Brooks is 1 month

Stats:

Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz (50%)

Length: 21.5 inches (50%)

Head: 14.25 inches (25%)

Brooks has has an eventful first month...celebrated first Thanksgiving, lots of brothers' Christmas festivities, first ER trip and hospital admission which included blood/urine draw and spinal tap :(. Poor baby ran a fever on Saturday and with babies under 28 days they have to follow standard protocol as some scary things can happen, most crucial being meningitis. Praise God Brooks had a positive viral panel for corona virus which is just a common cold (that likely mommy and brothers also had) and was the source of his fever. We only had to stay 24 hours vs 48 because he was doing so well. He's a trooper and now at home doing great!! He is such a sweet baby and fits right into our crazy family. Can't imagine life without this sweet bundle. 

EAT--nursing every 3 ish hours, will give 4 hour stretch during day but never at night ! Very efficient, only about 8-10 mins and he is done! I did get mastitis at 2 weeks which was rough, hoping its one and done this time around!

PLAY-doesn't mind tummy time, will lift his head and look side to side, still has a perfect head shape and we're working hard on keeping it that way. Since he is so sweet natured most of the time, he gets held because I just love the baby snuggles and know they won't last long at all. It's nice having Caleb home, so I have lots of Brooks snuggles while boys at school or away on outings with Daddy!

Sleep-at night will wake up every 2-3 hours but keep him swaddled and he goes right back to sleep. Does much better in rock n play than anywhere else. 

My sweet Brooksie Bear,

From the moment I held you one month ago I am in awe of how perfect and wonderful you are. I just look at you and wonder about your personality and all the big plans God has for you. I love your baby squeaks and how you put your hand under your little chin. I love that you love to be held and snuggled. You can sleep through anything and I have a feeling it will stay that way because our house is noisy! We love you so much and thank God for the sweet and perfect gift you are! 

Love

Mama

A photo recap:

First surgery :(

Well, Carter is now 5 for 5 for major medical bills in the month of December (1-birth, 2-stitches, 3-rsv/pneumonia, 4-rsv/pneumonia, hospital admission) and now 5-broken arm/surgery. That's right. On Tuesday night (12/10) Carter was climbing up into a chair at the bar to see what our sweet friend Alison brought us for dinner. His foot slipped and he braced himself on the tile floor with the elbow. Immediate crying and this mama knew--I had heard that cry and seen that arm position before. However, we have learned there's really no point in getting immediate X-rays. Pain was surprisingly ok so we waited until the next morning since he already had his 4 yr ck up scheduled. Dr may have thought Caleb was crazy, but also comfirmed it was likely broken and we needed to see the ortho. Poor little man got 3 shots and a blood draw on top of a broken arm...note to self: not a good combo, delay shots!! Caleb had to deal with an inconsolable, irrational 4 yr old but did redeem himself with a sonic kids meal. 

That afternoon I took him to ortho. Got X-rays and dr immediately said it was broken. A 4 mm displacement so surgery was needed. On Friday. Lovely. They put him in a soft cast and he went to school on Thursday (have I ever mentioned he loves attention?). We explained simply what was going to happen and he showed no signs of anxiety. My little rule follower had no problem with being npo. If dr says he can't eat or drink, then by golly you don't eat or drink! 

Mimi graciously took Isaac for the day and Brooks came with us. Dad and Jolie met us at the surgery center. Carter chatted it up with everyone in pre-op and was really into telling jokes. Grandpa passed down his crybaby bear which was his growing up. At about 1 they have him versed and anesthesiologist said "this is what your kid will act like on drugs". Oh.dear. Carter became extra chatty and let's just say had no filter, acting all boy. I had been dreading the saying goodbyes but with Carter so happy and chatty and all the prayers, it really was devoid of emotion. 

The 2 hours went by fast as I addressed Christmas cards and talked with family. Dr Sackett came out and said carter did great. There was more soft tissue damage than expected and he had to use 3 pins to put it all back together. About 30 mins later we got to see him. He was pretty sleepy but super sweet and not agitated at all. His sats kept dropping to the 80s so we had to wake him up to cough. After about an hour and a half in the pacu, it was time to go. Carter was not ready to go and cried--nurse said that was a first. She was able to lure him out with the promise of riding in a wheelchair to the car. He came home, ate some sonic, and slept all night. Little did we know the medical drama the next day would bring with little Brooks, but Carter was such a trooper and survived his first surgery (and hopefully only?!) like a champ!

Pre op chatting:

Waiting room:

Leaving in the wheelchair!

2 week stats

Weight:  8 lb 0.3 oz (50%)

Length: 20.9 in (60%)

Head : 13.5 in (10%)

Already a week?!

Ok, so the 3rd time around I know how fast time flies so I'm trying to be intentional about lots of snuggle time. I just LOVE the newborn stage and Brooks is the sweetest most chill baby. He only gets mad if he's cold (hates getting clothes changed) and then fusses when he's hungry. That's it. Otherwise, he is so content just to lay on my chest or in my arms and sleep. He's sleeping a ton...I know it's normal, but he only has 2-3 30-45 min alert periods and is otherwise sleeping. The first 2 nights home he just wanted to be held all night and would fuss if we put him down anywhere. Thankfully, he has become content swaddled in the rock n play and will wake up every 3ish hours to eat then after burping goes right back to sleep. I really want time to stop, I love this snuggly squishy age!! The big boys are doing great...will comment on things he's doing but pretty much do their own thing. It's great having Caleb home, he's such a good Daddy and support to me.

I'm loving...

-his bald little head smell as he lays on my chest

-how he puts his right hand under his chin when he nurses 

-his froggy legs that just squishes him into a snuggly ball

-his sweet sweet smell!

 Here are a few pics since we've been home. I'll work on his birth story and do hospital pics later....

Our sweet welcome home from Aunt Diana

Wood party of 5! Let's do this!

First morning home snuggling with my 3 boys

Love this. We missed Carter's feast at school but Grandpa and GrandmaJo went. He is thankful for his baby brother and moms new shower. Amen buddy!

Carter has been super sweet with Brooks. 

During one of his alert times

Daddy snuggles

First time to the firetruck park

He's just so tiny!

His first party...community group chili cook off 

Those cheeks!

Lots of just watching him sleep ...and being so in love!

His first bottle at 6 days. Likes it warm but did great!

Napping in the rock n play

First Starbucks trip

What a trio!!