I can’t believe that Jack is turning 5 this week. The last 5 years have been some of the best of my life and I can hardly imagine life before Jack. I mean, what did I DO with all that extra time?! Really, someone remind me…
When we approach milestones like birthdays, I always like to get super sentimental and look though old pictures and read old posts about when Jack was just a little potato laying in the middle of the living room and doing literally NOTHING while making my heart go pitter-patter.
I also like to think about all the ‘advice’ I’ve gotten over the years by people who don’t even know my kid. Like that he will turn into a total asshole the second he hits 2 (he didn’t), that potty training is super easy to do in 3 days (it wasn’t), that once we have a kid we will never go out to dinner again (we do), or that I’m stupid to think my kid will continue to nap (he does).
Which brings us to one of my favorite things ever: naps. Or more specifically, napping with Jack on the weekends.
I was never really much of a napper myself before I had a kid. Or really even after I had him. I remember people telling me to ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’ and I thought that was kind of stupid because when else am I going to get a handle on the laundry? Also, whenever I’d take a nap I’d wake up all confused and angry for no reason. So, no naps for me.
But then, maybe a couple years ago our family naps started. I’d go to put Jack down for an afternoon nap and he’d look at me with his big eyes and chubby cheeks and ask to sleep in my bed with me. How can you say no to that?
Somehow the tradition started that once a weekend Jack and I would curl up in my bed and nap together. Travis would usually take that time to go play in his garage, so it was just me and my little guy. Oh, and Ollie. Ollie is a big fan of naps.
Jack and I would get all snuggled up under the covers. Sometimes he wants a billion kisses. Other times, he says semi-creepy/cute stuff like “make sure to face me so that I can stare at you while I sleep.” Usually he wants to hold my hand. Always, he tells me how much he loves me. It’s magical. Our own little snuggly island in a week that is typically full of tasks, school, work and running from place to place.
For a couple hours on a weekend day, it’s just Jack and me and our nap time.
And that is my favorite thing. Ever.
This post made me tear up. Jack is a super special boy and I’m so glad to know him. You guys are doing a great job with your kid. Also, one of my all-time favorite quotes is, “Make sure to face me so that I can stare at you while I sleep.” I laugh out loud every single time.
Elodie is 5.5 and doesn’t nap anymore and has a high up loft bed from IKEA – I miss being able to get into bed with her at bedtime and snuggle up then sneaking out once she’s asleep. I’m all huffing and puffing trying not to hit my head on the ceiling trying to “sneak” away, ha ha!
Felix is 2.5 and still in his starter bed so it’s the opposite, so close to the floor but does mean we can snuggle and then slip away quietly. Kids are so cuddly, it’s just the nicest thing. Enjoy your naps xxx