I went into preterm labor at 35 weeks and Griffin Hunter Engebose was born. Griffin was in the NICU when they noticed his lower extremities weren’t getting blood flow accurately and he wasn’t able to get a blood pressure reading on them. The NICU ordered a STAT echocardiogram at 9pm and at 10pm I had the neonatologist in my postpartum room telling me Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin was on their way with a team to have Hriffin transferred to Milwaukee. Griffin had what is called coarctation of the aorta, and needed open heart surgery as this is the only way to fix that. At 3 days old Griffin had surgery, and a week later was able to come home with mom and dad. He is now a thriving almost 4 month old, exceeding his milestones and showing off his scar Griffin most likely will not have to have another open heart surgery, but may have to have some small procedures in his future to make sure the opening of the aorta stays open. We could not me more proud of our heart warrior for what he has already accomplished and faced in his life so far, and are so grateful for the awareness of congenital heart defects and education to all that aren’t aware.