Chapter 27: Conflicting Mothers!
ONE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER!
Jeanette held her infant son, Tom with affection. She smiled down on the little tiny face. It was moments like this that she adored the babies. He lay so quietly while she rocked him gently in her arms. Suddenly Tom starts to cry.
"Tom, sweetie what is it?" Jeanette asks her infant child. In almost an instant the content moment turn into disaster. Jeanette dreaded these moments. It always seems to stump her on how to handle these situations. No matter what she tries, Tom won't calm down.
"Here let me take him." Vinny said instantly, as she takes the baby from Jeanette's arms gently and holds him close to her. Within minutes, Tom calms down and falls fast asleep to Vinny's soft singing voice.
At first Jeanette was relieved that Vinny was here to help, but then something just accrued to her. Whenever the babies cried, they would almost respond to no one but Vinny, unless it was feeding time. This made Jeanette quite envious. Normally, things like envy would not get the better of Jeanette, but these are *her* babies. It should be Jeanette's responsibility, not Vinny's to make sure that the babies cared for.
What seemed to bother Jeanette more was the fact that Simon didn't mind when Vinny would do this. Mind you, he has gone back to having a busy work schedule at Nathan's Auto Shop. But still, Simon should also feel the same way she does about the fact that their babies respond to their Nana more then their own parents.
Vinny helped Jeanette prepare the babies for their bedtime. After the three infants were snuggled in the crib the two Chipettes left the room.
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The next morning it didn't seem to be any different from any other morning. As usual Vincent, Mary-Anne, and Tom were up 'babbling' to themselves as they waited to be changed. Simon and Jeanette got up to clean and change the triplets then they take them downstairs. As soon as Vinny came in the kitchen, she would do her daily routine in taking over the babies feeding.
"Oh, no. This won't due.the babies need something with more vitamin D in their diets." Vinny says as she snatches a jar of baby food out from Jeanette's hands.
"I'm sure I know what I'm doing by now, Vinny." Jeanette snapped as Vinny went back to the cupboards.
"Jeanette, sweetie. Mom is just trying to be helpful." Simon politely whispered in her ear.
Jeanette growls to herself and continues to start making breakfast for the rest of the family.
As soon as the rest of the family enters the kitchen it would always seem like being at a train station. Everyone is running around getting his or her breakfast, juice and coffee. After breakfast, it would be like a hid- and-go-find scenario. Usually the boys misplace their keys, shoes, tie, or books. After an hour of this, things would start settling down. Most of them, by this point, start leaving for either work or college. The only ones that stay behind are Jeanette, Vinny, and the triplets.
After Dave, Simon, Alvin, and Theodore leave it's up to the girls to clean the kitchen. Vinny and Jeanette would alternate in washing the dishes. Today it is Jeanette's turn, while Vinny cleans up the babies and puts away the leftovers and jars of jam.
After finishing, Jeanette turns away from the dishes thinking how she looks forward to the day when they will get a dishwasher installed at the boy's request. 'Two more days to go!' She thought as she throws the towel on the counter.
She looked up and sees Vinny feeding her infants something. Jeanette, who, normally does not get upset about things like this, but you can't never blame the 'protective motherly instincts' she felt. She thought Vinny was harming her babies with whatever that stuff is.
"I'd appreciate you not feeding my children twigs, Vinny!" Jeanette said sternly.
"These are not twigs, they are roots! Special kind of roots that helps build strong gums and teeth." Vinny replied feeling insulted by Jeanette's remark.
"Oh, come on! They barely even *have* teeth yet! How do you expect to them to eat these things!" She added while taking the roots from her children's hands as gently as she could.
"I'll have you know that chipmunk gums are stronger then you think." Vinny pointed out sternly.
"What if they choke on this stuff.ever thought of that?" Jeanette addressed as she waved the roots in her hand in Vinny's direction.
"Not possible."
"I'm not too sure about that."
"As long as I keep an eye on them they won't choke."
"That's a laugh!" Jeanette scoffed.
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"You don't get it do you?"
"No, I believe I don't.please explain it to me!"
"What if you turn your back on them for an instant? Anything could happen in that one instant!" Vinny sensed fear in Jeanette's voice.
"Jeanette you worry too much, the little ones are fine. Now you are not as experienced as I am when it comes to raising babies. I have help so many other friends of the forest raise their young, not to mention raising Alvin, Simon, and Theodore." Vinny said.
"Oh, really? You're that experienced are you?"
"Yea, really.I am!"
"I don't feel that is entirely true!"
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, at least I don't plan on abandoning my babies and leaving them on some stranger's doorstep if things get bad!" Jeanette finally spat out.
That comment stabbed Vinny's heart. Slowly she brought her hand up to clinch the shirt on her chest. How could Jeanette ever understand how it was back then, and why she had to do what she did to ensure her boy's protection?
"Well, why don't you just say that you don't want my help anymore?" Vinny said in a hurting tone.
"Maybe I don't, if that's going to your attitude!"
The triplets watched intensely as their mother and grandmother argued. Suddenly Mary-Anne turned away and focused her attention at the entranceway of the kitchen that faced the front door. She again turns to face the arguing adult Chipettes.
"Dada?" She asked getting their attention and pointing towards the front door.
"No, Sweetie! Daddy won't be home for awhile yet!" Jeanette said turning her angry voice into a soft, loving, motherly tone.
"Dada!" Mary-Anne persisted while still pointing at the door.
"I'm afraid not! Your mommy is right! Your daddy is working and won't be home until later! Until then, it'll just be you, your brothers, your mom and me!" Vinny said while tweaking her nose, playfully.
Just than Simon opens the front door and walks in. "Hi, I'm home!"
Jeanette and Vinny look at each other in shock. They then look at Simon as he enters the kitchen with his over-alls still on from work. He becomes concerned with the way the two females are looking at him.
"What?"
"What.what do you mean, what? Why are you home so yearly?" Jeanette asked with a baffled _expression.
"Oh, Nathan started the renovations to the store today, so he had me do some paper work, then sent me home yearly." After satisfying the women with the answer he turned to his kids. "Hay, guys! Have you three been good?"
"They're fine! Why didn't you tell me that you would get off early?" Jeanette said in a cranky tone.
"I thought I did! Last month!"
"No, you didn't!"
Simon let out a sigh; he really didn't want to fight with his wife. "Well if I didn't, I'm sorry! I had a really busy month and I know I told someone about the renovation.it must have been Dave that I spoke too."
The tension was interrupted by a scream from one of the infants. "Wwwaaahhh!!!" Cried Vincent.
"Awe!" Vinny, Jeanette, and Simon cooed at once as Jeanette picked up her son and cradled him in her arms.
"Teething is such a difficult time for young chipmunks at this stage of their lives." Vinny pointed out. Then she faces Simon. "I remember you and your brothers had a terrible time. It seemed to help when I used the special root that I would used to numb the pain, but some of us won't think that's practical." She huffed at Jeanette's directions.
Simon rolled his eyes trying not to get between the girls argument.
"And this modern way with using something called 'teething cream', doesn't help that much." Vinny added.
Simon thought about what his mom said for a minute as he pulled out the teething cream from the cupboard. "Hmm! That gives me an idea. I wonder if I could combined the medication from this teething cream, plus add the root in with it, perhaps it'll work faster and last longer than it usually does." Simon puts some cream on his son's sore gums then looks up at the girls again. "I should go downstairs and start on it right away, since I have the extra time off work.!" He thought out loud.
"Simon?" Jeanette asked as he headed for the basement door. She hadn't seen that certain 'twinkle' in his eye since they were kids.
He looked back at his family before heading downstairs. "Let's just say some of that 'old inventive juices' are beginning to return." He said with a grin. And with that he ran downstairs.
Differences aside, Jeanette and Vinny looked at each other and smiled. Each day goes by, a little of the old Simon returns.
ONE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER!
Jeanette held her infant son, Tom with affection. She smiled down on the little tiny face. It was moments like this that she adored the babies. He lay so quietly while she rocked him gently in her arms. Suddenly Tom starts to cry.
"Tom, sweetie what is it?" Jeanette asks her infant child. In almost an instant the content moment turn into disaster. Jeanette dreaded these moments. It always seems to stump her on how to handle these situations. No matter what she tries, Tom won't calm down.
"Here let me take him." Vinny said instantly, as she takes the baby from Jeanette's arms gently and holds him close to her. Within minutes, Tom calms down and falls fast asleep to Vinny's soft singing voice.
At first Jeanette was relieved that Vinny was here to help, but then something just accrued to her. Whenever the babies cried, they would almost respond to no one but Vinny, unless it was feeding time. This made Jeanette quite envious. Normally, things like envy would not get the better of Jeanette, but these are *her* babies. It should be Jeanette's responsibility, not Vinny's to make sure that the babies cared for.
What seemed to bother Jeanette more was the fact that Simon didn't mind when Vinny would do this. Mind you, he has gone back to having a busy work schedule at Nathan's Auto Shop. But still, Simon should also feel the same way she does about the fact that their babies respond to their Nana more then their own parents.
Vinny helped Jeanette prepare the babies for their bedtime. After the three infants were snuggled in the crib the two Chipettes left the room.
-------------
The next morning it didn't seem to be any different from any other morning. As usual Vincent, Mary-Anne, and Tom were up 'babbling' to themselves as they waited to be changed. Simon and Jeanette got up to clean and change the triplets then they take them downstairs. As soon as Vinny came in the kitchen, she would do her daily routine in taking over the babies feeding.
"Oh, no. This won't due.the babies need something with more vitamin D in their diets." Vinny says as she snatches a jar of baby food out from Jeanette's hands.
"I'm sure I know what I'm doing by now, Vinny." Jeanette snapped as Vinny went back to the cupboards.
"Jeanette, sweetie. Mom is just trying to be helpful." Simon politely whispered in her ear.
Jeanette growls to herself and continues to start making breakfast for the rest of the family.
As soon as the rest of the family enters the kitchen it would always seem like being at a train station. Everyone is running around getting his or her breakfast, juice and coffee. After breakfast, it would be like a hid- and-go-find scenario. Usually the boys misplace their keys, shoes, tie, or books. After an hour of this, things would start settling down. Most of them, by this point, start leaving for either work or college. The only ones that stay behind are Jeanette, Vinny, and the triplets.
After Dave, Simon, Alvin, and Theodore leave it's up to the girls to clean the kitchen. Vinny and Jeanette would alternate in washing the dishes. Today it is Jeanette's turn, while Vinny cleans up the babies and puts away the leftovers and jars of jam.
After finishing, Jeanette turns away from the dishes thinking how she looks forward to the day when they will get a dishwasher installed at the boy's request. 'Two more days to go!' She thought as she throws the towel on the counter.
She looked up and sees Vinny feeding her infants something. Jeanette, who, normally does not get upset about things like this, but you can't never blame the 'protective motherly instincts' she felt. She thought Vinny was harming her babies with whatever that stuff is.
"I'd appreciate you not feeding my children twigs, Vinny!" Jeanette said sternly.
"These are not twigs, they are roots! Special kind of roots that helps build strong gums and teeth." Vinny replied feeling insulted by Jeanette's remark.
"Oh, come on! They barely even *have* teeth yet! How do you expect to them to eat these things!" She added while taking the roots from her children's hands as gently as she could.
"I'll have you know that chipmunk gums are stronger then you think." Vinny pointed out sternly.
"What if they choke on this stuff.ever thought of that?" Jeanette addressed as she waved the roots in her hand in Vinny's direction.
"Not possible."
"I'm not too sure about that."
"As long as I keep an eye on them they won't choke."
"That's a laugh!" Jeanette scoffed.
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"You don't get it do you?"
"No, I believe I don't.please explain it to me!"
"What if you turn your back on them for an instant? Anything could happen in that one instant!" Vinny sensed fear in Jeanette's voice.
"Jeanette you worry too much, the little ones are fine. Now you are not as experienced as I am when it comes to raising babies. I have help so many other friends of the forest raise their young, not to mention raising Alvin, Simon, and Theodore." Vinny said.
"Oh, really? You're that experienced are you?"
"Yea, really.I am!"
"I don't feel that is entirely true!"
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, at least I don't plan on abandoning my babies and leaving them on some stranger's doorstep if things get bad!" Jeanette finally spat out.
That comment stabbed Vinny's heart. Slowly she brought her hand up to clinch the shirt on her chest. How could Jeanette ever understand how it was back then, and why she had to do what she did to ensure her boy's protection?
"Well, why don't you just say that you don't want my help anymore?" Vinny said in a hurting tone.
"Maybe I don't, if that's going to your attitude!"
The triplets watched intensely as their mother and grandmother argued. Suddenly Mary-Anne turned away and focused her attention at the entranceway of the kitchen that faced the front door. She again turns to face the arguing adult Chipettes.
"Dada?" She asked getting their attention and pointing towards the front door.
"No, Sweetie! Daddy won't be home for awhile yet!" Jeanette said turning her angry voice into a soft, loving, motherly tone.
"Dada!" Mary-Anne persisted while still pointing at the door.
"I'm afraid not! Your mommy is right! Your daddy is working and won't be home until later! Until then, it'll just be you, your brothers, your mom and me!" Vinny said while tweaking her nose, playfully.
Just than Simon opens the front door and walks in. "Hi, I'm home!"
Jeanette and Vinny look at each other in shock. They then look at Simon as he enters the kitchen with his over-alls still on from work. He becomes concerned with the way the two females are looking at him.
"What?"
"What.what do you mean, what? Why are you home so yearly?" Jeanette asked with a baffled _expression.
"Oh, Nathan started the renovations to the store today, so he had me do some paper work, then sent me home yearly." After satisfying the women with the answer he turned to his kids. "Hay, guys! Have you three been good?"
"They're fine! Why didn't you tell me that you would get off early?" Jeanette said in a cranky tone.
"I thought I did! Last month!"
"No, you didn't!"
Simon let out a sigh; he really didn't want to fight with his wife. "Well if I didn't, I'm sorry! I had a really busy month and I know I told someone about the renovation.it must have been Dave that I spoke too."
The tension was interrupted by a scream from one of the infants. "Wwwaaahhh!!!" Cried Vincent.
"Awe!" Vinny, Jeanette, and Simon cooed at once as Jeanette picked up her son and cradled him in her arms.
"Teething is such a difficult time for young chipmunks at this stage of their lives." Vinny pointed out. Then she faces Simon. "I remember you and your brothers had a terrible time. It seemed to help when I used the special root that I would used to numb the pain, but some of us won't think that's practical." She huffed at Jeanette's directions.
Simon rolled his eyes trying not to get between the girls argument.
"And this modern way with using something called 'teething cream', doesn't help that much." Vinny added.
Simon thought about what his mom said for a minute as he pulled out the teething cream from the cupboard. "Hmm! That gives me an idea. I wonder if I could combined the medication from this teething cream, plus add the root in with it, perhaps it'll work faster and last longer than it usually does." Simon puts some cream on his son's sore gums then looks up at the girls again. "I should go downstairs and start on it right away, since I have the extra time off work.!" He thought out loud.
"Simon?" Jeanette asked as he headed for the basement door. She hadn't seen that certain 'twinkle' in his eye since they were kids.
He looked back at his family before heading downstairs. "Let's just say some of that 'old inventive juices' are beginning to return." He said with a grin. And with that he ran downstairs.
Differences aside, Jeanette and Vinny looked at each other and smiled. Each day goes by, a little of the old Simon returns.