The Big Boo Boo

Warning: this post has up-close pictures of a very yucky boo boo. If you are squeamish you might want to skip this one.

Memorial weekend seemed like an ideal time to make a road trip to south Texas to visit family. Jimmy took Friday off so we could enjoy the long weekend. Little did we know our trip would be remarkably short. Before we left we turned Olivia's car seat around (she would turn 2 in less than 2 months) with the misguided notion that the novelty of being turned around and able to see would result in a scream free trip. We are hilarious.

We arrived at our first destination of the weekend: Lolo's house. As per usual the kids played and played and played. Olivia developed a fondness for Lucky's dog bed (typical cat behavior) and spent quite a bit of time there.

Sometime around 6:30 pm both kids were running up and down the hall when we heard a crash and Olivia start to cry. I mean really cry. I ran over and the scene of the accident was Momo's walker tipped over in the middle of the hall door frame with Olivia somewhere in the middle. I immediately see blood on the floor and pick her up to see where on her face she's cut (thinking she bit her tongue or lip when she fell). I can't see anything and sit on the couch with her in my lap to try to calm her down. And that's when I saw her formerly white sock. Drenched in blood. My baby's blood. I didn't want to have to take the sock off but we had to see what was under there. Fortunately I have no pictures of the initial carnage. Also fortunately Lolo had some sterile wash so we could get some idea of what we were dealing with. We figured out that she had somehow busted open her big toe on her right foot (about an inch long starting at the top in the middle). It was definitely stitches-worthy so Jimmy and I got her strapped into her car seat - still crying - and rushed over to an emergency care facility in Portland (about 15-20 minutes away). I sat in the back seat with Olivia trying to calm her down, my own black and white shorts stained beyond repair (or so I thought). I was so thankful that we had turned her seat around and she didn't have to have her foot hitting up against the back of the seat. She was so exhausted that she started falling asleep despite the pain she must have been in. We hadn't given her any pain medication before we left because we weren't sure what the hospital was going to want to give her. To their credit they got us back to a room pretty quickly and the sweet nurses were really really good with Olivia. They gave her stickers, let her play in soapy water (used to bathe the wound, numb and sterilize it) and gave her an ice cream sandwich to destroy eat. We assumed the whole time that they would stitch her toe closed, but after the doctor came and looked at it for 10 seconds the nurse came back and said it wasn't eligible to be stitched. We were skeptical but accepted what the doctor said (sort of). So they tried to dry off the blood still seeping out and used steri-strips (I call them butterfly stitches) to keep it closed and showed us how to wrap her tiny toe in gauze.  They pretended the steri-strips would stay on for several days, and gave us instructions accordingly. We put her in her footy pajamas (with the right foot cut open) and she fell asleep with minimal fuss. I got almost no sleep that night as I lay in bed listening to every tiny sound she made in her blow up toddler mattress in our room (the very first time to ever sleep in such a contraption). I just knew she was going to wake up, stand up like she usually does in her crib, and fall out hurting her toe in the process.

The next morning when I noticed the bandage was yucky looking and gently pulled it off to redress the wound, everything came with it. After some agonizing we decided to head home so we could have her seen by a pediatric doctor (who would know what they were doing).  If you can't tell already I was not impressed by the doctor at the ER. So we went home late Saturday afternoon (after a trip to Walmart to stock up on wound care essentials and to find some sandals she could wear that wouldn't touch her big toe) and I got her a Sunday morning appointment to see an after-hours pediatrician recommended by our own regular pediatrician. In the mean time Olivia was walking, running and climbing all over the place and only complaining of her boo boo when she bumped it on something, put too much pressure on it or actually saw it during the many times per day redressing or her shower. She couldn't take a bath until it closed up and after the initial novelty of taking a bath in the "rain" wore off she was not a fan. The pediatrician told us it should have been stitched (duh) but that it was too late. Evidently wounds have to be stitched within 8 to 12 hours of injury. I was near tears in her office. She gave me better instructions and reassured me that I was doing all the right things and, yes, the yellow puss coming from the wound was okay. 

Saturday night (about 24 hrs after the initial injury)

Another look on Saturday

Sunday morning at the pediatric urgent care office. 

I ended up taking her to our own pediatrician a few days later because the cut didn't seem like it was making any progress healing. She gave me some more realistic expectations on the expected progress that helped calm my frazzled nerves (a little). I spent an entire super stressful week watching her every move and just waiting for her to re-injure herself. I was so relieved when it started to scab over and make some decent progress healing!

Day 4 (Tuesday). Do you blame me for going back to the doctor??

How was Nathan this whole time you may ask? When the accident happened he was very upset because Olivia was obviously hurting and upset and he could probably tell Mommy and Daddy were freaking out a little (although under the circumstances I think we were awesome). He didn't want to stay with Lolo while we left but eventually accepted and fell asleep on the couch watching a movie. Once we were home again it was business as usual. The extra attention sister was receiving, especially the nightly foot bath and wound care, caused a little jealousy. He eventually started wanting his own foot bath and antibacterial medicine and bandaid like sister got. And he wanted to help me squirt the sterile water on sister's toe and help with the medicine. Such a big helper.

No real shock that the first child to have a super bloody injury requiring stitches (even if she didn't get them) was my little princess. The healing process was 95% done within 2 weeks. A horrible looooong two weeks for mommy. The first week I stayed home with her but the second week she was able to go to school in a normal shoe. We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. She eventually lost about half of her big toenail (almost 3 months later), but it seems to be growing in. I really couldn't believe she didn't lose the whole nail. Lucky girl.

Day 5 - She was clearly very bothered.

As to the fate of my white shorts...well, Lolo somehow worked some voodoo laundry magic and got them spotlessly clean. Too bad I haven't worn them since.

Motherhood and Apple Pie

I think it is a tradition that I feel like a mom on Mother's Day. I mean REALLY feel like a mom. The picture above (taken on Saturday before Mother's Day) pretty much sums up life these days. Two kids who love their mommy but do not like to share her. Here's how my Mother's Day went (in summary):

Neither child slept through the night.  Olivia woke up twice. Nathan woke up once before midnight and then again just after 6:00 am and came to our bed. I got up around 7:00 am, checked into my Monday morning crack-of-dawn flight to Dallas and got Olivia up to get her ready for church. I was in Olivia's room pushing through a fog of exhaustion when Nathan brought in his present and told me Happy Mother's Day. Olivia brought me her gift bag a few minutes later and I'm not sure if she mumbled Happy Mother's Day or Happy Birthday, but regardless it was the most adorable thing ever and made my tired mommy heart happy. Jimmy ordered me a mug with pictures of the kids that I love, Olivia had a flower pot with her hand print flowers and Nathan made me a bracelet. Such sweet treasures.

Church was, as usual, a challenge. Olivia ended up in the nursery and we struggled to keep Nathan still. The upside was that I made everyone dress in coordinating maroon...because it was Mother's Day and I can. I didn't get a picture of my adorable little family of course, but that's okay. Evidently I didn't take many pictures that weekend because the only ones I have found from Sunday are of Olivia in the dress Aunt Ashley sent her.

"Nek-lass Mommy. On."

A perfect look into the personality of my littlest angel. Tough enough to want to play tackle football yet must be appropriately accessorized while doing so. Be nervous boys.

I may or may not have taken a Mother's Day nap, but even if I didn't I'm sure I needed one. For some reason young children don't distinguish the day that they are supposed to take care of YOU instead of the other way around. I'm told this changes, but 20 years seems like a long time to wait.....

Even through the exhaustion I am so thankful to be a mommy and grateful that my precious angels are happy, healthy and full of love for me. I only hope that I show them as much continuous love and care that my own mommy gives me.

Happy Mother's Day!

A Super Birthday and Birthday Party (Nathan's 4th)

The day of Nathan's fourth birthday we let him play hookie from daycare. That morning he opened his birthday present from us (basically the whole set of DC Super Friends and assorted villains) while still in his pajamas. We had plans to go to the Museum of Natural Science but it was almost impossible to get him to leave the house (and his new toys) without major persuasion. In order to start the leaving process, we told him we were going to get a haircut then have a birthday cupcake date to celebrate. He loves going to the haircut place because there are cars and trains to play with as well as a big red firetruck to sit in while watching cartoons. The fact that they cut his hair is completely secondary.

I love Olivia's face in this picture. "How is this a big deal?"

We got him some movies and a few books that were interesting up until the point he opened the big box...

Jackpot!

Checking out everybody and deciding what to open first. Hard to decide.

A little blurry but such a great smile. I love my little superhero.

Looking sharp after his haircut.

After the haircut we went to Ooh La La cupcake bakery and Nathan picked out a super yummy looking chocolate cupcake with sprinkles. I brought a candle with us and the sweet girls there provided the fire after the lighter I brought along didn't respond.

From there we made our way to the museum district. Knowing that he would lose interest in things pretty quickly, we focused our visit on the shark exhibit, dinosaurs and butterfly garden. He wanted soooooo badly for a butterfly to land on him and sat super still (for a 4 year old boy) trying to get one to come. In the mean time, two landed on Daddy. He was pretty disappointed but still enjoyed seeing them all flying around.

The following weekend we had his birthday party at The Little Gym of Katy. We had it there the year before and I'm glad we chose it again! The staff are great and letting the kids run around in alternating organized activities and free play is genius. We picked a superhero theme and I ordered hero cake pops from A Spoonful of Sugar Sweets. I let Nathan choose between a cake or cupcakes as the main dessert and he chose a cake. I told him I would make him a Green Lantern cake, even though his vote was for a Green Goblin cake. I was pretty proud of the result. I felt so domestic! Just like last year we took a bunch of pictures and 98% of them are blurry because the kids didn't stop moving. He got a ton of superhero stuff and some other cool transforming dinosaur-car things. He had an amazing time with his friends, including his best friends.

Andy, Caitlin, Leah and the birthday boy!

Aaron, Nathan and Michelle

Nathan - 4 years old

On April 6th my first born angel turned 4 years old. How did this happen?!?! Even now, a mere four month later, I can't believe how big he is and how much he can do for himself now. Didn't I just meet him for the first time six months ago??! My once perfect little armful is now my perfect big lap full (and then some). Fortunately, my precious boy still loves to snuggle with his mommy. If he didn't I think my heart would be broken. The last time I did an update on him was when we started potty training a full year ago, so quite a bit has happened since then. Let me start out with the classic metrics from his 4-year well-check:

Height: 40.4" (52nd %), Weight: 36 lbs (52nd %)

Size 5-6 pull up, only at bedtime 
Size 5-6 undies, dinosaurs and superheros of course

Size 4T pants and shirts

Size 10.5 shoes

He put on a growth spurt a few months after his birthday and is now in 5T pajamas and some 5T shirts and shorts as well. Here are some other things that he started doing in his fourth year and memories from around the time of his birthday: 

• He bites his nails to the quick and sometimes makes them bleed (author's note: I think this was a manifestation of stress and he stopped doing it a few months later.)
• He started telling me "I love you" spontaneously on a regular basis. Oh, my heart!
• He still enjoys cooking and helping me in the kitchen. He continues to enjoy his play kitchen and making everyone snacks or coffee/tea, etc. Sometimes we will play "school" and he will sit all of his superhero figures in "circle time" and I'll be the teacher and he will be the "cooker" and bring snack in. Unfortunately, Mr. Freeze usually freezes everyone's snack, unless Green Goblin gets to it with one of his pumpkin bombs first. School for superheros and super villains is a challenge. Just be sure you ask what Nathan made for you in the kitchen. That pretend triangle of cheese might actually be representing ice cream...you never know. 
• He likes to help with Olivia a little more (including bossing her around like mom or dad). When he's in a charitable mood he'll get her cup from the refrigerator or go find her lovey rabbit for us. Usually though they are picking at each other and driving me crazy.
• He is sleeping through the night (in how own bed) sometimes. I managed to get him back into his own bed before last busy season and we didn't back-slide too badly. Typically he wakes up once in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom (even if we limit liquids) but several times a week he will also sleep all the way through. Of course he still wakes up at the crack of dawn in hopes that I'll still be in bed and we can snuggle under the covers. I love that morning time together and wish we could do it more often than just the weekend. The day he decides that he's too old to snuggle in bed with me will be a sad day indeed.
• We got rid of naps in sometime last November (ish). I just got tired of the fights every weekend. Up until very recently he would fall asleep on the couch spontaneously in the late afternoon (if we could get him to sit still) and get a little cat nap. He still takes a nap every day during the week at school. Honestly, I love the no nap era. His behavior doesn't get too much worse than if he had a nap and he goes to sleep sooooo much faster at bedtime. That alone is worth it!
• He can get dressed by himself, including putting on his tennis shoes. This happened before he turned four, and it has been so great! I can lay out his pajamas or clothes and he'll get himself put together while I practice my court room negotiation skills with his sister. 
• We started brushing teeth with toothpaste (instead of just water) because he showed me he could rinse and spit. I'm not sure why little things like this seem significant, but when your baby goes from being able to do literally nothing for themselves to brushing teeth, it seems like kind of a big deal. 
• Santa brought Nathan a bicycle for Christmas and he got pretty good at riding it in the spring. Then summer came in all its glory and it has been too hot (still over 100 degrees) in the afternoons for us all to go outside and ride bikes in the sun. If Bubba is going outside then Olivia has to go too and she's still too little to take that kind of heat. So we'll see how much of his skill he has retained after a several month break from practice.
• He has a fascination with my makeup, and now gets it out for me (in order) every morning. Sometimes he preps my eyeshadow brush and powder and he usually opens the eyeliner and mascara for me too.
• He still loves villains. Around the time of his birthday we were watching a LOT of Disney's Hercules and he would stomp around pretending to be one of the titans or Hades. He still loves Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent. 
• He has a fascination with fire. I'm not sure if this is a normal boy thing or if I need to be worried (see love of villains immediately above). I guess time will tell.
• Coloring is an event. I don't know how else to describe it. Whatever he is drawing is accompanied by sound effects and action. Usually he's drawing some kind of monster/dragon/robot shooting fire/lasers and that takes a lot of dynamic coloring skills.

Oh the things this boy says! Every day I think, "I should write that down," when he says something nutty. Here is a little gem I saved because it is a great example of his matter-of-fact responses.

Me: (seeing his fingers in his mouth) Nathan, stop biting your nails.

Him: I'm not biting my nails, Mommy. [pauses] I'm eating a booger. 

What he's good at: Imagination! Articulation! Explaining himself in different ways. Taking turns (most of the time). Affectionate and sensitive. 

What we're working on: sharing with sister, listening to other adults (although listening to Mommy and Daddy is still a work in progress), and whining.

Favorite food: chocolate, blueberries, chicken strips (Chuy's or Whataburger)

Favorite colors: purple and pink

Favorite books: A Halloween Scare in Texas and the Bible (back in April)

Favorite toys: pretend kitchen, superheroes 

Favorite movie: Finding Nemo, Three Musketeers (Mickey), or Tangled (back in April). You win, Disney. You win.

Future occupation (per mommy): Evil genius (complete with cat)

Future occupation (per Nathan): Police officer "So I can take bad guys to jail."

Being super awesome is hard work. 

Playing in the kitchen with sister the sous chef.

A pretty typical breakfast of cheerios, milk and yogurt. Thankfully, my boy is a morning person (usually) like his mama.

This must have been taken on a single parent night. If Jimmy or I are not home at bedtime, we will let Nathan watch the iPad while we put Olivia to bed. Tonight's choice appears to have been Veggie Tales. 

Nathan loves to be outside for any reason. On this day he asked to eat his snack outside on a pretty early spring day.

Making artwork for Grammy to put in her office. This must have been early in the process because he's not covered in paint quite yet.

Switched to the brush. Nathan loves to paint, but most of the things he makes end up looking pretty muddy because he enjoys mixing colors together on the canvas/paper.

Muah!

On an 'ice cream date' at Tutti Frutti with Mommy in early March.

Those sweet smiles melt me every time.

Nathan and Lolo reading books. He still loves to read and we read every night at bedtime together.

Favorite superhero: Green Lantern

This is Nathan's favorite sword/wand/shooter. Daddy made it out of cardboard, a wooden dowel, duct tape and spray paint for Nathan's knight Halloween costume when he was two. It has held up to a lot of abuse and is missing one of the cross guards. Ignore Olivia body surfing on the ottoman...

I went to Denver for work in March and brought back both kids place mats with their name on them. On the back are a bunch of activities and Nathan is practicing drawing his letters here.

My boys vacuuming! Nathan loves to help Daddy with pretty much anything, including using cleaning machinery (using the word 'machinery' makes it sound more manly).

Nathan and Popo playing in the front room. I'm not sure how Popo got through that tunnel. He's evidently in better shape than I am! 

Nathan, my precious angel, I am so proud of you and the young man you are becoming. I love your imagination and love of pretend play. I love that you ask to say our prayer before dinner and are learning what God says about how you and our family should behave. I love the hugs and spontaneous kisses. But most especially, I love you. Even when you are in full blown yelling, screaming, throwing tantrum mode. No matter what, angel. No matter what.