There is plenty of good news to report on Sterling Hamilton — the tough little boy who survived a heart surgery at 14 months back in early 2022. Back then he was called a “miracle baby.”

Anthony Hamilton, who is Sterling’s dad, shared a fun photo of his almost 3-year-old boy showing off in a way only a Grays Harbor boy could — holding a small trout he caught himself.

“Sterling caught his first fish!” Anthony said in a text message Thursday night that also shows a smiling Sterling as the young angler presented his prized, scaly catch.

Anthony, his wife Heidi, and Sterling’s brother Archer, have been through a lot. The first hurdle was surgery to repair a hole in Sterling’s heart, which a ventricular septal defect caused. Sterling passed that test with flying colors. While his parents have worked hard to provide for the two boys, Sterling’s done both of his jobs — stay healthy and get stronger.

“He’s really getting big,” Anthony said. “We are making preparations with pre-school and he is really eager to play with kids and sports and he wants to try new things like snowboarding. He loves helping Heidi and I with whatever we are doing from cleaning to cooking. He’s really excited about everything he has coming in his future.”

Sterling will turn three-years-old on Nov. 17. So far, the news is almost nothing but sunshine and rainbows. The same seems to be true for his development.

“He has been doing a great job with making friends, he can go anywhere and get along with other kids of all ages and make friends,” Anthony said.

Sterling recently had hernia surgery at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma. While that sounds painful, Sterling handled it like a pro.

“Later that day, when he woke up, it was like nothing even happened,” Anthony said. “He recovered well from that and he has a healthy heartbeat and is not on any medication. He has had all good check-ups with his doctors.”

Anthony couldn’t sound happier as he discussed his eldest son.

“We are very happy with how things are going for him,” Anthony said.

As for the fish Sterling caught, the pair of fishermen released the rainbow trout.

“We just did a catch and release,” Anthony said. “He was happy to see him swim off.”

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.