Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Julia flopped down onto the couch, letting her aching bones sink against the cushions.
She let out an enormous yawn, covering her mouth with her hand.
She realized as she touched her hand to her lips how chapped her palms were.
She shook her head, thinking to herself that she was in desperate need of hand lotion.
She pulled her phone out of her pocket and checked the time, only to gasp with surprise a moment later.
How can I possibly be this tired at ten in the morning? she thought, groaning internally. Just kidding. I know exactly how I can be this tired.
Macey had been a very busy girl this morning, wanting to play dress up and insisting on taking her teddy bears outside for a tea party.
Although Julia always loved spending time with her and aiding her in her passionate little escapades, it took a lot out of her.
It had taken more out of her that morning than usual, since baby Quinn had been up extremely early that morning and Julia hadn't gotten a chance to go back to sleep afterward.
On top of that, Quinn had fought her mid-morning nap, and Julia was feeling fatigued and a little helpless.
Thankfully, Quinn had finally fallen asleep and Macey was safely enjoying herself in her bedroom, setting up a ball for all of her dolls. Julia shut her eyes, wondering if parenting was going to get any easier or if she was just going to get used to being this exhausted.
She lay still for a few minutes, taking deep breaths and allowing herself to relax deeper into the couch cushions.
She thought to herself that she was glad they had purchased that couch, since it had been one of the comfiest ones in the store and she was feeling very grateful for it at the moment.
She contemplated taking a short nap, since Macey was old enough to come get her if she needed anything and Quinn was sure to cry or murmur loudly enough for the baby monitor to pick it up if she he had any immediate needs.
She breathed in and out a few times, trying to relax even further.
She soon found, however, that her fatigue was physical only and not mental.
Her mind quickly latched onto the question of whether or not Quinn was still sleeping.
After trying to lie still for another couple of minutes, she gave up and got to her feet.
I guess these new mother tendencies are even stronger than my desire to nap, she thought with a chuckle as she made her way to the nursery. I'm finding it impossible to resist peeking into the nursery and checking on Quinn.
She stepped inside the cozy nursery, thinking to herself for the hundredth time that it was one of the cutest rooms in their house.
She was so glad she had spent all the time decorating it that she had.
Quinn might be too little to appreciate it at the moment, but Julia knew she would appreciate it soon enough.
Besides, in the meantime, Julia got to enjoy how charming the room was whenever she took care of her baby girl there.
The crib was in the far corner of the room, and Julia couldn't see whether or not Quinn was still asleep from the doorway.
Yawning as she walked, she crept across the room toward the crib.
She had almost made it there, when her slipper caught on the edge of the changing table.
She jostled the changing table as she caught herself, rattling a container of baby wipes against a box of unopened baby powder.
The noise was quiet, but it was enough to wake the little sleeping princess.
Quinn made a faint gurgling sound of displeasure, and then her mouth opened wide into a full cry.
Julia groaned. “I’m sorry, baby,” she said, scooping Quinn up into her arms. She patted her back and bounced her a little. “I'm sorry. I should have let both of us sleep. I guess I learned my lesson. I'm extra klutzy when you wake me up at four in the morning.”
She carried Quinn back out to the living room and sat down with her on the couch. She rocked her back and forth a little, smiling down at her little face and softly singing a lullaby.
She had been sitting there with her newborn for a few minutes when there was a knock on the front door. Julia stood up curiously and walked over to the front window, so that she could see who was on the doorstep.
To her relief, she saw Alexis, standing there with Cash in her arms. They were wearing matching blue blouses, and Julia thought to herself that her sister was the perfect person to visit in that moment.
She would be able to offer Julia great advice, since she’d struggled with having a newborn, too, before getting into the swing of things.
Julia knew that parenting would never be easy—but Alexis had reached a level of competence where she made it look easy.
Julia hurried over to the front door and opened it. “Hi,” she said, grinning at her sister and nephew. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“You should be, we brought a delicious creamy chicken lemon rice casserole for you,” Alexis said, leaning forward and kissing Julia’s cheek. They couldn’t hug since they both had their arms full with their babies—and in Alexis’s case, also the bag that held the casserole.
“Oh, you’re a doll. That’s great—we’ve just run out of the casseroles Mom made us.”
“I heard.” Alexis chuckled. “She didn’t have time to make you more today, but she let me know you’d probably be in need of another one.”
Julia shook her head. “This family is a marvel,” she said.
“Hey, you brought me plenty of casseroles when Cash was first born,” Alexis said. “I definitely owe you.” She set her baby down on the floor, where he proceeded to crawl eagerly toward the living room.
“I think he thinks Finding Nemo is going to be playing in there like it was the last time we were here,” Alexis said with a laugh. “Watch him for a second, would you? I’m going to put this casserole in your refrigerator.”
“Thank you. Sorry it’s such a mess in there.”
Alexis turned and gave Julia a look. “Julia. You just had a baby. Your kitchen is allowed to be messy.”
Julia chuckled. “Okay. You’re right.”
Julia kept a watchful eye on Cash while Alexis bustled around in the kitchen.
Judging by the sounds of splashing water, she was also rinsing off a few dishes to put into the dishwasher, and Julia smiled, grateful for her help.
She set Quinn down in the little bassinet they kept in the living room and rocked her a little as she watched over her nephew.
A few minutes later Alexis returned, bearing a couple of cups of tea on a tray that also held garlic rosemary crackers and cheese spread.
“I thought we could snack while we talk,” Alexis said. “Snacking during the early stages of motherhood is very important. You’ve got to keep that energy up.”
“Especially when I’m not getting sleep,” Julia agreed gratefully, accepting the mug of tea as Alexis handed it to her.
It was clear from the refreshing smell that there was a peppermint tea bag in the mug, and Julia breathed deeply of the fragrance, which made her think of pine trees on summer nights, and of Christmastime.
“So…” Alexis picked up a cracker and dipped it into the cheese spread. She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Tell me all about how you’re doing. Have you fallen asleep sitting up yet?”
Julia threw her head back on a laugh. “Oh no! I have that to look forward to?”
Alexis popped the cracker into her mouth. “Not necessarily.”
“Well, no falling asleep sitting up yet—but it’s early days, maybe I just need to give it time.
” Julia shook her head, chuckling. “I have to admit, motherhood is harder than I expected. I knew it would be hard, but it’s more emotionally draining than I thought it would be.
Like, I have all this new love in my heart for someone who needs almost constant care. I feel like I’m on alert all the time.”
“I hear that. But you’ll settle into a groove soon enough. Anything totally new is always hard. It takes a while for us to adjust to new circumstances, especially if they’re major.”
“You’re right. And I know that—but I wonder how long it will be before I’m used to this new way of living. I love Quinn and Macey more than anything, but it’s definitely a challenge to try to care for both of them at once.”
“I can only imagine. But on the bright side, Macey will be able to take care of herself more soon—and eventually they’ll both be old enough to help around the house, and help you cook—it’ll be like having two little helpers all the time.”
Julia laughed. “Don’t talk about them growing up!
I don’t want that yet, no matter how helpful they might be.
And I know you’re right, but it’s not just about how much time it takes to look after them.
I was so sure that we would have plenty of room in the house for the new baby, but I’m realizing that there’s less space than I thought there would be, since everything Quinn needs is coming out of boxes.
Everything feels cluttered and cramped in the kitchen and in the nursery, and I hate it when things feel out of order. ”
Alexis patted her sister’s shoulder in a commiserating fashion.
“I definitely hear you there. But just give it a little time. I’m sure you’ll figure out something clever.
You’ll get used to everything little by little, and things will fall into place.
Eventually you’re going to get settled into a routine and have both your actions and your supplies organized the way you want them.
Kids are always unpredictable, but for the most part you can help them get settled into a routine with you.
I think that makes it easier on everybody.
You’ll get used to every aspect of this new chapter soon—in the meantime, try not to be too hard on yourself.
Like, no more apologizing for not doing your dishes soon enough. ”
“Mm, you’re right. Thanks, Alexis.” Julia leaned to the side and rested her head against Alexis’s shoulder. She let out a major yawn. “I’m glad you’re here to talk me out of my perfectionism. I’ll just take this one day at a time.”
“It’s all you can do. The problems that go along with parenting change all the time as the kiddos get older. Right now, you’re worried about diapers and naptime, and before you know it, you’ll have the predicament that Hazel just found herself in.”
Julia sat up, her brow furrowing in confusion. “What predicament?”
“You didn’t hear?”
“No.” Julia pulled her legs up onto the couch and turned to face Alexis, sitting cross-legged. “What happened?”
“It seems,” Alexis said, drawing her words out for dramatic effect, “that Samantha has gotten her first boyfriend.” She grinned.
Julia covered her face, laughing and burying her head against the couch cushions. “Please don’t even mention things like that—I’m still trying to get this pacifiers and diapers stage right. I can’t even process the idea of Macey or Quinn getting boyfriends.”
“But that’s what I’m saying.” Alexis’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “You just need to take everything one day at a time.”
Julia groaned. “At this point, I need to take everything one hour at a time. I can’t believe Hazel has to deal with that already—how is she doing?
Do you remember when Samantha was hoping to take a boy to the school dance?
Hazel was freaking out. Samantha’s a little older now, but she’s still barely a teenager. I can’t believe she has a boyfriend!”
“I don’t know how Hazel is doing, but I’m sure it helps that she’s got Jacob by her side now. Samantha has two people to guide her and watch over her.”
“Very true. I feel so grateful to have Cooper helping with everything, especially because he’s such a good dad. Single parents must be truly superhuman.”
Alexis nodded. “Seriously.” She swirled another cracker through the cheese spread. “And I’m also so grateful for our family. Life is too hard to have to do it all by yourself. It’s so good to have people who can help with all the little things.”
Julia smiled, agreeing wholeheartedly. As they continued to sip their tea and munch on their crackers, Julia thought to herself how grateful she was that she had her sister to look up to.