10 Years!

It's hard to believe how far we've come. Ten years ago today we had the most beautiful, simple wedding. The rain poured the night before and I cried my eyes out because our wedding was to take place outdoors. Only to wake up to the most beautiful fall day. I was so excited to be marrying you! I knew that day, without a doubt, that we would be together forever.



My how we've grown. From fabulous road trips with the band, to our first little house downtown, to having a daughter, to witnessing someone save her life, to trusting in God and realizing how much we needed him in our lives, to contentment, through death, to being blessed with a son, and here we are.



Thank you for knowing how I like my coffee, for letting me "tuck my feet in", for the vacuum lines, for drives to the mountains, for enjoying the Cracker Barrel, for cooking, for being a great dad, for letting me be right :-), for wanting me to be happy, and for the million things I've left out.

I love you!

Germs, germs, go away!

Enjoying a Sunday walk


He did not like being strapped in


My precious babies

We have had a sick house for the past couple of weeks. Chase had a stuffy nose and cough. Thankfully he did not run a fever. Natalie has Strep in her sinuses and is out of school for two days with a fever and feeling really bad. I am trying to stay well and trying to keep Natalie confined to her room. It's so sad because she is lonely and cannot hold Chase. Brandon is the best husband ever and does whatever he can to help.

I love talking to Natalie. She is growing up so fast!! For those of you that know us you know about Natalie's fascination with New York. So she told me the other day that when she grows up she is going to be a famous fashion designer and live where else...New York. So I said great, daddy and I love New York. We'll be happy to move there with you. Of course I got a strange look like - yeah right mom, you are not moving with me!

We finally put Chase's stroller together and decided to go for walk last Sunday. He did not enjoy being strapped into the stroller, but as soon as it was moving, he loved it. It was a little chilly and I couldn't walk far, but it was a nice day to get out of the house.

It's an "outie"

So Natalie and I have been anxiously waiting for the day that Chase's umbilical cord falls off so he can have a real bath. It was down in the foot of his little pumpkin pj's this morning and yes, he has an outie. It is so cute! I'm sure the first thing we'll do when Natalie gets home from school is give this baby a bath!

I have called Natalie "bug" since the day she was born. She actually gets upset if I don't call her bug. She will say, " you didn't call me bug, are you mad at me?". So of course we had to come up with a name for Chase. Since CJ is out (thanks Brandon) we pondered monkey, bub, bubby, tiger and decided on pumpkin. Seemed fitting since our family loves October (Chase's birthday month) and Halloween (our anniversary - 10 years!). And he looks great in orange.

We have discovered that Chase LOVES riding in the car and his vibrating bouncy seat! I can put him in that seat on the island and clean the kitchen, make bottles, whatever I need to do. It's great! He does NOT like having a wet diaper, changing his diaper, or the baby sling.

Ah, the baby sling. After sending Brandon to Babies R Us on 3 separate occasions to find a baby sling that was "just right", Chase absolutely hates them. I think I wanted one because they are cute. I would have been a cute little mommy shopping with my baby in the ever so fashionable baby sling! First, it is impossible to get a big ole 10 pound "pumpkin" into the thing with one hand (per the directions). Secondly, when I did squish him there his looked so uncomfortable with his chin on his chest. He just screamed. I think we'll just use the comfy, user & baby friendly backpack.

Well off to feed the pumpkin! Will post some new pictures soon.

Love to you all,
Brandon, Alison, Bug and Pumpkin

Big Boy

Big Sister

I feel like every post should include a photo or ten! Well, we are all still doing well. Adjusting. Brandon goes back to work tomorrow after two weeks off. At least Natalie is out of school tomorrow and Friday for teacher work days. So I won't be by myself.

We had two appointments today. First, a visit to CDS for my flu shot. It was so good to see everyone! I really do miss "work". Not the work, but my friends. I am so blessed!

Then on to the pediatrician for a weight check. Chase was 9 lbs. 11 oz. at birth, 8 lbs. 15 oz. when we left the hospital and today he was 9 lbs. 8 oz.! He's eating well and growing. You would have thought Brandon and I were new parents or something - asking the doctor about his blocked tear duct, his peely skin, and how much we should be feeding him.

Natalie continues to be such a big helper. She will help me with anything I ask. She runs up and down the stairs without complaining. Of course she holds Chase whenever I ask (and when I don't). She is awesome!

Feeding time!!

Love to you all,

Brandon, Alison, Natalie and Chase

Got milk?

Well, we survived our first two nights at home. Last night was better than Sunday. We all slept well last night. Brandon and I each slept for about 4 hours. Not too bad.

Now if we could just get the feeding down. I didn't want to have to go the formula route, but looks like that is the route we are going to have to take. Oh well, at least he is eating. I did have flashbacks to Natalie as Chase threw up two entire bottles last night. He does have a little jaundice. The doctor said she was not concerned. She called it "normal baby jaundice". To Brandon and me, jaundice is not normal. We know he's fine though.

He is such a sweet baby! Sleeps, eats, poops - just like a baby.

Natalie is adjusting well. Although she can't stand for anyone else to hold him while she's in the room, she is learning to share. She is going to be a great big sister. She likes to call him "my baby" not my brother. I'm afraid to see her grades for the week. I'm sure she's been unable to concentrate at school.

Gonna go kiss on my baby now!

Love to you all,

Brandon, Alison, Natalie and Chase

Birthday

Harrison Chase James Freeman
9 pounds 11 ounces 22 inches






Natalie is such a proud big sister!!!!



Our future Clemson Tiger



Resting with my little pumpkin


Finally! After all of the anticipation Chase is finally here. Everything went well as planned. My C-section was scheduled for 2:00 pm and we welcomed him into the world at 2:33. Chase is sure to be our future Clemson Tiger full back weighing in at 9 pounds 11 ounces!! Natalie is so proud!! She cried this evening when she had to leave the hospital. She already loves her baby brother so much. So far he seems really even tempered. Hopefully he will stay that way. He is so sweet!

We decided to let the nurse take him to the baby nursery for the night. I felt bad about that, but Brandon and I need a good nights rest. She said we could visit or bring him back to the room at any time during the night. I'm planning on sleeping but I'm sure Brandon will make several visits.

Thanks for all of the prayers, love, and well wishes! We have the best family and friends! We will have more pictures to post soon.

Love to you all,
Alison, Brandon, Natalie and Chase