Weekend of family time
Jordan’s Poppy and Grandma visited the family this weekend… She absolutely loves grandparent attention. It means she can get away with more stuff and doesn’t always have to say please like when her Mom is always around.
I had to work – and I started a new commitment to going to the gym. I even joined a new one where there’s a bigger emphasis in actually using the gym and getting healthy. There’s a super cool play area for the kids. Of course this also means a totally new environment for me to introduce Jordan to — Jordan is no problem. It’s just a completely new set of grown ups and kids to introduce her. And after a while – I’ll be honest, I am a bit tired of all of the questions. It’s nice to have your comfort zones without the questions and the stares.
Honestly, that was probably the hardest part of being at Disney. There were a lot of stares. I truly go about life with my family without trying to look for all of the people staring – but Disney was so crowded over the holidays, you couldn’t avoid it. So many curious children. So many rude adults. The worst part: A bathroom attendant in Animal Kingdom asked if I had done drugs or something to cause Jordan’s arm. I tried very hard to not let that little moment bother me. But it did. I know she didn’t mean to be rude, but that’s not the coolest thing to say to a parent of a child with a missing arm.
The best thing about Jordan’s princess outfit was it was so darn obnoxious that people had a different reason to stare at her. That was so funny.
Anyway, we’re getting life back to normal with another week of school. Jordan continues to sleep in late. I have to wake her so we can get Cameron to school. If we don’t, she wakes up close to 8:45 each morning. That’s incredibly late. That also means she is still sleeping 12 hours or more each night. That seems like a lot for a three year old!!
Tomorrow is Jordan’s yearly physical – I’m pretty sure she’s pretty average when it comes to her height and weight. I think she’s pretty darn skinny, but when you pick her up you can start feeling a bit of weight there — She is NOT as fluffy and lightweight as she used to be. Of course the “weight” I’m talking about is close to how much Jordan’s brother weighed when he was one years old! (yikes) We’re also getting closer to setting up occupational therapy with Jordan’s old therapist – just out of our own health care plan instead of Missouri’s First Steps program.
I’ve also been asked to speak to students about what it’s like to be the parent of a child with special challenges. Once again, I hesitate to say disabled since she is so able. But I know I can offer a lot of perspective for students who are learning to become teachers and early educators. It’s a perk to Jordan’s new school – She gets to teach the teachers in training and so do I!
By the way – I’ve made it official. This is the new location to keep up with Jordan. If you keep up with her through a feed reader, please click on the little “RSS” button on the top of this blog! Thanks for being a supporter of Jordan’s blog and keep those comments coming! Feel free to spread the word about her blog for any parent you think would be interested!
I like the new site..
I struggled trying to leave a few comments on blogspot, and then realized that you had changed over to this one.
Christmas looks like it was awesome!
Jordan’s big girl birthday looked totally rockin!
Disney world AND the beach!!! WOW!
I am glad you posted so much.
I didn’t realize how long it had been since i last checked your site. It was since before Christmas!!!!
Times sure can get busy. Give that precious girl a hug and tell her a HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY!!!!
My girls had the same digital camera as Jordan’s Christmas gift. I bought it for them for their 3rd birthday. It has been durable like no other, and now Eli plays with it….
….only not too much since it IS a pink camera! ;0}
Thanks for the great post, Jen. You are such an inspirational mother! I’m so sorry that person at Disney World made such a comment.
Wow, congratulations on Jordan’s sleep. I wish my son (will be 3 in April) would sleep like that. Man! 🙂 Oh, and I want to get him a t-shirt with a big 3 on it, too!
–Kate (Thomsen’s aunt)
I read your blog very often and I like the new site. I think you’ll be able to reach a wider audience with it. If you remember, I’m Keenan’s mom from the belowelbow.com site. We are celebrating his third birthday today. One of his favorite things to do is come to the computer and watch videos and look at pictures of other kids. A few of my friends have blogs and we visit yours as well. It is so comforting for him to see that Jordan’s arm looks like his. He will look at hers, then look at his. It is such a blessing!
I read your post about the attendant at Disney and the comment she made. I’m sorry that happened.
If you ever need another person to accompany you when you speak about children with physical differences (that sounds so crazy because we all have physical differences…but you know what I’m trying to say), I’d be willing to join you via telephone conference or video stream if that were available in both locations. I have access to an IVS room at Western KY where I teach.
Okay, if you want to write back, my e-mail is drnurseteacher@insightbb.com
Your kids are just georgeous! Although we’ve not met your family in person, we love you just the same.
Sincerely,
Crista
Thanks so much Crista. You are on the exact same quest as I am: educate and make sure our kids get the best opportunities available! By the way: Happy birthday to Keenan!!
Jen, I’m so sorry about the bathroom attendant. Did I ever tell you about the woman in my OB’s waiting room that asked if I had a cold when I was pregnant with Thom? Honestly, these people have no idea how much their comments and stares hurt.
The new site is beautiful. Thanks so much for being a wonderful support and inspiration for us.
Thanks so much. I hope this new blog space will be even more user-friendly to Jordan’s fans.
Hi there!
I love the new site! Glad to hear Jordan is so proactive with her new bike arm! Her determination will take her far, I’m sure.
I try to remind myself that people will say things and I brace myself for all the ignorant and inappropriate comments that might come my way. It’s hard to learn how to react when someone says something so completely out of my expectations. I’m so sorry that person said that to you. I cringed reading that. People can be so hurtful. Hugs!
Looking forward to reading more about Jordan on your new site!
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