The Ladies Reunite (Photostory)

Danielle felt the house was finally in enough order that she could invite her girlfriends over for a visit.  For those of you who are relatively new to my blog, the stories started with these five families, plus Leslie's family.  Leslie, her husband and two kids are away for the weekend, so Leslie is missing from the group.

The ladies have just finished the grand tour.  This is the first time all the ladies have been together since Danielle announced her pregnancy.

"Thank you guys for coming over and visiting.  It feels like forever since we have sat and chatted.  So what's happening?  Anything going on that I've missed?"  (Danielle)

"Not much talk out there, except about you and your expanding family."  (Vanessa)

"Oh, so I am now the talk around town.  Now that's funny."  (Danielle) 

"People are really happy.  Ever since you and Rod got married, people have been wondering if you were going to have more kids.  You look great, by the way."  (Antoinette)

"Thanks.  I'm not sure I like being part of the conversation that's happening."  (Danielle)

"Well, you were so immersed in the community doing the fundraisers, and hosting the Daddy/Daughter dance.  Everyone knows and loves you.  So we are all happy for you guys.  And this house is gorgeous."  (Sunni)

"Speaking of gorgeous houses, didn't you just move into that new Uptown house?"  (Lisa)

"Yes, we did!  I have to admit, I love it.  I'm not ready for company yet, but you will all be invited over soon."  (Sunni)

"You and Danielle are inspiring me to get my act together."  (Lisa)

"Speaking of that, how are you and Charles making out?"  (Antoinette)

"Well, we made love a couple days ago for the first time in almost a year."  (Lisa)

"What!"  (Vanessa)

"Oops, I forgot the girls were in the next room.  We will talk about the details later.  I'm feeling a lot more hopeful that we can find our way back to each other.  He's still living at his mom's house, but we've been talking about him moving back in."  (Lisa)

"That's great news.  I'm always happy when married people can work through their issues."  (Sunni)

"I'm always happy when married men can keep their parts out of other women."  (Antoinette)

"Antoinette!  The girls."  (Danielle)

The girls they are referring to are Nikaya, and Alicia who are in the next room looking at Nickolodeon.  I don't think they are even paying attention to the conversation, but you never know.

Danielle's stern voice startles Lisa's baby.  Maybe she knows they are talking about her daddy.  (As you may have noticed, Lisa's baby girl has grown.  She was an infant the last time we saw her.)

"Shhh, it's okay.  Ut oh.  Someone needs a diaper change."  (Lisa)

The baby noise sends Vanessa's daughter, Alicia, running to her mommy.

"What?  I thought you were watching tv."  (Vanessa)

"Danielle, where can I change the baby?"  (Lisa)

"You can change her in my room."  (Danielle)

Isn't she adorable?  She is the Hispanic Happy Family baby.  For my purposes, she's just a light skinned AA baby.  I made her little outfit.  

"I'll come with you.  I'm sure Maya is due for a change, too."  (Sunni)

Maya hears her name and looks up from playing.

The ladies grab their babies and diaper bags, and head upstairs.

"Can one of you guys look in on the kids?"  (Danielle)

"Sure."  (Lisa)

Antoinette moves closer to Danielle.

"So tell me.  How did you get Rod to agree to a new house?  I've been talking to Tony (her husband) about moving and he is not budging."  (Antoinette)

"Why don't you call Rod sometime and see if he can give you some insight into how his brother operates.  You know men speak a different language."  (Danielle)

"Excuse me."  (Niyaka)

"Yes, Nikaya."  (Antoinette)

"Mommy, can I call Nicole to see if she can come over?"  (Nikaya)

"This isn't your house.  You can't just invite people over without asking the person who lives here."  (Antoinette)

"Aunty Danielle, is it okay if I invite Nicole over?"  (Nikaya)

"Yes, but there's a chance her mom won't be able to bring her."  (Danielle)

"Okay."  (Nikaya)

"Mommy, where's your phone?"  (Nikaya)

"In my purse."  (Antoinette)

"Has Melanie seen the house yet?"  (Antoinette)

"If you mean the inside, no.  I don't know if she's driven by or not."  (Danielle)

"I heard she wasn't happy about the baby."  (Antoinette)

"Where did you hear that?!"  (Danielle)

"Tony told me."  (Antoinette)

Danielle doesn't know what to say.  She decides to say nothing until she can have a conversation with her husband.

Ut oh.  I guess Rod had the conversation about Melanie with his brother and not his wife.  

Lisa checks in on the kids after changing Chelsea's diaper.  She stands outside the door so they won't see her.  They are in playland heaven.  Jacob and Kenaz are playing with the toys.  The other three are playing school, with Ms. Zahara as the teacher.

"Teacher, can I go to the bathroom?"  (Julian)

"No.  No bathroom til you finish your work."  (Zahara)

"Ming, did you finish your lesson?"  (Zahara)

"Yes, Ms. Zahara."  (Ming)

Satisfied that everything is okay, Lisa heads back downstairs.

"So are the kids doing okay?"  (Antoinette)

"They are just as content as ever.  Danielle that playroom is just like having a babysitter."  (Lisa)

"I know.  Jacob will play in there for hours."  (Danielle)

Lisa heads towards Danielle with baby Chelsea.

"Here, it's time for you to refamiliarize yourself with babies."  (Lisa) 

"I don't need an excuse to hold this cutie."  (Danielle)

"Hand me the burp cloth."  (Danielle)

"Hello precious.  Is that a smile?  It is.  You are such a cutie pie."  (Danielle)

Danielle starts getting a little teary-eyed as she looks down at baby Chelsea.  She can't wait to hold her own new baby.  

"Are you okay?"  (Lisa)

"Yep.  I think it's just my hormones, again."  (Danielle)