It’s a girl! Rachel Alexandra Oppmann · Born at 9:15 p.m. CST Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005, at Mercy Medical Center, Oshkosh, WI. · Weight: 8 pounds, 4.5 ounces. · Length: 19 inches · Health: She’s just fine, thanks. Posted Sept. 8, 2005 For many of our friends and colleagues, the word that we had a baby will be the first time they even knew we were trying again. If you fall into that category, we apologize and hope you understand. If you know our family history, you know why we were holding our breath a bit, afraid to be too hopeful this time. In a column I wrote in 2004, I theorized that most people – us included – want happy endings. It’s human nature. It’s the story arc that many authors strive to achieve. And it’s a result of a lifetime of conditioning, from fairy tales to television dramas. On Tuesday, Sept. 6, after a few heartbreaks (some very public, some very private), we got Rachel. A happy ending? Perhaps. But really, this is the happy beginning we’ve been trying to write since we said good-bye to Patrick two years ago. Rachel is an angel. Quiet, bright pink and, well, forgive my pride, but just perfect. Emily and Sarah are thrilled. She’s also a bit impatient. Rachel, eager for her debut, came early (her due date was Sept. 17). Yes, we were caught off guard. In fact, her name wasn’t confirmed until Thursday, right before we left the hospital. Mom got through the delivery with flying colors. --- ANDREW Posted Nov. 28, 2005 At the urging of some friends, and the gentle prodding of a colleague at The Post-Crescent, I wrote this column, which appeared in the newspaper on Thanksgiving Day 2005. It “closes the book” on the series that appeared in 2004 regarding the death of Patrick. Let me know what you think. --- ANDREW Rachel’s 3^rd Birthday, September 2008 Rachel and her sisters. Rachel and her birthday party guests Rachel with her Little Mermaid birthday cake Photos of Rachel (Updated December 2007): Rachel as one of Santa’s elves Here are the girls in their Christmas jammies, a family tradition. Rachel on Christmas Day Here’s a shot from the reader-submitted Halloween photo gallery of The Daily News Journal. Rachel, pointing up at Abraham Lincoln The girls in front of the Lincoln Memorial The girls at the Baltimore airport Rachel’s 2^nd Birthday, September 2007 Uncle Don, Elise and the girls crowd around Rachel at her birthday party. Rachel in party mode Another of Rachel in party mode Various 2007 photos, posted July 2007 The family (except for Emily, who was at camp) at the T-Rats game for the Fourth of July. Mom and Rachel at a July T-Rats game. Rachel, looking cute, at a July T-Rats game. The neighborhood girls together in cheerleader formation. The three girls out on a sled during Winter 2007 Two cute shots from Spring 2007 of Rachel in a UK cheerleader outfit: One with Andrew, the other hamming up for the camera. The kids and mom on Easter morning, 2007. Rachel enjoying ice cream with Elise at T-Rats, May 2007 The girls at the home of the Green Bay Packers, May 2007 Various 2006 shots The girls await the “Go!” signal to get into stockings on Christmas Day 2006. A family photo at our church on Christmas Eve 2006. · Click here for very cool photo of Rachel shot at the Fox Cities Children’s Museum in 2006. Andrew and Rachel at Mutt Lynch’s, a favorite Newport Beach hangout of Andrew’s when he was a reporter, during our 2006 visit to Disneyland. Closeup of Elise and Rachel at her May 2006 baptism. Group shot, including sponsors John and Ginger Hammond, the Rev. Kent Ingram and Mimi at Rachel’s May 2006 baptism. First of three new portrait shots of Rachel, marking her six-month birthday. Second of three new portrait shots of Rachel, marking her six-month birthday. Third of three new portrait shots of Rachel, marking her six-month birthday. Various 2005 shots The 2005 shot with Santa, with Emily, Sarah and Rachel. Rachel was featured on a Times Square electronic billboard in New York City on Dec. 11, 2005, as part of Time Magazine’s Person of the Year interaction. Rachel with Dad on the couch. Rachel, in her close-up for the newspaper, in November 2005. Elise and the girls dressed for Halloween 2005. The girls are flowers and Elise is the proud gardener. Elise and Rachel, just minutes after Rachel was born.. Rachel, about an hour after her arrival.. Andrew and Rachel, even later on D-Day. Elise, Emily and Rachel, the next morning after D-Day.. Sarah, Elise and Rachel, the next morning after D-Day. Rachel, Andrew, Emily and Sarah at the Timber Rattlers playoff game against Beloit on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005 (the T-Rats won, prompting a third game in the series). Elise and Rachel at the T-Rats playoff game. A close-up shot of Rachel, about 10 days after she was born (this is a good, tight photo of her face).
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