January 2018
FREE
*Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital is owned, in part, by physicians.
“My experience with Dr. Stacey and his staff was simply the best! I have never met a more caring and knowledgable staff. They were always very accommodating and understanding. Their work is pristine, and I could not be more happy with my results or my experience. If you’re looking for the best, look no more.”
Amber, 32
Professional Skin Care and Cosmetic Surgery patient
D. Heath Stacey, MD
J. Alex Kelamis, MD
137 W Van Asche Loop • Fayetteville 479.571. 3100 w w w. n w a c e n t e r f o r p la s t i c s u r g e r y. c o m
2017
ENROLLING FOR SPRING BER - MAYclass EM T P SE R EA Y L O O H SC luding a Bridge children ages 3-5 years inc
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Our staff of early childhood professionals provide children learning opportunities to promote growth of the whole child and tailored to develop individual skills and needs. High quality, developmentally appropriate environment for children ages 3,4 and 5!
905 South 13th Street • Rogers
A MINISTRY OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Call today! 479-636-3338
VIEW POSTS OF ACTIVITIES, CLASSROOMS AND PLAYGROUND BY VISITING US ON FACEBOOK
LEVEL 3 CENTER MEETS OR EXCEEDS ALL STANDARD AREAS OF ADMINISTRATION, STAFF AND FACILITY REQUIREMENTS
“ THE WAY TEACHERS TEACH YOU HERE IS
OUTSTANDING.” XAVIER LOVES THAT THE NEW SCHOOL GIVES HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TACKLE A TOUGH MATH EQUATION, PLAY PETER PAN IN THE SCHOOL PLAY AND SHOOT HOOPS WITH HIS FRIENDS. “The New School really expands your mindset and I want other kids to experience that.” THE NEW SCHOOL IS A SPECIAL PLACE where a welcoming environment is matched with a challenging curriculum. Teachers here are focused on classroom learning that leads to real world discovery. “My favorite subject is math because math is in everything. This building, math made it happen so it’s really awesome to know that math is in everything.” Our low student, teacher ratio and dynamic learning environments help students look at the world in a new way.
Xavier
8th grader
Learn how The New School can help your child discover more. Schedule a tour today by calling 479-521-7037 or visit thenewschool.org.
TheNewSchoolNWA
TheNewSchoolTweets
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NORTHWEST ARKANSAS’ PREMIER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SERVING PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
The
Family KIMBERLY ENDERLE Editor-in-Chief editor@peekaboonwa.com | 479-957-0532
JONATHON ENDERLE Creative Director jon@peekaboonwa.com | 479-586-3890
Kim and Jonathon with Gwen, Holden, Grant and Ava Enderle. PHOTO BY ASHLEY MURPHY IMAGES
CONTRIBUTING WRITER/EDITOR Frances Wilson
DISTRIBUTION/ CIRCULATION Joyce Whitaker Judy Evans Marcedalia Salinas
Jeremy Whitaker Michelle Dodson
Peekaboo Publications PO Box 1036 Bentonville, Arkansas 72712
BEN LACY Dad’s View
Columnist
VERONICA ZUCCA Story Design
Please send inquiries to: editor@peekaboonwa.com or call 479-957-0532 www.peekaboonwa.com Peekaboo may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine.
PEEKABOO Northwest Arkansas accepts writing contributions
6 January 2018
JENNIFER CRISTOFARO Events
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From the moment your baby is born through childhood and adolescence, your relationship with a skilled and caring pediatrician is crucial to the health and wellbeing of your child. That’s why it’s so important to find a pediatrician who makes you feel comfortable and confident every step of the way. At our Northwest Physicians practices, we focus on providing preventive care, such as routine checkups, sports and school physicals, immunizations, allergy care, and diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses.
WE’RE WITH YOU
EVERY INCH OF Northwest Pediatric Convenient Care
3057 Springdale Ave., Springdale, AR 72762 Mon.-Fri.: Noon-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun.: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
479-751-2522
Susan Averitt, M.D. Staci Graber, APN
Best Start Pediatric Clinic
Megan Kumpe, APN
5501 Willow Creek Dr. Suite 104 Springdale, AR 72762 Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
479-575-9359
Mark Lovell, M.D.
The Children’s Clinic at Har-Ber Meadows 6636 W. Sunset Ave. Suite A Springdale, AR 72762 Mon.-Thur.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.: 8 a.m.-Noon
479-306-4242
Laurie Anderson, M.D. Millicent Ford, M.D. April Durham, M.D.
The Children’s Clinic at Springdale 3057 Springdale Ave. Springdale, AR 72762 Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
479-751-2522
Members of the Medical Staff of Northwest Health and Allied Health Staff of Northwest Health.
8 January 2018
Ask about our same-day or next-day appointments. To learn more or find a location near you, visit NW-Physicians.com.
THE WAY.
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Inside
JANUARY 2018
On the Cover: Devyn Rae Jones Daughter of Jess and Lisa Jones of Rogers
18
18 24 26
18
26 36
40
28 30 36 40 44 46 52 56
Glimmer of Hope by: Jenny Schisler
Get Fit While Having Fun by: Meagan Ruffing
Get in Pictures
by: Christy Martin
Dad's View
with Ben Lacy
Building a Brighter Northwest Arkansas Breastfeeding: My Story by: Lisa Jones
A Community of Healing by: Adriana Stacey
Cooking Lasts a Lifetime by: Young Chefs Academy
Heart for Lana
by: Jennifer Stringfellow
2018 Razorback Gymnastics Rub-a-Dub-Dub: Safety 101 in the Tub by: Meagan Ruffing
Cover Sponsored by: Northwest Health www.northwesthealth.com
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Math & Language Therapy
Academic
READING • SPELLING HANDWRITING • MATH GRAMMAR
Multisensory Language Therapy “Take Flight” , a comprehensive intervention for students with dyslexia based on OrtonGillingham concepts. Reading • Spelling • Handwriting • Phonics Vocabulary • Fluency • Comprehension (classes available) Pre-Flight (Phonological Awareness) Multisensory Math • Counting and Numeration • Addition & Subtraction facts for instant recall • Multiplication & Division facts for instant recall • Fractions • Decimals & Percents • Integers & Algebra I & II Multisensory Grammar • Parts of Speech, Capitals, Punctuation … Verbal to Written Expression (thoughts on paper) Writing Treatment for Hyperlexia (can read, but does not understand what is read) Study Skills • Time Management • Notetaking • Memory Technique • Test Taking Strategies …
Visit us at www.amltherpy.com or call 479-253-3256
Bentley
Greeter
104 North 37th Street Suite B Rogers, AR 72756
Karen Sykes — Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) 29 years experience teaching
Lisa Lundeen — CALT, 6 years experience in Social Work, 6 years experience teaching
I
can't help but start this letter with a timely (and very obvious) "Wow, can you believe it's already 2018?!" But, really! It is hard to believe. The true craziness for me comes from the fact that, this year, the entire graduating class from our area high schools will have been born in the 2000s-every single one. No one in grades K-12 knows about life in the twentieth century! None of the kids will remember the chaos that Y2K brought. On a personal note, with this news I. Am. Officially. Old. As a mom of four kids who all fall into the aforementioned category, I feel like I am always in the classroom of life. The homework load is heavy, and the "you'll thank me for this one day" speeches happen often, and don't always get a standing ovation - unless you count my kids stomping out of the room in disbelief, of course. After a recent flight to Florida over the holidays, I realized that 'drama class' is one of my more prominent "school of life" electives. Beyond the obvious dramatics that my kids routinely perform--i.e. a small cut on the finger warrants multiple Band-aids, plus elongated cries of concern over if they will ever be able to use that hand again, etc.-I often feel as if I'm in an audition room, in front of a group of pitiless casting directors. While waiting for a flight in Atlanta, on Christmas Eve, in an airport full of a mix of college students, older couples who hadn't raised littles in a few years, and newlyweds who were still trying to decide if kids were in their near future, I was faced with yet another script to perform.
the set-up: ...4 kids up way past their bedtime, with tummies full of sugar from the first long flight, and in dire need of a place to run some energy off. ...The 4-year-old demanding food from the McDonald's that we passed two terminals ago. ...The 7-year-old dumping out his LEGOs (because waiting to build them was just too much to ask) and digging around on the ground, trying to find the tiniest little piece in the universe. ...The 11-year-old writing a short story on her new purple laptop, headphones in ears, way too busy to notice the chaos around her (or pretending not to, so I couldn't ask for her help.) ...One husband gone, because he gave in to the demands of the 4-year-old for a McDonald's run. ...And one 7-month-old baby who just
From the Editor
wants to crawl, but there was absolutely no way she was getting put down on the airport floor. The acting part? Trying not to flip my lid and lose it on my four little people. Instead, I had to revert to crowd-appropriate tones that sounded like I was a Disney Princess character, saying things like, "Oh, honey, don't hit your brother, we use kind hands and give hugs instead when we are frustrated," and "Grant, don't run away from Mommy, it isn't safe--and please use inside voices, because your screams might hurt someone's ears and that isn't very nice." Trust me, it took all my acting skills. What I wanted to say was, "Grant! Get off that nasty, nasty floor. Is that some random person's gum stuck to your behind? O. M. G!" Followed by a long, stressed-out cry of "Where in the world is the hand sanitizer?!" and punctuated with a "Quit screaming at me!" itself uttered in my own screaming voice--which obviously doesn't make much sense in the whole 'teaching your kids not to yell' department. The casting directors, also known as the onlookers, were all staring the entire time. They simultaneously disapproved of the behavior coming from my little actors, while offering nothing but smirks in response. Finally, another family sat down in front of us with equally exhausted kids. Game on. Competition! The nicer and more over-the-top helpful she was to her kids (despite the "freaking out" look in her eyes) the higher my voice got, and the more Disney movie-type verbiage began to pass my lips. In Hollywood, celebrities are everywhere, so people aren't as shocked to see them as they are in other places. Everyone is "someone," and famous people are in their element. Same with families. When we are in our element, you don't notice us, and we just all blend together. No one even notices a screaming fit in the middle of Baby Gap, or a food fight at McDonald's, because we have all been there, and done that. Instead of being annoyed, we are just so thankful that it isn't us this time. Put us in a room full of non-families, and we are like an animal in a cage with all eyes on us. I wanted to help the other actor (I mean mom), who was now in the spotlight, but all I could offer was an understanding smile, and a "You got this" look. I do have to say, I have been at this awhile, and can keep my calm in even the highest-pressure situations. If there really was a role to win, I think I would have won it! The other family broke after only 30 minutes. First, the dad snapped after the thousandth question from his youngest, and then the mom followed after the second meltdown that included face-down screaming into the orange airport carpet that
I'm sure used to be blue. I'm not sure what turned it orange, and I really don't want to know. On this same (very dramatic) trip, I also realized the progression that a baby experiences, from being adored and 'can do no wrong,' to constantly hearing the word 'no.' The more privileges, opportunities and skills a baby acquires, the more disappointments she encounters and trouble she finds herself in. Think about it: for the first few months of life, everything a baby does is adorable, and receives heavy praise and a lot of clapping. Then... it starts. "Don't touch that," "Don't do that," "No, no, NO!" So, with the birth of new capabilities comes the birth of resentment. Maybe it might not be that dramatic for everyone, but, with baby number 4, I find myself feeling guilty about all of the "no's" I keep shelling out. All I have wanted since she was born was for her to grow and learn new things. Then with them, I am constantly sending a barrage of "don'ts" her way. First I am calling her to "crawl" then I am telling her "not to crawl there" or "here" or "over there" or to touch this dangerous thing or that dangerous thing and I am sure is quite confusing. No wonder kids get confused with boundaries. In all seriousness though, this is a very special month, because it marks the end of Peekaboo's first 10 years in print. Next month is Peekaboo's 10th birthday issue! I am so thankful to our readers for following along on this journey, making it your own, and sharing your stories. I am also very thankful to the many businesses that have supported this community resource and allowed us to connect with families across Northwest Arkansas. I can't wait for you to see what we have in store for you in the 10th birthday issue, and for the next 10 years! If you have a business that offers birthday party opportunities for families, we want to make sure you are included--just email editor@ peekaboonwa.com to find out how to be a part of this special issue.
Until next time....
- Kim Enderle
A look ahead: If you have a story to share, or an idea for a story, email editor@peekaboonwa.com and be a part of the Peekaboo family! HERE IS A LOOK AHEAD! _____________________________ FEBRUARY is our 10th birthday... which means it's going to be the biggest and best birthday guide yet! Do you have a business that helps makes birthday parties great? Email editor@ peekaboonwa.com by January 10th. MARCH is dedicated to non-profits. Do you have a favorite you want us to share? Let us know! APRIL is our CAMP GUIDE PREVIEW. We want to have the most comprehensive camp guide yet to make sure you know every possible camp option for your kiddos this summer. MAY is when we honor Mothers across the area. It is your chance to nominate your favorite mom and let us know what makes her special. Also watch for details about the Peekaboo Family Fesival in May coming soon! JUNE It's Dads turn. For Father's day we want to shine the spotlight on the person who takes on the important role of Father. JULY is all about Summer Fun, Summer Safety and making sure you have as much memory making opportunities as possible before heading back to school in August!
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16 January 2018
Dr. Dan Weeden
Dr. Lynn Davis
Dr. Joel Fankhauser
We are accepting new patients of all ages + We are board certified in both adult medicine and pediatrics We offer 30-60 minute appointments + Doctors and staff that will know you We offer same day appointments DIRECT PRIMARY CARE PLANS
SERVICES
We want your medical needs to be at the center of our new direct primary care practice. Therefore, we offer four simple subscription plans that enable you to pay a set amount each month, based on your age, that give you unprecedented acute and preventative care for all ages. As our patient of our direct primary care plan, you are able to email us, call us directly (and we’ll answer!) and even text us your questions. We also enjoy seeing you in the office on short notice and for routine clinic visits.
PEDIATRIC
Without the added complexity of accepting third party insurance, we deliver primary care much more efficiently.
+ Newborn and routine well childcare + Sports physicals + Care of any chronic pediatric illness + Coordination of care with pediatric subspecialists + Urgent and sick visits ADULT + Annual wellness, with yearly lab included + Routine gynecology care, with PAP (extra fee for path but can be billed to most insurance plans)
+ Management of chronic medical problems + Coordination of any specialty care needed + Urgent and sick visits
The Direct Care Clinic of Northwest Arkansas has been such an incredible resource for our family. We love the ease of scheduling appointments and asking medical questions and the way they check in on our family if there has been an illness. I was even able to text him from Zimbabwe to get medical advice when I found myself sick in a foreign country. The service Direct Care Clinic offers is invaluable to our family!!! - Jenny M
2104 S. 54th Street, Suite 4, Rogers, AR 72758 | (479)268-4504 | www.directcarenwa.com peekaboonwa.com 17
Jenny Schisler
T
his summer, in the middle of June, my family and I went on a happy vacation to Destin, Florida. I watched our healthy twoyear-old twins play in the sand with their big sister. I felt so much joy that I wanted to jump up and down! After all, I was standing on the same beach where, two years ago, I had told Kim Enderle, the director of publishing and advertising for Peekaboo Magazine, the story of my family's 75day hospital journey--when I had been expecting the same vibrant baby girls I was watching now. At 18 January 2018
that time, we had endured a long and challenging season, and we were just coming up to breathe – rejoicing that our children were healthy and thriving, and that we were all finally together as a family. Just two days after we got home from Florida, I was sitting in the chair at my eye doctor’s office, reeling over my sudden diagnosis of an incurable, untreatable retinal disease that would slowly rob me of my vision. The anxiety, worry, and fear of
the unknown that I have experienced since my diagnosis has made that happy trip seem like a distant dream. Diagnoses like this have a way of changing our lives. They change our perspectives-they can either devastate us, or make us stronger, more compassionate people. Retinitis Pigmentosa is the name given to a group of inherited retinal degenerative diseases. There are many forms of RP, and each one presents and progresses differently. RP is rare - only around 100,000 people in the U.S. have it. There are a vast number of gene mutations that cause RP. The mutated gene I carry that causes my disease is called the Rhodopsin (or RHO) gene. Early in life, RP patients usually experience night blindness. As the disease progresses, it destroys the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina, and those affected begin to lose peripheral vision. The loss of peripheral vision is called “tunneling,” and, in late stages of the disease, central vision, ability to see color, and clarity of sight are also affected. Most people who have this disease are legally blind in their 40’s. My mom was diagnosed with RP three years ago. She is not one to go to the doctor, and she is a person I would classify as “one tough cookie.” She was not diagnosed until the advanced stages of the disease. If she ever had symptoms, she never talked about them. This was her way of protecting us from being defined by RP. Now that I’ve felt the heaviness of knowing that I have it, I am thankful for that protection. I have been walking with my sister through her diagnosis of RP for almost two years. My mom has one brother who I knew had the disease while I was growing up, and she has had several other aunts, uncles, and grandparents who also had it. I never knew the true name of the disease until Mom was diagnosed. I have experienced night blindness for as long as I can remember, but I did not know it was indicative of eye disease. When we would go out at dusk to catch fireflies, or play games in the evening with my friends, I would struggle and trip frequently as a child. I started having other symptoms, like seeing bright white flashes, when I was 32 and our twins were infants. I was severely sleep-deprived, so I blamed any symptoms I experienced on my lack of sleep. I spent 34 years of my life obliviously unaware of the fact that I could have inherited anything like this. RP did not shape my decisions concerning the sports I played, my college education, my profession, my spouse, or even our decision to have children. Going through a difficult, but temporary, season is Turn the page …
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something we have faced in the past. We learned this when my water broke at 25 weeks into my healthy twin pregnancy. I spent 51 days in a hospital bed, and the babies were born at 33 weeks, followed by almost a month in the NICU. God did some major refining work both in my heart and in my understanding of his goodness and sovereignty – despite my circumstances. I learned to trust Him more, and I learned to lean on the truths I knew about His character. Through that, there was hope that the trying season we were facing would be short, that I would get out of that hospital bed, and that we would eventually bring our babies home. Encountering a disease with no cure and a trial without end, however, has required a new measure of faith and trust in an unseen God that I am still trying to cultivate. When there is no medicine that can stop the disease, how do I not fall into despair? When I know there is no treatment that will stop me from slowly going blind, how do I live without petrifying fear? As a mom, how do I come to terms with the fact that I will have to look into the eyes of my beautiful little girls and share this painful
journey with them one day? Since I was diagnosed, I have experienced unmerited guilt over the fact that I wasn’t able to discuss this disease with my husband, James, before we were married. Each of our daughters has a 50% chance of having RP, and I unknowingly passed it down. I have felt angry, and in self-righteousness I have declared, “Surely God would not have me endure this!” I want to take care of my children, and I don’t want to lose my independence. With unhealthy pride, I think I deserve a perfect life with no hardship. Where is God when I can’t imagine why he would let me lose my sight? I have shaken my fist toward Heaven, and I’ve been on my knees begging God to heal me. In the valleys and on the mountaintops of my life I know God has been gracious towards me. This journey has stretched my faith, and it has challenged and strengthened the fundamental truths I have always believed about God. I don’t have all of the answers, but I do have some ways I have been able to cope with my diagnosis, and I have found glimmers of hope in a seemingly dark future.
Grieve It’s okay to grieve the life that you thought you would have. What comes after grief, however, is the true impact of a diagnosis. John Piper writes, “Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses, then wash your face. Trust God.” Finding hope, encouragement, and purpose despite an incurable disease helps you continue living life. I don’t want to waste the years of good vision I have left grieving what I will one day lose. I have wasted days feeling sorry for myself, and other days I have let anxiety overwhelm me. What I really want to do is hide from RP and eat ice cream, but, I am choosing to pursue peace with my diagnosis, trying to get beyond the grief of the initial diagnosis, and putting on my boxing gloves to fight RP.
D on’t walk alone I share this journey with many of my family members. We can share ways to cope and continue to live fulfilling lives in every stage of this disease. Not everyone has a sister, mom, or uncle to walk beside them on their journey. I have also found support groups on Facebook. Women with the same disease share their struggles and resources that have helped them cope and find hope in groups like these. I openly share my fears and triumphs on my personal Facebook page. I hope someone can read what I share and know they are not alone! I have connected with organizations like the 20 January 2018
Foundation Fighting Blindness, which has helped me feel like I am not the only one on the planet facing this scary disease. I have read inspiring stories about people with vision impairment that have done incredible things. Stories of hope, and finding others who are living with your disease can provide community and comfort.
Get involved I have chosen to be a part of research that is happening in Little Rock at UAMS through the Jones Eye Institute. I want to be a part of finding a cure for this disease for my children. I will endure tests, long drives, and all of the cost that comes along with this journey with the hope that a cure will be found. By becoming a part of the genetic research registry for retinal disease, I will be aware of any trials or FDA-approved treatments that could become available. I also joined myretinatracker.org, and I share my test results and disease progression to help bolster research for my specific gene mutation. This helps me feel like I am a part of the fight against my disease. I feel connected and informed about groundbreaking research that is going on right now. I will travel, share, and speak on any occasion I am afforded to help raise awareness, share our story, and find a cure for RP.
Seek Counsel I have had many tear-filled discussions with close friends, my husband, and mentors/pastors from my church. In small, manageable increments I have shared my grief, fear, and heartache with people I trust. I recently read a story in the book of Luke in chapter 5 about the friends of a paralytic man carrying him to Jesus for healing. He couldn’t get to Jesus without them, and Jesus healed the man--not because of his faith alone, but because of the faith of his friends who believed God on his behalf. Our friends can help us bear heavy burdens we are unable to carry alone. My friends and family have prayed for me when my faith is weak. They have listened to me and encouraged me when I was without hope. There are also professional counselors that can help you work through the gamut of emotions that come with any diagnosis. Talk to someone about how you feel, and know there is healing in sharing your struggles.
Seek God My faith has been my companion in every hard season. I have wrestled with and pursued God on this journey. When we struggle, we are forced to Turn the page ‌
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recognize we were never actually in control. I’ve had to loosen my grip on my life, set aside my fierce independence, and relinquish the reins-trusting the only One who is truly in control. I take the hard questions to the Creator of all, and examine them under the light of the truths of God I find in the Bible. For me, in Jesus, I find strength, grace, and mercy for each moment. I trust that He draws near to the brokenhearted. God is good, and He is sovereign over all. I am working to find the faith to believe God can use the trials I face for my good and for His glory. God redeems every hard situation, and his redemptive and refining work is done when our faith is tried. I also try to remember that suffering is no mystery to the Savior. I recount the difficult journey Jesus made to the cross, and I remember I am already fully redeemed and restored because of his sacrifice. With an eternal perspective, an earthly trial can be put into proper perspective. One day, I will see Him face-to-face, with perfect vision. My hope is in Christ alone.
Live I’ve started a list of places I would like to go and things I would like to see while my vision is still good. My mom, plus my sister and I, all want to take an “RP Road Trip” to see some of the most beautiful parts of our country. I’m going to take a trip with one of my good friends from college in the new year. I am so thankful for how I can
still drive, care for our home, and watch our sweet little girls grow. I serve a Christian children’s home called Soaring Wings Ranch part-time as Communications Director, and I am enjoying being able to serve them and use my vision and gifts to help kids who are abused or abandoned find a loving home. I’m also thankful for opportunities to connect with other moms who are experiencing difficult pregnancies, enduring the NICU, or who are struggling with their own diagnoses. I want my girls to be brave, and know they can do anything despite vision impairment. I want to walk in a way that shows them they don’t have to be afraid.
Recognize gifts I didn’t realize good vision was a gift in my life until I realized I was going to lose it. I’ve discovered, in studying the intricacies of the eye, that good vision is quite miraculous! Creation is wonderful and beautiful, and for so many years I’ve enjoyed sunsets, mountains, smiling faces, and watching my little girls grow. We’ve been given so many wonderful gifts. If you can breathe, walk, read books, go for runs, garden, play a game of basketball, and if you are loved by family and friends, you are significantly gifted. On the hard days, take a moment to breathe, give yourself grace, and look for the “glimmers of hope” that can always be found.
M ay yo u find grace fo r each m o m en t, a n d pe ac e on you r j ou r ney. I f you would lik e to w r i t e m e co n cer n i ng you r ow n s tru ggl e s , plea se em a i l m e at je n n y @s o arin g win gs ran c h .c o m.
22 January 2018
Revved up, STEAM-powered interactive learning
Come visit Hot Wheels at the Amazeum!
JANUARY 27 through APRIL 29
Produced by
HOT WHEELS and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used
under license from, Mattel. Š2017 Mattel. All Rights Reserved.
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By Meagan Ruffing A New Year calls for new adventures. Whatever your New Year’s resolutions are, make paddle boarding one of them. Northwest Arkansas’s newest fitness craze is in full swing, and it’s something the entire family can do.
is all about core strength. You will be using your core muscles to stay balanced on the board. If you fall off, just climb back on. The more you practice your balance on the board, the better it will get over time.
What is SUP?
What if I’ve never worked out, or it’s been a long time since I’ve worked out?
SUP simply stands for Stand Up Paddle boarding.
Where can I take classes?
SUP classes are held on top of the water at an inside pool. SUP NWA is located at 2003 SW Regional Airport Boulevard in Bentonville. (Parking is behind the building.) During the warmer months, SUP NWA will be offering kids’ camps on the lake.
Do I have to wear a swimsuit?
Nope! You can wear fitness clothes. Basic workout leggings or shorts and a tank top are perfect.
What if I fall in the water?
That’s okay! Everyone falls in at some point. Just get back up on the board, find your balance, and get moving to the music!
What if I don’t have very good balance?
This will help you! Standing up on a paddle board
No problem. Half the battle of working out is showing up. Just register for a class and be prepared to have a fun time. Instructor and owner Tanya Desselle will show you how to paddle board, and will help you begin right where you are to achieve your health goals.
How do I register?
Glad you asked! Visit www.supnwa.com and you will find a list of classes there. Once you find the right class for you, click “Register” and pay for your class.
How long is the class?
Kids’ classes are 30 minutes long and adult classes are 45 minutes long. However, SUP NWA offers special classes, such as Moms’ Night Out, Date Night, Team Building and of course, birthday parties.
What kind of birthday party packages do they offer?
SUP NWA offers two types of packages. The first one is $150, and includes a 2-hour time slot with up to 10 people. There is a paddle boarding lesson, free swim, land games and time to eat cake and open presents. Parents supply cake and ice cream. The second package is $200 and includes everything listed above, with the addition of a theme--think pirate, mermaid, luau, unicorns, etc.
How much is a class?
Kids’ classes are $10 each and adult classes are $15 each, or you can buy a 10-class punch pass at a discounted rate.
What do I need to bring to class?
You will need to wear something you don’t mind getting wet, a beach towel, and a water bottle. There is a place on the paddle board where you can securely strap your water bottle.
companies in Arkansas, but SUP NWA will be your closest within a 25-mile radius. This should cover all the questions you might have about stand up paddle boarding. If you think of another question, however, give Tanya a call at (479) 426-3793 and get yourself excited about doing something new and fun in the fitness world. New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be daunting and boring. Make this year the “Year of Fun” and do something good for yourself. Meagan Ruffing tried her first stand up paddle boarding class this winter and realized she was better at staying up on the paddle board than she thought she was! She has since signed her 9-year-old son up for classes, and the two of them have found something to bond over. Visit writermeaganruffing on Facebook for more parenting news.
Are there any other SUP classes in the area?
Nope! SUP NWA is the first to come to Northwest Arkansas. There are other paddle boarding
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I bet we have a lot in common. Chances are, your phone and laptop are both quickly reaching their storage capacity with photos of your child. Intent on always making sure memories are documented, By Christy Martin you’ve done a great job of capturing pumpkin painting, festive snacks at school parties, trips to the park and meaningful memories at home.
But, do you know what’s missing? YOU! Of all the photos you take, your child will treasure the ones with YOU the most! Although it may sometimes feel uncomfortable to be in front of the camera, here are tips to help capture hugs, smiles and moments you and your child will BOTH treasure for a lifetime!
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Don’t overthink it when it comes to how you'll look. Set yourself up for success by not worrying about that extra weight you’d like to lose, getting your roots touched up, or coordinating outfits. Your child doesn’t care about the details... only that you were there! 26 January 2018
Now, ‘overthink it’ a little. Although it’s true you shouldn’t find reasons to wait, it’s actually really important to set yourself up for success by planning ahead. For instance, what photos make you happy? If you appreciate the authenticity of documenting real life, make plans to capture daily tasks, such as cooking together, playing at the park or stories at bedtime. If you’re drawn to interaction and cuddles, choose a simple spot with minimal distractions where emotion will be your main focal point.
Consider the best T IME. Pay attention to the time in the day when your child is happiest. Though, in the world of photography lighting is the most important thing to consider, as most moms already know, the angle of the sun is totally irrelevant when your child is in need of a nap or ready for lunch.
P lan the DAY.
If you feel comfortable in yoga pants and a messy bun, go for it! However, if a little make-up and your favorite shirt makes you feel your best, do that--basically, what it takes to get excited to be in front of the camera.
Share your ideas with your child. Just like adults, children do better when goals are communicated. Not only will your child be more prepared to cuddle or give big hugs, you may get even more ideas if you ask for help! Offering a small ‘incentive’ sometimes works wonders too!
Ref lections Whether you’re in front of a glass building in the city or you’re using mirrors in your home, reflections are a FUN and EASY way to get in photos with your children!
Self-timers
Decide WHO. Ask a friend, family member or older child. Handing your camera to someone else can be a great option. Keep it simple by telling them where they should stand and what button to push. It may take a few tries, but I know you’ll get a shot you love!
Hire a professional. Although photography is an investment, there are many benefits to simply showing up and allowing a professional to guide your children. Not only do you have a chance of having that blemish removed from your chin, but you’re increasing your chances of getting wall-worthy photographs you can’t wait to display.
Do it YOURSELF! High-five for taking matters into your own hands! Try these methods to turn intimidation into success!
y Mart in P t is hr C / in t ar M y t is by: C hr
Smart phones and cameras both have an Automatic Timer Mode. You can get super fancy with tripods and remote triggers. You can also keep it simple with a stack of books. Either way, set up the camera to take a series of photos to allow more options. NOTE: If your photos are blurry using a self-timer, pre-focus your camera using a child or stuffed animal prior to your shot.
Selfie-sticks Slightly embarrassing, maybe, but selfie sticks are a cheap and easy way to turn the camera around and capture a really fun photo of you and your child together!
No matter what, HAVE F UN!
Even if your child isn’t cooperating or the dog’s tail knocks over the phone you’ve worked so hard to balance, still give yourself an A+ for effort and consider this “practice” as your plan ANOTHER day to capture MORE priceless memories together!
hot ography
, t a h w r e t t a m o N
! N U F VE
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If any of you are in any way similar to me (sorry about your luck), by now you’ve already blown some (or all) of your New Year’s Resolutions. Yeah, I know we’re only days, or perhaps even hours, into 2018, but I’m pretty sure the happy li’l devil on my shoulder saying, “It’s okay--enjoy life, have cake!” has defeated the disgruntled little angel coaxing me to consume some kale. Meaning, the resolutions were gone about as fast as that 12:00 AM bottle of champagne. But that’s alright, I mean resolutions are just kind of like best intentions (subtle Pulp Fiction reference there). They usually aren’t chiseled in stone, and your peeps don’t get too upset if you bail on them. That is, unless you check out on the 12-month gym membership you both bought with the understanding that you’d be right there with them every day at 5:00 AM! Then there are those resolutions, or best intentions, or promises that you make that you really shouldn’t oughta mess with. No, not talking about marriage vows, but I heard those get really expensive when fractured, so let’s avoid that at all costs (pun intended). Recently, one of my kids found their baby book.
28 January 2018
Specifically, the oldest offspring found hers, and at the beginning her mother and I penned this soliloquy about all the hopes and dreams we had for her. Seriously, it was like trying to read a Congressional filibuster backwards in pig Latin. The wife and I, into brevity we were not. We checked child #2's book, and, lo and behold, found that we pretty much copied child #1's baby book. Standard operating procedure for the middle child. Attempts to locate the third kid’s baby book were unsuccessful. As those of you that are out-manned (more kids than parents) know, eventually you just to get a point where you try to keep them fed and bathed, and things like baby books, photo albums and nutrition kind of go out the door. But, back to the baby book ramblings. At the time we wrote about our aspirations for her, she was probably a month old. You know, kinda miniature. Now she’s about 204 months old, and no longer miniature. Her siblings aren’t far behind her at 174 months old and 126 months old (come on, you can do the math). All this to say, those hopes and dreams we built up are getting ready to launch into the big, bad world. Our best intentions and promises and desires are now not just fun and
fuzzy little footnotes. It’s about time to test the waters and see if we equipped them well enough to stay afloat (sorry for all the ship metaphors, just finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean again). But after reading (AKA skimming through) all of the mushy little comments, I had second thoughts on my non-stop narrative. After all of our hopes and all of our dreams and all of our speeches and all of our resolutions and all of our best intentions and all of our attempts to do whatever we can to make our kids successful, educated, good in sports and maybe even wealthy--at the end of the day, when we look back all we really want going forward is for them to be happy. The whole mountain of musings I laid out could have been narrowed down to just a few words: “All I wish is for you to
be happy.” It’s kind of like reading All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten; everything you need to know is pretty simple, and doesn’t require a PhD, decades of experience, millions of dollars or a 500 word essay in a baby book. So, as the sign says at my local gym, this is a “No Judgement Zone” (despite the enormous cromagnons lurking around laughing at my doubledigit bench press numbers)--go ahead and crack, crumble and destroy any resolutions you want. Enjoy the cake or embrace the kale; your call. The choice is yours, but, in whatever you do, find happiness. It truly is contagious, and has a far greater impact on your kids and family than a bunch of baby book blathering.
BUILDING A BRIGHTER NORTHWEST ARKANSAS School choice raises expectations and creates opportunities for success for Northwest Arkansas students
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orthwest Arkansas is home to some of the best schools in this great state and nation. Numerous traditional public schools, public charter schools, independent schools, and home school groups offer our children excellent foundations to build their futures. Northwest Arkansas School Choice is working to provide the resources and information that parents need when choosing the school that best fits their child. The organization was created to empower families and support educators by increasing exposure to educational options–-providing a centralized service, free of charge, for educational choice. “Northwest Arkansas students consistently lead the state in academic performance. Our talented, compassionate educators share a common goal: providing the highest quality education for students of all backgrounds and learning needs.” said Heather Holaway, Executive Director of Northwest Arkansas School Choice. “School choice looks different in our area. We don’t have families desperate to get out of bad schools, here because we simply don’t have any bad schools. We get to choose from the absolute best of the best in the whole state, and that gives us the opportunity to customize the education our children receive to their unique needs, and that puts them at a huge advantage.” Every traditional public, public charter, private, and homeschool group has been invited to join
together to celebrate education at our second annual NWA School Choice Festival, to be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at The Jones Center in downtown Springdale, Arkansas. Over 20 schools participated in last year’s festival, interacting with thousands of attendees and building relationships with other educators. The widely-attended event was the first of its kind in Arkansas and was featured out of more than 20,000 events nationwide as a National School Choice Week spotlight event. This year’s festival will include giveaways, arts and crafts, live music, and refreshments. Swimming and ice skating is free at The Jones Center during the event. “I feel very strongly about school choice in Northwest Arkansas.” Holaway says. “Showcasing all of the amazing educational opportunities in our area isn’t just a fun way to spend a Saturday. Education improves quality of life and plays a crucial role in securing economic progress. By investing in our educators and empowering families, we’re building an even brighter Northwest Arkansas– together.” The event will take place from 9AM to noon, Saturday, January 20 at The Jones Center in Springdale, 922 E. Emma Ave. Family admission to the festival is free. The first 500 families will receive a swag bag filled with Northwest Arkansas School Choice promotional materials and information about the schools in attendance.
To find out more about the NWA School Choice Festival, participating schools, or to get involved, please visit our website NWAschoolchoice.org, find us on Facebook, or contact Heather Holaway at heatherholaway@NWAschoolchoice.org
30 January 2018
January 20, 2018
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JANUARY
Library Story Times: Bentonville Public Library: bentonvillelibrary.org Fayetteville Public Library: faylib.org Springdale Public Library: springdalelibrary.org
January 7
Rogers Public Library: rogerspubliclibrary.org
Leave No Trace 1-1:30pm Hobbs State Park Learn to make good choices when you are outside. This is a great program for children.
January 8
Lamaze Prenatal Series 7:15-8:30pm Yoga Story http://yogastory.info/workshops Lamaze Prenatal Yoga is a six-week series (1/8/18-2/12/18) designed to gently strengthen your growing body, increase flexibility, and train your mind and body to work with the breath--preparing you for a healthy and confident pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. Interwoven into each session is evidence-based information based on the Lamaze 6 Steps for a Healthy And Safe Birth that will help you feel empowered to make informed choices about your birth. Guided meditations will help you trust your body and connect with your baby. Time will also be dedicated to connecting with each other and talking about your experiences. Participants will also receive a copy of "Giving Birth with Confidence" by Judith Lothian and Charlotte DeVries.
January 10
Tots and Tales - Shape It Up! Crystal Bridges 1:30-2:30pm Tots and Tales » Shape It Up! Go on a scavenger hunt with your toddler to find shapes in our permanent collection. Enjoy storytime, and then create a collage using shapes of all sizes and materials. For ages 1 1/2 to 3 with an adult.
January 11
Preschool Playdate - Lights Out! Crystal Bridges 11:30 Preschool Playdate » Lights Out! Let it glow, let it glow! Enjoy puppet storytime, glow-in-the-dark play, and lantern painting inspired by nighttime artworks in
Siloam Springs Library: siloamsprings.com our permanent collection. Playdate begins with an 11:30 a.m. performance in the Great Hall.
January 12
Arkansas Gymnastics vs. Kentucky | Candyland Barnhill Arena 7pm The Razorbacks’ home debut will feature a Candyland theme. The first 250 kids will receive candy bars with the chance of winning a special giveaway from 25 golden tickets. There will be a photo booth along with other candy-themed giveaways throughout the meet.
January 13
Toad Versus Frog 3-3:30pm Devil's Den State Park What is the difference between a toad and frog? Meet Park Interpreter Terry to play a fun mix and match game as you discover the similarities and differences between these amphibians.
40/29 & Arkansas CW Women's Living Expo 10:00 am The Jones Center Free Parking, and kids under 8 are free. This 'What Women Want' event will host regional and local companies with the very best in shopping, fashion, food, kids' services, entertainment cosmetics, jewelry, travel, and financial planning, and will offer entry to win contests and lots of free goodies. Show hours: Saturday, 10am to 6pm and Sunday, 11am to 5pm. Tickets: $7 general admission, $5 with a discount coupon and children 8 and under are free. $2 off admission cards available at participating Harps stores.
January 15
Mini Camp Amazeum 9-3pm
The ultimate shopping experience with several vendors in one locations for your shopping pleasure. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | 777 W Cherokee St, Catoosa, OK Saturday, January 20 | 3PM-10PM
479.544.5777 @ThomCoProductions
Mini Camps are a shorter version of Amazeum week-long camps, but with the same level of fun and adventures! Explore a new theme during each Mini Camp. "Game On! " Ages: 6-11 years old $60 Amazeum members/$70 non members Investigate how science, numbers, and creative thinking are used to develop amazing and challenging board and card games. Explore how logic is used in Amazeum’s temporary exhibition, Mindbender Mansion, and then work as a game designer to build your own game. Explore strategies and game thinking to defeat your friends or win together! *Advanced registration and payment is required.
January 5
Sip-N-Paint Family Night! 612 Coffeehouse - Fayetteville 7-9pm FREE & open to the public Every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Great fun for beginner and seasoned artists! NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! We provide the paint, canvas, and supplies. You bring your creativity and enjoy an amazing time! www.facebook.com/mytbydesign/
January 20
MOMANDPOP BAND Fayetteville Public Library 10:30 AM "Mömandpöp” is the brainchild of husband and wife songwriters Bobby Matthews and Virginia Ralph. In 2015 they created “The mömandpöp Show,” a musical comedy variety show geared especially for pre-school and early elementary show children and their parents.
On Saturday, January 27, 2018, join Pagnozzi Charities for our 5th Annual Princess for a Day event. Bring your little princess dressed in her favorite princess attire. She will be able to get her nails painted, make-up applied, and make a princess craft. We will have 14 fairytale princesses at the event this year for your child to visit with, get an autograph from and have their photo taken with. There will be both a morning and afternoon session, plus exclusive Tea Parties prior to each session. Each ticket comes with one adult spectator ticket for a parent. This is not a drop-off event! If you plan to have additional adults attend with your child, you will need to purchase an additional adult spectator ticket.
CB Babies Crystal Bridges 10-11:30 Oh baby! Join us for this special program for the museum’s youngest visitors: infants ages 3 to 24 months with a caregiver. You’ll spend time in the galleries talking to your baby about art before enjoying sensory playtime. We’ll visit new artworks and make new discoveries together each month. Make sure you are able to hold your baby, or have them in a front carrier; they need to see and physically react to the artworks. This is a time to bond with your baby, so please make other arrangements for siblings. $10 ($8/members), register online or with Guest Services.
Jane Austen Dining Experience Briar Rose Bakery, Farmington Seating at 6pm Extracting recipes from several sources, ie cookbooks: " Dinner with Mr Darcy," " Cooking with Jane Austen," " The Jane Austen Cookbook," and other sources.
January 24 Let's LEGO 4-5pm
Elementary and Middle School Students are invited to bring their LEGOs and a blanket to Bentonville Public Library to design and create LEGOs models with their friends. For students entering grades 1-6.
January 25
Homeschool Mini Camp Amazeum 9-3pm New program for homeschool students: Mini Camps! Homeschool Mini Camps foster new curiosities and discoveries about the world around us as we use science as a tool for exploring that world. In these child drop-off camps, campers explore the concepts of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) through creative, hands-on explorations. Only homeschool students are able to join these camps, so it is another great way to meet with homeschool students in the area. Age Group: 6-11 years old $60 Amazeum members/$70 non members*Advanced registration and payment is required. Child drop-off camp. Registration and additional information available here.
January 26
Arkansas Gymnastics vs. Georgia | Pack The Barn, American Girl Doll Party Barnhill Arena 6 pm The Razorbacks will try and set a new home meet attendance record against Georgia as one of the most popular promotions from the past few years returns. The meet against the Bulldogs will feature six American Girl Doll giveaways, and kids are encouraged to bring their own dolls to the meet.
January 27
Princess for a Day Central United Methodist Church, Fayetteville pagnozzicharities.org
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JANUARY YOUTH & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Toddler Tots and Tales » Shape It Up!
Wednesday, January 10 | 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Saturday, January 13 | 10:30 am – 11:30 am Enjoy storytime and create a collage using shapes. The same class is offered on both Wednesday and Saturday! $10 ($8/members), register online or with Guest Services.
Preschool Playdate » Lights Out!
Thursday, January 11 | 11:30 am – 2 pm Enjoy puppet storytime, glow-in-the-dark play, and lantern painting inspired by nighttime artworks. FREE, no registration required.
Afterschool Art Class » Sketch It! (Ages 5 – 12) Thursdays, January 11, 18, & 25 | 4 – 5:30 pm Create your own sketchbook and explore the permanent collection through drawing. $45/3 sessions ($36/members), register online or with Guest Services. Mini Masters » Hip to Be a Square! (Ages 4 – 5 with an adult) Wednesday, January 17 | 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Saturday, January 20 | 10:30 – 11:30 am Find shapes around the museum and create your own masterpiece. The same class is offered on both Wednesday and Saturday! $10/session ($8/members), register online or with Guest Services.
CB Babies
Saturday, January 27 | 10 am – 11:30 am Join us for this special program for the museum’s youngest visitors: infants ages 3 months to 24 months with a caregiver. $10 ($8/members), register online or with Guest Services.
Art Classes at the Bentonville Community Center!
Crystal Bridges has partnered with the City of Bentonville to offer art classes for ages 2-12 at the Bentonville Community Center. Visit BentonvilleAr.com.
CRYSTALBRIDGES.ORG BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS
34 January 2018
479.418.5700
302 SE 22nd Street, Bentonville infinitichildcare.com
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Breastfeeding by Lisa Jones
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My Story
my husband needed to drop formula onto my breast with a syringe. It would still allow for the motherly bond to be created with my daughter, but it would also provide the necessary nutrients that she required. That was it… the moment my first #momfail guilt set in. Immediately, I thought, "I’m not enough. I cannot provide for her. What did I do wrong? What am I doing wrong?" My husband wasn’t sleeping, either. Every feeding, every latch, he was next to me dropping formula onto my breast, and saw me through every tear. He would even attend my three visits a week with a lactation consultant, and one visit a week with my doctor. They kept saying, “We have to give it time to come in. We have to wait for at least 14 days. What are we doing to get the milk to come in? What are we doing to increase supply? Are you eating enough calories? Are you drinking enough water? Let’s try supplements, Fenugreek, hot baths, manual compression, and breast pumping.” Yes, Yes, Yes! Check!
Week 1 -
On July 6, 2017 our world forever changed… for Little Devyn is 7 days old at this point. My husband the better. We welcomed our sweet little girl, Devyn Rae Jones, into the world with open arms. Perfection. Pure perfection. She was, and is, perfect in His eyes.
July 8, 2017 - Do we get to go home? After sleepless nights learning about this new human, plus confusion, frustrations, healing, recovering, and working with a lactation consultant, we waited for our doctor to release us. Then, the dreaded conversation happened: "Devyn has lost too much weight, and I’m going to need to see what is going on with your breastfeeding." It's normal for a baby to lose weight at birth, but Devyn had lost too much. “We cannot let you leave the hospital without supplementing,” our doctor said. My mind was spinning. “What does that mean?" I thought, "Supplementing with what? My milk has yet to come in, that's all. She is getting the 'liquid gold,' right?” Whatever our thoughts and worries, we had to get her weight back up. Bottom line. We sat there while our doctor taught us how 36 January 2018
and I are still not sleeping, still using the syringe, and still pumping 7-8 times a day. We have to figure out how to get this milk to come in. Okay, there is a little change in color. We are getting some foremilk at the end of a pump. Finally! That’s good, right? Then, however, complications set in. For me. “What is this pain? Why am I so cold? I feel like I have the flu. Why is my breast red and throbbing?” Mastitis, apparently. "What on earth is that? How can I have mastitis when my milk isn’t even in yet?"
Week 2 -
It was time to get serious. I purchased the money back-guarantee supplements! My milk bound to come in now! Three days later, still no change. Five days later, still no change. After feeding her, I would keeping pumping for 20 minutes on each side to try to trick my body into thinking she needed more. I repeated this cycle every two hours. Tired didn’t begin to explain what I felt. Normally, you would be able to nap when the baby napped, but I had to pump. And still, no milk.
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Right around the time we introduced this new feeding method to our baby, she turned into a fussy baby. I mean, a crying all through the night baby. Apparently, too much air was getting into her stomach through the SNS system, in addition to sensitivity to the formula we were using. Seven formulas later we found one that no longer caused discomfort, but--welcome to the world of baby spit-up!
Week 4 -
Something has to be “off.” The doctor wanted to test my progesterone levels. "What do you mean?" I asked, "I guess I don’t know what that hormone does." Apparently, it's a vital component, affecting your body’s ability to produce milk. "Wait, you have thyroid problems, too? We have to get this all checked out." Then, "Results are in," the doctor says, “Your progesterone levels are amazing, but there is bad news. Your thyroid levels are too low, again, so we have to increase your Synthroid dosage to get that back on track.” At this point, my lactation consultant and my doctor butted heads. “Your thyroid has nothing to do with your milk not coming in,” said my doctor, “but, at this point, I honestly think you need to give up trying.” I breathed a sigh of relief, though I was a little offput by my doctor’s recommendation to quit trying to breastfeed. It was going to come in! At least it’s not my thyroid! We then went to our next LC appointment, only to find that “Your thyroid has everything to do with the fact that you have no milk supply! The only cases we have ever seen where milk supply could not be boosted had to do with patients whose thyroids were uncontrolled. Maybe it's time to stop putting yourself through this?” I didn’t agree. I wasn’t ready to give up, no matter what either of them said. I cried the entire way home after that appointment. My heart was broken.
Week 3 -
Daddy had to go back to work, so we began a Supplemental Nursing System. SNS is a system that drips formula through a tiny hose, which itself runs through one of the tiny holes in your nipple shield. If you have ever seen an SNS system, or used one, you know it takes a whole lot of patience, or several hands, to help get it in place, for it to just fall apart once the baby latches.
I’m still broken, exhausted, and feeling like a complete failure. On top of everything, while I was pregnant, one of my dogs was diagnosed with cancer. She had been on chemo for four months, and had been doing so well. She was thirteen years old, and she was all that I had had for many years. This was the week, however, that her health started a slow decline. I didn’t know what to do, and mental darkness was starting to get to me. My LC said, “Let’s take some of this pressure off of you. Let’s go to pumping eight times a day, and letting her latch at least 2-3 times. We don’t want her to forget how to latch while we are waiting for the supply to fully come in. Pump for one full hour every morning, and then do 30-minute pumps the rest of the day.” At this point, I was getting ONE OUNCE of foremilk for every day and a half of pumping. That is eleven pumps (1-hour pump + 10 half-hour pumps = 6 hours a day) to get one ounce. My baby was eating 2-3 ounces every two hours by this point, so how would I ever be enough? Still, I decided to stick with it.
Week 5 -
Time to check thyroid levels again! “That change in medication should be kicking in by now, so hopefully we will be seeing an increase in your milk any day now.” It takes four weeks for thyroids to level out after a dosage change, so we were anxiously awaiting the results. Then, the doctor said, “Well, it looks like your thyroid is overproducing now. Your body is burning too many calories.” What do you mean, my under-active thyroid is over-producing now? How is that even possible? What now? Oh, another medication change. Right. And when will we see results? 4 more weeks? Still, I knew that my milk would come in. It had to.
Week 6 -
This week was a tough one. This was the week that I had to say goodbye to my dog. She had been my best friend for thirteen years, and she was a good one. A constant one. Over the past six weeks, I had Turn the page …
My Breastfeeding Story
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that the wheels don’t fall off of the bus. When you write your own paycheck, you don’t get the amazing maternity leave that a lot of lucky women get. Though, let’s be honest, the maternity leave people get still isn’t long enough. Regardless, it felt like I was trying to juggle being productive, managing the staff, making decisions, and then, oh wait, time to feed baby and pump again. Now, re-start project we were working on 45 minutes earlier. Where were we? I kept feeling like I was failing as mom, a wife, and now, a boss.
Week 8 -
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been wrapped up in such a wonderful life change that I did not get to spend the quality time with her that I once had. I started to feel the guilt of not being there for her. I slowed down this week, and stayed home with Devyn and the pups. The small, steady supply of milk I was producing started to diminish. In between pumping and feeding, I would lay on the couch, crying while snuggling all of my babies. Somehow, I was still hopeful that my milk would show up.
Week 7 -
At this point, I had been through every single emotion that I have - quite a few – but, it was time to start trying to get back to working. I own a women’s boutique in downtown Bentonville, and, while my amazing staff covered for me as much as possible, there is a certain level of responsibility that a business owner has, and feels, to make sure
Devyn was smiling and starting to giggle at this point. She was changing so fast that I didn’t want to miss anything. I’ll never forget that final morning I pumped. I always woke up early so I could get that hour pump in before Devyn woke up for the day. One hour with that horrible machine. One hour of power pumping. How much did I get? .1 oz. One hour for .1 oz. I cried. I cried hard. I cried for two solid hours. Eight weeks and only five ounces of foremilk saved in the freezer. It took eight weeks to slowly accumulate 5 oz. I cleaned all of the parts, put away the pump, and I haven’t opened it again.
Week 18 -
While I am glad that I worked so hard at breastfeeding, I spent the first four months of my baby’s life living in fear that she would not love me like other babies love their mamas. I thought that I was some how failing her, my husband, and our family. I was ashamed to make her a bottle in public. It felt like I had to tell everyone why she was formula fed. I saw the looks from other people. I knew what they meant. I was so afraid she would be behind because of me. That she would somehow be unhealthy. I thought all of these things because of the pressure surrounding us. Slogans like
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It was a moment I’ll never forget… because I realized this journey has been a gift from God, breastfeeding or not.
“Breastfed Is Best” are everywhere these days. The reality that I now fully understand, and completely agree, with is that Fed Is Best.
It wasn’t until we had a change in our routines that my eyes were opened and my depression was lifted. We moved Devyn to her nursery this week. That was the turning point. We placed the Owlet monitor on her foot, as we did every night. I bundled her up in her swaddle and started rocking her to sleep. I sat there in her room, rocking her, with no lights on. A realization hit me like a ton of bricks--a wave of emotion that wouldn’t stop. I have two dear friends, Wes and Ella Shelton, that lost their little boy, Taylor, to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). As I sat there rocking Devyn, I cried for Ella. I cried for all the nights she hasn’t gotten to rock her baby boy to sleep and place him in his crib. I cried for the morning she found him. It was a moment I’ll never forget… because I realized this journey has been a gift from God, breastfeeding or not. I had Devyn. I get to hold her,
to watch her learn, to watch her grow, to rock her to sleep. I had to go through the deep valley to get to where I am today. I know that our baby girl is healthy, happy, and oh so beautiful, no matter what type of milk she is getting. If you don’t know Wes and Ella’s story, I encourage you to read it. I encourage you to get to know Taylor McKeen Shelton. www.taylormckeen.com I know that that little boy’s perfect eyes come to my mind daily. It reminds me that when I get frustrated with Devyn, I have her to be frustrated with, and that is a huge blessing. Soon-to-be mamas, don’t stress it. If you are able to breastfeed, that is a wonderful thing. Do it. If not, then don’t. You can survive the craziness. You can endure. You can still share a truly wonderful bond with your baby. I know. Adoption mamas: that baby longs for you, just the same. The bond is there. It is called love.
Mamas, lets all be kind to one another. We don’t know everyone’s story.
www.davidadams.com
100 West Center, Ste 101 Fayetteville 479-444-7778
By: Adriana Stacey Photo by: Mika Beth Edwards Photography
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aturday, October 21, 2017 started the same way every day does in a home with four children, two dogs, and busy parents... we hit the ground running! As it was a regular football weekend for the Stacey family, we had friends in town for a home Razorback game. We got up early to show our friends around Fayetteville before we had a babysitter come to watch our children so we could go tailgate for the first time this season. Our 7-year-old daughter, Mary Virginia, had been feeling a little under the weather for a day or so, but nothing that was too concerning. She seemed to have a cold, but wasn’t complaining much. She went around town with us that morning like normal--though, looking back, she wasn’t her usual self. While riding in the car, for instance, she was so quiet. Mary Virginia is never quiet. Additionally, she had been invited to a sleepover that night that she had been looking forward to for weeks. When I let her know that I didn’t think she should go, she didn’t even seem to have the energy to care. Since she was such a social butterfly, this was very unusual. We got back home and set her up in the bed with a cold pack for her head, some orange juice, and the TV remote. She rested off and on, but didn’t 40 January 2018
seem to need much from us. One of our regular babysitters, Elizabeth, came to stay with Mary Virginia and our youngest child, Jack, while Heath (my husband) and I took Whitman (Mary Virginia’s twin brother) and our oldest child, Annalise, to tailgate and see the Razorbacks play against Auburn. While we were at the game, we checked in regularly with Elizabeth, who told us that Mary Virginia seemed tired, but nothing out of the ordinary. About halfway through the football game, though, I had a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach that told me I needed to go home and check on Mary Virginia. Given that we live just a few blocks from the stadium, we walked home just after halftime. When I opened the front door to our house, I saw something I will never forget. Mary Virginia was lying on the floor in the kitchen, and I was not sure if she was even alive. We ran over to her and picked her up, and she was barely responding to us. Her extremities were blue and cool to the touch and she was unbelievably weak. Elizabeth had laid MV down on a chair so that she could go give Jack a bath, and Mary had slid out of the chair and onto the floor. Coming from a physician's background, serious anxiety set in, for both Heath and me. We knew she needed to get to a hospital
right away. Given all the game traffic, we knew that an ambulance would not be able to get to us fast enough, so Heath’s aunts weaved us in and out of game traffic and got us to the emergency room at Washington Regional Medical Center in record time. WRMC was able to get us to a room very quickly and immediately began running tests to try to figure out what was going on: chest X-ray, head CT, blood cultures, lab draws—honestly, Heath and I thought maybe she just had the flu or was dehydrated and that they would give her some fluids and we would be out of there in no time. This was not the case. The longer we were there, the worse she appeared. After three hours at WRMC, they decided that we needed to go to Little Rock to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. As was our luck that evening, there was a huge storm hitting Arkansas at the exact time that we needed to take a med flight to ACH. Because of that, an ambulance would have to suffice. The driver of the ambulance was able to get us to Little Rock in two hours! What a blessing he was to us to get us there quickly and safely in such terrible weather. Heath had to stay behind with our other three children, but I was able to ride in the ambulance with Mary Virginia. Turn the page …
It only took about an hour once we were at ACH for them to figure out what was going on with our sweet girl— heart failure. They swiftly sent us up to the ICU for admission, and all the while my head was spinning... heart failure?! The first 48 hours at ACH were full of many different teams of doctors, lots of IVs and medications and nurses, many tears and much anxiety. Just 15 years ago, I was a medical student on the other side of the curtain in this exact same ICU. It was all so overwhelming. As Heath's parents were able to rush to care for our three healthy children at home, Heath was able to get to Little Rock by Sunday early afternoon, which was such a relief to me. My mother was also able to rush to Little Rock to be with us. We had many friends and family who were able to drop everything to be by our sides in the ICU waiting room. You never realize how important it is to have this village of people to physically and spiritually support you until you are in such an emergency! The initial diagnosis was acute viral myocarditis— inflammation of the muscles of the heart, which was the result of Mary Virginia’s body’s reaction to a viral infection. Since this was a rare diagnosis, the doctors could not say for sure why or how our daughter ended up in such severe heart failure. However, they were able to give us hope and a treatment plan. The doctors and nurses in the ICU and the Cadriovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at ACH were beyond amazing. For about two days, Mary Virginia showed very limited improvement. There were small milestones met, but then setbacks. On Tuesday, just after lunchtime, the priest from our Fayetteville church, Father Jason Tyler, made a visit to the hospital room to offer Mary Virginia the Catholic sacrament of
Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament is a series of prayers and anointing with oil that is meant to bring spiritual, and hopefully physical, strength to the seriously ill or dying. Having never been a part of this sacrament before, it was immensely powerful to experience. Unbelievably, the next morning, Mary Virginia’s heart was almost completely normal! The doctors could not believe she experienced such swift healing, and were amazed at her progress in such a short time. Over the next few days, we were able to wean her off of her heart medications and witness her making a complete recovery! Although we were thrilled to see that she was healed, the rapidity of her turnaround also brought with it a sense of unease, specifically that maybe this was some other disease process and not a straightforward case of viral myocarditis. The doctors at ACH did the best they could to run every test they could think of to try to come up with a solid diagnosis. At the end of it all, however, we were not able to come up with the “why” or “how." Despite this uncertainty, we are just so grateful to have our little blessing back home with us and completely recovered. Having seen her so close to death, it was an unbelievable feeling to come out of that hospital with a newly healthy child. Our feisty 7-year-old earned dozens of Beads of Courage in her time at ACH and was able to walk herself from her room in the CVICU to our car in the parking lot on November 1. Her number one priority from that moment on was figuring out when she was going to be able to get back on her horse and canter around the arena! We learned so much through this experience and will never again take the health of our children for
granted. We had five doctors in our house that day, and not a single one of us realized the severity of Mary Virginia’s condition. We truly believe it was by the grace of God that we did not let our daughter go to sleep that night, and instead realized that she needed a visit to the emergency room. We had never had a child that needed the specialized care of a children’s hospital, but we now realize how very important it is for us to have access to childcentered care close to home. We have become supporters of Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Arkansas Children’s Hospital-Northwest, and we will be forever indebted to the top-notch treatment team that saved our daughter’s life those days in Little Rock. We are so excited to have this caliber of care coming to Northwest Arkansas.
Virginia. The outpouring of support and prayers was what helped us to maintain our strength. I have often said that, since October 21, I learned two huge lessons through this experience: First, be prepared for anything, because you never know what the day will bring. Second, what's more important than being a prayerful person is to have a village of people who can pray for you when you are speechless. We will never take either of these things for granted.
We also learned firsthand the importance of community. Webster’s dictionary defines community as “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.” We are so thankful that thousands of people stood with our family during this time, sharing the common goal of healing for Mary To read Mary Virginia’s Caring Bridge site visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/marystacey
To learn more about myocarditis, please visit www.myocarditisfoundation.org
To learn more about Arkansas Children’s Hospital-Northwest please visit www.archildrens.org/about-us/ach-now-and-the-future/arkansas-childrens-northwest-expansion
NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK! 111 S Main St
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Cooking Lifetime.. Lasts a
Cooking is a skill that will last a lifetime. Everyone needs to eat, right? A child who has been given the opportunity to experiment and develop their culinary skills early on in life will then be able to utilize these skills throughout their adult lives. What are the benefits of joining the YCA Chefs Club Membership Program? Just to name a few... Learning how to cook in a group setting alongside their peers. Team-building activities built in to increase selfesteem, as students work together towards a common goal. No computers to hide behind! Reinforcement of skills, techniques and kitchen safety
Expansive range of new ingredients and recipes introduced every week, which allows for creativity to flow and exploration of new cuisines 44 January 2018
Members automatically enrolled in the exclusive MasterChef program Taking what they learn and applying this at home for family mealtime!
Young Chefs Academy provides an outlet to help your child develop their culinary abilities in a welcoming environment. Students take home what they’ve learned, and continue to build upon their knowledge each week, allowing them to become immersed in the process. But, selfishly, for us, it’s about more than teaching our students how to cook… it’s the smiles, laughter and surprises that happen every day. Whether you teach your children at home yourself, or utilize the services of a cooking school designed with your child in mind, the benefits outweigh everything else.
- By Jennifer Stringfellow -
I
t has been seven years since I shared my daughter Lana’s story with you. Like the son of Jimmy Kimmel, the popular late-night show host and writer, Lana had a major heart defect at birth that resulted in her being rushed to two different hospitals away from me shortly after birth. She then experienced surgeries when she was six days old, then six months, then 1 1/2 years old. She received a pacemaker in second grade, and, when Lana was in junior high, we moved to Northwest Arkansas from Florida--a decision that would change our family forever. Within a few visits at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, her doctors, with their fresh pairs of eyes, knew that she needed a transplant. Amazingly, while she was a freshman at Bentonville High School, she got one! We spent her freshman year preparing for the surgery, going through with it, and then recovering from the shock and awe of that experience. My beautiful girl took it all in stride, never complaining--unless it was about the hospital food, understandably! Through it all, she continued to strengthen her relationship with God. It was amazing to watch. By her sophomore year, she was able to start back at school with all of her friends, and was able to be a normal teenager. She went to every homecoming dance, participated in Miss Bentonville High School, cheered at football games, danced at proms, participated in cotillion, bonfires, sleepovers and all the general fun that makes up high school. She eventually graduated from BHS, and we were able to share her success story with her heart 46 January 2018
Our UPDATE: donor’s family via letters once she had her “heartiversary,” a year after her transplant. Her heart donor was a 13-year-old boy from Indiana, who was a funny, charismatic child (much like Lana) named Timothy. He had been struck in a hit-andrun accident, and that amazing family gave my sweet angel the greatest gift she could ever receive: life. I still carry a picture of him in my wallet as a constant reminder of the greatest gift I ever received as a mother, for the greatest gift God ever gave me: Lana. After graduation, Lana was then accepted to Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, so we loaded up our cars and headed down to get her all settled. It was so fun! We got to enjoy the beach, and food, and laugh at the life that is southern Florida. We loved our time there, but, in the end, she was too far from home, and wanted so badly to be back with her family. So, her dad went down to Boca, packed her up, and brought her home. That was one of the best things that happened to her, quite honestly. She then changed her major to behavioral therapy/social work, and started back to school at NWACC. She’d drive down to Ft. Smith regularly to visit her friends from high school, and was able to enjoy the normal pace of life back in NWA. Soon, she got a job at Thrive working with autistic children, in addition to a job working with some of our friends’ kids, and was really happy. She had such a great outlook on life, didn’t put up with anything, and would call you out if you needed it! She was hilarious, and, most importantly, a Turn the page …
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child of God, and spread his word every chance she got. Shortly after starting with Thrive, the week of Easter in 2015, she got sick. They thought it was the flu, then that it was some weird thing with her gallbladder. We all knew that there was something wrong, but had no clue as to what was actually happening. They sent her home from both the ER and doctors’ offices three times before she was life-flighted to ACH in Little Rock. Our greatest fear, five whole years after her transplant, came true with almost no notice. She was experiencing rejection of the heart that had saved her life. This is abnormal five years out. You probably think this could be the end of our story, but it’s not. I drove all through the night to get to Lana, stay with heer, and pray with her. Within a few hours of me getting to the hospital, it was apparent that she was not doing well. They put her on an ECMO, which is a very specific life support system, plus a ventilator, and then, eventually, dialysis as well because her organs were failing. I have never felt more terrified in my life, since the day she was born--all because someone thought she had the “flu” and sent her home! We spent three months in Little Rock that year, while Lana fought back, even dancing to Kirk Franklin’s “Revolution” while on a ventilator, with another resident. In fact, she told me when she woke up that she wanted a gyro to eat--while still on a ventilator--because that was one of the last meals she’d had with her best friend before this all started. Funnily enough, that was the first meal we got for her when she could finally eat. She made it back to health, she made it to an apartment in Little Rock, and she made it home, all by the grace of God. She still had work to do! After those months, things went back to normal. I moved to Boston, while she went back to work for
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Thrive, went back to school, and eventually moved into an apartment with her sister, who is 11 months younger than her and was also going to work and to school full-time. She planned her sister's 21st birthday party, and flew out here several times. We had plans for her to come for Christmas, even though her sister couldn’t. We looked forward to the holidays together. It would, however, end up being my first Christmas without all four of my sweet kids together. Her birthday was October 6th, and on October 16th I got a call that put me on my knees. My sweet angel had been at the gym and died, suddenly and completely unexpectedly. She was dead before she got to the hospital across the street--only about 200 feet from the gym. She didn’t want to go back into the hospital--she didn’t want to go back on life support, and she most definitely didn’t want to go through another transplant. As strong as she was in faith, God knew her heart, and blessed her by letting her go home. Even in death, my sweet girl gave back to everyone, and donated as many organs and tissues as she could. She helped 75 to 100 people that needed corneas, tissue, bone, etc. Our hearts here on Earth are still breaking, missing her unbelievably, but she got her Christmas wish. She is whole and healthy, and wouldn’t give a million dollars to come back. She has a million babies she’s taking care of that she couldn’t take care of here on Earth. As much as I wish she was here, I know those streets of gold are covered in snow, and she’s waiting on us to get there. She’s watching over all her siblings, and loving watching them grow up. She is with us in our hearts, and will be with each one at their graduations, weddings, and births of their babies. So, even now, her legacy lives on in how much she gave back, and will continue to for years and years to come.
ne thing I learned from this is how to be a good friend, because we had so many help us. If you know someone who is going through a crisis it is the littlest things that matter the most. Go to their house and pack their bags for them... I managed to help Lana get some things together and to get things for the little ones, but my bag was horrendous. I had a bunch of single socks that didn’t match, one pair of underwear and clothes that were in such disarray... It eventually all worked out, but the initial crisis bag should be packed by someone other than the one in crisis.
48 January 2018
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50 January 2018
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The 19th-ranked Arkansas gymnastics team returns to Barnhill Arena this season for five home meets, featuring fun-filled themes and promotions, as well as exciting routines by returning and new Razorbacks. The Razorbacks bring back ten gymnasts from the 2017 season, including All-American Amanda Wellick and NCAA Individual participants Braie Speed and Jessica Yamzon. Speed posted a 9.825 on the vault at NCAA’s, tying her third-best score from last season. Yamzon earned a spot at the NCAA Championships last season as a freshman, scoring a 38.925 in the all-around. Wellick returns after suffering a season-ending injury in January of last season and missed what would’ve been her senior year. She has since returned to the gym and will be in Arkansas’ lineup this season. Among the newcomers, Arkansas has five new 52 January 2018
faces in freshmen Sophia Carter, Kailey Gillings, Sydney Laird, Lakin Legereit and Ellie Wylie, who were all level 10 gymnasts before joining the Razorbacks. The 2018 season begins January 5 in Baton Rouge, LA, as the Razorbacks face last year’s national runner-up LSU, with the home schedule beginning a week later. Arkansas will host five meets inside Barnhill Arena, including Southeastern Conference matchups between preseason No. 10 Kentucky (Jan. 12), No. 16 Georgia (Jan. 26) and No. 14 Auburn (Feb. 9). The Razorbacks face a loaded 2018 schedule that includes four teams from last year’s Super Six, including the defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners. Thirteen of 15 opponents were NCAA Regional participants in 2017, while six were among the final 12 teams that advanced to the NCAA Championships. Arkansas will face nine preseason ranked teams, including the top 4 teams on the road.
HOME MEET THEMES AND PROMOTIONS JAN. 12 VS. KENTUCKY 7 PM
FEB. 9 VS. AUBURN 7 PM
CANDYLAND
DADDY-DAUGHTER PRINCESS DATE NIGHT
The Razorbacks’ home debut will feature a Candyland theme. The first 250 kids will receive candy bars, with the chance of winning a special giveaway from 25 golden tickets. There will be a photo booth, along with other candy-themed giveaways throughout the meet.
The first 100 kids that attend Arkansas’ meet against Auburn will receive a light-up tiara as costumed princesses make appearances. Other princess-related promotions geared toward young girls will take place before and during the meet. All girls are encouraged to wear their favorite princess costumes. as there will be an opportunity to take photos before the meet.
JAN. 26 VS. GEORGIA 6 PM
PACK THE BARN, AMERICAN GIRL DOLL PARTY The Razorbacks will try and set a new home meet attendance record against Georgia as one of the most popular promotions from the past few years returns. The meet against the Bulldogs will feature six American Girl Doll giveaways, and kids are encouraged to bring their own dolls to the meet. Fans can purchase season and single-meet tickets by calling 1-800-982-4647 or by visiting ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Season tickets cost $40 for reserved seating and $25 for general admission. Single-meet tickets are just $5 for adults and $3 for youth 17 and under. Tickets can be purchased prior to or the day of the meet. For information regarding $2 group rates contact the Razorback Ticket Office.
MARCH 2 VS. ARIZONA 6:45 PM
PINK MEET, MOMMY-DAUGHTER GIRLS NIGHT OUT The annual Pink Meet will take place March 2 against Arizona, and fans are encouraged to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness. Pink foam light sticks will be provided to fans, and breast cancer survivors will be recognized during the opening ceremonies.
MARCH 16 VS. DENVER, IOWA STATE 6:45 PM SUPERHERO SENIOR NIGHT
A fan favorite from the 2017 season returns, as all kids are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero. The first 150 fans will receive a free custom Razorback superhero cape.
From Small Town Kid to Northwest Arkansas Doctor Steven Kempson, M.D., grew up in a small town in East Arkansas called Bald Knob, where visits with his local doctor inspired him to become one himself. “We were a one-doctor little town,” he says. “I thought he could do anything.” Dr. Kempson said that he’s wanted to be a doctor for as long as he can remember. Now a family medicine physician, Dr. Kempson recently joined the active medical staff of Northwest Health, practicing at Northwest Family Care – Westside. Dr. Kempson decided to focus on family medicine because it allows him to see a wide range of ages and see many different situations and ailments. “I like the relationship aspect of that,” he said.
The most fulfilling part of his job is watching a patient’s quality of life improve. He likes being able to find a solution to a patient’s problem, treat them, and see them get better. Dr. Kempson has three daughters. One is a teacher in Texas, another is a student at the University of Arkansas, and the other is a recent graduate of the university.
Dr. Kempson believes it is important for him, as a doctor, to sit with his patients and listen to them, so he can help them reach their healthcare goals. He thinks it is important to take the necessary time with each person. Dr. Kempson has spent the past year of his career in an urgent care setting. This experience reminded him that he likes the relationship-building aspect that he gets to see as a primary care doctor.
“I’m a sports nut,” he said. He added that he is a big Razorbacks fan and loves all sports.
He likes to largely focus on preventative care, such as cholesterol levels, cancer screenings, mammograms and other preventative exams.
Dr. Kempson sees patients ages two years old and older. He also offers same-day appointments and walk-in visits.
Dr. Kempson received his medical education at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. He then completed a family medicine internship and residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – AHEC Southwest in Texarkana.
His practice is located at 3875 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale, and he is currently accepting new patients. For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Kempson, call 479-751-9236 or visit www.nw-physicians.com
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Rub-A-Dub-Dub Safety 101 in the Tub! By Meagan Ruffing January is National Bath Safety Month and these are the perfect tips to get your bathtub safe-proof for today and every day.
BATH TIME. It’s the best part of the day, right? If your children take baths in the morning, doesn’t it feel nice to have them all clean and tidy to get them started for their day? Or, if you’re like my family, we do baths at night to help set the tone for the evening; it’s time to settle down and relax. Whatever time your family does bath time, make sure it’s a safe time, as well. Too many kids drown each year. Too many kids get burned every day from scalding hot water. January is National Bath Safety Month, and these are the perfect tips to get your bathtub safety up to date for today, and every day. FLOATING BATH THERMOMETERS. These cool bath toys actually float in water and tell you the temperature, making sure it’s safe for your child to get in. Babies R Us has a great one for only $3.99, and I like it because it tells you if the water is too cold or too hot.
BATH SPOUT COVER. These are a must. Putting 56 January 2018
a simple character-themed cover like this whale one from Target over your bath spout will save your child’s back from getting skinned when she stands up to reach something, or turns her back towards the spout and doesn’t realize she’s about to hit it. There are tons of different themes you can buy. If your child likes dinosaurs, great! Go for it! Ducks? They have duck ones, too!
DRAIN STOPPER. This a great safety guard for little fingers that like to find their way into the drain. Bath time for a lot of kids is when they let their imagination run wild, and you never know when a superhero is going to jump off the ledge and into the drain. Be sure he has a safe landing spot and a secure suction, so your little one doesn’t get his fingers caught in the drain. BATH KNEELER. These are super important to have when you’re giving your child a bath. So many times
our elbows slip on the bathtub because of how the water makes it slippery, and we go to catch our child, only to let out a huge ‘agh!’ that we caught them just in time from slipping in the tub. This mat takes the accident-waiting-to-happen out of the equation. Bonus – it’s comfy on the knees, too.
fits nicely inside the duck with room to play, and you can hang the duck up on the shower wall after bath time, because there is a suction cup on the underside of the duck. Take these bath safety suggestions with you the next time you’re at the store or shopping for your friend’s baby shower. They are the perfect bathfriendly products to make their way into your home.
to A COLUMN FOR MOMS, BY MOMS, AND FOR THE LOVE OF MOMS
INFLATABLE TUB. I can’t tell you how many of these I bought for my son. I think we went through 12! Not because they didn’t hold up, but because he loved them so much that we either traveled with them and forgot them somewhere, or we used them so much that they eventually got holes. Regardless, it was worth every penny. This duck tub fits perfectly in a regular tub. Your child
Meagan Ruffing is a parenting journalist who is in the thick of it with her three young children. She enjoys sharing her parenting tips with other moms and dads in the hopes of making their parenting journey just a tiny bit easier. Visit her at www. meaganruffing.com and follow her on social media.
Now Offering Aesthetic Services Women's Health Associates is excited to now offer skin care services to look and feel your best! We offer medical-grade products and treatments including:
LATISSE | OBAGI VI PEELS | DERMAPEN MICRODERMABRASION DERMAPLANING This allows us to provide individualized, high quality care for each patient. We would love the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic and skin care needs. Initial consultations are always free.
Meet our Aesthetician Randi Saunders, LMA, CLT, PB
Randi is a licensed medical aesthetician, licensed permanent makeup technician and certified laser technician with over eleven years of experience. She received extensive laser training from the IMAJ Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona with the most advanced aesthetics curriculum in the nation. She has additionally been certified by the American Institute of Intradermal Cosmetic Arts and Sciences in Boca Raton, Florida. She also has advanced training in paramedical micropigmentation and permanent makeup.
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At a
Glance ARTS and MUSIC
Amazeum (Pg. 23) (479) 696-9280 Crystal Bridges (Pg. 34) (479) 418-5700 crystalbridges.org Trike Theatre (Pg. 59) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org Young Chef's Academy (Pg. 45) (479) 401-2006 Walton Arts Center (Pg. 34) waltonartscenter.org Wing Studios (Pg. 28) wingstudios.net
BANKS First Security (Pg. 51) www.fsbank.com; www.onlyinark.com
CHILDCARE/NANNY SERVICES ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 57) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com First Friends Preschool (Pg. 4) 479-636-3338 iNFiNiTi Pre-K (Pg. 35) infinitichildcare.com Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool (Pg. 61) (479) 273-1011
CLOTHING Elysian Boutique (Pg. 43) shopelysian.com Oh Baby Boutique (Pg. 22) ohbabynwa.com
DENTIST Pediatric Dental Associates & Orthodontics (Pg. 47) (479) 582-0600
DERMATOLOGY / SKIN CARE Advanced Dermatology / Skin Care Center (479) 268-3555 (Pg. 25) NWA Center for Plastic Surgery (Pg. 2) (479) 571-3100 nwacenterforplasticsurgery.com Women's Health Associates (Pg. 58) whanwa.com
EDUCATION/TRAINING
Academic Math & Language Therapy (Pg. 13) (479) 253-3256 Aloha (Pg. 33) (479) 426-3419 Elizabeth Richardson Center (Pg. 49) ERCinc.org
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FIA Worldwide (Pg.16) www.FIAworldwide.com K12 (Pg. 49) (877) 344-8785 New School (Pg. 5) thenewschool.org NWA Classical Academy (Pg. 64) NWAclassicalacademy.com Rubalcava Jiu-Jitsu (Pg. 55) (479) 366-1897 Super Science (Pg. 59) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Thaden School (Pg. 21) (479) 268-5321 Young Chef's Academy (Pg. 45) (479) 401-2006 Wing Studios (Pg. 28) wingstudios.net
FAMILY FUN / ENTERTAINMENT Amazeum (Pg. 23) (479) 696-9280 Arkansas Razorbacks Gymnastics (Pg. 53) ArkansasRazorbacks.com Crystal Bridges (Pg. 34) (479) 418-5700 FIA Worldwide (Pg. 55) www.FIAworldwide.com Girl Scouts (Pg. 38) girlscoutsdiamonds.org/cookies Starlight Skatium (Pg. 41) (479) 444-STAR Super Science (Pg. 59) (479) 444-0303 www.super-sci.com Trike Theatre (Pg. 59) (479) 464-5084 triketheatre.org Tunes for Tots (Pg. 20) (479) 601-7836 Young Chef's Academy (Pg. 45) (479) 401-2006
FOOD / DRINK TCBY (Pg. 3) (479) 636-8229 (TCBY)
HEALTH AND WELLNESS Advanced Dermatology / Skin Care Center (479) 268-3555 (Pg. 25) Arkansas Children's Northwest (Pg. 62) ARchildrens.org/nyla Best Start (Pg. 19) (479) 575-9359 Direct Care Clinic (Pg. 17) directcarenwa.com Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 50) fccare.org Northwest Primary Care (Pg. 8-9) nw-physicians.com
To advertise email: editor@peekaboonwa.com NWA Health Solutions (Pg. 11) (479) 636-1324
JEWELRY AND GIFTS David Adams (Pg. 39) davidadams.com (479) 444-7778
LEARNING CENTER Academic Math and Language Therapy (Pg. 13) (479) 253-3256 www.amltherapy.com ABC Happy Kids Learning Academy (Pg. 57) (479) 202-5691 abchappykids.com Elizabeth Richardson Center (Pg. 49) ERCinc.org iNFiNiTi Pre-K (Pg. 35) infinitichildcare.com K12 (Pg. 49) (877) 344-8785 Mary’s Little Lamb Preschool (Pg. 61) (479) 273-1011
PEDIATRICIAN Direct Care Clinic (Pg. 17) directcarenwa.com
Northwest Pediatric Convenient Care (Pg. 7) (479) 751-2522 Ozark Pediatrics (Pg. 29) (479) 544-9432
THERAPY Academic Math and Language Therapy (Pg. 13) (479) 253-3256 www.amltherapy.com Friendship Pediatric Services (Pg. 50) (479) 524-2456
ULTRASOUND Baby Face & More (Pg. 55) (479) 270-7391
WOMEN'S HEALTH Lifespring (Pg. 16) lifespringhealthcare.com Parkhill (Pg. 47) Parkhillclinic.com Siloam Springs Women's Center (Pg. 12) (479) 524-9312 Women's Health Associates (Pg. 63) whanwa.com
To advertise and become a part of the Peekaboo Family email: editor@peekaboonwa.com
peekaboonwa.com
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62 January 2018
500 SE Plaza Avenue Bentonville, Arkansas
NWA Classical Academy TUITION-FREE, OPEN ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
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Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy provides the most time-tested methods of educating students. We are committed to providing our future leaders with a college-preparatory education focused on the Classical Liberal Arts. NWA Classical Academy will promote a rigorous academic program, including Honors and AP Courses, that fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, virtuous character building, and a lifelong passion for learning.
COLLEGE-PREP WITH CHARACTER 479-715-6676 NWAClassical.com