Prayers for Brooks

On Thursday, January 22nd, Brooks experienced his first ride in an airplane. 

Unfortunately, it wasn't on the way to Disney World like we thought his first plane ride would be. Instead it was a medical plane that was his ambulance to Sanford Children's Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Brooks came down with a runny nose and little cough on Monday night but he continued to eat well and stay alert. On Thursday he began sleeping longer and not eating as well.

While holding him in my arms Thursday evening, he stopped breathing. I was able to revive him 2 times but it was clear we needed to get to the Emergency room. He was pale almost to the point of being transparent. We rushed to the ER while a friend of ours stayed with Marie and Bennett. 

While at the ER he continued having periods of apnea. The doctors decided we needed to transfer him to either Omaha or Sioux Falls for his care. It was clear that he had become very sick. His first diagnosis was pneumonia but we were still unclear as to what was the main cause of all his symptoms.

While Brooks flew to Sioux Falls, Andy & I went home to say goodbye to Marie and Bennett and pack a bag. They stayed at home with Grandma Nel for the night. Although they were sad to see us go, we had remained as calm as possible for them and they knew it was necessary for us to be with their baby brother.

While we were driving to Sioux Falls, we received a call from the doctor at Sanford asking for permission to intubate Brooks as soon as possible and put him on the ventilator. Breathing was too hard for him and he needed to rest as much as possible so he could heal. 

Next would begin a series of tests and tubes.  He is sedated and connected to a ventilator to help him breathe, he has a central line in his neck for fluids, medication, and monitoring, NG and NJ tubes for feeding and stomach decompression, suctioning for the removal of mucous and secretions, blood pressure medication, and he has a catheter for his urine output.  

He continues to make strides but is still very sick.  It was confirmed that he also has RSV which is a respiratory infection. Because he was a preemie, his lungs and body are not equipped to handle this infection like a term baby would be able to. However, he is feisty and fights the ventilator which is inspiring to see. 

He is a tough little guy and we are in the right place for his care. 

Marie and Bennett have been with Uncle Chris, Aunt Mindy, Grandma Nel, Aunt Keri & Uncle Paul. 

They have stayed busy with tractor rides and all kinds of fun. 

We look forward to our first visit with them on Sunday. 

Brooks is getting superb care. His nurses are very loving towards him and he has had many visitors. He enjoys the noise and laughter that our family brings and seems to thrive on it. His vital signs are always the best when the room is noisy...I'm guessing he will prove this point when he hears Marie and Bennett's voices soon.

We are reading books, singing songs, watching basketball, and he even gets a massage now and then. 

Andy & I feel very helpless at times but we are finding strength we never knew we had. 

We covet and appreciate all thoughts and prayers while we are on this journey with Brooks. 

God brought us to this and he will bring us through it stronger than before. 

Soaking in the Sun

Our family enjoyed a surprisingly warm January day. 

Everyone went for a walk to feel the sun, smell the fresh air, and listen to the crunching snow. 

The dogs enjoyed a game of fetch while the kids crunched snow. 

This past week was also the official listing of our home. 

It is for sale and we have already had a few showings. 

Although it is a strange feeling, we are excited to move into our new home in Spirit Lake!

Brooks - 1 Month

It's amazing how Brooks is changing week to week. 

Although he is our 3rd baby it is remarkable for us to see him grow so quickly...in fact he seems to be getting older faster than Marie and Bennett did - funny how that happens!

Even so, we are soaking in as much of him as possible during this phase as we know it goes so quickly. 

We are not quite sure how much he weighs but we do know that he is filling out his 3 month clothes very nicely and stretching the toes in his jammies to the max. We will be moving up in size soon. We are guessing he is right around 11 lbs.

He continues to eat very well with Mommy and from a bottle with Daddy. 

He is having a nice awake period during the day where he is very alert and wants to be wherever the action is. The action is usually where his brother and sister are along with the two dogs of course. 

He enjoys laying on his boppy pillow while looking around and moving his arms and legs like crazy.

We have started some tummy time too and his neck and head control is getting so much better already.

He is eating every 3-4 hrs at night and sleeps very well in his crib.

He is starting to prefer certain people at certain times which is very funny to see. 

Marie likes to hold him in the morning before school starts and Brooks enjoys that time with her while playing with her hair and eventually falling asleep. 

Bennett and Brooks lay on the couch or the floor together and I'm pretty sure Bennett will be the one who will get Brooks to laugh out loud first. 

The dogs are so gentle with Brooks and are rarely in his space.

All of a sudden we will notice them watching Brooks and sort of asking permission to lay by him or give him a little kiss.

Overall, Brooks continues to be content and a very lovable addition to our family.

Below are comparisons of the 3 kids at 1 month...amazing to see how similar and yet different they looked!

Marie at 1 month - July 2009

Bennett at 1 month - July 2012

Brooks at 1 month - January 2015

Brooks - 3 Weeks Old

  

I can't even believe I am typing "3 Weeks Old" in the title of this post!

Time flies when you have a big sister and brother watching over you every step of the way.

These 2 kiddos love their little brother so much. 

 One of their favorite things to do is climb into the crib with him (supervised) and shower him with attention. 

Marie tends to be a little more tender with her touches whereas Bennett is ready to wrestle even when he is being "gentle."

They both speak very sweetly to him and he turns his head towards them as they giggle and tell him stories. 

 He is starting to have more awake periods during the day and is much more alert to sounds, books, and movement. 

His 3 month clothes are starting to get more snug and his belly is definitely growing!

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!