Kicking and screaming. No, not Seabass. Me.
And why? Jake’s vacation is over.
The past ten days were so incredible, I can hardly believe it. It was the first time since Seabass’ birth that I’ve felt truly relaxed in the role of mommy, and it’s no coincidence that I had Jake’s support at home the whole time. No siree. He was AMAZING. We tag-teamed diaper changes, play time, pushing the stroller, bouncing baby on the hip and just about everything but breastfeeding. Every few days, Jake would get a little quiet and then say, “Can you believe I have to go back to work in ___ days? Where is the time going?” Really, it was that nice.
It’s not like anything drastic changed in the grand scheme of things, though. Seabass still took regular naps at 9am and 1pm, went down for bed around 6pm and woke up bright and early at 6:30am. Even on New Year’s Day, after Jake and I had stayed out until 2:30am. That was a little brutal. I liken it to the first summer I spent working after college. You mean we don’t get summer vacation? Welcome to the real world, where work never stops and babies never sleep in.
Tight schedule notwithstanding, Christmas was a lovely affair and Seabass had what I believe was a fun time opening presents. Okay, he mostly just watched presents being opened and then gummed some part of the packaging, but he looked pretty happy doing it.
Here he is digging in to his stocking.
And a book.
And a night light.
Then he insisted on eating the dinosaur finger puppets.
And I include this after-shot because it’s just abstract enough to be mistaken for modern art.
We did something new this year, just for Seabass’ enjoyment: We left all of the wrapping paper and tissue and other trash on the ground as presents were unwrapped. Jake insisted that it would be fun for Seabass to play in. My inner clean freak was nearly hyperventilating, but let go and let God because it was Christmas, after all.
I hope you had a wonderfully merry Christmas with peace in your heart. Love, Jaime, Jake, Seabass, and Murph (…who Seabass also tried to put in his mouth).
I am Jaime, wife to Jacob. We are the smitten, stupefied, sometimes scared silly parents of a precious boy nicknamed Seabass and a darling girl nicknamed Sweet Chuck.
Higher Highs, Lower Lows 
all this to say: You’d better start being really nice to Jake, because if he leaves, you’re screwed.
Loved the post. That kid gets exponentially cuter every day. Looking forward to hearing about the first time he ever REALLY screws up. 😉
1) The whole ‘work never stops and babies never sleep in’ thing is why we quit playing music in clubs.
2) I’ve got a facial tic just reading about all the wrappings left on the floor.
3) I love you.
So cute!
Eric was also off for 10 days. It was so wonderful!!! I was thinking back to that day we saw you in the street… that seems like forever ago. So fun to have the dads home for an extended period of time. I tried real hard not to take it for granted but now, this morning when he’s back to work, I feel like it went by so fast.
Yes, it is wonderful to have a wonderful husband home with the family. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope it isn’t too long until the next time.
This was such a sweet post – Seabass is TRULY gorgeous and now I know why my mom calls me everyday to remind me to look at your blog and will frequently say things like, “the same thing happened to Seabass the other day.”
Great stuff – beautiful home, lovely family – just fabulous!
Wait – and I don’t KNOW you? And your mom is saying “that same thing happened to Seabass the other day?” Wow. Today will forever mark the moment I truly “made it.” Thank you!
That last pictures was fantastic! Paper & wrappings on the floor is where the fun is to a little tyke.