Potty Master

Bennett is officially potty (and poop) trained!

After a few weeks of on again off again trying to no success, Mommy pulled the diapers and prayed...

We have only had a handful of accidents during day 1 and 2 and now 1 week later we are accident free!

He is such a big boy and we are so proud of him for accomplishing this so quickly.

Here he is showing off his sticker chart. 

Bennett also got to go pick out a new toy for being a big boy at the store. 

The bathroom is now looking a bit different (aka pee and toilet paper everywhere) thanks to a certain boy. However, our pocketbook and diaper can is appreciating one less boy wearing diapers!

 It's unbelievable how independent he is with this new skill. 

We never thought it would happen so quickly. It just goes to show us how smart this guy really is.

Congrats Benny!

God Bless Brooks Richard

 

 Today we were blessed beyond measure with the baptism ceremony and celebration for Brooks. 

  

 This little boy was surrounded with so much love and light today.

We were filled with so many emotions as we joined with our families for the occasion.

One lonely night in the hospital back in January, we considered having Brooks baptized while he was fighting his infections. 

I understood the reasoning but I held onto the hope that he would get better and we would celebrate his baptism with happiness and of course, a party.

I wanted dress him in his hand-made attire which was also worn by Bennett.

I wanted to pose him on his hand-made blanket which was also used by Marie and Bennett.

I wanted to hold him as the Priest poured Holy Water on his precious head just like Marie and Bennett.

 

Today, all those hopes came true and prayers were answered.

Andy & I were overwhelmed many times during the day as we thought about this full circle moment.

Brooks with his Godparents, Liz & Andrew

Brooks has had so many prayers sent up for him in his life already. 

Today, we all sent up a few more full of thanksgiving for his healthy and strong body.

 

Brooks is loved by so many. 

He has 3 earthly grandparents who give him all the love a child could ever need. They all love him in a unique way and we are grateful for each of them.

He also is blessed with a Heavenly Grandfather who certainly was with us today. 

I know that Grandpa Rick has already had a special hand in Brooks' life.

Brooks is also loved by Aunts and Uncles who give of themselves in so many ways. 

Whether its by cuddling, reading, telling stories, pretending to fight monsters, wrestling, or riding in tractors.

He will always have a safe place to go where he is loved.

Brooks is also loved by us: Daddy, Mommy, Marie, and Bennett.

Marie is loving and caring towards you in a motherly way.

Bennett is in awe of you. He plays with you the only way a big brother knows how and he is anxious for you to grow and follow in his footsteps.

Daddy & I thank God for you, Brooks Richard.

You are our little miracle and we promise to do our best for you.

You were chosen just for us and we will never forget that.

Brooks - 4 months

4 months have come and gone and Brooks is getting so big!
At his appointment, he measured in the 98th percentile and was 19 lb, 8 oz and 26" long.

He is definitely developing more of a personality. 

You can hear his little giggles come out now as he watches his big brother and sister. 

He likes to play with his toys and even sit in his exer-saucer now, too.

He enjoys books, songs, and being in the midst of chaos...thank goodness!

 Brooks is such a happy baby and very content most of the time.

He does however know how to get your attention when he needs to!

 Lately his sleeping has been less than perfect...but some of that is due to a cold.

 Lately he is drooling and chewing on his hands continuously so we are anxious to see when his teeth start to poke through.

 Happy 4 Months, Brooks!

Sold!

After a pretty quick showing and listing period, our house on Cheyenne Blvd is sold!

We are so thankful that the process was easy and fairly painless. 

The new buyer is allowing us to rent until June 1 so Marie can finish out school and we don't have to look for a random rental situation...Great news!

This has been a great house for us and it's amazing to think it's already been 3 years here in Sioux City. 

This last month is going to fly by!

Our new home will be officially ours as of May 1. 

We are excited to get painting and working on that house as we slowly make it our new home!

Once Upon an Easter...

Our Easter weekend has been full of chocolate, candy, "Hallelujahs," baby puppies, cousins, and our fair share of exhaustion from fun...that's exactly how it should be!

We enjoyed some cuddle time with puppies...distant relatives of Gus and Maya.

We drug ourselves away repeating, "we can't have another one, we can't have another one..."

Next up was a gigantic Easter egg hunt at Grandma Nel's house with the cousins.  

Over 100 eggs, 5 kids, and 3 adults hiding them as tricky as possible!

 

 Even with Andy on call, we made a fabulous breakfast of french toast after checking out what the Easter Bunny brought us.

New shades, football, nail polish, and teething toy  - way to go Easter Bunny!

After Mass we tried to get some family pictures with the help of the "self timer" on the camera - not too bad!

These kids are growing up so quickly...

The weather is nearly perfect today so we are enjoying the rest of our day outside. 

 Happy Easter!

Spring Break

 We are celebrating Spring Break at our house this week. 

We have been blessed with a few nice days so far and we are getting out and enjoying it as much as possible.

Andy took a few days of vacation as well so he could study for his final board exams (yeah!) which he takes this Thursday.

Friday afternoon was cold and windy, so we spent some time at the Lewis and Clark Expedition Museum.  

Much of the content was too advanced for the kids' ages, but they liked seeing all the pictures and hearing the story. 

On Sunday, we enjoyed a low key day at home.

Marie wanted to dye eggs for Easter but Bennett politely refused, "No thanks." 

We all took our turns asking him to join but he was much to interested in his own plans. 

 Actually, I think Marie enjoyed the alone time for the activity

On Monday we spent the day at the zoo in Omaha. 

It was a nice day so we took our time strolling through many of the exhibits and enjoying a picnic lunch.

 

 Favorites this time were the penguins, lions and tigers, rhinos, and the sharks.

 Brooks handled the trip so well. He really liked the giraffes and was kicking his legs and sticking his tongue out at them.

 After the zoo we grabbed some ice cream for the road and headed back home. 

All kids fell asleep for much of the ride after the busy day.

 Tuesday was a day at home.

We are doing many projects as we get ready to move.

Andy has been painting furniture, we have been purchasing furniture, I have bedding for everyone purchased, and we are constantly weeding through things in the house.
The kids and I took a break to go to the library for story time while Andy studied and we all went to the park to enjoy the 80 degree weather. 

We hope the rest of the week is just as nice so we can continue to enjoy the break from reality!