Fall 2001 - Straight

Fall 2001 - Simdays 107-109

Christopher Straight (24), Sophie Straight (24), Elsa Straight (2)

Sophie and Christopher were settling into their new lives as parents of a newborn.  Christopher was delighted to take on the role of a stay-at-home dad to baby Elsa while Sophie anticipated her return to the world of professional sports.

Taking care of a newborn can be extremely time-consuming and exhausting.  Christopher coped with the loss of sleep by increasing his intake of caffeine.  He was getting plenty of use our of the espresso machine he and Sophie had recieved as a wedding gift.

He recognized how difficult the pregnancy and delivery had been on Sophie and how hard she was working to get back into top physical shape and even though they were both busy caring for their new daughter, he never missed an opportunity to pamper his wife

Even though the change in hormones had left her more moody and cross than he could have imagined.

Sophie: "Oh no,  you did not just seriously suggest spending my hard earned money on a new game console."

Christopher: "It was just a thought.  It looked really cool on the commercials."

Sophie: "I wish you'd spend half the time you spend on video games on thinking about maybe getting a job someday."

Christopher:  "Taking care of Elsa is my job right now. We agreed on that, right?"

Sophie: "And how are you going to find time to play video games while you're taking care of an infant.  Really?  Men."

It was clear that Sophie was in some kind of post-partum funk.  Christopher thought it would be a good idea for Sophie to invite a friend over for some girl time.  Sophie didn't have many friends in the neighborhood yet, but she had gotten along well with Jane D'Sim when they had met previously and since she was also a new mother, she seemed like the perfect person to spend some time with.

Christopher fired up the grill and made some hamburgers for dinner and decided while he was at it, to invite a few other friends over and make a party of it.

Sophie: "Jane, I read your article in the paper about the new educational system.  I really enjoyed it.  It sounds like they're doing some really interesting things at the school."

Jane: "Oh yes, I think it's great.  I know our kids are too young to be thinking about school yet, but it's good to have such a diverse curriculum in place.  I love how the whole community is getting involved.  Over the summer Tosha Cormier helped teach the kids about nature and fishing.  I think next summer Shawn is going to help with their astronomy session.  You know how he loves to stargaze."

Sophie: "What are the kids studying now?"

Jane:  "Art.  I think Fawn Thayer is giving them some painting and sculpting lessons."

Sophie: "That will be great.  Fawn is just so talented.  She's so funky and free-spirited, don't you think?  I just love her."

Christopher stared at his wife as she sang Fawn's praises, he wasn't sure what to think of the dreamy look in her eyes when she talked about the local artist.  He grew even more uncomfortable when Fawn, who was also at the party, sat down beside him a moment later.

Christopher: "So what do you think of these burgers.  Not overdone, are they?"

After dinner, Jane headed home to check on the twins, while Sophie and Fawn joined a few friends downstairs at the poker tables.

An evening of fun and friends was just what she needed to relax and clear her head before heading back to work for the first time since the baby was born.

Sophie's first day at work was also Christopher's first day at home alone with Elsa.

In addition to taking care of the baby he had plenty of housekeeping chores on his "honey do" list that needed his attention.

Soon, it was time for Elsa's birthday.

The couple celebrated with a small, family party in the evening as they watched their baby grow into a toddler.

After the leftover cake was put away and Elsa was put to bed, the couple celebrated in private.  They were glad to be through the difficult and demanding infant stage and hoped that now that Elsa was a toddler, they'd have a little more time to reconnect.

Christopher was finding the toddler stage much easier than the infant stage.  He even found time during the day to enjoy his old hobbies.

Christopher: "Look, Elsa.  Daddy's about to make it to level 3.  Watch daddy."

Sophie, on the other hand was struggling as much as ever.  She was working hard to get back into her career, but even though Elsa was sleeping better at night, she just couldn't get her energy back.  What was supposed to be a romantic dinner after work, turned into Sophie passing out in her plate from exhaustion.

The next morning she figured out why.  Shortly after breakfast, a wave of nausea hit her that was unmistakable.  Morning sickness.  Their celebration of reaching the end of Elsa's infant days had led to something else.  Baby number two was on its way.