Bathtime for Brooks

Brooks loves his bath.

While in the hospital, the nurses showed us a way to set the temperature just right, swaddle him in a towel, and get him to relax in his bathtub. I was suspicious but it was amazing how much he loves it!

The only time he cries or becomes stressed is when we take him out of the tub.

I have a lot of help from Marie and Bennett of course.

Brooks - 2 weeks old

 Brooks is an absolute sweet heart of a little boy.

He is content, observant, and relaxed. 

So far, his interests are eating, sleeping, pooping, and making this silly little noise that is hard to describe in words but adorable all the same. 

 He sleeps fairly well in 3 hour blocks at night.

He likes to watch his brother and sister play and tolerates kisses from the dogs.

He handles noise like a pro - sleeping through screaming, laughing, and vacuums.

He is a joy.

We are so thankful for his health and how well he is growing. 

We are so anxious to learn more about him as his personality continues to develop.

Van Beek Christmas

Because our little Brooks came early, we had to postpone our Christmas celebration in Sheldon till after the new year. It was worth the wait!

We all had a blast opening gifts, eating good food, playing games, and spending time with the family. 

Everyone took their turn with Brooks and he had a lot of attention!

We were so blessed with a lot of time with family this Christmas season!

Christmas Vacation

Once Andy was done with work and began his paternity leave, we decided to make the most of our time with Marie and Bennett home from school on Christmas break.

We filled our time with a lot of playing, movies, sleeping in, relaxing, and discovering our new toys. But we also filled our time activities we don't normally get to do like...

playing, swimming, and exercising at the YMCA

 

going cosmic bowling,

 

  playing in the snow,

 and celebrating the new year with a party!

The kids had an eventful Christmas break but both were ready to go back to school this morning and see their friends!

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Once we found out that I would be 37 weeks pregnant at Christmas and Andy would be working Christmas Eve, we volunteered to host the Mueting Christmas at our home in Sioux City.  Thankfully it still worked out to have everyone travel to us since we had a newborn preemie Brooks to take care of now!

Bennett and Marie spent the night of the 23rd in Spencer with Papa Joe as they welcomed the rest of the family into town. They were busy with movies, popcorn, and so much playtime. This allowed Grammy to stay in Sioux City with us while we continued to get over the flu and adjust to life with a new baby. We were so thankful for the help!

 

On Christmas Eve, everyone traveled to Sioux City to meet Brooks, open gifts, attend mass, and eat many many goodies. Andy was working on Christmas Eve so he was in and out of the celebration but was able to be a part of most of it.

 ***

On Christmas morning, we slept in as long as 2 eager little kiddos allowed before we ran downstairs to open gifts from Santa.  Marie and Bennett loved finding the note from Santa, seeing the open fireplace, and opening their stockings. 

We enjoyed the morning with time as our new family of 5 before the rest of the gang showed up for brunch and more gifts.  

Christmas day was full of relaxing, eating, playing, and napping. Just as it should be. That evening we decided to go to the hotel where Grammy and Papa were staying so the kids could swim.

 After all the craziness and unexpected challenges the week before Christmas, it felt so good to just enjoy our time with family on Christmas Day. 

Brooks meets the family

 On Friday morning, Grammy & Papa brought Marie and Bennett to the hospital to meet their new little brother. They both were very anxious to hold him and they took several turns. 

Both Bennett and Marie commented on how little Brooks was and all the cute little noises he was making. 

They enjoyed watching him get his first bath, too.

Our hospital stay was 2 days. Unfortunately during those 2 days I was struggling with the flu on top of recovering from having a baby. 

I had great care at the hospital but left on Saturday still feeling sick. We were anxious to get home to Marie and Bennett and our own bed. 

 

 Andy also began to feel sick along with Bennett and Marie.

So, as we all tried to settle in together at home with a new little guy to welcome, we all dealt with fevers and chills, aches and sleepless nights. Not exactly an easy way to transition with a new baby in the house. 

Gus and Maya were very welcoming to Brooks. 

They smelled him,  kissed him, and are still getting used to all his new noises. 

We were visited by family members on Saturday and spent Sunday as a new family of 5.