After nine months of anticipation, worry, heartache, joy and, well, stress, and after 2 and a half months without these (or any other sugary foods, including the pregnancy staple, ice cream)

and 2 months of testing blood glucose levels....

GUMMY SHARK IS FINALLY HERE! He arrived on Friday morning, August 6, at 8:10 am after 5 hours of labor. His official name is Finnegan Roscoe Pollard, but his full "Pollard" name is Finnegan Roscoe Gummy Shark Pollard. I am Keegan Alexander Irish Prince Pollard. Dada is Angus Alexander Ogilvey McTavish Pollard.

Gummy looked a little like me when he was born, but he also looks quite a bit different -- most notably is his full head of brown hair (like mama when she was born), but it's in the same shape as dada's hairline. Mama was both happy and sad that Gummy doesn't have my swirl of hair.
Crazy feet! Look how far he spreads out his big toe from the rest of them!

Dada and his new little man, who came dangerously close to being named Finnegan Dodge Pollard because he was almost born in dada's truck. Good news is that so far, Dada has eluded any illnesses that he suffered when I was born.
I came up to the hospital to meet Gummy (yes, I am still calling him Gummy and not showing any signs that I plan to call him Finn anytime soon) on Friday after swimming lessons. I love him!

I wanted to hug and kiss him, and needed to be reminded a lot to be gentle.

I even got to hold Gummy. He was a little nervous, but all went well.
I left the hospital so that everyone could get some sleep.
Later that afternoon, I brought Ga and Papa to the hospital so they could meet Gummy.
Ga is in heaven, holding her new baby grandson.
Delicious cookie bouquet from mama's work, and mama got her first blue boxes! A beautiful set of earrings and a necklace from dada for a push present. Dada just bought it the day before - right on time!
I came back to the hospital on Saturday to hang out with Gummy some more. I am still working on "gentle."
Tons of kisses for my new little brother.

Even though it was super hot, last Sunday dada took me and mama to the park so that we could do some fishing. Dada made me my very own fishing rod, in my favorite colors, so we wanted to test it out.

I had as much fun with the worms as with the fishing. I am all boy, no doubt about it.
See my cool rod? And tackle box? A fisherman must have good gear.
We cast into the water.
And just like that, we caught a fish! Dada wanted me to kiss him for luck!
Our prize catch!
What a perfect evening. The last outing as a family of three....

Grandma and Grandpa are here!!!

A few weeks ago, Grandma and Grandpa flew in from Chicago to visit so that Ga could go visit her family in Canada.

It was blazing hot outside, but I got in some good Jeep driving time. I was stubborn and insisted on driving in the grass even though I kept getting stuck.
We went on lots of adventures while mama and dada were at work. One day we went to the Children's Museum. I had a blast playing in the grocery store - look at my basket all filled up with fruits and veggies.
I got a chance to ride in a Police car, and not as a criminal.
Another day, we went to the Museum because I begged to go back to see more dinosaurs. I love this place now, thanks Luke.
On the weekend, we went to the beach to hang out with Papa, who was lonely because Ga was gone. Look how big Gummy is getting in mama's tummy! We took lots of golf cart rides to the beach. We were waiting for Grandpa to change into his bathing suit in this picture -- can you feel how impatient I am.
But once we got to the beach, Grandpa bought me an ice cream from the ice cream man, so all was forgiven. It was my first chocolate banana bomb pop, and hoo boy, it was tasty. I was sad to say good bye to Grandma and Grandpa, but I know they are coming back soon to visit after Gummy is born. I was also really, really happy to see Ga again - I sure did miss her!

The day after my birthday party, we went to Luke's fourth birthday party at the Museum of Natural Science. I had never been there before, and spent a lot of time doing this...

looking at things like this. I was in awe of all the dinosaurs and other creatures.
My buddy Luke and I touching one of the dinosaur's teeth.
I loved the part of Luke's party when the animal keeper brought around animals for us to touch, like this slimy salamander and even a big snake. I budged to the front of the line to get the first touch.

Fourth birthday party = Monster Truck Galore

I decided a few months ago that I wanted a monster truck birthday party this year. As a recap, I've had a 1 year party, a John Deere party, a Construction party and now a Monster Truck party. We got lots of cool party goods, including these Grave Digger party favor boxes. Mama and I stuffed them full of goodies like tatoos, stickers and Pop Rocks!
Mama made my cake, which was a cupcake cake with an Oreo cookie trail leading to a jump-over several Hot Wheels cars. It was super cool.

We had a cut out of a monster truck and all my guests had a chance to ride in Grave Digger, even dada!
When I got to the party, I had a surprise waiting for me....
A big white monster truck was parked outside the party and I got to sit in one of the wheels for this picture.
Here I am driving Grave Digger -- look at my "scary" face!
We rented a Monster Truck jumper. I begged mama to get inside and jump, but she declined because she didn't want to give birth to my little brother in a jumper.
My best buds the Bymans came to the party.
During the party, dada set up an obstacle course for the guests to run through on another part of the TaeKwonDo floor. It was super fun.
After that, we took a break for pizza, and then...
It was pinata time - my buddy Luke took some good whacks at the truck.
I took a few good whacks too. But thank goodness Harrison Powers was there, or we might still be sitting there waiting!
The kids made a mad dash for the candy grub!
Then we ate cake! Check out my #4 Monster Truck tshirt. My buddy Carter blew out the candle for me on my cake, and everyone got a good laugh.
Opening gifts was fun, and I got some great presents.

The Bymans stayed for the "after party", which means that Mr. and Mrs. Byman helped dada break down the party because mama was super pregnant and useless. The guys then played in the obstacle course that me, Luke and Davis set up for them.

I got a super cool authentic Italian soccer jersey from my Uncle Billy, Aunt Kristen and cousins Jamie and Katie. They just got back from a trip to Italy. I also got a Smart Car, which fits very nicely into my automobile collection.

Happy real birthday to me - July 8

My birthday fell on a Thursday this year, so I got to celebrate three times - once on "the day", also on Saturday for my party, and then with Grandma and Grandpa when they came to visit.
In the morning, I got some good stuff from mama and dada, who tried to be a little controlled in light of the fact that I get so spoiled from Ga and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa. This year I asked for a police station vehicle set (a tribute to my Uncle Chris), so I got a real die cast NYPD set. I also wanted a fire house set with a fire helicopter. I get some Cars cars, monster trucks and I am very into Battle Force 5, so I got a few of those too. Yes, I am still all about the vehicles.
I also got a big box of goodies from Aunt Bridey and my cousins -- I really enjoyed all the toys, books and the Cars pillow inside. There was also a super big monster truck. Sweet.

After mama and dada got home from work, I got a few more presents, like a construction legos set. I am not really into building what the pictures show, but I do like to just make my own things a lot.

Playing with all my toys...

I am 4! See the super cool cake Ga made me? It was a big cake on the bottom and cupcakes on the top, each one adorned with a different vehicle, and green sprinkles.

I picked the cupcake with the airplane. Delicious!