a cop's legacy: 2.3 toddling around

Madison’s ghost became a regular appearance in the Greene home. He sulked around, feet never touching the ground for most of the night. Or he stole the occasional nap on a bed in the boys’ room.

Carter would sometimes find his father following him around, trying to warn him about a future riff in the family that would come when the boys were much older. This prophecy worried Carter, but his boys were still too carefree and the warnings soon slipped his mind.

Elissa’s age was showing more and more with each passing day. She started spending more time lounging around the house and sleeping in order to keep up the energy to chase after her energetic grandsons.

Dakota was a pleasant toddler, until he was hungry. When hungry, the boy screamed and cried even when placed in his high chair until presented with food. He was also a picky eater, preferring applesauce to mashed peas and prunes.

Sharon took joy in teaching Dakota how to talk, while Elissa sat nearby, watching. Dakota was stubborn and took quite a while learning the most basic words. Although Sharon tried to challenge him far too often, according to her mother-in-law.

Carter was learning how to balance family life and work. When the boys were asleep in their cribs, Carter snuck down to the basement gym and ran on the treadmill or pumped iron in order to improve his athletic skills for whatever task may lie ahead in his career.

One evening, Elissa invited her oldest child and only daughter’s children over to spend the night. Ashleigh (black hair) and Julia (blonde) had finally joined their brother in childhood.

Dalton was very studious and volunteered to help his sisters with their homework while grandma made dinner.

Dakota received much of his mother’s attention. Sharon had neglected to work off her pregnancy weight with Elijah to spend time with her oldest. She didn’t want Dakota to feel as if his parents loved the new baby more than him. Though Dakota had struggled with words, he was quick to walk and was soon a little terror, running around the house.

When he wasn’t being a rambunctious toddler, Dakota slowed down enough to play with the blocks Grandma Elissa had purchased for his birthday. He loved the blocks and soon was able to place the proper shapes in the correct slots with little hassle.

Just before Elijah’s transition to a toddler and still a year before Dakota’s transition to a child, Sharon discovered that she was pregnant again. Secretly, she prayed for a little girl. Two boys were already a handful.

Elijah’s birthday party was filled with family. The little baby wasn’t quite sure about all of the noise and hullabaloo, but felt safe in his mother’s arms.

Of course, before Elijah completed his birthday transition, the guests were distracted by this deer grazing on the property.

I just thought the deer was cute and had to add it into the photos. It really was present for Elijah’s birthday though.

Elijah grew up into a seriously adorable toddler. His hair is slightly darker than Dakota’s, but he took after his brother in many other ways.

Carter took over the task of teaching Elijah how to talk on his days off. The process was slow as Dakota stumbled over vowels and consonants numerous times.

Sharon taught Elijah how to walk. Once he’d successfully learned to put one foot in front of the other he was running, keeping up with Dakota.

The two Greene brothers were quite adorable and doted upon every moment possible. When one played with blocks, the other played the xylophone. Both were quite tone deaf, which was hilarious and annoying to their adult family members.

When playing with the doll house that Sharon had bought them (much to Carter’s dismay) the boys often shoved dolls up their nose or chewed on their heads. No doll was safe.

Finally, the last generation three baby joined the Greene family. Carter and Sharon named their youngest boy, Forrest Bennett Greene. He’s a Libra and was born with the Artistic and Heavy Sleeper traits. Immediately, Forrest was the easiest baby for Carter and Sharon to take care of and easily Elissa’s favorite grandson.

Soon after Forrest’s birth, Dakota had another birthday. His parents decided to throw a pool party for the little tyke, even though he wasn’t quite big enough to swim.

Even the cousins came to celebrate the oldest generation three birthdays. The party was a success.

Stay tuned for more of the Greene family as Sharon and Carter raise three boys in Sunset Valley.