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Hey all! As a mother, you learn to take in everything, because before you blink, all your kids will be grown and moving out. And what will you be left with? The memories.
The whole family was beyond excited when Paul and I brought Lilly home. I must say, Paul and I had no idea what we were getting into. The late night feedings, the piercing cries, the foul smells. Also for Marcus, it was all a surprise. But Mr. Bachelor stepped up to the plate. Marcus loves being an uncle. With Lilly around, I often wondered if he thought about settling down and having a family of his own?
After Lilly was born, Marcus saw a lot more of Monica. They went out to the movies, to the park and of course at any location that involved food.
Living in the spotlight never really bothered me to much, except at certain times. I can recall the morning when Paul picked up the morning paper to read the news, and there was his face on the front cover. Paul Tanner Assaults Man. My Paul getting into a fight? Really? What a start to the day, talking to the family lawyer and preparing for a lawsuit. A couple of months later, Paul went to court to settle the matter once and for all. Thank God he won! Off course the papers "promised" to never print false information on Paul again, but time would have to tell for that.
The months flew by with Lilly. Holding her made me feel as if I was floating on a cloud. She is so tiny and precious. The way she curled her little fingers, how her ears wiggled when she laughed, or how smooth her skin was to touch. Amazing how another human being came out of my body!
Paul was determined to win Father of the Year award. At first he was very nervous about holding Lilly in fear of hurting her, but after a while he let his guard down and fell in love with holding her. Every where around the house he goes, Lilly is in his arms. He also planned her entire life out from week 3 1/2.
"Kay, so I know I asked you 30 minutes ago, but we really need to finalize the list of potential colleges. I want to check this off the list."
The sad part is that he was completely serious.
I remember when Mom's training of Alex was in full speed. I don't think Alex really knew what she was getting into when she agreed to be trained, but she has been staying committed. What a brave bestie.
Coming from work one day, I realized that I wasn't feeling to well. I put my hand to my stomach as if that alone would calm it, but it did nothing. I went up stairs to rest down my stuff and relax for a second. Then I headed down to the guest house to see if Marcus was home. I barely made it to his bedroom door when I made an immediate detour to the bathroom to regurgitate my inner organs. 'Oh man, why was I puking?' was all that was passing through my mind. How cou-- Ohhh!
Sure enough I was pregnant. Then things really got interesting. The next few months of being pregnant and having a baby in the house were rough. I had a lot of morning sickness. Then came the headaches, followed by a lot of back pain. Year and a half Lilly was prepping to replace the energizer bunny at her second birthday.
After my body ceased revolting against me, I started going out more. I went to the grocery store, the movies, but mostly I found myself at the library to read up on my pregnancy. It's only been a couple years since I was pregnant, but I like to be informed.
Marcus was beside himself with joy when he found out that I was pregnant with child number two. He told all of his friends and half the town. At first it was really cute, but after I received stacks of cards ranging from people I knew, to random names I had never heard of, I began to grow weary. In the end I just laughed it off knowing how much Marcus really cared.
The weeks leading up to Lilly's second birthday were crazy. Paul was working hard and putting in a lot of hours of work to makes sure we had money for Lilly's party and to buy the crib and other items for the new one. Marcus helped Mom paint the new baby room every day before and after work. I myself waddled about as if I were directing a movie.
After the party was all over, the whole family crashed in the family room. Lilly was now two years old. It was official. Her energizer bunny legs crawled around the room and the adults lay sprawled out on the couch or in a chair.
Over the years I have admired how hard Paul worked at his job. For him being an athlete was more than playing Soccer all day, it was having patience, being ambitious, continuously learning and growing as a leader. Because of his hard work, Paul quickly got promotion after promotion. I remember how excited he was when he got promoted to the Minor leagues. Aww my baby was going to actually be playing on the field!
To celebrate the increase in pay, I cooked up a great dinner for the family. Since life was getting a lot busier, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to catch us all together at the dinner table at the same exact time.
A little after midnight, my eyes shot open and my hands flew to the source. The pain was unbelievable. Why on earth did I let Paul talk me into this again was all I could think about at that moment. The next moment Paul jumped up out of bed and went into a panic. Aww, I'm so glad Paul and I are having another kid was all I could think about at that moment.
"Paul! Snap out of--" was all I could get out before another contraction came.
Before I knew it, we were at the hospital in a jiffy.
As we pulled up to the hospital, I tried all the breathing exercises from lamaze class, but had no success. I felt drops of sweat fall down the side of my face as another contraction came upon me. Paul quickly jumped out of the car and ran to get a nurse. Didn't matter who it was, just ass long as someone came to my rescue!
Birth number two is supposed to be easier says the grape vine. But, that's what I get for listening to the grapevine. I recall how overwhelming it all was as I lay exposed in the hospital. Finally at 4:12 in the wee morning, I gave birth to my second child.
And at 4:17 in the morning, child number two came out of me. Two??? What on earth! Paul passed out as Dr. Slater told him that there was another one on the way. How did we not know?
As we walked into our home, the entire family gathered to take in this miracle of two. I looked over at Paul and saw the same look in his eyes that I had in mine, this would be a lot but at least we had each other.
Amanda Tanner
Artistic and Excitable
and
Mia Tanner
Couch Potato
Artistic
Welcome to the Tanner Family my two wonderful girls!
I was starving, so I went to the kitchen to get something to eat. I realized that I hadn't eaten in hours. No way I could more one more toe without colliding with the floor. So, Mom stepped in as usual and helped Lilly to get ready for bed so she could heat me up some food.
As we ate, I felt a wave of conversation run over me. I told her everything! All that I was feeling the contractions happened. How I wasn't sure if I would make it. Paul's support and passing out. I just couldn't stop talking. I wanted to plan out my kids life now. Parties, graduations, friends, and the whole sha-bang.
That night with all the excitement, Lilly had trouble falling asleep, so Marcus played some blocks with her, hoping that would help her to pass out on the spot.
The following weeks after the twins were born were tiring for poor Paul. He would get home and just collapse in his chair. Same chair, same time, every day.
Each day was the same, Mom and I picking up babies and putting them down. Then we would spend time with Lilly and back to the babies. It was not easy because Lilly would give you look of confusion. Why are not spending every waking hour and bit of your energy on me? When she started talking, she then verbalized this same confusion. Amanda and Mia are definitely different. They are already tag teaming against Mom and I. When we try to put them down for their naps, one will fall asleep and the other will stay awake. Then when one wakes up, they switch. No fair!
Lilly is smart. She learns so quickly! It must be a Tanner thing. I recall when Mom and I were teaching her to talk, she was so eager. Her doctor said that she months ahead of her peers in this area and others.
A year and a half went by and I was able to get a good routine down pack. Wake up and serve breakfast. While eating, Mom would handle Lilly's morning routine. It was getting much easier since Lilly was 4 years old. Then I would go get the twins up. Two year old twins is a whole lot of fun! Amanda will wait patiently for me to take her from her crib, but Mia will shake the crib violently. Then Mom and I would take shifts on changing, playing, feeding, and getting work done.
Suddenly one day, I became pregnant again. Was I surprised? Not in the least bit surprised. This time, though, I knew it was going to be a boy!
After giving Paul the great news about his fourth child on the way, a son, he put in extra hours at work to make sure we would be able to handle a fourth kid financially. He is always so responsible!
Being pregnant a third time, I became used to it. The back pain, the baby leaning on my bladder, and the swollen feet. This time around I did not want any surprises when it came to how many lives were I was cultivating, so I made sure the doctor checked for twins. As was my habit, I went to the library a lot to read up on the latest parenting information. Mia seems to take after me when it comes to reading. Although she can't read yet, she will pretend like she can. It's so cute! I love buying picture books for her, as long as she does not rip them up.
Paul has great charisma with the girls. He can make them laugh for hours. Since he picked up more hours at work, he began to forgot his love for changing diapers, but that's ok. I'm very good at reminding him of his first love.
When my water broke for the third time in my life, different emotions ran through my body. First off Paul was at work and my back-up plan was also at work. Second off, Alex, my lamaze partner this time around was out of town. Way to go bestie, leave around the time I'm due! With both Paul and Marcus unavailable and Mom babysitting my other children, I was captured by my fears.
I got to the hospital around 4 in the afternoon. I got all settled into my room and with nurses checking on my status periodically and to refill my tissue box. Around 6, it was time. As I began to push, Paul runs into the room.
"Kay! No, don't start without me!!"
Tracy Tanner was born at 8:13pm. She was so beautiful when Dr. Slater placed her in my arms. I looked up at Paul crying,
"She is ... beautiful...."
"I know hun. She is perfect, just like I knew she would be. Surprised he is a she, but who cares!"
Time went super fast. The twins were getting so big! Talking, walking, and all potty trained. Lilly was now 6 years old and in school. The twins were 4 years old and Tracy was 2. Not sure how Paul and I were able to get the girls to be two years apart each time, but hey SKILLS.
Lilly is Grumpy, Good and Athletic. That girl is just like her father, always working out somewhere.
Amanda is Excitable, Artistic, and Family Orientated.
Mia is a Couch Potato, Genius and Artistic. Mia is so much like her uncle. That's probably why hey get along so well.
I have to go cook dinner, so I'll have to continue Mission Tanner Family Update later. Kayla Tanner signing out.
The End!
Recommend please at the Tanner Legacy page at the Sims3.com. Thanks!
