28 Blind Dates: After the Costumes (Part 19)

The Toddler Years – 2

Jalin wakes up whining at around 4 in the morning, which wakes up his sister Jamelia. They both go toddling into their parents’ bedroom. When they see that their mom and dad are asleep, they begin crying in tandem.

Jalisa and Merlin jump up.

Jalisa: Oh Watcher, what’s happening?

Merlin: The babies are up.

Jalisa: All three?

Merlin: No, just Lia and Jay.

Merlin kneels to check in on them.

Merlin: Is everything okay?

Jalin: Eat, daddy!

Merlin: But it’s 3 in the morning.

Jalin: *lifts his arms* Up!

Merlin picks Jalin up and carries him downstairs while Jalisa checks with Lia.

Jalisa: Are you hungry, too?

Jamelia: No!

Jalisa: If you’re not hungry, then let’s get you back in bed.

Jalisa walks over, prepared to pick Lia up and take her back to her room, but Lia backs away.

Jamelia: No!

Jalisa: No? Well, I don’t know what you need.

Downstairs, Jay is enjoying a bowl of cereal and milk.

Merlin: You know it’s way too early for this, right? You’re only supposed to wake up this early if you have a job. Do you have a job I don’t know about?

Jalin: *babbles in baby talk*

Merlin: I don’t think that counts.

Jalisa eventually manages to take Lia back to her bedroom and sees that Me-Me is up too.

Jalisa: Maybe you both need to pee. Let’s try sitting on the potty.

Me-Me sits on the potty first, but as soon as she begins to pee – she stands up, getting it all on the floor and Jalisa’s foot.

Jalisa:  Ugh! You’re supposed to sit until the pee comes out, Melisa.

Me-Me stares up at her with the saddest eyes.

Jalisa: It’s okay. We’ll try again later. *to Lia* Your turn.

Jamelia: *mini tantrum* No!

Jalisa: I need you to sit down, please.

Jamelia: *stomps her foot* No, no, no!

Jalisa sits down on Me-Me’s bed, frustrated. She’s beginning to regret giving Brock the nights off. She’s sure he could handle this a lot better than she can.

Lia is a baby, and Jalisa realizes that she can’t let a baby take control.

Jalisa: *firm voice* Lia, saying no to mommy is not okay. I need you to sit on the potty right now.

To her surprise, Lia responds by sitting down. Jalisa claps her hands, pleased with her small parental victory.

Merlin: *coming up the stairs* Let’s see what mommy and your sisters are doing.

Merlin enters the room with Jalin and sees the big mess left behind after Melisa’s potty attempt. He helps out by grabbing a mop and cleaning up. Jalin climbs up in one of the rocking chairs and rocks in back and forth in play.

Jalisa: The chair is not a toy, Jalin. Get down, please.

Jalin decides that he does not want to listen. He begins to rock even faster. Merlin steps in to help.

Merlin: Out of the chair now, Jalin.

Jay responds quickly to Merlin’s more resounding voice. He climbs out of the chair. Merlin finishes up the cleaning while Jalisa begins to escort the babies back to bed. After she’s done her part, she heads towards the bathroom to dress for the day. Merlin stays behind to tuck everyone into bed. It’s been a long morning.

BDC: After the Costumes Summaries | read from the beginning

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