Last Sunday I attempted to do what "everyone" has told me to do: I took a nap when my 2 year old took a nap. It also helped that the baby was also asleep. For one perfect hour, all was peaceful. Then, my husband, who had been chopping wood for the fireplace, came upstairs to take a shower. My daughter popped up yelling for her father. This, of course, got the baby up, so I had to get up. I figured I would allow daddy to take care of potty time while I went downstairs to get a bottle (it was breast milk, more on that later). I walked to the top of the steps, took one step and attempted the second when (if it had been a cartoon it would have been funny) I slipped and went down the entire flight, on my back. Yes, the baby was in my arms. After reaching the bottom and realizing the baby was not with me (I lost him half way down), I attempted to crawl up the steps again. My husband rushed down the steps to me (he loves me after all!) and I sent him back up to get the baby who was screaming his head off. Now, the worst thing you can see after such an event is blood on your newborn's head, and yes, there was blood.
I have had just enough first aid training from Girl Scouts and while working with MH/MR adults just after college that I knew the baby screaming was good. He was moving everything which was also good. We changed his diaper and checked for other injuries, all was good. I got him his bottle and he ate the entire 6 oz, good once again. Ok, I am not so confident that I did not call my pediatrician and then take him to the hospital.
The staff at Lancaster General were great. I was crying and more upset then the baby, so they let me sit down and give my information almost immediately. I had to tell my story five different times (oh I know it looked suspicious, but thankfully I did not get a Children and Youth visit). He had to have a CAT scan which thankfully came out okay. The head wound was a scratch from my ring and it was superficial. I have spent this past week watching everything and I am confident in saying that there does not seem to be anything wrong.
I was not as lucky. Because I was holding him, I was unable to break my fall. The bruise on my left forearm is gorgeous! I scraped my back and bruised my butt and thigh. I am still walking stiffly, but I will take all the bruising in exchange for my son's safety.
My daughter was quite upset as well. She needed to be reassured that I was fine and that the baby was fine. I am super careful about the steps, whether it is with my daughter, the baby or myself. I think I will be removing the carpet from the steps soon.
In the realm of trying to be all things to all people, I did not take the time to pay attention to my health. On Wednesday, I finally went to the doctor's and discovered that I had a sinus infection that was moving into my right ear. Did I fall because I was tired or because I had a sinus infection? Bottom line, we need to take care of our health so that we can take care of our family's health.
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