Her Bum Wheel

It happened. My baby, who we used to want to put a helmet on, who we've tried to shelter from anything harmful or negative, got hurt.

Peyton was running with glee to the front door to greet Martin on Monday evening. Her excitement got the best of her, and she stepped on the outside of her foot. She stopped dead in her tracks and immediately began the silent, open mouth, face turning purple, can't catch any air, horrifying cry.

After calming down, Peyton said her leg hurt (not her ankle or knee like Dr. Mommy and Dr. Daddy had diagnosed). We watched her for several minutes, noticing an awkward limp every time she took a step with her left leg. After we asked her to run, and she crumpled to the ground in pain, we carted her to urgent care.

While waiting, Peyton was walking fairly normally and playing with no hint of pain. We thought we were about to throw our $100 co-pay down the drain. But, x-rays confirmed what the doctor suspected...Peyton had broken her left tibia. A "toddler fracture" she called it - typical in toddlers because their bones are not yet strong like adults. It seems that the awkward placement of her foot on the ground caused her leg bone to twist - and break.

Putting on a brave face during the X-rays.

Staying strong and not wiggling...being such a good girl.

Taking a picture of the broken leg...

Only Peyton can manage to look pretty during this ordeal.

Peyton was so brave during the hospital visit - and only cried for one brief moment during the x-rays. She even managed a thumbs up when the doctor finished off her soft cast with Tinkerbell stickers. (I won't deny it - Mommy broke down and cried too).

Getting ready for the soft cast.

Peyton was actually really interested in what the doctor was doing.

The finishing touch - Tinkerbell stickers!

Thank goodness she had a fresh pedi!

All done - and keeping her best smile throughout everything!

Peyton doesn't seem bothered by any pain - the worst part is she can't put any pressure on her leg. No walking, standing, running, swimming. And no school.


More to come after we pay a visit to the pediatric orthopedist, but we expect a hard cast to follow for about 3-6 weeks. In the meantime we have spent our yearly paychecks at CVS, Target, and Toys R Us on "seated" toys like stickers, puzzles, movies, and dress up dolls, and have amended the rules to allow for as much ice cream as she wants.

New toys, stickers, ice cream. How long before she gets used to this!?!