"He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

Hi! I am Logan Linde! My Auntie Kathleen is making this blog for me so everyone can be updated on how I am doing. When my Mom is feeling up to it, she's going to take over!

 Logan was born on August 31, 2012 at a whopping 9lbs 6oz! Nothing about his delivery was "textbook perfect" and we knew right away that this beautiful, chubby baby boy was something special. If you've ever have the privilege of meeting Logan, you will be in for a real treat! With those big baby blues and that sweet smile looking up at you.... as he coos softly away, he will melt your heart and worm his way in. You will not forgot him! Some children are just born with that soft nature and Logan definitely has it!

 It didn't take long after Logan's birth to see that he wasn't gaining weight as fast as expected. All that extra chunk he had when he was born helped to take the edge off the fear as we all concluded that he was sturdy and it was okay if he took a while to gain. However after his five week appointment they discovered weight loss and Jenn began the frequent check ups at Welland hospital with a pediatrician there. It was determined that Logan had a severe case of reflux, something called GERD, and they began steps to work with this. Have you ever tried feeding a newborn, holding them in a sitting position on your lap, one ounce and countless burps at a time, with two other children running around getting into all sorts of crazy stuff, every two hours, 24 hours a day? This was quite the accomplishment for Jenners! Unfortunately even with the many return visits to Welland and a valiant effort on Jenn and Adam's part, it was decided that GERD was not the problem after all.

 Back to the drawing board! This time with the use of ultrasound, it was discovered that Logan's pyloris (the opening from the stomach into the small intestine) had a narrowing. This is called pyloric stenosis. We were all encouraged that a simple surgery was to be the answer. After a brief recovery things should go much better from here! On the day that Jenn and Adam went in to get the surgery done they were told it was necessary for one more ultrasound, just for further confirmation. What a disappointment to be told that surgery would not be the answer, as the narrowing really wasn't that bad and therefore not cause for concern. Argghh!!

 Logan was then admitted to Mac Children's Hospital in Hamilton. They started out in the emergency room on a waiting list for a bed. There was a team of 6 doctors looking into Logan's case and many prayers being said which was encouraging for us. At this point Logan was under his birth weight at 9lbs 4 ounces at 2 months old. The doctors were baffled as to what was going on. After one long night and day in emerg, and all sorts of tests being run, there was an opening for a bed! Adam and Jenn even got a room at the wonderful Ronald McDonald House and they were well taken care of. There stay at the hospital turned into 11 days when Logan was finally sent home on a feeding tube. He had slowly began gaining weight this way along with a special hypo allergenic formula and there were hopes that it would only get better from here! However there was no diagnosis as to why this was the case.

 Logan has been home for just over a week. Every two hours, around the clock, Adam or Jenn were setting up his feeds, holding him close and cleaning up all the equipment afterwards. It takes about one hour to do. Logan has managed to pull his feeding tube out 6 times since it's been put in 3 weeks ago. Twice he did this at home which meant return visits to Mac! He is quite a determined little guy!! Between dietitian visits, in home nurses, unexpected tube replacements, feedings and just loving their children who are all a little out of sorts...the Linde home is one busy place to be! But their are extra hugs and snuggles going on and lots of prayers and kindness going around, so it is also a wonderful place to be!

 The dietitian, Brad, is a wonderful man. When he came to see Logan he was quite concerned. He checked back frequently and after a few days detected that Logan was once again losing more weight, not gaining as they had hoped. That brings us to today.....

 November 19, 2012

   It is Monday evening. My own children have tried sneaking out of bed with poor excuses three times already as I sit here composing this blog. I just got off the phone with Jenn. "One minute," she says as she tucks Olivia into bed. I can here the whispers on the other side of the phone, "Goodnight Livvy! Do you have your blanket? Momma loves you...." and so it goes and I cough a little to clear my teary eyes because I know that, as soon as she is done talking to me, Jenn will be packing things for her kids again. Stuff for Liv who is going to my Mom's and stuff for Malachi who is going to his other Oma's. Stuff for her and Adam as they begin the hunt for answers for their little babe again tomorrow morning. It certainly feels as if we are back to square one!!

 Tomorrow morning Adam and Jenn are hoping to meet with one of Ontario's top pediatricians at Mac Hospital. I say "hoping" because he was suppose to talk to them today to set up an appointment but he never did call them. Sigh. It looks as if they might be starting again in the emergency if they can't get the appointment they need. Their dietitian has strongly recommended that they continue on to Sick Kids in Toronto if they don't get the response they need in Hamilton. I feel the need to say that Mac is a wonderful hospital and there are special people working there but not even nice doctors always have the answers.

 This blog is to keep you up to date on what will be going on in the next few weeks. Jenn's phone, and my own actually, have been ringing off the hook with love, concerns, encouragement and tears from the blessings of the communion of the saints, friends and family. We thought that this would be the best way for everyone to hear the latest concerning Logan. Jenn would LOVE it if you leave comments for her to read when she has time. She says you may email her too if you have a more personal message you want to share. If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call as well. She wishes she could answer every phone message or email but let's face it people...that girl is some kind of busy these days!!

 In all of this we have seen Christ glorified in the work of His church. So many have reached out to offer help and we know that everyone is praying! Thank you so much for this! Jenn has shared her thankfulness for those who came to see them in Mac and pray with them. Rev. Dykstra has been a loving shepherd to the Linde's and we know that there is an endless list of people we can turn to for help. Again, thank you!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30