I rubbed my eyes as I looked at my clock on the nightstand. 8:37. I turned over in bed and felt around only to feel the cold sheets next to me. I sighed and opened my eyes. My wife, Lacey, must've left for work already. Three weeks after she had our daughter, Layla, she insisted on going back to work. I was against it, of course, noting the fact that she needed time to rest and recover, but she's stubborn and didn't listen.
I would be fine on a Monday morning alone, except for the fact that I'm a first time parent and don't know what the hell to do with a month old baby. I just hope Lacey comes back before she wakes up. But almost on que, I heard Layla's cries from down the hall. I groaned as I pushed the covers back and got up. Layla's cries got louder as I got closer to her room. I walked through the doorway and saw her flailing her arms and legs that were tucked in her little onesie.
"What's wrong, little one?" I asked, picking her up out of her crib. Ok, don't drop her, don't drop her. She continued to scream and flail around. I had little to no experience with babies, so comforting a screaming one was not something I had on my résumé.
I rubbed her back a bit while I softly bounced her in my arms. She calmed down a bit but not fully. This child is gonna hate me, I can't even calm her down properly. I frantically looked around the room, trying to find a toy, blanket, anything that I thought could be comforting for her. My eyes fell on her pacifier on her little dresser. Thank Jesus! I grabbed it and gently put it in Layla's mouth. Please work, please work.
Layla stopped crying and grumbled. I sighed in relief as she looked up at me. I smiled a little, she has her mommy's beautiful green eyes.
"Hi, Lay." I said softly, kissing her head. She grumbled again.
"I know, I liked my pacifier too." I said. She laid her head down on my shoulder, closing her eyes. I rubbed her back, walking back to my room. I slowly sat down and laid back on my bed, careful not to disturb Layla.
Her little body rested on my chest as I rubbed her back.
"I love you, baby girl." I whispered, closing my eyes and drifting back to sleep.
