Impaled

You know how your mom always told you not to run with something in your mouth or you'll fall and jam it through the roof of your mouth? Me either. My mom always suggested I take a steak knife and go play in the busy street. (I know you meant well, Mom.)

EW has had some instances of biting, however, nowhere near the trouble we had with AX. Fortunately, I don't think consuming flesh was his intent last night. We were all having a nice time reading books during EW's story time, except EW. The little guy wasn't really in the mood for reading and wanted to continue playing. He likes to stand on my chest and, with some assistance, jump up and down (it's not entirely as painful as it sounds). He wasn't ready to stop his game of "up down" when I was done assisting so I left my hands up to catch him if he slipped.

I then diverted my attention to AX as he was about to read a book for EW. (AX by the way is starting to read. This book in particular he has memorized so he reads it that way.) EW tried to stand up and resume his game and did indeed slip. As his face headed down with his mouth agape and laughing, I felt my fingernail click across his tooth and sink into the soft part of the roof of his mouth. (Sorry if that makes you a little squeamish; that's how I felt in the instant I knew what happened.). When he realized something wasn't right (probably from the look of surprise from me), he started crying. I opened his mouth and saw the blood running down the roof of his mouth and down his throat. I took him to the sink and attempted to apply pressure, but couldn't touch so far back without gagging him. We called the Urgent Care clinic and they told me to bring him in.

I don't know what it is about older siblings, but AX felt the overwhelming need try to distress his little brother. He was pretending to cry; even though EW wasn't anymore. Then he was being overanxious about blood. I realize there was potential for a kid to get worked up about the trauma, but this was quite apparent that he was trying to get a rise out of his brother. Finally, he tried to work his way into going to the clinic with us. I know it seems like he was worried, but if you know AX at bedtime, you would know he was looking for a reason to not go to bed.

At almost the same time as I was phoning the clinic (and AX was doing his gig), the bleeding had slowed to a trickle so I didn't think he'd bleed out on the way. By the time we got his shoes on, the bleeding had stopped and I could clearly see the fingernail-shaped gouge.

After a short but apprehensive wait, he and I were able to see the doctor, who assured me that it was just a flesh wound and would heal quickly and without assistance.

EW seems past it all already and really hasn't even showed any discomfort while eating. He's a pretty tough kid.

And for the record, my Mom was very caring and would never send me out into a busy street carrying a sharp object ... It was a spoon and our street wasn't that busy.

Keeping the kids intact for another day,
Marty