It Must Be Genetic!

The scene: Friday night, 5 p.m.

The plan: Early dinner and take Xavier to his Tae Kwon Do belt testing

Enter Life!

I asked the kids to set the table so we could sit down for dinner.  The next thing I know, Paige is running out the the kitchen yelling "Blood!  Jacob is bleeding!" and Jacob is coming out of the kitchen with blood streaming down his face.  JOY!  Jacob hit his head on the edge of the kitchen island playing with his older brother.

I grabbed a napkin to clean up his face and assess his injury.  He had a 1 inch laceration above his left eye.

This picture really doesn't do it any justice, but it was a meaty, bloody cut.  I called Jacob's doctor's office, but they were not going to see him so late in the day.  The next call was to Jay.  "Don't freak out, but Jacob has been hurt."  "Do you want me to come home?" he asked.  "No, but we are on the way to the emergency room."  

I grabbed a kitchen towel and an ice pack and we were on the way to the hospital.  The absolute worst time to have any sort of emergency is 5 'o'clock.  We hit every red light and the traffic was miserable.  Jacob was a trooper.  He thought it was pretty cool that he could look like a pirate.  I couldn't get him to say, "AAargh!" though.

We arrived at the emergency room.  Of course there was a wait, but he hung in there.  I can right most of the wrongs in his world just by making room on my lap.  He told his story, I filled out paperwork.  He told his story, the nurse took his vital signs.  We waited in the emergency room.  We were "fast tracked."

Finally, we were taken back to be seen by a doctor.  Jacob was swabbed with numbing cream to prepare him for stitches.

Jacob is freaking out at this point, scared and inconsolable.  Can't you tell?  Haha!  I think he was just excited to be able to watch cable channels, which we don't have at home.  Finally, the doctor came in to put in the stitches.

Seven total.  Jacob stayed perfectly still.  He was a picture of grace under pressure.  The nurses were impressed by how great he was.  I guess it isn't often they get a 5 year old that isn't crying and making a fuss about being in the emergency room.  This kid has touched real hearts and brains.  A needle and thread are not going to scare him!  They even decided to release him from being restrained by practically laying on him and give him a special treat for being such a strong boy.

Everything was made better watching the Disney channel and having popsicles.

2 hours later we were on our way back home.

"Mommy, when we get home, are we eating dinner?"
"Yes Jacob."
"Good!  I'm starving!"
"Of course you are."

It's a tough life, I'm telling ya!