Gen 1 Chapter 11: Getting busy

Trixi here!

I must say, I'm amazed that such a cute, sweet little creature can cause so much chaos in our household.

Having Neli around is a lot of fun, but exhausting... though being on a different work schedule than VJ is finally paying off. We're able to "tag team" baby care so that each of us can get some rest and food. It doesn't always go smoothly, but we're learning it work it out.

VJ has been great! He got over his stealing candy impulses (at least for now) and really seems to be a natural at the fathering thing.

 

When he isn't taking care of Neli or helping me around the house, VJ works on his career. He's been working out like a maniac ever since he was offered an opportunity to be part of a study at the stadium.

It worked out in other ways, too, so to speak! Besides getting a nice bonus for being part of the study, VJ got promoted to Getaway Driver! He's so dedicated to becoming evil.

We decided to use the extra money on a new refrigerator! Since I love spending time in the kitchen, it's nice to upgrade to appliances that I don't have to worry about.

Though, apparently, we should start upgrading the bathroom fixtures, too!

Luckily, VJ is getting pretty handy with a plunger. I suppose it was bound to happen, what with all of the plumbing problems we have around here.

When I get a few free minutes, I try to work on my writing... I was able to submit a few more chapters of "Ithaca to Chicago" to my publisher.

Sometimes I read or cook, too. It's nice to get a little relaxation in while little Neli's asleep. And, occasionally, VJ and I get the chance to reconnect!

Most of the time, we're too exhausted to do more than fall into bed, but sometimes we're more energetic. When VJ is in a particularly playful mood, he tries to talk me into playing tag with him. Can you imagine? I'm supposed to be a responsible adult now! I'm someone's mother, after all.

We manage to get a few quiet moments here and there. It's been so busy around here that I almost didn't realize how fast Neli's birthday was approaching! VJ brought up the idea of throwing her a party and, while I would have preferred a smaller celebration, I just couldn't say no to him. He loves to party.

We got a surprised just before Neli's party... I'm expecting again! I didn't have any of the usual symptoms this time so we were quite shocked. Happy, but shocked.

Neli's party was a fun time! We invited all of our friends, of course, and had some grown-up fun while the birthday girl finished her nap.

All too soon, it was time for my baby to blow out her candles. I can't believe she's already getting so big!

I think she looks like VJ. I'm so excited to watch her grow up.

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A/N: VJ and Trixi had simultaneous wishes to have another child. That was so weird! Also weird, they "tried" once and the next morning Trixi changed into maternity wear... no symptoms and hardly enough time. I was kind of hoping they'd just want one kid since that would make the heir choice so much easier!

Gen 1 Chapter 10: And then there were three...

Trixi here!

And guess what! The other morning, after I'd finished my breakfast, something very unusual happened.

Hmmm. I wonder if it means what I think it means... Unfortunately, I couldn't really dwell on it because a couple of other unusual things happened, too. The dishwasher and the refrigerator both decided they had had enough. I called for repair of the dishwasher, but the refrigerator can just sit there and smoke for all I care!

While the repairman was doing his thing, I continued to work on my painting. I think it's coming along very nicely.

But I was interrupted by another emergency trip to the bathroom... hmmm... but, again, I couldn't really think about it since it was time to go to work.

Meanwhile,  VJ was really pushing himself both at work and at home.

He met me at the door with his own exciting news. He is now an official thug! This promotion came so quickly after the last that neither of us really expected it, but it's nice that all of his hard work is being recognized.

To celebrate, we danced, of course.

His schedule changed because of the promotion, though, and he's now working nights. I think we see less of each other now than we did before! But, eventually, I couldn't keep my own good news a secret any longer. I'm pregnant! Really and truly pregnant.

VJ was thrilled when I shared the news with him. He made a big fuss over my new belly even though he was exhausted from working all night.

We celebrated this news with one of our favorite pastimes... a game of late night tag!

Now that I'm on maternity leave, my days are a lot more fun. VJ and I spend time together before and after his shift as a Thug.

We even paint together!

I was invited to be a guest lecturer over at the art school. Even though my belly is starting to get in the way of things like walking and painting, the timing was great. Since I didn't have to go to work, I was able to teach the class right away!

And I love that I can send VJ off to work with a home cooked meal.

After VJ leaves for work, I usually read or work on my painting. I probably should be working on my novel but I don't seem to have the attention span for it right now! Must be the mommy-brain I've heard so much about. Anyway, I managed to keep myself busy until VJ came home from work. And then, one night...

I couldn't believe it! It's like the baby waited for VJ to go to work before deciding to make his or her appearance!

I decided not to go to the hospital so I moved into the bedroom to be (a little) more comfortable and get ready for a home birth. Women have been having babies since the beginning of time... I should be able to do this alone, right?

After what seemed like forever, but really wasn't very long at all, little Penelope was born!

I was thrilled and exhausted all at the same time. She's beautiful and perfect.

I'd already collapsed into bed when VJ came home from work. The first thing he wanted to do was hold his baby girl.

The second thing he wanted to do was fulfill a long held wish...

And take candy from a baby! Evil man.

I was less than thrilled by it... not because of the evil wish fulfillment but because it made Neli cry and that work me up! He has no respect for the fact that I was exhausted from giving birth to HIS baby!

After I went back to sleep, VJ played more quietly with Neli.

I think they're going to be great friends.

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A/N: Yay!