Hand In Mouth

 “Gage got bit by Poncho.”  That’s what Kelly told me as we picked up the kids from my Mom’s.  I called to him and he came over to me so I could check it out.  He had a small puncture and a little bit of swelling between the thumb and index finger of his left hand.  Gage hasn’t quite figured out that messing with a dog while its eating is not the smart play. Emilee and I discussed whether or not he need a stich, and we decided that he was probably ok in that department.  We knew to keep an eye on it.  Dog bites, no matter how trivial, can be an infection nightmare.  So, we cleaned the area and put a Band-Aid on it.  I even messed with Kelly and told her “well, we will probably end up in the ER over this”.  Karma has a way of making you eat your words…

On Sunday morning his hand looked pretty bad.  He had more swelling, and he would look at you pitifully and say it hurt when it was touched.  So, Emilee got online and reserved us a time at the CHOA Urgent Care.  This kind of thing is where Emilee excels.  I usually look at whichever kid is hurt and tell them to “go rub some dirt on it”, or to “suck it up”.  Emilee talks to them and soothes them.  She gets the ice pack out, or in Gage’s case frozen peas, and sets them up on the couch.  She gets the Band-Aids out and tells them it will take away their pain.  She holds them tight and tells them she loves them.  Typically by the time she holds them tight they are trying to escape to go injure themselves again, but she will lovingly do it all over again when they do.

Emilee kept Gage happy until it was time to go, and then I loaded #1 and #2 into the truck and went to visit the doc.  I am not going to tell you where I went specifically. I walked in at 11:20 and walked out at 11:55.  Checked in, got registered, saw the triage nurse, saw the treatment nurse, saw the doc, and was walking out with a prescription for anti-biotics with popsicles in hand….in 35 minutes!  You guys can find this place on your own!

In that 35 minutes I learned a few things.  First, Gage will always load up his diaper when you forget to bring extras.  Gracie will always be worried about her little brother, but will be happy to let him get shots/medicine as long as she doesn’t have to get them.  Children’s Healthcare nurses and Docs are awesome at their job. And, little kids immune systems just can’t keep up sometimes.  As I discussed the bite it was made clear to me that it was probably going to get worse before it got better.  I was told what to look for and sent to get the anti-biotics.

At around 5pm we noticed that the swelling had gotten worse.  The area was hot to the touch and now there were two red streaks running up his arm.  This was getting bad fast.  We knew we had to take him to the ER.  Emilee started the calls to get someone to watch Gracie and Sophie, and I got little man ready for the trip.  I headed out with Gage and we got to Scottish Rite.  I knew it was not good, but when every nurse or doc that looks at it says it’s bad…

I was surprised at how fast we got seen.  Gage was a champ the whole time.  When the nurse and tech came in to start an IV he didn’t flinch; not even a whimper.  After they stuck him the second time to get a good IV, they drew blood and started to run labs and cultures.  They actually try to grow whatever is in his blood to see if the anti-biotics they have prescribed will kill everything.  He stayed strong, and then his momma walked in.  And Emilee got to hold him tight once again.

Eventually, we ended up staying overnight at Scottish.  He received five rounds of IV anti-biotics and went a little stir crazy in the process.  Emilee had gone home so that Sophie could be fed and managed throughout the night. When she came back the next morning I was so happy to see her.  Sometimes you don’t realize how important your family is and how much you depend on one another.  

This event made me grateful all over again to be married to such an amazing woman.  She stayed with Gage during the day and tried to keep him entertained.  After an hour of wandering, she even found “The Zone’ which is an area where the kids can run around and play.  Why no one told us that there was a playroom literally 30 feet from our room is baffling, but she made the best of it with Gage. They got to come home Monday night.

Gage’s hand is much better, and he is now on to more exciting ways of trying to maim himself.  Thanks to everyone who kept checking on us, and thanks to Edna and Emily for working with us getting kids #1 and #3 taken care of.

I want to make a point here of letting everyone know that this was an accident.  It wasn’t an attack, and it could easily have been any kid and any dog.  Kelly has beaten herself up pretty good over this.  I was pretty pissed off about the whole thing for couple of days, but I hope that time has given me some perspective.  Accidents happen, we feel awful for them happening on our watch, and then we hope to be forgiven.  Well Kelly, you’re forgiven but, don’t let it happen again!  lol

Keep Smiling,

Rob

Long Days, Short Years

Emilee hit me with the above phrase not to long ago.  I didn’t really appreciate it at the time, but the more I look at my kids growing or think about my own time on this planet, it is sinking in.  I can vividly remember feeling like the school day was never going to end, or that vacation was never going to get here.  Then BOOM, you’re a college grad and no more school (at least for a bit). BOOM, that week of vacation felt like it took merely hours.  BOOM, you are 45 and wonder “where the ^%$# has all of time gone”?

Our perspective on time is fascinating.  We never feel like we have enough time during the day to get all of our work/chores/responsibilities done.  We always feel shorted when it comes to down time. But who has time for down time when you have kids, laundry, cooking, and chores?  Not to mention the “8 hour work day” that turns into 10 to 12 hours with traffic in this city.  It becomes like Groundhog Day.  We simply get into a routine and we try not to alter it.  Schedules are good, so we have been told.  People become too busy with BS to even be honest with themselves about what they spend time on is important.

When did Gracie become this mini teenager?  I swear to you I was watching the whole time!  Yet there she stands; four feet of sass and beauty.  When did she get to be so quick?  She has the absolute ability to flip a conversation into her favor and make you think it was your own idea.  She has wit and charm and attitude, and immaturity.  It’s like watching a movie at times.  It does not seem like she should be doing anything other than being held in our arms because she can’t even hold her head up, but there she stands always ready to test your patience and intelligence.

Gage is another story.  Running face first into his terrible two’s like a person on fire runs to water, and running into every obstacle face first too. Always looking bruised and battered, the sweetest of the group on a good day turns into Satan incarnate at a moment’s notice.  Tantrums and obstinance that brings back the fond memories of his older sister losing her %^&$ at the most convenient times.  A friendly looking assassin trying to find ways to take out his younger sister while no one suspects.  The constant jabber of a kid trying to get his point across and two parents that just wish he made more sense.  I get it Gage…surrounded by women and you have no voice! Lol

And then there is Sophie.  I can clearly see the thought bubbles form over this little tormenters head, and have put together a short list…

*Mom looks like she needs some sleep, I can make sure that’s not going to happen! 

* I bet I can make everyone else in this house cry at least once today.

*Hmmm, yesterday I liked sweet potatoes.  Have to change that up today.   

* I better learn to walk soon or the clumsy one might crush me! 

All we want her to do is sleep through the night and eat consistently. Both have been battles, but I know soon we won’t remember the rough times as rough.  Soon enough I’ll be trying to threaten a boyfriend through looks alone, and I’ll miss all of this. And, I be wondering where all of the time went.

Keep Smiling,

Rob