こんにちは(Konnichiwa) to Hello to Bonjour!

We have arrived our final destination in Montreal, Canada!  So far Max has been to: Tokyo, Osaka, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and finally Quebec province in Canada by means of planes, trains and automobiles.  He is a busy but happy little boy.

Our little Peanut was an angel for our 16+ hour travel day from Japan to the States and only cried once after touching down in Minnesota.  Thankfully, our fellow passengers dirty glares turned to "whoo" and "ahhh" at the sweet sleepy baby.  Wish we could take full parenting credit but I think the planes white noise did the trick and now we owe him a pony.  We're hoping a trip to the race track with Grandpa George will suffice.

Sleepy angel on the plane

We had a blast in Minnesota!  Now I see why it takes a village to raise a baby. . .because Mama needs to get her hair done :)  It was wonderful spending time with old friends and family.  A very special thank you to my mom, Peggy, for not only pampering Max but me too!  Having a 24/7 on call babysitter, cook, cleaner and laundry services was a real treat.  

Max loves bath time with Grandma P!

Thank you Auntie Sara for all the fun toys!

We greatly appreciate Bill and Sandy flying in last minute to meet Max.  It was nice to be surrounded by loved ones.  Max enjoyed all the special treatment from everyone.  He is currently wondering where his paparazzi went.

 Loves reading with Grandma S!

3 Generations of Freeland boys

Max's entourage

The new 2012 Cirque show is coming along nicely.  Scott has hired all his Head of Departments and is thrilled with the advanced technical developments.  Lots done but much more to go.  

 Hard day at the office for Mr. Max

Go Gophers!

We look forward to exploring our new French speaking island and reporting back.  Love and miss you all!

Sporting his leopard print for the French Canadian ladies!

Minnesota Bound

We are all booked to fly out of Osaka and land in Minnesota Saturday, August 20th at 6 pm!   Max and I will spend a few weeks socializing in MN while poor Scott has to head to Montreal the next day for 2 weeks of work, but then he will rejoin us for 2 weeks of vacation.  We plan on leaving MN around Sept 15th to road trip to our final destination in Montreal, Canada.

Happy 1月 (month in Japanese) Max!

Max is currently accepting applications for his "Best Friend" position

We welcome all visitors to both MN and Montreal, and look forward to getting a trip to Evanston, WY on the books.  We can't wait to see everyone!  

Happy boy

He loves to sleep on daddy any chance he gets!

Please pray for our neighboring passengers that our little Peanut remains somewhat cool, calm and collective for our 16+ hour travel day.  Let the count down to State side begin, T-9 days. . .

Daddy busted Mommy and Max taking a nap.

Praying this will be his plane face the majority of the flight.

Settled in Osaka then off to...

Montreal, Canada!  Scott has accepted the same position but to help build the new 2012 Cirque du Soleil show at their headquarters in Montreal.  He looks forward to hiring his own crew and learning more throughout the creative process.  We all can't wait to be closer to our loved ones!  We'll take a 2-4 hour plane ride over 14-16 hour any day.  Our specific travel dates and details still need to be finalized, but looks like we'll be heading out in less then a month and in Montreal until the show is completed in April 2012.

Bye Tokyo!

Max and Scott's first time on the Shinkansen "bullet train."  Max slept like an angel the whole time going 250+ mph to Osaka!

Hello Osaka!  The Yodo River is below the highway and runs through the city with gorgeous walking paths and bridges.

Street outside our resort in downtown Osaka.  We're in the business/restaurant area.  Challenging to find diapers but great for entertainment.

We also need to get Max's passport settled before we can fly internationally.  Many people have asked if Max gets duel citizenship being born in Japan and the answer is "no."  Since both Scott and I are American the Japanese only recognizes his "blood" not his birth "soil."  However, he is registered in Japan and has a neat Certificate of Birth with some Japanese writing.  My dad is currently looking for a loophole so he can run for President of the United States.  Somehow I don't think that will be an issue, but you never know.

Our little Peanut!

Scott has been busy getting the show back up and running in Osaka while Max and I have been hanging low.  Eating and sleeping mostly.  We haven't ventured out in Osaka much yet but our resort is very nice.  It's been great having room service, 5 in house restaurants and bars, laundry service, convenience store downstairs and Starbucks just across the bridge.

Max cheering on the Evanston Red Devils while on a Starbucks run.

Thankfully Max's eyes have cleared up.  Lab results only grew normal skin flora bacteria so it looks as though he either had viral conjunctivitis or an atypical bacteria.  Either way, it is gone without further antibiotics.

Max was lifting his head only 3 days after being born!  Even the doctor commented on his strength.  

Well, I'm off to change another poopy diaper.  Thank God he has an adorable little tushy.  Stay tuned for travel dates! 

My Wyoming boys!

He is not happy that Mommy dressed him in clown pants.  Sorry buddy!

As promised Auntie Alison, he is sporting his whales outfit and lovin' it.

Home sweet home

Max and I got the 2 thumbs up and were cleared by the doctors after only 5 days in the hospital.  That is considered a short stay by Japan standards, especially with a c-section.  Seibo Hospital was a nice, quiet, private, accommodating place, but it has been wonderful getting settled in at home.


All the nurses and doctors who understood English would chuckle at Max's name.  And considering he is "max" in size and weighs nearly 30% more than the average Japanese baby it is very fitting!   They also said he is the best "sucker" they've ever seen cause the boy can eat.  

Thank you Sara, Josh, Charlie and Jonah Schulman for the adorable hat!  

Scott has returned to work for the next couple days because it's one of the busiest times for him with the show moving locations.  However, he will have more time off once we get to our new home in Osaka on July 23rd.  

Sorry, Auntie Alison for peeing all over your cute welcome home whales outfit.  I promise to let Mommy get a photo soon.

In the meantime, Max and I have enjoyed getting to know each other.  He is the sweetest, softest and most adorable little thing in the world.  We are madly in love with him and can't wait for everyone to meet him.  He will make your heart stop.  His smooth blonde hair with a hint of strawberry, perfectly round face, curious dark blue eyes, button nose, chunky cheeks, gummy smile, fat upper lip and darkening velvety skin are all to die for.  He is the perfect, calm baby.

Max enjoys helping Mommy blow dry her hair, a.k.a. nap time.

Only hiccup since being home is that Max has contracted pink eye (bacterial conjunctivitis).  We are not sure how or where but we should hopefully know more soon when the lab results come in.  

Thankfully, Cirque du Soleil is well connected because I called Scott last night around 7 p.m. to share my concerns (rather wail my worst fears like a typical first time mother) and by 9 p.m. they had us in a private, after hours pediatrician appointment.  The Doctor even rode his bike in to get to us quicker and avoid Tokyo traffic.  On the plus side, the antibiotic drops are already doing the trick just hours in and Max continues to eat, sleep, pee, poo, gain weight, and maintain a normal body temperature like a champion!

Max's first tourist outing, Tokyo Tower at night.  Only cause the doctors office was across the street but still counts!

We're all busy little bees with our new family addition and move to Osaka around the corner but we'll keep you posted soon.  Love and miss you all!

Our little sweetie pie

Max day 2

Max and Mommy continue to do great, and Daddy remains a rock star caring the load of baby duty with Mommy slowed from surgery.  Daddy has changed all his diapers, burped him, helped feed and sooth him to sleep.  I would be lost without him!   


Few more photos from day 2 in the world of Max...

 Max loves to lay on Daddy's chest

 Check out those hands ladies :)

 Thank you Bill & Sandy Freeland for the gorgeous flowers and teddy bear!

 Laying on Daddy again...

Right after our 2 hour family nap 

Life is good!

Welcome Maxwell Scott Freeland

Born July 11th, 2011 at 11:54 p.m. in Tokyo, Japan at 8 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long.  After just an hour of surgery both Mommy and Max are healthy and happy.  He is a spitting image of his daddy!  

 Our first family photo

 The Japanese nurses are so sweet

 Mommy's new man

 "There's a New Kid in Town" by the Eagles was playing in the operating room when he was born.

 Mommy needed a nap.  Daddy is already a pro!  Daddy was the one who got Max to latch on and breastfeed after the nurse failed.  I'm so proud of my boys!

Our little Emperor.  Despite his official name of Maxwell, Scott is calling this the Marcus Aurelius pose.

Not to sound like a new parent broken record, but we are madly in love with our little guy!  Thank you for all your kind notes and well wishes.  He is perfect!

Love always,

Jessica & Scott

38 week (9.5 month) appointment

Looks like Peanut's birthday will be Monday, July 11th, 2011 in Japan!    

Dr. Sakamoto said that Peanut must enjoy using my liver as a pillow because he hasn't moved much and is still breech.  Unless he turns last minute, we will be checking into Seibo International Catholic Hospital in Shinjuku at 9 a.m. and going into the c-section at 11:30 a.m.  Surgery should only last 30-45 minutes.  

38 weeks along.  I've gotten so big that the Japanese part like the Red Sea when they see me waddling down the street.  Doctor said Peanut probably weights 7.5-8 lbs.

Dr. Sakamoto graduated from Yale University and has successfully delivered thousands of baby's over the past 20+ years, so we know we're in great hands.  Plus all signs are pointing in a healthy, positive direction for both Peanut and me.  We're expected to be in the hospital 5-7 days but should be able to update the blog during our stay.

Scott and I can't wait to meet our little guy.  We really wish we could be with all our loved one's during this special time but we look forward to sharing our joy from afar.  Please stay tuned for Peanut photos!  

 Our favorite stadium, Seibu Dome.  We saw the home team Lions lose 2-6 to the Nippon-Ham this past weekend.

 We got down on the field after the game.

 Me taking a much needed break.  It was 90 degrees and sunny this day but felt like 98 degrees according to weather.com with the humidity.

Scott even got to make a play with the bating coach of the Lions down on the field.  He's picking up the ball on the left side of this photo.