Chapter Fourteen:
The First Day:
When they arrived at the house later that night Ephram took his dad to see the rooms. Ephram and Stephanie's room had dust pink walls and white term. Their furniture was all black cast iron and they had painted the phrase 'Forever & Always' in fancy letters behind the bed. Adam's room was painted red and he had a moral of Sesame Street on one wall and had his name written in block letters behind his bed. The girls' nursery was done in a spring theme. It had a moral of an enchanted forest on one wall and the other three were painted a light pink. The cribs were in different spring colors. Cassie's was light pink, Catie's was light purple and Charlie's was light yellow. Their names were also painted in fancy letters behind their cribs.
The First Day:
The boys' nursery was set up the same way only they had a Winnie the Pooh theme. Their moral had a Hundred Acre Wood scene with all the book's characters. The other three walls were painted sky blue. Once again their names were painted behind their cribs except in block letters not fancy ones. Caleb's crib had Eeyore, Cole's had Pooh and Connor's had Tigger. "You drew the morals didn't you?"
"How'd you know?"
"You've always been a great artist."
"Yeah it took awhile to get it finished but I think it was worth it."
"Yeah they turned out beautifully."
The First Day:
"Thanks, now the babies will be in our room because all the books say that you should put new babies in the room with you. Apparently it's a way to bond with them and it really does work I tried it with Adam."
"You seem to have everything under control."
"When it comes to the preparing maybe but when it comes down to the execution not so much."
"Well that's what I'm here for. I'm going to make sure you know what you're doing before I leave you all alone with them."
"Thanks, I should really get them to bed." Ephram commented walking out of the room. Ten minutes later Ephram and Stephanie had all six babies and Adam tucked in bed and sound asleep. After achieving this Stephanie and Ephram thought it was going to be smooth sailing but they were wrong.
The First Day:
The babies woke them up at one o'clock, three o'clock, six thirty and then eight before finally conking out for a good long sleep. "You survived your first night with the babies how does it feel?" his dad asked as Ephram came into the study where he was currently staying.
"Exhausting does it ever get better?"
"Well of course you and your sister haven't woken me up in years."
"I meant during the first year when they're waking up three times a night. Do you get use to the lack of sleep?"
"Yeah it eventually becomes second nature."
"That's good to know. I'm going to make some coffee you want some?"
"Sure thanks." his dad answered putting on his shoes. "Now are you two sure you'll be okay by yourselves today?"
The First Day:
"We'll be fine they're asleep for the time being and when they wake up we'll try some of the techniques you showed us last night."
"If you're sure you can handle it but if you need help with anything call me okay."
"I will thanks for helping last night Dad."
"Anytime I'll see you guys later and if you need me to come over or need any advice don't hesitate to call."
"I love you Dad."
"I love you too more than you'll ever know. I have to go or I'll be late for work."
"Have a great day."
"U too and don't forget to enjoy those babies."
The First Day:
"We won't." Ephram chuckled. "Talk to you later." as soon as the door shut it hit Ephram and Stephanie that they were all alone with all seven children.
"Hey can you hold Caleb for me?" Stephanie asked after an unsuccessful lunch.
"Sure why?"
"We're going to give them their first baths. Now the question is how we're going to get them to stay still in the sink."
"We use a washcloth."
"How do you know that?"
"Watching my parents with Delia some of it stuck I guess."
"Okay then maybe you should bathe Caleb first and I'll watch so I can do the next one.'
The First Day:
"Okay come here Caleb." Ephram commented taking Caleb out of his car seat. He placed Caleb in the tub on the counter and holding him in one arm he began to wash him.
"You're a natural."
"Thanks, you want to try?"
"I guess I'll have to at some point right?"
"Yes you will but it's actually easy. You just lay him across your arm and then with your other hand gently wash him with the wash cloth." Ephram explained guiding Stephanie through the process step by step.
"Hey Dad I think something's wrong with Charlie she won't stop crying." Ephram said entering his dad's house.
The First Day:
"Sounds like she might have colic but let me make sure." his dad responded taking Charlie from him. "Other than this how'd the day go?"
"Okay lunch was a little loud because all six wanted fed at the same time. We gave them all their first baths. Thankfully I remembered how you and mom use to bathe Delia."
"You used the washcloth technique right. Because one tiny slip up and they can go under it happened to you."
"What?"
"I had you in the tub because we didn't know to use a washcloth."
"What happened?"
"I turned away to get some soap and you went under."
"You let go of me?"
"No I still had hold of you but kind of arched your back and your head went under."
The First Day:
"Well if I hadn't watched you and mom with Delia I probably would have done the same thing. So she's fine?"
"Yeah just a little colic. It's not that uncommon for babies of multi child families because the baby gets insecure. If you just spend a little more time with her she'll be fine."
"That's easier said than done with six other children at the house."
"I'm here if you need me."
"We'll work it out. Can you hold her for a minute I have to call Stephanie."
"Sure come here Charlie." Andy said taking Charlie from Ephram before leaving the room.
"Hey so my dad says it's just colic and that we need to spend more time with her alone." Ephram informed Stephanie when she picked up.
"How does he expect us to do that"
The First Day:
"I don't know. How are the other's doing?"
"Fine all but two are asleep."
"Good I'm going to get Charlie ready and then we'll be home."
"Okay see you then."
"Okay Charlie let's go see mommy." Ephram commented coming into the room. "See you later Dad love you."
"I'll be back over when she's feeling better."
"No rush, feel better Charlie." Andy commented as Ephram carried Charlie out the door.