CoCo Keys

This past weekend we headed to Omaha to a hotel/waterpark called CoCo Key with my parents and sister and her family. I think Maverick is still a little too little for the water. At one point he was so cold, he was practically vibrating across the floor. The waterpark was really neat though and it was 85 degrees inside! A glimpse of days to come. I can't wait to take Everett and Maverick to hotels when they get older. Growing up, it was one of my favorite things. It's the one place jumping on the bed is legal!
Maverick and his Carlee. He's stuck to her whenever she is around. And, the way he says her name is just too cute and pathetic sounding.

Maverick and dad swimming. Kick, kick, kick!

Everett and aunt Jennifer. Lots of love that boy gets.

More love from grandma Arlene.

Maverick's new favorite toy is the Nerf gun.

Carlee and Maverick picking grapes off the stem.

Look at this big boy! Cannot believe he is 8 weeks old already. He's sure had a crazy 2 months. First he had his hospital stay, then he had his appointment with the cardiologist. We found out he does have a heart murmur, but it is harmless. Thank goodness! He should outgrow it by one year of age.

Maverick continues to be so sweet with his brother. When they are tearing each other apart in a few years, I will be able to show them this picture and show them they really do love each other!

Fun with the Boys

This past weekend we had our last set of visitors, Seth and Kari. This means March and Match Day are almost here. Maverick had a great time with his uncle Seth being goofy and having fun. Clean the window and don't lick the metal!
Loving the airplane!

Such a helpful big brother. Maverick is so great with Everett. It makes me so happy.

Fun with the boys. They all got to use Jesse's homemade sled.

Maverick loves being outside and playing in the snow. We are looking forward to spring. I keep telling Maverick that in 3 months we will be in our own house with lots of windows and places to play! I can't wait. Vermillion has been a wonderful place to start our family, but we are definitely ready to start the next chapter of our lives. Not only that, but our apartment is bursting at the seams. The big day is March 18!!

Thanks to Kari for taking this really cool picture.

What a Month

Almost a month has passed since I last blogged and SO much has happened. We've had a lot of great visits, but the event that stands out the most is Everett's trip to the hospital this past week. He was admitted on Monday with a 100.5 fever. Because it was of "unknown origin", he had to be hospitalized. We ran lots of tests and even a spinal tap and nothing was found which was a relief. We are home now, and he is returning to his laid-back self. Thanks goodness!! How sad is this? Poor little guy with his IV. It was eventually put in his leg which was easier to handle.
Oma Carola and the boys. Maverick thinks he's a Flamanco dancer.

Everett in his cute bibs and mom.

Close up of Everett.

Grandma Arlene and the boys.

Maverick licking the beaters after making brownies. Yum!!

Ahna visited this past week as well. We had a heck of a week because Maverick, Ahna, Jesse, and I all had the stomach flu. It was awful. Luckily, we are all on the mend.

Cristian (or as Maverick calls him Chin-chin) and Everett.

Cousin Carl and Everett!

Great grandma Ruth, Papa Greg, Maverick, and Everett.

The Boy Knows How to Eat

Today we went to the doctor for a quick check up to make sure Everett had regained the weight he lost in the hospital. Not only did he regain the weight, but he surpassed his birth weight coming in at 8# 8oz!! I guess the constant nursing is paying off! Everett continues to be pretty content. My sister Jennifer came for the weekend to take care of us which was great because Jesse finally got to work his 3 PM-7 AM shift which I rudely interrupted last week to have a baby! He is working that same shift today, but luckily it is the last overnight. My mom arrives tonight to take care of us the rest of the week. We are too spoiled!! Maverick and Everett. Maverick really likes to hold his baby brother especially when there's a camera around.
The new addition. I would have to say leaving the hospital is nothing like they portray in the movies. We just literally walked out after the paperwork was signed. Not even a good-bye. But, that's ok.

All bundled up for the 4-block voyage home.

Grandma and grandpa Brower made a surprise visit to see us in the hospital.

I guess this was our first picture of just the 3 of us.

"With Honors" We Present Everett Van Heukelom

So, last night I decided to have a baby! I really wasn't expecting him, but I guess he was ready. We have added Everett (middle name is still out) Van Heukelom to our family. He weighed 8#4oz, 21 1/2" long, and was born at 3:15 A.M.

I'm still stunned by the short delivery time. Jesse is working in the ER this week in Yankton. He was planning to work at 3 PM-7AM shift. I texted him at 9:15 that I was heading to bed. Literally 15 minutes later when I crawled into bed, I started having contractions. I wasn't sure if they were the real deal, but I was sure when they were coming 5 minutes apart. I called Jesse at 11 to let him know he should come home. He got home about 11:45. He was hungry so I told him to run to McDonald's for the Cold Days Hot Deals quarter-pounder special. On the way back, he picked up our friend Angelica to watch Maverick. We then proceded to drop off my library book before heading to the hospital. We got to the hospital about 1 AM. About 3 I started to push, and at 3:15 AM, out he came! It was a short process to say the least. But, I didn't mind. Big brother Maverick stopped by with a kiss. He's not 100% sure about the whole ordeal.
Taking his stats.

Maverick would say "Listen, boom boom"

Brand new to the world!! He is a very healthy boy. The only thing is he has been a little on the chilly side, but we are getting his temperature up slowly but surely.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! It's hard to believe another Christmas and another year have passed. And, in about 2 weeks, there will be another Van Heukelom in our family. We know that 2010 has a lot of changes in store for us. Wow.

Luckily, we were able to make it to the farm with the blizzard conditions. And, of course, Maverick enjoyed the empty boxes and papers the most! He also enjoyed scooping snow and feeding cows with Grandpa Jerry in the tractor. It was a great way to burn some energy and get out of the house.
Maverick all bundled up. He looked like a sumo wrestler. Because he was dressed like a giant marshmallow, he couldn't quite master walking in the snow.

Here we are Christmas morning looking bright and chipper. Maverick is wearing his reindeer pajamas. They are so darn cute!

Opening a big present which he later just stood on the box and performed like a magician.

Maverick and Jesse heading out.

We celebrated St. Nick's Day at the beginning of the month. You can see Jesse was not a very good boy this year. We love our wooden shoes!

Our little Christmas tree. It took us about an hour to pick out this tree at Walmart. We couldn't decide if we should get the big fake one or the small fake one. Which will we more likely use again? Which will fit better in our apartment? Since we plan to get real trees once we move, should we get a fake one at all? The questions went on and on. We finally got the small fake one which was perfect for us.

Maverick was such a big helper decorating the tree. He knew just where to place the pickle!

Jesse and Maverick setting up the tree.

We hope you all had a great holiday season and look forward to seeing you this year!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Tonight Maverick and I headed to the first Parade of Lights in Vermillion. Although the parade only lasted about 10 minutes, it was fun to get out. It was a great night. It was cold, but there was no wind which makes all the difference in SD! After the parade, we headed to the library to make a stocking. Well, I made the stocking. Maverick helped by throwing our scraps away. Here's Maverick showcasing our work. Please excuse the pacifier; it was late and past bedtime!!
My marshmallow of a son and Santa!! Maverick wasn't scared at all. At this point, he was very toasty, and I think he could have fell asleep on Santa's lap. He did say "Bye" though.

Here's one of the trucks decorated for the parade. After the parade, they lit the city Christmas tree which was nice. I'm going to miss Vermillion and the small town feeling. It's been a great place to live and start our family.

Maverick was bundled up in his snow pants, marshmallow coat, and ovenmit mittens.

And, Jesse is returning tonight after being on the road for interviews and an externship for 3 weeks. Can't wait to have him home!!