Leah's Turn

It was Leah's turn for a trip to the doctor. Bobby and I decided to take a trip to Costco to stock up on food. The kids decided they wanted to ride on the bottom of the cart on their stomachs. Against my way better judgement, I let them. I NEVER let them. I am always the parent to say no because it's unsafe. I keep telling them every 5 seconds to keep their hands by their sides. "Don't put your hands on the floor, they will get ran over." Bobby is also saying they need to get up and not ride down there. We are getting worried looks from fellow shoppers, some even telling us, to "watch their fingers." I agree and tell them again to keep their hands inside. Bobby tells me they need to get up from there.

So against our better judgment and own advise ,we did the most stupid thing...we let them stay there. They were being good. They were having fun. We were being a little cautious by reminding them to watch their fingers, but tradegy still struck. We are the world's worst parents. I just barely moved the cart to the side when it wouldn't move. Like something was stuck under it. I stopped immediately, kind of knowing what it was, but hoping I was wrong. No crying. I stand still for a second. Then Bryce jumps up and says, "She's hurt Mom, like REAL BAD! Hurry she's hurt." Damn it, please don't let it be too bad. I pull her from the bottom of the cart and look at her fingers.

How Bryce knew it was bad is a mystery, because when I got to her it wasn't bleeding yet. Just looked...hmmm...mangled- I guess would be the best way to describe it. I hold her hand up to look, and then see, it's bad. Blood starts gushing from the two open wounds on her two finger tips. The skin on one finger is attached by a flap of skin. The other finger is missing a nail but it is still attached by some skin. I grab both fingers and squeeze them so the skin is held in place and start running to the front. Four Costco workers see me and Leah, who is now crying and come over to ask what I need. I tell them band-aids and go to the bathroom. I'm not sure where to start.

Her fingers are black from the tire. I don't want to put it under water because I'm afraid it will tear whatever is left holding it together. I sprinkle water in it from my hand to get the dirt off. The Costco workers and Bobby help me bandage it. We leave and head straight to Kaiser. I know this isn't going to be good.

Bobby and I both feel awful. We knew better. We got comfortable with them occupying themselves and having fun. The shopping experience was going good because they liked it down there. All the stares of worried people kept creeping in. I knew I should have stopped it. Bobby said we should have stopped it. Why didn't we listen to ourselves? Bad parenting.

Next time Bobby said he is just going to be the a**hole and stop the fun.

The whole experience at the doctor's was awful. She screamed so loud. We had to hold her down while they gave her a numbing shot and stitched her finger. Heart wrenching. She kept begging to just go home. When that part was over we promised her anything she wanted. She picked McDonald's. Whatever you want, babes!

The next two nights were sleepless, as she kept waking in pain, even with medicine. I felt so bad for her. Then we had to take her back to get re-bandaged. I think she is now terrified of the doctor. I asked for stronger medicine so she can sleep better at night.

Now we have to re bandage it everyday. It's sad, but she can make wearing bandages look cute. I hope it heals fast and that the nail that grows back isn't too funky. She's a girl and I know how important polish is going to be.

The one time we put down our safety guard, and this happens. People sometimes tease me for being overly cautious, and this is why...horrible experience!