The other day, it happened. I had heard of it happening to others, and had even been warned that it would happen to me, but I just shrugged that off with a smirk, as first-time moms are wont to do. But it happened. It did. My baby rolled off of the couch. I left the room for a second, to get myself a bottle of water, and I heard the small thud and the blood curdling screams of my tiny helpless baby. My heart instantly sank.
I don’t think I have ever run that fast in my life (that’s another story for another day—that disaster-mode sprint is something else!) and what I found completely crushed me.
My sweet little babe was lying on the ground, surely not where I had left him, crying that terribly unfamiliar, pained cry. It wasn’t the hungry cry that I had grown accustomed to, nor the tired cry, both of which I can handle. No, this was that gut-wrenching cry of “Ouch, Mommy, it hurts!” that I had never heard before. And it was all my fault. My baby hurt because of me. The tears were a-flowing, for both of us.
Instantly, the guilt sank in. I was so upset with myself. Why did I leave him on the couch alone, unattended? How could I think that he was safe, if only for a minute? How selfish of me to want to get myself something without first thinking of barricading him in a safe place where he wouldn’t get hurt! It was awful. I felt awful. My baby felt awful. I kissed him over and over. I apologized to him. I told him I’d never let him fall again. There we were, sitting on the floor together, both of us with tears rolling down our faces. I’m sure it would have been a very pathetic scene to walk into.
And then.
His tears stopped. His face got very serious for a second. And then he broke out into the biggest toothless grin I ever did see. Right there in the midst of my tears, in the middle of the living room floor, he smiled at me and everything was OK in the world again.
He was OK. I hadn’t broken my baby!
… Read the rest at mom.me…
xo
p.s. Happy Halloween! Be safe out there! And follow me on Instagram (@katie_did_what) for some fun Halloween-y updates :)
Aww! Poor baby AND Mommy!!!! Don’t worry, he won’t remember it! You are a great mommy, and even the best moms make mistakes!!
Thanks Kelly. It was heartbreaking, that’s for sure. But after sharing this story, I’ve already found it basically happens to everyone- so that makes me feel better too ;)
xo
Aww, poor little guy! And a lesson learned the hard way for mama! It’s okay–I still remember a very scary moment years ago when my 3 year old sister, unbenownst to any of us, had decided to pick up and carry my 2 or 3 month old sister, and then stumbled and dropped her! The good thing is, 3 year olds are rather short, so baby girl wasn’t hurt at all, but that was terrifying!
Ahhh so scary! I’m sure that happens a LOT with younger siblings!
xo
gosh, i remember the first time that happened to us!!!! madd stopped crying as i held her but i kept on sobbing!! i was devistated!! thank goodness they usually end up okay! you’re a good mommy!!!!
GIRL. I kept on sobbing, too. It was so traumatizing! It makes it a little better to hear that it really does happen to everyone!! And our babies are a-okay! :)
xo
That happened to me a few months ago and I felt like I was dying inside!
Girl, ME TOO. I’m glad babies don’t have memories yet! ;)
xo
Awww I know it had to be scary! It happens though and it sounds like he bounced back quickly. :)
He did! That’s what someone said to me- babies are bouncy ;) haha a joke, of course, but kind of true nonetheless.
xo
Aww, I’d probably feel the exact same way! Glad he’s fine. :) My dad told me that I did something similar as a baby. He left me lying alone for a sec and I dug my feet in and pushed right off and fell.
YES- I guess you and Sam both just wanted to start moving! haha ;) And look at you now! That gives me hope lol
xo
So terrifying! The same couch incident happened to me with Max about 6 weeks ago. It was scary, but his scream was more of a shocking scream than a hurt scream… But still it’s so terrifying and a great reminder of how much they rely on us. And I agree! We need to let go a little, everyone has their own techniques of parenting; after all, we all have different personalities and lifestyles :)
It’s crazy, after sharing my story literally all the mamas I know are telling me the SAME thing happened to them! Glad to know that it’s just definitely a learning curve and something that is common! :)
xo
Aw Girl, we’ve all been there! It totally happens. You’re an amazing mama. Don’t ever forget it!
Thanks Ashley! It’s crazy how many people are telling me the same thing happened to them! These babies are so resilient- and isn’t that such a good thing! ;)
xo
We did this twice. well. I did it the first time. My husband did it the 2nd. It is the worst feeling in the entire world but he is definitely fine and won’t ever remember it! Honestly, I think it is harder on us than it is on them. They are strong little things! :)
As in most things with parenting, I’m finding out slowly but surely, it is DEFINITELY harder on us than it is on them! I have a feeling it will be this way forever! ;)
xo
Babies literally don’t have hard bones like adults do, so they bounce back quickly
Ha! This is true! Still not something I want to make a habit of though ;)
xo
Aww – I’ve been there! It is SO heartbreaking. But it really is true that babies are more resilient than we give them credit for… I’m glad he’s ok…and that you were able to get over it – that’s probably the hardest part!
It was SO hard! I’m blown away by all of the responses that it’s happened to others too! We’re all in this together :)
xo
Awe, I know the feeling. It was a torrential downpour when I was leaving my daughter’s 2 week pediatrician appt, I unclipped her carseat from the stroller and as I was about to put her in the car the carseat slipped out of my hands. She fell about 3 feet and the cry that came after was the worst sound in my life. I picked her up, put her in the car, unbuckled her and cried so hard with her. As Sam did, she stopped crying shortly after she began (but I cried ALL day).
They are resilient, we are normal humans, mistakes happen!! xoxo
Oh gosh, I can only imagine!! I would have lost it! Thank you for sharing! Those babies of ours, they are so strong! But you know what, so are we. <3
xo
Rett did the same thing last week! So scary! Glad he’s ok :)