Drake Yukio... born January 10 @ 4:48 am by emergency c-section.  Its a little late but here's the short version of our story...

Drake was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect in utero... atrial septal defect and a cleft mitral valve.  After birth, he stayed in the NICU for 4 weeks.  Came home for 24 hours and had to return to the NICU because he would not wake up, no screaming, crying, or even waking up to eat.  Another week in the NICU and he came home again.  No energy to eat so we had to feed him thru a tube and keep him on a heart monitor.  I had to give him 6 different medications to support his heart every three hours.

March 20 he had open heart surgery at Stanford (hardest day ever).  Still recovering, he no longer is feeding thru a tube and is doing well. He is no longer on any medications that support his heart.

Our baby was born with a broken heart :(  It has been the hardest 3 months of my life but we made it and things can only get better from here on...  :)

  birth day

in the NICU

surgery day

leaving Stanford

3 months

Oh wow, what an emotional story! First of all: CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm so happy for you that Drake is now doing great and the surgery went well. I can only imagine how hard the last weeks were for you...It is amazing how strong little babies are and how they deal with a tough start in life... Look at him, he is sooooo sweet! Wishing you ALL THE BEST!!!

Holy smokes - you guys have been through the ringer. I'm so happy he was able to get great care and on the mend. Hugs to you mama. And CONGRATS! He is amazing. I love his little cheekies.

Wow! Congratulations to you and your family- he's a cutie. I'm happy to hear he's doing better every day- he must be one very strong little man.

such a sweet little baby - congratulations and so sorry that you had to go through that ordeal.  thank heavens everything worked out in the end - hope it only gets better!!

Look at that cheeky little smile!!! So beautiful, congratulations x

Wow, what a story! It was obviously not an easy three months, but I am sure after all you've been through that smile from your baby means so much more. You really are blessed and so is your child and I am happy that he made it through this tough time.

Oh my goodness!! What a story!! I am sooo happy that Drake is doing well and he has the most adorable smile ever and looks so happy! I am thankful that you made it through such a trying ordeal and wish you all the best!

What a story! Glad Drake is on the mend and he has the cutest smile ever. Congratulations Mummy and Daddy H x

I cant even imagine what you guys went through but I'm SO thankful that little drake is doing well!! He is such a stinking cutie :)