bonks and bruises

It was just an innocent oversight, really. One that left me feeling guilty and embarrassed though, and knowing that I would NEVER let Plava ride on the end of a shopping cart again. No, never.

We had a few things to get before we headed off tomorrow to PALM SPRINGS, where Ryan, conveniently, has a conference to attend, and where we, the rest of the family, are tagging along to in order to get some vitamin D, tans, and remember what it feels like to wear....gulp...SHORTS!!

So, not needing to get that many groceries, just a small list really, I told Plava that we wouldn't be getting a "car buggy" or even a regular buggy with a child seat. No, I would carry Pito in the sling and she would walk, like the big girl that she is. She was a little dismayed, but then perked up and cheerily said, "Hey! I know, Mama! I can ride on the end, holding on!!!". I thought about it, and since she loves to do that, and it solved the problem of imminent whining and attitude, I decided that it would be fine.

So, we went and got our buggy, Pito snuggled into the sling and Plava cheerily skipping along, chattering about something or other in her happy manner. We got a buggy, and she hopped on the end while I pushed it quickly into the store to get out of the cold air. Not 20 paces in, I let go momentarily of the cart to get my list out of my pocket, and the weight of Plava was too much for the thing. She fell straight backwards (onto the concrete floor) and the cart fell right on top of her. She WAILED. Poor thing, she was so shocked and had a big bump on the back of her head. Workers and shoppers came at us from all directions to make sure she was okay, offer to get us a buggy with a seat, and even to offer Plava a free banana to make her feel better.

Nothing would help, of course, and Plava being so shy, she seemed to cower even more and just wail and wail. I finally got a good look at her and was able to talk to her face to face, and get her to calm down. She was so shaken up.

It was one of those moments, you know? I should have known not to let her ride on the back. I should have known that the buggy wasn't heavy enough to support her without my hand on it. I certainly should have heeded the advice given by the diagrams that are on the other kinds of carts which specifically say that children AREN'T to hang on to the end. It just left me feeling guilty, horrible for her pain and shock, and rather embarrassed. Thank goodness people were so kind and helpful! Thank goodness there's room for error in life!!

She's fine now. A nice goose egg sits on the back of her head, but (dare I say?) it's certainly not as big as the last one!! :) Pito herself is nearly bruiseless right now, which probably means she's due for a big bonk of some kind rather soon. Probably just when I'm thinking I should take some cute photos of the two of them.

And there will be plenty of that going on in the next while! Yes, California calls, and we will answer. We'll be up before the crack of dawn tomorrow morning, heading south to where the sun shines quite a good deal warmer than it does in Vancouver. Keep watching for photos!!!