Exactly, so I don't know how you can claim God created 1 of the 3 heavens in verse 1, but don't believe that God created the whole earth in verse 1 either. It seems an unnatural way to read the bible.
From the bible resources I've consulted, (these are theologians mind you saying this, not just my opinion)
John Wesley, refers to it as heavens, and says that only the visible part is described:
1:1 Observe here.
1. The effect produced, The heaven and the earth - That is, the world, including the whole frame and furniture of the universe. But 'tis only the visible part of the creation that Moses designs to give an account of. Yet even in this there are secrets which cannot be fathomed, nor accounted for. But from what we see of heaven and earth, we may infer the eternal power and godhead of the great Creator. And let our make and place, as men, mind us of our duty, as Christians, which is always to keep heaven in our eye, and the earth under our feet. Observe
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown bible commentary confirms my view:
This first verse is a general introduction to the inspired volume, declaring the great and important truth that all things had a beginning; that nothing throughout the wide extent of nature existed from eternity, originated by chance, or from the skill of any inferior agent; but that the whole universe was produced by the creative power of God (Ac 17:24; Ro 11:36). After this preface, the narrative is confined to the earth.
Matthew Henry uses the plural form of heavens:
1:1,2 The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful account of the origin of the earth and the heavens.
Now note that of all of these commentaries I have just quoted there were no NLT's or NIV's around at the time they were written, yet they still interpreted verse 1 to be referring to heavens in the plural.