My adorable great niece, Eleanor, was born with a dime sized hole between the chambers of her heart.  She came home know that there was a murmur (not uncommon in newborns and typically it heals on its own).  She had difficulty eating and thus was not thriving.  At her two week check up, she went right from the pediatrician's office to U of M hospital.  The hope was to get her stronger and to gain a little weight before surgery was necessary.  It was a scarey and exhausting few weeks for her parents, grandparents and our whole family.   Breathing took all her energy and she did not gain.  So she was moved to Children's hospital for surgery. 

 She is thriving now as you can see and loves purple shoes.  As soon as she was introduced to "people" food, she went right for steak.  She is an adventurous eater and curious toddler.  I was out of town last year and unable to participate in the walk.  So this year I will join her family and walk to raise funds for the amazing specialty work that Minneapolis Children's Hospital does for its pediatric heart patients.