A week ago Captain Jack decided he wanted to walk the plank...and oh was I feeling stressed for several days afterward. Jack and stairs seem to have a magnetic reaction with one another and my fearless Captain refuses to go down on his belly feet first. In fact, he finds it exhilarating to go head first belly or back. Head first off our bed and couch, head first out of our arms or off our lap, and yes head first down the stairs.
We were visiting my brother-in-law, Trevor, who just had a hip replacement. They don't have a gate by their stairs so I was prepared to watch Jack very close. I must not have been used to how fast my little stink bug was able to walk because I took my eye off him just long enough to set my coat down and then I heard the awful thud followed by piercing cries. Heart racing, I rushed down the half-flight of stairs and scooped him up in my arms. I checkout his head and eyes to make sure there were no serious injuries. Within a minute tears had stopped and Jack was ready to get back to playing. As exhausting as he can be, I hope we don't discover what will slow this tough kid down.
It didn't take long before I noticed Jack wouldn't walk. He tried to stand up a couple of times but would fall right back down. He wasn't putting weight on his left leg. Once we were home Heath and I examined his legs. There was no swelling, no bruising, and our Captain showed no signs he was in pain. He would try to walk but collapse after his first step. I felt awful for not watching him closer or placing a something to block him from the consequences of gravity. I worried he broke or fractured something and would be in a cast. We waited a couple of days just to see if it was just a minor tweak, but Monday came and my little pirate was still gimp. We went to his doctor that afternoon for x-rays.
Our witty stink bug must have known because he decided it was time to walk. Showing off for the doctor, he walked five feet! Heath and I looked like over-worried parents. I just had to laugh! The doctor must have seen right through his charade because she still wanted x-rays just to be safe. The x-rays did show swelling in his knee, but thankful no fractures or breaks! Since then we have seen gradual improvement in our pirate's gate.
This was my first experience of having a more serious casualty with Jack. I've been worried for him before, but this was much more intense. It was one of those times when I realized just how much I love my little guy. I was texting my older sister, who I admire immensely, about what happened and her comment really sums what I felt.
"I've decided if I make it through motherhood without stomach ulcers, heart attacks, and chronic insomnia it will be a miracle. Kids are great at causing stress, worry, and driving you crazy. But they can melt your heart in an instance and teach you more about life than any college degree could. You cant help but love the little buggers!" -Mamma Bec Hatch
Thanks Captain for making us worry, causing us stress, and teaching us what's most important in life. We love you!
