First Steps: A Sequel to One Step Closer

Chapter 2

1 month along

HEATHER'S POV

It had been couple weeks since my first OB/GYN appointment and I was already getting bigger. The last time I was one month along, you could hardly tell I was pregnant. But I guess different baby, different pregnancy.

I looked at the clock that read 2:26 am and sighed. It was the beginning of December but I was burning up. I had already moved the blankets and sheets all onto Jack's side but it didn't help.

I decided to hoist myself up from the bed and make my way to the kitchen.

I stopped by Lydia's room to see her sleeping in her crib with one arm placed on her stomach, and the other over her head. She developed the habit of sleeping like that when she was first born. I later remembered that when Jack and I were first dating, he slept the same way.

"I love you." I whispered to her and continued my journey down the hallway.

I reached the kitchen and pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge. I finished about half the bottle when I realized that I left the fridge open. I went to close it when I noticed the tub of cookie dough left over from Thanksgiving. My cravings kicked in.

I put the bottle of water on the counter and grabbed the cookie dough from the fridge. I grabbed a big spoon from the drawer and hoisted myself up onto the counter. After a few spoonfuls, I heard footsteps coming down the hall.

Jack appeared around the corner with his robe on and his hair sticking up in all different directions.

"What are you doing up?" He asked.

"It was hot, and I got hungry." I said with a mouthful of cookie dough.

"Are you seriously eating the week old cookie dough?"

I shrugged. "Pregnancy cravings."

He chuckled.

"It's good see." I said putting a spoonful of dough in his mouth.

"Okay I see your point."

We had a few more spoonfuls each before I reluctantly put it back in the fridge.

Jack took me by the hand and led me over to the couch. I sat down first and he sat across from me and started rubbing my feet.

"Thank you." I said.

"You're welcome. Your feet got really swollen today."

I nodded. "It happened last time too. Nothing I can't handle."

"You have the strangest cravings. Remember during your first pregnancy? You had to have ketchup on everything."

I cringed. "I remember. Now just the smell of it makes me gag."

We both laughed when all of a sudden, we heard Lydia start whimpering through the baby monitor.

"I got her." Jack said standing up.

I situated myself so I was sitting up a little bit more.

Jack came back out bouncing a crying Lydia on his hip.

"Her diaper doesn't feel full and she doesn't smell. I think she wants her bottle Mama." He said handing her to me.

"Mama. Bottle." Lydia said.

Although Lydia can eat fruit like bananas and strawberries, she still drinks milk from her bottle since she only has two teeth.

"Can you get it? It's in the fridge."

Jack nodded and went to get the bottle. Lydia was still in tears, so I situated her so that she was in the crook of my arm. A few seconds later, Jack came back with her bottle.

I placed the nipple of the bottle in front of Lydia's mouth and she took it between her lips. Instantly, she calmed down.

Jack and I both let out a collective sigh. Lydia finished in no time, but she was still wide awake.

"I guess now is a good time to practice walking. What do you say Lydia?" I asked.

"Okay."

Although Lydia can stand on her own, she still has yet to take her first steps. I stood up and placed Lydia in the middle of the living room. She stood up while holding my hands. I let go and backed up towards the couch. Lydia stood for a moment before falling back down and smiling at us.

Jack backed up as well and squatted in front of the couch.

"Okay Lydia, you can do it. Come to Daddy."

Lydia leaned forward and placed her hands on the ground as if she was going to crawl. Jack sighed and stopped motioning towards her.

"I guess not today." He said.

But all of a sudden. Lydia pushed herself off of the ground and stood up. She took one wobbly step forward, and then started walking quickly towards Jack. She threw her arms around his neck and started giggling as if she knew what she had accomplished.

"You did it Dia!" Jack exclaimed.

Lydia smiled with her two front teeth, but then yawned.

"I think we tuckered her out." I said stroking her cheek.

"I'll put her down." Jack said.

"I'll help you."

We made our way in to her room and Jack laid her down in her in her crib. She was out like a light. Jack turned around and pulled me into a hug. We both looked at our baby girl. I was so proud of her and I knew Jack was too.

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Cute! Hi friends! This author's note is a little different. I wanted to give you guys a timeline so that you (and myself) won't get confused during this story. So here's the timeline, starting with One Step Closer:

• Heather moved to NYC in August at the age of 30 (Jack was 30 as well)

• While they were dating, they turned 31 in April.

• Jack proposed in April as well.

• They were married two months later in June.

• Eight months after that, in February, Heather found out she was pregnant with Lydia.

• During that pregnancy, Jack and Heather turned 32.

• They celebrated their first anniversary that June.

• Lydia was born five months later in November.

• The next April, they turned 33.

• They celebrated their second anniversary.

• Lydia turned 1 that November.

Now we're all caught up. Keep this information in mind while reading this story. Okay, bye friends!