Before I run off….

I’m in a hotel just hours away from when I need to hop on a plane towards Shanghai for work. It’s very exciting. I doubt I’ll be able to get access to this blog from blogger.com since China blocks many popular American web tools. But I might try to email updates. We’ll see what happens.

I haven’t updated one last big event for Jordan this past week. I took her to the occupational therapy clinic on campus to introduce her to the students there. She’s visited the class once a year since she was 10 or 11 months old. I just tell the students what it’s like to have a child born with a difference and explain the various things we’re doing to make sure she stays on track. And she’s really on track and I expect to keep her that way!!

The coolest little moment was when Jordan was hanging out with Lea Ann who directs the clinic. They were sharing some Teddy Grahams when Jordan held out her new hand to hold the snack. Lea Ann helped turn it enough for Jordan to actually hold it. It was a really cool moment. It’s the little things. The little flexible hand is helpful but so darn simple — But since it doesn’t really restrict Jordan, she really uses it. I watched her chase a friend with TWO hands earlier this week. Today she was petting our big dog with TWO hands. The hand that opens and closes still feels restrictive to her. She doesn’t hold her arm as heavy or dead as she did with the previous myoelectric arm, but she isn’t really using it to the fullest potential. She’s only had it for a week – With a little extra OT and effort, she’s going to catch on to that one as well. We have yet to try the bike hand. Maybe she’ll work on that when I’m away — But hopefully she’ll wait so I can be there for the moment she has full balance and stability riding a bike!! (can you tell I’m excited for that moment?)