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.
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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

Santa Visits Garrett

We had a very special visit tonight...Santa came to our house! He knew that Garrett couldn't venture out to see him very easily, so he made a special trip to come see him at home! First time sitting on Santa's lap...Merry Christmas! 
#garrettistheman

Garrett turns 2 - Mickey Mouse style

I know it's been WAY too long since I posted last - it's a little crazy at home these days. But, we wouldn't have it any other way! Garrett is doing AMAZING! It has been 6 months now since we brought our boy home... and we have been able to keep him home since then. YAY! 

Currently, Garrett is spending about 6-8 hours a day OFF Of his vent. We just hook a small tube and filter up to his trach, and he can roll around and talk with ease. When he naps, and sleeps at night we still have him on his vent. Just working up slow but steady as he tolerates, and we have been floored by the amazing progress he has made. 

He rolls EVERYWHERE! He loves to laugh, and makes the cutest noises through his trach. He LOVES Mickey Mouse Clubhouse... and would watch it ALL day long if I let him. Ha ha. He has the sweetest, most easy going personality, and is such a joy to finally have in our home.

We were able to celebrate his 2nd Birthday on Sept. 4! His first birthday at home. And what a fun-filled day that was! We had family over for a "Hot-diggity dog" BBQ, and fun Mickey Mouse Clubhouse games and treats. It was a BIG celebration for a very brave and much deserving little guy. (although he's not so little anymore!) 

Here are some fun pictures my brother-in-law took for me of the fun party!

And here is our sweet 2 year old, sitting up tall in his very own Mickey chair. We sure do love you sweet boy!

We would do those months and years in the hospital all over again, to be able to have you in our family. 

You are getting stronger daily, and keep surpassing all expectations. Here's to many more Happy Birthdays!

Garrett In The LDS Church News and Deseret News!

Garrett's story was featured in the LDS Church News this last weekend and featured on the Deseret News website this morning! It is a great glimpse into our lives for the past 2 years. Although it was the hardest experience we have had as a family we would never trade it for anything! Our faith and testimonies have been strengthened and our hope for the future renewed. Garrett is doing so well at home! We are now up to doing two 45 minute trials off of the ventilator every day! Garrett still needs about a half of liter of oxygen when he is off the ventilator but is completely breathing on his own! It's amazing! We are sometimes tempted to go faster but we want to make sure we are weaning him off of his ventilator safely. Garrett doesn't even seem to notice! We sure love you Garrett! Keep up the good work!

Post by Deseret News.