Monday, December 10, 2007

Yet another friend's sincere blog post

12/10/2007 08:31pm by Amy
Please know, I am NOT a vain or arrogant person, by any means, so by me sharing where all Lydia is affecting people (through friends' websites mainly that I can link to), just be aware I want you to see how friends (and strangers!) are being changed and others' perspectives, or views, of our story.

I have a friend, named Amy Clark, who has a wonderful website, with a HUGE following, called MomAdvice.com.  She is a very talented woman (superwoman, as I joke to her).  Check her out to learn from her, but also to read what she posted about our story.  Here is the blog entry she posted about us.  I personally enjoy her blog (through her MomAdvice site) and learn a great deal from her regarding homemaking, frugality, organization, creativity...the list goes on and on.  

Thank you, Amy, for thinking of us and sharing Lydia with your many readers!!!  I love ya!
Posted by Mike Focosi at 9:53 PM 0 comments

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Awesome post about the memorial service...

12/09/2007 04:31pm by Amy

Well, my new dearest friend (and labor/delivery nurse), Renay, has posted another blog entry to share to all. 
It's a beautiful visual view (with explanations) of what Renay witnessed, through her very own eyes, at the service...and that is especially why I love it.  Please look at the pictures and read her thoughts...I feel like I say this all of the time now (I hope things I say don't get old), but you WILL be blessed if you check it out :-)

And I don't know why I feel the need to say this....to all the Grey's Anatomy fans:  You know how Meredith (even though she annoys me sometimes) refers to Christina as "her person" (and vice versa).  I really do feel that way about Renay (remember this is a sudden, in a way, new and intense friendship). I KNOW she watches Grey's, so she will get this.  She is "my person."  But, as I have been jokingly (but seriously) saying to random acquaintances in my life this past week...I have "my PEOPLE" now.  I really don't JUST have "my person" in Renay (when before this week I could never have really said that about anybody).  I have like a posse, haha...my people.  And you know who you are, but I will list some of you (there are more...since SO many of you have just come through for me in so many ways during my pregnancy and especially this past week).  So, in addition to Renay, some of my people include (but are NOT limited to!): Jessica, Lindsay, Kristy, Lara (yes, Lara, you are!), and my two sisters-in-laws....Janice and Danyell.

I LOVE YOU  ALL.....stay tuned for updates as it appears we are now adding to our site much more frequently :-)
Posted by Mike Focosi at 9:56 PM 0 comments

Video tribute to Lydia

Posted by Mike Focosi at 9:37 PM 0 comments

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Lydia Grace Focosi

About Lydia

This web page is dedicated to our daughter Lydia Grace Focosi who went to be with our Lord within the hour of her birth on December 3rd, 2007. Our beautiful daughter had a birth defect called anencephaly. "Anencephaly occurs when the "cephalic" or head end of the neural tube fails to close, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp." We only had a short time with Lydia Grace but we know in our hearts that she felt all of our love. She is a shining star and a beautiful angel who will always be a part of our lives.

Recent Posts

About our Family

Lydia is survived by her parents Amy and Mike, her brother Alex. We live in Lafayette, Indiana.

Anencephaly Links

More Links

Posted by Mike Focosi at 12:29 PM 0 comments

Obituary - Lydia Grace Focosi

Infant Lydia Grace Focosi

December 8th, 2007

Infant Lydia Grace Focosi, daughter of Michael and Amy Dietz Focosi, died at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 28 minutes after her birth.

Surviving is a brother, Alexander Focosi of Lafayette.

Also surviving are maternal grandparents, Lora Dietz and David Gohn of La Porte, and Timothy Dietz and Linda DeLaruelle of Osceola; paternal grandparents, Joseph and Polly Focosi of South Bend; and maternal great-grandparents, Wayne Dietz of Michigan City and Elaine Dietz of Chesterton.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the 11 a.m. memorial service on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at Hippensteel Funeral Home. Dr. James Farrer of Christ United Methodist Church will officiate. Memorial gifts may be given to the "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" Foundation, 7800 S. Elati St. #111, Littleton, CO 80120.www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

Condolences from HippensteelFuneralHome.com

2007-12-04 from: Barb Wolf
May God's love make you stronger. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

2007-12-05 from: Marianne Lloyd
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am praying that you can find comfort knowing your baby is in God's hands. God Bless you, Marianne Lloyd We are in the same church family Christ UM Church

2007-12-05 from: Pastor Bill and Lisa Wassner
Dear Friends, Words cannot possibly contain our sorrow and compassion for your family at this time. Know that Lydia is now in the loving hands of our Father in heaven. May God's gift of peace break through the clouds of grief and give you a sense of the brightness of His love. Bill & Lisa

2007-12-05 from: Sherri Harper
We wish we could be there to join in the celebration of Lydia's life. Please know that we have you in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless your whole family.

2007-12-05 from: Leora Reeder
May God bless the Focosi family at this time of sorrow. An old neighborhood friend. 2007-12-06 from: Virginia Fuller So heaven welcomes little Lydia. You did a wonderful thing Amy. I've prayed for you and your mom since I heard what was up. This little one will leave quite a mark on the world for 28 minutes. So very sorry. Ginger Fuller (A friend of your mom)

2007-12-06 from: tasha cox
Dear family my name is tasha and im so sorry to have read about your loss of your precious daughter lydia I to have been in your place with a loss of a child 4 yrs ago my boyfriend and i lost twin daughters at birth.I will keep ya all in my thoughts and prayers and know that you are not alone.I found comfort in talking to people who has been through it.God Bless you and your family.

2007-12-07 from: Brett
My family and I are so sorry for your loss. May God's grace be with you as Lydia is now with God. You are in our prayers.

2007-12-08 from: John & Suzy Maldonado
Please know that our love and prayers are with you and your family as they have been in the past. Lydia is in the arms of Jesus and will be forever loved. We will continue to pray for your family's recovery. John, Suzy, Michaela, Becca and Leah Maldonado from Christ United Methodist Church

2007-12-08 from: Tena Graham (Mom's Club friend)
Words cannot express how very sorry I am, you are in my prayers today. May a few words from the greatest book ever created, ease a little of that sadness in your heart. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

2007-12-08 from: Jenny Boehm
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you strength and comfort.

Posted by Mike Focosi at 12:23 PM 0 comments

Friday, December 7, 2007

Another AMAZING post about Lydia

12/07/2007 03:14am by Amy

I have formed relationships in Lafayette (in just a little over a year's time since moving here) that are just UN"freakin" believable (I've been using that word a lot lately and I need to stop, but felt appropriate in this moment).  One of my newest friendships has also become one of my dearest and closest friends because we experienced Lydia's labor and delivery together.  Her name is Renay.  She composed an AMAZING (another word I've been using and heard a lot lately) post at her personal blog about us.  

You must read it, so go here!!!

What do you think?  Crazy, right?  Comment on her blog.  She will be touched and tickled by it.  I am the first comment in there (proudly) and you should read my response.  Renay has her own amazing story about being pregnant and delivering one of her beautiful sons, Owen.  I have not met Owen yet, but I can't wait to.  I'm telling you, this friendship is new and very developed in a short (but intense) amount of time.  That's just what makes it one of the many "God-things" that has come out of our Lydia's little (but BIG) life.

Once again, thank you, Renay, for posting what I cannot right now, but what I truly feel.  I LOVE YOU!
Posted by Mike Focosi at 9:58 PM

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

A personal testimony to Lydia

12/05/2007 12:10am by Amy

One of my closest friends, Lindsay (whom I have only known for 10 months now), wrote a beautiful testimony to God's presence in our sweet girl's life.  I wanted to share with all of you because I think it is so meaningful and true.  It is long, but you must read it in its entirety!  I can't thank her enough for articulating so clearly what many of us feel about Lydia and her short time with us. The fact that Lindsay wrote this is just one of the many reasons that I continue to be amazed and humbled at the outpouring of love and support we have received.  Words TRULY cannot express.  I can't say that enough!

Here is Lindsay's blog entry.
Lindsay, I love you and I thank you for taking the time to compose this...means more to me than you will ever know.  YOU mean more to me than you will ever know!

Oh, and on a side note to everyone, Lydia's memorial arrangements have been finalized.  If you did not receive an e-mail with the information (and you would like to know), please e-mail us directly.
Posted by Mike Focosi at 9:59 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Lydia Grace Focosi

by Mike & Amy
Hello everyone,
First of all, thank you for all of your love and support.

I was admitted to the hospital at 2pm Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 (at 34 weeks) because I was leaking amniotic fluid.

I was started on Pitocin right away to induce labor. I only had slight, inconsistent contractions throughout the rest of the night. The doctor broke my water at 8am Monday morning (Dec.3rd). Labor started to progress more after that.

I got an epidural at 3:30pm when the contractions were painful and a couple of minutes apart (I was still only 4 cm dilated).  I dozed for an hour since I felt more comfortable and then all of a sudden I felt her head ready to push out at 4:45pm.  I called the nurse and told her I thought the baby was crowning.  Sure enough she was.  A team of nurses and a doctor from out in the hallway (not mine because this all happened so fast) rushed in and delivered her just like that.  1 1/2 pushes later our baby girl was out at 4:47 pm, Monday, Dec. 3rd, 2007.  Her heart was still beating when laid on my chest right after delivery.  She lived until about 5:15pm and then went to be with our Lord.  

She weighed 3 pounds, 7 ounces and was 15 1/2 in. long.  She had long, skinny feet, beautiful hands, a sweet mouth, and a little dark hair.  Her anencephalic condition was evident, but she was wonderfully and beautifully made by our God.

We spent the rest of the evening holding, cuddling, dressing, and loving on her with close friends and family.  We took lots of pictures, made hand and footprints and cut a lock of hair. We made the most of our very short time with her as a family.  Alex met his baby sister and held her hand.  

I will be discharged Tuesday morning and we will want some much-needed time to ourselves at home.

Words can't express how grateful we are to SO many amazing people in our lives who have helped us abundantly during this difficult time--You all know who you are!!!  We love you!

Please pray for us as we struggle through the grieving process and eventually begin to heal.  Lydia's memorial service will most likely be later this week.

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength that I need...He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago....
Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 2:10

Lydia's little life was the good thing that God had planned for us and He sure has given us so much strength thus far.

We love you...please keep us in your prayers.
Posted by Mike Focosi at 12:27 PM 0 comments
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