Happy Birthday to Me!

By Lucia on August 6, 2006

This morning, at 2:48 am, I poked my head out to see what was on the other side. It was the world! Dad declared, "It's a girl!" and cut my umbilical cord. Since I was having trouble breathing (being premature and all), they quickly supplied me with oxygen and cleaned out my mouth, nostrils and stomach. Boy was it loud and bright!

Oh yeah, Dad also declared my name to be Lucia Marie Stein. I'm a little partial, but I think it's beautiful. Eventually they weighed me in at 6 pounds and 10 ounces. Not bad for a preemie! Probably my favorite part of the birthing experience was when I got to rest on my mommy's stomach. It was warm, and reminded me of home.

But I couldn't stay there long. Nope, since I'm a special baby, I have a crib with my name on it in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It was a long, hard night, but first thing this morning, my parents came and visited me. Eventually, I was weaned off the oxygen, and now am breathing just like a big girl.

But they say my blood sugar is low, and so they're trying to work that out. In the meantime, I get to spend lots of visits with Mom and Dad, and am familiarizing myself with how to start nursing.

Thanks for everyone who prayed for my safe delivery. The doctors at St. John Mercy are very wonderful, and will take good care of me until I go home with my parents. Hopefully, that will happen in the next couple days. So, if you're looking for things to pray for, please count me among them.

» Lucia's blog | 26 comments

Comments

1. Brian on Aug 7, 06 at 1:37 am

Welcome to our world, little Lucia.

2. katrina on Aug 7, 06 at 2:02 am

SHE'S GORGEOUS!!! i'm so happy for you three. the little steindom is growing. i can't wait to see her in real life, she looks so soft and sweet. i especially like the early signs of accessories!!

mom and dad stien, you're going to make amazing holy parents.

see you soon. love k. politte

3. Kendra on Aug 7, 06 at 2:03 am

Congratulations to all 3 of you! I was bored and decided to check your site. I was so excited! Lucia is so beautiful. I cant wait to meet her. Congratulations again. Love you all!

4. Christina on Aug 7, 06 at 2:09 am

Lucia Marie is so beautiful, just like her parents! I cannot wait to see her and tell her how excited everyone has been to meet her!

xoxoxoxo, Christina

5. Julia on Aug 7, 06 at 3:34 am

Baby Lucia,

I am so very excited that you have decided to join us a little early. I can not tell you how excited I am to hold you! You are very beautiful and I will have to get a better look before I decide who you look like, Mom or Dad.

Mommy and Daddy Stein.....you two show the true courage of loving parents (from the beginning) I am SOO EXCITED for the two of you and will continue to pray for you. Get LOTS of rest and I hope to visit soon!

God Bless

6. Sue on Aug 7, 06 at 3:45 am

Dear Stein Family,

Congratulations! Lucia is an angel! You have been truly blessed!

God Bless, Sue O'Daniel

7. Teresa on Aug 7, 06 at 3:46 am

Congratulations on the new arrival!

8. Sara Dannan on Aug 7, 06 at 4:02 am

Happy Birthday little Lucia! Congratulations to her proud parents--She is absolutely adorable!

I'll continue to keep the three of you in my thoughts and prayers. Congrats again! :) Sara

9. Christine on Aug 7, 06 at 5:08 am

Little Lucia, you are indeed SO BEAUTIFUL!! I'm happy to know that you are in the world safely now. You have such wonderful parents, you lucky girl! I'm so excited that I will be able to meet you when I come home later this month! Love, Christine

10. Anonymous on Aug 7, 06 at 5:09 am

Congrats!

Wow, what a Beautiful baby girl. It's been an exciting journey to follow with you and appreciate you sharing this great experience with your extended family.

I have a Lucia Maria as well and she's 3-yrs old now. I've heard of this name more and more in the last few years --- Sister Lucia of Fatima must be pleased with so many namesakes.

Take care,

Vince

11. Annette Keipp on Aug 7, 06 at 5:23 am

Congratulations! I am glad all went well! We will keep you in my prayers! God Bless!

Annette Keipp

12. Emily Sellers on Aug 7, 06 at 8:34 am

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BABY!!!!

What a blessing to both of you! I'm all teary-eyed right now. How truly beautiful... I can't wait to hear how it went.

Well, not being born on a first Saturday, but being born instead on the feast of the Transfiguration is not too bad, I'd say!!

I'M SO EXCITED TO HEAR THE NEWS!!!!

I will continue to pray for all of you!

Love, Emily

Welcome, little Lucia Marie!

13. Mary Rose on Aug 7, 06 at 10:50 am

Heather and Joel, That is one beautiful baby! I think she looks like Heather already! Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!
And, I hope Heather has a safe and happy recovery! Mary Rose

14. Johnna on Aug 7, 06 at 11:10 am

Wow she is gorgeous. I love the pictures! Nothing like those first moments!

God Bless you, Johnna H.

15. Judy Whitmore on Aug 7, 06 at 11:35 am

She is a beauty! What a great day to be given such a gift from God! May God bless the three of you, Judy Whitmore

16. Rachel on Aug 7, 06 at 11:57 am

Welcome, Lucia Marie! What a beautiful little girl and a wonderful name! You and your parents will be in my heart and my prayers!

17. Jessica & Jonathan Hansen on Aug 8, 06 at 5:41 am

Congratulations, Steins!

We are SO happy for you and are keeping little Lucia in our prayers!

May our Lord bless and keep you always!

Love, Jonathan & Jessica Hansen

18. Sally Bolderson on Aug 8, 06 at 7:06 am

Joel and Heather,

Lucia is BEAUTIFUL! What a wonderful gift! Give her a kiss for me!

Sally

19. Jackie Malt on Aug 8, 06 at 8:20 am

Congratulations! Welcome to parenthood. It is the most surreal event in the entire world. You thought you knew about sleep deprivation before, but now you know it's whole different story with kids. However, somehow you don't seem to mind the 2 am and 4 am and 6 am feedings, and poopy diapers are a strange joy. Your baby girl is so blessed to have such awesome parents. Can I bring you a meal? or diapers? or just plain chocolate? Anyway, thanks be to God. She is just beautiful. Love, Jackie

20. Great Aunt Justine on Aug 9, 06 at 2:33 am

Congratulations Joel and Heather!

I just viewed the pictures. You have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl. I am sure that you are both very proud. What a rough few days that you all had. I kept up with the progress via Grandma Sandy and had you in my thoughts and prayers.

Take it easy through out the week and rest when you can. I will be thinking of the 3 of you.

Our Very Best Wishes- Jim, Justine, Molly, Craig and Kelsey

21. Bernadette on Aug 9, 06 at 4:06 am

Oh my goodness! What a wonderfully beautiful baby girl! I can not wait to meet this new addition to the world. Baby Lucia Marie is just breathtakingly gorgeous!

22. Joshua Miller on Aug 9, 06 at 8:16 am

Congratulations and we pray that though she was premature that everything goes well and that her first night at home will be soon (if not already done).

23. Josh and Brooke Murtaugh on Aug 9, 06 at 12:49 pm

Joel and Heather,

Congrats on the new arrival. I hope you are enjoying parenthood thus far. We are both happy for you.

24. ken & julie stein on Aug 10, 06 at 11:52 am

joel & heather,

what a wonderful arrival for you two. she looks beautiful and appears to be handling this world very well.

love & prayers, ken & julie

25. Jeff Geerling on Aug 11, 06 at 1:52 am

What a beautiful baby! I'm glad to know that you are doing well, Lucia, and I love your name, too. I will pray that you continue to do well.

-Jeff Geerling

26. Tiffany Watkins on Aug 16, 06 at 4:34 am

Just browsing and came across this blog. What great pics of all of you! We are so happy for you. Can't wait to meet Lucia Stein!! Love, Tiffany

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