Dear Jack

Today I go back to work.  Back to school where I teach the older kids.  Teach them how to read good.  I miss you before I even walk out the door.  I always knew I would want to continue working when you got here, and was curious if that idea would change after falling in love with you.  I did fall in love with you, very much so, but I am excited to get back to the classroom.  I cannot really begin to think about the last six months we just had together, you and I.  Grateful doesn't really begin to describe how I feel.  These months are a blur.  You came in May, and here it is, three days from December. 

We went out a lot at first.  Cruised the mall and I nursed you in the Nordstrom mother's lounge quite often.  We were safe there, and it gave me something to do outside of the house.  You went with me everywhere.  When the rain finally stopped, we picked berries several times.  Once or twice it was just you and me and the Bjorn carrier.  I got to turn you facing out before 3 months, which scared me, but you loved looking at everything, and even fell asleep that way while I picked Marionberries!  The back of the Tahoe was also our private nursing lounge.  I knew we could pull over anywhere and feed you, so off we went on endless field trips and errands. 

We met new friends at Mommy and Me group, and hung out with them at the zoo and at Cook Park when the weather was warm and everyone else was back at work and school.  Luxury!  A lot of lunch and walk dates with other new mommies, as well as meeting daddy as much as we could, or just drop off coffee for him.  You stayed at his office quite a bit while I went to the gym.  Sometimes I just parked in the parking lot at the gym and took a nap.  Thank you very much!

I tried to hold still with you.  You were so good at playing or napping in your swing while I kept too busy.  But I hope there were more times than I remember where I just held you while you slept and we snuggled for a while.  I will remember one time napping with you in the chair in your room so long, it was dark out when I woke up, and still you slept.  My full bladder won over your continued sleep, and so it had to end. 

We both stayed in our pajamas a lot.  Good for us.  We walked out side and looked at God's planet.  I hope you could enjoy the colors of the autumn this year.  So many more to come.

You are in wonderful care my son.  Howie and Winston promise to look after you while we're not at home.  I will think of you all day; having fun, learning, and growing.  I. love. you.