so scared (but OK)

alchris · March 2011

We left tonight to go to a neighborhood social with both girls; it was already dark out. We live in a historic area so we all park on the street. DH had just put Elena's car seat on the passenger side while I opened the door for him and I then put down our gear in the front seat. Kira is usually SUPER good about standing next to us, but she ran around the back of the car very quickly to get around to her seat (we moved her to the driver's side after Elena was born). Thank goodness she didn't step out past the car, but obviously she's little and I couldn't see see how far out she had run. DH yelled to her, and I did too. Just then bright headlights came around the corner and I screamed, "STOP!" as loud as I ever have before the car drove past. I looked for DH to lunge forward to protect her but he didn't; it was because he had already caught up with her (she was just a couple feet away) but I didn't know that. This was 3 hours ago but I'm still traumatized.

I had a really long day with her, but just in case I needed my mommy instincts to come roaring out, well, I don't ever want to have a jolt like that again. Thankfully Kira in fact knew not to go out past the car but I'm still upset that she stepped off the sidewalk at all; we've had a couple more talks since then about how scared Mommy was and she understood.

I'm not going to sleep at all tonight, at least not soundly.

Just to make myself smile, here is a photo of Kira wanting Elena to try the Bumbo this morning for the first time, after insisting we attach the tray as well, and then wanting me to take a picture of them with Elena looking at the camera:

howleyshell · March 2011

Dear lord.

My heart's racing just reading this.

And FWIW - this is why with 2u2 I made Dylan crawl thru the car from the baby's side in order to get to his seat for almost a year.

Having a baby carrier in one hand a toddler to juggle near streets and parking lots scared the hell outta me!

Glad she's fine but sorry you're still in "sick just thinking about it" mode!

And - that's the cutest pic!

Such a sweet big sis. (and a tolerant little sis!)

firsttogo · March 2011

We took Howley's Hands on the car advice! I know how scary this is! Glad all are ok!

laura1 · March 2011

I am terrified of this happening as well, and I had a similar experience in a parking lot with my DS. I used to carry them both to the car and manage to lift DD into her side in the infant seat while still carrying my DS with the other arm. DD is too heavy for this now (and I am not strong enough to lift the seat as high with one arm), so one day I put DS down and went to click DD in...and DS took off for his side of the car. Thankfully we were in a fairly empty parking lot, but it still terrified me. Now, I will open the front passenger side and let DS sit up there while I put DD in. Then take DS out and put him in his side. I have also had DS hold on to my leg and if he lets go at all, I yell...and that has stopped him. I totally understand how scary it is!!

alchris · March 2011

howleyshell:
Dear lord.
My heart's racing just reading this.
And FWIW - this is why with 2u2 I made Dylan crawl thru the car from the baby's side in order to get to his seat for almost a year.
Having a baby carrier in one hand a toddler to juggle near streets and parking lots scared the hell outta me!
Glad she's fine but sorry you're still in "sick just thinking about it" mode!
And - that's the cutest pic!
Such a sweet big sis. (and a tolerant little sis!)

The funny thing is that Kira usually wants to get out of the car by crawling over Elena's car seat base, so often she does use the passenger door to get out.

When it's just me with them getting into the car, I take advantage of the infant seat and set Elena on the sidewalk, help Kira get in, put Elena in (with Kira supervising...she *wants* to see Elena), then buckle Kira in.

But yeah, tonight she ran around the back of DH. Again, she didn't go past the car, but just leaving the sidewalk is a big no no, let alone at night.

Thanks, shell...she is a great big sis...I totally give her that.

alchris · March 2011

firsttogo:
We took Howley's Hands on the car advice! I know how scary this is! Glad all are ok!

I hadn't read that before, but that's exactly what DH does, and in fact it's what happened. But when it's just me I *hold* her hand (or she stands on the sidewalk...she had never left it before this), and not seeing her was the worst tonight. Thank you.

Just one more reason I need a minivan ASAP.

kme930 · March 2011

Oh my goodness, that is so scary!! I'm glad all is ok and she seemed to understand that she cannot do that.

ADORABLE picture though!!

alchris · March 2011

laura1:
I am terrified of this happening as well, and I had a similar experience in a parking lot with my DS. I used to carry them both to the car and manage to lift DD into her side in the infant seat while still carrying my DS with the other arm. DD is too heavy for this now (and I am not strong enough to lift the seat as high with one arm), so one day I put DS down and went to click DD in...and DS took off for his side of the car. Thankfully we were in a fairly empty parking lot, but it still terrified me. Now, I will open the front passenger side and let DS sit up there while I put DD in. Then take DS out and put him in his side. I have also had DS hold on to my leg and if he lets go at all, I yell...and that has stopped him. I totally understand how scary it is!!

Moms need to grow a 3rd arm when the umbilical cord is cut, no?

Heart attack.

alchris · March 2011

kme930:
Oh my goodness, that is so scary!! I'm glad all is ok and she seemed to understand that she cannot do that.
ADORABLE picture though!!

She does. It was also a good lesson for DH and me to coordinate, but I can see why we felt comfortable since Kira was standing between us just a second earlier. I don't know why she went around him, but I guess she knew what she was doing...I just didn't. Ugh. Thank you.

GenRN45 · March 2011

So glad she's okay. LOVE the new picture!

ela81 · March 2011

So glad Kira is okay! That would have scared the crap out of me too! I have the scared feeling just reading it. The most important thing is that she IS in fact okay.

LOVE,LOVE, LOVE the pic, it is the cutest pic!

alchris · March 2011

Thank you, Gen and ela.

qtpa2t · March 2011

I think my heart stopped for a second. Glad all are safe.

alchris · March 2011

Thanks, G. We were on our way to a local bar (really!) in part to watch Duke play, in fact.

Today at the store, out of the blue she quietly told me, "Mommy was scared." I asked her why, and she said, "I went off the sidewalk." Yes, I was, sweetie.

ETA: I just heard her tell DH, "Mommy was scared." And then she said, "Daddy was holding my hand (though)."

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