Mormon Battalion

With a 4-day-weekend and Daddy's last before going back to work, we HAD to do something FUN!
We had heard all about the newly remodeled Mormon Battalion and so headed on down before the rain began.
I wasn't sure what to expect or if it would even impress my kids, especially Dillan who acts "too hard to impress" nowadays.
But I was pleasantly surprised!


soldiers

We walked into the building and were greeted by sister missionaries and couple missionaries dressed in pioneer attire. Then put into a room with a some older folks on vacation from Utah. The sister began speaking about the Mormon Battalion and pointed out the pictures on the wall. As soon as one of the pictures sneezed, Dillan about jumped out of his chair! He was shocked and listened intently as the pictures spoke to one another and then got up out of their chairs and out of their frames!


pan for gold

Both kids obediently followed the missionary from room to room and were first to volunteer for everything! They had a blast. Baby D slept the whole time.
It was cold when we were finished, but we still panned for gold and played in the water.
Then we ate lunch and the kids did not want to go home, they were ready to go back! By this time it had started raining, so we got back on the road but made a stop at MikiD's to play and have a treat before heading home.
They haven't stopped talking about it all weekend. We will definitely be back soon!

Brothers

Dillan has fallen head over heels for his little brother. As soon as he gets home from school he looks all around for where he could be and always wants to hold him.
He's even started affectionately calling him "Little D."

I needed to see for myself just how similar they look. This is as good as it gets:

Dillan


Drew

Best Buddies!

Drew Christian Anderson

the newest little member of our family has arrived!

Thursday, February 3, 2011. Weighing 7 lbs and 19 inches long.

The story:

Wednesday
We arrived early morning at the hospital for a planned induction. It was nice and quiet in the OB wing, so we were extra taken care of. All set up in bed, pitocin was started around 9 am. Dr B came to visit before that morning and promised to return later. Later there wasn't much change except for minor contractions. Dr could not break the water, and could not feel baby's head. Later that night, baby had still not dropped but Dr was confident and advised to just stay the slow and steady course. Baby's heart rate was fine and allowed Mommy to rest easy.



Thursday
In the early morning hours, in between small winks of sleep, Mommy's water finally broke on its own! Soon after an epidural was given to allow Mommy to sleep. Note to self: get the epidural the night before so you CAN sleep during the night. Soon after, Mommy woke up to pain in her arm/wrist and saw that her IV had slipped and her wrist was swelling! IV was quickly switched to the other hand. Now that the water had broken, something had to give. Dr knew it, Mommy knew it. Still a long day with little change to cervix. Lots of frustration, Mommy was ready to just go home, but the consistent fetal heart rate echoing in the room was reassuring.

By 7:00 that night, Dr came into the room stating his concern that there must be a reason for slow progression and brought up the C word. By this time, all the fears and doubts start creeping in. Could the baby be too big to fit in the pelvis? Was a Caesarian inevitable anyway? Are we fighting against nature that the baby's even ready to be born?

But moving forward with faith, we agreed that a C-Section was the best option. Mommy was such a mess of emotion. Every little thing, like the temperature in the OR and the nausea from my spinal, was playing with my feelings, I wasn't sure how I'd get through it. Thankfully I had the sweetest nurse and husband on the planet who buoyed me up and lent me their strength for the night. Just a surreal experience overall. Feeling your stomach being tugged forcefully in many directions, having your doctor talk talk talk through the whole procedure, and wondering what it all looks like.

The few days before we went to the hospital I thought a lot about pioneer women crossing the plains and giving birth. I thought of all they went through just to bring a life into the world, not even certain how long that child would live. Then I felt so grateful that I could have children at all, healthy children. And that medicine was advanced enough to keep both of us as healthy as possible. Then I stopped feeling sorry for myself.

Finally I heard the Dr say hello to the little guy followed by an "Oh my goodness!" I wish I could have seen what he saw. Chris didn't even sneak a peek! Apparently Little D had the cord wrapped all around him. Around his arm, behind his back and three times around his legs! Fortunately, it did not end up around his neck.

When I was in recovery, Dr B came to see me to tell me the baby's weight and other details. He assured me that there was NO WAY this baby was going to drop into my pelvis, and if he had been able to see that on an ultrasound he would not have had me go through labor for nearly 2 days. But you can't see everything.



So he's HERE! He's healthy! He's tiny! And we couldn't be happier!

Just Because

As related by the wonderful Sunbeam teacher Sister Jensen.
A few Sundays ago, the lesson in Sunbeams was about our physical bodies. Sister Jensen asked each of the kids to name their favorite body part. Leah has issues with keeping her church shoes. Normally she or her teacher bring them to me in the Primary Room. So this particular Sunday, she had removed her shoes in class. When asked what her favorite body part was, she looked over herself carefully and proudly declared: "My Sparkly Toes!"

I was really hoping to have a baby this week, but much to my surprise YET AGAIN, I am NOT in control!!! I feel bad for Dr B who has to put up with me. There's this delicate balancing act going on between the health of the baby, the size of the baby, my health, my wants, his reservations, and his recommendations. It was a completely different story when I had Leah. I wanted it to be the same. Now I don't know what to expect and a little fearful of what will happen. 9 months of worrying, I thought this last part would be simple. It's not the doctor's fault. He can only know so much. My body's not cooperating either, and I'm convinced my body doesn't understand how this is all supposed to work. I'm trying to put all my faith into Heavenly Father, who ultimately controls the situation. Why can't I just LEARN already?!

Park

Some of us are hoping that winter is gone for good! Even so, we'll enjoy this weather while we can!!!



While I was pushing Leah on the swing, she made the comment "Mommy, I like your baby!"
Of course, she was pointing to the giant watermelon under my shirt. I can't wait to find out what she will be like once the real baby gets here!



One of Dillan's everyday assignments at school is to write a sentence. His teacher is trying to challenge him to write more descriptive sentences. Lately, all of his sentences have revolved around riding scooters with his Dad.

O we LOVE snow!

After New Years' we took a trip. A LONG trip. We wanted to see some snow!
Actually, we were attending my cousins' wedding, and decided to visit some family ON THE WAY to the wedding. Not exactly on the way, but it was time. Doctor B gave me the okay to travel, so the trip was a go.
Packed up warm clothes, coats, Despicable Me (our new favorite) and sleds and hit the road! We didn't even have to leave California to see some snow!
The first day we drove to St. George and stopped at Grandma and Papa's house. They had a little snow. The next morning the kids couldn't wait to get in it! They scraped up whatever they could find and threw it in the air. It was like opening Christmas presents!



They couldn't get enough. Then we piled them back in the car and told them we were going to see MORE snow.
We drove to Provo and ate at Daddy's favorite restaurant, first thing. Then we found our hotel. It was cold. But there was SNOW so who cares!
I had found Leah's pink beanie with polka dots and she wore it proudly everyday! I think it's because of the little girl from the movie.



We visited family and more family. Ate, threw, and rolled in snow whenever we went.
Chris got to go to a Jazz game with my cousin, which was very important.
One extra beautiful day we drove over to the Provo temple to go sledding. Dillan and Leah were first to go down. They were smooth as silk, no crashes, no tears.
Dillan did not want to stop. He went a thousand more times, crossing the "missionary sidewalk" and launching off the plowed pile. He absolutely loved it.



Thankfully the only crash of the day was by Daddy.



After a few days, we were back in the car headed for Reno. We expected to see more snow there,
and there was some, but not as much.
We had fun playing with more family and being at Melodi's wedding. Dillan got a little 24hour bug the last day of the trip that knocked him out for the long drive home.
It was a good trip, and we are all exhausted and trying to get back to a routine because Baby #3 is right around the corner!

Merry Christmas 2010

'Twas the night before Christmas
in the Anderson home
2010 comes to an end
and so many changes galore.

Some ups and some downs
a few lessons and glories,
we've been crazy busy
with our sweet family story.

Leah is 3, started preschool this year.
She loves jewelery and shoes, sparkles and pink,
anything princess and girly
she's a glamour girl with a smidgen of 'tude.

Chasing Dillan outside,
taking care of her dolls,
she's tough and cuddly
chewing gum all the day long.

Dillan is 5, a big Kindergarten boy
at the top of his class, he's the King of Sight Words.
He's made many new friends, loves learning and play;
school's been exciting each and every day.

He shines on the soccer turf,
scoring goal after goal,
he's quick and aggressive
not afraid to play tough
Fun to watch as he learns
how to hate how to lose.

Kim stays busy keeping the family on task:
Everyone clean, fed, healthy and happy
and of course well-behaved.
Keeping Primary organized when she's a second to spare,
there's never enough time to do it all!
Preparing for Baby #3 just after the new year
having faith he'll be healthy and all will be well.
It's been a long wait and test of faith with many prayers
& blessings along the way.

Chris remains at Best Buy learning patience and faith
hoping for a new career using his new MBA.
Applications and interviews, staying positive and sure
that there are good things ahead and all will be well.
Working with the missionaries and members to share,
he's seen many baptisms, serving faithfully and learned
that the Lord performs miracles through any servant he calls.

Two-thousand and ten was our year to learn hope
and have faith in our Father in Heaven.
We are so richly blessed
every day, every year
and we know that He loves us
and will always be there.

We are grateful for family & friends
with unconditional love
and shining examples of choosing the right.
From our family to yours:
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to all
and to all a good night!