Out of here... FINALLY!!

After being iced in a hotel for 2-1/2 days, Jordan and I were ready to get out, no matter what!! Jordan's class had been cancelled Tuesday and Wednesday and then Orsi called and said it was cancelled Thursday, so Jordan and I decided we were leaving before we lost our sanity! The drive was cold and slow in the beginning, but it sure was pretty. All of the ice covered trees were beautiful. Fortunately the Interstate wasn't too bad and once we got onto 40, it was clear. Jordan and I were so glad to be home.

Funny times at Grandpa's

We ate dinner at dad's Thursday night, so that everyone could see Jordan and Marshall. We had spaghetti and Marshall thought it was so funny when Mark would get the spaghetti off of his plate, then he still laughed at him even when he didn't have any food on there, but acted like he was getting something with his fork. Who knows? He's silly. Actually they both are silly.

Fun times in the dark!!

So, fortunately we only lost power for about an hour and a half, and Jordan had such a blast. This is a picture of us laying in the dark and of course as soon as I took it Jordan kicked her leg up and got it in the picture. Since it was dark in the room, every time I would try to take a picture the flash would come on and Jordan thought that was so funny. It was definitely an eventful hour and a half in the dark. I also took some video of her, obviously no picture because it was dark, but she just talked and laughed the whole time. Who knew being in the dark could be so much fun?

Ice Storm 2009

Jordan and I have been stuck in the hotel room since Monday at noon. We finally got out this afternoon and I took a few pictures. All of the trees are just weighed down with all of the ice they have on them, so most of them are broken and fallen over. The power lines are covered with ice and some are even falling over because of all of the ice.

All Iced In

Okay, so it took me almost 3 hours to thaw the truck out and get enough ice off of it so that I could see to drive. It was absolutely ridiculous!! It took me and a nice old man 45 minutes to get the driver doors ice chipped away so that I could open it and start the truck. I think he felt sorry for me standing out there by myself and trying to get all of that ice off of the truck. It's amazing how people come along at the right moments sometimes. I think the truck had at least an inch of ice all over it. All I know is that it took a long time to chip all of that ice away, and I'm glad I don't live anywhere where this is typical.

Jordan is sitting tall!

A Day with Daddy!

Jordan got to spend today with daddy in class. She did a great job! She used the potty both times in class today and she worked really hard for dad. She spent snack time napping, which has been the usual for her, and she did a good job walking today. Marshall came to visit her in class and say hello to Orsi. He cried, of course, when he saw all of the CE stuff. I guess he thought he was there to do class. Once he figured out he wasn't, he was fine. It was a good day of CE and Jordan and mommy both were glad that Marsh and daddy got to come up and visit us.

Road Trip

Marshall is out of school for Martin Luther King Day and Jordan has class, so Mark and Marshall came to Springdale with us on Sunday and are spending the night at the hotel and Mark went to class with Jordan this morning. We left Conway around 2 after Jordan ate and headed North. Marshall rode with Mark in the bug and Jordan rode with me. Both kids were good for the drive and Jordan went to sleep as soon as we got into Fayetteville, of course. So, she got about a 20 minute nap the entire day. Once we got to the hotel we fed both kids and unpacked the cars. Marshall wasn't sure where we were, but he checked out the place and seemed to be okay with it. We had to run to Target to get a few things and grabbed a bite to eat. We took a picture of the kids in the back of the bug. Marshall thinks it's so much fun to ride in it and Jordan was looking around like... I don't know where I'm at? They were so cute.

Once we got back to the hotel we gave both kids a bath and got them in their PJ's ready for bed. J got the star treatment by daddy. He washed her hair with mom's shampoo, so it would be nice and soft and dried it with the blow dryer. She thinks this is so funny!!

The Wheels on the bus go......

Marshall and Grandma had a really good time today playing with the ring and singing the wheels on the bus. Although Grandma didn't know all of the verses, that was okay, because Marshall and mom did. Marshall's favorite one was the windows on the bus go up and down, he thought that one was the funniest. He's such a silly head.

Today is Friday!!!!

Thank goodness it's Friday! Jordan and I left right after class to head back to Conway for the weekend. It's been a long week and we are looking forward to spending time with daddy and Marshall, and the dogs. Jordan did such a good job today in class. She used the potty today, which is the 3rd day this week, and she only went 4 days. She also did a very good job crawling to the mat for the mat program. Today, she didn't have to have Miss Helga help with her legs. She was moving her legs on her own, while I was helping her move her arms. She also did a very good job holding onto her rings at the table today. The first couple of days I had to do hand over hand with her or she would let go of the rings, and today when I let go to take the picture, she kept hold of them. She did such a good job!! This has definitely been a long week, but Jordan has done such a great job for her first week of Conductive Education, I can't wait to see what she does in the coming weeks.

It's FREEZING!!!

Jordan and I got up this morning to a snow covered parking lot and 12 degree weather outside. It was very, very cold. It's a good thing that I brought 2 coats for Jordan and can bundle her up really well, even though she hates it! The drive to class this morning wasn't bad, just a couple of spots at some intersections that were a little slick, but we made it okay. Jordan's poor hands look so bad because she has been putting them in her mouth and they are dry from the cold weather. Jordan did a good job in class today. She was a little more tired today, but it is the end of the week. She used the potty in the morning and did a really good job crawling with Helga today. Tomorrow's Friday, thank goodness, I'm exhausted and ready to see Marshi Bear.

Another day, but we made it!

This morning wasn't quite as cold as yesterday, thank goodness. Jordan was awake this morning when it was time for breakfast, which made the morning go a little smoother. Jordan had a good day at class today. She was pushing with her legs when it was time to stand up and I could let go of her hands for a few seconds and she would continue holding onto the rings. She did a really good job holding her head up today while sitting at the plinth, but when she got tired she would lean back on me. Jordan fell asleep today during potty time and didn't even wake up to stand up from the potty, she was exhausted. She walked out again today with Helga and Jordan was initiating and taking some of the steps on her own, instead of Helga having to facilitate every step. She did awesome today!!

First day of Conductive Education for Jordan

So, today was really our first day of class. It is really a good thing because I put Jordan in her play yard last night and I think we both slept better. She went to bed around 9 and slept all night. We got up this morning to leave for class and it was 17 degrees outside and there were snow flurries falling. I had to put 2 coats on Jordan, gloves, ear muffs and put a blanket over her head. I know we looked pretty silly leaving, but the last thing I need is for her to get sick. Jordan started the morning crawling to a chair, standing up and sitting down on the potty. Of course, she did not like any of this, but this is CE, so she'll have to. She kept trying to stand up while on the potty. She's just like her brother! I guess he gave her some secrets about the program before we left, haha. Jordan did a really good job today for it being her first day. Most of her transitioning today was hands and knees and pulling. She did such a good job when she was crawling to the mat for the mat program. Helga would just cue her and she would lift her leg and bring it forward on her own. Helga was very impressed with her today. She liked when Helga would sing to her, especially in Hungarian. I don't know what it is about Hungarian songs, but both my kids love them. Who knows?

Jordan thought the stretching with the stick was funny! I took a short video of her doing this task with Helga. I think it was the only part that she laughed about the entire 3 hours this morning.

After the mat program we had to go to the plinth for snack time and potty time. Jordan was not a happy camper when she had to sit at the table, this will take a little while for her to get use to. We were supposed to be eating snack at this time and here is what Jordan did...

This last picture is of Jordan after potty time. Jordan used the potty today after snack time. What a big girl!!! Yeah Jordan. So, of course we had to sing the pee pee in the potty song, which Jordan could care less because she had to sit on the potty. She did such a good job today, so she got a big sticker at the end of the program and walked out with Helga. One day down, just a few more to go.

First day...

Well, the first day wasn't as eventful as planned; however, we got the paperwork out of the way so that we can begin the hard work tomorrow. We also got to see what stool, potty and plinth Jordan will need for class tomorrow. It's crazy because Jordan will be using the blue and green Elmo potty for potty time, the same one that Marshall used when he was there 5 years ago. When I sat her down at the plinth, I realized how small she is and how incredibly difficult this is going to be, for that fact.

Orsi wanted Jordan to get the Hungarian walking boots and some plastic arm gaitors from Snell in Fayetteville, so after lunch we drove to Snell and got Jordan measured for both. The interesting thing was that Joyce, the lady measuring Jordan, remembered Marshall. It will probably be very unlikely that Jordan will ever go anywhere that people don't know her brother. Jordan was so funny, she laughed the entire time that Joyce was measuring her foot for her boots and her arm for her arm gaitors. Hopefully, she will be that happy when we are working hard in class, but probably not.

Off we go!

So, we left this morning around 10:00 and dropped Marshall off with grandpa in Morrilton. He was glad that he got to spend the day with his grandpa and didn't have to go all the way to Springdale. Jordan slept in this morning and woke up with snot dried to her face. Of course, the morning we leave, she has a snotty nose. Once we got to Morrilton and she ate and I sucked her nose out she was much better. Mom met us in Morrilton and followed us up. I think she wanted to go along since she went up when we took Marshall 5 years ago. It's crazy to think that we were doing this 5 years ago with Marshall and now we're doing it with Jordan. I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined that we would be traveling down the same road we traveled 5 years ago. It was a nice drive and we stopped at Alma and ate lunch at Braum's. We took Jordan's "low chair" as Mark calls it into the restaurant and she enjoyed sitting in it during lunch.

We got to Springdale around 2:00 and came to the hotel and unpacked the truck before heading to Wal-Mart. Although this is an Extended Stay, it is nothing like the one that we stayed at in Michigan, which was a Candlewood Suites. It will work for Jordan and I and we will manage, but we were definitely spoiled in Michigan this past summer. I think mom was tired of us saying, "it's not like Michigan." We are only about 5 minutes from the school and Walmart, so that is good. We went and got groceries and figured out which way to drive to school in the mornings without having to get on 412 or 71 business (Yuck to both!!) We found Jordan some cute clippies while at Walmart to hopefully keep her hair out of her eyes while she is in class, because Mark does not want me to cut her bangs again. Let's just say, they were a tad short last time mommy cut them. Jordan was really tired by the time we were finished shopping but managed to take this cute picture.

We decided to unload all of our groceries onto the cart so that we could make one trip into the hotel, instead of making a bunch of trips in and out. After unloading all of the groceries Mom and Mark headed home so that Mark could get back to Morrilton and pick up Marshall. Jordan laid down to take a nap, it was a long day for a little girl!

It was hard to say goodbye to mom and Mark, but saying goodbye is always the hardest part of these commitments. So, after Jordan took a nap we ate supper and had a bath to get ready for class in the morning and then Jordan sat up in the bed like a big girl with mommy. Jordan was a really good girl for me, but she would not quit laughing and screaming and kicking in the bed. I decided to let her sleep with me instead of sleeping in her play yard, but all she did was play, so tomorrow night she will have to sleep in her play yard, because I did not get any sleep. Here is a short video clip of her in the bed at the hotel the first night. What a goofball she is.

That is hilarious!!

Marshall was in such a good mood this morning. I think secretly he is ready for him and dad to be at home alone in the, what did Mark call it........oh yeah, "the man cave." So, while I was finishing with last minute packing, Mark was getting Marshall's stool adjusted to take for Jordan and Marshall came in the kitchen and saw him with the screwdriver and thought it was hilarious. He is so funny and his laugh is just priceless, so I had to get it on video to share.

On The Road Again.....

For some reason, this song keeps coming into my head? I guess it's because I know what is ahead. Although the drive to Fayetteville is not all that long or hard, it is still a drive and with a baby at that. I feel like I'm well experienced after this summer however. I'm sure Jordan and I will be fine, as long as the movies are playing for her and I can listen to music, we'll make it. We will be leaving mid-morning on Sunday so that we can get up to the hotel and get unloaded and go get a few things from the store, if necessary. It will be a long six-weeks, but I know that this is what Jordan needs right now and by now I'm quite used to living in a hotel for long periods of time, it's our home away from home. I will try and upload pictures and updates as often as possible, but know that I will be consumed with facilitating during the program and probably sleeping in the afternoon, but Jordan and I will post as much as possible. Here's to great things in 2009!

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Today was Grandpa Marshall's 49th birthday! He was calling basketball at the County tournament in Ola, so we decided to surprise him and go to the game. Marshall was so excited in the car the whole way there. I think he knew he was going to see his Grandpa. We surprised him before his last game of the night and Marshall was so happy to see him. Of course he cried when dad had to leave and go referee the basketball game, but we sat court side, so Marshall was pretty happy. Both kids were in such a good mood and we all enjoyed the ballgame. It was a great surprise and Marshall was so excited when the game was over and he could scoot all over the court, which is his favorite thing to do at basketball games... and since his grandpa is the referee and he is so cute, he gets to do whatever he wants.

Storyteller

Marshall's teacher sent me these pictures the other day of him at school. They are so cute! He is getting so big and doing so well at school. Just wanted to add these to the page.

Cleaning House

After taking down the Christmas tree, we decided to rearrange the living room. In doing so, we had to vacuum of course and Marshall was just the person to help with that job. He thought it was so funny to push the vacuum cleaner back and forth across the floor. At least now I know who I can count on when I'm not in the mood for cleaning.

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2009! We look forward to the exciting things that this new year will bring and the amazing things that our kids will teach us and give us the opportunity to experience. May this year be full of great adventures! Happy New Year!