4. Noa
Noa
“Good morning, bug.” Nuzzling my nose into Emma’s neck makes her giggle awake after a fitful night. “Let’s brush our teeth, and then we have a whole day planned!”
“Yes!” She jumps out of bed and races to the bathroom, only tripping over her own feet once. Meeting Joey there, he helps her with her teeth and hair while Kylie lays out a few outfits for her to choose from in their room.
Joey typically wakes up with me around nine, and we make breakfast together—normally pancakes or french toast—then Kylie and Emma come rolling out around ten, and we all eat together.
Today, however, Kylie was up early, and Emma slept late, but it worked out because the three of us made plans to spend the afternoon at the park with a picnic basket full of lunch and snacks.
I’m lucky they’re young enough that the park is still fun for them.
“Which one, Ems?” Kylie asks in the bedroom. I can hear her from the kitchen where I’m packing a few extra water bottles. Today is supposed to be sunny and warm, so I’d rather be over-prepared than under.
While the girls get ready, Joey helps me take the stroller and bags down to the apartment lobby.
Fortunately, our neighbors are good people, and I’ve never had to worry about theft while we leave our belongings unattended for a few minutes.
Not sure I’d say the same if it were over an extended time period, though.
A major downfall of the building is that there’s no elevator, and we’re on the third floor.
In a few months, I’m not certain that carrying stuff like this will be possible.
“We weady!” Emma jumps excitedly as Joey and I enter the front door for the last time.
“Great timing. How about we grab our hats and a light jacket or sweater, then we’ll be out the door.” Thankfully, nobody argues, and we’re able to leave within a few minutes.
After locking up, we slowly head downstairs because Emma has wanted to tackle the stairs on her own more. When we enter the lobby, she’s ready to hop in the stroller, and out the door we go, on our way to the playground a couple of blocks away.
About halfway there, as Joey and Kylie walk ahead of us, holding hands, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and a shiver rolls down my spine. The idea of someone watching me creeps me out, but I can’t take my eyes off the kids to look around.
Strolling through the park gate, we luck out and find a picnic table shaded enough to help ease the sun’s heat.
“You guys can go play while I set up the food, but stay close to Emma, please, and don’t talk to strangers.
” Getting affirmatives from them all, I watch as they rush into the sand around the playground, deciding to play on the smaller slides for Emma’s sake.
They’re incredible kids, and as I think about all they’ve been through, pride nearly bursts my heart because they’re so good to each other and those around them.
I can only hope that the baby rolling around on my bladder doesn’t affect them too much.
Kylie and Joey have expressed their excitement and can’t wait to help, but I worry about Emma.
I’m the only parent she’s known, and I don’t want her to feel like she’s being replaced either.
Grabbing the basket from the bottom of the stroller, I pop the top open and begin unloading it.
Each child has their own snack box with eight compartments filled with goodies they’ll eat.
Goldfish, strawberries, chopped grapes, cheese cubes, crackers, and slices of deli meat for Emma.
Kylie and Joey have basically the same thing, except they opted for sandwiches and carrots.
For myself, there’s a BLT sandwich and a container of mixed berries.
Just as I’m about to call them over, Emma and Kylie come running, while Joey hangs back until he’s sure they’re with me before he goes to the monkey bars. He’s such a protective big brother, and I know that once he becomes a man, one lucky lady will be so special to him.
“Hangry!” Emma growls like a lion before pealing with laughter as she climbs up on the bench seat.
“Better feed her before she eats us!” Kylie laughs, too, and passes Emma her box before taking her own.
Sitting opposite them, I keep one eye on Joey before glancing around as that sense of being watched returns. Nobody appears to be paying special attention to us, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out of sight.
“What’s wrong?” Kylie catches on to my tension.
“Nothing, just having a look around.” My forced smile is filled with lies, but she doesn’t say anything else, simply goes back to eating and talking with Emma until Joey finally joins us, wiping his hands with a baby wipe before picking up his sandwich.
“I need more pencils for school,” he suddenly announces, like a lightbulb just went off over his head, and a sheepish look crosses his face.
“Sure, we have to go grocery shopping for the week anyway. We can grab them then.”
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.