Injured. Injured Bad.

While at work this afternoon, I sent Nathan an email saying: "I just cried for the last hour on the phone with a Federal contracting officer. This has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. I don't even remember the last time I cried because I was angry/upset."

His response: "Sorrryy!!! I love you! Also, don't freak out.....but baby got hurt today."

Of course, I freaked out. He assured me everything was okay and explained that earlier, Eliza had cut her mouth on the side of the table as she attempted to crawl off of a chair (yesterday's post was serious foreshadowing). I imagined the worst; however, all seemed to be well when I arrived home. Shortly afterward, we put her down for her afternoon nap.

An hour later, Nathan emerged from the nursery with Eliza in his arms. She was covered from head to neck in blood. It was all over her sheets and even in her hair. Freak out number two. Nathan was even convinced we should go to the hospital for stitches when we saw that her gums WERE COVERING HER FRONT TEETH. I don't even know how that's possible.

I immediately called Dental Urgent Care and spoke with a dentist, who said: "We don't stitch gums, especially not on children. The mouth heals quickly. She probably just tore the gums and bit through her lip. Apply pressure and don't worry about coming in unless her teeth become lose or seem as though they could fall out."

And with that advice, we have been hanging out with a 16 month old, who loves touching everything with her bloody little hands. She puts her hands in her mouth (no matter what we do) and then touches us..or the carpet..or the cream chairs...or HER STRING CHEESE. And there is blood on all of it.

I don't handle this kind of stress/trauma well. Seeing your child covered in blood is not something I ever want to go through again. Thankfully, Nathan has been cool, calm, and collected. While he entertained a blood covered baby, I bought this:

It helped.