious little one with Grandpa Mike looking on.
Below: So sweet. Angie is going to be a great mom.
Below: Derek trying to sneak a peak.
Below: Grandpa Dale was the first in line.
Below: You can see the joy beaming from my mother's face.
Below: Grandma Donna and Grandpa Mike admiring their newest granddaughter.
Below: It was FINALLY my turn.
Below: Uncle Derek even took a turn! Don't let him fool you, he is a pro!
Below: Uncle Ryan got a turn too.
Below: They both look so proud.
Below: Addison Sue waiting to get her bath.
Below: Gigi and Poppa congratulating the new parents.
Below: We were waiting for Addison to get her first bath, so of course we had to find something to do to pass the time.
Below: Great-Grandpa Thralls came too!
Below: I think Tad was trying to pop the balloon. I just love the look on his face.
Below: Addison finally made it back to the room.
Below: Addison's credentials.
Below: Tad's first time to meet Addison. He did really well with her and was very gentle.
Below: Proud Daddy watching over his new little family member.
Below: Tad found some headbands in Addison's diaper bag and thought they were really cool.
Below: Gigi welcoming her first great-granddaughter.
Below: Poppa's grinning from ear to ear.
Below: Grandpa Thralls is a natural.
Below: Lisa (Assistant Grandmother in Charge) came to see Addison also.
Below: We were so happy Carolina could come too!
Below: This group could mean trouble later on.
Below: Ryan was so proud of her OSU bow.
Below: So perfect.
Congratulations again to Ben and Angie. I am so happy for you.
Until Next Time
Ju
Below: Burying Tad!
Below: Off to find the perfect pumpkins!
Below: Tad scoping them out. 
Below: Tad just had to help his daddy push the wheel barrow.
Below: Ashley, Mom and Ryan were searching hard for the right pumpkins.
Below: This one is my favorite! You can see it proudly displayed in front of our house.
Below: Tad and I were discussing the princess pumpkins.
Below: Tad was leading the way out of the patch.
Below: Whew that is a lot of pumpkins! 
Below: Grandma was showing Tad a small pumpkin and one plant that was flowering.
Below: Family picture!
Below: The girl's with their favorite Reinschmiedt 1 year old boy! 
Below: Aunt J and Unca with T-Lo.
Below: More fun in the "corn box!"
Below: We were getting a little sleepy though.
Below: We went and saw Addison after we got back from our pumpkin patch adventure. There will always be enough room on Aunt Julie's lap for everyone! Just love them both so much!
Below: Grandma was loving on Addison. 
Below: Tad just LOVES balloons!
Below: So peaceful. Addison is doing so well! What a blessing she has been to our family. I am excited to be so close to Ben and Angie and get watch her grow up.
Below: These pictures were taken about 3 days after Addison was born. 
