Stitches for the Frist Time

We have had our first experience with a child getting stitches. The "incident" happened while we were having some friends over for dinner. I heard Claire screaming and I thought that her friends had been chasing her again. Girls ALWAYS have to scream when a boy chase them...it's a rule isn't it? Anyway, I learned quickly that she was hurt and saw a big gash inside her lip. She had been playing with a pole ( a wooden dowel ) and jumped off the bed with it. She fell on it and ended up biting her lip. She didn't bite through but after a few hours the hole was very large and was soon exposed. So I told Zeb I thought I should take her to the ER.Sure enough she needed 2 stitches. Apparently if the cut is inside the mouth they don't stitch it but if you can see it on the outside they will most likely stitch it. When the nurse practitioner told Claire this she freaked out a little. After I explained that they would numb it with a shot that would sting a little and that she wouldn't feel the stitches she was better. We said a little prayer together and they came to stitch it. She was so brave and only whimpered a little after 3 shots in her lip. I probably would have cried. I am a wuss. She did so good. She even laughed after the shots were done and said, "That tickled." What a good sport.
Here she is with the cut closed up.
Just a little swollen! Not too bad. The stitches will dissolve and within a few days she should be able to eat normal things. But hey, who wouldn't want to eat popsicles and yogurt as long as they could?
She asked if she could keep her hospital bracelet to remember when she is older because in her words, "I probably won't remember when I got stitches."
I love you, Claire. Way to be brave today!