The Roll of the Dice

Being the mother of this adorable little guy right here always keeps me on my toes. Of all my children, Nick is the one who I have to worry about the most as far as freak accidents go. He has had stitches across the bridge of his nose -- he woke up one day and couldn't walk due to some strange inflammation of his joints -- he received an injury by falling at the bowling alley and I thought he had a concussion -- and we have had at least four or five trips to the ER with him in four and a half years. To me, that's a lot -- especially since my other two kids have (knock on wood) not been in the ER that much combined.

Today, we had a heart-stopping moment again. Let me start by saying, it was one of those days where I was feeling a bit irritated -- just trying to get things done and the kids were talking to me and needing something one after the other NON-stop (no, I am not exaggerating). Nick in particular was a barrage of questions and comments. "Hey mom, can I....?" "Hey mom, will you...?" "Hey mom, I need..." -- I heard it over and over and over again and I was beginning to lose my patience.

Then I heard Nick yelling, but it was completely unintelligible. I was in our kitchen -- all three of the kids were in our living room. So I yelled, "What is it Nick??" -- and thankfully, even though I was busy making lunch and had just been on the brink of some serious impatience -- my mommy radar realized his reply was full of panic. It was almost like he couldn't breathe -- and he definitely couldn't say any words.

Just as I was running into the living room, my oldest was screaming, "Mom, he's choking!!!" Nick, who LOVES to carry small toys and coins around and I have never caught him actually putting them in his mouth, decided to shove this plastic die into his mouth. It is the size of a big walnut -- and he somehow managed to get it past his teeth -- but could not get it back out. My heart stopped when I realized how jammed in there it was and my older kids started crying. My oldest started screaming for his dad who was upstairs and my husband literally appeared out of nowhere behind me. By the time my husband was there, I had gotten my fingers around the die and was working like crazy to pull it out. It was really jammed in Nick's little mouth and he could not catch his breath.

It felt like it lasted forever, (though it was probably seconds) and I was shaking by the time I finally got it out. Nick was crying hysterically and my husband was clinging to him. I couldn't wait to hold him in my arms. I am sure I hurt the inside of his poor little mouth, but I shudder to think of the alternative. It still gives me chills as I type this and it happened hours ago.

This stupid orange die that he loves -- well, he loved it until today -- rolled right into the trash can after this incident. None of us wanted to look at it again.

It's funny how a quick, scary incident can change the mood in your house immediately. My husband had been in a grumpy mood, as had my oldest son and they were snapping at everyone. I was feeling irritable and impatient. Once this scary moment was over, we were all suddenly much calmer and nicer to each other. It's like God picked up our home -- shook it up -- and set us all back on the right track.

I am so thankful my little guy is alright. I said many, many prayers of thanks.

On another note -- I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and long weekend! I meant to post on Thanksgiving, but just never got around to it.

I wish you a great week ahead.