Great weekend!

We had a great time this weekend hanging out at home (for the most part) and getting a few things done around the house. Jason worked Saturday so Kale & I hung out and cleaned the house for our company Saturday night :). Sunday morning was super nice and after church we headed to Springfield- a short trip to just get a few things. We got home in time to enjoy the afternoon outside- Kale got to swing in the baby swing on our swingset and then play in the leaves. And finally tonight we really had time to try cereal when Kale was not hungry or tired and.....he loved it! I was cracking up with him "slurping" it up. I really didn't think he would do very good since we tried earlier in the week and it didn't happen so I didn't make very much...well I got to hear about it while I was making more :). He is not very patient when eating!

Hangin' out Saturday morning

Standing up in dad's chair Laying in the leaves

Trying to eat them

Fritos & Facebook....what more do you need?!?

Kale took the spoon away from me....

and tried to feed himself

Not the neatest kid afterwards...in the beginning he didn't lose anything, but towards the end he started getting messy

4 months (and 2 weeks)

Today was Kale's four month check-up complete with shots. He is doing great and the doctor said he isn't having any problem gaining and we can start cereal anytime. We attempted this evening, but Kale wasn't really interested. Tonight may not have been a good time to try something new though...he didn't have a nap this afternoon and he just got three shots so he may have just been ready for bed. In fact, right after we tried cereal he went to bed (at 7:20)!

Everything checked out good at the doctor and he is doing great. He cried more with his shots this time than last, but that could be because it was past time for a nap and we couldn't find a pacifier in the diaper bag! Just as we suspected he is growing and is getting to be a big kid. He weighs 17 lbs 4 oz (75th percentile) and is 25 inches long (50th percentile).

Kale is a happy baby for the most part. He is "talking" more & more and is lots of fun to play with. He is starting to play with toys more and can occupy himself for a while, but really likes to be talked to or even just for someone to be in the room talking, though not necessarily to him. He still fights his sleep and isn't a great napper, but sleeps good at night so still no complaining from us. Kale eats really good and definitely lets you know when he is hungry. He doesn't like to wait for his bottle. He does quiet down a little when he hears his bottle being made or sees it nearby, but if you don't give it to him quick he starts back up. And if you ever have to resituate yourself or do something in the middle of feeding him, get ready because he will not be happy at all!

Kale is still as nosy as ever and does not sit or lay still which is starting to make bath time & diaper changing more interesting :). He is a lot of fun and I'm not sure what we ever did without him!

Happy Halloween

Since Halloween was on a Saturday this year we were able to go back to Missouri and see both sides of the family. Kale was a chunky monkey and did a good job (for the most part) of tolerating his costume. The Pollard family - Kale's first Halloween

The "Eckler" grandkids

Kale with Papa Harold & Grandma Mari

The Pollard grandkids

Kyle & Kale hanging out watching tv

Kale playing in the Johnny Jumper - he twirls around & bounces and really enjoyed it

This was just too cute to not share...the rapping dragon :)

Deer Hunting

Halloween weekend has historically been a good hunting weekend for Jason and this year was another one. Some say it is luck...some say it's his mad skillz :) 2009 bow kill

Deer season actually started Friday night for some. My uncle Heath got one, with his car, on his trip to bring the boys to Shelbyville for youth season. Everyone was okay, but the car...not so much. The boys practiced shooting the weekend before and were ready for their morning out in the woods. I got up early with them to make sure they didn't need any help and to capture a couple of pictures. The boys were excited...and tired. They left the house a little before six and were in the woods for about 3 1/2 hours. They saw 3 does, but didn't get to shoot at them. However, they did get a few cans with the bb gun :)! Jason had a great time and I think the boys did too.

Corbin & Preston waiting for Jason to load the truck

Jason & the boys before heading to the woods

The boys keeping warm in the box blind

They didn't get a deer, but they definitely didn't go hungry either :)

The boys went trick-or-treating Saturday night and decided they would try again in January so Jason went bow hunting Saturday night and again Sunday morning by himself. Saturday night he got a turkey, but didn't get a deer. Sunday proved to be a good morning for him as he had this nice looking buck come in. It is his 2nd largest bow kill to date and will be heading to the taxidermist...(Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday to Jason) for another wall hanger.

Jason & his 2009 bow kill

Kale's first whitetail encounter

Team Pollard Outdoors

Finally Friday!!!

Yay- it is finally Friday!!

Kale & Jason hanging out last night Chillin' before bath time

This morning- he is a happy baby...as soon as he eats anyway :)

We are headed to Missouri when I get off work and I know I won't have time to post so I got up early this morning to get these up here!

Happy Halloween Eve!!

Too slow :(

I was too slow to get a picture of Kale in his Halloween outfit tonight. He didn't make it home from daycare in his "My First Halloween" onesie and sorry Jessi- I didn't do laundry and redress him :). Tonight was a lazy night...I was home before 6:30, we had frozen pizza for supper, I think I might be in bed before 11 and I didn't even bring work home with me!!! Jason did get the yard mowed...in the dark :). We are definitely looking forward to this weekend and relaxing a little! Even though he isn't in any Halloween clothes I thought I would post a couple pictures of baby Kale anyway.

Chillin' on the floor while I was talking to Aunt Jessi. Kale thought I was talking to him and kept smiling at me & talking back...or maybe he was trying to talk to her

Doing his stretches- he has started playing with his feet more especially when he doesn't have pants on

Happy Tuesday!

Our little pumpkin!

This past weekend Jason went back to Missouri to deer hunt and Kale & I stayed home. Well....we stayed in Illinois anyway. Saturday afternoon we headed to Springfield, picked up Megan & went shopping for the day! We had a great time and were both worn out. The best purchase was the jumperoo we got for Kale. It is just like an exersaucer only with springs holding it up so he can bounce. Kale barely touches the ground, but really likes being in it. He is changing and getting sooo big. He is already past 4 months and we are anxiously awaiting his 4 month checkup next week!

When we went south a couple of weekends ago Kale got lots of "new" clothes from Carter. His closet has definitely filled up with the clothes from the Brooks' and clothes that Rhett lets him use he grows too- thanks Megan & Shellie :). Kale now has enough Halloween outfits that we are going to have the 7 days of Halloween at our house...starting today!

Our little pumpkin! This is what I found when I got home from work tonight...Kale & Jason hanging out watching SportsCenter

I had to get a picture with our baby too :)

A picture of Kale playing in his jumperoo

I love his face in this picture!

October 17-18

A couple of weekends ago we headed south to Hoyleton, where we used to live, to spend the weekend with Jake, Shellie, & Carter. Jason & Jake worked together when we lived in southern IL and they are both originally from the area where we live now. Jason & Jake went deer hunting and Shellie & I got to hang out at the house with the boys. Carter wasn't too sure of Kale at first, but then was all about sharing toys.

Just a couple of pics I took while we were down there...I am guessing there will be more photos the next time we are together!

Carter being a little poser!

Kale decided to look at the camera, but Carter decided he was more interested in lamby We had a great time while we were down there and Sunday morning after we left we drove down to Ashley to see another "old" friend and went by the old house. We only lived there for 13 months, but it was still kind of sad to drive through our old town & see our first home together. We definitely don't miss the drive back to Shelby County through St. Louis though!

October 10-11

We had another great weekend back in Missouri this past weekend. We were worn out when we finally got home Sunday night, but had lots of fun!

Saturday morning we got up early and headed to Pumpkin Patch to meet the rest of th Pollard family for our annual outing there. It was cold, but we all bundled up and had fun picking out our pumpkins, feeding the deer, and taking some pictures.

Kale & I ready to look for pumpkins

Jason, Kale, & I posing on a wagon load of pumpkins

Chelsey & Rhett coming down the slide out of the straw tunnel

The four youngest Pollard grandchildren

After the pumpkin patch we headed to Shelbina for a few minutes of downtime and lunch before Kale & I had to leave for Paris for my cousin's baby shower. While we attended the baby shower Jason stayed in Shelbina to shoot his bow and make sure he got his deer tag bought.

Allison trying to get Kale to smile for the pictures

Cousin love...Rhett posing with Kale

Callie before her shower. She got lots of nice things and should have a good start for when the baby gets here!

The "diaper cake" and the table where we decorated onesies. There were definitely some cute ones made and I wish I would have gotten a picture, but I didn't.

Callie opening one of her many gifts!

We left Paris without helping cleanup to get back to Shelbina so we could get ready for our Pollard family pictures. Yes, it was cold outside, but we all managed to stay warm and got some really good pictures. Check them out at www.photos2remember.com.

Setting up for the first pictures (at Shelbina Lake)

It was 40 degrees when we started at 5 o'clock so we stayed in the truck until everything was ready :)

Jason making faces at Kale from outside

Justin & Chase racing. I'm not positive...but I think experience (the old guy) won this race!

After pictures we headed back to Ed & Lola's house for supper and to hang out. Megan, Leslie, & I took this picture before we ate since we rarely have one taken together

Sunday afternoon we had lunch at my mom & dad's house for my birthday! Lasagna, other stuff and lemon meringue pie! Everyone made it and we all got to hang out the rest of the afternoon.

Cooper & Kale hanging out

TJ with Cooper & Kale

Andi & Kale

Kale chillin' on the couch

Jason went deer hunting both Sunday morning & afternoon, but didn't have any luck. He got in after dark so we didn't get home Sunday night until late and were all definitely worn out, but we are glad we were able to be back & see all the family!