Son of a son of a sailor

Finally, for the first time in three years, Cindy and I will be taking a week long vacation together starting this weekend. The Kendrick family will be packing up our game and heading toward the east, Myrtle Beach that is (hence the beach music being played). Grandpa and Grandma are heading to the beach with us for some fun filled days of swimming in the pool, shopping at the outlets and introducing Abby to the exciting sport of go-kart driving. The condo we are staying at is just a mile from lots of dining and evening entertainment so hopefully we won't have to fight traffic. While there, we plan to kill several sea creatures for dinner (shrimp, flounder, squid, crabs, etc.). While we are away we have scheduled Stacey Heiler and her pack of 17 dogs to stay at our house to keep things safe. Have a great week at work suckers!

No Craniocap!

Praise the Lord! Abby went for her six month check up today and we found out she was not going to have to wear one of those dreaded baby helmets. The doctor thought her head looked much better and very symmetrical. She also received another round of immunizations- yuck! She weighed in at
17 lbs 2oz, a little over 26 inches long and stayed in the 75% for everything. She is a healthy, happy baby and we praise God for her health!

Abby's Trip to the Promised Land..

If you know Heth well enough you know where the promised land is-- Alabama of course. It was Abby's first trip to Grammy, Paw Paw's, Nana and Pop's house. We were a little nervous about the six hour drive but Abby did great. On the way back yesterday she did get a little fussy the last hour and half, but can you blame her. I told Heth if fussing and crying out were the only way I could communicate that I was tired of being in the car I'd be doing the same thing. Overall she did really well. We stayed at Grammy and Paw Paw Kendrick's house Thursday and Friday night. We enjoyed visiting and eating all of the fresh vegetables from PawPaw's garden. We were also able to be there for Brody's 5th birthday party on Saturday. Every year we get the invitation we talk about going and surprising Aunt Erica and this year actually did. Brody was so excited to see his Uncle Heth - who he absolutely adores. The party was at an indoor pool where all the kiddies could swim and the adults like myself could relax in the hot tub. This was Abby's second time in the pool and she loved it even more this time. She swam with her daddy and Pop, and floated around in her little turtle float. Miss Bryleigh is now 14 months old and is the cutest little girl with her short curly hair. Her and Abby are going to be running around and playing together before we know it. We also visited with Heth's grandmother at her house for several hours on Friday. She was so excited to get to see all of her great grandchildren. Later on Friday we stopped to see Aunt Judy and Heth's cousin Darren at the restaurant they own. It was also their first time meeting Abby. We spent Saturday and Sunday at Nana and Pop's house eating homemade ice cream that pop made and eating fresh blueberries and tomatoes. Nana and pop played and read books to Abby trying to soak up the little bit of time we had. It was so great to see everyone and for Abby to get to meet some of Heth's family for the first time. We also stopped in Georgia to see Brad, Brooke and Brock. Brock is such a cutie! He loved watching Abby and trying to touch her hand and face. It was also great to get to visit with Brad and Brooke. Overall, it was a quick trip but we had a great time. I hate that we live six hours from Heth's family, but had he never followed God's call with his career we would have never met. I know it is all Gods plan but I do wish we were closer. But, everyone is always welcome to visit us anytime they'd like and we will surely be making some more road trips to Alabama. It should get easier as Abby will then be able to watch some DVD's while we ride. I just want Abby to be able to see all of her family as much as she can. Abby says she loves everyone and misses you already!

Dinner with Grandpa

While Grandma was away in Greenville,SC we invited Grandpa over last night and grilled some hamburgers. Here are some pictures that I took yesterday. Abby is getting bigger as you can see by the pictures of her in the highchair. She just turned 6 months old this past Weds. Wow is time flying by! She goes for her check up a week from Tuesday. Dr.Craig will be assessing her flat spot and will be able to tell us if she needs a craniocap. Her head looks a lot better but there is one place that has always been a little flat to me, so please pray that she won't have to wear one of those "baby helmets".

Lots of Firsts Today

Abby had lots of "firsts" today. We decided to take her to the pool and see if she liked it. We had a really cute turtle float with a sunshade, because I am terrified of her fair skin getting burned. So, at first she wasn't too crazy about the water being cooler than the bath water she is used to. But, after a while she warmed up to it and seemed to enjoy it. Later in the day we decided to go eat dinner at Red Robin and take her along since she had taken 3 really good naps today. I've found the better naps during the day, the better she does when we take her out later in the afternoon. As we walked into Red Robin she was amazed at all the balloons and so I grabbed a pink one for her to watch and play with while we ate. We decided not to lug in the crazy heavy car seat that I am so tired of carrying into places and try a high chair. She of course has her high chair at home that she uses but the restaurant ones require a little more independent sitting. We strapped her in and were so happy to see that she was able to sit by herself and did great. She loved looking around at Red Robin. It is so colorful with Neon signs on the wall, lots of ceiling fans for her to look at, colorful light fixtures and lots of kids. She was loving it to say the least. Smiling at people, squealing and just being happy. Soon she'll be able to ride in the buggies when we go to target or costco and that too will make me very happy. That carseat was about to break my back. Who needs to workout when you're lugging that thing around. Finally, Abby also got to spend some one on one time with daddy while I went to visit Eleni, Laura and Erin this afternoon. She loves spending time with her daddy!

Aunt Beth, do you recognize her cute Baby Banz hat? Thanks!



I know she's my baby, but she is pretty cute!

Just in case she ever wonders...

Just in case my Abby ever wonders how much her mom loves her I wanted her to get a glimpse into my heart. If you're reading this and think its a little sappy, well it may be. But, be reminded that I waited for my baby girl for 3 years, so just let me enjoy this mommy moment and document it for Abby to read one day.

My dearest Abby,
This time last year I was dreaming about your every detail. What color your hair would be, what your name would be, what your little baby hands and feet would look like. Now it's been almost six months since you stepped into our world and changed our lives for the better. With every day you bring me more and more joy. Your smiles, your laugh, the way you hold your arms straight back when I hold you, all the sounds you make, the way you try and smile at me and take your bottle at the same time, and I could just go on and on. As I held you tonight I looked at your light golden brown hair, long eyelashes, big blue eyes, little fingers wrapped around my index finger, little baby arms, sweet round nose, heart shaped lips, and thought about how God was able to form this perfect baby girl- what a miracle in itself. In the midst of my joy I was overwhelmed by the love I felt for you. I just sat tonight and held you so tight and close to me that I know you felt my heart beating. You made noises as if you were humming a song to me. I was trying to soak up every emotion I felt over the past six months and praise God for giving you to us. As I waited for you to enter into this world for 3 years I only imagined how much I could love you and by far underestimated the depth of my love for you. I simply cannot take my feelings and find the words to write, it can't do my feelings justice. In this moment, I was also reminded of how our heavenly Father feels an even greater love for us and yet we can go days without looking up to glimpse at His glory. How He must feel when those that He loves never spend time with Him, yet He is always there waiting for us. I hope that we can teach you all of these things one day, and I thank God for your life and what a blessing it has been for me. So, just in case you ever wondered how much I love you, it is the deepest greatest love that my heart can't put into words.

Officially a Goodwill addict....

Okay, so I officially have an addiction to shopping at our local Goowdill store. And I refuse to release the location of the gold mine I have found near our house. My mom and I have been frequently, I won't say everyday but at least every other day, shopping and finding some incredible treasures. Here's just a sampling of what we've found recently: a great pack-n-play for my mom to have at her house, a Little Tykes picnic table with umbrella for an unreal price (it was brand new by the way), I found some Juicy couture pants, Tommy Hilfiger Jeans, Gymboree clothes for Abby, a radioflyer bike, baby dolls,etc. We have seriously found some great toys for Abby for crazy cheap prices. And, to top that off on Tuesdays senior citizens get a 25% discount and with my mom there we take advantage of that as well. Should I feel bad for getting a discount at the Goodwill?? I'm really not that cheap, just thrifty sometimes :) and amazed at what great things we can find. If I had the time I could shop all the stores and start selling my booty on Ebay. But for now I can just be proud of all the treasures we're finding and soon enough the garage that we won't be able to park a car inside!

More Pictures from Sunday's Dedication

Abby on the big screen at church. Here are some more pictures my dad took of the baby dedication on Sunday. Notice how she was staring intently at Mr.Kessler as he was praying as if she was going to chime in with an Amen at any second.

Abby's Baby Dedication

Abby did great today for her baby dedication at church. She was starting to get a little sleepy before the service started but was busy looking at the rose and all the lights during her dedication. Grandma,Grandpa, Uncle Michael and Aunt Helen were at church to watch and take pictures. Nana and Pop were able to watch via live streaming on the internet, Aunt Erica and Grammy and Pawpaw had trouble getting their internet to work so we'll have to send them a copy of the service on DVD. As we were waiting for the service to begin Heth mentioned to me that the last time we were on the stage at church was when we were getting married 5 1/2 years ago. Now we were standing there with our sweet baby girl vowing to pray for her and teach her about God. It was such a special time to also reflect back on all of the prayers that I prayed for a baby while sitting in those pews over the few years before Abby was born. Today we were able to stand there with our baby girl and promise to do our best to raise her in a christian home. Now my prayer for Abby is that she is healthy, happy, and grows up to love and serve the Lord.

Happy 4th of July!!

Today Heth and I had a short celebration of the 4th up at Birkdale village in Huntersville. We loaded up around 9:30 this morning and drove to Birkdale with Miss Abby. She enjoyed looking at the big interactive water fountain, shopping in a few stores, watching the parade of kids in wagons and others that decorated their bicycles, and eating some lunch out. Grandma and Grandpa met us as we were eating some lunch and about that time Heth started getting a migraine headache. I could tell he wasn't feeling well so we decided to head home so he could lay down. I feel so bad for him when he gets them because there is nothing I can do except leave him alone and try to make as little noise as possible. Of course on the drive home Abby decides that she's going to talk and squeal like a happy little baby would, oblivious to the fact that she is making her daddy's head pound with her squeals of joy. After getting back home Heth has been resting upstairs and even got sick a few times. This is probably one of the worst migraines he has had in a while. I suggested (again) that he go to the doctor and see if there is some medicine(s) that he can try once he feels the onset of a migraine coming. I had a migraine one time when I was pregnant and I thought I was having a stroke, had blurred vision and then after it was over felt like I had been hit by a truck. So, even though out 4th wasn't as eventful as we had planned we did have a fun brief visit to Birkdale. Tomorrow we get to celebrate Heth's 31st birthday. I bought him a new flat screen TV for the family room. He has been wanting one for a few years now and decided to surprise him last night. Well, Abby should be waking up from her nap soon, but here's a few pictures of her in her patriotic outfit today. Hope everyone had a great 4th!

Abby's First Overnight Trip

Well I survived my first trip away with Abby:) She did much better than I did! She slept well in her Packnplay and did great in the car. I'm not sure how she would do traveling much more than 3 hours right now. I on the other hand got food poisoning on Thursday night. I kept telling my mom I thought i was having some heartburn and feeling a little nauseated, and then right after I went to bed it all started up. I was up and down every hour throughout the night. Finally things slowed down by the morning but I felt awful. Then, I had to pack up all of our things and thank goodness my mom was with me to take care of Abby and drive us home. Right when I thought it was all over Friday afternoon it started up again. Needless to say I have not been that sick in a while. Then Sunday I felt nauseated all day long. Since having Abby in January I have felt that something with my digestive system is not quite right. I have had some abdominal pain and just feeling sick after eating certain types of food. I went to the Doctor yesterday thinking that it is my gallbladder. He ordered some blood work, and ultrasound, but is treating me right now for acid reflux. I should find out tomorrow if it is my gallbladder causing the problems. Today I continued to feel nauseus and had to be careful what I ate. (and NO I am not pregnant again!) I am hoping that tomorrow the doctor will be able to tell me what is going on once he gets the results to the tests. Please pray that all of this will pass and that it is just reflux. I really don't want to have my gallbladder taken out.
I did take some pictures while we were at my grandfather's house. Abby seemed to enjoy the trip seeing and meeting a lot of her family for the first time. We were able to eat lunch with Elaine, Naomie, Kimberly, Elloree, and cousin Stephanie on Weds. for lunch. I really hate that I didn't get any pictures. We also saw Diane, aunt Beth, and uncle Mack Weds. night. Then on Thursday saw Abby's cousins Helen and Gloria. Helen is 96 years old! They are my grandfather's brothers children on my mother's side. When we went to their house Abby just cried almost the whole time. There was something about them that she just wasn't sure of. In fact I've noticed that if she looks at someone and decides she doesn't like them she will definetely let you know. Overall we did have a great trip. Here are some pictures:








Abby in her new swing that daddy worked on while we were gone.