Caden Marshall Smith
March 11, 2009 4:58PM
7lbs 8oz
18.5” Long
Our son has arrived and he is beautiful (as you can see)! Mom is in a bit of pain as to be expected but doing very well. Melissa ended up needing a c-section as the doctors saw something they did not like so we took conservative yet painful for Melissa approach. The doctors were right! The umbilical cord was wrapped around Caden’s neck twice so we are thankful that she did not have to endure labor to have it end in a c-section..
We got to see Caden Marshall for a bit in the operating room before they took him to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where they will keep him up until his surgery on Monday (16th). Honestly it is counterintuitive looking at him as he looks perfectly healthy. .
Melissa and I are very thankful in his size and weight and we are encouraged by the strength he shows in moving his arms as well as the monitors attached to them. We feel he is in the best possible shape for what is ahead of him. Melissa and I are ready for what is ahead of us. We heard from the surgeon today that Caden is a “perfect candidate” for the Norwood Procedure.
Caden was not our first choice, or even in consideration, when we were thinking of names for our son. After the diagnosis of HLHS we sought out a name that could be associated to the character he needs.
Caden : Welsh in origin meaning “Spirit of Battle”
American Translation “Little Fighter”
Congratulations on the birth of your new little son Caden. That seems to be the perfect name for him also. He is a great and healthy size and he looks awesome and he's so adorable! The picture with Melissa holding Caden is so heartwarming and brings tears to my eyes. Caden is going to be a fighter and he's going to do wonderfully through his surgery. We will be praying for him and for you guys as well. Love, Susie Jensen and family
ReplyDeleteCongratulations David & Melissa! We are so happy for you both. Caden looks very handsome with great color and lots of hair. What a blessing you have received to have such great doctors. They must have been prompted by the spirit to understand and interpret a "shadow" on an x-ray as the umbilical cord. Our hearts and prayes continue to be with you and we know miracles will continue to follow in the days and weeks ahead. We love you.
ReplyDeleteEric, Janelle, & Jackson
I wanted to tell you congratulations on your new baby boy! You don't know me. I am friends with Mike and Susie Jensen and they were telling me about your little boy. I have a heart baby who just turned 9 yrs. old last month. His repair is a Fontan and he has had 6 heart surgeries. He is doing great! Good luck with all that is to come. Stay close to each other and you will make it through. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your beautiful son, Caden! Our thoughts and best wishes are with all of you. Stay strong...
ReplyDeleteDave and Michelle Satek
What a beautiful boy and great job on the blog site. We are so happy for you and you both did great on the 11th. Thank you for letting me be there to share in your day. I continue to pray for Caden and you both. We love you all.
ReplyDeleteKeith, Kristen, Carson and Chase
He's just absolutely beautiful!! Congrats to you both. Take care and you know I'll be frequenting this blog on a daily basis :)
ReplyDeleteDana Quinn
Welcome to the world Caden Marshall Smith! He is beautiful! Good to know he took on Mom's looks.. love ya D.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know we can follow along in your journey thru this blog. We are very happy for you both and send our love & prayers
Celebrate the first of many victories to come. Stay strong!
xoxo
Nick & Pam Morini
Congratulations David & Melissa!
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers have been with you and will continue to be.
It's hard to tell, but I think he looks like his proud Dad.
Take care of one another.
Much love and support,
Mark and Sheril Ray
Dave and Melissa,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on Caden he looks great. I knew he would have that red hair!! You know how we feel so just hang in there and keep the faith. The rest of us will do the same.
We love you guys!!
David and Melissa~
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the safe arrival of your son, Caden Marshall! I am so very happy for you both! As you are both fully aware, I personally know what the journey is like having a child born with a birth defect and what the ups and down of the days and weeks to come are like. You are going to be on the wildest rollercoaster ride of your life! And if I can get through it, so can you! (David, you know what a wuss I am!) You have both proven how strong you are, and together, you'll be able to overcome any thing given to you. Hugs and positive thoughts to you all!
To Caden~
You are one very special boy! You have two GREAT parents that will move the earth just for you! They have shown that to family and friends way before you ever entered this world!! You're probably going to have the biggest fan club in that hospital! I don't think you have any idea the impact you have brought to your mommy and daddy's friends and family!! I can't wait to meet you! Be strong, Little Fighter!!
I'm with Dana, I will be checking this blog everyday too!!
Wow! What a beautiful baby and such an incredibly handsome family you three make. We are following the adventures of Caden closely from our little computer... isn't technology great! Melissa, I knew you'd be fine with that c-section (don't tell anyone but they can really be a blessing). Wasn't so sure about David, though, did he make it through ok? We know how much you both love children, you have generously lavished your love on ours, and we can't wait to return the favor.
ReplyDeleteTrina, Danny, Brittney, Ethan, Olivia, and Victoria
Congratulations Melissa and David! We love you guys and now little Caden too! He is so precious. Be comforted knowing that heaven is being flooded with prayers for your little man. Love, Deanna, Henry, Isaiah, Sammy and Maddie
ReplyDeleteOh my! He's beautiful! His name is perfect. Know that we are praying for healing and peace for your family as you enter this next part of the journey. Remember God is able to do abundantly more than we can imagine. Thank you for inviting us to walk with you.
ReplyDeleteYou have been in out thoughts and prayers since we first heard of the baby's health concerns a few weeks ago. Congratulations to you both! He's a beautiful little boy and you are a very handsome family. So glad to get to see the pictures. We will continue to pray for strength, peace and healing. God's blessings to all three of you.
ReplyDeleteMary Carol and Jim
Congratulations! Caden is adorable! Gotta love the red hair! What a great choice for his name. Thank you so much for setting up this blog and sharing your beautiful son with us. We can't wait to meet him. We love you all!
ReplyDeleteBobby, Carol, Jamie and Tyler
To here the "The smith family" is such a joy. He is so precious. He looks just like his father. We pray for the healing of melissa and the healing of your little fighter. God works magic!! We are praying for your strength threw your next journey. We are so blessed that you have allowed us to be there with you. Thank You. Your little fighter has touched and changed some many lives in one day and can only imagine what he will do in his life. Hugs and kisses and the most POSITIVE thoughts are being sent your way.
ReplyDeleteAll Our Love
Rick Nancy Lauren Sara and of course Patches(haha)
Me again...love the new pictures! those little feet are the best :)
ReplyDeleteDave, Melissa & Caden~
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family! He is adorable! Thanks for the blog updates and all the pictures!I will keep mom & dad in the loop too! We have been thinking of you all and keeping your family in our prayers!
Caden, you got some strong Smith (& Monroe) blood in you and your name fits you to a T! I will be checking your blog site, what a neat feature to keep everyone updated!
We love you!
Jason, Meredith, Zach & Jacob Mickelson(Duncombe, IA)
David & Melissa,
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy and honor to be at the birth of our second grandson! That baby is loved by so many! We have all of Marion and most of Illinois praying for that little guy! I was beaming with joy when the nurse said I could hold him! I know his name will serve him well. God knows how much he is loved by both of you!
Love, Grandma Rita and Grandpa Fred
Congrats Dave & Melissa! He is so handsome. We are happy he is finally here. Please give him a bunch of kisses from us! Stay strong ... we'll be thinking and praying for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat site, thanks!!
He is such a fine looking boy! We have been and are continuing to lift all of you up in prayer. We pray for strength to get you through this time and for the drs. and nurses who will be taking care of him.
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
The Mausey Family
Love to you all, God bless you & keep you and your beautiful son. Love Cliff & Sue aka Grandma & Grandpa Smith
ReplyDeleteDave and Melissa, Congrats on Caden he looks great. This is Stacy (Jenke)VanTholen and a friend of Cheryls. I too have a heart baby, open heart surgrey at four days old. My thoughts and prayers are with the two of you and Caden.
ReplyDeleteLove, The VanTholen Family
Stacy, Mark, John and Benjamin
What a beautiful, strong looking boy!! My heart fell in love the moment I opened the blog- he is amazing. Isn't it amazing how much love one little 7 pound human being can make you feel? He looks like a fighter and will be one- thinking of all of you and can not wait to meet him. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Love you!! Meg
ReplyDeleteHe is beautiful and thank you for sharing all of this with all of us. We will keep you all in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteKeith, Leah, Rileigh and Joshua
You have a beautiful family guys!! What a strong boy! Thank you so much for keeping all of us informed. We look forward to another report from you.
ReplyDeleteLove-
The Ritter Family
Your son is beautiful! Tell Caden that we're cheering for him here in Virginia.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
George and Deb Bogart
Dear Melissa and David,
ReplyDeleteHe is so beautiful and we have not stopped praying for you, Caden and the surgeons. God is so in control. Melissa, I am so glad that you have the husband you do!!! Praise God for that!!! We love you so much!!!
Congratulations on a beautiful baby boy! Our thoughts & prayers are with you all. Wonderful job on the blog site and we thank you for allowing us to follow you on this journey. Best of luck, stay strong.
ReplyDeleteLove, Brad & Kelli Bishop
Dear Melissa, Thank you for allowing us to be a part of Caden's life right now. He is so beautiful. Our arms are around you and the Lord is walking beside you and holding Caden right now in his arms. We love you and your family. Your mom is a sister I never had. Ann
ReplyDelete