A new mom's day

So my first "real" story for 2016. I hope you enjoy it! Inspired by a friend who recently had a baby.

Blanka looked around her small cottage and sighed, she was so tired, at least she had time to make the bed, before the crying start. But the dishes in the kitchen has really piled up and not to mention the feeding bottles. She should also probably prepare a wholesome dinner for poor Andrey, he is such an understanding father.

She quickly went into the small bedroom to check on Heike. The little angel is still asleep. After the nights they had the past couple of days, it is no wonder, she must be exhausted. Her thoughts wondered to Andrey again. The poor man looked so tired this morning, and she didn't even had the energy to make him coffee. It is hard to mask the constant crying of a baby in such a small cottage, luckily he has his earplugs.

A soft knock on the door frightened her, and immediately made her turn back to Heike to see if she is still asleep. Luckily she was, maybe it is an angel knocking, or was it her imagination all together.

Even though she was unsure if there was an actual knock, Blanka still went over to the front door. She was surprised to indeed find Roxy Renard there. "Hey Roxy, you knocked so softly, that I was not even sure if there actually was someone at the door." Blanka greeted.

"Yes, I was just worried that Heike might be asleep and I would never forgive myself if my interruption waked her. How are things here? I know the first few weeks can be though, so I thought to stop by and just check in on you."

Roxy's sweet gesture and genuine concern was enough to send Blanka into a fit of tears. 

"Oh Blanka, no, please don't cry! What is the matter?" Roxy asked worriedly. "It is Heike, I think there is something terribly wrong with her! She just doesn't stop crying." Blanka whispered through the tears. The older woman stifled a smile, she knew that feeling just too well. "Well she's asleep now, so I bet it is not that bad. In the meantime, let me make you a cup of tea, and you can tell me all about her illness and the symptoms." Roxy ordered. "Ok." Blanka said timidly.

Roxy brewed the tea and draw a chair up and listened closely to Blanka's concerns. She tried her best to put the young mother's mind to peace, but also suggested that she stop by Dr Fisher's clinic just to be sure. "But he will think I'm a bad mother." Blanka said. "Oh nonsense, he will never do that, promise me you will go!" Roxy demanded. "Ok." came another timid reply from Blanka.

After the tea and little chat, and without much convincing, Roxy managed to persuade Blanka to also take a nap while the baby was sleeping. Blanka immediately fell asleep and Roxy took the opportunity to quickly clean the kitchen...

... while making her delicious macaroni and cheese dish. She even prepared Heike's next feed. She left quietly, making sure to lock the door behind her.

Blanka awoke with a start, "oh my," she thought, "I slept, and Heike is still sleeping. Maybe she is not ill. But where is Roxy?" She got up to have a look around.

She almost burst into tears again when she found the dish for dinner on the kitchen counter and that her kitchen was clean. "Oh Roxy, how will I ever thank you." She was brought back to reality by Heike's familiar squealing noises, "how cute they sound, when one is rested." Blanka realised. 

Heike was wide awake in her bassinet, and immediately looked happier when she noticed her mother, "you must be hungry sweetie, you slept for so long, let me quickly go and make your bottle. It was then that she realised the feed was already prepared and waiting on the dressing table. Blanka once more thanked Roxy quietly.

Heike was in such a good spirit after the feeding and burping that Blanka decided to take a walk into the village, and maybe she must stop by Dr. Fisher's clinic just to make sure Heike is indeed fine.

It was a sunny afternoon outside, and Blanka was glad that she decided to go for a walk, nothing a bit of fresh air and sun can't fix.

Near her house, she met Fliss Redwood and her daughter Cali. They were on their way to buy some fresh produce at the Blackberry Market, but stopped for a quick chat. Talking to adults sure was satisfying, Blanka thought after she said goodbye to Fliss and her daughter.

As she came into the village she passed the patisserie, one of Blanka's favorite shops in Sugarbush Valley, and went inside.

"Blanka! And little Heike!" Pippa was truly happy to see them.

And while Pippa fussed over Heike, Blanka admired all the delicious cakes, tarts and other treats.

"So want to satisfy your sweet tooth?" Pippa asked. "Oh no, I am on a bit of a diet, but I want to buy something for Roxy, do you perhaps know what her favorite is?" Blanka inquired. "Of course, I do!" And Pippa quickly made up a box of Roxy's favorite treats.

Blanka decided to go straight to Roxy's house to deliver the gift, but as luck would have it she met her just outside the shop.

Roxy was delighted and relieved to see Blanka. She always feared depression, in new mothers. The two friends had another quick chat, and Blanka assured Roxy that she was feeling like a new person.

With a song in her heart Blanka said good bye to Roxy, enjoying the fact that she could give something back to this new friend she made.

After a quick visit to the park, Blanka made her way home again, and passed the clinic. She decided to stop. As luck would have it, Schroeder was just seeing his last patient for the day.

While waiting, Rosemary Bouquet also came over to admire the beautiful Heike. "What a beautiful, healthy daughter you have Blanka!" she commented, to Blanka's delight.

Schroeder indicated that he would quickly examine little Heike, and Blanka took the chance to talk to Isabel. Isabel assured her that Heike's behaviour is typical that of a new born and that Blanka should not worry.

Dr Fisher, confirmed what his wife said, by assuring Blanka that physically there is nothing wrong with the adorable Heike. As she walked home it felt like a mountain was lifted from her should, and once again she silently thanked Roxy,

That evening, Andrey was surprised to find a sleeping baby, delicious dinner and a happy and content wife when he arrived home from Eaglewood. "Wow, Blanka, you are glowing, did you and Heike have a good day?" he inquired. "Yes, the best ever!" his wife replied happily!

A few updates

Just a quick update on a few happenings in Sugarbush Valley. 

Back in September of 2015, I got a fantastic parcel from my friend Kyraja , of which I posted here. As I mentioned, receiving the newly released persian cat father was a surprise, and ever-since I was trying to figure out the family, i.e. how they came to Sugarbush, what they did for a living as well as names, but due to a lack of motivation I was a complete blank and left it at that.

To my great relief, SSK (Sylvanian Store Keepers) posted a bio and I decided to use that in combination with the bio of the "old" Persian Cat family known as the Persis family.

So without further ado meet Arthur Teak and his daughter Sadie Teak (I used the name of Sadie Persis for the girl as I just don't think Nora suits her). After the terrible death of their son, Nolly, Arthur decided to relocate his family to the quiet village of Sugarbush Valley to escape the constant reminder of Nolly's passing. Arthur and his wife, Cecilia, decided that he and Sadie will go ahead to Sugarbush to sort out living arrangements, while she wrap up the family affairs in Grinpa. Their full bio can be found here.  

In September I was also spoiled with a summer swap parcel from Suvenkorento, read about it here. Included in the set was the baby bunk beds. I split up the set and the pink bed went to Creme Chocolate. Find more pictures of the Chocolates house here.

Eric Renard finally got his blue work dungarees, so I could update the Renard's profile pictures.

The Chestnut babies also finally got their intended outfits, and I could ad a new profile picture for them too.

Hopefully I will soon post a new story, but I think this is a good start for 2016. 

Father Christmas visits Sugarbush Valley

Dear reader, sorry for my absence. I just noticed that my last post was on 8 November and that is more than a month ago. Though I was quite busy at work and with life, I also lacked motivation to play with my Sylvanians.

Over, the past week that changed a bit and yesterday I got enough courage to take some pictures for a story. All in the light of Christmas, hope you enjoy it!

Rose looked at Taylor, "Does it fit? It looks great!". Taylor grunted, "It is just really warm, but yes it fits."  Sugarbush Valley has an age old tradition, that Father Christmas visits the valley each year. All the children of the village then gets a chance to speak to him and communicate their wish list to him. The children love the tradition and Taylor Timbertop has been Father Christmas, since his father passed away, another tradition.

"Here, let me just shift the beard to the right a bit, yes there you are, much better." It was the evening before the visit, and Rose just wanted to make sure that the suit, which could be classified as an antique, still fitted.

The next morning, on the other side of the little village, the Patches family, were getting ready for their day. Antonio was making the beds and Dorothy fed Kyle his porridge.

"So are you ready to visit Father Christmas, Kyle?" Dorothy asked her son. "Fa' Mas! Yes!" Kyle squealed and clapped his hands. "It is nice of you to take him Dori, he will love it?" Antonio said to his wife.

"I think so too, I'm just worried that he might be scared." replied Dorothy. "No scare! Many presies!" Kyle yelled again. Antonio and Dorothy laughed at their little boy's excitement and Antonio planted a kiss on his cheek.

While the village children was excited about the visit, Innes Bercher, was very stressed about it. This was the first year that the event will take place at his toy shop, which is a great marketing tool, but he always worries that his shop is too small for too many people.

He took a look around and decided that he will first have to move some stuff around, the play area is usually cramped full of toys and that is the only area that everyone can gather.

Without further hesitation he started to move the toys.

Luckily all the toys was quite light, so it wasn't exhausting.

Then he started to move all the smaller toys from the play area to the shelves, and was interrupted by a knock on the door of the shop.

It was Rose Timbertop wanting to confirm the time for the visit. After a brief discussion Rose left and Innes continue to clear the play area.

Finally he was happy, the toys were still visible and anyone can still play with it or buy it if they like, but there is enough space for Father Christmas and the children.

Innes was just about to start on his paperwork, he wanted to pay some bills, when he could hear children's laughter outside. He felt delighted, he was just a bit worried that no one will show up.

It was Ellema Brightfield with her two daughters, Meshia and Briel, accompanied by Willow Cottontail, Meshia's best friend. "Oh Innes, the children is so excited, what a wonderful idea." Ellema said. "Thank you, yes this old village does have some wonderful traditions." Innes replied. "Is it ok if I leave them here with you, I have to get back to ice cream parlour."

Innes assured Ellema that it was fine, and she left. The Bouquet and Thistlethorn children have also arrived in the meantime.

Kaitlin Decker and the triplets also made it in time, as the festive 'ho ho ho' call of Christmas Father could be heard just outside the shop.

The next minute he appeared in the doorway, and the children shrieked with joy.

Dorothy and Kyle arrived just after him, but no one even noticed as they were too excited to greet Father Christmas and speak to him.

He went around the room, talking to each child and inquiring about their wishes. When he reached Kyle, the little boy giggled and said "dino, dino, rex!" Father Christmas had a big laugh at the cute little boy, "I assume he is trying to say that he want a T-rex dinosaur?" Dorothy laughed at her son too, and indicated that, that was indeed what he wanted.

Prissy Thistlethorn also got her chance, and Lavender Bouquet was patiently waiting her turn.

When it was finally her turn, she started shivering, but stayed brave and managed to tell Father Christmas that she wanted a doll.

After everyone have left, Innes went over to Taylor to thank him for doing such a wonderful job, but they ware interrupted by loud screams of 'wait, wait, wait'.

It was Monty Mcburrows, and he came rushing into the Toyshop closely followed by his mother and siblings.

"We are late, as usual." Heidi apologised for their untimeliness. "No worries, Tay..., oh I mean Father Christmas, is still here for another hour, their is always a few parents who want to miss the initial rush." Innes assured Heidi.

While Innes and Heidi talked some more, the children spoke to their hero. Muddy was first and gave such a long list that his mother had to interject.

Monty's list was much simpler, and with his mother beside him, he was quite brave.

The Mcburrows left in the same hurried way that they came, but the day was still not over for Taylor. He was surprised to see Bud and Burl entering the shop, his two sons. He was hoping that Rose could convince them not to come, as both of them was worried that Bud will recognise him.

But as luck will have it, just as Bud was about to reveal the truth to his little brother, Harley Farthing and his children entered the shop.

Innes and Rose gave huge sighs of relief and Taylor turned his attention to the Farthing children, while Rose showed the boys some toys, before leaving hurriedly.

Later that afternoon when Bud was playing and Burl was taking his nap, Taylor quietly entered their room and Rose quickly helped him to undress. "So, did you enjoy it?" Rose asked. "Oh yes, it was marvelous, to see all those excited faces, and to hear all of those wishes, some a bit amusing, but still wonderful." Taylor beamed!

Next door, the Bercher's was having the same conversation, "Oh Honey, it was wonderful! To see the excitement on all the little faces, priceless. And there was so much orders, we will double our profit from last month!" Innes told his wife excitedly. Marqaux smiled to herself and lovingly looked at her husband. This little village surely was a magical place.