65 is NOT Old

This is a picture of the Williams. My dad is 35 in this picture...my age now

Father of the bride

One year ago....holding Jessica

So today is my dad's 65th Birthday! I don't normally do whole posts or shout outs on peoples birthdays, but I think 65 is a huge milestone. Robert J. Williams, Jr was born this day 65 years ago! He has also been known as:

Daddy

Papa

Bumpa Bob

Helmet

Bobby

Tight Wad

Man with many files (this guy is so oraganized, he has a file for everything)

Cheapskate (My dad always bought me a "kid" ski pass, even when I was 16)

Baja Bob

Master Griller

Delegator

Husband to Queen Bee

and most recently- Hamburger Face

And now I am going to let you in on some good stuff:

1. During long drives to Utah on family trips, my dad would help pass the time with us kids by letting us talk on his CB radio. We thought we were so cool talking to truckers! His handle was tennis elbow. (I think) He would also stick licorice up his nose so all us kids would go "SICK DAD!" Oh, he loved it!

2. I played a lot of soccer growing up and my dad always took me! We would have to get up sometimes extremely early in the morning and drive long distances....but he did it! Always!

3. My dad used to catch me ditching Sunday School with my friends. He never got upset. He just told us to get back inside....and then would never check if we actually did. As a teenager, this was fabulous!

4. My dad loves the movies. When I was 11 or 12 he took me to go see "Chucky". (its a horror film of a murdering talking doll named Chucky.) We still talk of that night. "Hi I'm Chucky, wanna play??"

5. My dad loves sports. I have such great memories of going to basketball and baseball games with him growing up. He is taking me to a Suns game next month! Can't wait!! (recently he has become addicted to NASCAR! What the???)

6. My dad is the nickname king. Meaning, if he knows you, he has a nickname for you.

I could go on and on, but the kids are a callin'!! So Dad, if you read this, Happy Birthday! and you are right, 65 is not old! I love you and am proud to call you my dad. I am impressed with all you have accomplished career wise and personally. I thank you for sacrificing for us kids. Thanks for always providing for us and supporting us in our endeavors.

Sweet Lucy Jane

I thought this was cute, but hit close to home. I find myself saying something like this at least once a day .... "oh, pictures are posted on my blog, check it out." or "you can read about it on my blog..."

A Better Day

Friday turned out to be a better day than I thought. Ofcourse I had tears and grief, but I also had my family with me, which made me grateful for them. We were all together and getting through the day together. We decided to go to the cemetary and release some balloons in Jessica's honor. We each wrote a note to Jessica and then released the balloon into the sky.Then we went to eat at our favorite place, Costa Vida. It was so therapeutic for me. Jason with the 4 pink balloons

Jason writing on his balloon to Jessica

Me writing on a balloon got Lucy and Quinn

The bunch

Jason was videotaping the release of all the balloons

Flying away

and away

Quinn watching his balloon fly away

The face of trouble (yes, we are working on getting rid of that pacifier!)

Costa Vida.....I could eat there everyday

Quinn in front of the fountain at Costa Vida

And our Little Lucy also accompanied us. (what an angel)

So the year mark came and went and I have a feeling that with each new year, things will be better and better. The pain will lessen and time will take the sting away. Jess will always be a part of our family and in time March 6 can be more of a celebration!

One Year

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Today is bitter sweet for me. One year ago today I met and held our daughter Jessica. She was so beautiful. So perfect. The joy of seeing her face and touching her hands and feet, and knowing she was mine was pure joy. But it was also the toughest day of my life. Trying to say goodbye to a daughter that was taken before I even knew what hit me is undescribable. This past year has been full ups and downs. But on this year anniversary I want to honor her memory with this short post. I will always remember the day I met her (sweet) and I will always remember the day I came home without her (bitter). I love you Jess!

Lucy Comes Home!

What a wonderful surprise we had when we went to the hospital today.....Shannon (sister) and I went to give Lucy her 11am feeding and the doctor said we could take her home!! Lucy has been in the NICU for 11 days and it was so unexpected that Shan and I both started crying. The nurses were chuckling by our reaction, but touched. I told them it had been a long hard road and finally, this was the day I had been waiting for!! So Jason came up from work with her carseat and clothes and we brought Miss Lucy home. Woohoo!!

Jason, Emily, and Lucy

Aunt Shannon holding Lucy the night before she came home

Lucy, in her NICU crib

Big Brother Quinn getting Lucy her "Boo" (pacifier)

Big Brother thinking it is pretty cool to have a "bebe" around.

Thanks to everyone who prayed for Lucy and us. I feel so blessed to have a healthy baby in my arms, at last. I truly know that each baby born is a miracle. Lucy just happens to be our miracle. Welcome home Lucy!!

Making Her Debut / The Whole Story

Introducing Lucy Jane Scanlan. Born February 7, 2009. She weighed 6 lbs. 9 oz and was 19.5 inches long.
Jason and I were watching the Super Bowl and right at kickoff I told him we must go to the hospital. It was time!! We checked in and contractions were every 3 minutes apart and painful! The hospital called my doctor and he told them to give me meds to stop the contractions. It wasn't time. After 6 days in the hospital, being pumped full of magnesium sulfate, the doctor fianlly said it WAS time. I had a C-Section at 10 am on Saturday morning. Although Lucy was born 4 weeks premature, I had good feelings that everything was going to be fine.

Lucy's first breaths of air Jason showing me Lucy for the first time. (love being strapped to the operating table)

BUT, there were problems. Even though we had the steroid shots, Miss Lucy's lungs were underdeveloped. The next time I saw her, she looked like this.

Lucy in the NICU with her C-pap machine on.

Then we got word the Lucy had jaundice and so she was placed under the flourescent lights. She was, however, quickly taken off the C-pap machine and place on continuos flow of oxygen. This meant she only had to have the little prongs in her nose.
Lucy getting a sweet suntan
The first time I was able to hold Lucy wasn't until the day after she was born. That was really hard not being able to just hold her whenever I wanted. But when we were up there holding her, the nurses asked if we wanted to change her diaper and give her a bath. It was one of the sweetest moments being able to wash her off and see her tiny legs and hands.

I celebrated my birthday in the hospital. (even though I got my present the day before) My mom and dad came down and had cookies and presents. They even sang me "Happy Birthday!" Jason's parents also came down to wish me a Happy Birthday. Although I was in the hospital, it was a definite memorable birthday. Today Lucy is still in the NICU, but her "problems" are non-life threatening and I know she will be home shortly. I go to the hospital everyday to see her and everyday she is getting better and better. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us, sent us good thoughts and even visited. My stay at the hospital was tough on me mentally, so thanks to the visitors who kept my spirits up and kept me company. It all meant so much to me. (more on this to follow)