By John Ostapkovich

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Medical science has expanded the envelope for premature babies to survive, but it’s no picnic for Mom.

Kasey Mathews’ first pregnancy was uneventful, resulting in an 8 pound boy, and pregnancy two seemed off to a good start, until 15 weeks shy of her delivery date, when she went into labor.

The result was little Andie, really little Andie at 1 pound, 11 ounces, and 11 inches. She’s nearly 12 years old now, no ill effects, says Mathews, even though some voices warned of them.

“My husband and I, way back when, said, you know, we’re not going to take all the doctors say and make them our belief. We’re not going to limit her potential. We’re going to let here decide who she’s going to become and what she’s going to become and we both feel that’s been part of her success,” Mathews said.

Mathews, who admits to wanting to run the other way at first, details her transformation and Andie’s in Preemie.