It was a matter of time, I guess...

We (and other people) have made comments about being surprised that Linc hasn't ever needed a trip to the E.R. or stitches. We almost made it two years (his b-day is tomorrow). I was at a house of a girl that I just met today (visiting teaching) this morning. Us ladies were chatting in the family room right at the top of the stairs, and the boys were playing downstairs. Apparently Lincoln made claim on 5-year-old Jax's Buzz Lightyear toy, and then he made a break for it up the stairs. There was a little-kid struggle for possession of the toy and Jax pushed Lincoln to get it away. Unfortunately the section of the stairs (which I had even checked to make sure were carpeted) that they were on didn't have a wall on one side of them, so Lincoln fell about 5 feet to the cement below. Right when I heard the thud (before the screaming came) I knew what had happened and I went running. Within the 3 seconds it took me to get to him he was covered in blood. Those head wounds sure do spurt. It was all over his face and matting his hair. Luckily the two ladies that I was with were calm and helped me get him quickly cleaned up. I'm ashamed to say that I was kind of freaking out inside (I am quite proud of how calm I've stayed in other emergent situations). Luckily Jen (whose house I was at) was very reassuring to both Linc and I, and she took a good look at the source of the wound and calmly told me to take him in to get some stitches. Luckily I know a great surgeon (finally, a perk to having a medical resident spouse) - and I was able to get a hold of Mark. I took the boys right down to the hospital where Mark was working and Mark was able to stitch him up. And I didn't even have to feel dumb about asking if the doctor could try to shave as little hair as possible (with his birthday being tomorrow & stuff).

Anyway, Lincoln was surprisingly calm by the time we got to the hospital. Here he is sitting in the chair waiting for Mark to get his supplies together.

A quick shot of the wound which, unfortunately, does it no justice. The wound was a whole flap - so you could see the skull.

This is Mark irrigating the wound. I obviously have no pictures of Mark numbing Linc's head or doing the stitches since I had to hold Lincoln down the whole time (that sucked). At least I knew that the physician taking care of my baby really does love him as much as I do and was taking good care of him...he even gave Linc the latex glove balloon that he's holding :)

Five stitches (and sucker, rice krispie treat and two matchbox cars) later...
Well, Linc - your first "real" injury is documented. I'm glad that it wasn't worse, but we're so sorry that it happened, little guy. We love you so much.