Hi. I'm Beatrice. People call me Bea.

Here I am with my dad. Lately, we've had to go to the doctor's office and to the lab a few times. That's because I needed to have some blood tests.

My dad told me that when doctors test blood, they can learn all kinds of things about how a kid's body is working.

At first, I was a little worried about having blood tests. But now that I know what happens, I don't worry about them anymore.

I learned that there is blood moving around my body all the time. It moves through little tubes called veins. I have veins everywhere!

When I look at my skin very close, I can see the veins inside my body. They look like squiggly blue lines.

Having a blood test means I have to have a poke with a small needle. So before I have a blood test, I make a plan with my dad for how I can stay calm and still during the test.

I like to sit on my dad's lap and hold one of my stuffed animals. Sometimes we listen to music, sing a song, or read a book.

Last time, we took bubbles with us to blow during the test!

At the lab, a healthcare provider takes us back to a special blood test chair. It has funny arm rests that help you keep your arm in a good spot for the test.

I sit in the chair with my dad. Then the healthcare provider puts a stretchy band around my arm. It gives my arm a squeezy hug. That helps my veins stand up tall so they are easier to find.

The healthcare provider uses their eyes and fingers to find the best vein. Then they clean that part of my arm with a wipe.

It's my job to stay very still for the whole test. So I ask the healthcare provider to count "1, 2, 3" and then do the poke. That way, I feel ready for when it's coming.

When they start counting I take a really big breath. When they say "3," I blow all my air out. While I'm blowing my air out, the healthcare provider puts a small needle into my vein. It feels kind of like a pinch.

Last time, when we brought bubbles, my dad was ready with the wand. He held it up to my mouth right when I blew my air out. Bubbles went everywhere!

After the pinch is over, I like to watch what the healthcare provider is doing.

The needle in my vein is connected to a skinny little jar with a rubber cap on it. That's where the blood goes. Sometimes they fill up one little jar, and sometimes more.

At first I thought that seemed like a lot of blood. But then I learned that I have lots of blood in my body. Plus, my body is making new blood all the time! So really, it's not very much at all.

When it's time, the healthcare provider takes the stretchy band off my arm. Then when they have all the blood they need, they take the needle out. It makes a click sound, and that's when I know the test is all done.

The healthcare provider holds a cotton ball on my arm for a little bit. Then they puts a sticky bandage on it and I'm all finished.

I don't know when I will need another blood test. But I know that I get braver each time. That makes me feel strong. It makes me feel proud of myself too.

That's Bea's story. Now that you know what happens during a blood test, is there anything you're still wondering about? Is there a toy or a special book you want to take with you? What do you think will help you stay calm and still during the test?