Baby Mateo is Doing Well

The New Year has meant great strides for Baby Mateo, son of Waitsburg graduate Taryn (Thomas) Aguiar and her husband Jose. In the November 28 issue of The Times, we shared their story.

In June of 2013, Taryn & Jose found out they were ex- pecting their first children - twins. In October, they learned the babies were boys - Sebastion and Mateo. On November 4, during a routine ultrasound, the couple learned that Sebastian was no longer alive, though Mateo was doing well. On November 11, Taryn went into active labor and was flown to Sacred Hearth Children's Hospital in Spokane where she underwent an emergency cesarean section. Mateo was born weighing only 1lb. 3 oz. A heart ultrasound and brain scan came back with positive results.

On January 2 - 52 days after birth -- Taryn and Jose were able to hold Baby Mateo for the very first time. Mateo has also begun crying which Taryn says is "music to Mommy's and Daddy's ears." According to family friend, Christa Lind, Mateo now weighs 2 lbs. 1 oz. and is off the ventilator, using only a CPAP. A surgery to close his heart murmur was suc- cessful and he continues to do well.

The family still faces a long road ahead and a donation fund has been set up at www.gofundme.com/TeamMateo. You can follow Mateo's journey by watching for updates to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Team- MateoAguiar