Artistic weekend

In honor of FestivALL this weekend, we created our own work of art. After we enjoyed seeing pieces of artwork created by West Virginia State University students downtown on Saturday, we decided to paint some of our own on Sunday. We just loved all the activities of FestivALL this weekend. On Saturday, we visited the Smoke on the Water Chili Cookoff. Sunday we enjoyed the Ice Cream Social at Stonewall (in Mommy & Daddy's old stomping ground -- West Side) for a 1/2 hour before the rains came. So Mommy helped us top off our weekend of art by painting ceramic magnets and creating a suncatcher. There are many more activities this week in Charleston for FestivALL. To see a complete and fun schedule, visit http://media.cnpapers.com/festivall/ Mommy's friend, M.K., is one of the designers of this fun piece.

Belle's birthday highlights

Happy 3rd Birthday, Belle!

Belle celebrated her third birthday today, with family & friends and some unexpected guests. Typical Belle, not afraid, just picked up our unexpected guest (locust on her arm!) and wanted to share his visit with them all. Lilly & Mommy were happy to see him from a distance.

Lilly helped her celebrate her day with cake and fun in the water.

In small spaces

It's been a tough a few days in the Beckner house. Mommy is really busy with work this week ( an event on Thursday.) Daddy has been busy too. We've also had a lot of excitement with a visit from Granddaddy (who is in from Florida) and our extended family. We've had fun playing with Jesse, Ka-Ka, Aunt Dodie, Jonah, Aunt Grace and their dog, Hendrix. It's been so much excitement, though, it's been tough for us to settle down at night and go to sleep.

We've also been unusually rotten -- well, Lilly has. Tonight, while Mommy & Daddy changed out of their work clothes Lilly climbed into her bottom drawer and emptied it. She thought she was pretty funny. (as she says, "I funny.") During this adventure, I discovered the Easter card that Grandpa gave us and started dancing to the chicken dance. Mommy was glad that I quickly put it away though.

I'm pretty excited that my birthday is just three days away. I'll be three! Lilly keeps saying she's the same age as me. "I free," she says as she hold up all her fingers. Silly Lilly! She's such a baby! I'm such a big kid. Now, if I could just get that potty training down.

Accident-prone

It's official: Belle is accident-prone! I thought we'd escape the rest of her twos without another injury, but she snuck one in just a week before her birthday. She ran to get her shoes from the bench in our entryway, tripped on the rug and I believe caught her left ear on the corner of the bench. I didn't see the accident take place. I just saw her facedown on the floor, bawling. She didn't cry long. It bled a lot and I realized a trip to the ER was in our near future. I called Daddy to return from the store "Now!" And called Granny & Pawpaw for reinforcements as I didn't want to wake the crank monster known as Lilly from her afternoon beauty rest.

I thought for sure Belle needed stitches. But the wonderful staff at Women's & Children's ER (whom Belle entertained with her witty conversation) told us it was a clean cut and could easily be glued back together! Wish I would have known that -- I know I have superglue somewhere in this house!

So now the rule is running is forbidden in the Beckner household (outside okay; inside -- absolutely not!) Any offenses of this rule are punishable by spanking. Belle nearly suffered the same accident tonight because she was running. I think three more gray hairs popped out in my head this weekend.

Visiting the Mountains

It's becoming a tradition to visit the family cabin in Pocahontas County for Memorial Day Weekend. The girls were eager to visit the mountains or as Belle referred to it -- Capitol Market. She confused cabin with Capitol Market.

We had a wonderful weekeend with Grandma and Grandpa. Among our adventures we took a trip on "Thomas the Train" to Whittaker station at Cass. Belle enjoyed the trains except for when the whistle blowed. "It's to noisy," she said.

Grandpa took the girls for a short fishing trip to Seneca Lake. Belle was more interested in reeling in the line than waiting for a fish to take bite the bait. Lilly just wanted to get in the water.

Once again, we visited the playground at Green Bank Elementary. On one visit, Belle discovered a fuzzy caterpillar and picked it up. Lilly wouldn't hold it or touch the fishing worms. Belle is certainly more outdoorsy than Lilly, but both girls enjoyed playing outside at the cabin -- taking many trips down to the bridge to throw rocks into the creek (just like Aunt Sara and Mommy when they were little.)

Monkeying Around

In today's fast-pace world -- full of learning your ABC's and new ditties -- it's more important than ever to just let your hair hang down and play. That's why Lilly and I just monkeyed around today -- literally! I shared my monkey costume with Lilly tonight while we played dress up. Sometimes, we pretend we're princesses. Other times we're pirates, or lions, cats or dogs! For the most part, we have a good time. Ocassionally, Mommy has to come in and break up a fight -- usually when I've had enough of my little sister.

Here's a study the AAP released about the importance of play: http://www.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm

This is my ticket to getting Mommy to let us just goof off more!

Transitioning to a Big Girl

We had an exciting day today. Mommy & Daddy took us to a "special place" as Mommy told Belle this morning. We went to a really neat museum right here in our own town, the Clay Center. It was fun. Belle and I especially liked the exhibit about Earthquakes that had lots of water displays. Mommy wasn't too happy that we were able to get messy. We also enjoyed the gizmo factory -- with lots of neat science projects like this cool mirror.

Later, Mommy decided she'd switch out my crib for a big girl bed, like Belle has. Notice my bed is exactly like Belle's -- even with a Dora sheet. I've been climbing into Belle's bed for weeks now. Mommy asked me if I wanted one and I said yes. So she gave me one today, but when it came time to sleep in it tonight, I wasn't very happy about it. In fact, I screamed and refused to sleep in it. So Mommy took me downstairs and let me sit with her until I fell asleep. She tried to carry me back to bed, but I was too smart for her and woke up. Bedtime began at 9 p.m. (after all the rearranging of furniture) and I finally went to sleep at 11:20. Mommy had to get tough with me and spank me (read: lightly swat) on the leg and put me back into the bed. I cried for about 10 minutes before I passed out -- with my legs hanging off the side of the bed! I got in the last word!

Rain, rain

It's raining. It's pouring. The old man is snoring....

Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day. We want to play! And Mommy won't let us go outside if it's cold and raining! Mommy says I (Belle) have to be more careful when I go out because I had an allergic reaction to grass (or something outside) after I rolled down our hill Friday. I had a bad rash and my eye swelled real big on Saturday. I sneezed a lot and was just down right miserable.

Daddy bought some special lotion for me to stop the itching. He put it on my rash after I had a bath Sunday night. But my legs still itched. So I climed up on my changing table, opened the tube of cream and smeared it all over both of my legs. I couldn't figure out how to get back down from the changing table though, so I had to yell for Mommy to come and get me. Daddy was pretty angry with me for making a mess and climbing up there. He said I could have fallen and broken another bone. I think Mommy was snickering under her breath, but she told me not to do it again and to ask for help next time!

Circus & a birthday party

Grandpa turns 55 tomorrow. We're happy that we were able to celebrate his birthday with him this weekend with a trip to the circus. Belle enjoyed the elephants and the tigers. I especially liked the trapeze artists. And who could resist all the great food? Sno-cones and popcorn. Mmm. Mommy, Aunt Sara and Belle showed off their sno-cone tongues. The elephants were amazing at how they can stand on their noses. The small dogs that jump and do turns were pretty funny as well. At times, we were scared at the trapeze artists would fall. Belle kept saying he's going to fall, Mommy. I think she actually got scared a bit.

Later we celebrated Grandpa's birthday with a special dinner at Soho's and of course I had to ham it up a bit!

It was so much fun to see Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sara. Aunt Sara was so much fun. She taught us how to roll down the hill. I then helped clean up by brushing the grass of her back. I'm helpful that way!

New Heights

Purpose in Play

Another fascinating lesson I (Rachelle) learned while visiting San Diego is the importance of play. I'll wait while you finish laughing. Yes, I know that you find it difficult for me -- the girl who was born an adult -- to truly appreciate play. I have to admit that I cringed when this wonderful speaker, Kevin Carroll, told us -- an audience of more than 500 fundraisers -- that we need to learn how to play! But play is essential to our creativity, energy and enthusiasm for life. Play taught Mr. Carroll to never give up on his dreams.

Mr. Carroll's love for play (and sports in particular) led to a successful career in the NBA, at Nike and now as an author and speaker who travels the world. During his presentation, Mr. Carroll presented to us various soccer balls he has collected from around the world. They were pathetic -- a ball of grocery bags held together with string or threads of rubber from an old tire. He traveled the world, promoting play and took with him new soccer balls to give to children in third world countries who were thrilled to play soccer with a bundle of grocery bags!

The lesson to take away from Kevin Carroll's speech (and his book The Rules of the Red Rubber Ball -- hence the photo) is this: Each day find time to play. Play to you may mean planting some flowers, or riding a bike, or going for a run. And so whether your play is taking your first turn down a slide (Lilly) or swinging upside down (Belle), take time to play each day.

To learn more about Mr. Carroll (also known as littlefastkid) and/or receive more of his insights visit: http://www.katalystatlarge.com/

A lesson in motherhood from Jane Goodall

Until I decide to create my own blog, I'm going to share with Belle & Lilly.

It's funny how life lessons are presented to you in the strangest places. Many of you know that I recently attended a fundraising conference in San Diego, California. Dr. Jane Goodall (yes, the one who studied chimpanzees) was a plenary session speaker. While the conference's focus was on fundraising, Ms. Goodall shared her life story with us. And rather than picking up new ideas for how to ask for money from Jane, I learned a lesson in motherhood.

See, Jane shared stories about where her childhood and how her mother is the reason why she is where she is today. As a young girl, poor and living in the country in England, Jane loved to play outside. One evening, she brought four earthworms with her to bed. Did her mother go balistic when she discovered Slimey and his friends were camping out with Jane for the night? No! She didn't strip the bed, throw the sheets in the wash and all the while fuming about the mess. Jane's mother simply explained to her that if she kept the earthworms with her in bed they would die because they needed the soil to live. So Jane toddled back downstairs, outside to deposit her friends back into the garden.

Jump ahead a couple of decades, Jane's mother encouraged her to save her money to make her first trip to Africa to study the chimpanzees and when the British government said they wouldn't let Jane sit out in the jungle to study chimps without an escort her mother gladly volunteered to join her for four months in the African jungle.

Now I'm not jumping at the chance to sit in the woods and study deer poopies (as Belle likes to refer to them) but I realized one important lesson that day. Rather than squashing my daughter's natural curiosities, I could encourage them. I could not jump off the deep end when she wants to jump into a mud puddle or collect caterpillars in her jacket pocket. I could, instead, jump in that puddle with her and help her identify which type of caterpillar she has found. Who knows? Maybe one day, she will become a Jane Goodall.

(to learn more about Dr. Goodall's work today, visit http://www.rootsandshoots.org/)

Celebrating Easter

We had a wonderful time celebrating Easter with our family. I can't even count how many times we hunted for Easter eggs. This is my new favorite pasttime. I love to search for plastic eggs and see what's inside them. Sometimes there's candy; sometimes there's money! We enjoyed church on Sunday. I proved yet again I was a big kid by attending Kid's Kingdom all on my own. Lilly cried and had to go back with Mommy. I heard later that she helped Pastor Kevin with his sermon by saying "sorry" after he told the church to say you're sorry a couple of times. Everyone around Lilly laughed. I just love holidays. I can't wait for the next one -- which I hope is my birthday!

I'm a Big Girl now

I'm on my way to becoming a big girl. Today, for the first time, I pee-peed in the potty! I sat down to watch my Letter Factory video and while Mommy stepped away to get Lilly lunch I peed in the potty! Daddy & Mommy were so proud of me they took me later to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate. Unfortunately, on the way home I peed in my big girl pants. Oops! Well, it's a start anyway. Watch the video that Mommy put together of some funny moments from our trip today.

Lilly's first experience with school

Not the best pictures but these are the last moments in the house before Lilly headed off to her first day of "school." Ms. Kim, the director at Belle's pre-school, said Lilly could start attending on Fridays for Kid's Play with Belle. Lilly was so excited when I told her on Thursday that she threw her arms in the air and yelled, "yeah!"

On the way to school, I started getting nervous about whether Lilly would cry when I left. She was so excited to attend on Thursday but when we arrived at the church this morning I had to practically push her through the classroom door. She stood back and watched as Belle ran off immediately to play with toys and say hello to friends. Lilly cried a little, but Ms. Kim took her under her wing and started playing with her and she was fine. When Granny picked them up from school this afternoon, the girls were eating lunch. Miss Lisa, Belle's teacher, said to Granny boy she likes to eat doesn't she -- meaning Lilly. We had a good laugh over that. We'll see how interested Lilly is in school next week.

Spring is in the air

We all got outside today to enjoy the sunshine and warm air. How refreshing to be outside... to run and explore, slide and laugh. It was a welcomed break from the duldrums of winter! Here are some highlights from us frollicking in the sun today.

Silly moments

So much trauma and drama has happened in our family (immediate and extended) that we thought we'd share some lighter moments with you. I just love to wear my hats around the house and dance around. This weekend, I had my first opportunity to paint, like my big sister. It was so much fun. Mommy will have to scan our artwork so we can post it on the blog for you.

Healing

We're all healing from one thing or another. My arm is getting better. Although when my medicine wears off, it starts to hurt. I finally returned to school this week. Miss Velva (my teacher) told Mommy I gave her a heartache because I tumbled down two stairs and my friend, Maggie, pulled me around by my bad arm. It's been nice to be back to school and see all my friends.

I'm sorry that it's been a week since we've written on our blog. Mommy has been busy with work. She had to work late twice this week. We visited the orthopedic doctor on Monday and he gave me a new robot arm to wear. It fits a lot better. He said I have to wear it for three weeks. I'm already tired of it. Mommy isn't a big fan now either since it's beginning to be stinky -- especially since I vomited on it Thursday night. Yes, our whole family has been sick to the stomach this week.

Lilly is still recovering from her cold, but I think we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're just all ready for Spring.

We posted this photo so you can see how long my hair is getting and what a big girl I'm growing up to be. I finally let Mommy put a ponytail in my hair! Hope all of you are healthier than we've been.

First broken bone

Unfortunately, it appears that Belle is going to take after her Daddy and be accident-prone. Not yet three, Belle has already suffered her first broken bone. Again following in her Daddy's first steps, Daredevil Belle leaned too far over the side of her bed and toppled over, bumping her head and hurting her wrist. On first inspection, she seemed fine. Later in the evening after the motrin wore off (which we're giving her because she has RSV), her wrist started to her. She cried out in pain during bathtime; her thumb area turned purple. So we made a trip to HealthPlus. Of course, by the time we reached HealthPlus she was acting fine so I thought maybe it is just stoved, but X-rays revealed a small fracture in her right wrist. It's not big; not near a growth plate so it should heal fine. For now, she is wearing a splint. We see a orthopedic doctor tomorrow. She will have to wear either a brace or cast for about a month just to stablize the area so it can heal.

She charmed the pants off all the nurses during our visit. The nurse who treated her really helped me out by telling Belle how pretty she looked in her new armband. Belle smiled and said yeah! When we left she told the nurse, I feel all better! She didn't even throw a fit about wearing her new armband to bed.

Test results

The echo showed that Lilly has a small hole in her heart. It's called Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). This is from the American Heart Association website: "The septum is a wall that separates the heart's left and right sides. Septal defects are sometimes called a "hole" in the heart. A defect between the heart's two lower chambers (the ventricles) is called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). If the opening between the ventricles is small, it doesn't strain the heart. In that case, the only abnormal finding is a loud murmur."

The treatment at this point is to give her antiobiotics before any dental work is done; aggressively treat colds and ear infections and monitor her condition, including with a yearly echo. We'll proceed like this unless Dr. Rubin hears something different during a check up.

Dr. Rubin suggests that the hole was always there but is closing up as she grows (typically happens as children grow). As the hole has gotten smaller, the blood rushing through the hole has become louder, thus he heard the murmur for the first time on her recent visit.

We appreciate the prayers and ask you keep Lilly's health on your prayer list.

Heart murmur

I've had an exciting week. Not only did I visit Dr. Rubin on Monday for my well baby check up, but I got to visit some special people at Women's and Children's Hospital today. During my routine check up on Monday (during which I received two shots in the legs), Dr. Rubin discovered a murmur in my heart. He ordered a round of tests for me and today Mommy, Daddy and me made a visit to the hospital.

First up, we visited the respiratory lab, where I had an echo and then an EKG performed on me. The technician, Shawn, was very funny. He made lots of animal sounds and noises to keep me occupied while he squirted cold stuff on my chest and ran this funny machine on me. I was fine with the machine for about five minutes and then I wanted to move around. Next up, I had several stickers placed on my chest and arms and little cords ran from them to a machine. I had to be very still and quiet and then Shawn played a monster toy for me that sang and made me laugh.

Next, we visited Radiology where I had a chest X-ray of my heart. I wasn't happy with this procedure because the nurses weren't very nice and they strapped my arms by my head. Luckily, it only took a minute for them to take two pictures of my chest. One of the nurses asked Mommy if we'd been there before because she recognized Mommy. Mommy had to explain that she visited the same department last year at this time with Belle for her kidney reflux.

I'm not worried about my test results and you shouldn't be either. Mommy said since she told people about the test that no less than five people have told her they also have heart murmurs and don't have any problems. So we're pretty sure that Dr. Rubin is just being cautious with my health.

P.S. -- I weigh 23 lb.s 12 oz. (still 50th percentile) and I'm 33 3/4 inches tall (still 95th percentile).

Miscellaneous from Morgantown

Last weekend, we went with Mommy to visit Grandpa and Grandma. These are just a few shots from our visit. We also helped our second cousin, Kadence celebrate her first birthday. I (Belle) especially enjoyed helping her eat her birthday cake! Today, we hung out with Daddy watching football. Apparently it was a big game. Daddy was really upset when his beloved Patriots didn't win the "souper bowl." :-(