The Hinckley Legacy Chapter 12: The Early Years

by hippielayla86

The Hinckleys finally welcome gen 6! We're beyond the half point mark now. Enjoy!
Originally uploaded to thesims2.com Exchange on August 9, 2008

Hello everyone! And welcome back to the Hinckley Legacy for Chapter 12: The Early Years. We are currently in Generation 5, with our 5th heiress Lana and her husband Don coming back from their honeymoon. They have some good news for Lana's parents Amelie (generation 4 heiress, in the green shirt) and Peter (in the tan sweater). I recommend if this is your first visit with the Hinckleys to head back to at least Chapter 8.1 to find out who Lana is, and her adventures and I definitely recommend starting at the beginning for the whole story if you're feeling ambitious. If you're a returning reader thank you, thank you, thank you for sticking with me in this legacy, and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Now, to get this chapter started, Lana our heiress would like to take over with the talking*... ----*Note that text underneath a "-----" and marked with an asterisk "*" is me, hippielayla86 inserting facts that a speaking sim would not think of saying ;)

When we hopped out of the cab that afternoon back in Blue Water Village Mom, Dad and my little sister Lizzie were all waiting for us on the front porch and wasted no time in coming to greet us. "Welcome back you two, did you have fun?" "Yeah Dad, we had lots of fun in the sun! It was such a relaxing and eventful honeymoon, Don was the best." "So you pampered my daughter Don? You little casanova you!" - Mom said teasingly as she hugged my husband. "Of course, she deserves the best." - Replied Don. "Did you learn any of the local customs?" - Dad asked. "Yeah! We learned a new dance that you'd love!* Can we show you later?" - I asked. "Of course, just let us know when." "Let me know when you guys start." Piped in Lizzie. ----*Peter's predestined hobby is Music & Dance just like his daughter Lana.

Before teaching Mom, Dad and Lizzie the new dance, I decided to head upstairs to see if any jobs had opened up yet in any local schools. When I didn't find one again, I decided that an opening as a headliner at the Majestic sounded like a good change of pace, and a lot more exciting than being the President of Sim Inc.* So I took the job, and I start... well tonight, I better teach Mom, Dad and Lizzie the hula soon so that I can get ready for my new job! "Hey honey, we've got the music on, can you head down and help me teach the hula to them?" Don called up. ----*Lana quit her job in the top level of business and entered the Entertainment career as a headliner. I'm a bit bummed that Education hasn't been available but am eager to try out a new career.

When I went downstairs I found Don had not only turned on the stereo, but had gathered Dad, Lizzie and Mom in order to get things started. Dad and Mom caught on really quickly, but Lizzie had a bit of a struggle learning the new dance.

She excused herself from the room to go the kitchen and make a new dish that she had read about. She's so passionate about cooking*, which is awesome, because I'm starving! ;) ----*Cuisine is Lizzie's predestined hobby.

While I was eating the meal Lizzie cooked especially for me --which might I add was fantastic, she can sure cook!-- Don continued his training for his job with Mom. Whenever I don't know where Don is, I find him working out* on the patio. ----*Don's predestined hobby is sports.

It's 4:15 and I'm heading off for my first night at my new job! It's so much fun to dress up like this, I hope I do well at my new job. Audiences can be really mean... let's hope I get a good one!

A couple of weeks have passed, my job is great, and everyone else is doing well. We told Mom and Dad over dinner one night that Don and I were expecting, and they're ecstatic! Mom had Dad bring down the crib and other baby furniture from the attic. Since then Mom has taken up yoga again,* and we often find her out in the backyard by the pool doing her sun salutations. Did I mention that we built a giant.. well I don't know what you'd call it, but for lack of a better word a workshop/shed/studio in the back yard? It's coming along well but we haven't really moved any of our stuff in yet. Dad and Don haven't had the same time off yet. ----*Amelie's predestined hobby is fitness

Don also convinced me to let him have a basketball court in front of the studio. Who was I to say no? Of course I said yes, Don is such a sweetheart to me. Besides, it will be a fun activity for the family once our kids are old enough.

No we haven't had our baby yet, but I'm beginning to show! I'm really glad that I'm finally over my morning sickness, but I still feel exhausted all of the time. Don is so attentive to my needs, he can't contain his excitement about being a father soon.

Lizzie has been enjoying her last summer before college at home. She's going to be going to SSU pretty soon. I've heard her chatting on the phone a lot with Melody, and she's planning on moving into the family Greek house once she's there. Meanwhile she's been doing a lot more reading and experimenting with food.

In fact, just the other day a woman came over and invited Lizzie to join a food club. She's been gloating about it all week!

Great Grandpa George's spirit still visits us occasionally.. or so Mom says.

The garden is as wonderful as ever, it's become a family past time taking care of plants, pruning, watering and fertilizing. It's so wonderful to have fresh produce though.

Don recently started fishing again, he told me the other day, "I'm just positive we're having a son Lana, I need to brush up on all of my male bonding activities so I can teach him when he arrives." I told him, "First of all, why do you keep on thinking we're going to have a son, and second of all what makes you think if we had a daughter she wouldn't want to participate in your male bonding activities, I like to fish too! And last but not least, you can't teach an infant to fish," I chuckled and jokingly ordered, "Now get me some ice cream, I've got to have some female bonding with our baby!"

The pregnancy was really starting to wear me out, it's seems I couldn't sleep enough.

Lizzie has been a sweety lately, "using" me as a guinea pig for her recipes.* This morning she made me some banana and oatmeal pancakes, they were delicious! I asked her when our next "experiment" would take place ;) ----*Having a sim who wants to gain enthusiasm for cuisine and a pregnant sim in the same household works out beautifully, that way Lizzie gets to make new dishes all of the time, and Lana gets to keep her ever draining hunger bar filled.

Today I found out that Coda is expecting kittens! I'm going to be giving Coda lots of extra loving lately because I know how miserable it can be to be pregnant sometimes.

We had a lot of harvesting to do this summer, so much that even Don joined in. We're currently re-fertilizing and re-planting. We're all looking forward to Lizzie using the fresh fruits and vegetables in her cooking!

Dad got a visit the other day from the coordinator of the local nature club. She came over personally to invite him to join, and he accepted.* ---*You don't get to "accept" admission it's automatic. Oh, and gardening is a very easy way to build nature enthusiasm.

Before she left, the coordinator welcomed Mom to join the group as well. Mom and Dad said that they were going to go on a hike together later tonight. They asked me if I wanted to come, but all of the gardening really knocked me out so I told them I may next time.

Don and Dad finally had some time off from work, but instead of moving our hobby items out to the studio, they decided to test out the new hoops. Don's trying to convince Dad that I'm pregnant with a boy too now and that they 'need to brush up on their skills.' In all honesty though, it's great that they get along.

I'm in my last trimester finally with the birth in sight. I guess I'm getting a little bit nervous, but Mom has been pretty good about reassuring me that everything will be alright.

Lizzie has found her second love -- her first being food ;) We always had a feeling that she and Orion* would end up together, with all of the time they spent together growing up as children and now studying for college it was bound to happen. ---*Orion is the son of Angela (Pleasant) and Dirk Dreamer.

Since I've been home a lot recently I've decided to do some redecorating of the house, and I also hired a construction team to expand the living room.

We're also planning on getting a new sofa, reading chair and side table, but for now the new additions to the room are for our future addition to our family ;) This little activity table should be great for our children when they're toddlers.

It's crunch time for Lizzie, the fall semester is going to begin soon. She's been on the phone applying for scholarships non-stop lately.

It's also crunch time for me, or should I say the last few peaceful days before own baby is born. I've been reading a lot of baby books* lately to hopefully make life a little bit easier once the new Baby Hinckley is here with us. ---*Lana has been using the "Study... Parenting" interaction from the bookcase.

Coda had her litter today.

She birthed two healthy kittens, Toby and Risa, a boy and a girl. They're absolutely adorable.

Soon after Don came home from work, and he and I got to give lovins to the new kittens.

Toby and Risa look pretty much identical at this point, it'll be fantastic to see their differences as they grow up.

Seeing the new kittens got Don even more excited for our baby on the way. Neither of us have the patience to wait much longer.

Lizzie finally headed over to Sue's Culinary club today, met some new people and entered a food contest.

The judge tested Lizzie's salmon first, one of our Dad's recipes.

Lizzie said it was hard to tell from the judge's expression whether or not she liked her salmon dish.

Once she finished tasting all of the dishes...

She awarded Lizzie $500 and a blue ribbon for 1st place. Lizzie even beat out Sue -- the owner of the club! She's been on cloud 9 ever since.

The day has finally arrived, I went into labor on Tuesday morning around 8am.

Sure enough, Don and I have just welcomed baby Edmund, or Ed for short into the world. Don was right about us having a son the whole time, and he can't keep from smiling about it!

Ed has my eyes, and Don's hair and complexion. He is such a darling, I can't believe how wonderful he is, and how happy I am now that he's here!

Everyone quickly fell in love with Ed. He just laid in my arms cooing softly as the family gathered 'round to take a look at him.

Don had to head off to work, and Lizzie off to her summer job, but Mom and Dad have decided to take the day off to spend with me and their newest grandson.

They have been waiting to spoil another grandchild for so long, that I wasn't surprised when Dad asked to hold Ed.

"Hey there Edmund, little Ed the man. It's your Grandpa, I'm so happy that you're here. We're going to have so much fun when you get older you just wait!" I felt like Ed could understand Dad, he was staring up at Dad smiling the whole time.

Speaking of growing up, Luke and Ivy called the other day to tell us about Gavin's birthday. Apparently Ivy is pregnant again and so they didn't have the energy to throw him a big party for their second child's birthday.

Luke and Ivy e-mailed me a picture of Gavin, and my word he is just a darling!

My first month being a Mom has flown by! Little Ed here is keeping all of us busy with all of the diaper changes, feedings and giggles. I'm still on my maternity leave, which I am very thankful that I have available to me. Even though I'm home all of the time, Mom and Dad have been taking sometime of too, and while it's kind of them and helpful, I feel like I'm not getting enough time in with Ed one on one.

I practically have to hide the little guy in Don and my bedroom and sneak him down for feedings.

The kittens Toby and Risa are learning everything so quickly*! I've taken a fondness to Risa though, she is so calm and loves attention. ----*Both Toby and Risa have "genius" personalities, so they learn quickly.

Lizzie has been busy packing this past month for her move the SSU campus. She is finally ready to be on her way to her new dorm.

She left for SSU tonight. We're all going to miss her, and I really hope that she doesn't get burnt by young love like I did my first year at college... Orion better treat her well!

Dad and little Ed the Man have become really close. It reminds me of when I was young and I was a little Daddy's girl. I hope that one day Ed has fond memories of my Dad -- his Grandpa -just like I do.

...I wasn't kidding about barely getting a moment in with my son...

I guess today it's okay though because Don has a day off from work, and we've been spending the day together.

I'm beginning to wonder what would happen if Don and I had another child. I think we should soon before Ed gets too spoiled...

My maternity leave is almost coming to an end, so in my last days of time off from work I decided to brush up on my act. I came up with some new jokes that I think will go over well.

With a little bit of practice on dramatic pauses, and facial expressions I think I just may have it*! ----*Lana has maxed out her charisma skill.

Lacey came over today so we could do some more planning for her wedding.

She asked me if it was okay is she and Sam used the park that I had considered getting married at. "Of course Lacey, you're the ones who found it anyway, it's going to be your special day not mine! Keep that in mind ;)" - I joked. "Oh Lana, thanks a bunch, I'm so glad you didn't get upset about it. Sam and I just love that park... now I just can't wait!" Lacey and Sam have been planning this wedding since before I was pregnant with Ed... I hope they aren't getting cold feet!

"Now sis, where's my new nephew? I still haven't met little Edmund." "Oh, he's just waking up from a nap, let's go take a peek on him." I led Lacey upstairs where she asked if she could hold Ed for a little while, of course I said yes.

I must say I'm a bit jealous of Ed, he has so many Aunts and Uncles whereas I only had Mom's two brothers who were too involved with their own houses full of children to visit us often. Hopefully my children will get to see a lot of my siblings and their spouses.

After Lacey left that night, Dad (who just got home from work) came to find Ed and I in the kitchen in order to give me a little bathroom break.

Flash forward a week and you find Don, Ed, Risa and I at our new house! Yes, we decided to move out* of the Hinckley "mansion" and have a bit of a life of our own. I've just found out I'm pregnant again, and Don and I wanted a little bit more of a private experience for us when we had our second child. ----*Don, Lana, Ed and the female kitten Risa moved out the Hinckley home lot due to some phone glitches I was having with IKEA Stuff. They took a bit of a hit financially moving, but I'm hoping that less lag and a simpler 1-story house will solve a lot of problems I've been having while playing the Hinckleys, so it's worth it. And so far -- it's working! Let's keep our fingers crossed.

With just the four of us, life seems so simple again. Don and I are both really excited to be in our new home.

It's pretty much all we talked about for a while. "Lana, which room is your favorite?" - Don asked me over breakfast. "Well, I do love how big this dining room/kitchen is, I always felt so cramped in Mom and Dad's kitchen. But I'm really not sure yet... I'm hoping I'll love each one as much as the others!" "You're such an evader of questions sweety, but I like you anyway." "I hope you like me! You're stuck with me and another baby on the way." "You're pregnant??" -- I hadn't told him yet -- "Why didn't you tell me sooner darling? How long has it been?" "Well, only about 3 weeks... I wanted to be sure before I told you the good news." "Lana, I love you" "I love you too, Don."

With a new house comes a new garden! Don had a greenhouse built and 2 apple, 2 orange and 2 lemon trees planted for us before we moved in, now all I have to do is fertilize and plant some seeds.

My pregnancy still wasn't showing, but our happiness of the privacy did continue to grow. I miss Mom and Dad being around all of the time, but they were getting a little overbearing.

Some bad news came home from work today, Don got fired from his job tonight...

But, good news is always quickly to follow the bad times around here. Tonight is also little Ed the Man's birthday!

Don and I didn't have time after the move to invite any family over, but some of our new neighbors were able to make it over.

We all stood round and cheered for little Ed to grow up.

I can't believe how fast my little baby is growing. I am so lucky to have two wonderful men in my life, I don't know what I'd do without Don and Ed.

Ed grew into a full head of red hair -- unsurprisingly -- and a tropical shirt. How fitting since I found out that I was pregnant with him on our honeymoon to Twikki Island!

We think so far that Little Ed looks a lot like Don, but it's always hard to tell. I think he may have my eyes though. ----Ed is an Aries who has 7 neat points, 10 outgoing points, 6 active points, 4 playful points, and 2 nice points... let's hope he doesn't turn into the school bully!

We bought Ed one of those Wobbly Wabbit Heads, and he can't seem to get enough of it! Training him to talk should be pretty easy we're hoping.

Risa and Ed are becoming really close, and you would think that it was Ed who sought out Risa, but it was the other way around! Little Risa took it upon herself to walk up to Ed purring something fierce. It was so adorable when I found them snuggling the other day!

Ed even gave Risa a little kiss on her head before letting her down.

Our little snuggle bear Ed is so eager to learn, and so eager to be around us. It seems like he's always awake and smiling.

My pregnancy is starting to show. I must say that this whole process is noticeably easier the second time around. I know what to expect, and how to deal with the uncomfortable times. Don and I went out* and bought some new maternity clothes this past weekend, Mom and Dad came over to sit Ed for us. ----*Actually, Lana went out on her own since you can't leave a toddler on his own... but it writes up better to say they both went ;) And I know Don would if Sims would allow us to get babysitters.

They have a lot of cute maternity wear available this season -- Don and I both appreciate it. "Honey, you look beautiful in everything though!" - Don said as he rubbed my belly hoping for a kick from our baby. "Don, you're such a brown noser..." "No, I'm just smart --and-- telling the truth." - He winked at me.

"Lana, my sweet, would you join me for an afternoon of fun?" "... Of course!"

Don and I then headed back to our bed.

Later that day Don potty trained little Ed the Man. Hooray for no more diapers! For now...

And I took over after him, taking Ed into the kitchen for some smart milk.

You know, I don't know what's in that stuff... but it really works wonders.

Soon after I took Ed into his room and tried to get him to say the world "Bottle" "Now Ed, can you say 'bottle'?"

He looked away for a moment, the gears in his head turning quickly....

"Baba?" I clapped! My little man's first word was "Baba" on his first try.

We then moved onto other words, we tried 'high chair' which he couldn't say, but when we tried "Mama" Ed said it back to me almost instantly. "Mama!"

I put Ed down for a nap after that, and Don found me in the kitchen. He had just gotten out of the shower, and was getting ready for work. I love how Don always takes the time to steal kisses here and there.

Risa grew up today. She is so beautiful! A good mixture of Fante and Coda's coloring but the pattern is almost identical to Fante's.

She wasted no time in trying to find her friend Ed, but he was sadly sleeping.

I woke up from my nap, to Ed waking up from his this afternoon. That little guy sure can get your attention when he wants to.

Once I changed Ed's clothes, I went and changed into mine and found Don in the kitchen.

He still hadn't gotten dressed for work because he was making me some dinner. He's no Lizzie and he definitely burnt the chili... which I didn't know was possible... but he means well. We sat and enjoyed our lunch together while Don asked me how I was feeling.

I told him that I feel great and I can't wait to welcome our unborn child into the world soon! But for now I am enjoying our peaceful, simple life together. -----Thank you for joining me again for the Hinckley legacy, Chapter 12: The Early Years! Come back soon to see Lana and Don watch their family grow. I want to thank you, and especially everyone over at SiMania www.s12.invisionfree.com/sim_mania for all of the support and comments! And also a special thank you goes out to Katie (ilovereecee) and Ashley (puddinroy) for always giving me such great feedback -- I hope you both enjoyed this chapter. Take care, and happy simming! -hippielayla86