There are days when I sit and wonder if I am actually doing a good job at being a parent. I am honestly trying my hardest. I may even be overdoing it, because, although I don’t remember it, I didn’t have a father around in my first few years on Earth… and I am fully aware of that. I have the opportunity to be a good influence on my little ones, and it has translated into this love I have for my kids that is unexplainable. The best way I could possibly describe it, is with a weird noise while I grab my face. I know, its weird. With that said, I want them to have a perfect life. I want them to experience the world. I want them to love… but, most importantly, I don’t want them to experience pain. I know the last one is impossible, and it was proven to me on Saturday.

It was a beautiful Saturday. So beautiful, that we attended our friend’s daughter’s 2nd birthday party. Cason loves the water. LOVES IT!!! So he was stoked to be splashing around. Everyone was having a good time, all the girls at the party wanted to hold Chloe, which is awesome. Kinsey and I were splitting time with Cason. All was going well… until I heard my wife scream, “Oh, my God! Jose!!!! Cason is hurt!”

cason's-ouchieHere is the thing: Cason is a boy. He gets hurt all the time. That’s what boys do. A bump here, a bruise on the leg there. I was five feet away from them. When I turned around I saw Cason standing up, and I could see white in the middle of his forehead. It looked like a piece of plastic. We made eye contact, and he said “papa!” as he started crying, and blood started rushing down his face. I jumped out of the pool, sat on a chair, Kinsey picked him up and handed him to me, and we put pressure on the gash, and when I let go I realized it was bone. WORST. FEELING. EVER! Here was my little boy, with a gash on his forehead. So we left the pool party, and took him to the ER. Luckily, our friends offered to watch Chloe, who had no idea what was going on. She was still smiling when we left.

Just when you think it wont get worse, it does. First, we were worried that they wouldn’t take us because he was so young, but the Hospital was very welcoming. Next, Getting a two year old to sit still so they can stitch him up is traumatic. We had to swaddle him, a man had to hold him down, and make sure he didn’t move, and we had to sit there and listen to him scream, with tears in his eyes. With every scream, my heart broke a little. As soon as they finished, they gave him an alligator band aid, and he was stoked. Then he got a popsicle, when he finished it he just pointed at his band aid and said “boo boo… more?” He was a natural milker.

We went back to get Chloe after it was all said and done, and Cason started playing with the other kids, as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Kinsey and I were exhausted. I am sure this is not the last time he will get hurt, but I sure hope so.

So, how did it happen? He was getting out of the pool, slipped, and hit his forehead on the edge of a rock. It happened that fast. So wish us luck with the rest of our lives. I don’t know if I will be able to let my kids drive cars. No way, no how! Your move, Chloe 🙂