Melanie's 1st Mother's Day

For my very first Mother's Day, Becca, Bill, and I had an adventure.

We went to Kingsport in search of a special park for children of all abilities. There is a "Braille Trail" in the park which includes signs for blind children to read. Fragrant plants surround the trail to appeal to one's sense of smell. Special glasses are available at the park which obscure one's view helping sighted kids to walk a mile in a blind kid's shoes. This park opened in April and I had read about it in the newspaper a few weeks ago. The weather was beautiful and it was the perfect day to go exploring.
While we were there, we happened upon a curious wardrobe. It seemed odd that one might need heavy fur coats in the late spring!

In the wardrobe we discovered a secret door to a wonderful land. Becca made friends quickly with a gentleman faun named Mr. Tumnus who invited us back to his house for some tea (and formula). Becca had a lovely time with Mr. Tumnus and promised to visit again.

But when the White Witch found out about Becca's visit, she was very angry with Mr. Tumnus and she turned him into stone. Oh no!
The White Witch was angry indeed! So Becca went off in search of the White Witch and ran into the Beaver family along the way. The Beavers knew how Becca could save Mr. Tumnus - she needed Aslan to help!Becca didn't have to look far to find the White Witch because she was already driving her sleigh - and in hot pursuit of Becca's posse. (Come to think of it ... the White Witch looks a lot like Becca. Hmmm...)

So anyway, we finally ran into this Aslan guy and, as it turned out, he's one powerful dude! Aslan gave Becca a ride to the stone table where he offered his life to the White Witch in exchange for the little Becca.

But Alsan and his love are too powerful! He arose again to lead all of the good creatures in battle against the evil witch. We stormed the Witch's castle and broke Mr. Tumnus out of his stone curse. All was right in Narnia again!

Becca, Mommy, Daddy the camera man, and Mr. Tumnus all lived happily ever after.



Or someting like that.

What a great day!

Becca likes to Laugh and Play

Surprise!
Becca has a brand new trick!
She really laughed for the first time this week! Daddy was giving Eskimo kisses and she erupted into laughter! (And who wouldn't laugh at Bill, right?!?) It seems that Daddy is very funny!


Becca is really beginning to explore her world. It's only a matter of time until she actually figures out the remote control. Then she won't have to watch Sports Center anymore. She'll be free to channel surf to something much more fun ... like "Play with me Sesame!"

Daddy reads her favorite book several times per day. Becca gets so excited she kicks and waves her arms. She knows all the parts: "eyes and nose, fingers and toes"!


A lot of playtime involves her good fiend Pooh. Becca and Pooh are buddies - and Pooh is nice enough to share his blanket with best friend Becca. They particularly enjoy their daily wrestling matches. Becca usually wins, however occasionally Pooh will pin Becca with his sneaky sit-on-Becca's-head maneuver in which case she screams for the referee (Mommy or Daddy) to end the match!
Although Becca's learning to play more everyday, it's not all fun and games. Tummy Time is still a daunting task. We can usually get 2-3 minutes in before the monster appears! Tummy Time Becca-stein is not a pretty sight!

3 Months Old!

Becca celebrated her 3 month birthday with flowers!

Daddy had lots of kisses for his little flower princess.


Can't wait to come back to WV and visit with everybody.
See ya soon!

Old Dog, New Trick

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

The court jester was entertaining Becca a few weeks ago at G'ma and G'pa's house. Becca can't wait to meet the little guy inside!

2 Months Old!

Hello adoring fans!

Just a quick note to get up the 2 month pics. A little late, I know, since Becca is now 3 months old.
But anyway ...

Here's Becca with her good friend "Mrs.Bug" Actually, this little bug spent a few days being "Mr. Bug" until Bill noticed the pretty pink bow on her head. Gender assignment can be so confusing!


(She'll hate me for these flower-head pics later!)

And finally ...
Do you see what Bill has been teaching her throughout the day while I'm at work ?!?

Look out XBOX - here she comes!

Happy Spring June!

Let me tell you a story ...
We moved to Callen Ave when I was 2 years old. Our next door neighbor is June Zanotti, who celebrated her 90th birthday last year and is still a pistol! (Just ask Bill - she can't keep her hands off him!!) June grew up with my Grandmother and June's children grew up with my father in First Ward. Daffodils grow on the hillside and yards around our houses and bloom every spring between March and April. At about 3 years old, I picked some flowers and took them next door to June who displayed them in a small vase on her kitchen windowsill. The following year, I again picked some flowers and took them to June in the early spring. She again put them in a small vase on her kitchen windowsill. This ritual continued ... year after year ... spring after spring. Handfuls of flowers. As many as I could hold. Bugs and all.

I have missed the flowers only once in the last 32 years ...
And this year Becca brought flowers to June for the very first time!

Happy Spring "Great Grandma June"
We love you!

Meeting the kin folk

In March we hit the road so Becca could meet the cousins!

It was a long drive to Morgantown, but Becca made it like a champ! We stayed over at Grandma and Grampa's for a day before heading out to MawMaw and PawPaw's place. Becca played with Rachael and Grampa. Braedyn was only interested in tickling Becca before running away!




When we got to Ridgeley, Hannah and Lily were so excited to meet Becca. Hannah showed her a toy and Lily wanted to brush her hair - but she needs to grow some more first! The Tucker girls did a great job holding and playing with Becca. I can see a lot of fun in the future for Becca with cousins Lily and Hannah!
MawMaw and PawPaw really helped out by feeding and holding Becca so Mommy and Daddy could get some much-needed rest! MawMaw was already teaching Becca to talk. PawPaw found a new buddy to watch the basketball game with on the new TV.
While we were there, we celebrated Bill's birthday. I think when he blew out the candles in his pudding he probably wished for more sleep!!!