Jessie and I were allowed to go home with Noah two days after he was born. It was a bit of a relief as Jessie had constant visitors while in the hospital, mostly from her friends and family and one visit from Lydia. It was nice to have everyone together but I think we were both near desperate for some quiet time at home.
Jessie was barely sleeping. Even after we had been home with Noah for several days I don't think he had been put down even once. She held him any time she was conscious and when her body couldn't handle the lack of sleep any longer I was holding him.
My boss had been real lenient on me when I told her what was going on, however there were just some shoots I could not miss. As a result, as Noah was approaching being nine days old, I had to work early the next morning.
"Will you be okay on your own tomorrow? I know Lyd wouldn't mind spending time with you and Noah while I'm at work," I suggested. Jessie was curled up on the couch feeding Noah as I spoke to her. She seemed to be lost in thought even as I spoke to her, never even glancing up from watching him.
"We'll be okay," she said quietly. "I don't want to have to inconvenience anyone for my sake."
"You won't be," I insisted. "Lyd even suggested it to me when she found out I had to work." When Jessie didn't respond I kneeled onto the floor and peered up at her so that she'd be forced to look at me. "It would make me feel a lot better if I wasn't leaving you by yourself."
Jessie stared at me for a few seconds, obviously unsure of how to respond. I knew that she was perfectly capable of being by herself with Noah for the day but if anything were to happen while I was gone I don't think I'd ever be able to forgive myself if she was alone.
"Alright," she answered finally. "As long as Lyd is really okay with it."
"I promise she is."
Our conversation was cut short when Jessie's phone started to ring. She glanced over at and gestured for me to take Noah.
"It's my mum, I think," she said. "I think he's full anyway and I don't want to keep him awake with my talking."
"Alright. C'mon little buddy," I said as I lifted Noah out of Jessie's arms. "We're gonna go lay in bed."
I carried Noah up to our bedroom and laid down with him on my chest. I expected him to just go straight to sleep since that's what we mostly did.
I could vaguely hear Jessie speaking from downstairs. Her mom and dad were calling at least once a day to check up on her and Noah. My parents were checking in often as well but it was mostly through text and photos that I sent them several times a day. Jessie and I were both documenting as much as we could.
"You know, your mommy said you should be going to sleep," I spoke softly to Noah. His eyes were wide open and he was calmly looking around the room. I knew that newborns couldn't really see much at this age but he was obviously very interested in his surroundings nonetheless.
Jessie came up to our room a little while later looking absolutely exhausted. Without a word, she crawled into bed with me and curled up into my side. She laid facing Noah and me and slowly ran her finger across his tiny hand as she gazed up at him.
"I told him he could stay up passed his bedtime," I joked. That got a smile out of her and my heart fluttered at the sight.
"You did say you were going to be the 'cool' mum, I suppose," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Damn straight."
"I can take him if you want."
"Why don't you try to get some sleep?" I suggested. "I'll stay here and wake you up when he's hungry again."
