Kale Alan Pollard

After 2 days of bedrest Jason & I headed to the hospital on Friday the 19th.

We got up to our room a little before 5 and began what we thought would be a long uneventful wait for morning. They were planning on starting the pitocin at 7 so we weren't planning on anything happening before that. We watched tv for a while and decided to go to bed about 11 o'clock. It wasn't long after that the "excitement" started. My back really started to hurt and I could not get comfortable or go to sleep. About 1:30 they gave me something to help me relax and I was finally about to go to sleep when at 2:00 my water broke. I promptly woke Jason up and called the nurse. The contractions started almost immediately and it wasn't long before I was getting an epidural. During that time I was also given something to slow the contractions since they were coming one right after the other. And I was afraid I wouldn't know it when I was having contractions...there was no doubt- Jason & I both knew it! :)

The on call doctor was Dr. Brown (from Dr. Beal's clinic) and Dr. Beal didn't start until 7 and at that point we were just hoping that I didn't have the baby before she got there to deliver him/her for us. Little did we know she would not only make it there in time, but we would get to spend several hours with her!

The morning kept progressing and we thought we were going to have a baby before noon, but then got crazy news at 11 that things were not happening like they should and we started to prepare for a c-section. While Jason changed into scrubs Dr. Beal got called to the other hospital to deliver another baby and we got put on hold. When Dr. Beal got back to our room things had progressed enough that she wanted to wait a few more hours and see how things went. Thankfully Dr. Beal was patient and we only had to wait a few (haha) more hours until Kale Alan was finally born at 8:27pm. He weighed 7lbs 6ozs and was 21 inches long. Our visitors had been waiting since that morning and were eager to see baby Kale. They just visited for a while and then headed out so Jason & I could get some rest.

We had several visitors the next day and we have had a great 2+ weeks at home with Kale. Hopefully I will get more posted before long- it has only taken me all day to get this one done. Crazy that I'm not sure what I do all day, but they keep passing me by :) !

Here are some pictures from our unforgettable weekend!

Getting ready to leave for the hospital Friday afternoon

Jason hanging out Friday morning- waiting patiently

Ready for the c-section at 11:30 that morning

Jason was really worn out :) Not sure what time this was...2 or so I think Kale's footprints being put in his baby book

Me with Baby Kale- I could barely keep my eyes opened at this point!

Our first family picture

Some of our visitors seeing Kale for the first time

Jason's mom & dad, my mom & dad, Travis, Jessi, Andi, & TJ, Stephanie & Kyle, and Brenda & Kayla all waited patiently most of the day, except Brenda, who had to leave early- sorry Kale didn't get here faster!

TJ was pretty excited about seeing Baby Kale 9:30, but it seemed so much later

Kale- our little guy who we wouldn't trade for the world

Kale had a rough time getting into this world as he came out sideways and had the cord wrapped around his neck. Once he was out we also discovered he had a true knot in his umbilical cord- we are so thankful these things didn't cause major problems and we were able to keep our little guy in our room the whole time. He did have to have his blood sugar tested every hour the first night and every two hours the next day and night because it was low- his heels are finally healed after so many pricks those first few days of life. Jason & I are super blessed to have our healthy baby boy who has definitely, since that first scare, found his lungs!

Happy Father's Day

Kale Alan was born June 20th at 8:27pm. He weighed 7lbs 6ozs and was 21 inches long. Eventually I will post more details about his entry into the world, but this morning I just wanted to get some pictures up and wish Jason a Happy First Father's Day. We are both super excited to welcome the little guy into our (now) family of 3 and can't wait to get to know him. Since we were all pretty tired last night after he finally arrived and both the boys are sleeping soundly right now we haven't had a lot of time hanging out, yet!

Jason hasn't ever really been big on holding newborns and told me he didn't know if he would be able to hold the baby right away, but it definitely has not been a problem for him!

Daddy's first picture with Baby KaleFirst family picture Daddy admiring KaleJason holding Kale...we ordered room service and after I finished eating I told Jason I would hold Kale so he could eat, but I was told "He's my boy, I'll hold him" They definitely got in some good Daddy/son time

Playing with Kale under the warmer Here is a close up of just Baby Kale- isn't he a cutie?!?

Not real happy about Daddy leaving him...getting ready for his bath

After his bath- lots of hair. The nurse tried to give him a mohawk, but it didn't stay that way.

This is what I found when I got out of the shower...Kale in the baby bed pulled over next to Jason on the couch (as close as it can get) and both boys sound asleep- how sweet!

I know Jason will be an awesome dad and I'm glad that we had the baby in time for Jason to be a dad on Father's Day! When we first found out our due date and realized how close it was to Father's Day, Jason said he thought it would be pretty cool if we had him then. Thank goodness the little guy arrived a few hours before the actual day- this way they get to spend all day together on Father's Day.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY JASON!!!

Coming Soon...Baby Pollard!!

Yesterday was an "exciting" day . Jason had a meeting out of town and couldn't get away from work so I got to go to the doctor by myself, the only time he hasn't made it and my blood pressure was a little high. When the nurse took it she got 140/100 and then when I got back to the room Dr. Beal took it and it was 160/106 so I headed to the hospital to be monitored for about 3 hours and get some blood work done. Before sending me to the hospital, Dr. Beal told me if my blood pressure didn't go down or the lab work didn't come back good I would be induced that night. Everything came back good with my blood work and my blood pressure came down so I got sent home, but was put on bedrest.

I won't be on bedrest long though. Dr. Beal is on call Saturday and she doesn't want me to go much longer so we are heading to the hospital tomorrow night and I will be induced on Saturday. Tonight is our last night at home before the baby comes! Jason & I are super excited and can hardly wait...hopefully the baby will feel the same way and we won't be in for a super long day on Saturday! If all goes as planned Jason will be a father before Father's Day :) !

Jason is out mowing the yard and we have to pack tonight and then we will be ready- to leave for the hospital anyway! I thought today was a long day just hanging out on the couch watching tv, but I'm guessing tomorrow will take forever! I am hoping to get a good night's sleep tonight, but I'm not sure if that will happen or not. Anyway, keep us in your thoughts & prayers and we will try to update soon.

1 more week....or something like that

Today I am 39 weeks! It seems pretty crazy that we are already this close to having a baby, but we can hardly wait and are super excited. Since we had the family over this last weekend we have kind of stopped on our "to do list" for the last couple of nights and it rained today so Jason was home early so we got to relax a little and he grilled for supper!

Jason has become quite the photographer with our new camera :)

Jason grilling outside- okay, checking his email...I thought he was home from "work" Hanging out outside waiting for supper

39 weeks- only 1 more (until my due date anyway)

Jason & I in front of the gazebo...trying to get a good picture together while it is still just the 2 of us!

We go to the doctor tomorrow afternoon to see how things are going so we might have another update soon!

Weekend Visitors

We (mostly Jason) have been working like crazy on the house the past few weeks trying to get everything done before the baby gets here. We aren't finished, but have made lots of progress! Jason & I decided we would invite our families out to visit to see the new house before the baby arrives. Jason had to work all day yesterday so we were a few projects short of where we thought we would be, but we had a great time and have something to keep us busy this week! I will post updated pictures of the house eventually, but here are some from our day today. We ate lunch, toured the house, played/watched a game of croquet, and just got to hang out for a while! It cooled off and was a nice afternoon to sit outside and enjoy our backyard.

The group hanging out outsideAndi getting ready to go down the slide

TJ's turn, I think he wore himself out today- I hope he sleeps good tonight!Stephanie didn't get to go down the slide, but she had fun swinging

TJ getting a ride through the trees- he loved when dad walked him into the leaves

Just hanging out at the fire pit (no fire though)

Putting the croquet set together- thanks for the wedding gift Jessi & Travis- we

finally got to use it The beginning of the match....all even

Chelsey taking her turn

Timeout in the action for a picture of the preggo girls and we made our husbands join us for a couple too

Leslie & Chase evaluating their shot

Jason waiting his turn.

I didn't get a good picture of the big winner, Travis. I am guessing since Jason didn't win we may be getting the set out and practicing so he can beat Travis next time! Les maybe we can loan you a ball & mallet to practice at home too (just kidding)! :)

We had a great time and are thankful to everyone that was able to make the trip over! After everyone left this evening- Jason did a few things around the house and we cleaned up, but we mostly vegged out in front of the tv. 9 days until my due date, the baby bed is put together and we can survive without getting the rest of our (my) list being finished before the baby so I don't think we will do a single thing except eat supper and watch tv tomorrow night. I am ready for a little break from the "house" work!

Happy Birthday Allison!

Last weekend we headed back to Missouri for Allison's 4th birthday party. Jason got off work at noon so we both were able to make it back (a little late) for the festivities! Allison had a Belle birthday party and tons of family & friends there to celebrate with her. We got to enjoy the new deck that Justin built and share in cake & ice cream after watching the princess open her gifts.

Earrings for her newly pierced ears! A softball & bat A life-size Barbie with her very own Belle dress Blowing out the candles The Belle cake- made by Megan Rhett playing with the balloons outside One of Allison's gifts was some pretend makeup. She & Parker had a good time "fixing" eveyone's hair & makeup

Baby Update Week 37

Our appointment got changed from yesterday to today so today we went to the doctor for our 37 week checkup. We got to go back to work so everything is good! The baby's heart rate was pretty high when Dr. Beal started listening, she didn't think there was anything wrong, but wanted to monitor it just to make sure. We headed to the monitor room and got to sit there for the next 20-30 minutes listening to the heartbeat and waiting. Everything looked good so we go back next week. Our doctor is actually gone next week so we get to go to a different doctor, but will be back to Dr. Beal the following week.