“I realize you are a “wait and see” parent. That’s okay. But when it comes to her umbilical hernia, if any of these things happen you can’t sit at home and wait to see if they will go away. You need to take her to the emergency room right away.”
That was from Catelyn’s pediatrician who was looking sternly at me from across the room when Catelyn was an infant.
I nodded in assent, “Ok, I will take her right away.”
Catelyn was born with an umbilical hernia. Not a big deal – unless something happened. Nothing ever did, and when she turned 5 it went from something I had to watch, to not an issue anymore.
But the Dr. was right. I was and am a total “let’s wait and see what happens – maybe it will just go away” parent.
I thought about this recently.
When Declan was just about 15 months old, he pinched Catelyn’s leg when she wasn’t expecting it. In retaliation and general response to the pinch, she kicked him. And he landed head first into the fireplace.
The cut was big. It looked like it should really hurt. A LOT. But he didn’t cry. Didn’t cry at all.
So, me – a “wait and see” parent looked at this cut in wonder. Was it bad? He isn’t crying. Maybe it’s not that bad?
Declan wasn’t diagnosed with autism then. So, the whole not crying thing was just plain weird.
Anyway, I listened to the voice in my head and took him to the Emergency Room. Where he was then given six stitches.
And for years I could joke with Cate, “Hey, be good to him. You gave him six stitches in the forehead.”
And just a few days ago I joked with Bobby, “Cate gave him six stitches. And you knocked out his two front teeth! These are the stories that last a life time!”
Two brothers, joking around leads to one brother landing face first into the ground. And knocking out his two front wiggly teeth.
He saw the blood and cried this time. But once the blood stopped he was super happy with his new super cute smile.
And if you have ever watched Stranger Things, then you know he sounds like Dustin when he talks. Again, adorable.
Anyway, here is the new Declan! Less two front teeth and all 😊
Lol! Great story! Declan has a cute smile even without the front teeth. 😄 I can definitely relate as the munchkin is kind of rough and tumble too. We are working on that.
Thank you! 🙂
Great photo!! 🙂
Thank you!
Such heartwarming stories and he does look cute.
By the way, I too am a wait and see mama and till date ot has worked for me.
Thank you! Nice to know I am not alone 🙂
At least you took him to the doctor! I broke my little brother’s arm once (closed the truck door on it after I asked him if he was all in). Took my parents a day to be convinced there really was a problem!
The stories I could tell…
I know! I was kind of torn – he wasn’t crying, so I was wondering if it really was as bad as it looked – and I always lean to the “don’t make a big deal” side. Glad I did take him. Yikes about your brother – glad they took him too!
That smile is adorable!!
Thank you! 🙂
Hey! I’ve got an umbilical hernia! Small world!
How bout that! Small world indeed!
Great story!
Thank you!