Introducing Stanley Robert Freeman

On the morning of Wednesday May 14, I woke up very early. I was feeling excitement and anticipation for our baby's birth. I got to write a note to him in my journal and listen to a Conference talk. It is called 'Fear Not, I am With Thee' by sister Jean A Stevens. I just randomly selected her talk, and it was exactly what I needed to hear that day.

At 5:50 am I received a phone call from the hospital asking if I could be there at 6:30 am. I was surprised because yesterday they said I was later on the list of inductions for the following day. In my mind I was thinking we would probably be scheduled in the afternoon. We chose to be induced because Nate has been working in California, and neither of us wanted him to miss the birth. We chose to be induced 5 days early (instead of his due date May 19th). I said "yes", with excitement. I woke Nate up and said "are you ready to have a baby today?". A little surprised he said "yes", "right now?". I said, "yes, they asked if we could be there by 6:30". We knelt down and Nate said a sweet prayer, asking for God's blessing. We then said our own personal prayers, and felt peace and calm assurance. Then we jumped up and hurried to get out the door.

When we got to the hospital we met two other couples who were also going to have babies that day. It was sweet to talk to them and relate to them. They checked us in after a while, then I met our nurse. I asked Nate if he was ready to begin a 'biggest loser' challenge with me. He thought it was funny, so he took a picture and invited all of our friends in on the challenge.

After the nurse left Nate gave me a beautiful blessing. I remember feeling an incredible calm, peace, and love from Heavenly Father. I knew it would be a beautiful day.

The day actually could not have gone any better. They began induction at 8:30 am with Pitocin. At 11 am the Doctor (Heather Dabling who was wonderful) broke my water. From there my contractions just happened naturally. I was given an epidural at 11:15 am. I hadn't really felt pain up until that point, but I knew that the contractions would become more intense, so I thought I would get it a little ahead of time.

We were on the top floor of the hospital and had a beautiful view of Mt Nebo. It was a sunny, warm day.

At 2:15 I started to feel our baby make his descent with each contraction. After the Doctor came in, I pushed twice, and he was out at 2:41 pm. At the moment we saw him, Nate and I both started crying. I was filled with so much emotion. They set him on my tummy, and I got my first glance. He was just so perfect.

After the Doctor and nurses had taken care of everything, Nate and I got to spend about an hour with him just holding him and awing over the miracle of his birth. There was so much peace, and light in the room. I knew many people had been praying for us, and that there were probably angels in the room. It was a moment I will never forget.

 

They took us downstairs to Mother/child care unit, where we met our nurses. They were sweet and attentive. We felt well taken care of! I was just grateful to be there with Nate and enjoy two days with him and our new little baby. Nate's family was taking care of Mason!

On the second day, Nate and I even left our baby in the nursery with the permission of the nurses, to take a drive and get some fresh air. It was so nice to get out and see the beauty of the earth. Those two days were really like heaven for me. We decided to name him Stanley Robert Freeman. We gave him the name Robert because of Nate's Dad whom we both admire, love, and respect so much. What's also fun is that it is the name of our matchmaker, Robert Hoopes. Stanley, we really liked because of the meaning 'meadow of stones'. We thought it was cute because Mason's name means 'builder of stone'.

 

Reflections of an expectant Mom

As I've been preparing for our second little boy to make his appearance in less than a week, I've been doing a lot of thinking. Mason has been sick with a croup the last two days, demanding a lot of my time and attention. I keep thinking, how does anyone have more than one child? How do you give the time, love, and attention that each child needs without making the other one feel neglected and alone? The prospects are somewhat overwhelming. I feel like I need to hire a Nanny, or have Nate home all day, or something. :). But the truth is, they still only have one Mom.

My mind went back to the time when I first became a Mom. At the time I also felt totally over my head. Even though I grew up in a very large family, I was the youngest, and never really saw a child grow up close to me, and I certainly never felt responsible for one. Before Mason was born I read book after book on Mothering, breast-feeding, organizing your time, and child-development, but honestly nothing could have fully prepared me for the time when they put Mason in my arms for the first time. I remember thinking "he is ours!". "We are responsible for this beautiful little boy - for not only his physical well being, but for his spiritual development, his happiness, his mental and emotional development and preparing him for his future in this sometimes scary, uncertain world! Help!!".

As he has gotten older, I realize more and more how Nate and I are not alone at all in this project called, "nurture a child". Over and over again I have seen, felt, and realized how God sends angels, extra strength, extra blessings through it all. This morning, in my nearly 9 month pregnant body - Mason turned to me and said while we were eating our cereal "Mommy pretty! so kind, so nice". Maybe it's because I actually showered and did my hair today, but I think it might be more than that. I'm not sure how he could see that, or feel that way, or know that I needed to hear that from him - but I know that I am important to him. Right now I'm his girl :). He's my little boy. In the end, there is really nothing sweeter to me than my bonds with my husband, and my one, and soon to be two little boys. Having said that, please pray for me this week! :)

 

Trellis Cafe at Thanksgiving Point

This has been such a fun week for me, spending time with friends before the baby comes. I almost feel bad that I'm having so much fun while Nate is working so hard. When I talk to him though, he is just so happy for me. I am so grateful for him!! After all, as he says, what could be more important than  the gift of good friends in our lives? Today my sister Shirley and I went with a good friend of ours to Thanksgiving Point Gardens. We originally had planned to see the gardens, but decided to have lunch since it was a little more of a rainy day. The restaurant 'Trellis Cafe' was beautiful, and classy. The food was amazing and not expensive (what?). We had the best time talking and laughing with our cute kids! Thanks Michelle...you are the best! It was nice we could bring our cuties. They loved being together and playing outside afterward. I think we will go back again next week when the sun decides to come out again, to see the gardens. The tulips are out of this world! It makes me miss Holland.

Samantha Joanna Washenko

My sister Shirley's beautiful little girl was blessed yesterday! While Nate and I were eating at a Restaurant close to Bryce Canyon, Shirley's husband Steve called to ask if they could name their little girl, Samantha Joanna. I couldn't hold back the tears. She is such a beautiful, perfect little girl - and I can't think of almost anything sweeter. It just makes me want to be a better person and example..but probably, I think I'll just be working my entire life to be like her!!

Yesterday they blessed her in Church. She was in my sister Shirley's beautiful baby blessing dress made by my Grandma Andersen. It was such a beautiful blessing, and a perfect day!!

Women's Conference

Since Nate and I are moving soon, I am soaking up all the time I can with my family and my friends! This last week was BYU Women's Conference. My sister Ramona even flew in for the occasion! This year two of my sisters spoke. Jenet, about kindness to children, and Ellen about having a Christ-centered home. It was inspiring and uplifting to be there and listen. I am grateful for these amazing women in my life!!

28th Birthday

On April 30th, I turned 28. I am starting to feel like life is so precious! It seems to be flying by way too fast. It was a perfect day spent with people I love. For breakfast my sister-in-law surprised me by making a delicious breakfast of German Pancakes. I don't know how she knew that I love those so much! For lunch I went to Mimi' Café with one of my dearest friends and former mission companions, Melanie Kenney Alvord. She also happens to have the same birthday as me, and we both have boys the same age and are expecting boys again this year! Mason and William are such cute friends. It was fun to talk about our missions and the progress of the investigators we taught in the mission, happy memories, and our lives in general. She's a beautiful person and friend.

Later that evening, another of my best friends and running buddies Teran Bingham (we call her Auntie Teran, because she is really like a sister to me), took me to get my ears pierced, and to dinner at Kneaders. Gosh, how am I so blessed with such amazing people in my life? Teran is also a wonderful person, and I am going to miss these girls like crazy!!

I received so many messages, cards, and gifts from people I love so much. It was a day that I just felt again so grateful for all of God's blessings to me in my life. I'm also making some goals and a bucket list for this year coming up! So many changes and adventures ahead.

 

I wish I had taken more pictures, but I think I was just so distracted by having so much fun talking and soaking it all in, that I didn't even think about it.

 

Nate was in California working that day, but he sent me the most beautiful flowers! I am the luckiest girl to have him as my other/better half!!

Los Hermanos and BYU Volleyball

On Saturday we spent time with Nate's family - attending a recital given by his Mom and sister's students (including his brother and sister), then eating lunch at Los Hermanos. That night we attended the BYU v Stanford Volleyball championship. BYU defended their title and beat Stanford in a sweep the first three sets. It was a close game though so it was fun to watch. Proud of my Cougars!