I was right there...

You know that sound a cantaloupe makes when it hits gravel and brick? Well I do. Sounds just like my baby's head when it hits gravel and brick after taking a tumble down the steps on our back porch. First of all, he's fine - just some scrapes and bruises. I was right there, even helped him down the first two. And then his foot must've gotten caught and (in horrific slow mo, naturally) he bounced leg over arm down to the ground, landing - in all places - on. his. face.

At first I didn't think it was so bad...after all, he went down so slowly. I just don't know how I couldn't catch him. I was right there. But then there was blood, dirt and lots of tears. And at first they were just Ben's, until Tyler asked what happened. Then a pathetic scene unfolded in our backyard of Tyler holding Ben in one arm, the other arm around my shoulder as Ben and I let it all out.

At that point, Tyler suggested we post pictures of Ben and me and get votes to see who looked most traumatized. I declined (mascara-stained and splotchy as I was, at least I wasn't bleeding...from the head.).

Obviously, I'm still working out some guilt (and blocking out that cantaloupe sound). But an icepak, popsicle, tylenol squirt and peroxide-cotton ball later, and Ben was happily splashing in the kiddie pool and playing in the recycling bin as usual.

Um, we feel it's important to teach Ben about both sides of his heritage...that and he needed a red shirt to go with his consignment sale swimtrunks. Oh, and the frohawk? Sunblock in the hair for an afternoon in the sun - fun posts to follow soon.

So we've encountered the first of many bumps and bruises to come, but Ben is resilient and quick to forgive both his mama and those tricky stairs. And next time they try to trip him up, I'll be right there...from the bottom this time!