Going Bananas.....or not?!

Well the 6 months check up came and went for my little Kenzie Grace and the doctor said those dreaded words, "time to start baby food". While it was exciting with Kylie, I quickly learned that the bottle was so much easier. So with Kenzie, I was holding off as long as possible. I came home and headed out to the grocery store to gather up all the essentials. Stage one baby food, rice cereal and new sippy cups for her introduction to watered down juice. To make a long story short, she HATES it! Not just a normal dislike which results in spitting it back out or clenching her lips together. Her refusal consists of gagging herself to make herself literally throw up the food. It's unbelievable! I have never seen a baby do this before! Kylie loved baby food and loved all kinds of table food. Not only has she stopped eating it altogether and making herself throw up, she has started waking up at all hours of the night! And when I say all hours, I'm talking about 1, 3, 6, and 7am then up for the day at 8:30! She has definitely been my trying child. She has rolled over a few times from her back to her belly, but never the other way around. She is very stubborn to say the least. She definitely knows what she likes and doesn't like and she's not afraid to vocalize it. This is the beginning of an interesting life with my little Kenzie Grace. She is my booger! But nevertheless, I love her with all my heart.

Dear Kenzie

Dear my sweet baby girl,
Just as with your sister, you were a little suprise from the Lord. I was able to hold you the moment you were born which was very special for me. I remember being so exhausted but excited to see your sweet little face that looked so scared with all the noise and lights. Me and your daddy just stared at you and kept telling you how much we loved you and how precious you were to us. You are still so young right now, so there is not much that we have shared as far as life experiences goes. You really dont understand things going on around you yet, except for when daddy and I get on the floor and talk and smile with you. And for us, thats all we need. :) We love making you laugh and smile and in return you make us smile and laugh as well. You love your sissy so much! We play in her room alot and I let you and Kylie lay in her bed and play. It is so sweet to watch you watch your sissy and smile and laugh at her. I hope yall grow up to be as close as your aunt moo moo and I are. I love you very much and cannot wait to watch you grow up and develop your own individual personality and interests. Your daddy and I could not imagine life without you and Kylie. I never thought after your sissy, that I would be able to love another child that much, but the moment I held you, I realized that it was more than possible. I fell head over heels in love with your little face. You already have such a distinct personlity and love for life. You are constantly smiling and happy. You are a beautiful baby! I love you very much and thank the Lord every day that I get the privilege of being your mommy. One day, when you have kids of your own, you can look back and read this letter and know just how much I love you and your sister. I won't always do everything perfectly, but I am going to try to do my best to be the best mom I can be for you and Kylie. I love you very much my little angel.

Dear Kylie

Dear Kyliebeth,
You were my first little bundle of joy. I will never forget the way I felt when I found out you were on your way. It was such a mixture of emotios. I was shocked, nervous and excited all at the same time. Since you were the first, I had no idea what to expect or what to do. The first time I ever saw you, I was at a loss for words. The only thing I could think about was how much you looked like your daddy. He brought you over to me and held you close to my face and your big, brown eyes looked right, dead at mine, as if to say "here I am mommy!" I couldnt wait to get out of recovery and hold you. It seemed like an eternity before that happened. But when they finally brought you to me, it was love at first sight. I have loved you more and more since that day. That's not to say that I haven't been frusturated with you a time or two since then! lol! But you will always be my heart. I have enjoyed getting to experience all of your "firsts" with you. Your first step, word (ma ma)...ect. It has been a fun journey to say the least. You have grown up so fast right before my eyes. It seems like just yesterday I brought you home from the hospital. Last night I went into your room while you were sleeping to make sure you were covered up and wiped your hair back and just looked at how big you have gotten. You are growing into a beautiful, little girl with so much life and creativity! I love playing dress up with you, and painting our nails together and watching princess movies, and singing the back up music for you and your daddy to dance too! You hold a special place in your daddy's and my heart.It is almost safe to say that we have grown up together. I felt like a kid ,myself, when I had you. You have taught me alot about myself as well as how to love unconditionally. I love you very much sweetheart and am looking so forward to watching you grow up into a beautiful little princess and pray that you serve the Lord with all the wonderful talents He's already given you.

Journal Entry

I think sometimes, as a mother, I can get overwhelmed by life's day to day chores. With opting to stay at home with your children instead of going to work, the critisism is everywhere. It's been said that all we do is stay home and channel surf and busy ourselves with nonsense. I dont feel however that they are fair remarks to make. If I'm not careful I find myself getting very discouraged at such ignorant comments. Then I have to remember that I'm doing what Aaron and I feel is best for our family right now. That is not to say that one day, it may be necessary for me go back to work, but for right now, I'm doing "my job" just as Aaron is doing his.
I love spending time with my girls and being apart of all their accomplishments as well as helping to develop their creative mind. Kylie and I have so much fun playing dress up, and painting our fingernails and toenails, that soemtimes I find myself enjoying it! It's almost sad to think about how many times I've been anxious for her to get up from her nap so we can play! lol! The things I enjoy with Kenzie are more limited right now. We basically just sit and look at each other and make faces and laugh. But for now, that is enough. I love every smile and coo. I hope one day, when they are reading this back to themselves, they will not think that because they were unplanned, they were unwanted. From the second we found out they were on their way, I did whatever I could to make sure they would grow properly and be healthy. I love my family. Although were not perfect parents and Kylie and Kenzie are not perfect kids, its is our family and we are thankful for the responsibility the Lord has entrusted into our care.

Mackenzie Grace

Aaron and I had talked about having more children but just did not feel like it was the time yet. Kylie was only 2 and we were just enjoying watching her grow and all the different milestones she was accomplishing. Right before we left for Christmas vacation 08' to go to Aaron's familie's in Goldsboro, I had that all too familiar feeling in my gut that I might be expecting. So without Aaron knowing, I took a test an it came back negative. So I figured that I was just getting too stressed and it would all be fine. We enjoyed Christmas and I still was wondering what was going on with me. The plan for this Christmas was that my family would meet me at my house to enjoy Christmas after we got back from Goldsboro. The day we returned home, I was conviced that something was not right. Everyone was in the kitchen getting supper ready and so I slipped out and did another test. It was quickly apparent that I was expecting again! I could not believe it! I began banging on the wall and yelling for Aaron to come in our bedroom and all I could do was hand him the test. We just stared at each other and he tried to reassure me that it was going to be alright. I stuck the test in my pocket and joined my family in the kitchen. Before I knew what i was doing, I had flashed it out of my pocket and buried my face in my dad's chest. Needless to say, everyone was thrilled! Because of my emergency C-section with Kylie, I was worried that it was going to be mandatory for another one. My doctor, however, said that he would allow me to try to have her naturally if thats what I really wanted. I said, "YES!" I later found out that he never thought I'd actually last. :) He didn't know my will power! lol! She was due September 2, but at about 24 weeks, I began to dialiate and was put on partial bedrest. During my pregnancy with her, we also moved into a new house, and Aaron was in the process of building a cabin, so there was alot going on. I went into labor by myself at 37 1/2 weeks. Kenzie Grace was born on August 21,2009 at around midnight. It was the most incredible thing I've ever experienced. It was a special moment for Me, Aaron, and my mom that I will never forget. God is so good!

Kylie Elizabeth Pendergraft

About 10 months after Aaron and I had been married, we found out that the Lord had different plan for our lives than we had originally planned for ourselves. We were expecting our first child. It wasn't the way we had expected to be expecting to say the least! lol! As with any other couple, we had envisioned deciding to have a baby together and being elated to find out that we were having one! Thats not exactly how it all played out the day we found out Kylie was on her way! LOL! But with time, we came to accept it and be excited.
It was not the easiest pregnancy in the world, but definitely not the hardest. I was really sick for the first 3 months. I had to be hospitalized once for being so dehydrated. We found out it was a girl about halfway through the pregnancy. Her name was not something we debated because I had always said that if I ever had a little girl, I was going to name her after my dad, kyle, because he never had any boys to name after himself. So it was settled, she would be Kylie Elizabeth.
My due date was December the 12th and right on cue that night, I went into what I thought was active labor! However, upon arriving at the hospital, they told me to walk around for an hour and come back and they would decide whether or not to admit me from there. Sure enough, after walking around, and hugging all the walls in pain about every 2 minutes, they admitted us and we called all of our family. We were very nervous, but excited at the same time.
I was put in a room and all the paperwork was done, IV put in and Epidural started. Which we would find out later, DID NOT WORK! Aaron's family and mine got there and about the time we were ready to start everyone left except Aaron and my mom. The whole process had been going on now for about 8 or 9 hours and then I started to notice alot of extra nurses coming in my room and they didn't exactly have the "happy arrival of a new baby" look on their faces. I heard a heartbeat get louder on one of the monitors, but I assumed it was mine so I was not worried. I found out later that it was Kylie's. She had gotten stuck while I was trying to deliver her and her heart rate was dropping. So my doctor decided to do an emergency C-section. I was so upset. Aaron wasn't really sure bout going in so he said my mom could, but at the last minute changed his mind. It seemed like seconds later and we heard Kylie cry. It was the most relieving sound to hear. Aaron brought her to me and I remember thinking,"oh my word! she looks just like aaron!" and sure enough, she still does, big brown eyes and all. She has been such a wonderful addition to our lives. We wouldn't trade her for anything in the world!
Kylie Elizabeth Pendergraft, December 13, 2006 7:26 am - 8lbs. 9oz.

My Husband

Aaron and I met when we were in high school at competitions between our schools, such as SACS and state ball tournaments. We had seen each other several times but never really talked. From high school, we then attented Southeastern FWB College in Wendell, NC. I was a year ahead of him, so I finished my 2 year business degree and then started to get a 4 year eductaton degree in 3 years. Aaron and I dated for the 4 years we were there together and got engaged our junior year. We got married the summer after we graduated on June 10, 2005, and then moved to Florence, SC to serve there at the First Free Will Baptist and Maranatha Christian School. We have been serving there ever since. We have been so lucky to find each other. Many would say that we are a disaster waiting to happen because we can stand a good discussion or two! lol! But thats what make us......US! We love the way we are and wouldn't trade it for any Lucy and Ricky relationship in the world! Our marriage is alot of fun and never a dull moment. We love most all of the same things. I love a good ballgame as much, if not more than he does! We are a perfect fit! I am thankful that the Lord helped us to find each other and stick with it!