The joy of expecting our second child came last April. The first half of the pregnancy we discovered we would be having another girl… the name picking and nursery planning took flight. Hues of pink and gold with a running list of Italian names consumed our every thought!

My anatomy scan at 21 weeks pregnant revealed fluid around Luccia’s heart, which my obstetrician was not overly concerned about. He suggested I either have a repeat ultrasound or gave me the choice to follow up with a high risk doctor. I opted for the latter and was directed to have a fetal echocardiogram prior to my visit. I scheduled the fetal echocardiogram during my lunch break, not anticipating the severity of the results. On September 1, 2015, our lives were transformed forever. I learned that very day that Luccia had a congenital heart defect called complete atrioventricular canal defect (AV canal). I promptly called my husband and my mom and left work for the day. The remainder of the day, I wept and scoured the internet. I quickly discovered the high correlation between this particular heart defect and Down Syndrome. Panic and fear took control of me and I questioned my ability to raise a sick child with a disability. Jason and my mom wrapped me in their arms… my oldest, Giada, told me not to cry. Giada assured me, “It’s okay momma. I love you.”

The next few weeks are a blur filled with doctor appointments and decisions about which care providers would be best for Luccia and I. The first high risk doctor I saw prompted me to have a cell free DNA lab test to check for chromosomal abnormalities. Jason and I began to accept the facts of Luccia’s heart defect. We knew she would require open heart surgery, but we also knew that surgery would give her new life. We tried to push the lab test to the back of our minds while we held on to all hope that Luccia would, in fact, be okay. Then, the phone call came… I was home with Giada when I answered. I was tactfully told my baby had a 99% chance of having Trisomy 21. I fell to my knees and begged God to give me strength. Giada came to my side and again told me, “It’s okay momma. I love you.” I called Jason and he came right home from work. That night our family dynamic changed… we cried, we embraced, and we prayed.

We spent about a month absorbing this new walk of life. I switched obstetricians and high risk doctors. We decided it was best to deliver at Christ, which is where we met the man who would make Luccia’s heart whole, Dr. Ilbawi. Our conversations reflected upon “the signs” we had been given that this was not an accident and we were meant to be Luccia’s parents. We fell in love with the name Luccia (meaning “the light” in Italian) shortly after we found out she was a girl, around 15 weeks. We decided to use a double “C” for the spelling to help with pronunciation of a “ch” sound. Little did we know, her name would carry an extra “C” and her genetic makeup would carry an extra chromosome. Jason played a round of golf with a man who is involved at the Lincoln Way Special Recreation Center, which was built in our subdivision after we moved in. He discovered his involvement at LWSRC just days prior to confirming my cell free DNA lab test… a business card fell out of his wallet with a picture of a child with Down Syndrome on it. I began to research information and resources pertaining to Down Syndrome, which is when I stumbled upon GiGi’s Playhouse. We have always called Giada “Gigi,” so this discovery brought me comfort. My mom reached out to Beth, who generously provided information about the facility and encouraged us to attend a play session.

The morning we went to GiGi’s Playhouse brought some anxiety, which quickly escaped me as Beth warmly hugged me at the front door. Giada went to town playing with all the toys and I truly felt encouraged. I was amazed by the true love I saw and was surrounded by. Parents and children coming together to share their experiences and encourage new families. Beth and several other moms shared their phone numbers with me… telling me to reach out to them day or night. Witnessing the strength and happiness that filled GiGi’s Playhouse brought me a renewed sense of hope. All I could think about when we walked out was when we would get back!

Beth continuously checked up on me throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. She informed me of parents and children who had similar health issues to Luccia. She also shared with me about new families of GiGi’s. After a much needed getaway to Maui, Giada and I were able to get back to GiGi’s. I was particularly excited to meet a new mom, Laurie, who was expecting her baby girl just six weeks after me. I opened up about our experiences throughout pregnancy, sharing both my elation and my fears. The sense of peace I felt at the playhouse continued to build my spirit and help me lovingly embrace the miracle of life I was carrying… that miracle, our sweet Luccia, entered the world that very night.

I have learned there really are no coincidences in life… rather purposeful plans of our God. Luccia’s first month of life was spent in the hospital. GiGi’s Playhouse hand delivered the most wonderful bag of goodies to us during our stay. Beth and fellow parents have followed us on our Luccia Strong journey and constantly encourage us on a daily basis. While we have had limited time at the playhouse (due to confinement at home and preventing illness), we truly feel like we belong to the family of GiGi’s Playhouse. Luccia’s debut at GiGi’s Playhouse will be very emotional… finally, our shining light will meet the faces of those who have loved her before they really even knew her!