Day 78 - Not So Silent Night

Tonight was Jameson's acting debut.  He played the part of Baby Jesus in our church's Christmas program.  The whole family was there in the front row minus Mommy, who stayed home with a recovering Savannah.  As the program began, I took Jameson to the cry room and gave him his bottle, leaving a little left over just in case we needed it right before his entry.  At about 7:30, we went backstage to get him ready.

Mr. Jameson was all smiles backstage.

He put on the charm for everyone around him.

Happy as can be.

Then it came time to get him ready.  They wanted him in a white blanket with just his diaper on, which they provided. That's when things began to go downhill.  His nice cozy Santa pajamas were replaced by a couple of blankets.  But there was a dilemma.  If we cover his arms, he will fuss.  If we keeps his arms free, he will be cold and he will fuss.  Well, with help from Myia (seen in the pictures above, we got the blanket on).  He was doing okay until right before his entry onstage and then he started in.  Nothing would pacify him. I ran backstage to get the bottle that would save the day.  But the milk was cold and he was not interested.  There was a moment where it looked like he was going to be replaced by a doll but then.....we're on!  They took him onstage as Jameson continued crying.  He was not a happy camper.  He screamed his way through Silent Night.  Mary looked flustered as she tried everything to get him calm, including feeding the remnants of his bottle.  Nothing worked.  As the song came to a silent ending, Jameson took over.  The pastor began to speak as Mary and Joseph were supposed to stand admiring the baby.  The pastor said, "Feed that baby!" as Mary and Baby Jesus were given permission to take an earlier than planned exit.    

This particular performance emphasized the Second Coming rather then the First. 

Afterward, I took him backstage, got him dressed, nuked the remaining milk in his bottle, and fed him.  As I carried a sleeping Baby Jesus through the church lobby, I got a number of compliments from people who "loved the crying baby".  It "was so authentic".  Well, we got our things together and made our way home.  Now all is calm.