The "Princess" not only likes peas, but flour too

Children love to explore all types of things, their environment, their bodies, the things that can fit into the tiniest spaces in their bodies.

Our indoctrination began with a pea. After a few attempts at raisins, (caught in time), our daughter discovered that peas were the perfect fit for a nose..

I was out and could not answer my phone. I should have known that something was up when my phone rang non stop. I even got a text from my husband, “our daughter has a pea in her nose”. When I got to the phone, I called. Pea removed by Dad sticking straw up nose and getting it out. A little gross yes, but we do what we must as parents.

The following day, I’m watching my daughter eat breakfast. She attempts to ball up her waffle and is aiming for the nose.

Later that day, after several attempts on her part to blow her nose (very uncommon for my 19-month-old) we check it out more. It takes two of us to hold her down and shine the light. We see a small bit of green indicating there was more than one pea from the night before.

Pea is way up there, too far for the “straw” method. We head to the ER.

After an hour wait at bed time, we finally see a Doctor. They suction, she screams. No pea. They finally try using a tool that ENT’s use to remove ear wax. Again, no pea. They break out a bigger ear wax removing device. Pea is removed. Kid is traumatized. Parents are not far behind. Fifteen minutes of hell are over.

My first reaction is to Google why kids stick things up their nose so I can teach her not to do it. The results, a slide show from Baby Center devoted to the Top 10 things kids stick up their nose. (Peas and Beans are #10). You can access the slide show here. http://www.babyzone.com/baby_toddler_preschooler_health/photos_things_kids_stick_up_nose. Removal and other hints are included.

Since we can’t ban all foods that have the ability to become nose dwellers, and parents do at times need to leave the room when their child eats, (sometimes 30 seconds in the restroom alone is a nice break) We will be watching. We’ve instated “nose check”, as in, “do you have a raisin up there?” And we’re not above, “remember the time…”.

Any hints to stop this? Any good stories of your own?