Week 16--Simon's groovy wardrobe and buddies...and 3rd week home with dad

Now it's Ashley's turn. This was our third week with me back and work and Jason staying home with Simon. Many of you have commented about all the wonderful things Jason writes on this blog, especially the nice things he has to say about me. I have to tell you that it will be hard to find adequate words to give him the credit he deserves, but I'll try. Week 3 went much, much smoother for Simon and daddy. Simon finally gave in and agrees to take the bottle, at least a little, every day. Jason is starting to establish a decent routine with him. One of my favorite activities he came up with is the "make the bed" song. Simon gets tucked into our bed while he watches daddy 'fold the corners neat'. I think there is probably a lot of singing going on throughout the day.

I guess the best way to describe how amazing daddy Jason is is to tell you that mommy is a bit jealous. It used to be I'd come home and Simon would be yelling head off, cling to me for comfort and I'd soothe him, usually pretty quickly by sticking a boob in his mouth (and doing other things, I'll give myself a little credit). A few times at work, I'd talk to Jason and could hear Simon crying in the background and Jason a bit frustrated. It broke my heart.

That's just not the case anymore. Jason gets Simon down for naps, soothes him when he cries, takes him for walks, picks out matching clothes, changes diapers, takes him to the zoo, plays and engages with Simon...all without lactating breasts or extra hormones designed to make you love your kid no matter what. I really did know that he would be a wonderful dad and that having Jason care for Simon when I had to go back to work would be the best for us all. But he has far surpassed by expectations and hopes and is just about the most incredible man I've ever known. Simon digs him too. I am pretty sure all the moms at the 3-6 month baby group think he's pretty damn cool too.

As for me, I'm starting to sneak a little candy to Simon every time Jason isn't looking to try to win him back. Seriously, I'm home by 2:45 M, T and Th and meet Jason downtown at 11:00 on W and F, so I do have a decent amount of time to be with this little monkey (Simon). While I sure wish I could have stayed home longer, I'm very, very grateful for our current situation and all the time off I already had. (but I'm definately considering a move to Norway when we have another little one -- 1 years paid maternity leave for all!)

We're starting to work on our nighttime sleep habits this week, so send us lots of good karma, luck, patience and REM.