I’ve never been a big fan of flat shoes—especially those ballet slipper type shoes. I’m a short girl with very round calves and I always felt quite stumpy when I’d wear them. But here is another story about how becoming a parent can change the way your brain works.
When Bren was about 2 weeks old, I was home alone for one of the first times since he’d been born. We were having a great day. Then it was time to take the dog out. So, I bundled my little joy up in the snuggly my parents used when I was a baby and we head out into the world together.
It was a beautiful summer day, with a nice breeze. Bird were singing. The grass was green. People saw us and smiled, as I’ve learned is quite common when you are either 1) very pregnant or 2) wearing your baby. I don’t know if it is the same for walking with your baby in a stroller since I haven’t done that yet. But if you put on a baby and go out into the world people light up with grins. It’s like magic.
So, we walked—the baby, dog and I—and we smiled. The dog did her thing and we started back towards home. I was feeling quite successful with a happy dog and a happy baby. Then, as we were crossing the parking lot to dispose of Bobby’s poop package in the dumpster, my foot rolled over.
I love Danskos. They are so comfy. And I have this beautiful pair that are shiny and multi-colored like a rainbow on water. I got them about 4 months into my pregnancy and couldn’t wear them for about half of that because my feet got so big. I was wearing them that day and happy that my feet fit into them again. The thing about Danskos, they are like platform shoes with a very high sole. So, when my foot rolled over, it was from a great height of at least 2 inches.
My foot rolled. I stumbled. Pain shot up my leg. I wobbled. I tried to recover. And then, I went down, face forward while wearing my 2 week old son. It was like slow motion. I twisted my body and flung my arms protectively around him. I hit my knee, then my elbow and landed on my side, rolling to my back. Bren let out a yell–kind of like “Hey, what the heck lady?!” I was up in a flash. Checking his head and shoulders. Not a scratch. NOT A SCRATCH! And he stopped crying.
I rushed back to the house, my leg and my elbow on fire. Once we got home, my sobs started coming in a torrent. My baby was okay. He was calm, even peaceful, as sweat and tears poured down my face. I nursed him and Chris came home just at the moment I was coming undone. The possibility of hurting my child was horrifying. He helped calm me down and everything was okay. But I haven’t been able to vanquish the images of what could have been or shake the sick feeling in my stomach when my foot rolled.
Now, I simply refuse to wear any shoes with any height. I’m not kidding. I will not wear anything but flats. I can not bring myself to put those Danskos back on, no matter how much I love them. I’ve considered trying to sell them because they are expensive and barely worn, but there are 3 pretty good scuffs on the toe box. I hate the idea of simply throwing them away, so if anyone would like a nice pair of Dankos (size 39) with a few scuffs, let me know and they are yours.
So, to make a short story long—flats I love them, even ballerina slippers! They are comfortable, cute and best of all you can’t fall off of them. I’m thinking I’d like a pair in purple.
We live in an apartment on the second floor and one day I was carrying Ryan down stairs and somehow I started to fall and I was going to land on him. To this day, I have no idea how I turned myself around to where he was on top of me. Mother’s instinct I guess, I’m glad yall are ok
Oh my gosh! What an experience. Oddly enough, I just had that happen a not too ago while carrying Morgan (who is 3 1/2 years old now). I think it was Father’s Day if I remember correctly. We got to a restaurant and my ankle twisted on the curb and we went down. I got some major damage to my knee because all I was thinking as I went down was to protect my baby (who’s not such a baby anymore). It’s amazing how your life changes immediately when you have a child – we sacrifice ourselves (and our fashion!) for our children.
Trini and Julie, Thank you. It makes me feel a bit less foolish that I am not the only one. Though I am sorry you had to experience the trauma too. And it’s true, we would totally sacrifice our own bodies, without even a thought, to protect our babies (probably no matter how old they get Julie).
Okay, those Dansko’s are awesome. I will seriously take them off your hands if you want to get rid of them. Secondly, I roll my ankle at least once or twice a year, and man, that hurst like a beyotch! I really kind of think there is not much worse than falling down as an adult, because you just want to sit there and cry. That HURTS! And if you’re carrying your kid/baby it’s just that much worse. My husband fell down the stairs with our son when he was about 1, and he managed to hold on and our son didn’t get hurt. It’s some kind of odd instinct, isn’t it?
Rachael, Oh man, my sister in law called dibs too. It does hurt! And it’s amazing that our instincts kick in like that–and for daddy’s too!
So…it’s not just me. I fell with Sydney when she was about 1 year old by stepping in a pothole in our parking lot that I could not see because (conveniently) my child blocked that part of my view as I carried her. I also fell down the stairs with David probably when he was a bout 6 months or so…not sure anymore…neither child was hurt. However…my mommy pride was a bit…though like I said…neither was hurt (like you!)…so that proves we are great protectors.
I was hurt both times pretty badly (not doctor worthy) because of the contortions my body took on to prevent baby injury. OUCH. Sorry you had to experience that too…you can put your cute shoes back on when you take the stroller out someday!! 
Oh my goodness, how scary! Don’t feel bad though, almost every mother I know has nearly taken a tumble while holding her twee baby. It’s miraculous in that every single one of them was able to protect her baby even while falling.
Being a mother is a formidable thing, is it not?
PN – It is. Today is a bit of a rough day though. For no other reason than I am so tired. It seems hard to catch up. Some days are really great though. Others, I want to spend the day sleeping.