Happy Birthday Jordan!!!!

Today may not have been the most fun of birthdays… We spent the day driving home from Florida. I think we made up for it by going to Disney the day before Jordan’s official day. The moment we got there, Jordan was treated like a princess. She was wearing a birthday girl shirt… Someone noticed and told us to go to city hall. So we were able to get Jordan a pin that said: “Happy Birthday Jordan!” Anytime a person who works at Disney noticed that pin, Jordan got cool things: Like stickers or Mickey glitter… Heck we even got an extra “Fast Pass” to the Stitch adventure ride. I remember going to Epcot a couple of times for my birthday was I was in elementary school… But I certainly don’t remember getting a pin and getting extra-special treatment from Disney “cast members.”

Anyway, Jordan was an awesome Disney World girl. She napped in her stroller, she smiled and waved hi to strangers, she gripped onto me tightly on the Buzz Lightyear ride. And she started picking up words. When we first got there, Cam said the name Goofy, Jordan said: “Goofy.” We never got her to say it again, but it was cool for that moment. She did say “Yay!” a bunch of times. But for most of the time, she just smiled, said hi and giggled at her brother. It was pretty awesome. We had a dinner lunch at Disney where Jordan got a cake. The wait staff announced Jordan’s birthday and asked everyone to blow her a kiss. It was very sweet. She wasn’t very interested in the cake though. I’m guessing it’s just because she was tired. But when she licked the icing, she made a big face! We have another cake planned for her at Grandma and Poppy’s house, so we’ll see what happens.

When we were driving towards home today… I watched the clock and kept thinking moment by moment about what was happening one year ago on this day. At 5:06 we sang “Happy Birthday” in the car to Jordan. She was pretty tired at the time, but seemed to appreciate the song. This picture is one of the many I took while she and I played in the back seat of the van. I can’t believe what a sweet and happy girl Jordan has become in the last year. She and I have spent so much time together… As I fed her and watched her grow… As I took her from appointment to appointment… As we learned how to hit every possible milestone in whatever way it took. My big girl is amazing. I’ve said it many times before, when Jordan was born, Randy and I were at peace with the challenges ahead. But I seriously believe that Jordan can and will do anything. She might have to do it differently, but she is amazing and has found a solution to everything. She is also so flexible and willing to go with the flow. She has dealt with so many therapy appointments, doctor’s appointments, family trips and needs… Even loud kids in the baby room. She maintains a happy attitude and a willingness to play and enjoy life. And she LOVES her brother. The one thing that was proven time and time again during our holiday trip was how Jordan LOVES her brother. The way he makes her giggle and how she would play with a piece of dirt if Cam was playing with it first. She loves that boy with all of her heart. Our family is so blessed. The cool part about Jordan’s limb difference is how we’ve been able to meet new families, get to know new communities and have a better understanding about how being “different” is okay. And an amazing benefit to Jordan in our life is how we’re learning how being around different people doesn’t have to feel different. That may be one of the greatest gifts for all of us. When I think about my family and how lucky I am to be a part of this, I want to cry. I feel blessed and lucky to be the Mom who can guide Cam and Jordan into happy and caring lives.

Happy birthday little girl! I can’t wait to see the amazing things you are going to do in the next year.