#Milestones are bugged so I didn't go for all of them as an infant but I got most of them

[amtrak12]

Also I should've followed my boss's lead and taken a last minute vacation day because I have next to nothing to do for work and all I want to do is play the Sims 😩

[changingplumbob]

Chopra Household: Chapter 6, Part 10

I almost lost my mind but I took some time off to build so I didn't!

If Viola is attempting to say something it will be in brackets, otherwise you can assume it's just trying out sounds Mercedes has a speech delay and may get words wrong, correct wording will be in brackets if that is the case Savannah aka Honeybee Mercedes aka Little Ladybug Viola aka Green Bean

With everyone going through a tough time (especially the watcher) nana Lavina is having a stay over to help out.

Rahul: Thanks for coming mum

Lavina: Of course dear, I’m happy to

Cassandra: Okay Viola, nana is here. Do you think we can show her a crawl huh? Crawl to mama

The pair practice and after a while we get milestone lights!

Lavina: Oh how wonderful! Although she does look glum

Viola is up and crawling but is very pouty about it.

Rahul: Shucks, she probably needs more antibiotics

Lavina: Don’t worry, I’ll grab them for you

Lavina: My goodness what did I nearly trip on

Rahul: It’s a robot vacuum

Cassandra: We can set it to auto clean and it should take care of any dust bunnies

Lavina stomps off to the medicine cabinet grumbling about technology these days. After Viola has her medicine and is fed Cassandra gets her to bed. Both of them need sleep, here’s hoping they can get some.

Cluckton: *crows* hear ye, hear ye! We’ve survived a bad mod storm that involved sims being sick and unable to go to the doctor! Let us all thank the watcher for getting help and giving up on that module without deleting us. We came so close to DOOM!

Mercedes: Is Cluckton still crowing

Savannah: Maybe. He probably just wants to make sure we can hear him all the way over here

Cassandra: Good morning green bean! Isn’t it so much better without those nasty bugs? You look better

Viola: se na ma do (so do you mama)

Cassandra: I just finished pumping so this bottle is nice and fresh for my little guzzler

Viola tucks into the bottle with gusto, promptly finishing it. Cassandra takes her over to the changing table for a fresh nappy when Mercedes comes and sits on the rocking chair.

Mercedes: Morning mama. Did papa tell you they say I’m gifted

Cassandra: he did! But gifted or not you are my daughter and I love you for more than your brain, okay

Mercedes: Okay mama. Can you come to word class with me today? Papa can go with Savannah instead

Cassandra: If you'd like me there I’d love to

Savannah: And a drop here, and a drop there, and-

Rahul: SAVANNAH

Savannah: Huh what?

Rahul: Why did you dump this paint on the floor

Savannah: It wasn’t me!

Rahul: I SAW you Savannah, don’t start lying. No tv for a day and you will clean this up, right now!

Savannah: But… how will I get my fun need up without tv

Rahul: You should have thought of that before you made a mess. Now your mama and I are swapping after school duties and I expect you on your best behaviour for OT

Savannah: *sighs* yes papa

Cassandra streams her guitar practice this morning. Nursing has affected how much time she’s been able to spend increasing her skills and fame. While she strums the yard animals again inspect Viola. Seven in particular finds the infant suspicious. After playing with her rattle Viola sets off crawling around, the feel of grass under her fingers is a lot of fun.

Even though the yard is sheltered, with the rain Cassandra doesn’t like Viola spending too much time outside in case she gets windchill. Back inside it’s time for more standing practice. After a series of tries together Viola gurgles she wants to try by herself so Cassandra steps back and Viola looks up at the couch. She stretches her arms and up she goes! Cassandra is so excited she takes a small video to show Rahul in case Viola doesn’t feel like showing off later.

Lavina: Look at her go! She’s a star

Cassandra: Could you get her down for a nap? I have to go tell Rahul

Lavina: Oh course dear

…

Cassandra: Then she just pulled herself up

Rahul: That’s wonderful

Cassandra: It has got me thinking… she’s growing up…

Rahul: And the nursery will be empty… can’t have that…

Cassandra: shall we go try then?

Rahul: Don’t have to ask me twice

So the two head to their room and spend time… flipping pillows until their daughters are ready for after school activities.

Word class and OT went well, Cassandra does have to rush off to work pretty soon afterwards though. The girls head inside to do their homework while Rahul cooks.

Lavina: What is word class when it’s at home

Mercedes: Stuff. Helping stuff

Lavina: And this is meant to make you better at talking is it? Doesn’t seem to be making much difference so far

Rahul: Mum! Be nice, let's not teach them to be rude

Lavina: I want my granddaughters to succeed, is that rude? Now Savannah, are you sure that’s the right way to hold your pencil?

Savannah: *sighs dramatically*

Rahul: Mum! Don’t fuss. They’ve both done well today

Savannah: If I’ve done well... can I watch TV?

Rahul: No. I said no TV for a day and I meant it

Mercedes: But Savannah did good

Rahul: Yes but she still did bad this morning

Mercedes: She cleaned it

Rahul: After being caught and trying to lie about it

Lavina: And she should consider herself lucky. Any time your papa made a mess it was no TV for a week. He learned not to and so will your sister

Savannah: *fumes in silence*

Rahul: I’m sorry if you are upset Honeybee but your punishment was for earlier. Consequences are tied to our actions. When you’re grown you’ll understand

Mercedes: I thought we were grown

Rahul: Not yet little ladybug. Think of it this way Savannah… If I sheared some wool off Seven and cut her by accident, I could bottle feed her all I like but it wouldn’t change that I cut her. There’s only 12 hours left and you’ll be asleep for most of it

Savannah: Oh... I forgot about sleep

Mercedes: I guess I can’t watch TV either

Lavina: Why not?

Mercedes: Sol.. solid… together. We stick together (solidarity)

Previous ... Next

[miniwolfsbane]

I need to stay awake, so here's a list of things we should have gotten in The Sims 4's Growing together that would have improved it even more! (Also pleading in some spots. If they could just refresh it slightly, that would be boss.):

An easier (even customizable) compatibility system. (I loved the idea, but trying to get one of my sims to have mutual dislike with his future-son-in law is like trying to find chicken lips. I even changed his traits, but it didn't help. Unless my game was glitched, IDK. I haven't looked at that save file in months.)

Gender reveal parties (Because let's bring the chaos of those into sims. Fits perfectly!

New careers would've been fire. (Something similar to an OBGYN, if EA is so scared of scarring special snowflakes and supposed children playing this freaking game (GIVE US BURGLARS BACK YOU COWARDS!!), call it a baby doctor and give us real ultrasounds already. I mostly play on console, so mods aren't an option.

LESS infant milestones. (I understand that they were clearly going for realism and longform play, but I think I got my favorite (and only) mermaid twins to do nearly all of the applicable ones (with my game glitching slightly because it didn't register the first trip to the park) before turning them into toddlers. But if you have your sims on non-aging, it can get tedious. I had to cheat needs to do all that, keeping them awake constantly and they still got the tired moodlet as infants. They should have cut them back by 10 or 12 and not gone so hard on this. We love our realism as players, but sometimes enough is enough. Also the standing up milestone is broken on console. Ugh.)

This or HSY would have been the perfect EP to put driving lessons. Even if we don't have cars yet...well...was gonna say it wouldn't make sense, but it could have just been a rabbit hole to driver's ed or driving school. (Just writing those words gives me PTSD. I had a hard time of things.)

They could have really expanded on stuff for kids. The toy options are endless. Hula hoops, new teddy bears that are actually useable, dolls (knock off Barbie maybe?), new action figures for boys (and girls), more toddler specific toys, And we got bikes? BIKES?! I know 4 Rent was awful for bugs, but at least they gave us marbles and hopscotch. Better than nothing. Glad modders exist, but that doesn't help people who play exclusively on console because of disabilities or other reasons.

Maybe pregnancy specific clothes, I dunno. Seems pointless, but also sounds cute.

Bring back the dang pregnancy cravings (unless I imagined these?), and add in some mood swings. Teenagers get mood swings, but pregnant women don't? Yeah, nice going EA. *Sarcastic clap*

On that note, as long as it's from my head, we could have used some more realism, if just slightly. (Keep in mind I've never been preggers and haven't had anyone close to me be pregnant, just parent's friends or people older than me at the time. Edit and family members out-of-state many years ago.) Sore boob moodlets, milk pumps, swollen feet, real back aches and not just stretching, baby books (I miss those!!), maybe some stuff for the dads to be but I can't think of anything off had atm but books? Maybe some "I want to teach my kid about repair skills" want or moodlet when they hit the child stage, pacifiers (the CC ones are so cute!), teething if we didn't get it already I can't remember, teething toys, being able to put infants/toddlers on beds (mixed bag because in real life you shouldn't have babies in bed with you because it's dangerous. Saw a story about it.), more stuff for grandparents, plus the canes from TS3 and so on.

Okay, I might edit this later. Starting to feel tapped out for ideas

[changingplumbob]

Chopra Household: Chapter 4, Part 2

Part 2 is all done for the Chopra family. Highlights include New Years Eve, sunny infant playtime, a chicken arguing with the Grimm Reaper, and the twins last days as infants. Savannah has many more milestones than twin sister Mercedes (we all know she stole some), but Mercedes is bound to say her first word any time now.

TW: The game stuffed up so there is unexpected chicken death

Twins are asleep, time to try bonding with these bunnies. Cassandra tries out a friendly comment and a joke. Bunny does not approve and is not afraid to show it. She take a breath and goes to talk to Cluckton. At least he is chipper and appreciates her playing with him.

I sold all my extra veges in the move so Cassandra offers the bunny an egg. Good reaction, the bunny enjoys it. Rahul tries to say something nice but again the bunny doesn't like small talk. He offers some spare bugs in a nice parcel. The bunny sniffs and accepts. Maybe we can be friends in time.

Good news, the bees made the move unscathed. I'm just going to think of these cars near the lot as belonging to the Chopras. Cassandra would have the mini and Rahul would have the jeep. At least, I think it's a jeep. Cars are not one of my areas of expertise.

I have decided the Chopras will try out the Simple Living lot challenge. Hopefully the garden produce will cover the cost of all the flour and sugar.

Cassandra: So this is home

Rahul: I hope you can be happy here

Cassandra: My gloomyness won't disappear but I am falling in love with the lot

*doorbell*

Urszula: Delivery

Cassandra: Come on in, we're just finishing dinner

Rahul: You know, I used to have your job

Urszula: You have a nice house now so clearly it didn't go badly

Cassandra: It did not

Rahul: It helped me score a wife

Urszula: ah ha, ah ha, now how about a tip

Supper time for the infants. Savannah discovers she likes mango. Mercedes woke up grumpy however.

Cassandra: Hey little ladybug, where are you going

Mercedes: *grumps*

Cassandra: Come on, supper time

Mercedes: *grumps*

Cassandra's wrangling of the grouchy infant increases her parenting skill to 5

Cassandra helps Mercedes try some avocado. Hold the phone, she likes it! Rahul tries to get Savannah to try some yoghurt while Cassandra takes Mercedes for a diaper change. Pee... goes... EVERYWHERE! Mercedes chuckles so at least she is having a good time. Savannah has some small burp bubbles.

Cassandra changes Mercedes into her sleepwear and puts her to bed while Rahul carries Savannah in. Mercedes, as normal, needs some extra comfort to get to sleep. When she's snoring Rahul propositions Cassandra which she accepts gladly. With that, moving day is all done.

New Years Eve is here! In the southern hemisphere we have it in summer so I changed the calendar accordingly. Rahul's resolution is to upskill, Cassandra's is to be promoted. We start the day off right with bubble baths for both girls. Tomorrow they will age up, their time as infants is ending.

Breakfast bottles. The sun is shining so it's time to take advantage of it and get some nice photos for the wall. I wanted to do them at the front door but the sun isn't round there yet. I love this little family so much despite the headaches.

*deep breath* Last time I played the Chopra's I turned animal aging off as chickens were aging to quick for my time length. I turned it on after moving. The original trio of Cluckton, Feathers and Squidge are labelled as chicks. Melon and Floofy (hatched just last rotation) have stopped being chicks and are labelled elder 😮‍💨

It makes me happy to see Mercedes and Savannah playing out in the sun. Cassandra continues tending to the chickens while Rahul tends his still growing garden. Mercedes has to remind everyone she was the first to stand and uses the yard chair to demonstrate. When content she turns and spots... the bunny!

Turned away for one second and found Mercedes like this. I guess she was so eager to reach the bunny she stumbled with style. She begins babbling to the bunny and I dub it Binky. Savannah goes to see what Cassandra is up to. She practices her guitar in the sun while Savannah looks on fascinated.

Lunch time arrives and with it, the need for the infants to nap. They're both content outside so I set them up to nap on the grass.

Snuggles: *clucks* why do they make so much noise

Squidge: *clucks* because they're small

Snuggles: *clucks* I don't wail like that

Squidge: *clucks* Thank goodness

Cassandra moves away from the twins to practice so she doesn't wake them up. To my amazement some birds join her, look at these cute little guys. Pretty sure that's thanks to the bird life mod. Rahul tries to give Binky a bell pepper since small talk doesn't work. Binky approves!

Uh oh, horrific smell alert! Clean up required!

Mercedes: *cries*

Cassandra: Hey ladybug, it's okay

Mercedes: *cries*

Cassandra: It's not a blow out at least, come on, mama will get you cleaned up

Mercedes: *sniffles*

Rahul meanwhile enjoys petting Binky. The bunny gifts him a bottle of milk.

Grimm: Melon

Melon: Yes

Grimm: Your time has come

Melon: What? I was a chick for 3 days, I've been a hen for 2, I want to speak to the watcher

Grimm: The watcher doesn't know how to fix it

Melon: I'm not a true elder

Grimm: Don't worry, my wife will look after you

Melon: Fine but you better have the good corn

The twins get put in the lounge for the afternoon. Mercedes once again goes and shows she knows how to stand while Savannah blows raspberries. Cassandra takes take of some chores while Rahul takes the chance to go for a run. He's missed the rolling green hills of Henford.

Savannah: *blows kiss*

Cassandra: OMW Rahul did you see

Rahul: Little busy with this stereo

Cassandra: You blew mama a kiss didn't you

Savannah: Fun ma do

Cassandra: Don't worry little ladybug, no one grows up exactly the same *blows raspberry*

Mercedes: *giggles*

Cassandra: Who wants dinner? Do you want dinner

Mercedes: Lu da boo

Rahul: You don't think there's a problem

Cassandra: What do you mean

Rahul: She's over 2 and hasn't said her first word

Cassandra: The watcher extended infant lifespans to account for all their milestones, she's going to be fine. They'll be toddlers until they're 6, plenty of time to learn

The infants go to bed in cribs for the last night. The adults then go to watch the countdown to midnight despite feeling worn out. Sure enough midnight comes, a new year is here, and they get fireworks in the living room. They move to the bedroom where they experience fireworks of a different kind.

Mercedes starts her birthday by exploring the rubbish bin. A dust cloud encircles her and oh my gosh would you please get that out of your mouth! Savannah doesn't want to be left out and after her own diaper change dives in. Again dust flies. At least she finds something more appropriate.

I send them outside but that doesn't help. Savannah has the play bug and gets stuck into the plants. Cassandra plays some guitar, she's only level 6, and Mercedes lies down to listen. I swear that girl is either standing up or laying down, sitting is not her thing. Savannah in contrast happily sits.

Cassandra feeds the other bunny, Boo, an insect which is accepted

Cassandra: Honeybee, please stop digging up the plants

Savannah: *giggles*

Cassandra: Nap time you two

Mercedes: *grumbles*

Cassandra: Come on little lady, you know you love cuddly naps, we'll have cake after

Twins: *snore softly*

Previous Part ... Next Part

[changingplumbob]

Knightstone Household: Chapter 6, Part 2

Adam struggles with his feelings over a possible second child, Suzanna and Silas have a park trip.

Adam also finds time to play with Silas

Adam: Remember our old friend the ring. Is it my hat or your hat?

Silas: *giggles*

He then gives Silas another bottle for dinner. Luckily Silas only burps up gas bubbles. Then he places him in his crib and turns on a lullaby

Suzanna: How was work today

Adam: You know work, there's always stuff to critique

Suzanna: I still don't get how you are comfortable putting your opinions out there like that

Adam: It took time to be comfy with it for sure

Suzanna: And now you're respected

Adam: Exactly

Suzanna: Are you sure you're okay with trying for another kid?

Adam: I have to be honest. Through the pregnancy I am going to be nervous and tense and scared

Suzanna: You don't like change

Adam: I don't, especially when I think we are part of a great trio

Suzanna: So we can't try?

Adam: Let me finish starlight. I will be a wreck but I want to have another child with you

Suzanna: Truly?

Adam: I love you, I love Silas, I'll love whatever kid we have, no matter if they're blue or pink

Suzanna: Wait, blue or pink?

Adam: Right, didn't hear the bird story

Suzanna: I did not

Adam: So basically this bird family had a baby chick. When it hatched it was pink, without any of their lovely blue feathers

Suzanna: Many birds hatch without feathers

Adam: The parents initially panicked because how could they look after this pink thing

Suzanna: Right

Adam: But they realised they loved the chick so much that even without feathers they would do what they could to raise it

Suzanna: Did the bird survive

Adam: It was an infant book, you bet it survived. Point is it'll take me some time to adjust but I will

Suzanna: I don't remember books being so metaphoric when we were young

Adam: Right! Maybe they were and we just missed it?

Suzanna: Probably. But you needn't worry about pregnancy, the watcher hasn't installed any mods that could cause death

Adam: How can you be sure?

Suzanna: I told you, all paranoid sims know what the watcher does

Adam: If he even exists

Suzanna: SHE does and she has our back, don't worry, I won't die from pregnancy

Adam: Promise?

Suzanna: Cross my heart and hope to die

Adam: Not funny

Suzanna: Hope to live then

The next morning Silas wakes up before anyone else so has some solo tummy time. It's still emotional for him, despite having met several key movement milestones. When Adam gets up he has to use a dirty sink, and in doing so discovers he is actually squeamish!

Suzanna gets Silas up and ready while Adam makes some food. I'm amused by the things sims pull out of the dirty diapers. Cars confirmed??? I jest, the routing in Sims 4 clearly doesn't allow for driving places and lots don't line up with roads, I don't think it'll happen. Happy to be proved wrong though sims team...

Suzanna takes Silas to the table and gets him settled down. They try some Oaty O's and Silas does not approve. Suzanna gets them cleared away while Adam gives Silas his favourite finger food, peanut butter puffs

Adam: Any plans for today?

Silas: *pats*

Suzanna: Technically it's Spring Cleaning day so I'll check what needs tidying

Adam: I would help, but I don't want to

Suzanna: *laughs* Save your strength for diaper duty?

Adam: More like build up my strength for diaper duty

Suzanna: Try keep an eye out for the flower bunny

Adam: That's today?

Suzanna: Should be but things can always get bugged

Silas: *giggles*

Suzanna: What will you do?

Adam: I need to publish my next column and work on writing before work today

Suzanna: I was thinking...

Suzanna: Fossils hardly ever spawn at work so I might take Silas to the park with me

Adam: Will he be getting a tiny hammer?

Suzanna: No, but that would be adorable

Adam: Back carrier?

Suzanna: He should be able to nap in there while I walk around

Adam: In disguise though right? We don't want him having the wrong kind of attention.

Suzanna: Of course. I'll make sure he's disguised before we even leave the lot

Silas: Mummy plants? Fun me

Suzanna: No starshine, you stay there and finish your breakfast

Silas: Pop pop

Adam: I'm here my dude, come on, two more mouthfuls then you can play

Silas blew a raspberry! Alas I was too slow to capture the moment but it was cute. He plays with his toys in the lounge while Adam works away at his writing. Suzanna uses the time Adam is home to fit in her workout so she doesn't need to leave Silas alone, the AI care is glitchy...

When Suzanna gets back from her run she has some tummy time with Silas, he seems to be trying to regularly balance on all fours at the moment. Before heading to the park Suzanna makes sure Silas is full and as content as he can be, tiredness not included obviously.

Silas: *spits out milk*

Suzanna: Oh dear starshine, is your tummy bad today

Silas: Bad

Suzanna: Okay let's check your disguise, can you disguise for mummy

Silas: Dis side

Suzanna: Dis-gu-ise

Silas: *giggles*

Suzanna: We are look human, we'll work on the word later

The pair arrive at the park and Suzanna sorts Silas into his back carrier for a nap. He tries to nap and eventually falls asleep while Suzanna digs up every rock pile and searches the pond for frogs. No new frogs unfortunately but we get new fossils!

Back home Suzanna tries to use her simray on a duplicate fossil in the hopes of finding a new one. The ray powers up, the light beam strikes, the object glows and... not a fossil. But it's incredibly cute so we're gonna keep it for when Silas has his own kids room.

Adam arrives home and immediately springs into pops mode, comforting Silas who is not happy at being awake so soon. Sorry buddy but you need a diaper change and feeding before you properly fall asleep. Adam helps him try some mashed carrots and they're a hit!

Suzanna got a scam call so takes her frustration out on the dust bunnies upstairs.

Adam: Okay my dude, night night time

Silas: nit nit time

Adam: That's right buddy, let's put on a lullaby for you

Silas: Star! Star!

Adam: Twinkle twinkle little star it is

Silas: nit pops

Silas is asleep early so Adam and Suzanna try for a baby before dinner.

Suzanna: Thanks for cooking

Adam: Just catering for your insatiable appetite. Thanks for... you know

Suzanna: *giggles* We do have fun

Adam: You're amazing, you know that right?

Suzanna: You have mentioned it

Silas: *cries*

Suzanna: What time is it?

Adam: 1am, go back to sleep

Suzanna: You sure?

Adam: I have tomorrow, I mean today, off work so I'll go check him. You just sleep starlight, you got him the last time

Suzanna: Thank you, tell him I love him, and I love you

Really not sure why Silas woke up when he's been sleeping through the night but the answer is probably "Infants will infant". Adam makes sure to get him as clean as possible, and as full as possible, and as comforted as possible before giving him a bed time story.

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