April 24th 2021
- Taylor -
"You're doing so good, buddy," I coo at Auggie as I watch him, the little guy holding onto his baby walker. He's getting so big and he's so close to walking, but that shouldn't be a surprise because he turns one in a few weeks.
Karlie took Rosie to her swimming lesson a little while ago so it's just me, Auggie and the two older girls in the house this morning. Antonia's parents went out of town for their wedding anniversary so we were happy to accomodate when Lilah asked if Antonia could stay here for the week that they're away. She spends most evenings and weekends here anyway, so it's not really any extra stress for us.
"Hey mom," Lil smiles as she walks into the room with her girlfriend following close behind. "Hey, you guys missed breakfast but you're welcome to whatever you find in the kitchen," I laugh as I look between them, Lilah sitting on the floor to talk to August as Antonia takes a seat on the armchair behind her, "where's mom and Ro? We promised we'd help her with that project for school today."
Lilah has been making more effort to include Rosie when Antonia is around and in spending time with her when she's not busy, and I know that Rosie has appreciated the extra time with her big sister.
"She has swimming lessons this morning, they shouldn't be too much longer though," Lilah nods as she babbles at August, holding the little guy's hands as he stands in front of her. "Have you finished organising his birthday party?" Antonia looks up from Lilah and Auggie to ask the question and I just laugh as I sigh, "nowhere near yet, who knew that a first birthday party could be so complicated?"
We have family and friends flying in for the party in a months time, most of whom haven't met any of our kids yet. And it's also turned into a kinda mixed celebration since it'll be a year since we started fostering Rosie just a few weeks before his birthday. There's so much to organise and it makes me kinda thankful that Lilah and Rosie are old enough to express what they want to do to celebrate. Lilah didn't want a big deal at all and when Ro turned six at the start of March, all she wanted to do was go to a trampoline park with us and her aunties and grandparents - she was very explicit about that instruction, however I don't think Austin appreciated being dubbed Auntie Austin for the day.
"You'll be there, right?" Lilah looks over her shoulder to her girlfriend who laughs nervously, "sure, if you want me there." I shake my head at the pair of them, even after months of dating they still get weird around each other with this stuff. I understand it from Antonia's perspective, coming into an event like this where there's going to be a lot of big names in such a casual setting is weird to experience, but Lilah does it too when Antonia invites her places and it always makes me laugh. "I already invited your moms," I give the teen a soft smile, "I just assumed Lil would already have invited you seeing as you're joined at the hip these days," I nudge Lilah who just laughs and shrugs in response.
The two of them play with Auggie for a bit until we hear the front door and soon enough Karlie appears with Rosie close behind. "Hey monkey, how was your lesson?" Rosie plops down in my lap as Karlie kisses my cheek and I look up to my wife with a soft smile. "It was fun! Mama got splashed lots and she said we can go to a water park during summer break!"
I laugh as I smile at Rosie, "we can certainly look into it, bug. Maybe we can go back to the beach and Mama can take you swimming in the sea?" Karlie rolls her eyes at me as she laughs, "maybe mommy should face her fears and take Rosie in the sea?" I just shake my head as I kiss our daughter on the cheek, "maybe one day, but not now."
Karlie has always found my fear pretty irrational but it is certainly not and I won't relent on that.
"Why don't we go and raid the snack cupboard and then Nia and I will help with your project?" Lilah offers her hand to Rosie and the little one takes it and gets up, "can we have soda, mommy?" She looks back to me and I laugh as I nod, "just a little bit, okay?"
