Spring has Sprung

Well, I love Spring and now that it is here...we have been really busy. We have done a bit of spring cleaning....we have switched some rooms around...and moved Reese into her big girl bed! She loves it...and the transition from the crib to a double bed has been so easy. She sleeps great and never tries to get out...so far! Also...there are so pictures of some fun we have been having and some visits from friends.

Reese's old/new big girl bed. It was my grandmother's bed, then my mom's , my sister's, mine and now Reese's!

We had a visit from Lindsay and Bryson...Reese loved every minute with Bryson.

Rachel also came in town and we got to have a girls night out! Jason was super dad and watched Reese and Bryson so we could all have some time together!

Dancing on the bed with Bryson

Katherine, Dan and James came over for a fun night with Lindsay and Rachel in town...Reese and James had fun together!

Bryson and Reese had a lot of close moments...Reese loves to give hugs...Bryson was such a good sport!

Reese helped James open his presents at his 2 year old party at the park! Happy Birthday James!

Reese stylin' at the Park
I don't have a green thumb...but maybe Reese does. She helped me plant flowers one day...and she loved digging in the dirt.
Helping mommy carry the flowers over.

Since the weather has been really nice...we went to the Zoo and spent some time with the Lorakeets...Reese liked to look at them but one landed on her and she did not like that!

Drum Roll please....

Well, after an entire day of waiting with anticipation...Jason and I finally opened our little picture to tell us that we are having a GIRL! We are so excited...and I have to say, like I have told many of you...I sometimes feel like Jason will be the dad of like 15 girls! Ok, not that many...but for me he is the most amazing dad and for a girl he is just perfect. The way he treats Reese and how he talks to her, is just the way any girl would want to have her dad be with her. So, number two will have this as well! And, all of you with sisters know how special that relationship is! I could not be more excited for Reese to have the same experience I have had in having a sister(not that we would not have wanted a boy...because that would be incredible as well)! We have not decided on a name yet...but we will keep you posted! Also, on another note...when we told Reese that she was going to have a baby sister...she was so excited! This afternoon she told me, "mommy, I hold our baby she will be soooo TINNNNY!" It was really cute.

A little discipline

Well, I must say that this is something I never really thought I would ever need to do with Reese (ha ha)! I mean come on...she is just perfect (look at that smile)! But, there are those times! Ok, really, she is 100% a 2 year old and I love it...even the times that I have to discipline her. We started with time outs and they were very effective. We slowly did have to move to spankings (more like taps on the back of the leg-mom is a whimp) but it works! I have known, but I am learning that with the process of growing up and learning comes the naturally born nature to do what you are not suppose to and as Reese's parents we want her to understand now so she will get it later! But, enough with the serious stuff...I was laughing today as we were taking a bath and Reese began to "discipline" her seahorse. I sat, watched and listened...and this is what I heard. "Seahorse you are in timeout because you did not obey, you get a spanking, I love you but I am not going to let you be bad, mommy said no and you did it anyway!" Are you kidding...it was so funny and wow...she remembers everything. Although we don't say it all like that, for instance "let you be bad" but the interpretation was great!

Well, all that said...here are some pictures to catch you up on the past few weeks of fun with Reese

We had a quick visit to South Carolina and Reese got to spend some time with Simon and Addie Gail

Reese reading on the potty

During our trip to South Carolina the Reichley family let Reese have her first go at playing the Wii!

Oh...and this would be the "blizzard" that we watched as we sat on I-85 trying to get home from South Carolina..though a little scary on the road it was beautiful!

Two year old pictures

Reese had her two year old pictures taken last week and we think they turned out so great. One of our good friends is a wonderful photographer (he actually did our wedding) and he did these pictures. http://walliskids.com/beckner/
Turn up your volume for the slideshow!

Don't let the fun stop!

Well today was the finale in Reese's week long 2nd birthday celebration. We had her birthday party with all of her friends today. It was a lot of fun and she was beat by the end! It is amazing the games you come up with when kids, adults and hulahoops are involved! We ended up having a lot of the kids lay on the scooter and then pulling them by the hulahoops which was so fun to watch and the kids were all laughing and screaming!

Daddy pulling Reese and Edith pulling Charlie (just can't see him)

Playing follow the leader with Addie, Layne and Luke

So excited to eat some cake....All I can do not to touch it mom!

Everyone's together.

The cake was as good to eat as it looked...Reese was so excited for cake and wanted more than just one piece! Everyone joined in the opening of the presents which was really fun to watch! Jason and I were so appreciative of everyone who came especially Aunt B, Memi and Aunt Ashley who helped so much with the set up and keeping things under control!

Getting lots of help opening presents

The Party is over and we are pooped!

Run Baby Run!

Well, to begin, Jason and I just completed our first half marathon together...it was Jason's first half marathon ever! I am so impressed with him...I mean I always knew he could do it...he is an incredible athlete and always in great shape...but he has just never really enjoyed running! But, he decided to do it with me this year and I am so glad he did, he was my saving grace in the race! The race began and we were doing fantastic keeping pace to do one of my best times...and then the last 3.5 miles came! And now that brings me to some more exciting news!

We are expecting little Beckner number 2! That is right...that soon to be addition to the Beckner family and my incredibly encouraging husband gave me the push to finish! (Jason was so great...he would have finished at least 10 minutes ahead if it had not been for me needing to slow down a lot) It was great as we rounded to the finish line to see my mom and brother with Reese sitting high on Jonathan's shoulders!

After the race we had a very filling lunch at Cracker Barrel with Merry Michael, (who had her best half marathon time ever!) Bethany and Steve. I have to give a shout out to Bethany who completed her first half marathon as well...in great time...but this is my roommate who used to almost tear up at the thought of having to run a single mile! SO IMPRESSED!

So, back to the baby...we are due August 13th...14 weeks in now and feeling pretty good. Reese is very excited and likes to say good morning to the baby! She has also began to say she has a baby in her tummy...which is cute! Pictures from the race and baby will come (camera really broken)...we need to get a new camera...any suggestions are welcome! Well...there you go...run baby run!

Happy Birthday to our baby girl!

Well...it came and it went! Reese turned two years old on Friday! When people say times flies it really does. Reese has grown up so much and Jason and I could not be prouder! We began the celebration with our rendition of "Happy Birthday" to wake her up! She was quite excited about that. We enjoyed some good family time on Friday and then on Saturday my mom, sister, and a surprise visit from my brother, all came to celebrate with Reese. We went to Chucky Cheese...Reese loved it...really loved it! Reese is all of two years for sure...but, I think she thinks she is older than that! She is doing a lot, she loves singing her ABC's (along with Beyonce's "put a ring on it" and many other songs), she can count to 15 now and is just full of personality! We will continue the birthday celebration next weekend with Reese's friends! One interesting thing is that we have let Reese open a present a day for about the past 4 days...so now I think she expects to wake up and have a present! If only life was like that! On a sad note, our camera had a run in with the floor on Friday, so pictures from my mom's camera will come soon!