My baby is FIVE. When did this happen?!?! Where on earth did the time go?!? I cringe when I see the Kindergarten registration packet that is sitting on my desk right now. I took it from the school office last week and got choked up. How am I going to do this?
O's my little buddy. It's been just he and I for the last two years. We do everything together. We take naps, eat lunch, go shopping, read books. He's my sidekick. He's extremely easy going about a lot of things, which has made my life a whole lot easier. O, has been known to sit with me, in a hospital room, while we visit with my grandma, for 6 hours and not get into any trouble. We took a backpack with snacks, books, a few toys and a coloring book. Add the hospital TV and he was all set. He chatted with great grandma, colored, picked out a sandwich in the cafeteria, etc. He just goes with the flow.
He's got a temper on him, I assure you. He's spoiled in many ways - but he just does, well, whatever. He's like me in that aspect. I think O, can have fun doing just about anything. He's ok with a large or small group. He doesn't need a whole lot of "stuff" to keep him occupied. He's much more social than the older boys were at this age.
He's a ham. He's super silly. He's always talking in a silly voice. He loves to play pretend or to dress up as his favorite character. I'm corrected a dozen or so times a day when I call his name. "Mom, I'm Darth Vader, not O" or "I'm Nightwing Batman"...it changes often, sometimes within minutes.
He jumps everywhere. He has no "walking feet". We try, but I think he may be physically unable to walk. If he's not running or jumping, he's sleeping.
Everything has sound effects. Everything makes a laser gun or light saber. He's all boy.
He's also, tough as nails. This child can fall, slip, hit his head, twist his ankle, and smash his finger. He may cry for a second and then is over it. He doesn't want to stop moving long enough to deal with it. That being said...he does have a certain love affair with bandaids that is starting to get pricey.
He's had stitches once, his head glued once, and a home repair job on a few cuts that probably should have been "professionally" done. His brothers have never had ANY of these moments...not because they aren't as brave or daring, but because...well, I'm not sure why. He's also had his share of black eyes, bumps and bruises.
O has little to no fear - still. He'll jump off his swingset without thinking. In fact, just yesterday, I looked out of the corner of my eye, into the living room. I was standing at the kitchen sink, when I saw what looked to be, a blue shirted "bird" fly from my window sill across my living room. It was no bird, only a certain little boy who thought he'd try to fly. I assure you, NONE of my other children have stood on my window sill and "flew" across the room. I always tell Matt, I think, O may shorten my life span a bit.
He does have a few odd "fears" I suppose. He's still afraid of helium balloons and not a huge fan of regular balloons either. Someone tried to give him a balloon for his birthday - he politely declined. What kid turns down a balloon...mine. Birds are also not a big favorite of his. Why??? Who knows. I think it has something to do with the flock of seagulls that once dive bombed us in the Walmart parking lot. I had parked in a spot where someone had dumped french fries and those birds WANTED those fries I tell ya!
O is just a cool kid. Matt and I say that all the time. He's so different than his older brothers. In many aspects, he's a lot like me. I think he has a lot of my personality. O was not planned and came a bit earlier than planned, but he has added such joy and depth to our lives. He was a great surprise!
O has added a new and fun dimesion to our family. He's outnumbered us. He tipped the scales in the kids favor. Matt and I our officialy outnumbered!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Diabetes Stinks
Sometimes, being the parent of a child with a chronic illness stinks, BAD! Please, don't get me wrong. I am by no means complaining. I know that M's disease(s) are manageable and much better than other things we could face.
Is is annoying to nag your child to check his sugar, yes. Does it get old, changing wet sheets from sugars that run to high and cause accidents at night, sure does. Do I hate having to stop M from running to play because he has to be dosed right away, I sure do. Do I dislike having to stay up an hour longer than normal to recheck sugars that aren't right late in the evening, yeppers. Am I grateful that it's only diabetes - you bet!
It's not the inconvenience of his illness that's the most difficult - it's the mental pain for M that's the toughest.
He was so young at his initial diagnosis - just a few weeks after his 4th birthday - that I don't think the gravity of his illness was real to him. It was just something annoying he had to do. He had to take 4 shots every day and get his finger poked even more than that. He had to eat when he wasn't hungry and couldn't eat when he was. It was a pain in the butt for him - literally!
With his pump, things got easier for him and us. He can function more like a normal child. He can eat when other kids eat and what they eat. He doesn't have to have special food or treats and it takes him just a minute or two to check his sugar and dose.
As he gets older it's starting to bother him more. He knows he's different. You can only convince your child that their illness makes them "special" for so long. I think he's to the point where if diabetes is "special" he'd rather be regular. He doesn't like that instead of going right out to recess after lunch with the other kids, he has to stop and check his sugar and or dose himself. He doesn't appreciate that if he's in gym or computers when it's time to have his afternoon check, that he has to leave early to take care of it. It's annoying he says. We've told him - tough luck duck, that's life for you right now - and we move on. He seems to accept it.
We've had moments of heartbreak with M though. A few years ago, during a bad high sugar spell, M felt horrible. We couldn't get it down, he had ketones...it was a mess. He fell on the floor and cried.."why won't God just heal me now mommy". I hated that.
He's asked similar things since then to us and his grandparents. He doesn't understand why God won't make him better. Having a theology discussion with a 7 year old about how the Lord chooses to answer our prayers in different ways is tough, I assure you of that.
We hit an all time low last month when M started crying. He was sitting on his bed and the tears just started to flow. When I asked him what was wrong, I expected an answer like, S hit me or O took my book/toy. Nope - what I heard was: "Mom, I'm scared I'm going to die soon, before everyone else because of my diabetes"....rip mommas heart out right then.
I scooped him up right away and took him the living room to talk with us. We did our best to explain that as long as he took good care of himself and his diabetes that he could live a long and healthy life just like everyone else. I didn't bother to explain how we were told that people with Type 1 diabetes typically have a shortened life span of 10 years because, well, I don't like to think of it like that.
We talked to him about all the changes and advances the medical community is making and how many wonderful things are on the horizon. He seemed to accept that and wanted to be sure that everyone was still praying for him to get better. We told him they were.
I wasn't ready for it. M, is our laid back, fun loving kid. He doesn't worry much about anything. He lives in his imagination most days. He loves to play pretend and make up wild stories about super hero's and Star Wars. Reality almost seems too much for him...maybe it is. It's too much for me most days.
Is is annoying to nag your child to check his sugar, yes. Does it get old, changing wet sheets from sugars that run to high and cause accidents at night, sure does. Do I hate having to stop M from running to play because he has to be dosed right away, I sure do. Do I dislike having to stay up an hour longer than normal to recheck sugars that aren't right late in the evening, yeppers. Am I grateful that it's only diabetes - you bet!
It's not the inconvenience of his illness that's the most difficult - it's the mental pain for M that's the toughest.
He was so young at his initial diagnosis - just a few weeks after his 4th birthday - that I don't think the gravity of his illness was real to him. It was just something annoying he had to do. He had to take 4 shots every day and get his finger poked even more than that. He had to eat when he wasn't hungry and couldn't eat when he was. It was a pain in the butt for him - literally!
With his pump, things got easier for him and us. He can function more like a normal child. He can eat when other kids eat and what they eat. He doesn't have to have special food or treats and it takes him just a minute or two to check his sugar and dose.
As he gets older it's starting to bother him more. He knows he's different. You can only convince your child that their illness makes them "special" for so long. I think he's to the point where if diabetes is "special" he'd rather be regular. He doesn't like that instead of going right out to recess after lunch with the other kids, he has to stop and check his sugar and or dose himself. He doesn't appreciate that if he's in gym or computers when it's time to have his afternoon check, that he has to leave early to take care of it. It's annoying he says. We've told him - tough luck duck, that's life for you right now - and we move on. He seems to accept it.
We've had moments of heartbreak with M though. A few years ago, during a bad high sugar spell, M felt horrible. We couldn't get it down, he had ketones...it was a mess. He fell on the floor and cried.."why won't God just heal me now mommy". I hated that.
He's asked similar things since then to us and his grandparents. He doesn't understand why God won't make him better. Having a theology discussion with a 7 year old about how the Lord chooses to answer our prayers in different ways is tough, I assure you of that.
We hit an all time low last month when M started crying. He was sitting on his bed and the tears just started to flow. When I asked him what was wrong, I expected an answer like, S hit me or O took my book/toy. Nope - what I heard was: "Mom, I'm scared I'm going to die soon, before everyone else because of my diabetes"....rip mommas heart out right then.
I scooped him up right away and took him the living room to talk with us. We did our best to explain that as long as he took good care of himself and his diabetes that he could live a long and healthy life just like everyone else. I didn't bother to explain how we were told that people with Type 1 diabetes typically have a shortened life span of 10 years because, well, I don't like to think of it like that.
We talked to him about all the changes and advances the medical community is making and how many wonderful things are on the horizon. He seemed to accept that and wanted to be sure that everyone was still praying for him to get better. We told him they were.
I wasn't ready for it. M, is our laid back, fun loving kid. He doesn't worry much about anything. He lives in his imagination most days. He loves to play pretend and make up wild stories about super hero's and Star Wars. Reality almost seems too much for him...maybe it is. It's too much for me most days.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
One Day
One day I'll get disciplined and loose the weight I desperately need to loose.
One day I'll get motivation and paint the two rooms that NEED painted and the one room I want to paint...wonder which one will get done first?!?!
One day I won't yell at my children.
One day my children will obey the first time.
One day my house will be clean all the time. People will be able to stop by on a whim and I won't have to panic to grab any dirty socks, random toys or dishes while the people exit their vehicle and walk to my door.
One day I will know what is on TV during the day besides Nick Jr. and Disney shows.
One day I will grocery shop and not buy fruit snacks, Trix yogurt and Lunchables.
One day I won't have to hunt under boys beds and in their little covers for all the white socks and their mates.
One day I won't have to wonder how all the water, dirt, mud and rocks get in my house.
One day I won't trip over trains and matchbox cars or step on LEGO'S.
One day I won't have to buy toothpaste that cost almost $4 in order to get my children to brush their teeth.
One day I won't have to yell things like: let go of the cat, don't jump from the top bunk to the other bed and get your hands out of there!
One day I won't have to panic at 7am about how I'm going to sneak the "tooth fairy" money under the pillow of an already awake child who is searching frantically for it!
One day I won't grumble under my breath as I clean the bathroom and wonder how pee got THERE?!?!
Today, I will enjoy these things - because ONE DAY, I'll miss this!
One day I'll get motivation and paint the two rooms that NEED painted and the one room I want to paint...wonder which one will get done first?!?!
One day I won't yell at my children.
One day my children will obey the first time.
One day my house will be clean all the time. People will be able to stop by on a whim and I won't have to panic to grab any dirty socks, random toys or dishes while the people exit their vehicle and walk to my door.
One day I will know what is on TV during the day besides Nick Jr. and Disney shows.
One day I will grocery shop and not buy fruit snacks, Trix yogurt and Lunchables.
One day I won't have to hunt under boys beds and in their little covers for all the white socks and their mates.
One day I won't have to wonder how all the water, dirt, mud and rocks get in my house.
One day I won't trip over trains and matchbox cars or step on LEGO'S.
One day I won't have to buy toothpaste that cost almost $4 in order to get my children to brush their teeth.
One day I won't have to yell things like: let go of the cat, don't jump from the top bunk to the other bed and get your hands out of there!
One day I won't have to panic at 7am about how I'm going to sneak the "tooth fairy" money under the pillow of an already awake child who is searching frantically for it!
One day I won't grumble under my breath as I clean the bathroom and wonder how pee got THERE?!?!
Today, I will enjoy these things - because ONE DAY, I'll miss this!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Put Down the Controller
He's 4.5 - well, almost 5. He's full of fire. He's all energy and all boy. He NEVER stops jumping, flipping, running and punching. He has even taken to watching TV upside down. He stands on his head on the couch. I'm beginning to wonder if I watched TV like that if I'd be thinner...experiment time!
He's obsessed....OBSESSED, with the Wii. Matt and I somehow stood firm and didn't buy one until this Christmas. M and S were 7 and 8 respectively. They seem to do better with it. O is another story entirely.
As soon as his eyes are opened it's "Can I play WEGO STAR WARS" if I say no, it's "Can I play WEGO BATMAN then". When we tell him no watch out. Stomping, screaming and crying insue. It is typically short lived, as most of O's tantrums are, but it's not pretty. It obviously is a problem for him.
Days he plays for a long time, he's a mess too. He crys more, yells more and paces. He starts doing his "wego" moves on me. Trys to punch and kick like the men on the game do. At first it was...cute. Now, it's annoying.
I've been monitoring his play much more lately and he seems to be doing better. I don't want him to be addicted to these games. He LOVES electronic games - so much in fact that he said the following things to me:
"Mom, why won't you let me play any ELECTRONIC games today?"
"Ok, I played Candy Land, Imaginext and played in my shaving cream. NOW can I play Wii?"
I fear I haven't worked with him like I did the older two boys. He's so much different than the other two. His personality is so much different even. We've always said - as horrid as it sounds - he's been the most like a "regular" kid. The other boys are brilliant and tons of fun, but they weren't without their eccentric things.
Although Owen did have an irrational fear of birds and balloons. The balloon thing was soooo annoying! Had to leave more than one birthday party with a screaming toddler. It did save a lot of money for his birthday parties though! He still isn't a big fan of balloons.
Maybe, he's too much like a "normal" kid for video games. Stupid electronic games.
He's obsessed....OBSESSED, with the Wii. Matt and I somehow stood firm and didn't buy one until this Christmas. M and S were 7 and 8 respectively. They seem to do better with it. O is another story entirely.
As soon as his eyes are opened it's "Can I play WEGO STAR WARS" if I say no, it's "Can I play WEGO BATMAN then". When we tell him no watch out. Stomping, screaming and crying insue. It is typically short lived, as most of O's tantrums are, but it's not pretty. It obviously is a problem for him.
Days he plays for a long time, he's a mess too. He crys more, yells more and paces. He starts doing his "wego" moves on me. Trys to punch and kick like the men on the game do. At first it was...cute. Now, it's annoying.
I've been monitoring his play much more lately and he seems to be doing better. I don't want him to be addicted to these games. He LOVES electronic games - so much in fact that he said the following things to me:
"Mom, why won't you let me play any ELECTRONIC games today?"
"Ok, I played Candy Land, Imaginext and played in my shaving cream. NOW can I play Wii?"
I fear I haven't worked with him like I did the older two boys. He's so much different than the other two. His personality is so much different even. We've always said - as horrid as it sounds - he's been the most like a "regular" kid. The other boys are brilliant and tons of fun, but they weren't without their eccentric things.
Although Owen did have an irrational fear of birds and balloons. The balloon thing was soooo annoying! Had to leave more than one birthday party with a screaming toddler. It did save a lot of money for his birthday parties though! He still isn't a big fan of balloons.
Maybe, he's too much like a "normal" kid for video games. Stupid electronic games.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Random
Stolen
10 years ago I was: a newlywed, who had just experienced a miscarriage.
5 years ago I was: mommy to two small boys, about to be a mommy of three.
1 year ago I was: probably posting a blog ;)
Yesterday I was: at the hospital with my sister Mary and my sweet nephew Asher.
5 snacks that I enjoy:
1. Chips
2. Hummus
3. Granola Bars
4. Cheese Its - which I never buy because I'd eat the whole box
5. Popcorn with Ranch seasoning.
5 songs I know all the words to:
1. Jesus Loves Me
2. How Great Thou Art
3. The Sponge Bob theme song
4. Be Thou My Vision
5. Put A Ring On It
5 things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Tithe
2. Invest
3. Put some away for the kids
4. Share with family/friends
5. Build a new studio and get a new camera
5 favorite TV shows:
1. Greys
2. Ace of Cakes
3. Private Practice
4. The Nanny
5. Teen Mom
5 things I am thankful for:
1. My family
2. Friends
3. God
4. A home
5. My husband - I'm certain there is none better suited for me than him!
2 names I go by:
1. Mom
2. Beth Anne
2 parts of your heritage
1. Italian
2. Yugoslavian
2 things that scare me:
1. Centipedes
2. Being afraid
2 of my every day essentials:
1. Diet Coke
2. My SSNRI ;)
2 things I am wearing right now:
1. Nightgown
2. socks
2 of my favorite bands/musical artists (at the moment):
1. Bruno Mars
2. Hillsong
2 things I want in a relationship (other than real love):
1. Honesty
2. Laughter
2 truths: (stole answers from votemom)
1. No word from God will ever fail
2. Satan already lost
2 physical things that appeal to me in the opposite sex:
1. Good teeth
2. Dark Hair
2 of my favorite hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Taking photographs
2 things I want really badly:
1. A new camera
2. For my sons to grow up to be men of God.
2 places I want to go on vacation:
1. Africa
2. Disney!!
2 ways I am stereotypically a chick:
1. I hate squashing bugs
2. I like to talk. A lot.
2 things I normally wouldn't admit:
1. I don't wash my hair every day
2. I play games on Webkinz.
2 things I am thinking about right now:
1. I need to go to bed.
2. I'm overly sensitve.
2 stores you shop at:
1. Target!
2. Walmart
2 people I would like to see taking this quiz:
1. Matt - although I'm certain he won't.
2. My sister Nancy
2 people I haven't talked to in a while:
1. My sister Sara
2. Julie
10 years ago I was: a newlywed, who had just experienced a miscarriage.
5 years ago I was: mommy to two small boys, about to be a mommy of three.
1 year ago I was: probably posting a blog ;)
Yesterday I was: at the hospital with my sister Mary and my sweet nephew Asher.
5 snacks that I enjoy:
1. Chips
2. Hummus
3. Granola Bars
4. Cheese Its - which I never buy because I'd eat the whole box
5. Popcorn with Ranch seasoning.
5 songs I know all the words to:
1. Jesus Loves Me
2. How Great Thou Art
3. The Sponge Bob theme song
4. Be Thou My Vision
5. Put A Ring On It
5 things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Tithe
2. Invest
3. Put some away for the kids
4. Share with family/friends
5. Build a new studio and get a new camera
5 favorite TV shows:
1. Greys
2. Ace of Cakes
3. Private Practice
4. The Nanny
5. Teen Mom
5 things I am thankful for:
1. My family
2. Friends
3. God
4. A home
5. My husband - I'm certain there is none better suited for me than him!
2 names I go by:
1. Mom
2. Beth Anne
2 parts of your heritage
1. Italian
2. Yugoslavian
2 things that scare me:
1. Centipedes
2. Being afraid
2 of my every day essentials:
1. Diet Coke
2. My SSNRI ;)
2 things I am wearing right now:
1. Nightgown
2. socks
2 of my favorite bands/musical artists (at the moment):
1. Bruno Mars
2. Hillsong
2 things I want in a relationship (other than real love):
1. Honesty
2. Laughter
2 truths: (stole answers from votemom)
1. No word from God will ever fail
2. Satan already lost
2 physical things that appeal to me in the opposite sex:
1. Good teeth
2. Dark Hair
2 of my favorite hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Taking photographs
2 things I want really badly:
1. A new camera
2. For my sons to grow up to be men of God.
2 places I want to go on vacation:
1. Africa
2. Disney!!
2 ways I am stereotypically a chick:
1. I hate squashing bugs
2. I like to talk. A lot.
2 things I normally wouldn't admit:
1. I don't wash my hair every day
2. I play games on Webkinz.
2 things I am thinking about right now:
1. I need to go to bed.
2. I'm overly sensitve.
2 stores you shop at:
1. Target!
2. Walmart
2 people I would like to see taking this quiz:
1. Matt - although I'm certain he won't.
2. My sister Nancy
2 people I haven't talked to in a while:
1. My sister Sara
2. Julie
Monday, January 24, 2011
Oh my O!
O had a week. A traumatic week. It started on Wednesday with stitches in the head. By the following Wednesday, we'd puked, had another wound and a bad reaction to a vaccine!
Friday (2 days after head wound), O was messing around in our friends family room. He somehow (he later told me, it was S, doing a "spin ball move", that went horribly wrong, that caused the injury), hit his ear - the high part in the cartilage - on the corner of their coffee table. He actually completely pierced his ear - all the way through the cartilage. Poor boy...bloody, nasty ear, lots of crying and a bloody, silk pillow. Thankfully, ears heal quickly, and his ear looked better before his head did!
Sunday evening 4 days post head wound and 2 days post ear wound), the puke fest started. Poor boy - wounded ear, bandaged head and now add vomit. Felt horrible for him!
Monday, we went to the doctor to try to get the stitches out and it was a no go. Due to the need for a double closure - that wasn't done and a few to few stitches, the head was still bleeding a little and not ready to be "unstitched".
Wednesday rolls around and his head looks great. Go to the doctor and stitch removal begins - only the middle stitch was soooo tight that it was hard to get to without cutting the skin around it! He also need a DTaP. Lucky kid - stitch removal and a shot...he hit the jackpot!
He got his shot - by the end of the night, we was limping with a HUGE lump. Two days later, we had a 6.5 inch, hot, swollen, and red welt on his thigh. Fun stuff I tell you.
We went to the doctor on day three, when the reaction was at it's peak. They said they thought it was just a reaction, but we should do antibiotics just in case...I waited another day with no meds and his leg was significantly better. We are still on the mend, but have gone more than two to three days with no major injury.
Fingers crossed that O's "streak" is over for a while!
Friday (2 days after head wound), O was messing around in our friends family room. He somehow (he later told me, it was S, doing a "spin ball move", that went horribly wrong, that caused the injury), hit his ear - the high part in the cartilage - on the corner of their coffee table. He actually completely pierced his ear - all the way through the cartilage. Poor boy...bloody, nasty ear, lots of crying and a bloody, silk pillow. Thankfully, ears heal quickly, and his ear looked better before his head did!
Sunday evening 4 days post head wound and 2 days post ear wound), the puke fest started. Poor boy - wounded ear, bandaged head and now add vomit. Felt horrible for him!
Monday, we went to the doctor to try to get the stitches out and it was a no go. Due to the need for a double closure - that wasn't done and a few to few stitches, the head was still bleeding a little and not ready to be "unstitched".
Wednesday rolls around and his head looks great. Go to the doctor and stitch removal begins - only the middle stitch was soooo tight that it was hard to get to without cutting the skin around it! He also need a DTaP. Lucky kid - stitch removal and a shot...he hit the jackpot!
He got his shot - by the end of the night, we was limping with a HUGE lump. Two days later, we had a 6.5 inch, hot, swollen, and red welt on his thigh. Fun stuff I tell you.
We went to the doctor on day three, when the reaction was at it's peak. They said they thought it was just a reaction, but we should do antibiotics just in case...I waited another day with no meds and his leg was significantly better. We are still on the mend, but have gone more than two to three days with no major injury.
Fingers crossed that O's "streak" is over for a while!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Bumps and Bruises....or Blood and Stitches
O may be the death of me. That child, in his 4.5 short years of life, has had more "injuries", than the older two boys have combined. We've had our head "glued" shut once, and numerous trips to the drug store to buy "butterfly" band aids and an attempt at glue and steri strips here at home. This child has had multiple "goose eggs" on his head too.
He's a daredevil. He NEVER stops moving. In fact, he's now taken to watching TV, in a headstand position - on the couch. If he's not standing on his head, he's either jumping, flipping or running in place. It's insane. I wish I possessed his energy and inability to sit still. I'd be much thinner.
We keep saying we need to sign him up for gymnastics - this was more solidified, when, while at the grocery store, I found him hanging upside down from the handle on the shopping cart - it was one of those carts with the attached seat for two kids. He's a monkey. I call him that all the time.
This last week, has been especially difficult for little O. Poor boy. I, as a mother of three boys, had my first experience with a head wound that would NOT stop bleeding and stitches.
It took three of us to hold little man down and one doctor to "stitch" - at least that's what she called it. I'm not at all impressed with her "work", but at least it's not a gaping wound anymore!
We arrived at church early on Wednesday. A friend and I took our kids out to eat for dinner and when we got to church, I was taking the boys to the bathroom to wash their hands. I went in the door and I THOUGHT O was right behind me. I walked into the door, heard a THUD, and then howling. Poor boy was crying his little heart out.
I scooped him up and asked what happened - he couldn't stop crying long enough. S, told me that he'd ran into the edge of the bathroom door...WHAT?!?! Who runs into doors?!? Then I remembered that he is my child and I've done it too.
Blood was now draining from his head and after a quick blot, it was determined that stitches would be in order. I could tell, this was far from a trip for a simple "gluing" and steri strips or butterfly bandages weren't going to cut it.
Once, arrangements were made for the older two, O and I were off to the ER. Urgent Care wouldn't see him because it was a "head trauma" and they won't treat children with head wounds. Thankfully, I remembered hearing this and called, before going to one.
Once at the ER, the cut was cleaned a little better and we could get a better look...uh...yeah. It was FAR deeper than I thought at first. So deep in fact, that the doctor took a while to decide if two layers of stitces were needed. I asked her if the whitish yellow "pieces", I saw hanging out of the cut were what I thought they were. She assured me that I was correct and that they were indeed pieces of "subcutaneous tissue - or fat". YUCK!
They had difficulty getting O totally numb. I am not a squeamish person. I have a tough stomach when it comes to that stuff, but by the time they were done inserting the needles into his cut and holding him down for so long, I thought I might be sick. Thankfully, I was not.
He was stitched and good as new. He enjoyed his pack of licorice I let him get and was more than thrilled when I told him he didn't even have to share it with his brothers - he was SHOCKED to find out that the pack of licorice includes TWO BARS of yummy goodness and not just one!
Two days later, his head is healing nicely - lots of bruising and swelling, but all in all, it's doing well.
O, my monkey butt boy, fell of my friends couch and managed to hit his ear on the corner of the coffee table. He not only hit his ear - he managed to actually slit the upper cartilage and puncture it right through to the other side. We still aren't sure if this was an attempt to get his ear pierced, but either way - a wound to the ear, also bleed TREMENDOUSLY.
Thankfully, ears heal quickly and today it looks so much better!
I'm considering buying him a helmet and face mask. Perhaps I should wrap him in bubble wrap too...
He's a daredevil. He NEVER stops moving. In fact, he's now taken to watching TV, in a headstand position - on the couch. If he's not standing on his head, he's either jumping, flipping or running in place. It's insane. I wish I possessed his energy and inability to sit still. I'd be much thinner.
We keep saying we need to sign him up for gymnastics - this was more solidified, when, while at the grocery store, I found him hanging upside down from the handle on the shopping cart - it was one of those carts with the attached seat for two kids. He's a monkey. I call him that all the time.
This last week, has been especially difficult for little O. Poor boy. I, as a mother of three boys, had my first experience with a head wound that would NOT stop bleeding and stitches.
It took three of us to hold little man down and one doctor to "stitch" - at least that's what she called it. I'm not at all impressed with her "work", but at least it's not a gaping wound anymore!
We arrived at church early on Wednesday. A friend and I took our kids out to eat for dinner and when we got to church, I was taking the boys to the bathroom to wash their hands. I went in the door and I THOUGHT O was right behind me. I walked into the door, heard a THUD, and then howling. Poor boy was crying his little heart out.
I scooped him up and asked what happened - he couldn't stop crying long enough. S, told me that he'd ran into the edge of the bathroom door...WHAT?!?! Who runs into doors?!? Then I remembered that he is my child and I've done it too.
Blood was now draining from his head and after a quick blot, it was determined that stitches would be in order. I could tell, this was far from a trip for a simple "gluing" and steri strips or butterfly bandages weren't going to cut it.
Once, arrangements were made for the older two, O and I were off to the ER. Urgent Care wouldn't see him because it was a "head trauma" and they won't treat children with head wounds. Thankfully, I remembered hearing this and called, before going to one.
Once at the ER, the cut was cleaned a little better and we could get a better look...uh...yeah. It was FAR deeper than I thought at first. So deep in fact, that the doctor took a while to decide if two layers of stitces were needed. I asked her if the whitish yellow "pieces", I saw hanging out of the cut were what I thought they were. She assured me that I was correct and that they were indeed pieces of "subcutaneous tissue - or fat". YUCK!
They had difficulty getting O totally numb. I am not a squeamish person. I have a tough stomach when it comes to that stuff, but by the time they were done inserting the needles into his cut and holding him down for so long, I thought I might be sick. Thankfully, I was not.
He was stitched and good as new. He enjoyed his pack of licorice I let him get and was more than thrilled when I told him he didn't even have to share it with his brothers - he was SHOCKED to find out that the pack of licorice includes TWO BARS of yummy goodness and not just one!
Two days later, his head is healing nicely - lots of bruising and swelling, but all in all, it's doing well.
O, my monkey butt boy, fell of my friends couch and managed to hit his ear on the corner of the coffee table. He not only hit his ear - he managed to actually slit the upper cartilage and puncture it right through to the other side. We still aren't sure if this was an attempt to get his ear pierced, but either way - a wound to the ear, also bleed TREMENDOUSLY.
Thankfully, ears heal quickly and today it looks so much better!
I'm considering buying him a helmet and face mask. Perhaps I should wrap him in bubble wrap too...
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