Born Just Right

Biking her way

NerdyMom — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:50:54 +0000

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…

NerdyMom — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:32:54 +0000

…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

NerdyMom — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:23:29 +0000

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…

NerdyMom — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:14:41 +0000

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!

NerdyMom — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:37:06 +0000

So busy

NerdyMom — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:22:24 +0000

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

NerdyMom — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:38:09 +0000

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!

NerdyMom — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:52:41 +0000

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!

The Great Outdoors

NerdyMom — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:20:23 +0000

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!

NerdyMom — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:42:26 +0000

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!!