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)