Slowing Down

That is what I have been having to learn this past week. To slow down. Really, I haven't had much of a choice. As I was rushing around last Saturday (a week ago), I lost my footing on the stairs and fell. I was holding Jonah, so I couldn't brake my fall at all with my hands. I was terrified that I would hurt him. By the time I reached the bottom of the stairs, two things were clear: Jonah was just fine... I was not. It was one of those things where you know instantly that you are more that just a little bruised, but I had no idea what I had done. After a couple of hours of trying to rest, it seemed the pain was getting worse, and I feared that I may have had some internal bleeding near my kidney because of the pain, and extreme nausea. So, we decided to head into the hospital. Once there, I was frustrated by the fact that simply walking into the ER seemed impossible... Humbling for someone who runs 4.5 miles almost every day. After a shot of morphine, several x-rays, and a CT scan, the doctor discovered that I had actually fractured a vertebrae in my lower back. OUCH!! I was pretty out of it the first couple days as I was in so much pain, but by Monday morning my mom came to the rescue!!! Thank you, Mom, for dropping everything and rushing out here to take care of me, and the boys all week long! Mom just left on Saturday, and I can honestly say that while she was here I didn't change a single diaper, or do one load of laundry!!! I am actually wondering what I can break next. ;o) KIDDING!!! Not only did my mom cover all the bases here at home, but she was here to wittiness several milestones with the boys, as well! Since I am not able to lift the boys, Matt decided we would make the change from cribs to Big Boy Beds for Jonah and Noah. They have done AWESOME with this change. Honestly, I was hoping to keep them in cribs until they were about 15. I feared that bedtime and nap time, which are wonderful calming times in our home, would turn into a fight with little ones enjoying the freedom of being about to get in and out of bed themselves. Instead, we have been pleasantly surprised by how wonderful the twins have been about staying in bed. They have been so excited to be in Big Boy Beds, and they just snuggle right down and sleep pleasantly through the night. They wake up in the morning with excitement in being able to come into our bed for morning snuggles. It is precious. I am so proud of them. I'll be posting pictures of them in their beds next. ;o) The other big milestone Grammy was able to see was Noah's first time making Doo-Doo in the potty!!!!!! YEAH!!!!! It was also precious!!! I know, only mothers and grandmothers would call times like that "precious", but it was... especially because Jonah was there clapping and cheering for his brother. So, it ended up being a multi-layered blessing having Grammy here for the week.
I have been slowly making progress in healing. Very slowly. But my range of motion is improving, and the pain is slowly decreasing. I have been able to walk with a cane. I know. It's actually pretty hilarious. I get a lot of pathetic stares, but I have no shame. It's the only way I can get around, and it's a convenient weapon if anyone sasses me too much. I have been struggling with a lot of frustration in not being able to do things that I have always done with ease, and not being able to run has been a huge mental challenge. For those of you who are runners, you totally understand. For those who are not, I know... it's freakish to you. ;o) I am hoping that I will be able to start running short distances in about 4 weeks. It is optimistic, but that is the goal. Pain will be my guide, as my doctor has told me, as to any activity that I pursue. Bottom line, if it hurts to do it, I have to give it longer to heal. Please pray for my patience, and patience for Matt and the Boys, as they are all having to get used to me being out of commission for a while longer. Really, I am doing okay, and am thankful that the injury was not worse. I'll try to get some pictures of me with my trusty cane, too. All in all... I'm just glad I didn't rip my skirt. (That was for the select few who know that particular "Christine Falls" story...) Hee hee....