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Post by Joelle on Oct 18, 2019 10:55:57 GMT -8
October 18, 2019
For the first two weeks or so, everything seems to go well, as far as how the kids are bonding with the baby. Celine is also happy because she's found space for her favorite maternity and family portraits, and has had Joaquin hang them earlier today. When the kids get home from school, they'll likely notice these on the living room wall:
(OOC: First picture is the wrong hair color/texture, and haven't found one for them all together yet, but just a few I thought were cute.)
Verity, though, has seemed frustrated lately, and Celine is worried. She doesn't quite know how to help, as there had been very little if any jealousy in her family by the time she had been adopted. And she had had two younger bio siblings, but that seems so long ago now.
Finn understands there's some adjustment going on as well- he has been a little cranky himself, due to getting used to having a baby interrupt his sleep- but he doesn't quite know how to help either. He hopes he can help her, though. Maybe he can do a better job than his mom- he is the big brother, after all.
When the kids get home from school...
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Post by MarieEliz (Mayor) on Oct 23, 2019 15:47:50 GMT -8
Verity follows behind her brother. While Finn hangs his book bag on his hook in the entry, Verity drops hers on the floor. She kicks off her shoes in the hall and skips into the living room. "Catch me, Mommy!" She takes a running start toward her mother, who is cradling Bryony.
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Post by Joelle on Oct 23, 2019 16:43:01 GMT -8
Celine startles, worried that Verity will injure herself, Celine, Bryony, or all three of them if she runs into the chair or takes a flying leap into Celine's lap. "Verity! Careful!"
The noise wakes Bryony, who had finally been asleep a few minutes earlier after being fussy all day. Celine hopes the baby isn't getting sick already! As the baby cries, Celine cuddles her closer, running a soothing hand down the baby's back.
"I can't do that with a baby in my lap, Verity. Why don't we do that later, when she's asleep again?" As she moves Bryony to her shoulder, Celine smiles to hopefully soften her words. She knows she has been putting off a lot of things until "later." She's very much sympathetic to that fact, but that doesn't mean she hasn't tried to come up with other ways to connect with her two oldest children.
"Why don't you come sit on the floor with me?" she suggests. "How was school today?"
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Post by MarieEliz (Mayor) on Oct 26, 2019 20:00:02 GMT -8
Verity skids to a halt and crosses her arms over her chest. "It's my turn!"
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Post by Joelle on Oct 28, 2019 14:43:42 GMT -8
"I know, sweetie. She'll be asleep soon, I'm sure."
Celine sighs. The 'honeymoon' period- the novelty of a new baby- is clearly most likely over. Celine just wishes it would have lasted a little longer. She'll have to have a chat later with both Theo and Robin. She can't quite remember how old Theo had been when his next sibling was born. Had he had this much trouble adjusting? And in her own adoptive family, both Joaquin and Dawn had had adjustment issues, but they had been teenagers when they were adopted, like her. Somehow, Celine hasn't had to deal with it in a little kid. She doesn't know now if she's grateful for that or not- it would almost certainly help her now.
Regardless, though, she supposes the lesson should be the same- that new situations can make kids uncertain, sometimes even unsure they're loved and wanted. That her parents had wanted them was something Joaquin and Dawn had had to learn. Celine is grateful that her children have been spared the things she and all her siblings have survived, but she's also unsure it makes a difference- do all children question if they are loved and wanted, regardless of what they have been through? She'll have to do a little more research there, perhaps. While she's been working on her doctorate since after she graduated high school, Celine can't say she knows everything about psychology. She doubts she ever will, because every person is different. She is also aware that Verity has been through a lot this year already as far as transition. Celine and Theo had told the kids about the baby- and their angels- in May. Then, recently, Verity had started kindergarten. Now this. Maybe Verity does need some time with Celine alone- but it won't happen right this minute.
"Why don't you come up with a song to sing to her? Or we could read a story- maybe she'll stop crying and pay attention. Babies like the sound of people's voices." That's what websites tell new parents, but Celine is trying here.
Finn is game to try. "How about... The Three Billy Goats Gruff?" That story always makes him laugh... he liked to pretend to be a goat walking across the bridge when he was Verity's age.
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Post by MarieEliz (Mayor) on Nov 3, 2019 17:22:02 GMT -8
Verity gives her mother a sideways glance. She's smart enough to know when she's being played. She's five now! She used to come home from half day PreK and snuggle with her mom. Now she is in full day kindergarten and her mom is always taking care of the baby. Being a big sister isn't as fun as she thought. She sighs. "Ok, Brother. But only if you do the voices!"
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Post by Joelle on Nov 5, 2019 18:08:18 GMT -8
Finn nods. "Okay." Celine is watching as her children go through the story. And it seems to work- for awhile. Bryony does stop crying, her eyes getting wide as Finn does the troll voice. " Who's that trip-trapping over my bridge?"
Celine is relieved when Bryony actually starts to go to sleep. "I'll put her in the crib," Celine whispers, wheeling herself to the nursery.
But as soon as Celine sets her in the crib, Bryony fusses again. Celine sighs. "What's the matter now, little one?"
She is hoping it's just a little bit of gas and will work itself out, but that doesn't help her- or the kids- right now. She sends up a silent prayer for strength for herself and comfort for all the kids.
By the time Celine finally manages to quiet Bryony...
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Post by MarieEliz (Mayor) on Nov 8, 2019 20:14:52 GMT -8
Finn and Verity are contentedly playing together. Verity is excited that Finn is actually letting her play with his Lego sets. She has her own Lego friends sets, but Finn's are much more fun. "Fee Fi Fo Fum!" she shouts as she threatens to stomp on Finn's creation.
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Post by Joelle on Nov 10, 2019 15:20:19 GMT -8
(OOC: Bahaha, this is so my brother and me when we were younger. I finally got him to let me play with his cars by saying that girls have to learn to drive too. )
Celine chuckles as she returns, watching them play. She is hesitant to interrupt, but does want them to know she's there and free for their attention. "You know what's really fun to do that with? Toy dinosaurs! I ought to let you watch those old Godzilla movies about the monster in Japan. Grandpa Cass has a few of them."
"You mean, let the dinosaurs stamp on the city instead of Verity?" Finn isn't too worried about his Lego sets, though he's keeping a careful eye on them. but it might be fun to learn about a monster in Japan.
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Post by MarieEliz (Mayor) on Nov 12, 2019 13:58:16 GMT -8
"Yeah!" Verity agrees. She runs to her room and returns with three dinosaurs of different sizes. She chooses the robotic tyrannosaurus for herself and hands a mini stegosaurus to Finn. "Here, Mommy. You can have Spike." She presents a stuffed triceratops.
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Post by Joelle on Nov 14, 2019 15:27:15 GMT -8
Celine grins. Verity seems to enjoy that triceratops especially. "Thank you!"
They play contentedly for about 30 minutes before Celine decides to start dinner. After she puts spaghetti to boil on the stove, they are about to return to their game when Bryony cries again, signaling that she is hungry.
"Sorry guys." She sighs. She loves Bryony to no end, as she would any child she's given, but she knows her oldest two have missed her. "At least you got me for a little while."
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Post by MarieEliz (Mayor) on Nov 30, 2019 18:08:20 GMT -8
Verity sighs loudly and sticks out her lower lip. She brightens instantly when she hears the front door. Theo blows kisses to his children and finds Celine. Early in their marriage he had taken some marriage advice to always put his wife first and he made effort to do that. "How's my girl?" he asks.
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Post by Joelle on Dec 1, 2019 16:07:30 GMT -8
Celine has finally gotten Bryony to sleep after being fed. She brightens when she sees Theo, though her eyes are tired. She kisses him hello before answering. "Pretty good. How was it today? I missed you today. I'm not nearly so tired- from feeling weak and my body healing- anymore." She grins. This means that soon they will be able to go to the church office together again- and a few weeks, after that... other things, she thinks, still smiling and blushing pleasantly like a girl.
"I'm starting to worry about Verity, though," she confesses. "I wondered about it after I realized that I was staying pregnant this time- if it would be too much- a baby and starting kindergarten in the same year. But I can only try to soften the impact of the changes, not eliminate them. Still, she seems frustrated. I seem to have used more psychology today than I was ever taught- maybe they should give me two doctorates in the spring," Celine jokes. "Plus I've hugged the kids, played with them- which I've missed, too- and prayed for us all. And that's just been the past two hours. Even so, I keep thinking about that one cute shot - the one I haven't framed yet- and reminding myself to be thankful in all things. By the way, if you notice a scratch on the wall, blame Joaquin!" She laughs. Celine smiles as she thinks of the package on the dining room table containing printed photos of the past few weeks,most of which have been hung. But the one she's referring to is:
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Post by MarieEliz (Mayor) on Dec 28, 2019 16:53:06 GMT -8
"Maybe I can take Verity on a date this weekend," Theo suggests. He recently had a boys day with Finn and takes the kids to the church when they aren't in school. Getting away is trickier since he's working to be available to Celine when he can.
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