The Free Mason

We thought it would be a good day to highlight the member of our Tremendous Trio who is not yet capable of writing his own posts: Mason Nathaniel Freeman.  As I write, he's trying to eat Joanna's knee, which is quite odd, but forgivable at this stage of his life.  Mason and I have spent a lot of valuable time together these past couple weeks due to Joanna's numerous rehearsals and violin lessons.  In those hours of "guy time" we have engaged in various activities including, and limited to, drooling and screaming.  We've also had a few staring contests, and he's able to hold a glare just as long as I can.  Sometimes I ask fellow fathers who have infants what they have concluded about their child's personality at their young tender age.  Let me start with a few pictures that I think reveal a lot about Mason's distinct physiognomy:

Mason's happy face:

Mason's sad face:

Mason's scared face:

Mason's confused face:

We've come to the conclusion that Mason's a sober kid.  However, as I let Joanna know, I won't let him get away with that.  It looks like some of our efforts to help him see that life isn't so bad are paying off: he winked at Joanna earlier today.  In all seriousness (sense the irony), Mason has a very cute laugh and a pretty mild temperament unless his stomach isn't full, but I can completely sympathize with that.  Thank goodness Joanna is a great cook!  Mason also seems to enjoy her milk, and I try to give Joanna reminders to pump milk so I'm not left empty-handed in my hour of need.  I sometimes remind her in a version of song:

Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pump?
For we know that Mase doth savor
Milk of his favorite flavor
That he loves so much

O how pumping rests the weary
Milk can change the night to day
So when time is
Did you think to pump?

Mason is strong, yet I find him to be a sweet, peace-loving person, although the below episode demonstrates that he can have his moments of aggression:

Mason reminds me of a wise, old owl.  When he was born, Joanna asked what I thought of his appearance as I observed him under that super bright light.  The first two things that occurred to me was that he looked healthy and strong, but he looked...old!  I couldn't put my finger on it, but we've had a few people comment since then that he looks old.  So, Joanna and I are learning how to respect our elders during this time as we raise our own version of Benjamin Button:



 
I need to give a quick recap of last week.  One of the highlights was that Joanna was able to attend Legacy Conference, which is an Andersen annual tradition where many wonderful women with connections to the Andersen family meet to strengthen each other spiritually and socially.  I can say that women who come from that line are among the best you'll meet, and I'm grateful to marry a special woman from that line.  Joanna has always enjoyed meeting with those kind, valiant people.  Afterwards, Mom and Dad Jacob watched the little guy while Joanna and I went to Costa Vida...yum!

Work has been busy lately as is always the case towards the end of the financial quarter, and it looks like the chaos will continue as Greece restructures their debt.  But, even with the long hours, we always make time for Freeman family fun.

Closing thoughts...

-Hurray for BYU making the NCAA tournament for the 6th straight year (I think)!  I like our chances against Iona, but they've already exceeded expectations by making it this far.  I'm hoping we'll be able to watch some of the March Madness at work.

-While Joanna and our friend Jacobie (the Freeman family patron saint who set up me and Joanna) were rehearsing for their upcoming concert, Jacobie's husband Bob and I strolled the Gateway with our respective infants in tow.