Another first!

Jadon pulled himself up to stand on Friday. Yes, the same days I posted on the blog that he was trying really hard but had only managed to go to his knees. He must have heard me! LOL!

He was really, really proud of himself. The first time he did it he had a huge grin on his face. I started clapping and cheering. Jadon got excited and starting doing a little dance and fell on his bottom. Ooops!!!

Later in the day he did it again and I was able to take some pictures. When he was still standing after I got a few pictures I decided I would take some video. It was perfect because I captured him standing, falling, then pulling himself up again!



Later in the weekend I took another short video of him standing up at one of his play tables. He is balancing enough here to actually let go with his good hand and play with the toy.

Jadon Scoots!

It is official! Jadon is mobile! He has been mysteriously moving around the living room for about two weeks now. I would put him down in one spot and look back a few minutes later to find him across the room. I would watch him for awhile and he would not do anything. He would just look at me and smile. Now he is moving all over all the time. I captured this video yesterday. Things are a little crazy in the background but you can see how he has figured out his own way of getting where he wants to go. I am so proud of him. A mom is always proud when her child accomplishes mobility, but in Jadon's case it is even more special. I will admit that there were several moments early on when I truly wondered how he was going to manage. Lots of people told me he would find a way and he certainly has. He is amazing!

He has also been trying really hard to pull up things and stand also. He has gotten very good at pulling up to his knees but has only managed to stand once or twice. For almost nine months old he is doing great though. He is definitely one determined boy.

Cameron's Smile Family Picnic

Jadon, Me, Anise, and her son Cameron.

We went to the Cameron's Smile 2nd Annual Brachial Plexus Family Picnic on October 17th. The weather was a little chilly but not too bad. We got the opportunity to meet and talk to many other families with children just like Jadon. The youngest was four months old and the oldest was 14. It was nice to see children that were a little farther down the road than Jadon. The guest speaker was Mr. Kenneth Levine, a lawyer from Boston, Massachusetts. He had a lot of good information and advice.

I also got to see Anise again . She runs the website Cameron's Smile. Cameron is her son and she runs the St. Louis support group. I got her information from the therapists when we went to St. Louis Children's Hospital for the consult. I emailed her not long after that visit and she has been a HUGE support for me. Whenever I am frustrated, worried, or have questions about anything she has been there for me. We got the meet briefly in Philadelphia. Their consult with Dr. Kozin was the same day as Jadon's first post surgery follow up appointment.

Jadon got to see Mickey and Minnie Mouse also. He was not sure what to think about these huge mice. He just kept staring at them. We spent all afternoon at the picnic and had a really nice time. It is nice to spend some time with people that COMPLETELY understand what you are going through because they have lived it.

Jadon meeting Mickey Mouse.

Brachial Plexus Awareness Week Oct 18th-24th

Did you know that shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus injuries are more common than CP or Downs syndrome? Please tell everyone you know about shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus injuries. Urge your friends to talk to their OB/GYN's or midwives about their risk of a shoulder dystocia emergency and how to prevent it.

Tell one woman, save one baby.

Brachial Plexus Injury Awareness Week Oct 18 - 24.

On the way home again!

We drove to Philadelphia on Wednesday and Thursday, saw Dr. Kozin this morning, toured the US Mint this afternoon, and headed back to Ohio. Jadon got the casts off of his legs and the wrap off of his arm. No tummy time and no lifting his arm above his shoulder for 3 weeks. They tell us we can minimize the scars by massaging them and keeping them out of the sun. I posted pictures below of the incisions that were unveiled today. So far, an uneventful trip but, we have met several great people, all facing their own challenges. Next visit is in three months.

On the Road Again.

Well, I am not sure where the last three weeks have gone. It all seems a little fuzzy. It could be the three hours of sleep that I was living on for those first two weeks. Somehow it is already time for us to return to Philadelphia for Jadon's follow-up appointment with Dr. Kozin. I can't wait! We have one stinky baby right now! No matter how hard we try to keep the wrap his arm is in clean and dry he still manages to spit up on it. The casted feet are not smelling to rosy right now either! I will be taking baby wash and baby lotion and a wash cloth to the appointment with to scrub him down after everything is off.

I also can't wait to cuddle him with out all that stuff on. It has been very difficult to get good snuggle time in. I know Jadon can't wait to sleep on his stomach again either. His sleeping has improved in the last few days. He even slept six hours straight one night which was not something that happened much before surgery. Last night though he was up a couple times in the night. He just can't seem to get comfortable sometimes.

We are going to be driving out to Philadelphia again. The other two kids are staying here with my sister so they do not miss anymore school. Shelby is still trying to make up work she missed from the week we were gone for Jadon's surgery. We will be leaving on Wednesday morning. The first night we will stay at my cousin's house in Ohio and then hopefully we will get back in to the Ronald McDonald House for the two nights we need to stay there. Keep your fingers crossed!

Jadon's appointment is on Friday morning (Oct. 2nd). I think Matt wants to go see the US Mint that afternoon. Then on Saturday morning we will hit the road again to return home.