A Little Bit of Everything and Everyone

Baby (Jack Gilinsky)

"Mr. and Mrs. Gilinsky?" the doctor asks, walking into my hospital room. Jack and I's heads pop up from looking at our beautiful baby boy in my arms.

"Both mom and baby are doing just fine and you guys are good to head home," he says to us. A smile overtakes my lips. I wouldn't trade giving birth for the world, but I do miss being in my own bed. Baby Gilinsky had some complications at first so we've been here for a good week and a half.

"Thanks so much, for everything," Jack says to the doctor. A nurse comes in to unplug me from machines and Jack hands me a bag with some leggings and one of his old Magcon t-shirts.

"C'mon family, let's go home," I say, walking back out of the bathroom.

"Ready to see your home Julian?" Jack asks our son. I smile at the two of them as Jack gets him settled in his car seat.

"Are you ready Mr. Gilinsky?" I ask my husband. His eyes find mine.

"I'm ready if you are Mrs. Gilinsky," he responds. Our lips meet for a second before we walk out of the room and out of the hospital to Jack's car.

Being home is great and all, but I definitely was not physically or mentally prepared for how much motherhood would take out of me. Jack, Julian, and I have been home for three days and I'm exhausted. How did my mom do this with three of us?!

"Mariana! The boys wanna know if they can come over to chill for a bit?" Jack says as I'm sitting on the couch feeding the baby.

"That's fine. But do you think you'll be okay on your own for a little while? Julian's already running out of formula and I need to get a few things for around here," I say. Jack nods.

"Of course baby, we'll be fine. I'll tell the guys to come over at like five? We can have a cookout or something," he says, sitting next to me.

"Sounds good. Julian should be good as far as food goes, but you'll probably have to change his diaper at least once." I pass J to Jack and stand, stretching.

"Gotcha, go. We'll be fine, right Julian? Right," Jack says to our baby. I smile at the two of them before grabbing my purse and keys to head to the store.

"I'm home!" I call a half hour later. The house is silent, at least on the first floor. I'm assuming the boys are upstairs in Julian's room. Sure enough I hear Jack talking to the baby as I get closer to the door.

"See J? I knew we'd be fine on our own. Sure I'm not the best at changing diapers, but we'll get better right? Right?" I see Jack tickle Julian's belly and I smile at them.

"We're some lucky guys to have a mom like yours huh bud? What would we do without her? Probably go insane I think. There you go buddy, diaper changed and clothes back on. What now? Wanna hear a song?" I watch Jack sit in the rocking chair with J.

"Now you've hit rock bottom, and you're feeling lost at sea, yeah...Just keep your head above the water, And I know you'll find some way to breathe...When the tides they drag you down, When the tides they drag you down...Down under, further than you've ever been, What I know...When the tides they pull you out, When the tides they pull you out...Out so far, Lord teach me how to swim, how to swim..."  I slowly ease open the door and Jack's eyes flick up to mine and he smiles.

"Shhhh, he's almost sleeping," he says as he continues rocking Julian. I walk over and sit on the footrest of the rocker.

"You're a good dad Jack," I tell him as he sets Julian in his crib. I grab a monitor before we head back downstairs.

"Have I mentioned how much I love you?" Jack says as we plop back on the couch. I look up at him.

"Maybe once or twice," I say teasingly.

"So much Mariana. I thank god for you and Julian every day. I truly don't know what I would do without either of you," he says, kissing my forehead.

"Probably go insane I think," I say mocking him from earlier. I press my lips to his and feel him smile in to the kiss.