My teddy can tell you just how well I've done

Not only did she weigh just 1lb 4oz, the tiny baby, who was once dwarfed by the toy, had stomach problems that would require surgery within months of her birth.

However, she has beaten all the odds to blossom into a healthy youngster far bigger than the teddy.

Now her parents are preparing for a day they thought they would never see - her first birthday on Thursday.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Ian Middleton and Dorothy Allen, known as Dot, said they plan to make the most of Lucia's special day.

Dot, 39, said: "She was something of a miracle to start with because after 11 years of trying we had pretty much given up on having

children. When I was told I was pregnant it was a complete surprise."

Problems started when, at 25 weeks into her pregnancy, Dot, of Tangmere Drive, Lordshill, Southampton, was admitted to hospital with high blood pressure. A condition called pre-eclampsia was diagnosed and doctors decided that an emergency Caesarean operation was the only option.

After the operation at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton Lucia was put into an incubator and vent-ilated to help her under-

developed organs.

It wasn't until more than a week later when Ian, 40, was able to hold his child for the first time. But Lucia was far from out of the woods. An operation followed on her bowels when she was just five months old.

Dot said: "That was a bad time. Once we thought she was making progress she would take two steps backwards. She almost died on four occasions. I would get a call to say come up to the hospital because she had taken a turn for the worst - it was awful and I wouldn't wish any parent to go through that.

"Both staff at Princess Anne and Southampton General were fantastic. They kept us going along with our family who were incredible."

It wasn't until June that Lucia was able to come home for the first time. Dot said: "I am so proud of her and I want everyone to know about how well she has done."