Anderson Family Christmas Letter 2016

As the year 2016 comes to a close, we can't help but reflect back on the adventures we've had and feel incredibly blessed.

Our biggest adventure and blessing is most certainly the addition of our sweet baby boy, Clark Joseph Anderson. He was born August 3 and has been smothered with love ever since. He is a very sweet baby and has quite the infectious smile. He is such a perfect fit in our family and we love him dearly.

Eleanor celebrated turning four at the "Happiest Place on Earth" this year. Complete with a princess makeover and birthday greetings from her favorite Disney Princesses. She enjoyed her first dance recital as "cotton candy" and was one of the highest scoring players on her soccer team. Eleanor also started preschool and is having the time of her life learning and socializing with friends.

Scarlett continues to keep us on our toes. She turned three in October and has become such a good helper with her baby brother. Scarlett is very good at getting into mischief, but loves her family so fiercely that it's impossible to stay mad at her. She constantly entertains us and loves to sing and dance around the house. She is very into coloring and drawing these days, selecting which ever surface is most convenient at the time. 

Kevin continues to work at Lucion Technologies and has taken on more of a sales and support role in recent months. In the evenings he has been working extremely hard on building his own business helping people repair their credit. His hard work is beginning to pay off and we couldn't be more proud of him.

April spent most of the year growing a baby and now stays busy trying to manage three little ones. She is officially a "Minivan Mom" and loves it.​

We want to thank you all for your love, friendship and support over the year. May you feel our love for you this Christmas season. Best wishes in the new year!

Love,

The Andersons
Kevin, April, Eleanor (4), Scarlett (3), and Clark (4 months)

Clark's First Halloween Costume

We decided we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to dress Clark up as Clark Kent for his first Halloween. The glasses were too big, but he is still pretty cute.

Clark's First Couple Days

Clark finally got to meet his sisters the following day. The girls were elated to see him and couldn't wait to hold him. 

Our first family photos. I sure love this little family of mine. 

I was so happy that my Dad made the trip out from California to meet Clark. 

The girls brought Clark a toy lion as a welcome to the family gift. 

And my parents brought gifts too! 

We were sure lucky my Mom was able to take care of the girls while we were in the hospital. Love that she has been spending so much more time in Utah. 

Because Clark is considered a premie, being one day shy of full term, he had to undergo a few extra tests. He passed them all with flying colors, being the Super Man that he is. He wasn't eating  great at the beginning because he was so tired, but by day two he was doing great and we were more than ready to go home Friday night. 

Clark was not super impressed with the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. He slept right through them. 

We finally were able to check out around 9 pm Friday and were welcomed by some very excited girls. 

 

Happy to be home. 

Eleanor's First Dance Recital

At the beginning of December Eleanor had her first dance recital. Her class usually meets at 8:30 am, but thankfully they moved it to 10:00 am for the recital. Parents were invited to watch what they do in a typical class and then they had their Christmas dance. They were asked to dress in their pajamas and bring a pillow for the dance. 

She was so excited that Kevin was able to take off work to come, plus he brought her flowers! 

Clark Joseph Anderson: Birth Story

Due to high blood pressure and low amniotic fluid I had to be induced 3 weeks and a day early. (See previous post for more details) On Wednesday, August 3, I was scheduled to check in at the hospital at 6:15 am.  I of course didn't sleep more than 3 hours that night and found a mouse in the bathroom at 4 am. Poor Kevin spent a couple hours trying to get it, but never did. 

I was instructed to call before leaving just to make sure they had room for me in labor and delivery. I called the hospital at 5:30 am and unfortunately they were full and couldn't take me. I called every two hours, but labor and delivery was still super busy and I kept being told to call back later. 

Kevin and I finally left home at noon and went to lunch at Kneaders because I couldnt stand waiting around at home. We got the hospital at 1 pm, and finally got called up to labor and delivery at 2 pm. They still didn't have a room for me though, so it as 2:30 by the time I was in a room. An hour later they started the pitocin and the wait began.

I checked into the hospital at 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. I was surprised that I was having mild contractions before they started me on the pitocin considering I was 3 weeks early. I asked for the Epideral once the contractions started to get painful, and the anesthesiologist came quickly and administered it at 5:45 pm. I wish I had asked for it a little earlier though, because my doctor came in at 6 pm to break my water. I wasn't fully numb yet. 

I was hoping things would go really quickly after that, but my progression seemed slow. At 8:15 pm I was at a 5 and 90%. 9:35 pm at a 7 and 100% effaced. I started feeling pressure at 10 pm and knew it was about time to push. At 10:20 I was finally at a 10. I started pushing at 10:25 and 4 pushes later he was born at 10:30 pm. 6 lbs 6 ozs and 19 inches long. 

Kevin and I both got choked up when we first saw our baby boy. That much anticipated moment was so special. 

My mom was able to leave the girls with my dad and come to the hospital to meet Clark that night. So glad she was there since Kevin fell asleep not long after. 😉

We were still undecided on a name when we arrived at the hospital and gave ourselves the deadline of bath time to decide on one. Kevin thought he looked like a Stratton and I insisted on Clark. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband and he agreed to Clark Joseph Anderson. Joseph is Kevin's middle name. 

They were able to do all of his tests and bath in our recovery room, which I was so grateful for. I hate that I missed those moments with both the girls. 

That instant love and connection is still so incredible to me. I love this little man so much! 

Christmas 2015

We were pretty happy to have my parents living in Utah for Christmas this year. We headed up a couple days early to spend time with family. We had a ton of snow, so the girls convinced Uncle Brandon and Aunt Judy to play with them outside. 

More buffalo plaid on Christmas Eve. 

Acting out the nativity with cousins. Eleanor insisted that she be "Married" meaning Mary. 😂

Grandma Brenda got all the grandkids a stuffed animal to sleep with Christmas Eve. 

Christmas Eve pajamas!

Grandpa reading The Night Before Christmas. 

Eleanor's loot from Santa.

And Scarlett's 

The doll house was actually made by Kevin's grandfather many years ago. I updated it a bit and thankfully Eleanor loved it. Kevin built the doll bunk bed for Scarlett and I made the mattresses and bedding. It took them both a while to even notice the big gifts. Scarlett noticed the candy cane in her stocking first and went straight for it. 

Matching pj bottoms for everyone.

I surprised Kevin with tickets to see Brian Regan in March. I am really excited! He bought me a weight lifting bar and weights and some other great stuff. My parents and Kevin's parents spoiled us as well. 

After all the gift opening we headed to the movies and saw The Good Dinosaur. Scarlett did pretty well and even slept through part of it. 

We also got some great gifts from Kevin's brother's family. The girls received beautiful doll quilts and cute little dolls. They absolutely love them!