An Outrageous Experience

This story is so outrageous it deserves its own post.

Yesterday while I was home with Jordan I decided that it would do us some good to get some fresh air, plus it was pretty cold outside so I thought it would help her cool down a bit. So we aired up the tires in the B.O.B. stroller and headed downtown.

We stopped in Lilliput, a children's and maternity boutique, just to kill some time. While Jordan and I were looking at some shoes a lady (whom I had never met nor seen before) came over to us and told me that Jordan looked like a little angel. While she said this she also told me that she could tell by some mysterious spot on Jordan's forehead (which she proceeded to bend over and physically touch) that she was definitely a little angel. To which I replied: "yes, a little angel with a little fever." I'm not sure if she felt bad, or thought that we were needy, or what, but then she told me she would like to buy Jordan a pair of shoes to grow into. I told her it was unnecessary, but she insisted. So the lady, who then introduced herself as Marnie, picked out a cute little pair of $32 shoes, paid for them, then just left. Unbelievable, really, but it actually happened. The shoes (pictured above), which are size 6, will probably fit Jordan when she turns 4.

So Marnie, whoever you are, wherever you are, Jordan and I would like to say "thanks" for your generosity and your kind words.

Wow, 15 Months!

The 2010 holiday season came and went and now we find ourselves nearing the end of January, though what a month it has been! Jordan began the year with a 4-day fever, topping out at nearly 105 degrees. Oddly, she really didn't have other symptoms, barring an increase in irritability. She was prescribed some antibiotics due to reddened ears, though the pediatrician wasn't completely convinced that there was an infection. We were told she might have roseola, which is due to a virus that causes a 3-day high fever followed by a large rash on the trunk and face, but the fever subsided without the onset of a rash, so we're not sure what caused her to get so hot for so long.

The start of the year was also the start of Jordan's transition to the toddler room at daycare. So while she missed her first official week as a toddler due to her illness, she had no trouble making new friends when she returned the next week. Her toddler room has twice as many children (14) as her infant classroom, but her teachers got to move up with her, so at least there are some familiar faces. As a toddler, meals are served family-style at two large tables, and naps are taken on cots, rather than cribs. It is amazing that the teachers can get 14 kids to nap on cots simultaneously, or at least mostly simultaneously. They must be magicians.

Being surrounded by older kids has really inspired Jordan to take walking to heart. She has been all about walking everywhere over the past month or so. Rarely will you see her crawl anywhere anymore, except when she crawls to a wall or other stationary object to get back onto her feet again.

2011 has also seen a quick visit with uncle Jeff, great grandma Jeunette, great uncle Herb and great aunt Cath in Spokane. Jordan's favorite activity at Herb and Cath's is walking laps around the kitchen and living room, and also pressing the shiny silver buttons on their conveniently placed microwave oven. However, she also found the time to sample a bite of Cath's African Violet, and thumb through and rip one of the pages of their coffee table book (SORRY!!) before I could stop her. Fortunately she didn't find the porcelain figurines on the end tables because that could have been devastating had she broken one of those. As a mom this is my personal nightmare, and why it is challenging (especially on my mental health) to visit friends and family. However, Jordan has decided that road trips aren't nearly so boring anymore now that she has her own private screen to watch movies on in the car.

To round out the near end-of-the-month Jordan has just beaten her 2nd prolonged fever. Yes, another week (almost) of daycare missed, but with much milder temperatures (101-ish, rather than 104-ish). We didn't bother to go to the doctor this time, but will definitely inquire about these heat patterns at her next check-up. Maybe she is just getting more teeth?? Speaking of those, she now has her front 4 teeth plus one molar on the top, and 3 front teeth plus one molar on the bottom. I can tell that she is definitely working on another lower molar, but on the other side, and possibly another molar on top too.

In case you're keeping track, Jordan now weighs between 20 and 21 pounds, still has some room to grow in her 12-month clothing, and wears a size 3 shoe. We haven't measured her length recently, but we can assure you she is still one of the smaller children for her age.