They say “it is bound to happen,” but I thought we were in the “clear” considering Nolan is working towards being four years old. I was on the phone with my mom in the kitchen. Nolan was at his little table (in very close proximity) eating a snack. All of a sudden he began screaming and crying and ran to me pointing to his nose. I knew instantly what was happening. Nolan had asked for a few Tic Tacs because he told me his breath was stinky. (Side note. This is not the first time he has had Tic Tacs. Quite the contrary. This is probably the THIRTIETH time he has eaten them.) Regardless Nolan’s screaming and gesturing told me all I needed to know. He had a Tic Tac up his nose.
I quickly hung up the phone with my mom. I thought to myself most likely we would end up at the emergency room, but I thought I would try to get it out myself first. I placed my screaming child on the kitchen counter and retrieved tweezers. Of course at this time Griffin started screaming because, of course, it was time for him to eat. I think I was probably screaming out of fear too. Mass chaos all the way around. Nolan was crying uncontrollably and kept sniffing and making the Tic Tac go FURTHER up in his nose. Luckily Nolan listened to my instructions to sit still. My threatening to take him to the hospital if he did not cooperate probably had a lot to do with it. He kept saying over and over again that he was so sorry as he cried. It was awful. After a few tries that darn Tic Tac came out. Thank goodness. Nolan and I both hugged and I think we both probably cried some more.
During the drama I kept thinking to myself, “I am going to have to load up two screaming children (one that acts like he is starving to death and another who is making a Tic Tac go further up his nose) and trek to the ER. ” Words cannot describe how thankful I was that I got it out on my own. Although it was not needed (I think Nolan learned his lesson on his own), we talked about “noses are NOT for food, toys, etc.” He said he understood and I really do believe him. After a few minutes we both had calmed down. Griffin on the other hand had not. In fact he was in absolute hysterics at this point. And so life carries on…..until Griffin does the same thing.
