Happy Birthday Lucy Lu!

My BABY IS TURNING 3

I can't believe it has been 3 years since our little Lucy Lu was born. What a journey it has been. Most of you know everything she has overcome, but i wanted to take a moment and share my feelings about the day she was born.

Dear Lucy,

When we were pregnant we learned that You had a complication and couldn't be delivered anywhere in Idaho. Mommy was so scared. We had a 30% chance that you would not make it through. You were diagnosed with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Basically means that your diaphragm didn't form and close when it should have. So all of your organs that are suppose to be in your gut (i.e. stomach, liver, intestines, spleen..), floated up into your chest cavity. This caused your left lung to not grow and because there was so much stuff in your chest and your heart was being crushed. Mommy was moved down to Salt Lake at the end of October. I lived in the Ronald McDonald house by myself, with Daddy coming down on the weekends. Both Grandmas and Grandpa Jones came down for your birth. I am so grateful that I had them there because Mommy was a WRECK. After being admitted into the hospital at about 10:30 in the morning, they started me on Pitocin, which is just stuff that they put into my IV to make me go into labor. After 9 hours of nothing happening, no hard contractions, no pain. Dr. Byrne (mommy's doctor) came in and decided to break my water. Then the contractions came! Boy did they hurt!! Mommy couldn't handle the pain, so they brought in a nice man to give me some medicine to help me feel better. By this time it was about 7 or so at night. 2 hours later I was fully dialated to a 10 and it was time to push you out! It only took about 20 minutes of pushing and you were HERE!! you were born into this world at 9:19 pm on November 20th 2007.

Now because of your CDH, I didn't get to hold you. Daddy didn't know if he was suppose to cut your cord or not, but he just grabbed those scissors and did it anyway! There were a lot of emotions going on in that room. Grandpa Jones, and Grandma Jones, and Grandma Haas and Daddy were all there in the room to see you born. Plus about 20 nurses and Dr. Byrne. As soon as you were out of me they passed you right through the window into the ICU. The nice nurse took a picture of you so that I could see what you looked like. You were absolutely beautiful. I had never seen anything more precious in my life. You were perfect. They got you all hooked up to your oxygen and your different IVs and the Air-flight team wheeled you over to Primary Children's where you spent the next month. Mommy and Grandma Jones were there everyday to hold your hands and talk to you, read to you, and sing to you. Daddy still came down whenever he could, but he was still in school so it wasn't as often as he would have liked. Mommy was so grateful to have Grandma there. She helped Mommy stay strong when times were tough. I believe that this is when you and Grandma Jones really bonded. She talked to you everyday. Stayed with you when mommy had to go pump or when Mommy had to go nap. At first you had some tough days, you had reactions to medications and a hard time breathing. But soon you were doing great! You amazed the Doctors and Nurses. You were such a good baby. After about 2 weeks we were finally able to hold you! This was the best day ever. Mommy was so happy when she finally got to hold you. You still had your central line in your leg and oxygen going in your nose so we had to be very careful. You were so tiny and beautiful. You looked just like your Daddy, everyone said so :) Grandpa Haas and Uncle Shane came to visit and some other friends, everyone was so excited to see you. You were in the hospital for a total of 4 weeks and then they took you off of your oxygen and you had finally gained enough weight that we could take you home! After a very emotional goodbye, we dropped Grandma Jones off at the Salt Lake Airport and then we were on our way back home to Rexburg!

Mommy and Daddy were very overprotective of you for a long time. Mommy didn't take you anywhere for a few months because I was afraid you would get sick. We spent our first Christmas together as a family at home. You were blessed at church on January 6th 2008. Grandma and Grandpa Haas came for that. Grandma Haas just loved you! She would stay up at night with you and rock you for hours. You were her little Lucy. She ever got brave and took you overnight to the Hotel one night so Mommy and Daddy could have a good night sleep. Lucy, you are the luckiest girl in the world to have so many people that love you. Mommy and Daddy could not imagine life without you. You are so strong everyday. We thank Heavenly Father that he sent you to us, and we would not have life any other way. You continually surprise us everyday. You are so fun and loving. And So smart! We love to listen to you laugh and love to listen to your stories. You have always been such a good, well tempered baby, much like your Daddy, Grandma says.

So today you turn 3 years old!! Its been the best 3 years of my life! I love you so much and hope you have a fantastically FUN birthday!!!