Hello All!

Holtin has been doing absolutely fantastic since leaving Dell Children's! 

We have finally started getting a routine down with giving his meds, doing his feeds, naps, etc. He sees physical therapy, speech, and occupational therapy once per week and they all say he is an absolute rock star! Most of these cardiac babies tend to fall behind developmentally, but that does not seem to be the case for Holtin!! We know your prayers are continuing to keep him growing strong, thank you all!

In our last follow-up, the cardiologists said his heart is looking great, and he is officially cleared from sternal precautions. This means it is now safe to handle him normally and pick him up under the arms. Even better, it means his scar can get wet, so Holtin is ready for his first trip to the pool! He is also dangerously close to crawling. Lord help us when he is officially on the move, we may not be able to keep up!

His speech therapy (feeding) is also going well! Feeding and learning to eat is always the hardest part for cardiac babies. He still has his feeding tube, but we have been making progress towards getting it out! Once he can take a certain amount by bottle or straw, they will do another swallow study. Assuming that looks good, we can enter something called a "tube weening clinic."  Not many hospitals in the US have this. It is a dedicated clinic focused on getting the feeding tube out. This is our primary focus and we are so grateful Dell Children's has one! The goal is to have the NG tube out by Christmas, possibly even Thanksgiving if things go really well! 🤞🤞

Other than some serious teething, which is no different than any other baby, Holtin really is thriving outside of the hospital! We even did 5 nights back at the lake as a "trial run." It was amazing being home! Holtin loved his nursery and got to see his first big sunset from the front porch! Keegan was also very excited to have his yard back again. 

Sadly, Tucker's paternity leave ends this week. Being a "stay-at-home dad" has really suited him. He has absolutely loved this time to just focus on Holtin. With both of us back to work, we are currently sorting out childcare here in Austin until we can officially go home. Prayers there, please!  

We are also extremely excited to announce that Holtin's Charitable Endowment has been established!!

This is something we will remain passionate about for the rest of our lives. 100% of the money will go directly to helping other "Heart Warrior" families in need at Dell Children's Hospital and to advancing the care for complex cardiac conditions like Holtin's. We will work with the foundation to determine how and where the money is best used and eventually Holtin will take over! The endowment will be managed in a way that ensures it lasts long after we are gone. Holtin's great-grandchildren will see his name on the wall at Dell Children's and carry on the good work.  

We cannot wait to update you on all the good works this endowment brings about and share stories of it helping other families and their little heart warriors. ❤️‍🩹

If you would like to contribute to Holtin's endowment, the foundation has established a landing page just for Holtin:

www.SupportDellChildrens.org/Holtin

We are eternally grateful to have such a large support network. Thank you all again for all your prayers and support. We truly would not be where we are today without all of you! 

As always, we ask that you continue praying for all other families going through similar situations. We are so proud to report that ALL of the children listed below that you have been praying for are doing amazing!! Seven of them are out of the hospital and all of the children on this list who needed a heart transplant got one! They are doing amazing and now have new life!! Your prayers worked, so thank you!!! Please continue to pray for those that are still healing in the hospital. 

- Audrey Evans

- Thomas Michael

- Addie

- Kaylence

- Ardon

- Marley

- Noah

- Mark

- David

-Emiliano

-Cole