Why Do I Have To Sit in the Chair? Another Valuable Lesson Learned

A few months ago we started allowing Caleb to sit in a BIG boy chair. Since, that decision we battle getting him to sit on his bottom and stay in the middle of the chair. Well, today that battle left a casualty and the Ruizs had a less than lovely Valentine's Day. It is amazing how quickly a disaster can strike. Within seconds he went from healthy bouncing boy, to a boy with a split open scalp. I had another freak out mom moment and could not look, so Cory had to assess the damage. It was about a 1 inch gash almost to the bone. It actually didn't bleed as bad as one would expect with a head wound, but we knew the ER was a necessary trip. On Par, with the ER's usually speedy service we sat and waited for a few hours. It pretty much was a mom's nightmare situation, an open wound, crazy toddler ( I think he had almost forgot about it by the time we reached the ER) and bacteria infested kids everywhere. Doing his normal can't sit still routine wanting to climb on the chairs. One would think he would learn, but I guess maybe toddlers long term memory has not fully developed by 33 months. We finally got back to the room, met with the Doc and figured out the game plan. 4 staples and no anesthesia, because the anesthesia would take longer and be just as painful, they said. Hmm, I watched the most terrified kid look into my eyes panicked as Cory and an assistant held him down. They scrubbed the wound with iodine and then proceeded to staple his little head. Oh, that was so hard to watch. My poor little buddy sobbed and shook for probably 20 minutes in my arms. It hurt my heart. He did manage to bring smiles to his Mommy's face when he received a popsicle for his torture and he emphatically declined and throw it across the room.



We went home and watched a movie and then played Play-doh. He actually sat pretty still in his chair during Play-doh time. Maybe, he learned a very valuable toddler lesson. It was a slight challenge to get him down for bed. Lying on his bo bo was not working very well. But after a few lullabies and lying on Mommy’s hand he fell fast asleep.

Why Do I Have to Share??

A question my almost 3 year old truly has not understood the answer to until, perhaps today. Today the answer had a little twist.
You should share, because if you don't you might get your nose bit off.
Toys always seem to be the source of contention among our little guys from playgroup. The Valentine party was no exception.




Caleb arrived slightly overwhelmed with the number of kiddos I think, which was confusing to me. Courtney (aka: my mommy idol) suggested maybe the reason sometimes he is excited and can't wait to see his friends and other times he acts very timid could have something to do with our arrival time. Whether or not, he has a chance to get acclimated before too many kids arrive. I'm interested to watch how that plays out, but now back to the story. He had a slight run in with one little guy over a big tonka tractor that ended in Caleb getting hit and crying. We thought he took the tractor, so in an effort to try and stop the behavior, I see it, I want it, so I take it, he got to enjoy a little time in timeout. At home, with Makaylee, she never gives any push back when he takes toys, so I guess he thought it would work here. After his release from timeout against my better judgement we stayed and ate lunch. He seemed really cranky, which is most often caused by either hunger or exhaustion. I thought eating might help, but he had a few bits and quickly lost interest and wanted to play. Again, against my better judgement I let him go. I remember thinking he doesn't seem himself we should leave, but I was still feeding Makaylee so I needed a few minutes. Well, not 2 minutes later I heard a terrible scream coming from the living room. He is at times dramatic, but the sound of his cry scared me. I walk into Stacy holding him in her arms and she passed him to me informing me he got into it with one of his friends and his nose got bit. I was really scared. I guess you could say I had a freak out mommy moment, I couldn't look. As if not looking would change the result. I envisioned his little nose being a mangled mess. One of the other mommies looked for me and reassured me all was okay. There was a little blood, but he was fine. I don't think Caleb will be taking toys from his friends anytime soon.





I realized I am going to have to be more diligent at home when he takes from Sissy. I called Cory on the way home from the party and relayed the course of events from the day. On Par, with a typical dad response he asked, "did he deck him." Hmm, what do I say to that. A little diddy straight from God's word comes to mind.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Of course, Cory totally agreed, but I do battle if it is okay for our children to stick up for themselves or the respond should always be kindness.

Makaylee looked so cute in her heart outfit. She loved cookie decorating time, because she got to munch on some cookie.




The party was a blast except for the above instance. The kids had tons of fun decorating valentine bags and cookies. Passing out there valentines was chaos, but neat to watch them enjoying giving to their friends. What an amazing playgroup we have been blessed with. Caring and Creative.