Fitting coming soon

So I took Jordan to the prosthetic guy. We're working on getting her into a physical therapist this month and at the end of the month, we're going to fit her with a passive prosthetic. With that tool, I'm hoping we'll be able to help her reach the rolling over milestone on time. It usually comes around 4 months. I know babies with 2 arms that hit that milestone later, but I just want to make sure she has the chance to try and hit that milestone on time.

I finished writing my application for that award and Jordan got to go to campus one more time... We also checked out the new Starbucks together. I feel like a creep walking into that store... Like I'm helping kill a local coffee shop. But there's something about Starbucks that tells my brain to drink. Maybe it's that green logo. Maybe it's that caramel macchiato.

Shot day

Yup. For Jordan's 2 month doctor's appointment, she had to get four shots... And survived. I fed her right afterwards, took her home and fed her some more. Now she's been sleeping for 2 hours trying to sleep off the painful experience. On our way to the doctor's office, Jordan had a monsterous diaper experience. She leaked up her back, down to her foot... through her clothes. It was a mess. It was really gross. I only had three wipes to clean her up with. But because I'm Super Mom, I changed her and had an extra very cute outfit in the diaper bag.

A former student and current friend sent me a little thing from a website called Story people. She thought today's story reminded her of Jordan. Here's the little story:
Perfect Day
It was a day filled with the glow of ordinary things & we passed them quietly from hand to hand for a long time & someone said she had picked a perfect day to be born & I think all of us felt the same.

I think that is so true.

We're visiting the prosthetic company later today. I'm hoping we'll get a step closer to fitting her for a passive prosthetic.

By the way. Jordan is 11 pounds 7 ounces. Imagine what should would have been if she hadn't thrown up for a few days. She's 22 and a half inches tall. And so far, she's hit all of the developmental milestones that she's supposed to hit. Go Jordan!

I'm pooped

You know how I said Jordan was sleeping a ton? She is still sleeping a lot. But she's still waking up at night. Last night she slept from 9 until 2am. That's okay, but she woke up again at 5:20 this morning. I'm pooped. She's rested.

I spent the day running around trying to get together a big nomination application for a campus teaching award. I don't really know what I'm doing, so I'm learning how to do this as I go. Jordan was incredibly patient with me. She didn't mind where she ate. She slept in her stroller very well. And I was able to snag a private place to work and feed her on campus. That worked out very nicely.

I got both kids to bed by 8 tonight. Pretty amazing. I've watched the A block of the ten... and should probably go to bed as well.

Sleep. A ton of sleep.

Jordan is in mega sleep mode. Last night I put her down in her crib to sleep a little after 7 at night. She woke up after 1 this morning to eat. She immediately went back to sleep and didn't get up until just before 7 this morning. She took a little nap before church. She took a little nap after church. Now she's in the middle of a huge nap... It started around 1 this afternoon, if not earlier. It is 4:20 in the afternoon and she is still sleeping. I'm a little wierded out by all of this sleep. I can't complain yet. But I'm amazed.

By the way. When she is awake, she is so engaged. I love her bright eyes.

Busy days

So in the two days after we got back into town, I've been very busy and Jordan has gone everywhere with me. Yesterday we attended a work meeting for a few hours and then we went to the newsroom. So I obsessively handed out the Purell... So much so, one of the news producers posed Jordan with one of the three bottles that were in my diaper bag. Jordan was very social there... And even got to hang out with a Jordan blog fan: Sarah. Hi Sarah's mom if you're still reading the blog!

After the newsroom, we headed to a university dinner on campus. Jordan had a chance to eat and listen to the president of the university system, Dr. Elson Floyd. She was pretty darn good and didn't cry too much during the event. I guess that went so well, I took her to three hours or so of a conference at a nearby conference center this morning. Once again, she did pretty well. She cried a little during a speaker, but it was a pretty kind group of people and the speaker didn't seem to mind since I fed the girl and she quieted down.

Speaking of being around a bunch of people... I am feeling a lot more comfortable around people I don't really know with Jordan. I introduced her to all kinds of people and I didn't feel wierd about it. No one came out and said: "What's wrong with her?" They just cooed over how cute she is and how good she was during the events. It feels good... I feel so much more comfortable in public with her. It feels good to be at peace with my world. The more I go out, the more comfortable I am with Jordan.

We made it!

We got home last night. I was frayed at the start of our trip back to Missouri: Jordan didn't sleep much and I was pooped. Then Cameron was pooped as well and that made for a pretty ugly start. Fortunately, Cam was golden in the plane and Jordan slept through everything. And when I mean everything, I mean she slept through two trips to the bathroom with Cam. Those bathrooms aren't very big and we fit three people.

Jordan is amazing. She turned eight weeks yesterday and it's so cool to see her develop. She's really into looking at mobiles and hanging toys. Her eyes open really big if she kicks a toy and makes it rattle. She is smiling and looking into everyone's eyes. Cameron LOVES her smiles. Hell, we all do.

I'm including this picture of Jordan from when we were looking at the animals at Lion Country Safari. She just seems so content and happy... I took the picture while she sat on my lap.

Oh, another developmental change: Jordan is learning to fall asleep in her bed. She might fuss a little, but she doesn't fall into a huge fit. She's content to stare at a mobile and fall asleep. It's a big change and I know it will help as we move into the daycare setting. It's only 4 weeks away and I'm starting to fret about it.

I'm taking Jordan to a dinner at the university tonight. We'll see how that goes. It's one of those semi-formal events in honor of a scholar group I'm in. I'm sure she'll steal the attention away from everything else. She's good at that. It's that sweet face and big eyes.

Old lady pity

Mark it down. I took Jordan shopping with me at a clothing store for the first time. The moment I walked in, an old lady burst over to see the baby. I stand there and stare down at my sweet little girl (who was looking pretty darn cute today if I have to say so for myself). The woman looks up at me and cradles my head for a moment and says: "Bless your heart." Then she walked away.

It was my first old lady pity.

I don't need pity. Jordan is going to be just fine. But hell, what do you say when you see a perfect child that is missing an arm? I know what I would say now... But only because it happened to our family. What would I say if I hadn't? I probably would have been one of those mothers that looks, stares and walks on. I promise to never be one of those moms ever again.

My Dad says I should get used to the old lady pity... It will probably happen hundreds to thousands more times in our lives. My Mom says it was sweet. At least the lady didn't run away and not say anything.

It took guts...

But we all went to the beach... Even the baby. I had to take advantage of the cute little bathing suit I bought her. I will blame the hormones when I had to find the perfect little suit for a child who wasn't going to actually swim until she's older. Anyway, I piled up bags full of stuff we "might" need at the beach and piled the kids into my Mom's SUV. After we ran in and out of the house a few times grabbing other things we needed... We did it. We went to the beach!!!

Cam was thrilled, but not so thrilled by the temperature of the sand. It was really hot. Of course, what do you expect when you go to the beach on an 80 degree day at high noon. Yeah. We went to the beach at peak sunburn time. I'm a loser. But I did bring a sun tent. (Yes, I packed too much stuff) So once I struggled with the tent and got it up, we had a place to hide. Jordan slept most of the time in her stroller, but came out to play for a little while. I fed her and let her squint at the bright day outside of the tent. It was perfect. Everything looks beautiful at a beach -- even Jordan's stroller.

After an hour or so, I was ready to go. It isn't easy to keep a little baby comfortable around all of that sand. So we packed up everything and headed home.

Now I've done the second most miraculous thing of this trip: For the second day in a row, I got both kids down for a nap at the same time. I am taking time to actually write in the blog and get some work done... Although I'd really like to take a nap along with the kids.

Jordan's first trip to the park

I took Jordan to the park yesterday -- Really it was so Cameron could go to the park. But it was the first time since we got to Florida that Jordan was well enough to leave the house. It was also the first time I've taken Jordan out around strange kids and parents. She wasn't awake very long while we were there, but I didn't hide Jordan's arm in any way. No one asked questions, but I got some strange looks by a few moms. None of the kids seemed to care that Jordan is a little different. I feel better just doing it. Live our life and learn how to go into the public and get the stares. The cool thing is for Jordan, it's no big deal... This is who she is. I'm going to try to go with the flow with her.

Sick, but doing better

We're down to throwing up once a day. Last night, she threw up right before bed time and it was all my fault. I kept feeding her and feeding her. I just pushed my luck. I want her back to normal and since she was so hungry, I gave her every opportunity to eat last night. Clearly, it was too much.

Anyway. We're in Florida and we're enjoying a beautiful week. Sun and warmth is something Cam, Jordan and I really needed to feel better. The humid air is helping. Jordan still has a cough, but it's doing a lot better. Her nose isn't running much. She enjoys hanging outside in my parents porch area near their pool. It's shady and warm with a nice breeze. She's getting used to feeling air on her arms and legs. She isn't sleeping all wrapped up at night. She isn't wearing socks or heavy clothes.

So it's been tricky figuring out the proper clothing to help her feel comfortable. We're all a little sweaty here. But that's a good thing.

Oh... And Jordan is smiling all the time now (when she isn't hungry or feeling icky with coughs). She is especially smiley when you sing to her. She thinks her Grandma Lee is very silly when she sings. She thinks I'm plain hilarious.

We survived

We're in Florida! Somehow we struggled through one of the grossest and unhealthy days of Jordan's life the day before we left town. I learned how babies get rid of excess mucus in their tummies: By puking. It was a miserable time. I've been fretting about Jordan's hydration and I know she isn't gaining weight right now. That kills me.

I have a bunch of stories... But for now, we're hanging in there and I'm trying hard to get the baby healthy again.

Old pictures found

I was digging through the messy side of our basement when I stumbled onto my baby book. Isn't it incredible how easy it is to take pictures now? Back when I was a baby... Pictures appear to be scarce. There aren't month-by-month documentations of my growth. But I found a few shots that look a lot like Jordan... And that is pretty cool. I'll try to get a few scanned and post them.

My new personal obsession

After seeing Jordan's x-ray, I'm now obsessed with the possibility of constructing an elbow. I found a picture online of just the humerus. I'm not sure if she has a capitellum. That's something the doctors may be able to know by looking at her x-ray. I know she has muscles under the humerus bone... And I'm wondering if she has the tendons that would help actually move an implanted "elbow bone" There really isn't a such thing as an elbow bone... it's just the upper and lower arm bones put together.
I really want that tendon that can attach to a "lower bone" like in that picture. Now I want an MRI to see the muscle tone and what is in there. I realize I'm dreaming here... But if she has the muscle structure, she could get a "fake elbow" and it would make it so damned easier to use a prosthetic. Someday -- I think she'd be a perfect candidate for an arm transplant. But once again... I'm obsessing about technologies that don't exist. Arm or no arm, this kid is going to be fine. I just want the world for her and I'm hoping to learn as much as I can to know every option she can have.

Bulb syringe and goo

Jordan hates the bulb syringe. I hate pulling gunk out of her nose. Hopefully it's helping. Her nose started really running last night. She's not really happy... And trying to sleep a lot. Did I mention how gross it is to use the bulb syringe? I've used it more with Jordan than I ever used with Cam. He was lucky to live in a non-preschooler household. Jordan's world is much germier. (Is that a word?)

I'm a little scared that Jordan can't kick this illness in time for our big trip to Florida on Thursday. I can only continue to drip saline down her nose and suck the heck out of her poor nasal passages.

Gunky six week old

Jordan coughed her way into her 6 week old birthday. She has a case of the gunkies like everyone else in the house. The doctor's office says I'm doing everything I can to help her. So I'm trying not to freak out.

I took Jordan to the hospital yesterday for an x-ray of her little arm. The prosthetic company wanted to have a good idea of her bone structure before making a prosthetic. It was very interesting... She has the entire humerus bone -- including the needed growth plate. The growth plate is the developing tissue near the end of the long bones in children. Each long bone has at least two growth plates: one at each end. The growth plate determines the future length and shape of the mature bone. When growth is complete-sometime during adolescence-the growth plates are replaced by solid bone. That's a good thing for Jordan. At least that bone should grow with her the way it is supposed to.

Jordan has been a bit clingy... But I would be too if I wasn't feeling great. She spent most of today eating and sleeping. She actually slept six straight hours last night! Pretty amazing for a little girl who feels crummy. Who knows what will happen tonight.

Not identical... But similar

I'm pretending to not watch Mizzou lose to Baylor... I was thinking about a conversation I had with my Mom on Skype earlier today. She thinks Jordan's first smilelooks just like Cameron's. I disagree... but I do agree they look similar. (Cam is the picture of the baby wearing white - Jordan has pink) The kids have very different head shapes... Similar eyes and noses... Face shape is very different. I don't know. I may be wishing too hard for a kid who looks like me.

BTW - Cam is feeling better. I don't feel much better and I'm still worried about the girl's health. I'm going to call my doctor for advice tomorrow.

Sickness in the air

The boy was diagnosed with walking pneumonia... And I'm frightened Jordan will get it. I'm mostly concerned because the pediatrician thinks Randy and I probably have it too. He can get drugs... But I'm stuck. Since I'm breastfeeding, there's little I can do... I can't take drugs. Online, it says it takes about a month to kick this. That totally sucks.

The crank monster is losing her hair

Jordan woke up this morning flashing smiles to her brother and Dad... But she's been pretty cranky since then. She's sleeping really well in my arms... but not in her bassinet. I know I should put her to sleep in her bedroom. But I also like the baby asleep in my arms thing.

We're also moving into that ugly new baby phase. She's getting cradle cap (a flaky scalp) and her hormone release is everywhere -- she's getting rid of all of the mommy hormones in her body. She's still cute... Just bumpy and flaky.

Rough day for both kids

For some reason, Jordan was cranky all day. She seemed to have a hard time relaxing, even in my arms. Naps didn't last long most of the day. I'm not too sure why. But she's been asleep for the last 2 hours in her room... So I'm thinking her night sleep is moderating. I'm sure she'll have an easier time tomorrow.

Cam didn't sleep well last night and that put me into a mood in the morning... I slept in Jordan's room after he woke up to try and sneak in a little extra sleep. When Cam came back from swim lessons and after his nap, it was clear that he was sick and had a fever. That's scary when there's such a little baby in the house. He's on drugs and I don't think he has anything that will get Jordan sick (he has an ear infection).

I left the house to take Cam to the doctor. So Randy got to try to take care of cranky girl. He says he has now rocked Jordan to sleep twice... Two times more than he ever did with Cameron. It's funny how different two kids can be. Cameron was a very uncuddly (I know that isn't a word) baby - he didn't like rocking and didn't like to be bundled in his crib. Jordan loves the cuddles and sleeps better when she's wrapped up in a blanket.

Who knew.

Introducing.... Smiles!!!

That's right! Just after Jordan woke up from a noon nap, she started cracking smiles for Mommy!! I'm so excited. Enjoy the pictures. This is a great way to celebrate Jordan's five week old birthday!!

Another busy newsroom day

I woke up when Jordan woke up this morning... 6:50. Later than I expected... But probably because she only slept every 3 hours last night. Yuck. But hey, it happens sometimes.

Anyway. When I woke up, I had to be at the station in an hour. So in about 40 minutes, I had to get out of the door. That's very fast. But somehow I got Jordan fed and dressed, Cam dressed and fed (thanks to Randy's help) and I even had time to get dressed... No time to make sure I looked okay, but you can only do so much in such little time. I pulled it off.. I was amazed that I could get out the door on time for an 8:00 meeting. I taught a group of students a computer system that they'll need if they report or work on web stories for the newsroom. Jordan slept the whole time.

After that, we returned home, I fed her and we fell asleep for a couple of hours. I would have missed my next training session at the station if today hadn't been the day for the tornado alarm test that goes off at noon once a month. I rushed out of the house again... This time I pumped enough for Jordan to take a bottle at the station.

So today was the day... She actually drank from a bottle. She did a good job. Of the 6 ounces, she drank about 3 and a half. She gagged a little, but she started figuring it out. I know she drinks more with me... And it sucks to throw out anything I've pumped for her. She was a trooper. So I think about the whole bottle thing... It makes us a step closer to her going to daycare. That's kind of sad. I'm already preparing her for leaving me during the day. And she's five weeks old tomorrow!! I don't think I'm mentally ready for that yet!