I am blogging this story not because I'm proud of it or because I want you all to see my lack in parenting, but because I wish to make you more aware of leaving your younger children in a room alone with slightly older ones. I have a 5 month old, whom I almost never leave in the same room alone with my 2 year old. I mean lets be real, sometimes I will run into the next room to quickly grab something and return instantly. But the majority of the time I have made a habit of picking up the baby first and bringing him with me. Unfortunately this wasn't the case today. We were upstairs putting clothes away in Gabe's room. James was lying on the floor watching me and Gabe was highly involved in playing with his toys, when the phone rang. I went to pick the baby up, but then realized the phone was ringing downstairs and decided it would be easier to go alone and quickly return. I literally ran down stairs, grabbed the phone, started talking, and walking up the stairs. As I talked, I walked into Gabe's room and saw almost the exact scene I saw when I left, only Gabe was next to the baby talking to him. The baby seemed to be gagging on his spit up ( might I add this is a very normal incident for James. He is always gagging and always puking). But this time he continued to gag. As soon as Gabe saw me he ran and crawled up onto his bed. It was then I knew something else was going on. I also saw in Gabe's fingers a shiny coin. It was then that I realized the baby wasn't just gagging, he was choking. My nursing reflexes went into Action. As I acted I asked Gabe, "DID you put a coin in the Baby's mouth?" He answered, "Yes!" and giggled a little. I was furious. By then I had already swiped his mouth a few times and found nothing, but he continued to choke/gag. I thought maybe he didn't tell the truth. So this time I screamed, "DID YOU PUT MONEY IN THE BABY'S MOUTH?" and he again answered in the affirmative. By now I had the baby face down and was pounding on his back. Still nothing.. he continued to gag and choke. I gave his mouth a couple more swipes and his back a few more pounds and then there it was, a shiny dime.....To my relief he stopped choking and started breathing normally. I was so relieved, but furious at the same time. I couldn't believe that in just a matter of a minute his little brain could think of and carry out such a thing. I know he didn't do it to purposely hurt him, but I was still so mad at him and myself for leaving him alone with the baby. It was one of the scariest experiences of my LIFE. I felt so helpless, even though I knew exactly what to do. Gabe got a major timeout and a huge talk too. As the day went on I continued to re-live it in my mind, but with a different outcome. What if he had died? What would I have done? I honestly don't know what I would have done and I'm so grateful I don't have to know. This experience has made me realize how much I love my kids and can't imagine my life without them. I'm grateful God saw it fit to allow James to stay with us. I also realized that it doesn't take long for a 2 year old, or any child, to hurt another one intentionally or unintentionally. It is so important to watch our kids. I unfortunately had to learn the hard way. Please, Please, Please don't be as stupid as me, don't leave your kids alone in a room with other sibs or kids. That's all I have to say!
On a lighter note, aren't these roses beautiful? They are my early Valentines gift from Garrett. Thanks babies! I Love you
THE ANGEL
THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE
