Relief sags his shoulders as he pops a grape into his mouth and takes a huge drink of water before asking his sisters if they want to go back and play.
After washing their hands with baby wipes and drinking some more water, they’re off again while I finish eating and then clean up before pulling out a small bag of chips I brought for each of them as a treat.We don’t do a lot of junk food in our house, but every once in a while, they’re happy to have something simple, whether it’s chips, candy, or ice cream.
A little later, Joey brings Emma back over because she’s getting tired; meanwhile, Kylie waits for him on the swings.Emma hops into my lap, rests her head on my chest, and is promptly fast asleep.I let Joey know that they have ten more minutes, and they make a game out of hitting every slide and all the monkey bars one more time each.
As they race around, I gently settle Emma in the stroller and buckle her in.After checking on Joey and Kylie once more, I put the rest of our things away.Snacks will wait until we get home, then probably be pulled out for our movie tonight.Just as I finish up and am about to call them, both come dashing over, out of breath and chugging the last of their water bottles before washing their hands a final time.
“Have we thought about what we’d like for breakfast and lunches this week?”I ask as we begin exiting the park.
“I like the bacon and egg burritos,” Kylie says.
“What about waffles?”Joey looks back to ask me as we stop at a crosswalk.
“Both great ideas.How about half and half?”I keep a stock of homemade pancake and waffle mix at home for these exact reasons.
“Yes!”they cheer together, then reach for the handle of the stroller to walk with me until we’re safely on the other side of the street.
With no more streets to cross, they skip down the busy sidewalks, never leaving my sight until we’re back at our building.Together, they help by pulling the stroller up the stairs while I carry a still-sleeping Emma in my arms.
Once I’ve got her down in bed, I close the door, and we sit down to make a grocery list before Emma wakes up an hour later, looking for a glass of milk and snuggling in my arms again until she’s fully awake.
“Sopping now?”Her big amber eyes stare up at me as she gives me a toothy grin to match.
“Yup, Joey and Kylie asked for waffles and breakfast burritos for breakfast.Do you have any requests?”
She lights up.“Tots, tots, tots!”
Emma loves tater tots, so they go on the list as we get ready to leave once again.
Exiting the apartment, I carry Emma down the stairs this time, while Kylie holds the grocery list and Joey carries the reusable bags we’ve collected.Things weren’t always this easy when they first came to live with me.They were actively difficult, and a lot of tears were shed until we discovered that if I gave them tasks, things ran a little more smoothly.
Joey has always been a protector, so his issues stemmed from not feeling like he was needed anymore.His father did a horrible number on my baby brother, and I hate the man so much for it.With Kylie, she always felt invisible.Everyone’s focus was on Emma because she was a baby, and Joey because he was volatile for a while, so sweet Kylie got left out a lot.
Once I became their guardian, I did everything I could to ensure nobody felt left behind.Emma doesn’t remember much, but her body does, and for the short time her father had them, she went unfed and unchanged while her older siblings were in school.The neighbors’ complaints in court are what truly helped me gain custody of the three of them.
The best thing I’ve discovered to keep everyone moving forward throughout the week is a schedule and making plans together.All three crave the consistency I’ve provided and enjoy being part of the decision-making.No matter how large or small.
“Everyone, buckle up, please.”
Joey and Kylie slide in first, helping each other while I get Em strapped in.Closing the door, I shut my eyes and take a deep breath to settle my aching back and rolling stomach.Somehow, the morning sickness is worse in this second trimester than in the first.
Before my eyes open, the tingles at the nape of my neck begin once again.I rub my belly, my body turning slowly as my eyes scan the parking lot and surrounding area, but nothing or nobody pops out.It’s starting to feel like I’m either losing my mind or this is officially a weird pregnancy thing.
Shaking off the sensation, I get in the car, and we drive the twenty minutes to the discount supercenter to buy the groceries and school supplies the kids need.
“I can grab the cart, Mom.”Tears never fail to crowd my eyes when Joey calls me that.Of course, he and Kylie know I’m their sister, but Emma doesn’t know any different, so when she called me Mama the first time, they repeated it, not to confuse her.It’s my greatest blessing and saddest memory because our mom should have been here for it all.
“Sure, Jo.”
Handing him the deposit coin as we get out of the car, he skips along the one stall over to the cart corral as I wait for him.Watching him be careful not to bump other carts and taking the time to look for cars before coming around the posts and over to us makes me smile.
“Your chariot!”Joey bends an arm across his waist and bows like a real gentleman.
“Well, thank you, sir.”I lean down to kiss his cheek and ruffle his hair before handing him the bags he plopped on the passenger seat, then move to get the girls from the car.He sticks close by, knowing my feelings about them not staying in one place.I have a sickening fear of one of them getting hit by a car because a driver can’t see them, especially as they’re backing up.
I open Emma’s door to find Kylie already unbuckled and waiting to exit as I pull Emma out first.She looks a little sleepy again, but she’s not fussing, so we should be okay.
“Alright, Miss Ems, you’re up here.”Placing her in the cart’s seat, I get her buckled in and hand her the container of Cheerios I always carry along when we shop.It keeps her from asking for other food and makes her happy.
