Gray Hair

When looking in a mirror, I recently discovered that I had many more wiry gray hairs than I remember having. I mean, really. I'm only 34. I thought I would have a few more years before this happened!!

But after this past week, I have discovered that my new gray hairs are NOT the product of age, but of having BOYS.

I did a post about this great new playground just a few weeks ago. Brand new. Recycled tire floor. Nice equipment. And I don't think I'll be taking the kids there again any time soon. There are so many high places to fall from that I spend my time literally following Graham around - lets be honest, he'd walk right off a 15 foot drop-off without blinking.

So last Thursday, I took the boys here to spend the morning. We had been there less than 30 minutes. I was pushing Graham on this circle swing thing (bottom left of picture) when I heard a loud thud. I turn around to see Griffin laying in a pile under the slide. Apparently, he had been climbing up the outside of the tunnel slide when he fell 10-12 feet down. I ran and picked him up and encouraged him to "take a breath" because he was doing the cry-and-hold-your-breath thing. He held it so long that he turned blue, took one big breath and held it again. He then did this weird clenching up/tightening thing before taking in more air. I was terrified! Once he was breathing again, I sat down and tried to get a good look at him and figure out what was injured. He immediately climbed off my lap, lay flat on his belly, didn't want to be touched, and continued to scream. It wasn't until now that I realized I had left Graham sitting 2 feet in the air on a swing. Thankfully, he was still sitting there so I grabbed him and strapped him into the stroller so I could pay attention to Griff. I spent about 10 minutes trying to distract Griffin and do whatever possible to get him to stop screaming...all to no avail. So I loaded the boys in the car and called Brent. Since Griffin was still crying and wouldn't sit in a "normal" position in his car seat, we headed to the ER. Long story short, Griffin was okay and his back xrays were normal. He has definitely been sore in his back and hips- he says his "waist" hurts - no real damage was done!

And a few more gray hairs were added to my head.


On Friday, Graham and I were headed into Sam's to grab a few things while the big kids were in school. He is wanting to walk everywhere but not thrilled with the idea of holding my hand in parking lots...so halfway through the parking lot, he turns himself into a wet noodle. I hear a "pop" and he begins screaming. He seemed to call down easily though. About half way through our shopping, I realize that Graham hasn't moved his left arm at all. He's attempting to both eat and hold things with one arm.

So once again, when we get back to the car, I call Brent and report that I am having a bad mom week. We both thought that Graham had what they call "nursemaids elbow" which is very common at his age.


(http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/nursemaid.html)

We were headed to meet some friends at the mall playground so I decided to go ahead and go. When we got there, I started googling "nursemaids elbow" because I knew there was a fairly easy maneuver to fix it. As I was doing my research, I was watching Graham play and noting that he still wasn't using that arm at all. Then he trips and falls, catches himself with his hurt arm, screams, gets up, and starts playing again - with both arms! Apparently, he popped it back in himself!

And more gray hairs were just added to my head.

All of that to say, that I have had a week I'd like to forget!! Talk about physical and emotional exhaustion!!! Lets pray the our kids stay in one piece and injury free for a while. And that I get to keep my red hair at least a little longer.