I hate those stories that mothers tell that start out, "We had our first visit to the emergency room..."

And I know it's a joke, usually about a rough little boy, that implies there will likely be more ER visits to follow, but I can't wrap my mind around that. I pray we'll never have a cause to go back. 

God please protect my children.  

While Bo and I did have cause to visit the ER recently, 

there was nothing life threatening about this emergency...praise God. 

It all started when my sister-in-law was admiring Bo's sweet toes, as aunts do, and noticed that something seemed to be wrapped around her little toe so tightly wasn't visible. 

We got out the tweezers and magnifying glass and I was able to pull off one small fiber but nothing significant. I was hoping I'd gotten what was there and it only still appeared to be bound.

But deep down, I knew better.  

But since I have a tendency to think the worst, I decided to wait and watch it awhile.

It's SO hard to balance reacting vs. overreacting with a worried mind like mine.  

My mind...sometimes it's torture.

 It was after business hours when I decided Bo needed medical attention.

The Physicians Assistant knew immediately what the problem was; she even had a name for it.

Hair Tourniquet

Google it if you dare.

A hair tourniquet, is when hair, or in Bo's case, fibers, get wrapped so tightly around the toe that the circulation is restricted and if not caught in time can be completely cut off due to the swelling of affected appendage. The Physician's Assistant said they'd seen hair tourniquets that had cut to the bone. I'm so grateful Aunt Phyllis spotted it and I'm so glad I brought her to the ER. 

My new motto, as far as ER trips go is, when in doubt, just go.  

And it was an awful experience y'all. They had to put my baby's arms in a pillowcase, then bind her arms further by wrapping her small body in a sheet. Thank God I had the forethought to remove her clothes before they wrapped her up. To be bound is bad enough but to be bound and hot, that's worse. They had to cut through the binding INTO the toe be sure the material was completely severed. It took me, a nurse, a very large man, and the Physician's Assistant to get it done. 

Man that girl is a fighter. 

I was barely able to hold myself together.

When it was over Bo had her first popsicle. 

Preciousness

She deserved it. 

The next day I took her to the doctor for a follow up. 

If you look closely you can see how her middle her toe was affected. 

Being a Mama is hard. 

I don't much care for these character building experiences, but I tell you what, after going alone to the hospital with my baby girl and watching her struggle to free herself as she was cut with a scalpel I feel stronger. I feel more emotionally stable.

Bo feels like she's glad she did not lose her toe. 

To protect the innocent: 

The reason I was alone at the ER (in Georgia) is because 

Chuck was working out of town and my sister-in-law was watching my eldest. 

While she can sit up, and even almost buck herself right out of the Bumbo, 

I found it useful for it's keeping her in one place properties. 

Toys

That's kind of a no brainer.

Bug Spray

These are my favorites.

(Click the photos for the link to purchase.)

We use lots and lots of bug spray, though I hate to. I always say, "Come here. Let me spray you with poison." but the alternative, not using it...oh it's bad. Looks like I have two girls that are mosquito magnets like their daddy. I hate mosquitoes. HATE them. 

Hate their little bloody guts. 

A Pallet

The pallet helped keep the ground bugs at bay. 

Also, it kept Bo from feeding herself fistfuls of pine straw and dirt.

A Baby Carrier

Baby carriers make life easier. It was too hot to use my Moby Wrap. I love it, but it isn't suited for +90 degree weather. This carrier is not nearly as long and is a lighter weight fabric.

I even used it to carry Bo out into the ocean. 

She was secure and we were both able to cool off. 

A Johnny Jumper

Bo wasn't into it. 

Wouldn't put her feet down. Cried when I stepped away. 

Maybe she hasn't had much exposure to dirt. OK???

I feel so ashamed. 

It's been HOT ok?? And she'd only been alive for 6 MONTHS at the time!!!

GOSH

AND there aren't any dirt patches in my yard.

AND the mosquitoes!!!

Ok, she's making mud pies tomorrow.