The little things just stun me

I've noticed some tiny but amazing things about Jordan lately. First, she's certain she can do anything... And I mean ANYTHING. Most of the time she's right. She can put her pants on and off all by herself. She can take off all of her own clothes. She climbs stairs of any size. She can even get down off the front stoop of our house which is just a little too high for anyone to use. She can get down these days without tumbling. I'm not sure exactly when she mastered that skill. I just noticed it.

That's just one of many little things that show me how she's making huge changes in her physical surroundings. I'm so darn proud and amazed by it all.

This weekend we stayed up late and took naps late to enjoy a fun music festival in town. To cap it off for the kids, they got to meet and listen to Farmer Jason. I knew him as Jason of Jason and the Scorchers. But now he's more popular as a children's singer. We had fun dancing and laughing and sweating in the early Fall sun.

Here's a moment when she started dancing:

Dancing to Farmer Jason from NerdyMom on Vimeo.

Cleared!

We had another meeting with the physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor that's worked with us since Jordan was three months old. I've used him as a back-up source... And extra eye on Jordan's care so we can be sure that she's developing and getting the proper care.

Today we arrived to show off her growing use of her prosthetic, her amazing muscle tone at the base of her little arm and her greatly improving skill of walking -- her shoe inserts are really helping steady and straighten her walking.

He was so pleased with her progress that we don't need to come back... Unless I find a need to meet up with him.

To me, that's a great relief. It means we are on the right track. The doctor commended me on working hard and getting Jordan everything she needs. He was impressed with her muscle tone in her back and he agreed that we need to keep working on Jordan's little arm's strength to help lift her prosthetic up high. He thought the idea of getting Jordan swimming was a good idea. Just holding onto her big arm and getting her to splash with her little arm would be strength-building.

SO hopefully I won't need to visit with him unless we need his help in getting healthcare approval for a device or any type of procedure that Jordan might need. So far, that isn't a concern. Who knows what will happen next year when we have a new healthcare plan. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that.

Last day

Today is Jordan's last day in the baby side of her school... It has a separate entrance, key pad code... You have to take your shoes off to help keep the floors clean for the crawlers.

On Monday, she moves to the other side of the building with the "big kids."

I'm thrilled for her... But it's a little bittersweet because the women on the "other side" have been so wonderful to Jordan. She's been there since April of last year -- that's a lot of growth and struggle and joy. I've spent so much time with all of them.

I'm extra sad because when they change the key pad code, I won't be able to stop by and say hi. Wah. Growing up is hard to do.

UPDATE: She actually spent most of today in her new room... And she ROCKED it in there! She slept 2 hours and ten minutes during nap, she ate a ton of food during lunch and her teachers said she joined in the fun immediately. There's a view of the big kid playground outside the window -- She had to show that to me. The teachers seem to be really nice and attentive. I know one of them from time she spent teaching dance to Cam's preschool classes. They seem VERY attentive and thrilled to have Jordan there. That's really all I could ask for. Already I can tell how the environment is MUCH more like preschool and less like simple daycare. They have circle time, centers for playtime... A book reading area. It's all very exciting.

Also... Tonight we played in the backyard and she body flopped into the sand box AGAIN. But this time she also tried taking a bite out of the sand... And discovered it doesn't taste really good. I also let her run around the house naked for a while after her bath. She was so happy. She is SO lucky to be the second kid. I would have never allowed Cam a quick visit in a sandbox just due to the mess it comes with... And let him run around naked? Are you kidding me? He could have peed on the floor.

My attitude now: She has to take a bath anyway - why not play in the sand? If she pees on the floor? Oh well, hopefully it won't happen on an area rug.

Three days in a row

It's like this blog has taken a fast turn into the negative about Jordan's world. I don't mean to do that. But here's the latest news: She has bitten a child at school three days in a row.

I think she's aggravated. I feel bad for her and her hand biting victims.

This is a hard time in a kid's life. There aren't enough words, teeth are ripping through your mouth and in Jordan isn't as mobile as most of the kids in the room. Not to mention, all kids want the world to revolve around themselves. It makes it a breeding ground for biting.

I'm not sure how you fix it. Consequences are a lesson that we're just starting to teach. You can't drop her off at school and say: Okay Jordan, don't bite today. Okay?

So I'm hoping this phase just goes away soon.

Baby's first haircut

Hair before and after
Originally uploaded by Jen.

Jordan is done with her baby mullet. Today her Poppy trimmed her hair for the first time. She was pretty darn good sitting on my lap, eating cheesy bunnies. She was so good! The funny thing is her thin hair... It's so fine that it was hard to collect a little memory for her baby book. You know, the baby book that I haven't really done a thing with.

Jordan enjoyed a visit with her Grandma and Poppy... Showing off her smiles and desire to move all over the place. She's doing a few fun things -- When she smiles at things she thinks is fun, she strikes a smirky smile where she kind of bites her lip and crunches up her nose. She's also tackling things. She and I were rolling a ball between us. Almost every time I rolled the ball past her a bit too far, she'll throw her entire body on top of the ball. Apparently she tackled the pug just like that. I also watched her try to roll a hot wheels car across the floor just like her brother. She pushes the car as far as she can until she falls down. Then she sits back up and does it again. It's sweet... And kind of sad at the same time. I never thought how challenging it will be to have car races along the floor with her brother. She'll find a way. I know she will.

And the biggest developmental moment of the day: She pulled herself up from the living room into the hallway. It's a tiny step up but I and her therapists haven't been able to get her up. Today she did it! All she needed was the right moment. I was so proud and gave her a HUGE hug.

Jumped the gun

So school now tells me the move to the big baby room is delayed until they can hire another teach in the 2-year-old room. Why? Because the move out of the little baby room is dependent on a 2-year-old. When kids move into the 2-year-old room, the 18-month-olds can move into the 18-month to 2-year-old room. Then the one year olds can move into the one-year-old to 18-month-old room. Confused yet?

So the 2 year old room needs a teacher before Jordan moves. So who knows how long that will take. So I'll try to be patient. I asked the director of the school to see if there would be some kind of coordinated effort to let Jordan play with the older babies and help encourage her to pull up and walk. I wasn't snotty about it, I was just asking. But the director kind of snapped back at me... And it made me wonder why I take my kids to this school. I'm nothing but understanding and helpful to the teachers. We're a team when it comes to my kids. It just feels bad when I'm treated like I'm an annoying, needy parent. That's not my style and not how I like to be treated. Okay. I feel better letting that out.

Jordan didn't nap at all at school today. When I got home, she was EXHAUSTED. She actually passed out as I fed her and didn't protest a bit when I put her to bed tonight. Thank goodness I gave her a morning nap... It makes me feel a little better. By the way. This picture is the same as the one above... but if you look closer, you can see all 4 of Jordan's teeth. How cool is that?

Miss Jordan is getting opinionated by the day. She has this thing where she folds up and then flings herself onto the ground. Then she cries. And eventually, she pushes herself back up and all is well. She's also denying food and demanding specific food. She's turning into a person, not a baby.