Gen 3 Chapter 23: Gardening with Gwyn

I know it's important to fit in at work, but I'm getting kind of tired of the highwaters already!



The good news is that Ariel is now sleeping through the night! I don't miss the baby months at all, though Gwyn has started giving hints that she might want another little one. I suppose that might be an option if we were ever alone long enough, but as it is... not gonna happen!



Gwyn's been spending even more time in her garden now that she's taking a few jobs here and there.



She was so excited as she went on her first real delivery. I'm not sure how much of that was earning money and how much was just getting herself out of the house for a bit!



Then again, it could have been because her first professional harvest had been commissioned by her sister, Averni. She had so much time visiting with her sister that she didn't come home for hours!



It's ok, though, I kind of like having the one on one time with the kids. I know that I don't necessarily do things the way their mother would, but they don't seem to mind.



Gwyn and I have, unfortunately, been a little lax in our parenting since Ariel's birthday. Neither of us were particularly motivated to go through all of the toddler lessons again, we were having too much fun just cuddling and playing with Ariel!



It wasn't long, though, before Gwyn put an end to our laziness. She declared that our daughter would not grow up without knowing a few basic skills and I have no choice but to listen to her. When Gwyn makes up her mind, it's best to just follow along.



Check me out, though... it's my last day in highwaters!!! I was officially promoted to Carnivorous Plant Tender today! I'm not sure what the "uniform" for that job will be yet, but it can't be much worse... right?



Gwyn and I used my bonus to invest in a buffet table. We've been throwing too many parties without serving food, according to Gwyn.




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A/N: I was getting a little worried that Zeke and Gwyn were never going to wish to teach Ariel anything! It took a couple if Sim days for Gwyn to finally roll a wish to do something about that. Also, Yay! Another promotion! Apparently. whatever glitch it was that was keeping Zeke from advancing has worked itself out since I haven't changed anything in story progression yet. Interesting. My game has been pretty laggy (is that a word? it should be) lately, though. I hope things aren't going to get crashy.


Outtakes!

It's a family reunion!


Sebastian generally likes his sister, but not always.


Invisible apple trees!

Gen 3 Chapter 22: Ariel

Life with 2 kids is a lot more hectic than I'd anticipated! Ariel seems to be a much more demanding child than Sebastian ever was, but she's got us all wrapped around her little finger.



Interestingly, Sebastian was so fascinated by Gwyn's pregnancy and Ariel's birth that he's decided to pursue a medical career! He's such a smart and independent boy that I can already see him as a world renowned surgeon! My boy!



I'm pleased that he's continuing his interest in the arts, too. It will be good for him to have a hobby so completely different from his career aspirations. (I know my hobbies are all related to my job and I sometimes wish I could get away from it all!)



My old friend, Maggie, had a party soon after Ariel was born. Gwyn suggested that I go on my own since I've been working so hard on my promotions and our family. She was right, of course, getting out on  my own recharged me and I was even able to catch up with my sister! I really wish that one would find someone who would be good to her.



Gwyn decided to register with City Hall as an independent gardener. She loves growing things and it will bring in a little extra money now that we have two kids to raise and educate! I'm glad she still lets me help her, though.



I'm also working on fixing things up around the house. I guess I really am a middle-aged family man!



Still, when your family is like this, who could blame me for cherishing this time in my life?



So Gwyn and I sleep when we get a chance.



We relax when we get a chance.



And we eat when we get a chance.



Of course, we're still exhausted and hungry most of the time. (Don't even get me started on how rare a shower is!) My inability to focus might be affecting my work.



Of course, the newborn phase is only temporary and before we knew it, it was time for Ariel's first birthday!



I really was at the party, but Gwyn wouldn't let me be in any of the pictures since I was still a little singed from the accident at the lab. Apparently, that wasn't the look she wanted for Ariel's baby book.



My girl grew into an adorable toddler with her mothers skin tone, my complexion and eyes, and my mother's hair!



This one might be trouble, though.



After the party, Bonni stayed late to read Sebastian a bedtime story. I love that they are developing such a great relationship!




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A/N: So Ariel is quite the mix of family looks! Sebastian has already decided on his LTW, which means I can start working on his skills... what are the skills for the medical track? I'll have to look that up. Things are very domestic around the Hodgins house these days. I haven't had a chance to mess with reinstalling story progression yet, but I'm hoping to get to that this weekend. Wish me luck!

Outtakes!

Maggie threw a party and then went to bed as soon as it started!


This would be a cute picture if Zeke had showered recently.


Kevin is mad that the furniture is in his way. Because it's not like ghosts can pass right through things or anything.


Jagger things Lorali is boring. He's such a jerk to his sisters!


Patience was randomly playing the bass in the garden during the party. Several guests decided to watch her instead of coming to see Ariel blowing out her candles.


Hard to tell, but this is Bonni relaxing in the hot tub. After Ariel's party, she just stayed and stayed. Even after the party ended, even after everyone went to bed! She didn't go home until after breakfast!

Gen 3 Chapter 21: About time!

Gwyn has been looking much more pregnant this time around! I suppose that has something to do with it being the second pregnancy. I don't think she's too happy about how she looks right now!



I think it helps that Sebastian is off to school now, though, since it gives Gwyn a chance to rest during the day. I must admit, it's pretty exciting to see my son venturing out into the world!



I finally got the attention of my boss at work! After many, many weeks of hard work I convinced him to give me a promotion! I am now a Fertilizer Analyst. I know it doesn't sound very glamorous, but after been stuck for so long I'm thrilled to finally be moving up the ladder again.



Sebastian is such an independent child! He comes right home and does his homework without even being asked! He's a chip off the old block! Plus, it gives Gwyn and me a chance to unwind in the evenings.



I've been working so hard and getting pretty stressed so I'm trying to remember to take a little time for myself after getting home.



I wish that Gwyn could join me in the hot tub, but the doctors say that she should stay out. Luckily, she has her own ways of unwinding and getting her water fun fix!



She's always so busy keeping up with her wife and mom jobs that I worry about her overextending herself in her condition. Gwyn's pretty good at adjusting the way she does things to accommodate her growing belly, though.



It wasn't long before it was time for another trip to the hospital! Gwyn woke me in the middle of the night (why is it always at night?!) and told me things were happening. I had planned on being calm for her this time around, but that didn't exactly work out the way I'd hoped.



Sebastian slept through the whole thing so I'm glad that he's old enough to stay home on his own rather having to get up and go with us. I'd hate for him to be too tired to go to school in the morning. I have high hopes for my boy being an honor student!



Gwyn had a remarkably quick labor and delivery! We were back home before morning with out new little girl, Ariel. She looks very much liker her beautiful mother.



It's kind of nice holding a new baby in my arms again.



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A/N: So Zeke finally got promoted! I have no idea what the glitch was or why it's fixed, but I was so thrilled to see his work bar start going up again! Ariel seems to be a darker blue than Gwyn so it will be interesting to see what she looks like as she ages. She rolled the eccentric and athletic traits.

Outtakes!

Creepy open eye sleep. I hate it when they do that!


Trixi takes a turn in the hot tub.


Once again, Zeke's panicking annoyed Gwyn. All she wants to do is make the bed! (It was nice to see her actually looking pregnant this time around, though!)


Ariel is not as quiet as Sebastian was as a baby. Poor Sebastian.