Jessica the Master Manipulator

If everyone thought that Jessica as a baby was hard.... then Jessica as a toddler, well. She definitely kept everyone on their toes.



If it wasn't getting dirty whilst playing with her food....



.... or 'digging for gold' occasionally...



It was playing peek-a-boo in the toy box (when not playing with the toys first)




and chewing the dolls in the doll house.



Or throwing a hissy fit in the garden - just because.



But most of all, she endeared everyone to her, getting mommy and big bro to sit and read stories to her.




But getting her to bed was truly a test, especially for Sonia.



As soon as she was placed in the crib, she'd look up at her mommy with huge soulful eyes that made you want to pick her right back up again and snuggle her.



Oh yes, Jessica was a Master Manipulator, having everyone tied around her little finger.

Meeting the Landgraabs

It was the weekend. Andrew was off school and he didn't have to go into work until Monday. Although fishing was indeed his passion, it was one of those days when he just wanted to mope around the house a bit.

At the same time, Sonia was feeling a little 'stir crazy'.

It was all well and good having all these phone calls from Malcolm and his mother, but she needed to get out and about. Besides, her inventory and her fridge were full to almost bursting, with her awesomely perfect produce.

So, it was agreed that Andrew would stop at home and babysit his kid sister, whilst Sonia popped into the supermarket to drop off her latest harvest. Also, it was Jessica's birthday too, and she was on the lookout for a nice cake for her daughter.

The sky was blue, there was a freshness in the air, and whilst she was out, she decided to take a walk in the park and look for some more seeds for her garden. It was whilst she was strolling around, that she noticed Nancy and Geoffrey Landgraab taking a picnic by the lake.



So she decided to be sociable and join them.

It appears they had more than their fair share of influence in the town, as yet another person decided to join them too.




And so, for a couple of hours they chatted amiably about anything and everything. Including Jessica. It was soon approaching her birthday *sigh, they grow up so quickly* and STILL, Malcolm hadn't had the nerve to take things a little further in his and Sonia's relationship.

Even his mother was confused at how hesitant he was. Eventually, Sonia had to go, she couldn't leave Andrew alone for too long with his kid sister, that wouldn't be fair.

Besides, she was feeling a little 'creative' and wanted to get back home to finish off a painting she'd started.




Geoffrey, normally quiet and reserved, pulled Sonia to one side and assured her that his Malcolm had his own good reasons as to why he was dragging his heels towards commitment. After all, it's a HUGE step to make and not one to be made lightly.



When Sonia finally got home, it was getting dark and Andy was outside harvesting some of the plants. The crops were abundant almost daily.



Inside, Jessica was waiting patiently for mommy, busy playing with the shape sorter.




After all, it was her big day. She was about to become a BIG GIRL now!!!!



Sonia scooped her up to blow out the candles, then set her on the floor.



Standing up gingerly, she wobbles slightly as the sparkles start surrounding her.....



.... and......

VOILA!!!!!!

Here's to the next update, Jessica's childhood, skilling and all that Jazz

Birthday Time!!!!

Babies in Sims, as you know, take no time in aging. And the same applies to Jessica.
One minute she's a cute little bundle, wrapped in a pink blanket.

The next?

Well, we'll get to that in a minute.

Actually, no, we'll do that right now. After all, it's a great moment for everyone involved, wanting to see their child/sibling, growing up.

Once again, in the privacy of their home, away from everybody, Sonia takes Jessica gently in her arms and carries her to the cake.

Gurgling happily, and not really understand this whole, huge, important event, Jessica is totally oblivious to everything. Only lighting up the place with her beaming smile.

Leaning down, Sonia blows out the candles, whilst Andrew whoops and hollers, making a racket as he, too, joins in the celebrations.



Placing Jessica gingerly on the floor, the two of them wait expectantly, was the time for Jessica's transition approaches.




Sonia was a little worried about Jessica getting cold on that parquet floor, and was about to reach down and pick her up, but had to stand back as a swirl of sparkles enveloped her daughter.



In a quick flash, immediately, Jessica was transformed into a cute little chubby-cheeked toddler with her daddy's blonde hair and mommy's violet eyes. Her traits are as follows, Good and Virtuoso.

Gotta love those purple sneakers.



And so another birthday is over.

It's a bit step for Jessica now. More bonding and skilling to set her along the path she will be destined to travel.

It was a shame Malcolm wasn't there to witness his daughters transition. But there's always the next time.

Next update:

Meeting Malcolm's parents

Life With Jessica

Life, as it seemed, circulated around Jessica.

Firstly there was the ubiquitous welcome home, and the ritual fed/burp/poop/play (not precisely in that order) routine.

Although Malcolm accompanied mommy and baby home, he STILL didn't quite acknowledge his own daughter, staying just long enough to make sure everyone was settled in.

Hmm, something's amiss here..... must investigate.

It appeared that he was just nervous around the new born and didn't quite know how to handle things.

Nancy continued calling Sonia, asking for Jessica's progress. But, as babies go, there wasn't much to actually go on. All she ever did was eat, sleep, poop and occasionally giggle.

But that didn't mean that there was a distinct lack of bonding going on.
That wasn't the case here.

If it wasn't mommy holding, feeding and snuggling Jessica.




It was Big Bro, Andrew too.



He simply adored her to bits and would often be found, regardless of how stressed and tired from work and school, talking to her, snuggling and playing.



Sometimes he was so rough, Sonia often wondered how Jessica managed to keep her formula down. But she did. What a strong stomach that kids' got!!!



She loved his tummy raspberries though and would giggle uncontrollably whenever he did them to her.



In between Jessica's naps (which were often very long, especially after a big meal), Sonia managed to make some time brushing up on her painting skills and Andrew hung out at the beach, meeting and making new friends.



This is the grown up Kaylynn Langerak.



Life with Jessica was really hectic, but wonderful, as she was such a quiet and content baby.


Happiest some times, just laid in the crib, staring up at the mobile, and cooing quietly to herself.
Unless of course she'd managed to soil her diaper.

Then all hell would break loose!!!!!

A Police Escort?

Andrew needed his own independence. So he searched around for a job, but nothing came up concerning Fishing, Gardening and the great Outdoors.

So he settled for a part time job at the supermarket instead.
The pay sucked, but at least he could meet new people and lurk around the fishing and gardening sections. There was always new stock coming in, daily. Especially the excellent produce from his mom's garden.

Trouble was, because of the added stress of responsibility, and mom's aching back giving her hell, making her mood a little sourer than usual, sometimes life at home was just that little bit unbearable.

So, rather than opt for a couple of hours fishing, he decided to take a dip at the local swimming pool. The weather was particularly hot, and he needed to cool down and chill out.



He'd also asked permission to hang out at a friend's house too. So Andrew was pretty much tied up for the rest of the day.

As we mentioned earlier, pregnancy was really getting to Sonia, especially the constant niggling backache she was getting. It was times like this that she wished Malcolm was around to give her a back rub and take the pressure off. But he was constantly busy. And even very grouchy the night she tried to call him ... just before midnight.

Boy, did she get an earful that day.

Andrew had left a coupon lying around for a deep tissue massage, so Sonia grabbed the opportunity to get a little comfort, and some TLC at the same time.

Taking a taxi (it was too far to walk or cycle), she arrived with high expectations.

Little did she know that her happiness was about to be short-lived.

No sooner had she walked through the door..... she felt all funny, and had to go back outside, complaining of feeling a little unwell....

Then her waters broke and the contractions began.




At first, folks milling around, didn't seem to notice much, until she started screaming blue murder.




THEN, they set about panicking.



Fortunately, the hospital was just across the road, so she set about (in the best way possible) in a dead run, determined not to have this baby in the middle of the street.



En route, she dialled Malcolm's cell number, letting him know what was happening. There was no need to spoil Andrew's fun, so she never bothered calling his cell phone. After all, he'd been getting straight 'A's all through the school year and made the Honours list time and time again.

So, Sonia arrived at reception and booked herself in. Within minutes of being admitted to the delivery room....

... Malcolm arrived.

With a Police Escort!!!!



The guy was a little freaky though, as his eyes were rolled back in their sockets!!!!



Hours passed and finally, Malcolm emerged from the hospital, a big grin plastered all over his face.




Not far behind, was Sonia, with a little bundle in her arms.




Welcome to the world.......

Jessica Rose.