Big Boy Logan is 9 Months!!

Wow...9 months already!! Our little man is the charmer alright! He loves attention from everyone and gets it. His smile will melt your heart. He loves to sit up and wants to all the time. He even has been pushing himself to the sitting position by rolling from his back to stomach, rolling to his side (or bowing) and pushing up...he has done this six times already in the last couple of days! Our lil tough guy!!



Now that Logan has the sitting thing down we're working on crawling. He will stay in the position for about a minute but will get frustrated when you help him get- going. Something new he has to get used to. Terra, our physical therapist, is still very impressed with how strong Logan is. She is always so amazed with how he tolerates her maneuvering his body into different positions. Noah was crawling just before he turned 8 months but we have no doubt Logan will be soon.

Don't you just want to squeeze those cheeks? Logan also really enjoys eating his veggies, fruit and meat! He's a meat eater. Noah never cared for the meat in a jar. Logan likes chicken and turkey with gravy...pretty much if you give it to him he'll eat it!

Here's Logan with Noah and cousin Kennedy. It's so hard to get three of them to smile at the same time. Logan loves the camera and is always smiling when Mommy takes his picture...my little model.


We had such a great visit with Aunt Dondi, Kevin and Kennedy. Noah really enjoys the company of his cousin. Here we are at the Denver Aquarium. We finally had a nice day to walk around downtown as well. That's all for now. Happy 9 Months my Logan!!

LOGAN IS 8 MONTHS OLD!!!

Our little guy is 8 months and such a joy! He officially started sitting on his own 2 weeks ago! He is getting bigger, more personality and of course cuter each week:)

What a big boy!

The boys hanging out. Noah always looks out for his little brother.

Logan is holding his bottle on his own here and there. He's flexible and holds on with the help of his feet as well.

Here's Auntie Ash with the boys. A fun filled time at Chuck E. Cheese's....They love hanging out with their Auntie!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Well hello again and Happy New Year!!! First of all, we'd like to apologize for not updating the blog in a very, very, very long time. Yes, of course it was the holidays, and for those of you who didn't know, we went back East for two weeks during Christmas time. That being said, it's still a lame excuse for not updating everyone more frequently, and for that, we apologize.
As you can see, our boys are doing very well, thank you! They both keep getting more and more handsome and continue to enrich our lives! Noah isn't quite two yet, but you'd think he was as he has hit his "terrible twos" early and 1.5! He certainly tests us, but he'll figure out his groove soon enough! As for our dear Logan, he is simply thriving! We're happy to report that he is very healthy, and even though his older brother has been through various illnesses for the past month (including hives, you'd think it was leapersy by the look of it, just an awful sickness), Logan has fared well and is happier than ever!
In the past two weeks we have taken Logan into Children's Hospital in Denver to have his six month checkup, as well as another EKG & Echo cardiogram (sonogram of the heart). Dr Elias (his pediatrician) is very impressed by Logan, and likes that he is sounding out "gaa's, goo's, and ma's." He also has taken up growling in the past few months, which is quite cute for now, but could be creepy later on:) All of these sounds are very good signs and Logan is actually doing everything a "typical" 7 month old would be doing. Also, some blood work was taken to test Logan's thyroid (a normal procedure for children with down syndrome) and we are happy to report his thyroid is at normal levels! Also, his blood count looks great as well, something you have to watch as children with down syndrome are 25 times more likely to develop childhood leukemia.
As for the appointment with our favorite doctor in the world, Dr. Carrie (his cardiologist), everything went smooth as silk. The VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect, or hole is the bottom two chambers in his heart) has completely closed and is as good as sealed. The holes that all babies are born with open are also completely sealed, and his pressure gradient in his pulmonary artery is perfect at 17% leakage (you don't want too low or high, this is what they strive for). His next appointment will be in three months, just to continue to verify everything is healing nicely.
As for strength, look out Lou Ferrigno!!! Logan is excelling at physical therapy, and again, is doing everything a "typical" 7 month old would be doing. He is able to sit up on his own for short amounts of time (his record is two minutes), and is able to support his own weight when I support him standing up! We're getting him ready for crawling, and Logan is able to hold the position of up on his knees and hands for short amounts of time also. The family seems to get a kick out of what his Uncle Mark calls "killers." When Logan lies on his back, he'll lift his head up in a crunch position, as well as his legs off the floor, doing a perfect "V" shape. We think it's hilarious, as most adults can't even do this maneuver! Like I said before, Logan will be my little powerlifter!
One of Noah's presents was an Elmo kitchen, which he absolutely loves! He loves to help Daddy cook and this is a good way for him to practice!
This is Logan with his Poppy out in DC! We spent one week in DC and the other in Lancaster, PA!
Wouldn't you know that the night we decided to drive up to Lancaster from DC there was a huge snowstorm! What normally takes 2.5 hours took six! We got into Lancaster about 4:15 am, and thankfully had Poppy's 4 wheel drive truck to do it in! We probably passed 50 cars off the side of the road in accidents!

Here's a great shot of my Mom, Geoff, and Gabe (all known to Noah & Logan as Nana, PopPop, and Uncle Gabe, respectively). This was a special visit for me for a few of reasons. Number one, they had not yet had a chance to meet Logan yet. Number two, I haven't been back East for Christmas for at least seven years, possibly longer. And last, but certainly not least, we had the opportunity to introduce Logan to his great Nana just before she passed away. The trip was special, and bittersweet at the same time, but I'm so thankful that we all had a chance to see our wonderful Nana one last time.
This is a great shot of how cute Logan can be! He smiles so often is such a great baby!
Logan even puts up with us dressing him in silly costumes like a reindeer! (At least it's not that pink bunny suit from "The Christmas Story"!
PopPop and Noah got along great, and liked to be silly.
This is Yogi the bear, or at least a distant cousin.
Smile Uncle Gabe, it's picture time!
Nana really enjoyed spending time with the boys, and held Logan whenever she could!
Logan also got a chance to be held for the first time by his Great Grandma!!! We visited with her before she went to Illinois for Christmas. We also had the opportunity to introduce the boys to their Great Grandfather, Ed, up in Spring City, PA. It was great to see both of them!
Logan likes to take pictures, but Noah is a little over it.
Gruncle Rand was down at Great Nana & PopPops and was able to see the boys as well.
Logan also got to meet Great PopPop for the first time! The similarities are striking!!! Look PopPop, it's a mini you!
Logan also met his Great Aunt Sis, who was happy to meet him! All in all, a great time back East, and we're very thankful that Logan was able to meet so many people for the very first time!

That's all for now, but we promise to update the blog more frequently! Check back soon!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Check out all the snow we got starting Wed. 19 inches...craziness! Half of it has melted away already. Gotta love Colorado weather;)

Lil' Pumpkin Logan

Watch out for this Ninja!

Happy pumpkin boy and the stoic ninja. Logan is always smiling for pics, Noah is over it.

Logan loves music and when you sing to him...he's such a sweetie!!

Picture Update

This update is mostly cute new photos of Logan. Everything seems pretty anti-climatic since undergoing open-heart surgery, but don't think we're complaining! He's up to 13 lbs for Halloween, and 24.5 inches long. He won't be going back to the cardiologist until January, and his checkups are going great. We're pleased to inform everyone that Logan is doing a tremendous job advancing in his physical therapy as well as cognitive skills. His physical therapist, Terra, is always extremely impressed by how well Logan is progressing. Logan can now hold his head up at a 90 degree angle when on his tummy, and is doing well at sitting when supported by his "boppy" pillow. He "tracks" very well with his eyes, and is acutely aware of noise and his surroundings. He certainly likes to smile alot, as evidenced by the above picture. Doesn't he look like a fake baby doll with his lips pursed for the fake bottle?
Here's the boppy pillow and one of Logan's new favorite toys. He loves things he can grasp, and I must say, he's quite strong! I personally can't wait to get him in the gym and start training for our future Special Olympics power-lifter:)
Here Logan just got done telling a corny joke, drum roll please...
Logan always enjoys his brother, Noah. Here's a great shot of them holding hands.
Look at this little stud!!! He's telling Mommy not to worry and to "hang loose."
Logan is always working on perfecting the cool kid smile. Next week we'll work on the zoolander face.
We've also started putting Logan in the exer-saucer. His feet can't quite hit the ground yet, but Noah makes sure he's doing just fine.
Logan is displaying his Herculean strength here and is starting to support his body with his arms. Next week he should be up for push ups.

Thanks for checking on our boy! He's doing fantastic! We'll update as we get some more great shots! Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers!

Happy 4 Months Logan!!

It's hard to believe our little man is 4 months old already! He is such a good baby and has so much personality. He is smiling a ton and has been talkative lately too!! Here are a few of the many happy faces of our handsome Logan.

THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR THE DONATIONS AND SUPPORT FOR OUR STEP UP WALK, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!

StepUp Walk & Pittsburgh Visit

Well, it's been a little while, but we have alot of great pictures to share with everyone! On Sunday, September, 27th, Kireta and I participated in our first Down syndrome event. It was a walk for Down syndrome in Denver's City Park, and it was an excellent first event! The turnout was awesome, with roughly 2000+ people and dozens of teams. Above is Team Logan along with Team Kyle & Hunter (Kyle & Hunter are identical twins who were born with Down syndrome. Their parents, Michelle & Kelly, came down to our home with more information about Down syndrome as well as organizations such as Mile High Down Syndrome Association.) We had alot of people supporting us, both at the walk, and via Internet support as virtual walkers! Auntie Ash was instrumental in organizing alot of her friends to show up, most of whom we met for the first time at the walk! And Brad & Lisa also rounded up alot of friends, and together with Team Kyle & Hunter, we had a strong team!This is a shot of my dad and brother, Tyler. It was a perfect day for the walk! We got there early, and setup tents and chairs. The walk itself was 1 or 2 miles, your choice. Afterwards, Kireta & I got a chance to meet some really excellent people and families. We're really looking forward to future events!

Here's a great shot of Kyle & Hunter. Their dad & grandma are with them here.

Here's a shot of Michelle. She was great and took the time to introduce us to alot of people.

Here's a shot of the Nye's.

Kireta took the time to make this bib for Logan.

Here's Auntie Ash with her friend, Rachael. Rachael's family was also a part of the walk by donating to MHDSA and becoming "virtual walkers."

From left to right: Colleen, Kay, and Lisa (Grandma) Nye

The proud parents!

From left to right: Carley, Brinley, Auntie Ash, Rachael, & Kireta

These are some shots from our quick visit back to Pittsburgh! This was Logan's first airplane ride, and he traveled like a champ! Above is Aunt Alex.

Here's Grammie with the boys.

Logan got to meet Aunt Paula with cousins Markee & Chris. Noah had a blast playing with the cousins!

Here's my little man! His head control is getting so much better! He continues to impress us!

We were extremely lucky that my Grandma and Aunt Cathy were in Pittsburgh for the weekend visiting Uncle Tim & Chris! Everyone made the trip up to Sewickley and it was awesome to see everyone! This was also Aunt Cathy's first time meeting Noah as well, which made it extra special.

Here's Uncle Chris holding Logan.

Uncle Tim and Grandma look pleased to finally meet Logan.

Aunt Cathy's certainly happy! Logan's saying, "What's up?"

Our Little Logan doesn't look so little anymore... We're going to have to come up with a new nickname:)

Here's Uncle Mark.

Here's a great shot of Kireta's family! From Left: Norman, Great Grandma-ma, and Pappy.

This is Aunt Nesie & Cuz Christine. They're ecstatic about meeting Logan!

Pappy's so happy!

Great Grandma-ma is happy to finally hold her great grandson!

That's all for now! Thanks for taking the time to follow Logan!