I came into the world June 23, 2008 at 7:46am. I weighed in at a strapping 7lbs 2oz and 19 1/2″ tall (without my Nike kicks on). Not trying to boast, but I’m a pretty handsome guy.
Mom and Dad were so impressed with my delivery. I woke Mom up at 3:30am, Mom woke Dad up at 4:30am, to the hospital by 5:30am, and I made my grand entrance to the world 2 hours and 16 minutes later.
I gave Mom and Dad 24 hrs to enjoy my company and then gave them the news that I should probably jump in a helicopter and take a ride over to Childrens Hospital in Phoenix (Dad was very jealous since he has never been in a helicopter). The doctors say I have hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Basically the left side of my heart didn’t develop, causing the right side to do all the work. I have already had my first open heart surgery, and the doctors say that after a couple more, I could be the next Tiger Woods someday.
Right now I’m feeling pretty good and will be recovering in the hospital for a month or so, but with all the cute nurses around I could see myself possibly extending my visit. I’m going to keep my options open and will keep you updated.
All my best,
Austin
To Austin- Stacy & Brian are happy to hear that our prayers for you have been heard. We love you and we can’t wait to see you!!!!!!!
Barry & Karla- We love you and hope that you keep recieving good news form the DR. We cant wait to see you also!!!!!
Barry & Karla – congratulations on your little angel! He is adorable and we love the photos. You are all very much in our prayers, and we look forward to the next update on Austin’s progress. God bless you & may His angels minister to your every need. Love, cristy jeff amy matthew & anna
Barry & Karla – Please know that you have been in our prayers for several days. We are so thankful that you have such a great support system. This website is great for us to keep up on all of Austin’s progress. Our prayers and thoughts will continue your way. Our Best – Mark, Dawn & Chase
I’m in Seattle with Kevin and the family or we would all be there. We are all keeping him in our thoughts and prayers and can’t wait to meet him.
xoxo
barry and karla –
austin is beautiful! what a tough kid. we’ll be praying for you and reading the updates as they come. it is so great to see his picture.
love, marlee and coby
It was 1984 when our first trip to the “Cox Cabin” took place. And since that time we have had the privilege of sharing and praying for each other and friends. It is always awesome to step back and see what a wonderful God we serve and how he is at work in each of our lives.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5
We continue to pray for complete healing for Austin, wisdom for your doctors and God’s perfect peace for new mommy and daddy…Sally
Welcome to a great family Austin! Thanks to your parents for developing this blog, that one day you will be able to navigate these entries of your new life!
My prayers are with you all as God restores and strengthens that little heart he adores. Nolan, Nelson and Nevan Perla-Ward are praying for this little one.
Love,
Delia Perla
Hi Austin,
Love the website it’s darling. Your Dad is right you are handsome. We are glad to see you and look forward to meeting you. We are sending love, hugs and prayers from Portland.
Love,
Pam, Rick, Abbie, Logan & Anna
Hi Austin,
It’s sure a good thing you are so equipped with the “flying gear” and will feel right at home when you get to your nursery at home…….you’ve already had your first hellicopter ride!
We can’t wait to follow your miracles day by day and of course to finally meet you soon. Tell your daddy he did a GREAT job setting up this blog and give your mom a big hug! All our love and prayers.
Harlow and Jeannine Pederson
Austin – Kaelyn and Colton think you are one handsome guy! We are all glad to see and hear that you are making the “B” honor roll so early. Don’t stop there, Mom and Dad want to see you on the “A” honor roll. We all love you and can’t wait to meet you in person.
P.S. Uncle Chris has room on his 4 wheeler for some rides when you make it to Wisconsin.
Karla and Barry – great job on this site. Please give Austin a little kiss for all of us. What a great little guy!
Hey Barree, Hey Karrllaaa.
Austin is a rockstar! The countdown is on now. Less than 20 years now till he can get into Axis-Radius!
)) Seriously, Look forward to seeing him at your home soon.
Brittney and I can’t wait to meet him. We r praying for his safe homecoming. Barry-I’ll call you again this week to get the latest.
BW.
Barry, Karla and Austin,
You are in our prayers constantly throughout the days. We are so lucky to have such a big great God who will carry you all through this. We love you!
I think the pictures of Austin’s feet and the birth certificate are the cutest ever. He is darling and we are very thrilled that he is doing so well. He is on the Grayland prayer chain – our thoughts are with you and hope the parents and grandparents are getting some rest.
Love Mikki and Doug
The website is wonderful. Austin is so loved! We have been thinking of you all constantly and are thrilled that Austin is now a “B” student! Babies are incredibly strong and miraculous. Keep up the good work, precious one!
Wow Austin you look so great. I’m sure that someday Tyler and I will get to meet you. Keep up the good work and we will keep up the prayers for a quick recovery.
Andy & Tyler
Dear Austin,
You’re already getting lots of mail and that’s because we all care so much about you, and we’re thanking God for you. We love your pictures and will be eager to meet you. God bless you each moment of each day and keep those folks in the hospital on their toes.
We’re sending love to you and your precious mom and dad, too.
Bob and Marianne
Grant, Lisa, Cassidy, and Marley are continuing the prayers for good news everyday for baby Austin. Love the pics, what a cute little guy-I noticed him smiling at Minnie Mouse!
Hang in their Mom and Dad, God is holding your hand through all of this.
With love,
The Hayes Family
Austin, reading all of this and seeing these pictures made me even more anxious to see you in a little over a week!! I’m thinking you need some Idaho duds to add to your pretty awesome wardrobe. Know that you are a very loved little guy, and that your Great Grandad and Grandmother Austin are looking out for you!! The entire Austin clan loves you very much!
XXOO
“Great” Aunt Laurie
Karla, Barry and little Austin,
We are praying for you every day. The Scripture that came to my mind as I was praying today was
MATTHEW 19:26 With God all things are possible.
Dear Barry, Karla & Austin,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you as you go through this surreal and terrifying experience. First of all, congratulations on the birth of this beautiful boy! We look forward to meeting him and know that he and Isaac will be great friends. He and Eddie will share a very special bond though – both exhibiting their badges of courage in the form of permanent zippers. Your latest updates sound so encouraging. We will continue to pray for you three. Please feel free to call us or email us anytime. Though we only had to endure one surgery, we can relate to the fear and anxiety of it all. It sucks, but thank God for modern medicine.
We’re glad to see that Dr. Ross and Dr. Carter are on the job – they are dreamy…
Love, Joel, Sarah, Eddie & Isaac
It takes a while to get used to the bottle, Austin, but then you’ll want it just when mom or dad have you in your car seat and you’re only a mile down the road. Babies love to do that to their parents.
Bob and I are keeping you and your mom and dad in our prayers faithfully.
We think your blog is the best!
Hearts full of love for you,
Bob and Marianne
Hi Barry, Karla, and baby Austin. We sure thank you for keeping everyone posted on the blog. Looking at Austin’s pictures of Aug. 24th we realize how far he has come. You are a darling, Austin, and we can see that you’re personality is probably pretty terrific, too.
Our love is with you all and we lift you up in prayer.
Bob and Marianne
Barry, Karla, and Austin. Our prayers are with you, and that God would carry you through this season of your lives. Keep up the faith, press in and keep up the fight!
You’ll all be in prayers as you prepare for the surgery Oct. 29th and all through the course of the surgery and the recovery. What a darling Austin is. The recent pictures are terrific—testimony to all the love and care he’s getting.
May you always feel God’s love and peace with you.
Bob and Marianne