Lydia's story begins with a routine ultrasound that took place in November, 2004. Randall and I went to find out whether we were having a boy or a girl, which was really all I thought a 20 week ultrasound was for at that point in my life. The ultrasound technician was not as bubbly and happy as she was during Carter's ultrasound two years earlier, and she seemed to be taking quite a long time to get to the really important part...finding out the gender. 
Finally, to my great joy, she informed us that we were having a girl. She then proceeded to show us what looked like a tiny gap in my daughter's spine and a small bubble on her back. Lydia's head shape was also more like a lemon than an oval. The technician went to talk to the doctor and I began to feel a little bit uneasy, but it was not until the doctor informed me that my daughter had spina bifida that the devastation really sunk in. As the day progressed and we learned more about spina bifida all the dreams I'd had for my daughter were slipping out of my grasp one by one...no leotards and tutus...no soccer practice after school...could she even go to a regular school?
As the pregnancy progressed, we realized that we were going to be blessed with a very special child, and we couldn't wait to get her here. Lydia arrived via C-section on March 23, 2005. She was immediately given over to the NICU and her spine was repaired the next day. After two days of observation, we were informed that her hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) was getting worse and that she was going to have a shunt placed the following day. We were hoping that she wouldn't need one, but knew that it was a likely possiblity. The shunt was placed, and she was kept at Primary Children's for only 8 days. She was so fortunate to not have any of the other birth defects common in spina bifida children, and was able to leave the hospital after such a relatively short period of time.
Finally, to my great joy, she informed us that we were having a girl. She then proceeded to show us what looked like a tiny gap in my daughter's spine and a small bubble on her back. Lydia's head shape was also more like a lemon than an oval. The technician went to talk to the doctor and I began to feel a little bit uneasy, but it was not until the doctor informed me that my daughter had spina bifida that the devastation really sunk in. As the day progressed and we learned more about spina bifida all the dreams I'd had for my daughter were slipping out of my grasp one by one...no leotards and tutus...no soccer practice after school...could she even go to a regular school?As the pregnancy progressed, we realized that we were going to be blessed with a very special child, and we couldn't wait to get her here. Lydia arrived via C-section on March 23, 2005. She was immediately given over to the NICU and her spine was repaired the next day. After two days of observation, we were informed that her hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) was getting worse and that she was going to have a shunt placed the following day. We were hoping that she wouldn't need one, but knew that it was a likely possiblity. The shunt was placed, and she was kept at Primary Children's for only 8 days. She was so fortunate to not have any of the other birth defects common in spina bifida children, and was able to leave the hospital after such a relatively short period of time.
Lydia is 3 years old now and has been such a blessing in our life. She has just switched from Kids on the Move (an excellent early intervention program) to the school district for physical and occupational therapy. We are really going to miss her the
rapists from Kids on the Move, but she has taken very well to her new therapists at the school district. She's currently walking with her walker, and we are hoping to have her walking with canes or even just her braces by the time she goes to Kindergarten. I consider the song " In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride to be mine and Lydia's song. It perfectly sums up my feelings about Lydia, and I can't listen to it without crying. She has been such an unexpected gift, and I have very high hopes for her future.
rapists from Kids on the Move, but she has taken very well to her new therapists at the school district. She's currently walking with her walker, and we are hoping to have her walking with canes or even just her braces by the time she goes to Kindergarten. I consider the song " In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride to be mine and Lydia's song. It perfectly sums up my feelings about Lydia, and I can't listen to it without crying. She has been such an unexpected gift, and I have very high hopes for her future. 
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