Marrow Donation Update

You might remember that back in July, before Logan was born, John was able to donate stem cells for a bone marrow donation (see July posts). We didn't know who the recipient was...only that it was a boy younger than one year old and had no immune system. John was a perfect, 100% match for this baby. We still do not know the location or name of the recipient, but this winter, John received an update from the family.

We learned that the recipient is currently about 18 months old and endured chemo very well, coming home from the hospital last fall with almost all his hair. He loves people, music and anything with buttons he can push (sounds familiar to us!). He now walks on his own and has several teeth.

The letter, though anonymous, was heartfelt, calling the recipient "your new little brother" who has a "chance at a normal life". What a blessing to US to be able to give life to a baby boy and his young family.

John may have been the one to donate, but we feel that we have been blessed by the experience. Having Logan has given us a completely new perspective on what a gift a donation like this can mean. We pray for this little brother, for his continued health and for blessings on his family.

We hope to get another update sometime this year, considering all is well...we'll keep you posted!

How 'Bout Them Apples?

Today was a very big day at the Eiselt house! Logan's first fruit!
We decided to give him baby applesauce for his first food.
After we thought about it, that may have been a "tart" choice for his first experience with anything other than milk!


"Yay! The cereal bowls are out!"

"Wait a second that is not cereal!"

"Are you seriously going to keep feeding me this?"

"Oh, okay, I guess I like it!"

"More, more, more!"

(Logan gets so excited when we do the sign for "more"...
we started that a couple weeks ago when eating cereal.
He's starting to understand that he gets another spoonful when we do the
sign for "more"....he was slightly less enthusiastic today when
we offered "more" applesause. But, in the end, he enjoyed it!)

Way to go Logan...another fun milestone!

Friday Fun

After a busy week and last weekend's leader retreat,
John was able to take Friday off so we got to start the weekend early!

The weather was "nice"...a balmy 34 or something,
so we took Logan out for some brisk air and a ride in his sled.

We had to bungee Logan in...that snow suit is slippery!

The snow in the yard is so deep we had to push Logan and he kept sinking deeper...

So we took advantage of our quiet neighborhood street and that was much more fun!

Arctic baby

We really wanted some pictures of the high snow banks so we can show Logan how much snow there was the year he was born.
Its been a long time since John and I can remember this much snow!

Then we warmed up inside and played a little music. Logan loves listening to Daddy play the guitar. I like to think he was trying to make a little music with his rattle here, but I think he's mostly just eating it (as usual!).

Peek-a-Boo

Logan is so much fun! He is really starting to love playing games and mimicking!
Peek-a-boo is a favorite. You can hide just about anything and he'll take the cover off to find it...including Daddy's face!

Logan's turn...where is Logan?!
"Hey...who turned out the lights?"

Cutie

I wanted to take some pictures of Logan this afternoon because he looked so cute in his overalls from Auntie Ali!
I was just going to send them to John at work today so he could see Logan in the overalls, dressed up like a big boy, but they all turned out so cute...I had to post a few!

His signature drool hanging from Logan's lip.

Osh-kosh baby...so cute!

Logan for President

This was a busy campaign week in Wisconsin, with the caucuses on Tuesday.
If babies could run for President and they could win delegates based on growth percentiles,
we think Logan would stand a pretty good chance!

THE STATS (a.k.a. The Votes):
Weight 20 lbs - 90th percentile
Length 28.5 inches - 97th percentile
95th percentile for head size

Monday was the big 6-month appointment and we are thrilled to report Logan is thriving and growing into a very healthy little boy! Yes, he has achieved the 20lbs mark! Unbelievable!

Some of Logan's newest and most exciting tricks and talents:
-Sitting up and rolling over (we sometimes find him playing on his tummy when we go in to get him out of his crib in the morning)
-High-pitch squeals and giggles, Saying "Hi!" (without knowing it!)
-Reaching for toys that are far away and grabbing them with one hand
-Grinding his teeth (eeeek!)
-Standing while holding onto something for support
-Recognizing more faces and voices and turning toward the sounds around him
-Reaching, reaching and grabbing, grabbing, grabbing!

John and Logan in Dr. Gilmartin's exam room.
(If you double-click on these pictures, you can see a larger version...check out our little budda!)

That little belly will keep on growing because we got the go-ahead for all kinds of baby food! Next week we'll start alternating pureed vegetables and fruits, one week at a time.
This is going to be so much fun because Logan is so enamored with cereal...
I can't wait to see what he does with more flavorful foods! I think we're going to start trying a sippy-cup soon, too! Gosh, that all seemed so far away 6 months ago, and now its already here!

I had to post this picture because if you enlarge it, you can see Logan's top teeth!
We have officially counted SEVEN, yes, SEVEN teeth!
After two months of non-stop teething, I think we may get a break.
Logan has three top teeth and four bottom teeth. So, basically, he looks like a toddler.
Its really cute, though!

Logan was not a big swing baby. He once in a while liked it for a while, but usually preferred the bouncer for his chillaxing.
The swing is still in his room, so once in a while when I'm putting clothes away, Logan hangs out in the swing for a while.
I thought these were pretty cute pictures, but it was after his bath and cereal and before bed, so he was pretty sleepy.

6 Months!

Happy Birthday to Logan! Well, Happy Half Birthday.
Okay, that may be getting a little carried away, but we found ourselves pretty much in awe
that our little miracle is 6 months into his life! Whoa! Time really does go fast!
Everyday is this amazing new journey, with Logan learning new skills so fast - its so much fun!

Bathtime has always been fun, but its turning into our very favorite time!
Logan is quite the little fishy...he loves to splash, play with his water toys, and try to catch
the water we're pouring...its so cute!

I had to add a couple of these pictures so you can see how big he is!
He never stops moving, so its tough to get a picture of him stretched out,
but you'll have to check back in later this week for the official 6 month measure
(we see the pediatrician tomorrow morning!).

LOGAN'S FIRST PAIR OF JEANS!

Well, in honor of Logan's 6 month, I decided he could wear his little pair of jeans today!
It was so cute! He is just such a little man!
We couldn't get over how much he seemed like 6 months-going-on-16 years in this outfit!

John and I have both been huge proponents of keeping Logan in super soft comfy baby clothes as long as possible
...hence the "no jeans clause".
But, these just fit perfectly now and I couldn't resist with that little sweatshirt!

Jumperooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
Some good friends of ours, Ben and Shannon Dodds, recommended the Jumperoo because their little boys loved it. Logan was lucky enough to get one as a Valentine present from
Papa and Nana...he LOVES it! He's jumping and dancing all over the place!

(So, Logan says Thank You to Sutton and Schaeffer for this discovery!)

Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine's Day...or as we call it at our house...

Love Day!

Logan's Valentine to you all!

What a happy baby!

"I love my puppers!"

Happy Love Day!

Mr. Mom

John has his "Mr. Mom" moments...like Thursday nights when I work and
like this moment this week when I was getting a little break.


After bath time and naked time, I caught John mutitasking while dressing Logan.

Yeah, on the phone and gettin' that onesie on a squirmy little guy...

Multi-taskin' like a mama!

Well, I would say that John does a great job as "Mr. Mom"

but I'd rather call him what he really is...

He's SuperDad! John and Logan have bonded so much over the last couple months,
it has been such a joy to watch! Logan lights up when he sees John or
hears his voice in the entry way. John lights up as well...and can't resist Logan's
precious coos and smiles. Its a sure thing that he really loves his daddy.

We've come a long way, baby.

I've been able to work at Starbucks 1-2 times a week since my maternity leave ran out. Its been great to have a little time away at a fun job and it always makes me even more excited for the days I get to be home with Logan all day long! Plus, the boys get some good time together that was tough at first, but has turned into a pretty wild and crazy time!

Logan has come a long way....he refused a bottle for more than a month when I started back to work. Now, he just holds it himself and sucks it dry!


That's our little man! Way to go buddy!

25 Alive!

Logan is 25 weeks old...a week from tomorrow will be his 6 month appointment at the pediatrician! (Tear...sniffle) He's growing up so fast...seriously!
Here's a peek into the Eiselt house and some of Logan's new tricks this week!

We started to think Logan is a too big for his bouncer when...

Mr. Mischief


Good thing he sits so well already!


He loves to sit up all by himself and definitely prefers it to laying down and playing.

He's even playing with his 6 month+ toys now! I think we're all pretty excited about that...a little more variety is a good thing!

Exersaucer!


Since Logan seems to have outgrown anything else that seems to "contain and entertain", Nana came over this week and brought the exersaucer from her house for us to try out! It was a big hit with Logan "Independent" Eiselt.


Nana showing Logan all the nifty features on his blinged out exersaucer.


"I love standing on my own two feet!"



Logan proved he still loves cereal...


And that he'd like to hold the spoon himself, please.



Amy and Andrew came for a visit this weekend! Of course, we had to deck Logan out in his Minnesota Twins gear.
Now, Andrew is the most modest guy you will ever meet,
so he may be getting a little sick of our constant tribute to his Twins glory,
mainly pasted all over our son in the form of clothing, onesies, bibs, hats, etc.
Well, sorry Andrew....we're still having fun with it, so you'll just have to deal!
Thanks for visiting, you guys!


Logan also met his shadow...man, we thought looking at ourselves in the mirror was fun...
this is even more mysterious!



Whew...what a week!