Annabelle Lundell is this year’s March of Dimes Ambassador

By Geri McShane, Tribune Lifestyles Editor

Amy and Steve Lundell of Albert Lea were expecting their third child when Amy went into labor at 27 weeks.

Doctors were able to stop the contractions, but Amy had to be hospitalized for 2 1/2 weeks in Rochester. Then, at 31 weeks, Annabelle Hope Lundell decided she would wait no longer to enter the world.

She arrived at 10:27 p.m. on March 31, 2004, weighing only 3 pounds, 2 1/2 ounces and measuring 15 3/4 inches long. Annabelle had to be resuscitated, and spent the first days of her life on oxygen. She was weaned to room air on April 9.

&8220;She was really thin,&8221; Steve recalled.

Annabelle spent the first month and a half of her life in Rochester at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

&8220;It took a long time for her to learn to eat,&8221; Amy recalled. &8220;She was tube fed for a long time.&8221;

Doctors gave her a 50-50 chance for survival at birth, Steve said, adding that with every day,

the chances got a little better.

Amy went to Rochester every day except one during Annabelle’s stay. &8220;We’d call every night before we went to bed,&8221; she said, adding Steve tried to keep things running at home with the two older children, Kaitlin and Thomas. Grandparents were also a huge help, Amy said.

Annabelle did well when she was in the hospital, and the couple knew she was in good hands.

&8220;The nurses there are so good,&8221; Amy said.

Amy’s first two pregnancies were uneventful, so for Annabelle to arrive so early came as quite a shock.

&8220;The doctors said if I were to have another one, things would probably be fine,&8221; she added.

Finally, Annabelle was able to go home, weighing 5 pounds.

&8220;We were very happy to get her home,&8221; Amy said.

She did cry a lot when she first got home, her mother recalled, but she grew, and today is caught up in size to other children her age. She has had a couple bouts with pneumonia, her parents said.

Developmentally, Annabelle’s parents know they have a very

bright girl on their hands. &8220;She understands everything we say,&8221; Steve said.

She doesn’t talk much yet, the Lundells said, adding &8220;No&8221; is her favorite word.

&8220;She’s frustrated she can’t communicate,&8221; Steve added.

She loves to play with her siblings.

&8220;Her favorite activity is scribbling,&8221; her mom added.

Because Annabelle spent the first weeks of her life in the NICU in Rochester, which is supported by the March of Dimes, Amy walked at last year’s WalkAmerica event. It was at that time she was asked if she was interested in having Annabelle considered for this year’s ambassador.

She was, and the family was recently notified Annabelle had been chosen for the honor.

She’ll lead this year’s walk, which will be held April 23.

(Contact Geri McShane at lifestyles@albertleatribune.com or 379-3436.)