Growing Baby and Completed Nursery

James seems to grow by the minute. It is so much fun to watch him change and develop. He smiles and coos all the time now. He is pretty content, especially if he is being held and snuggled.

Being burped by daddy. He is so alert. We usually give up on sleepers once he has spat up on the 3 or 4th...fortunately it is so warm here clothes are more of a formality.
My two favorite boys. Dave had come home just after a test completely beat. He was asleep...James not so much, he was wide awake but very content and happy to be with his daddy.

Tummy time. Sometimes he likes it. Sometimes he doesn't. He is sure getting strong though!

The nursery is finally done... It really just needed a picture of James to be complete but here is the final product...

I hope one day James appreciates it too!

Newborn Photo Shoot

We had newborn photos taken of James when he was just ten days old by the very talented Kathy Scoffield (http://www.kathyscoffieldphotography.com/). We got them back yesterday and I couldn't believe how much he has changed!! The pictures turned out beautiful...now the tricky part is choosing which ones to have printed for his announcements...

Already 1 month old!!

It is so hard to believe that our little guy is already a month old. The time has gone by so quickly and yet he feels like he has been a part of our family forever! Being James' mom is far better than I could have ever imagined it would be. He brings Dave and I so much joy!! We have been blessed with a very calm, happy baby that, best of all, sleeps like a little angel.

This month has been full of MANY firsts for James....

Making purposeful eye contact (I never knew this could be so-o exciting!)

Giving actual smiles. The gas ones are pretty fun too.

First Sunday outfit...though no showing it off at church just yet.

First hike (yes he is sound asleep)

First Easter!

There have been MANY more. Of course as a first time mom I have captured just about all of them on tape or camera. But I didn't think James would appreciate me posting pictures of his first bath and first blow out.

Happy First Month Birthday Baby James, We LOVE you!!!!!!!!

The first week...

This has been the most amazing, exciting and surreal week of our lives. Everyone that has had a baby tells you how incredible it is...we had no idea!!!

Baby James was born on St. Patty's Day at 9:34 in the morning after a long but great induction.

Our first family photo.

I was completely exhausted...and totally in love!

Dave is a complete natural and James just adores his daddy!

Most of the first day is a blur. I just remember being so relieved that he was here, safe and healthy!

James is very alert and calm...except when we change his diaper.

I couldn't wait to get out of the hospital so I requested an "early" discharge...in order get it we had to bring James to the pediatrician when he was just 3 days old. Here he is ready for his first outing. He was an angel of course.


James has had lots of visitors all ready. His Uncle Justin (Mandi's brother) was able to come down from Utah and spend a couple days with us. It was so great having him here, he even mowed the lawn for us!

Bonnie (Dave's mom) flew down right away too. She was a HUGE help especially the first few nights when she took James so I could get some sleep and recover. She cleaned, cooked, shopped...you name it... and ultimatly she kept James happy.


His Lady (Mandi's mom) was there from the very beginning. It was so neat sharing the delivery with her. She has been such an amazing support to us. She too has done tons of cleaning, shopping, cooking and countless other things to help us get into the swing of this parenting thing. James loves to snuggle with her and listen to her sing.

Dave can't get enough of his boy...which is hard when you are a second year med student. He is so helpful and willing to do anything that needs to be done. I sometimes have to "remind" (nag) him to study rather than just sit and stare at his son.

I know that everyone thinks their child is beautiful...I get that I am biased...but he REALLY is BEAUTIFUL!

So there is the first week in a nutshell. This picture pretty much sums up how I am feeling right now. Sleepy, completely content and happy!!

Introducing...

James Linden Freestone

Born March 17th, at 9:34 am

6 lbs 14 oz. 20 inches long

Got everything...but a baby...

The past two weeks Dave, baby James and I have been showered with love, kindness and amazing generosity. On Saturday my friends Brie, Heather, Ashley and Julie threw me a beautiful ward/friend/family shower. It was a blast.
My friend Brie and her sweet family have been so good to Dave and I since we have moved to Arizona...I don't know what we would do with out them!!

Steve (Brie's husband) helping out with the shower. Puffy faced me and Beautiful Brie.

My AMAZING mom came all this way again to come to the shower, but somehow I did not get a SINGLE picture of her there !!! But above is the adorable diaper cake she made for us and CARRIED on the plane!!

Even our family (on Dave's side) made the trip all the way from Buckeye to support us! We are so grateful for them and all their love and support!!

Here are some more pictures of the girls and guests. It was such a fun shower...Thank you EVERYONE for your kindness and support!! We are truly grateful and amazed at the love and generosity!

The week before the wonderful nurses at work threw me a baby shower. Everyone there has been so kind and incredibly supportive throughout this pregnancy, it has made it that much more exciting!

The PACU crew...and me opening the gifts in the break room...

So now thanks to all our friends and family Dave and I feel ready for this little guy to come...Thank you EVERYONE!!!

just a few more weeks!!!

Nursery Preview

This past weekend my mom came down to help us get a little more ready for the baby. She was a HUGE help. We were able to get most of the nursery put together....but because I am so picky I am relying on my talented sister Jen to do some sewing projects and my handy husband to hang a few more things....and then it will be complete. In the meantime here is a little preview of what we have so far...

I sure hope the name James fits him....or that he'll grow into it.



One excited Grandma!! She got us the beautiful crib that she is standing in front of...if it weren't for her James would be sleeping in my nightstand drawer for awhile!
The changing table courtesy of Bonnie and Grandpa Freestone. Did I mention how grateful we are for grandparents!?!

Dave hung all the wainscoating and designed the molding himself, I think he did a pretty amazing job!!!

So there you have it...so far...all we need now is a couple finishing touches and a baby!!!