Update on 3D Printed Airway Splints

We wanted to take a moment and share the most recent update with you. C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital and the University of Michigan have released some research related to the procedure that Garrett was able to receive from them. Dr. Glen Green and his team. They have now saved 3 children's lives  (Kaiba, Garrett, and Ian) using these incredible 3D printed airway splints. All 3 kids are doing awesome and are improving far past any previous expectations for their diagnosis. As many of you know Garrett was in ICU type care for the first 19 months of his life. This procedure was the only thing that was able to bring Garrett home. Since the procedure we have never even seen the slightest evidence of any complication or problem with his airway splints. Our greatest hope is that other children with airway issues can find Dr. Green and his team in Michigan. Looking back we can now see that Garrett was weeks away from passing away before he had the surgery in Michigan. These doctors are our heroes. So far they have only done the procedure on 3 children and it has been successful in every circumstance. We would trust them with our Garrett again in a heartbeat. University of Michigan is trying to raise enough money to do a formal medical research trial where they can treat children who are not as severe as Garrett but are waiting for help. You can donate to their efforts here:

3D printed airway Airway Fund

Loving that warmer weather has returned 😎☀️ it called for a walk around our neighborhood and then relaxing out in the backyard. Love this boy!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 10, 2015 at 5:25pm PDT

Sometimes waking up from an almost 3 hour nap is really hard to do! Love this cutie patootie 😍

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 9, 2015 at 4:53pm PDT

The cutest big boy I ever did see! He loves to sit in the comfy rocking chair in the family room lately. ☺ Smart kiddo, it's everyone's favorite chair. I love seeing him sit up so nice and tall, he's amazing!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 6, 2015 at 6:04pm PDT

Feeling grateful tonight to be able to read my sweet boy a story before his nurse came. 💛 Thinking of all my sweet friends out there, who spent their Easter today in the hospital with their darling babies. You guys are amazing! I know how you feel, it's so hard spending the holidays in the ICU with your beautiful baby. I wish I could give you all a big hug. 💛 We had many doctors tell us multiple times that they didn't think Garrett would make it...when he was 3 weeks old, they gave him a 20% chance of surviving his open heart surgery. Countless times since then, Garrett has continued to prove those doctors wrong. Miracles do happen! They happen every single day. Don't give up hope. 💛 #becauseofHim

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 5, 2015 at 9:46pm PDT

#tbt to the very first time I ever saw my sweet baby Garrett, about 5 hours after he was born. He was not breathing on his own from the moment he was born, so he was immediately intubated and placed on a ventilator. I only got to touch his little hand for about 30 seconds before they informed Jake and I how unstable he was, and that he needed to immediately be transferred to the NICU at our Children's hospital. I remember thinking what a beautiful boy he was and how perfect. My heart ached so badly, and tears flowed, as Jake followed him to the hospital, and a nurse wheeled me back to my room. Garrett is a living, breathing miracle. He's come SO far 💛💛

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 9, 2015 at 8:05pm PDT

Happy Easter! 🌷🐰🐣💙 I hope you all have a beautiful day!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 5, 2015 at 8:56am PDT

I'm telling ya, this boy is such a sweetheart 💚💙💛 he's been so good today, for his very sleep deprived parents. Luckily we have a nurse tonight! 👍 I love being able to take Garrett out to fun family outings. He made a haul in the Easter Egg department today...Socks, dum dums, and flavored chapsticks - all things Garrett loves!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 4, 2015 at 9:36pm PDT

Playing outside for a min in this beautiful sunshine 😎☀️ With Mickey friends in tow. Garrett is my happy every single day! I love how much he loves his sunglasses on when we go outside, how rolling around makes him so happy, how he laughs at the silliest things, and loves biting all of his tubing pieces he shouldn't. 💛 He's the bravest boy in the world, and I'm so lucky he's mine forever. #parrishfamfave

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 3, 2015 at 2:05pm PDT

#tbt to one year ago this week - Garretts first week being HOME. I can't believe how little he was! My cute little baldy. What a great year it's been, and I'm so happy with the progress he's made. Go buddy! 💛💙💚 #garrettistheman

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 2, 2015 at 8:39pm PDT

This cutie pie is getting better and better at sitting on his own every day! 🙌 I think he thinks it's a whole new world being able to look around sitting up. Slowly but surely he'll get there! 💛💛

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 2, 2015 at 11:32am PDT

Lots of kisses tonight for this cutie pie in the middle 😘 It's been such a fun day! We had our parents over for dinner tonight, and celebrated with cupcakes too! Garrett is a little unsure of really sugary things, but we'll get him liking it more and more soon. ☺️ Thank you for all of the sweet comments today. We feel so grateful for all of you who follow our journey with Garrett. He's a miracle boy in so many ways! 💛

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 1, 2015 at 8:47pm PDT

Today marks a BIG day at our house! A huge reason to celebrate, which is exactly what we will be doing today! 🎉 1 year ago today our sweet Garrett came home for the very first time, at almost 19 months old! I will never forget the feeling I had as Jake and I drove away from Primary Children's that day, with just our little family in the car. We were both filled with an overwhelming feeling of happiness and joy. SO proud of our fighter boy Garrett. Garrett spent the first 19 months in complete ICU care, too sick and on too high of ventilator settings to be able to leave the hospital. He lived at 3 hospitals during that year and a half, one of them being across the country in Michigan. Those 19 months were the hardest and yet some of my happiest moments as well. In 1 year this boy has been able to stay home with no overnight hospital stays, he's rolling all over the family room, starting to scoot, and getting closer to sitting up all on his own. He is breathing on his own, and can be completely off of his vent when he is awake, and his labs have never looked better! He is a lover of all things Mickey Mouse and his laugh lights up the room! We feel incredibly grateful today for all of the doctors and nurses that helped get our boy HOME...and for our amazing friends and family, for your love, support and prayers in all of our behalf. And I feel so grateful to my Heavenly Father for every single day I get to spend with Garrett. It's a true gift. He's the happiest, and healthiest he's ever been...and that does a Mom heart a lot of good. 💛 Happy 1 year Anniversary of being home buddy! We love you so much! 💛

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Apr 1, 2015 at 10:21am PDT

My happy Garrett 💛💛💛 This boy has the silliest sense of humor, and I absolutely love it! And I love that he will contently sit on my lap for long periods of time. 💛 Tomorrow marks a HUGE milestone in this sweethearts life, 1 year being HOME...So be prepared for picture overload!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 31, 2015 at 11:46am PDT

Don't let this cute, sweet, innocent face fool ya...this boy was a stinker today when he had his therapists visit! 😜 It was quite comical, actually. 😂 He was showing off all of his tricks like fake sleeping (some yawns included) and making sad faces so he could get out of exercises. We all had a good laugh! Love him! I love his little shenanigans though, and I'm so glad he can communicate to us, despite having a trach. He's amazing!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 30, 2015 at 12:59pm PDT

I love watching this cute boy...he was taking everything in tonight as we sat outside on the grass. There were so many days that I wondered if I would ever get to take my baby out of the doors of the ICU. These little things I longed for the most. I love you Garrett, more than you'll ever know. 💛

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 29, 2015 at 9:47pm PDT

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Garrett swinging on my lap tonight at my parents house ... He did so good! He was unsure at first but then he loved it. This boy, he's my favorite.

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 29, 2015 at 7:36pm PDT

Back tickles for daddy while watching Mickey Mouse...a perfect Sunday afternoon!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 29, 2015 at 1:54pm PDT

Garrett admiring all of his loot! He even got a cute Mickey Mouse bath toy 🙌 That Easter bunny sure knows how much our cutie pie loves that Mouse! This weather is fantastic! ☀️💛 and yes, Garrett doesn't go outside without wanting his shades on. 😎 LOVE it.

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 28, 2015 at 12:13pm PDT

March 27...one year ago TODAY, We all arrived back home after spending nearly 3 months in Michigan at Mott's Children's Hospital. I love how happy Garrett and Jake look to be going HOME. When we flew Garrett to Michigan, in January of last year, he was in very critical shape. We were most likely weeks away from loosing him. We are eternally grateful to U of M, and Dr. Green, Dr. Hollister, and Dr. Ohye and many more amazing people - they created a 3D airway splint that not only has helped Garrett breathe on his own, but saved his life. 💕 We KNOW that miracles happen today, because Garrett is a living, breathing miracle that I get to spend every day with. He brings us all so much happiness! We love you Garrett the Brave! 💕

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 27, 2015 at 2:48pm PDT

Practicing his piano moves this morning 😍 he's got them down! I love this boy!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 27, 2015 at 9:20am PDT

Our weekly trach change tonight, got me thinking...Never in a million years did I think I would have a child with a trach. When Garrett was almost 3 months old we had many scans confirm that he would need one, it was a hard pill to swallow. I remember I was so sad and heartbroken. But deep down, Jake and I both had a peaceful calm feeling and we knew it was what he needed to help him. Today, I view his trach completely different...instead of feeling sad, I feel so grateful. Grateful that his trach allows him to be home with us, and allows him to play and roll, grow, laugh and watch Mickey Mouse. 💙 I don't even notice it's there anymore. Just the site of blood used to be enough to make me almost pass out - it's amazing the things you'll do for your kids! Never thought I would become a Mom/Nurse/Respiratory Therapist etc... Love this boy.

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 25, 2015 at 10:08pm PDT

Snuggles with Dad after trach cares and bath tonight 😘 I love seeing these two together...and those tummy rolls of Garrett's 😍 Why are they so dang cute on kids but not adults?! ☺️

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 24, 2015 at 7:52pm PDT

Spending this rainy day home with this smiley boy is my kind of day! ☺️ just when I think there's no possible way he could get any cuter, he throws these giant cheesy grins my way.

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 23, 2015 at 11:02am PDT

This kid 😍 Driving around running some errands, and this boy looks so cute hanging out in his sunglasses 😎 He lovesss the car and is such a good sport!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 19, 2015 at 11:59am PDT

Late night family treat run ☺️ I love how we can take Garrett just on oxygen if we are going somewhere close, cuts our "getting ready to leave" time in half for sure, since we can leave his vent at home. Don't worry, Garrett made sure Goofy came along for the ride! 😂👍

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 18, 2015 at 7:47pm PDT

Out for a walk on this gorgeous day! ☀️🌷

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 14, 2015 at 12:47pm PDT

Ending my night snuggling this cutie pie at home in his new jam jams ☺️ Great way to finish off a fun day! 💙

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 13, 2015 at 8:30pm PDT

One year later and these pictures that the University of Michigan took for us are some of my favorites. We were nearing the end of our journey at Mott's Children's Hospital, and our sweet boy was doing SO great! Better than any of us ever expected, just 1.5 months after open heart and airway surgery. These were taken for their website and for our first NPR article we did 1 year ago this week. I remember going out the day before this shoot, and for the first time in almost 4 months, I was able to dress Garrett in clothes again...it was a big milestone! We really felt like we were dreaming at times, with how amazing the hospital was and the procedure went. So so grateful. 💕 #tbt

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 12, 2015 at 10:18am PDT

Oh ya know, just chillin' with my cousin Hudson! ❤️ I love seeing these 2 together, and can't wait until they are running around causing mischief together ☺️ Love having them live so close!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 11, 2015 at 1:58pm PDT

It's an exciting day at our house today! When Garrett first came home, he was needing about 2-4 liters, so we had an oxygen concentrator that went up to 10 liters. Lately, Garretts been doing so well on his oxygen needs, and only needing between 1/2-1 liter most of the time (only about 24% oxygen) so we were able to trade out his concentrator for this smaller, quieter (YAY) blue one that goes to 5 liters! We are hoping this means good things for that left lung of his. SO proud of him!💓

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 9, 2015 at 3:23pm PDT

This boy makes me SO happy! That smile can seriously turn any bad day into a good day 😍 Happy Monday!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 9, 2015 at 12:04pm PDT

Progress in sitting up

Garrett is getting stronger each day! Today my mom and I have been brainstorming ideas and ways we can help this boy get sitting up all on his own. I think we have come up with an idea that just might help - excited to try it out👌 Look at him! He's doing great! 💕 Love him 💕 #garrettistheman

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 4, 2015 at 1:36pm PST

Signing Times vs Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Since Garrett has a trach, talking or making any noise at all is very difficult. Before he got his trach I was nervous that he wouldn't be able to communicate way well, and he and I would get frustrated easily not knowing what he wanted. Well, that is not the case at all! I can tell exactly what this boy thinks and is telling me. We pretty much have our own language 👌 These pictures make me laugh - the one on the left is him watching Signing Time, and on the right is him watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! 😂 Love this boy!

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Mar 3, 2015 at 10:44am PST

My #tbt today is one of my most happy memories of Garrett's 19 month journey in the hospital. One year ago this week I walked into Garrett's room to see him not only on the Trilogy home ventilator, but for the first time in his entire life he didn't have a hospital grade ventilator in his room. I will never forget snapping this picture and smiling from ear to ear, with tears in my eyes, knowing that he was breathing on a machine we could take HOME. 💓 They switched him and wanted to see how long he could handle it (being that home vents are not as strong or powerful as hospital vents) and he soared and never looked back! Before his airway procedure, he couldn't tolerate the home vent for longer than minutes to maybe a couple of hours. It was another miracle. 💓 #garrettistheman #garrettthebrave

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Feb 26, 2015 at 1:53pm PST

Inside the Story: 3D printer saves baby

Garrett was recently featured on KUTV channel 2 news. Dan Rascon did the story and we were very impressed by him. He is such a nice and genuine person. We are always happy to share Garrett's story in hopes that other children can find Dr. Green and his team in Michigan. We feel it's the least we can do after Dr. Green and the University of Michigan saved Garret's life. Garrett's 3D printed airway splints have been incredible. They made it possible for him to have a future. They finally allowed our boy to breathe well enough to come home. They made the impossible, possible. It has been such a huge blessing in our lives and has completely changed our lives. We originally found Dr. Green through the media coverage of the first little boy to have this procedure, Kaiba. We are so grateful for the media coverage about Kaiba and his parents willingness to share their story. We may never have found this procedure for Garrett without them. We thought we would post the story here for those who didn't catch it on the news. You can also watch the video directly on KUTV's website as well.

Inside the Story: 3D printer saves baby

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

Gosh, I love this boy 💙 Today is the first day of CHD (Congenital heart disease) awareness week. I feel so grateful for every day that we get to spend with this happy, handsome boy...he's a miracle. I never take it for granted. 💙 #garrettistheman #chdawareness

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Feb 7, 2015 at 5:52pm PST

Faces of CHD

My friend Kierra will along with 2 other fellow Mom bloggers, will be posting a story each day this week, of a child with a CHD. I feel honored to be able to share Garrett's story over on her blog today to start the week. Please share...so we can spread awareness. ❤️ #Repost @kierrai with @repostapp.
・・・
Good Morning!! So over the past several weeks, Christie (@lemonsqueezyhome), Jayme (@thepaperdeerphotography), and I have been working on a very special Congenital Heart Defect Awareness project - and we're launching it this morning. Everyday from February 8-14, The Irvine Home (nkirvine.blogspot.ca), Lemon Squeezy Home (lemonsqueezyhome.com) & The Paper Deer Photography (paperdeerphoto.com) will each feature one story of a child with a CHD and their journey thus far . I encourage you everyday to visit all {3} blogs featuring these special stories in this special blog link up and read about these brave heart heroes. I also ask that you share this series with your friends and followers to help raise awareness during this CHD Awareness week. Today, I'm featuring Garrett, who due to both heart and airway issues, spent the first 19 months of his life in the hospital before his parents could take him home. Jayme is featuring a sweet girl named Haley, and Christie is featuring twins Kaitlyn and Mattingly! You'll find the link to my blog within my IG profile, and again I urge you to read all 3 stories, learn a little bit more about CHD's and the effects of this disease and become aware! Thank you, Kierra #FacesofCHD #CHDAwareness

A photo posted by • n a t a l i e • (@nataliasue) on Feb 8, 2015 at 9:43am PST