Guest Book

Since Madison's arrival we have had a few visitors... I think they all missed Patrick and me... or they just really wanted to meet Madison.  Either way... we will take it.  We have LOVED having family and friends out here!  I think in some ways it has made the transition a little easier, but at the same time, each visit makes us a little home sick. 


Here is the run down: 

  

1) Ginnie's parents - My mom was here for 2 weeks.  She got here 3 days after we came home from the hospital.  Perfect timing because we made it through one week, but I don't know how week 2 would have gone without her here. I don't know what we would have done without her.  Honestly, I had no idea what to do with a newborn.  She had to teach me how to bathe Madison (I planned on just waiting until her umbilical cord fell out because I was so afraid of getting it wet), play with her, she forced me to rest and did all the house cleaning and cooking.  She was a super star!  My dad came for a long weekend in the middle of my mom's visit.  Patrick and him had some fun "bonding".  Sarah (Mathias) Brodine had a little shower for Madison while my mom and dad were here, so Patrick took my dad to show him the Tesla dealership and then they went to the hardware stores.  You know "man" things!!  It was a great visit.  Patrick's work sent him on a business trip during the second week my mom was here - PRO mom was here, CON Patrick was not.  We couldn't believe they sent him away, but we didn't have a choice.  (If you are keeping count this is business trip number 2).  He was suppose to get back the same day my mom left, but of course that didn't quite work out - I ended up with her alone for my first night when she was 2 weeks old.  PTL though because Maddie was so good that whole day.  Not a lot of crying, took good naps and went back to sleep easily during the night. 



2) Patrick's sister Hannah - We planned for Hannah to get here right after my mom left.  She got here the same day Patrick got back from his business trip.  She was a huge help!  Did laundry, cleaned, took care of Madison, and most of all kept me company.  Madison took her first bottle from Aunt Hannah when she was 3 weeks old.  SO - this meant Hannah sent us on a date and took care of Maddie and gave her a bottle.  It was our first BIG date!  We got out a couple times while mom was here for coffee or a short walk, but this date was really nice.


3) Patrick's parents - They came for a week when Madison was about 6 weeks old for Patrick's birthday.  Maddie had just started smiling and getting more expressive and chatty!  They were in heaven, and actually tried to steal Maddie a couple of times :)  She would talk to Mike - trying to mimic him.  It was super cute!  There timing was also perfect because it meant we had free babysitters for valentines day.  Patrick and I had a big date to PF Changs.  It was delicious and so relaxing.  My sweet in-laws also gave me a whole afternoon off and luckily Maddie took a bottle.  I went to the doctor and then did some shopping at IKEA and then off to a coffee shop to read and relax (I was on book 3 of the Hunger Games and didn't want to put it down). 




4) Ginnie's sister Carrie - Carrie was here for the week of her spring break.  She got here the day after Madison got her 2 month old shots so we spent a lot of time out and about - especially in the city (San Fran) sight seeing.  Madison did great with all the traveling around.  We went to Alcatraz, Pier 39, Fisherman's Warf, Ghirardelli Square, Sausalito, the Bridge, Lombard St, Half Moon Bay, Stanford, Facebook, put Maddie's feet in the sand for the first time and her feet in the Pacific for the first time.  The three of us had a great time together.  It was a fun trip!  We were so ready to get out and about, but Maddie and I crashed after :) 

5) Beth and Jason came a week after Carrie left.  It was so fun having them out here.  We did some of the city with them but since it was rainy part of the time they were here we did a little more just hanging out and relaxing.  We saw Muir Woods, the Bridge, Sausalito, Ghirardelli Square, Lombard St, Half Moon Bay, Pinterest, Facebook and Google.  Google was me and Beth's favorite cause they had bikes that we could ride. HA!  Jason did a lot of exploring by himself (while Pat was at work) leaving Beth and I to catch up and play with Madison.  They did some cooking for us and cleaned before they left.  It was so great having them here! 

In between these visits Patrick had 2 business trips - count them ONE TWO.  The first one he was barely gone for 24 hours, but the second one he was gone for 4 days.  UNBELIEVABLE!  I am so thankful for our friends and church community out here.  Everyone came around me and helped.  They kept me company and kept me sane.  Madison is such a great baby and luckily has been sleeping through the night since 7 weeks.  So, I feel like I can't complain, but still it is just really sad to not have him here at night.  I know he didn't enjoy leaving at all, so I do NOT blame him at all.  It is good his company likes him and is impressed with him, but COME ON - he has an infant at home!!!  Again, it really wasn't that bad thanks to our friends out here. 


6) Lee and Emily Drummond came right after Madison turned 3 months.  We had a good time with them.  We spent some time in the City and Sausalito, but spent a little more time around Menlo Park.  Patrick and Lee built a smoker and they smoked some delicious ribs.  Lee also got to spend some time with the Woods.  Madison loved having them here - they were both great with her.  I know Patrick especially loved having Lee out here.


I CANNOT wait for number 7... Kayleigh, Alice and KTJ come at the end of May for Memorial Day Weekend!  WOOT!!  THis is going to be a crazy time.  I am SOoooOoOooo excited!!!  It has been a while since we were all together.  Was it Hawaii or Christmas 2 years ago?  Anyways... California will not know what hit them!  

It's been a while...

So, since our last post a few things have changed.....

WE HAD A BABY!!! 

Madison Leigh Pollock arrived in this world on January 2, 2012 (cool birthday- 1.2.12) at 1:51pm, 8lbs 3ozs, 20in.  We praise the Lord for the uncomplicated birth of Madison and for her good health.

A synopsis of her birth... I woke up on New Years Day around 8am (before church) to what I thought might be contractions.  I tried not to think much about it because there had been many days before this that I thought "might be the day".  On New Years Eve day I was afraid my water bag was leaking, so I had been in contact with the OB on call.  We were trying to decide if we wanted to swing by the hospital on the way to church to have them check to see if it was leaking, but we decided to wait until after church.  After church we decided to just go home and see how I felt because the contractions had continued and we still thought "this might be it".  We spent the afternoon hanging out, playing cards, cleaning, baking, finishing thank you cards, etc (trying to distract ourselves).  I had been watching Craigslist for a BOB stroller and finally found one that afternoon - we called and arranged to pick it up that evening.  So we ate dinner and then headed to San Jose to look at/ purchase the Bob stroller.  On the way to San Jose I started timing my contractions and realized that this really might be it (still skeptical).  We bought the stroller, came home and then headed to the Westervelt's (neighbors and new friends) to play games.  When we got there we told Melody that we thought I was in labor, so we started playing games, but she was watching me and keeping track of my contracts with me.  We all began to agree that tonight was the night and Patrick wasn't going to work the next day, so we decided it was a good idea to stay up playing games until it was time for us to go to the hospital.


It was around 1:45am when we decided it was time to go to the hospital.  So, Patrick and I walked home, packed the car and headed to the hospital.  Once we got to the hospital they checked me - I was about 3-4cm dialated and everything was going fine.  So, Patrick and I walked around the hospital for a little bit longer before we officially checked in.  For some reason I was freezing, so I spent most of labor in bed half asleep under blankets.  Patrick sat in a chair next to me half asleep.  Every time a contraction came I squeezed Patrick's hand, he talked me through it and then we both closed our eyes again.  I had an awesome nurse who made suggestions like "it is really nice to do this part of labor in the shower" or "it would be good to move around or get on your ball".  We officially checked in the hospital around 2am, started pushing around 12pm, and Madison was born right before 2pm -  it seemed like forever before we actually got to look at Maddie's face.  Right after she came out they put her on my tummy - it was the best thing ever - except the fact that I could barely open my eyes.  
They let us stay in the delivery room for an hour over what we were suppose to stay because they were pretty slow, so I got to order food and eat in there (I had a steak dinner)- I was STARVING!!  I had not eaten since dinner the night before around 6:30.  We couldn't stop staring at Madison and we were so thankful that we got 2 hours with her before anyone took her away to the nursery to clean her.  


My biggest complaint about the whole thing is that I think it is CRAZY that as soon as you get to your room the nurse comes in giving you all of this information and telling you about all this paperwork, etc. I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was go to sleep - Patrick wasn't even in there to listen - so I just said yeah, uh-huh until she left me alone, and as soon as I got to lay my head back Madison and Patrick came back and then they nurse was back to check my temp, BP, etc.  It was a few hours before I got to take a nap.  Then our sweet friend Melody brought us In and Out Burgers for dinner!  Just what anyone wants after pushing out a baby!! :) 


Our second night in the hospital our pastors wife, Mindi, brought us a milkshake, cupcakes and Indian food for dinner.  It was the best milkshake I have ever had in my life!  We thought it was because of the whole baby thing, but I still go to that milkshake place all the time and it still tastes just as good (maybe not AS good as that day, but still, really good!!!)  
The day we left we had more friends come and visit once we got home.  Patrick had to go back to work the day after we got home from the hospital (he went in later than normal), so it was nice to have friends want come by to hold Madison and let me take a shower or just to give me a break.  It nice to have moms around to ask questions or just sympathize and encourage me through all the transitions.  We had our first pediatricians appointment on Friday.  It was quite the adventure leaving the house the first time with a baby - lots of planning and THINGs that go along with it.  I got to the pediatricians office and had forgotten how to get her car seat out of the base - pretty hilarious looking back, but not at the time.  I was late and stressed out and had no clue what I was doing still!  They wanted to double check her jaundice so I had to walk over to the lab for them to draw blood (just adding a little bit more stress on my day).  Overall the appointment was good and encouraging!  I mean Madison was still alive, that in itself is a W for us.  


My mom came that weekend on Saturday and her timing couldn't have been better.  I was just starting to feel completely overwhelmed, realizing I had no clue what to do with a newborn baby, when she swooped in to California to rescue us!!  She was AWESOME!  She forced me to take naps, she cooked, cleaned, did laundry and taught us how to care for our new baby.  It was a sad day when she left, but she left us feeling more comfortable and confident.


We are so thankful for our friends and community here!  They were so sweet in coming along side of us through this, and being so willing to help, visit and bring us meals. 

The Final Countdown

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Patrick has been off of work for the last two weeks – Hooray!  We have been playing the waiting game.  We have been getting last minute things done around the house (hanging pictures, grocery shopping, making food to freeze, etc).  We have also been exploring the area, but we are also taking the time to relax and enjoy each other understanding these are the last weeks of our family of two.

We have officially finished the nursery – mattress in the crib with the sheets – lights hung – stickers stuck – pictures hung – clothes arranges, etc.  We also finally put the car seat base in the car – so now we have everything ready for the hospital.

We have also finished hanging all the pictures in our house and Patrick finished our bed frame.  He did a great job.

I took Patrick on a walking tour of downtown Menlo Park – the same one that our friends have been taking me on while strolling with their kids.  It was fun for him to get to know the area and go into stores and explore.

We have now been to the Beach!  We went to Half Moon bay one day for lunch and a short walk of the beach.  We met a couple in our birthing class that recommended a restaurant called Chez Shea (“an eclectic eatery”).  It is a really cute town, but not really a beach town.  It is more like a small little farming town that is on the beach, but there is actually a “beach” area (sand to sit and walk on).

There were a couple of fun festive gatherings the week of Christmas – Chili and movie night, holiday card decorating, Christmas Eve service at MPPC, Christmas Day at church and dinner with friends, etc.

On Christmas we slept in, opened our presents (family had sent some), ate french toast casserole and then skyped with both of our families.  It was a nice relaxing day, but so strange to not be with our families.  We had a church service that afternoon (3pm) and then ate dinner with a few couples from church.  No one wanted to cook (one couple had just got back in town the day before, one was leaving the next day, I am pregnant, etc) so we decided to order Christmas dinner from Draeger's (a fancy grocery store in Downtown Menlo Park).  It was delicious and we all decided it tasted better because none of us had to cook.  It was a very nice day - different from any other Christmas we have ever had.

Our friends Melody and Brett took us to San Fran and showed us around some of their favorite places including The Mission and The Ferry Building.  The Mission is the hipster part of San Fran – we got coffee from a place called Ritual.  It is a pour over coffee shop and it was really good.  We got lunch at the Ferry Building at a burger place called Gotts and then gelato for dessert.  It was a really fun day.

We have been trying to take LOTS of walks to encourage this baby to come out J  One day we decided to walk to the Stanford mall with Melody and Brett.  We were walking around for about 3 hours and still no baby.

On my due date we had a game night with some friends and played games until late that night.  We discovered a new favorite game.  It is called Partners and apparently can only be purchased in Denmark.  We had a great time – it was nice to take our mind off of the fact that I am still pregnant.

We rang in the New Year with the couples from our community group.  We celebrated on East Coast time so they could get their children to sleep.  Honestly we didn’t stay up until midnight either – we technically have a kid too.

I have an appointment with my Doctor on January 3 to plan a date for induction if our little girl has not arrived by then.  Until then, we continue to wait….

Last week of work before vacation

WEEK 5

This week I have done a lot of baking.  There is a Christmas party after church on Sunday and I have volunteered to bring some goodies.  This is one of my favorite parts of Christmas – baking!!

Tuesday was our 3 year anniversary!!  We celebrated by going to Calafia – it is a local restaurant that only uses local produce and products.  It was Delicious!!!

I babysat Nealon Brodine on Wednesday and we bonded (that has been the highlight of my week).  We went to get bagels, to the library, to see the ducks and the train and swung by trader joes.  I also had my first Wal-Mart experience here – not so good.  Wal-mart anytime isn’t that much fun, but Wal-Mart at the holidays is TERRIBLE!!  Congestion, long times, grumpy people, etc.  Never again!

We had a breast-feeding seminar this week as well – a lot of learning for one week – but that was our last class – so we are experts now (pause NOT).  We got the crib mattress this week, got the pack-n-play set up in our bedroom and I packed out hospital bags – so we are officially READY for this little girl to come (I mean are you ever really ready?)

HOORAY because this is Patrick’s last week of work before the New Year!!  This means we get the next two weeks to hang out and relax and enjoy each other and California before the new addition to our family arrives.  We are really looking forward to it.  There is so much that we want to see – for example Half Moon Bay (the beach) and he hasn’t really been able to explore downtown Menlo Park very much, maybe San Fran… who knows.  Lots of options.

Patrick’s Christmas party for work was Friday.  It was a lot of fun.  They had it at a traditional Chinese restaurant (I am talking the name of the restaurant was in Chinese characters with the English translation next to it in smaller letters).  They served multiple courses of traditional Chinese meals – it was very good.  We used our chopsticks the whole meal.  They had a drawing after dinner and Patrick pulled the 37” TV and I got a Starbucks gift basket.  After the dinner and prizes there was a “famous DJ in this area” – it was awesome because all of his bosses were out of the dance floor – none of the younger people in the company really danced, but upper management did.

This weekend we kept the Wood girls (yes, all 4) while Britton and Elizabeth got their weekend escape to Napa.  So jealous, but it was fun to hang out with their girls for the weekend.  We spent Saturday at the park and had a picnic and then decorated cookies that night.  It was exhausting, but fun!

Have we really lived here for a month?

 Week 4

First attempt at DMV – Fail!  Got there and the computers were down.  Luckily I was able to get the inspection of the car done so I got about half way there.  Also, I found out there was no need to drive all the way to San Jose (30 minutes away) that there was one in Redwood City (15 mins).  I went back to the DMV on Friday and got the Honda registered (in the nick of time – they only give you 20 days), but discovered that they want to re-charge us the sales tax on the Murano since we have not owned it for a full year.  The taxes here are at least 4 times what they are in SC.  Welcome to California!! Bad news is that we have to go BACK to the DMV again next week to take our drivers license written test (yes! They make you take it again, even if you are holding a valid drivers license).  No matter how much I plan I can never get in and out of the DMV in one trip.  I will give the California DMV this – you can make appointments online and it goes so much faster (wait time less than 5 minutes). 

This week I went to Buy buy baby with my new friend Melody to use my gift card from the wonderful women of SWB.  It was awesome to have a mom there who could tell me exactly what we will NEED right away (Melody has a 19 month old little girl – Charlotte – who is my buddy).  We walked in and started grabbing stuff and filling up the buggy and luckily the amount worked out perfectly – I actually made $2.04.  We feel a lot more prepared (stuff wise) and Melody dropped a lot of knowledge about the items we were buying – when to use, why to use, etc.  She is great!  That evening we had Community group– it was awesome!

 I also had the pleasure of joining Elizabeth and the girls at their Ornament decorating party.  They each had a new friend joining them.  At the party I made friends with one of the moms who is half French and she was giving me some cooking tips and some recipe ideas.  She told about this pasta dish with a creamy white sauce – I made it and it was super good.  That same night Patrick had a date with “littles” (Wood girls) to their class (Britton was out of town so they asked Patrick to go in his ...Uncle Patrick’).  They had cookies and milk, played with play doh and read stories.  They all had fun!

We are officially library cardholders, which is exciting.  The library is a couple blocks away and I have already spent a good bit of time there.  It is very kid friendly!  I did my first grocery-shopping trip where I walked and carried my groceries– I am now a local.  I will say this… I can’t wait to have a stroller to carry the groceries for me.

On Wednesday I picked up the “littles” from school and we watched Polar Express – It was a BLAST!  I love those little girls!

Patrick got to come to the doctor with me this week and hear the heard beat.  She said everything looks great (baby is head down, etc).

 Friday night we went to Stanford to see an Art/Engineering exhibit that one of friends was apart of – it was really neat.  The students had two weeks to create anything they wanted – so all of the projects were very interesting.

 We spent our entire day on Saturday in a birthing class (9-5) – it was LONG but informative.  Patrick kept joking that he hoped I would go into labor so we could leave.  We are happy to have it behind us, but do feel like we learned a lot. 

Sunday was our big Christmas service – it was with both church sites.  It was called lessons and carols.  There was a choir and musicians/orchestra and we sang carols and then after the songs someone read scripture and it went like that until the sermon.  It was a great sermon – reminding us the reason for the season.  Patrick ended up playing in the intramural championship with RUF and they won.  So now he has a championship shirt!  Lucky guy, one game and he is a champion!  After the game we had some friends over for dinner – our first time hosting in our new home. 

Nesting

Week 3

So from here on out I think the blogs will be much shorter…. Life might not be as exciting and interesting as the first couple of weeks (maybe once the baby comes).   
Patrick was out of town Sunday to Thursday in Waller, Texas for a business trip.  The trip went really well.  I kept busy unpacking and hanging out with the Woods and some other new friends.  While Patrick was gone…I finished unpacking the house (got the last box unpacked on Wed), got the nursery mostly set up, set up the internet, made some meals for the freezer and did a little baking – oh lets not forget… watched a TON of Christmas movies.

I had my second doctors appointment – still love my doctor – she is more like a friend than a doctor – super easy to talk to.  She recommended/ strongly suggested us doing a “practice run” at the hospital so we know where we are going and can feel comfortable and in control in at least one part of that day.  So on Sunday after church and lunch we drove over to the hospital and luckily they were pretty slow – so a nurse showed us around.  We do feel more comfortable and confident and actually know where to go.  Also, it is nice because the hospital is about 5 minutes or so from our apartment.

We picked up the second car when he got back – so now we are officially all moved.  Sadly, we learned this week that we have to register both cars within 20 days of them first being operated in the State AND get new drivers licenses.  BAH!!  What a crazy rule.  We were not planning on doing either of these things, but they force you to become an official resident.  So, next week I will spend some serious time at the DMV – oh the sights of California. 

This weekend we got our last two pieces of furniture, car seat and snap and go stroller.  The Woods donated a couch and Patrick began building a bed frame (hooray for being able to get out of bed without assistance).  We also got our Christmas Tree!!!

On Saturday we finished setting up and decorating the nursery (It is nice to finally nest).  We also took the Wood’s big girls (Mary Walton and Shelby) to a parade in Redwood City.  It was so much fun!  They got to see Santa and fireworks – we had a blast!

Week 2 on the West Side

Thanksgiving week – This week was our first week in our apartment. 

After setting up the bed the next big thing to unpack was the kitchen.  Monday I had my first big grocery shopping adventure and then we had community group, which was just game playing this week. 

Tuesday WE GOT OUR FIRST CAR!!  This made us really feel like we live here.  I had my first appointment with my new doctor.  She is great!

Wednesday I helped Elizabeth with Thanksgiving prep and we made these really cute cupcakes for the kids in the shape of Turkeys.  

Thursday/ Thanksgiving we spent with the Woods.  They had some students over as well as some people from church.  We were in charge of making the mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and whipped cream.  It was kind of a potluck meal (everyone brought their food that made Thanksgiving special for them) and it was so DELICIOUS!!  Thursday night we decided to do some Black Friday shopping.  We waited in line at Target from 8-12 and got a TV.  It was actually really fun.  We made friends with the people sitting behind us.  They brought bored games so we played Apples to Apples, cards, pictionary, etc.  We were maybe the 20^th people in line – so when the doors opened at 12 we were in and out in about 20 minutes.  

Friday we set up the crib and then headed to San Francisco for the Macy’s tree lighting – we decided to take the Caltrain for the first time.  We went a little early so we could walk around Union Square before the lighting.  The festival was fun.  They had an ice-skating performance by Johnny Weir, a few choirs singing and then SANTA did the countdown for the tree lighting.  We ate at a little diner downtown called Mel’s drive-in on the way to the Caltrain (it obviously wasn’t really a drive-in).  

Saturday we explored Ikea and Costco and got a dresser for the baby’s room. 

Sunday Patrick left for Texas for a business trip at 6AM.  I went to church and then made an advent wreath after church with some other families.