Premature baby goes home after spending four months in Good Shepherd NICU

LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV) - One of the earliest premature babies in one hospital's history is finally home with her family tonight.

More than four months ago, Isabella Grace Shahan was born at Good Shepherd Medical Center, weighing just fifteen ounces. Lisa Pina-Shahan only carried Isabella Grace for 25 weeks before giving birth to her then very premature baby.

"I was scared; they didn't give us very good chances that she would make it," said Lisa. "We just prayed and hoped that she would make it through."

Isabella spent four months in neonatal intensive care fighting for each day ahead of her. Now, she resembles a perfectly healthy newborn, weighing in at a full seven pounds.

"Everybody is just excited and ready to see her, and you know we're excited just to have her home," said Lisa.

"We're excited to teach her new things, show her new things," said Isabella's father, David Shahan. "Things that she has not seen, since she's been in a hospital, like flowers and birds."

Lisa, David, and the nurses say that even at such a young age, Isabella has made quite an impression in the hospital.

"Well, she's very spunky," said Kelly Anderson R.N. "She knows what she wants and what she doesn't want, and what she likes and what she doesn't like."

Lisa describes the homecoming as something like a new birthdate...her official welcome into the world.

"I'm ready for her to be a baby," said David. "To learn and play and be in her own little room, in her own little environment."

While baby Isabella is making her first homecoming today, this won't be the last time she sees her doctors.Isabella's parents say there they will be learning more about her health as she continues to grow.

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