1.22 - Growing Pains

One beautiful morning in my little town of Roaring Heights, I finally felt as if our family would be complete.

I already had an amazing little family and now we had another one on the way.  I can still remember the day I told Marvin. It was Caitlin's first day of school and I'd just helped her get ready. She seemed excited, but kind of nervous, too.

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Caitlin's POV
I was very excited about my first day of school.  I was excited to get away from the house by myself!  I wanted to meet new kids and play with them.  I wanted to sit at a real school desk.  I wanted to use my new pencils and notebook paper in my backpack.

However, when the bus pulled up, I realized I was REALLY going to school.  I hadn't really been anywhere without Mom and Dad.  I didn't want to be by myself.  I may have "attitude" as my mom calls it, but I still get nervous.  

I walked up to the bus and I saw the driver.  He had his hat on funny and he looked SO old.  He gave me a weird grin and I almost turned around and ran back to the house.  However, when he said, "Come on, kid!", I scurried on the bus as fast as I could.

When I started down the aisle, I started to get a little scared.  There was NO one inside.  I hesitated and asked the driver, "Where are the other kids?"  He just said, "Hurry up and find a seat!  The other kids will be on soon."

I quickly found a seat in front.  Quicker to run away, I thought.  I started thinking about all the bad stories I had heard about being alone with a bad guy.  Mom and Dad didn't think I could hear them when they whispered, but my hearing is good.  I shut my eyes and hummed a tune to stop thinking about the bad stuff.



Eventually, other kids started getting on the bus and we arrived at school.  Once that happened I felt a lot better.  I even liked some of the kids and we started talking about playing games.  I was sad when the bell rang, though.  That meant it was time for school to start and we couldn't play after all.  Some of my new friends went into other classrooms.  I felt a little better when a few of them said, "Let's get together at recess!" I smiled and said, "Yes!"  Then, I walked in to meet my teacher and find my desk.

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Justine's POV

After I got Caitlin on the bus, I went back to my bedroom to wake up Marvin since he needed to work on a television he promised to fix.  It was for one of his customers from the restaurant.  He had mentioned in passing that he wanted to learn how to fix things and they heaved it on him pretty quick.  They told him it was already in bad shape.  If he could fix it, then they might send more business his way.

Every morning, we tried to fit in a "quick chat".  It was our way to "sync" up.  We used this for time to ourselves, but also to stay on the same page as parents.  It worked most mornings.

We had just finished, when all of a sudden, I didn't feel right, though I didn't actually get sick. As soon as I felt it, I knew, though. It was the same way I had suspected my pregnancies with Caitlin and London.

I smiled and Marvin noticed.

“What has put that smile on your face?” as he touched my lips softly with his fingers.

“Oh, you know, a little of this and that. Oh, and perhaps I'm pregnant again.”

“Really? How do you know?”

“Oh, honey, I just do, but don't worry, I'll take a test to confirm.  I'll even go to the doctor's to be tested if that makes you feel better,” I said as I gave him a big hug.  He said it would, then he pulled me close and kissed me which sent shivers down my spine.

I told him I needed to get London out of his crib because he had been screaming for like ten minutes.  We had tried to ignore him, but he was having none of it.  I also reminded him that he needed to work on the tv some more. With that, he kissed me again.  He growled that he would finish his thought later that night, then walked away. I just smiled, got dressed and headed for London's room.

This is the picture I saw when I walked in, like he was all innocent and hadn't been screaming bloody murder. Ha!

Well, I gave him his bottle and changed his diaper. We tried to work on potty training, but he was having NONE of it.

He did seem to enjoy his time learning to walk and seemed to be picking it up very quickly.

I went to go work on some other things around the house and left him alone in his room. He took that opportunity to play with his special friend “Peep”. I had always felt bad for that toy as he really beat it and sometimes even chewed on it.

Later, while Marvin was at work, he texted me a pic. He said he ran into Tiberius at the restaurant and he had brought Maggie. We had met with them again recently, but I guess time flies because my how she had grown. Obviously, Tiberius was still a bot fan.

Caitlin went to a friend's house that first day after school. I was a little disappointed she didn't want to come right home and tell us how her first day went, but I was so glad she had found a friend, too. Later, we met up at the graveyard.  It was a full moon and she had wanted to visit the graveyard during it. 

I wasn't surprised when she got a little scared, but we talked about her day and she seemed better after that. We didn't stay long, though.

When we got home, the baby-sitter was just getting ready to feed the grumpy London boy. I paid her and she left looking relieved. Yes, London can be quite the handful.

Marvin came home with fantastic news right before I fell into an exhausted sleep. He got promoted to Ingredient Taster! Also, he won 2,000 simoleons at the casino.

I also told him that I had been able to get into the doctor's office quickly today and my instinct was correct:  we were indeed pregnant.  I fell asleep that night with a mighty big smile. 

Before I knew it, London had been potty trained and had learned to walk. What a big boy!

When Caitlin wasn't doing her homework, chores or playing with London, she was busy doing many other things.

She loved to paint...

She played in the bathtub and had many great adventures...

She had several friends and they loved to play tag with her. She tried many times to walk quietly, but she wasn't very sneaky.  So her friends always knew when she was coming.  She didn't seem to mind, though.  She loved playing with other kids!

Caitlin loved to sit on her bed and read. She also listened to her favorite kids radio station. It always seemed to be on around the house.

She enjoyed looking through the telescope at the stars and learning about them. Ever since London's diagnosis, she seemed to be fascinated with astronomy.

It wasn't surprising that almost every night, Caitlin fell into bed exhausted. She was a busy little lady!

Marvin did a wonderful job splitting his time between Caitlin and London.  They loved playing with him!

Now, not EVERY morning was always beautiful, but I sure did enjoy those days that the sun shone brightly and the warm tropical breeze came off the ocean. Those days when the trees swayed in the wind and the beautiful sound of birds chirped nearby.

On a day like that, while I was washing dishes, I started to feel a little overwhelmed. Even when I look out my window, the sunshine did nothing for me.  I realized that the baby would be born very soon and I wasn't sure I could handle another little one.

I knew I also needed to go back to work soon. I was surprised they hadn't fired me yet. I'd been on maternity leave for a long time now.  I did try to work on my reports as frequently as I could, but it still didn't count quite as much as being at work and doing my job.  The ambitious side of me was a little upset without any recent promotion.  I was looking forward to getting back into the thick of my job again.

As I finished the dishes, my phone rang and I picked it up after quickly drying my hands off. It was Judy! I hadn't talked to her in awhile and I missed being with my friends. She told me she had just had another baby named Hupert. I was ecstatic for her and promised to visit as soon as I could, but I told her I was due any day as well. We talked for awhile longer until I heard Hupert's cry in the background. She said it was feeding time, so I reluctantly let her go.

Judy's call brought a breath of fresh air to my soul. She reminded me that it may not be easy, having another child along with two others, but I would love them all and do the best I could to be a great mom. I may be GETTING older, but I was NOT old yet.  I still had time to work hard and excel at my job as well.  I didn't get the warm fuzzies from her encouragement or thoughts, but knowing I had the support of my friends and Marvin did help immensely.

My day seemed somewhat brighter and I suddenly needed to have a water balloon fight!  The only other adult around was Dylan, so I guess he was my target.  He had such a great sense of humor and was always pulling little pranks on us. So, I finally had one I could do on him. It was such fun and helped relieve more of that feeling I had earlier.  Don't get me wrong.  It did not completely take away the feeling, but I did feel better.  Never underestimate the power of friends and family.

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One evening before bed, Caitlin asked some questions about the baby. Then, I let her feel and listen to my belly. She was so cute when she was inquisitive.

However, she can be a bit dramatic at times as well. She decided to check under her bed for monsters before bedtime. Well, that was a bad idea.

She was screaming at the top of her lungs and I had just gone to bed. Thankfully, Dylan was still around and took care of it.

“What's the matter, Caitlin? Are you ok? Are you hurt?” asked Dylan, concerned.

In between breaths, Caitlin said, “Monsters. Under. Bed. Red eyes. Scary. Can't sleep now.”

“Ok, ok, you're fine now,” he gave her a quick hug, but when he tried to let go, she clung to him. She really seemed freaked out. In fact, after she finally did let go, she even “fainted”.

Well, she'd never fainted before, so maybe she had seen "something", even if was her imagination playing tricks on her. 

 Dylan thought he'd try to get her to go to bed since she was obviously tired. Big mistake!! She refused and even yelled at him. Did he really want her to get eaten by the monsters while she slept?!

He should have been upset at her disrespect, but he saw that she was genuinely scared.  Poor Dylan finally just chatted and asked her questions to distract her. Eventually he brought up her favorite subject: music.

After another hour of that, she seemed less scared and finally agreed to go to bed. She wouldn't let Dylan leave nor turn the light off, though. So, he stayed until she fell asleep, then left for his room. What an awesome butler!!

The last thing I wanted done before the baby came was a family picture. London was being a bit ornery, but we finally got a fantastic picture. I quickly had it framed and put in the house.

Soon after that, I felt the contractions start to come and go, then slowly get stronger.  I knew it was time for the new baby Johnson to be born.  I was excited, but NOT for the pain.  I was so very thankful that Marvin was around this time. Unfortunately, London picked the moment after my water broke to start screaming because he was hungry.

Thankfully, Dylan took care of him, while Marvin and I went up to our bedroom. We were thankful Caitlin was at school.

Marvin was such a help, though he probably thought he wasn't. Having him there to support me was amazing!

“It's a girl!!” I exclaimed. I couldn't not believe I would have another beautiful girl to love on and cuddle!  I started crying as I felt the joy surge through me!

Just as I was mopping up my tears, she started crying. Then, suddenly, another wave of pain hit me.

“Marvin!” I yelled. “Please take her!!”

Marvin quickly took her and laid her on the bed, but then gave me a concerned look. I was surprised, too, but the pain was intense!! Then, I realized I was having ANOTHER baby!

“It's another girl!!” I proclaimed as I laid her beside her sister. Marvin looked a little shocked and I was definitely overwhelmed. Twins!!

Meet Lynelle Avery Johnson

She's easily impressed with anything we do and loves to be outside.

and Sophia Ivory Johnson

She's such a good baby, but gets a little excited at times, especially when she sees the bottle.

*Lovesstorms' notes*

So sorry it has taken awhile to get this out.  I've been trying to play the game and nothing else for awhile to keep it going. I desperately wanted her to get back to work and move life along.  Also, I am trying to move the chapters along a little faster, too.  :D

Caitlin fainting was hilarious!  =))  I just laughed and said she was a drama queen!  

Woah, twins! :-O  I did not give Justine or Marvin the fertility treatment as she wishes for enough babies as it is. After I did some research, though, I found that listening to kids music all the time might make twins. It was on frequently as just sat in different areas, so I guess that must be it.

Life is SO busy with all of them. I'm a little overwhelmed, but I am enjoying it, too. As I said before, I am used to speeding through everything and even cheating a lot. NOT cheating has been difficult, but it has forced me to enjoy all the kids at different ages.  :)

Also, I've entered a few contests on the Sims 3 forums, so I've been busy with that, too.  This was a fairly simple chapter, though I felt a little boring.  However, I wanted to make it quickly, so hopefully, you still enjoyed it!!

Whew! What will happen next with this family? Only time will tell. Please stay tuned!

Poses

Pregnancy Bliss by Forever Hailey

Labor by Artist Kate

1.23 - Growing Up Johnson (PG-13)
1.23 - Growing Up Johnson