I knew it was bound to happen............

a meltdown. It happened this morning. After we had breakfast, I told Matthew we would go "bye-bye" for a bit. Nothing long, just an errand and home again. Had PLENTY of stares from folks and a couple actually asked me, "What's wrong with his arms?" LOL It's amazing how folks KNOW it's not right to stare, but yet, they do and then ask what's wrong. I just said he had surgery in his mouth and they don't want him putting fingers inside. End of story.

Anyway, Matthew had a major meltdown. I knew it was coming, just didn't know when. It happened today. As I was changing him and putting the medicine on the places "down below"/suture sites. He had had enough! That was it. I was kicked, pinched, you name it. He did it. Matthew was crying/screaming just about as much as Monday evening. But this was different. Different cry. More like, TEMPER TANTRUM time. I let him have it. Literally. If I had surgery, if I had pain like he did, I'd be unhappy and have a meltdown too. I put him on the floor gently and let him have at it. (He couldn't hurt himself. Diaper was on. No-no's were on.) After about 2 minutes, he was done. I asked him are you finished? Matthew said yes. I said good, now can we go "bye-bye"? He said yes and away we went. He's been excellent since then.

Right now, he had a milkshake (that melted by the time we got home) from Burger King and it was CHOCOLATE! He drank that and said he was tired so I put him in bed. He's sleeping. I tell ya, after the past couple of days, for him to have a 2 minute meltdown..........well, BIG DEAL! I asked him later was he hurting and he said no. It was pure temper.....pure I've had enough temper. He gave his hugs and we went to do our errand. Man......what a trooper!

You know? I never said anything until now, but while him and I were in the hospital on Monday night, I asked Matthew (when he wasn't hurting anymore) was it better to be at the hospital with Mommy or back in China. He looked at me and said w/Mommy. Then he put his arms up for a hug. I can't imagine my boy having surgery in China with NO ONE with him. Not one person. He would be there all alone. I know he did that twice, but NEVER again!!!! I promised him that. Daddy too.

So today is an ok day. Just the one meltdown. Who knows when he gets up. I don't tell him no or don't do that. Why? What for? He's had surgery and enough pain for a grown person to go crazy over! He's entitled. As long as he doesn't hurt himself, go right ahead. And when he's done? We'll go do something else. :o)

The mommy files