The weather was sunny and warm-ish enough on the day Randy and I returned home from our vacation to watch the kids rude their bikes outside. Jordan had to wear the new tutu her grandma bought her while riding. She was having so much fun!
I always said my girl is able…
February 27th, 2010 · 2010, limb difference community
…And Aimee Mullins says wonderful things about her experience as a person born with a limb difference. I truly believe each person brings incredible things to the world… and a challenge just helps you learn about your abilities even earlier in life. Thanks to Barbara from TherExtras for sharing this link with me:
So Thankful
February 21st, 2010 · 2010, Family
I’m heading out of the country for a vacation – but I wanted to take a moment to remember my Aunt Jan. She passed away this morning after battling ovarian cancer for more than ten years. Ten years? What an amazing woman. She fought and fought and beat it a few times. But there was never a time when she allowed it to take her down. She was positive and got everything she could out of life. I’m so lucky she was able to spend time with my kids. I’m especially lucky to have grown up with her as an influence.I will miss her so much. But I’m so thankful she isn’t in pain anymore. My Uncle Chuck was an amazing rock to be with her through it all.
I love you Aunt Jan!
I just realized…
February 17th, 2010 · 2010, Mommy Thoughts
That Jordan will go to Kindergarten in 2011. Some of her friends are going to be in Kindergarten this Fall. This Fall? How is that possible?
How can she be so big? My mind is blown. I should have seen it coming.
By the way… In the last few weeks, Jordan has been extra focused and happy to listen at school just for the experience of being able to brag to her brother (and her parents) about how she did a good job at school. It’s the bragging opportunity that motivates her more than anything else. Her teachers and I don’t mind since this motivation is helping her do well at school.
I’m about to head out of town on a vacation with Randy. Jordan and her brother get to stay home and play with her grandparents and great grandpa. Lucky kids. Lucky Mom and Dad!
Other big developments in our world… Jordan and her brother are taking swimming lessons right now. Jordan doesn’t have the kind of fear that her brother has over water. She’s been brave, taking risks and even figured out how to get out of the pool on her own from the deep end. She’s so strong!! (I’m a very proud mom)
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14th, 2010 · 2010, Valentines10
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So busy
February 13th, 2010 · 2010, Art
We are so busy lately… Add in some very long days at work and I haven’t been able to blog enough lately.
The good news? Jordan is doing well. She’s starting to write her name, she’s getting better at drawing (you can actually understand the shapes and people in her drawings) and she’s starting to really listen at dance. The terrible fours are either getting under control or I’m just getting used to it.
Party animal
February 1st, 2010 · 2010, Uncategorized
Sure Jordan is a little young to party all the time… but she did get a chance to go to two different birthday parties over the weekend. She had a blast… But in one of the parties I watched a little girl staring at Jordan and clearly wanted to reach out and touch her arm without permission. I guess I just happened to look over at her and she had this look like she was in trouble… Her mom must have caught the interaction because she went over to her daughter and started whispering to her. I felt the need to interrupt and introduce her to Jordan (they had never met before). We talked about how Jordan was born with one hand and she can do everything she wants to do. Jordan just nodded her head. We talked about her helper arm and Jordan actually added in the conversation about her bike hand and how it helps her ride a bike. (I was so thrilled she joined in on the conversation)
So there was just one little thing that made me think that maybe I shouldn’t have interrupted the whispering mom and daughter. Every time I said something to explain what’s going on with Jordan the mom would interrupt me by saying, “That’s what I told her.” I wasn’t sure if it was to tell me how I should leave the conversation… so I just kept talking.
I’ve recently noticed Jordan taking a stand in public areas and asking people not to touch her arm. If it’s a child I know I’ll ask him or her to be sure to ask permission before touching Jordan. When a child asks, Jordan usually says no. And she has every right to say no. I can only imagine how annoying that can be for her.
Girl’s first musical!
January 26th, 2010 · 2010
Jordan had a super cool opportunity tonight… She, her brother and I had a chance to see The Wizard of Oz tonight.
This was Jordan’s first chance to see a musical. It was Cameron’s second (I took him to the traveling broadway show of the Lion King back in 2006). They both enjoyed it a bunch. But they both got pretty darn scared by the Wicked Witch of the West. Then I had a bit of a realization… I used to watch Wizard of Oz every year because it was on TV once a year. Why isn’t that on anymore? This was the first time my kids had ever been introduced to the story line. Am I a bad parent? Did our culture move away from this story? Heck, my kids needed to see this so they can go to Wicked some day!
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The Great Outdoors
January 20th, 2010 · 2010, Outside, Playing
It’s refreshing to have a child who is happy to just go outside. Last night she spent 45 minutes or so playing out in the slightly muddy backyard. She spent time on the backyard treehouse and swings. She returned covered in extra dirt in her pretty pink dress… But I won’t complain. I appreciate a girl who is willing to dress pretty and get messy.
By the way – that hat is a dinosaur she decorated at school. Very cute.
So big!
January 16th, 2010 · Uncategorized
Jordan had her four year old check up — And she was a trooper. Three vaccinations and all kinds of fun showing off what a big girl she is (once she got over the shots).
The result? She’s 30th percentile in weight and 65th percentile in height. I wish I could say that about myself!!
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She figures everything out
January 11th, 2010 · 2010
I shared this on Facebook… but I felt like I needed to share this with my blog friends too. Miss Jordan continues to show me that she can do anything… with or without her helper arm. She got a surprise pancake breakfast and had asked me to cut it up… After I had cut the pancakes in one direction, she asked to use the knife and finish cutting the pancakes strips into pancake bites. I figured I’d just humor her.. Until she actually started cutting her food and doing it well! I had to take a picture because she seriously figures everything out. Everything.
I’m SO sorry.
January 10th, 2010 · 2010, Mommy Thoughts
I was taken aback earlier this week when a person who I recently got to know found out I have a daughter with a limb difference. She immediately said: “OH! I’m SO sorry. That must be so hard.”
But it isn’t. And her reaction took me off guard for some reason. Maybe it was the overt pity. Maybe I just haven’t heard it from someone right in my face in a long time. I’m sure there’s people saying pity-type sentences behind our back because they don’t know us. They don’t know Jordan. I think what really got me was how after I said it wasn’t a big deal, she kept wanting to make it out to be a big deal. “Aren’t you disappointed? Didn’t you have a hard time with it?”
Sure I have had struggles knowing how our culture treats anyone who is different in any way. But am I disappointed? Never! Are you kidding me? I realized there was no way to convince this person that it really is okay to have a child who doesn’t fit a standard mold. I stopped participating in the conversation. But for some reason, it left me feeling a little strange.
Later this week I started having a conversation about a little boy named Bennett. His mom and I have talked a bit since he was born with complications from Cystic Fibrosis. At 14 weeks old, he has survived amazing challenges and he’s even smiling! I feel like my experience with Jordan has given me a gift to be able to reach out to other moms, let them know they can mourn and they can be the moms they were blessed to be – as caretakers and advocates for small and wonderful children. To me a missing part of a limb is not the end of the world, but becoming a mom to a child with a missing limb has given me the strength and understanding to offer support to so many other parents. Bennett’s mom is incredible and strong and I’m proud to be able to watch and support her growth and support to her awesome little boy. I would never walk up to her and gush about how SORRY I am. I would gush over how I know she has the strength and ability to be an amazing mom to a child with a difference.
Special Exposure Wednesday
January 7th, 2010 · 2010, Snow, Special Exposure Wednesday
I don’t know how she does it… But Jordan will play outside in the snow forever if I let her. She spent almost an hour during a snowstorm yesterday. When she got inside she demanded hot chocolate. Classic kid.
Empowerment and leadership
January 1st, 2010 · 2010
I stumbled onto a PBS special that ran last week that is all about the challenges girls face as they grow up in our society. It talks about the challenges of self-image, technology, violence and education. It was awesome and showed examples of how family, community and programs are supporting girls as they grow up from those tween and teen years before college.
I’ll be honest. This stage in life scares me a ton. Self-image was difficult for me and my body fits some form of societal standards. I don’t want society to prevent Jordan from feeling empowered to succeed and lead in life just because she looks “different.” (And currently in her mind, she knows she has differences but she does not consider herself different.)
PBS Presents A Girl’s Life was eye opening to me just as a reminder that I need to take the time to make sure I stay in touch with the tween/teen world. I need to be aware of the challenges that Jordan may face seven or eight years from now. I also think it’s important that I make sure our town has the resources to help Jordan and any other girl feel supported. The host of the show was a woman who founded a group called the Girls Leadership Institute. I’m planning to investigate any opportunity for the program to come to our neck of the woods. I’m so impressed by the PBS special and what the organization is doing for girls!
Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2010 · 2010
Jordan celebrated the new year a little early… We counted down to midnight in Greenland so the kids could go to bed early. It was fun and complete with noise makers and hats. We hope you had a wonderful celebration and an even better 2010!!
