Out of Contention

A couple weeks ago I lost my shot at the Mother of the Year award. How'd that happen, you ask? I dislocated Isabel's elbow. *hanging head in shame* It happened one afternoon in Target.......

I had gotten all the items on my list and was ready to head for the checkout lines when Isabel came into true toddler form. I had let her walk instead of confining her to the cart (much to everyone's delight, believe me!) when she decided that she would walk no further and certainly not toward the exit when the toy isles were in sight. No mam. So as she began to lay upon the floor I foolishly grabbed her arm and tried to pull her up. This did not work but was helpful in getting Isabel to a somewhat standing and walking position. After a little more struggle and grumbling (mostly on my part) we finally made it to the checkout and then into the truck where we promptly drove home.

On the way, Isabel was not quite herself but not really fussing either. When we got home all she wanted to do was for me to hold her. Something inside me told me that something was not right. I started testing her to see what the problem was. I quickly noted that she was not using her right arm. Not at all. My thoughts went back to our struggle in Target and I thought I had dislocated her shoulder as it is a common and easy thing to do. I took off Isabel's shirt but did not see anything out of the ordinary. But she still wouldn't use her arm when I tried to put her shirt back on.

I called Ryan for his opinion on the matter, 'cause who wants to waste time at the ER when it's not necessary? However, that is exactly what he suggested (told me!) to do, go to the walk-in clinic. So I did and he met me there a few minutes later.

After waiting for about an hour, we were seen by a doctor who concluded that Isabel had a dislocated elbow, also known as 'nursemaid's elbow'. Once it was determined that that was the issue, he quickly set it right. After a few minutes of crying, Isabel was back to her happy, cute little self.

I was assured and reassured by the doctor and nurse that this sort of thing happens often and that I should not feel terrible about it. The weird thing is that I don't feel bad about it. I would have liked that it never have happened, that Isabel never be in that pain or discomfort, but it really is an easy thing to have happen (especially at this age when their little bodies are growing they way they do).

So, I don't feel guilty but I have certainly learned that I need to deal with my stubborn toddler a little differently, even if that means picking her up and carrying her like a sack of potatoes through a store. However, it also means that all the other moms in the world now have a better chance at wining that ever-elusive goal of Mother of the Year.