Tantrum, Tantrum, Tantrum!

Kallie has most certainly been two in attitude and personality for a while now. She owns the toddler catch-phrase, "I do it mysewf!" As part of the attitude, she has decided that throwing tantrums are a good way to tell mom and dad that she does NOT like the way things are going--especially when she's tired.

Today was no different--except I was babysitting my friend's kids during naptime, so I let Kallie miss her nap. I pretty much knew I was asking for trouble. Except for a few little "sharing" squabbles, she did great while her friends were here. As soon as they left, she turned into a crying mess. I got her to take a short nap before dinner, but the damage had already been done...or had it?

After dinner, Ryan started Kallie on her normal bedtime routine. Of course, the crying, complaining, and tantrums were not the usual tonight. Every little request and comment we made was met with a seismic response. Then, it was time stop brushing her teeth and head into her bedroom. To let us know that she did NOT like this course of events, she threw herself on the linoleum floor in our hallway. I went to pick her up and carry her into her room and realized she was gushing blood from somewhere around her nose or mouth. She knew something had gone wrong with the tantrum because she was telling me so!

As I cleaned her up, I realized that she had somehow split her frenulum, (the little piece of skin that connects your gum and lips). It wasn't completely split, just more so than it ever has been for Kallie. I have never encountered a split frenulum before! I put pressure on it with a damp paper towel to stop the bleeding. I called our pediatrician's office to find out what needed to happen and they said they generally don't put stitches in the mouth. And, since it stopped bleeding right when I called them, they didn't have us come in.

Taking a good look at it, neither Ryan nor I know how in the world Kallie did what she did! Her little frenulum was attached a bit lower than what I've seen, but now there's no problem with that. The only thing that makes me sad is that the frenulum affects how the lips are when you smile--it kind of holds them in place. So, now, my sweet little Kallie's smile is a bit different tonight than it was earlier today. I just hope it heals well and that, after a while, you won't even be able to tell it happened!