It happened in slow motion.
My wonky toddling almost-2 year old scrambled down from the sofa to walk three steps to the table. In her hands she carried a pot with cubes of cheese. So intent on this cheese was she, that she failed to pay proper attention to her steps.
This is particularly important when you’re a child of the hypermobile variety and steps are still an issue.
Everything slowed down, as she tripped and her head came crashing down, down, down…. to land smack on the corner of the table.
Cue huge screams and desperate hitting of the forehead, as if she’d been stung by a large bee.
No bee, but an ever-increasing swelling the size of a large egg. Angry and red, turning purple.
On calling the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine and announcing, “We need to go to A and E. Now,” I was met with exactly what one doesn’t do in a crisis. Especially not when a screaming child is involved.
NLM: What’s up?
Me: She’s hit her head, we need to go to hospital.
NLM: Is she OK?
(On seeing her) NLM: *wails* *cries* *sobs actual tears* Oh NO! NOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOO! What should we do? I don’t know what to do? Oh God. GOD! Is she going to die? Is that her brains? What should we do? I don’t know what to do! NOOOOOO! *sob*
Fifteen minutes later, safely esconced behind the wheel of the car, the NLM was laughing. “I’m not very good in a crisis am I?”
I didn’t like to say anything.
(The egg swelling, 3 hours later and home from hospital.)
Wow that stirred up some really vivid memories of losing our daughter in Berlin… and how hubbie over-reacted to that… Hope the bump has gone down now x
I love your Berlin story Caroline – and I love that it’s not just my husband who isn’t calm in a crisis!
Ahaha to NLM. Big kiss to little frog. x
Thanks Kate. They’re both totally fine now. Drama queens.
Oh, poor poppet… Isn’t it awful how you think, ‘This is going to end in disaster’ that split-second too late? First bump of many, no doubt, and you *do* get better at coping!
Hope so!
Poor F, how is she feeling this morning?
I wonder if this is a universal father thing? We have the same problem over here… If T does a face-plant, his Dad will pick him up without even looking at him and rush over to me so I can check for blood. Rubbish.
She’s fine and dandy this morning. The bump’s shrunk considerably and has just left a bruise. Although she’s still trying to use it as an excuse for more “choc choc”. Clever girl.
ouch, all mine have had a horrid big bup t their heads at least once my boys always hit the side of their eyes and as a result they both have matching scars above their eyes! Chloe on the other hand dislocated her jaw… kids they love to scare us!
Indeed they do. Terrifying!
Ah, feeling for you ALL, ouch!XX glad it’s ok
All is fine now – the bump’s hardly there this morning!
aww poor little monkey……maybe she will stay in her bed tonight now?? x
I’m obviously very sorry for the bump bit man, that made me laugh! Your hubby is going to kill you! XxX
Nah, he’s used to it Susanne. Fair game and all that.
Ouch!
“is that her brains?” LMAO classic
I had to write it down so I wouldn’t forget this little nugget in years to come!
aww poor sweetie, when Erin walks she can’t carry anything either! Hope the bump disappears quickly!
Me too – it’s not pretty!
oohh that looks sore
She’ll be fine though – it’s always the parents that are worse in situations like this.
Never has a truer word been spoken.
Men. Useless. Still at least he did recover quickly. It’d probably take me longer to be honest!
Inside I was a quivering wreck, but I didn’t want her to see that. Sweet how concerned he was though!
Oh dear.. thank goodness she is OK! Your dear tough little girl Have a good weekendxx
It doesn’t appear to be stopping her naughty bedtime antics, so I’m guessing she’s fine!
Oh poor freya, presume all was ok.
Did you give Nlm some whiskey for the shock?
I passed him a cool flannel and mopped his brow. F is fine – totally milking it now with, “choc choc? Bump! Sore! Head hurts!”. You’ve got to give her credit for trying!
My husband isn’t very good in a crisis that concerns our children either. My big strong military man turns into a panicking mess.
Mine is a big strong northerner, so he’ll be pleased to hear he hasn’t lost man points for this.