How Creed came into the world

This blog post is SO late in coming but we've had issues uploading to blogger and I (ashleigh) don't have the patience to work with it so, it's taken a while to find the time to sit down and work with it. So, here's the story of how Creed got here. I know it's late and you've already heard it but for my scrapbooking purposes, I need to have it written down. So, skip the words if you want to :)

I went to my appt on Tuesday Sept 7th hoping to get some answers about how dialated I was or if the dr thought that Creed might show up sometime in the next week or so. Mom and Dad wanted to drive up on Thursday because it was a holiday but didn't want to be here a week before Creed was born so that they didn't waste their time off. So, we get to the appt and the nurse remarks that my blood pressure is high. Lynn, the midwife, comes in and says to lay down on the table for a while and let's listen to Creed's heartbeat and measure me and then they'll retake my blood pressure. So, that's what we do and it's still high. She then says that they'd like me to go to the hospital for monitoring purposes and depending on what's going on and how my body responds, we'll either have the baby or I can go home and rest. So, Chris took Caleb Shaun to our friend Karen, and I got wheeled over to the hospital in a wheelchair.

At the hospital they began fluids because Beverly, another midwife, thought I was dehydrated and after a day on the lake and a day at Carowinds over the weekend, not to mention playing bass at church on Sunday, I couldn't really argue with her that I might have overdid it on the weekend. My blood pressure did come down after a couple of hours of laying in a bed and having fluids put in me. An ultrasound tech came in to do some kind of bio-fetal scan - which is typical before you can be discharged - and Creed didn't do well on the scan. He needed to be moving so they could measure how much amniotic fluid I had left and he wouldn't move - even tho we tried everything to get him to. So, I measured that I didn't have much fluid around the baby and that the baby wouldn't move. Beverly, the midwife, came in as the ultrasound tech was finishing up the test and noticed that Creed looked large on the monitor and asked if the tech would mind doing a "fetal weight estimate" The tech agreed to and agreed that Creed looked big to her and began the test. The test measured him at 9 lb 11 oz. Because he didn't pass the scan that was done first, they explained that I couldn't leave the hospital until Creed was born and so I had the option to be induced and try to labor and get him out or we could do a c-section. They were concerned about how broad Creed's shoulders were and whether or not I could get them thru the birth canal and if I got him out, what kind of damage would be done to his head or shoulders so Chris and I opted to go they way they recommended - which was a c-section.

Cadence had gone to preschool that morning and my friend Jenn had picked her up. So, we called jenn and asked her to bring Cadence to the hospital so that we could explain what was going on to her. She seemed to be Ok with everything and didn't have too many questions so we kept going with everything as planned and she went back to Mary's house to play.

I got taken to the OR to be prepped and Chris had time to play and take pictures while waiting on me to get ready.


It didn't take crazy long once they got going. The anesthiology medicine made me sick initially and so they had to get that balanced out and then told Chris to come in and we got going. Chris and I were laughing and joking about stuff as they began to cut me open. he would occasionally peek over the curtain but we thought it might be inappropriate to take pictures of what all was going on. Just a few minutes later, we heard the sweetest cry and knew that Creed had finally showed up! Our initial reaction was about how white he was. Having 2 children who are pretty brown skinned with heads full of black hair, it was strange to see a fair-skinned baby with no hair. But I guess, that makes sense coming from the 2 of us! So, he was here and we were super excited. Chris went with Creed to have all the initial baby stuff done while I was stiched up and taken to recovery. and just a little while later, in came Chris and Creed and we got to all hang out in the recovery room until we were taken to our new room where we spent the next couple of days.



Creed was huge - in our opinion - and we still can't believe that we had a 10 lb 2 oz baby. His feet were off the papers where they tried to stamp them :) and they had to bring us size 1 diapers because the newborn ones just didn't fit him!

Chris changing the first of many diapers on our new boy :)


Our sweet boy resting after a very long first day on the outside

Then There Were Three!

Ok, He's here! We are so excited to get to know our new little boy Creed. He is so sweet and very patient with us as learn his particular wants and needs.
As we stay up late holding and feeding him Ashleigh and I have taken time to remember the stories of our other 2 kiddos. It is so neat because they are all so different but it isn't the differences that define them for us. It is the genuine gratitude that God gave them to us to raise and protect and love. So just to have it in one place here is a brief recap of each of our kids first days.



We met our sweet Cadence Shae on August 3, 2006. We were fortunate to be able to adopt her from great family who loved her far more than many people can fathom. She was so little and beautiful. The funny part of it all was that because we were adoptive parents they didn't have a room for us in the maternity ward. So we were given a lovely storage room to start our lives with our sweet girl. It was strange but it really spoke that though things don't always happen the way you thought they should, God's plan is bigger than a nice room and comfortable chairs. Our blessing was there in our hands. Even if the surroundings left something to desire!


Our Big, Brave Caleb Shaun had a lot stacked against him when he was born, August 3, 2009. He was born with a very serious congenital heart condition and his parents couldn't take care of him in such a delicate state. When we met him, he had been too sick to hold in the 6 weeks he had been alive. He required constant monitoring and a lengthy regimen of medication. He was so quiet except when we held him. Caleb Shaun had a hard time being held when he was tiny. His tiny body had been through so much but we knew he needed love more than any surgery.
We held him anyway. Sometimes it was hard with the tubes and beeps but we held him so he would know that no matter what we would hold onto him until we couldn't hold him any more. You wouldn't believe the change in our boy. He is so full of life and really wants to wrestle and be held and snuggled!






Creed is our miracle baby. We were told a long time ago that we could never birth children. They were wrong. We knew that God wanted us to have children. He gave us our first two and threw in Creed as an extra blessing. Our experience in the hospital was so great. Our friends were there. Our families were there. Our children were there.
People ask us why we chose Creed for his name. A creed is a statement of belief. Something you stake your life to. Something that guides everyday that follows it. We believed God for our family and continue to believe Him to guide and protect and provide for us. I pray that Creed will one day understand his name and the One we trust daily.

Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
2 Timothy 1:12

Carowinds!

Yesterday we went to Carowinds - mostly in hopes of walking Creed right out of me - to spend some time with the kids before he shows up. Thankfully, the weather completely changed from what it's been and the temps never got out of the mid 80's and was perfect for a morning of walking a theme park! So, we got up, had breakfast, dressed the kids, and took off.

Here we're entertaining ourselves while Daddy got gas and Starbucks for everyone!

Cadence picked her own outfit - including the hat - for the day and we thought it was adorable! Caleb Shaun's shirt is a b-day present from Aunt Emily that Chris LOVES!

Waiting to get on the carousel

THe past times we've been to Carowinds Caleb Shaun doesn't really get to do much but this time he rode several of the rides. This ride was really slow but he had so much fun being up high and looking out at everything.

Cadence loves to drive the cars so we had to take a turn waiting while her and Daddy drove around.

On the train. The one with just Chris and Shaun makes me laugh because it looks like Caleb Shaun's hair is huge but it's really a plant.

CHEESE FRIES! They were fabulous! and more importantly, look at our boy with a french fry in his mouth! That, my friends, is an answer to prayer!

Once we got to Carowinds, we realized that we had left Shaun's bag at home so we only stayed a couple of hours before heading back home. But it was long enough to make my, Ashleigh, feet swell lots and to walk around for awhile. Creed didn't show up last night but we're hoping any day now. Even if that means that we have to go back to Carowinds. We certainly wouldn't get any complaints from the kids because they had so much fun :)

American Girl Party

As a wrap-up to the birthday posts this trip to Atlanta needs to be documented. Cadence's Kay-Kay and Aunt Melissa came over from Raleigh to take her to the American Girl store for a tea party. For her 2nd birthday Kay-Kay gave Cadence "Ella" her first American Girl doll. Cadence loves Ella and plays with her lots. So, for her birthday this year, KayKay wanted to take her to one of the American Girl stores to experience it all herself. Atlanta is the closest one to us, so that's where they headed. Cadence had such a great time and is still talking about her trip with KayKay and Lissa. :)

Taking in all the options of dolls she never knew about. This could be dangerous!

At the table to have lunch with Ella, KayKay and Lissa.

The decorations

Cadence messing up the picture by making a silly face

Ella had her own seat and place setting. She had lemonade and a bowl of fruit while Cadence decided on pizza. But from what we heard, Cadence did a great job making sure Ella had plenty to eat and drink.

Ella made out with a new outfit - Thanks KayKay! - and so here she is driving home in her carseat wearing her new dress.

Shaun's First Football Game

Ok So in the Andersen house there is really only one sport we all enjoy. Football! Everyone puts up with Daddy watching basketball but only because there isn't any football to watch. Now that it is time for high school football, it is an exciting time for us.

There are lots of perks to working for the Mooresville Graded School District. The one we like the best is free admission to all sporting events for employees and their families. I really like taking Ashleigh and Cadence to the football games every year. But it is a little different when you get to take your son to his first football game! Caleb always liked to watch football on TV when he was really little so I figured that going to a real game would be great.

Walking up he was having fun but when we got into the stadium he was just dumbfounded by all the people and the colors and the noise. Fortunately the Blue Devils played a great game (We won 24-0!) so there were a lot of cheers. Each one caused Caleb to jump right out of his skin!
He made a lot of friends and entertained everyone around him, especially when I would toss him into the air when we made a big play!

Cadence always likes the games. She really likes the cheerleaders and the Blue Diamonds dance team. Her friend from church Big Mary is on the dance line so an awful lot of Cadence's game time is spent looking for Big Mary and trying to get her attention. As a note Big Mary is not especially big, Cadence just has a friend who is 4 and also named Mary, hence Big Mary and Little Mary.

I am looking forward to more games this year. But I am eagerly looking forward to more male bonding experiences with Caleb. Hopefully the football team does well so we can bring Creed to a game this year too!

Walking up to the stadium














Let's Go Blue Devils!















Here are a few pictures of the Blue Diamonds and the cheerleaders for Cadence!

Preschool!

Ok so today Cadence made another Big-girl step.
....wait for it.... get a tissue.....
Today was her first day of Preschool at 1st Presbyterian here in Mooresville.
Cadence has been looking forward to this for quite a while and she was just great.

I (Chris) had to go back to work also so Cadence and I went out for breakfast then I got to drop her off. It was so sweet seeing my little girl step out of my and Ashleigh's care and into a bigger world. I am excited for her and a little sad because the baby we love is growing into a sweet, compassionate and beautiful little lady.

I prayed that she would show her sweetness and make friends. I also prayed that I would cling to the moments to hold her a little longer and cherish the time I have with her.

I know its just preschool... But I love my girl!

Posing with her back pack as we load the car!

Waiting in the car line. In a driving rain storm!

















Getting out, no hesitation!
So Big and Brave!

She had a fun day where she got to play and do some coloring. Her first paper she did she got all the answers right!

Needless to say we are so proud of her and can't wait to see what God has in store for her this year as she grows and learns and sees new things!

New Bedrooms for Everyone!

After lots of different thoughts on how to fit all 3 kids into bedrooms with Chris and I both teaching in the house, we decided to put the boys together and fix them a Star Wars room and put Cadence in a room by herself. In order to help motivate her to sleep in her own room - right now she sleeps in the boys room - we thought new bedding would be a good idea. So, as part of her birthday, she got new bedding that would still match everything else. She really likes the bedding but still likes to sleep in the room with Caleb Shaun too.......so we're still working on it. Either way, here is a picture of her new bed.



After taking a picture of the bedding, she wanted to take pictures of everything else in her room so here are a few of those pictures taken by Cadence herself!



For the boys room, we wanted to use all the Star Wars stuff we have collected over the years and thought it would be fun and different than a normal nursery. Thankfully Pottery Barn now carries Vintage Star Wars bedding so that was the majority of Caleb Shaun's birthday!

His new big boy bed that his sister sleeps in :)


Because of the bedding we chose, we didn't like the green walls with it so, we decided to paint! and spent most of last week putting the boys room together. After 3 days of painting and molding and 2 full nights of putting together lego ships, the room started to come together. We're really happy with how it turned out and think the boys will be able to enjoy it for lots of years to come.


The boys verses that coincide with their names. Cadence has her verses hanging in her room too from when she was born. And the new-to-us dresser that holds the boys clothes.