Jamaica sans baby

Hello Internets peoples.

I have returned to your world.  I recently took a much needed vacation with my partner Clayton.  Before we left there was a discussion or two whether we would take Mason with us.  Clayton was for it, I was against.  It wasn't that I needed time away from my child, okay yeah it was but not in a bad way.  You pay over $1k for a relaxing vacation and to me that includes sleeping in excess, eating when I want and spending hours in the sun.  Unfortunately with a toddler, that would be 0 for 3.  Before we left Mason wasn't sleeping through the night, has a set schedule and shouldn't be in the sun for hours at a time! Especially in Jamaica where the heat is very intense (there were an abundance of sunburned people everywhere.  Hello!? sunscreen?)

Of course Clayton had great reasons for bringing monkey.  He's part of a family, we could have a great family vacation, the resort catered to families etc.  I agreed but voiced I wouldn't get much of the vacation I had hoped for and I'd be constantly worrying.  Besides, don't all new parents really need some quality time together?

So we decided to leave Mason at home, which was like winning the lottery for my Parents.  They have been asking to have Mason for an 'overnight' since he was born.  We agreed in the summer when Mason was 6 months old, we went to Quadra Island for a romantic night but were back home the next day.  I haven't been away from Mason for more than 24 hours.  Clayton had it a bit more rough as I took Mason home to the Island every month for my entire Maternity Leave for at least 4 days.  But the difference this time was that neither parent had the baby.  We were handing him over to my parents for 9 days.  NINE days.  3325 miles away!!!! Across many oceans!

I have to say when I got into my vacation, it was great! The beach, the limited sunshine, the BUFFETS (+2lbs) and all the sleep was bliss.  But something was missing.  My little monkey..sooo far away.  He was constantly in my thoughts and every time I saw a child or parents with kids, my heart ached.  Clayton and I told anyone who would listen that we had a boy back home and we missed him so.  I emailed my Mom daily to see how he was doing and always got good reviews (he's eating so well!  Sleeping okay! So much fun and SMART!).  Then my Mom decided to call us at the hotel, it was nice to hear her voice but tears welled up when I could hear Mason in the background, his little baby babble and giggling. 

"Oh, you sound so sad!" My Mom says.   "Yeah, I miss Mason."  She called every two nights and every two nights I cried.   By day 4 of our trip, I was silently wishing it to end, hoping that for some twist of events that we'd get asked to return home and we'd volunteer!  Instead of saying '3 more sleeps til vacation', I was counting down the days we flew back!   Luckily the time passes quickly and after sitting in a plane for over 7 hrs I was more than ready to be on Canadian soil (and praying the plane wouldn't crash).  Then we were home, late.  Mason was still on the Island with my parents.  They weren't bringing him back until that next day.  Originally they were taking the 3pm ferry but I made them get the 12:30 (why do I have to wait so long to get my kid back!?) so by the time they were supposed to be at my place, I was calling the cell "WHERE IS MY BABY?"

I ran down the street to where they were parked and Mason was fast asleep in his car seat (complete with drool down his chin).  He woke when Clayton poked his head into the back seat.  He looked at us like were strangers.  My heart hurt.  Did he forget about us? He's so close with my parents.  Clayton took him into his arms and kept saying 'da da'.  I kept waiting for some moment of recognition.  It took at least 10 minutes before the light returned in his eyes and the smiles came.  Then he gave me a big hug. 

Oh Monkey, Mommy & Daddy missed you!

For the next 24hrs my Parents whined and stated they didn't want to 'give him back' and were going to be so sad returning to their home without him.  I couldn't blame them.


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