Hearing those words come out of Debbie's mouth made my tim, trái tim race. I knew it wasn't a good idea to bring AJ to the hospital because I know it's going to be chaos. I ran up to Jeffrey and asked him "will bạn watch AJ for me? Debbie's water just broke and I don't know how long I'll be at the hospital with her for." He đã đưa ý kiến "of course I can Michael. I hope everything with the delivery goes well." I đã đưa ý kiến "thank bạn so much Jeffrey" and grabbed my car keys off of the countertop in the kitchen.
When I arrived at the hospital, Debbie was so happy to see me and she đã đưa ý kiến "I'm not even close to having the baby anytime soon. I can't really complain too much because Alanna's delivery was so easy and quick. This is just the payback for the first time!" I sat down in the chair tiếp theo to her hospital giường and đã đưa ý kiến "I don't care how long this takes; I'll be here to support you!" She đã đưa ý kiến "I had the doctors give me an epidural because I just couldn't handle the pain anymore. I've been nauseous and I just wanted to warn bạn because I will probably throw up at some point." I hugged her and đã đưa ý kiến "just relax! I'm not going anywhere; even if bạn throw up! That stuff doesn't bother me! Did bạn forget that I have a two-year-old at home? Throwing up is nothing to me anymore Debbie!"
phút after I finish that sentence, she did end up getting sick in a bucket that she held in her hands. She looked embarrassed almost to the point of devastation. She đã đưa ý kiến "I'm so sorry bạn had to witness that Michael!" I đã đưa ý kiến "you really don't need to worry about it; seriously Debbie! That doesn't bother me at all! I'm just glad that bạn have better aim than AJ does because I've Mất tích count of how many times she's gotten sick all over me and that doesn't even bother me anymore!" After I đã đưa ý kiến that she seemed to be at ease and we sat there finally able to catch up on what has been going on in each other's lives.
Debbie asked "how's AJ doing?" I đã đưa ý kiến "you'll be happy to know that I threw away the baby bottles." She đã đưa ý kiến "that's great. How is the bathroom situation with her going? I know bạn were really struggling with that before!" I đã đưa ý kiến "she's 100% trained during the ngày and it'll probably be a while before I'm comfortable working on nighttime with her because I'm going to be busy taking care of Prince in the middle of the night." Debbie asked "what about her oppositional defiance disorder and ADHD? Has that gotten any better?" I took a deep sigh and đã đưa ý kiến "unfortunately no; if anything it's gotten worse! I've never seen a child that young with the anger that she has! I can’t imagine what it's going to be like when she is older! I know she's not broken but sometimes I just want to fix her in some way because I can see that she doesn't even want to act the way she does! I think she realizes what she does after the fact and feels remorseful; but she just doesn't want to admit it. She is so stubborn but; she has the potential to be so well behaved and I hope I'm doing everything in my power to help her get to that point!"
After almost 23 hours of labor, Debbie had almost delivered our son into the world and I was glad because I could tell that she was completely exhausted. She was cursing up a storm and I would try to come up with another word for her to use because I rarely ever swear! I only really swear when I'm extremely mad! Sometimes "hell" will slip out of my mouth here and there; but I don't really consider that a swear word because it's in the Bible. Anyway, I finally got to hold my son for the first time and it brought me back to all the times when AJ was that small! I of course thanked Debbie and was glad when they let me leave the hospital with him a few hours later. Debbie unfortunately has to stay at the hospital for a few days to monitor her health because the delivery lasted so long.
I got back to Neverland with Prince around 2 o'clock in the morning and Jeffrey was waiting for me. I let him go back to his servants’ quarters because he was pretty much sleeping when I walked through the door. After feeding my son and helping him get off to sleep, I walked across the hall into AJ's bedroom to see her peacefully sleeping with hoạt hình playing on her TV. I kissed her forehead and turned off the TV. I couldn't help but realize how much AJ has changed in almost 3 years’ time.
***
Okay, maybe I forgot how much work it is to take care of a newborn baby because it's been so long. Ever since I bought Prince trang chủ about six hours cách đây I've been exhausted and I'm about to get a lot thêm tired because AJ should be up any một phút now. She still doesn't know that her brother is here because she was fast asleep when I got back to the ranch with him. Thank God Grace will be back tomorrow because I have feeling today is going to be very long ngày which will make me one very tired daddy.
I was sitting on the đi văng in the living room with Prince in my arms and my eyes barely open when AJ yelled "I'm awake daddy" from upstairs. My eyes shot open and I walked upstairs with the baby still in my arms. I opened her bedroom door and quietly crept over to the bed. I whispered "do bạn want to meet your baby brother?" I sat down tiếp theo to her on the giường and helped her hold Prince in her arms. She đã đưa ý kiến "he's cute daddy." I đã đưa ý kiến "I know." She đã đưa ý kiến "I can't wait until he's a little bit older so I can teach him stuff!" I asked "did bạn listen to Jeffrey while I was at the hospital?" She responded "yeah; but I missed bạn and now I really have to go to the bathroom!" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "I don't understand why bạn don't ever go when I'm not here. bạn make me feel so bad for you." She dashed off to the bathroom while explaining "because I just can't go daddy." I rolled my eyes and đã đưa ý kiến "whatever bạn say AJ!"
AJ came downstairs with me a little while later and I was surprised bởi how patient she was being with me because I had to spend so much time taking care of Prince. She actually wanted to be helpful to me and would go get me something that I needed if Prince started crying. I đã đưa ý kiến "you're being such a good big sister AJ!" She looked down at Prince as he drank from the bottle I was feeding him and asked "daddy?" I responded "yes?" She asked "is that one of my bottles?" I đã đưa ý kiến "it used to be a few months ago." She whispered "oh" and wrinkled her eyebrows. She stayed really quite after that and I don't really know why.
***
I was woken up this morning bởi the doorbell ringing and grabbed Prince out of the cũi, giường cũi that was set up in my bedroom so I could go answer it. When I opened the door Grace was standing on the other side and I was so happy to see her because she's been gone for the past six months taking care of her sister who unfortunately passed away. I đã đưa ý kiến "it's so nice to have bạn working for me again; so much has changed! AJ’s going to be three years old in a few weeks! This is my newborn son Prince Michael and you'll be taking care of him too. Luckily, I don't really have too much going on with my job right now because I'm in between legs on my tour and the final leg doesn't start until the week after AJ's birthday. There are only 15 shows left and then the tour is finally over! If bạn can’t tell bởi now, I hate being on tour! It absolutely exhausts me and I can't wait until I don't have to worry about it anymore! Until then, I'm just trying to enjoy as much quality time with the children as possible before we hit the road again." She đã đưa ý kiến "well, I'll be here to help bạn with anything bạn need so that when bạn get back to the hotel after a buổi hòa nhạc bạn can just relax!" I đã đưa ý kiến "I really appreciate that from bạn because there would be no way that I would be able to watch both of the children on my own and do my job correctly. It was hard enough just watching AJ for those last few concerts when bạn left to go tend to your sister. My manager was so irritated with me because I spent thêm time worrying about Alanna then I did about preparing for the show. He stresses me out way too much! I'm not looking phía trước, chuyển tiếp to having him breathing down my neck pretty much all ngày long. I definitely don't miss that part of my job."
AJ came scurrying down the stairs and I picked her up. I kissed her forehead and đã đưa ý kiến "this is Grace; do bạn remember her?" She started to act shy and asked "is she the lady who was here when bạn put me in timeout for the first time daddy?" I smirked and đã đưa ý kiến "yeah that's her." Grace đã đưa ý kiến "your daddy looks like he needs a break." I đã đưa ý kiến "actually; I was going to have bạn watch the two of them while I go to my studio here on the ranch." AJ immediately started having separation anxiety; I can't really blame her because she hasn't really been away from me for the past six months.
She screamed "you can't leave me here daddy!" I asked "why not? I'm just going to be over at the studio a few miles away in the backyard munchkin." She refused to talk to me unless Grace left the room; so I had her feed Prince a baby bottle in the living room while AJ and I talked. I asked "what's the big deal AJ? I'm not going anywhere far away!” She đã đưa ý kiến "I don't want to be away from you! I heard bạn talking about how you're going to go back to work and be gone all ngày while I'm in a hotel!" She started crying uncontrollably and I couldn't help but feel bad because I don't like leaving either of the children for any amount of time; let alone all ngày for five days a week. We'll only be gone for a tháng and a half because I average about three shows a week and there's only 15 shows left on the tour.
I asked "do bạn want to go down to the studio with me then; since bạn don't want me to leave bạn here with Grace?" She đã đưa ý kiến "yes" and calmed herself down. I walked into the living room and đã đưa ý kiến "you don't need to worry about watching AJ because she's going to the studio with me. We'll be back in about an hour; check the backyard if bạn need me." Grace đã đưa ý kiến "no need to worry; are bạn sure bạn don't want me to watch AJ for you?" I responded "no; that's all right. If bạn can't tell bởi now; AJ is extremely attached to me!"
I tình yêu my personal recording studio that I had built on the ranch because it has a living room that AJ has a play area set up in. I held her hand as we walked through the front door of the studio and I brought her to the living room. She asked "daddy; will bạn play with me?" I felt really bad because I haven't really been able to spend much time with her in the past two days because of Prince needing so much of my time and attention. I lay down on my stomach on the living area floor and đã đưa ý kiến "sure; since there's not many things in here, why don't we just talk instead?" She đã đưa ý kiến "okay daddy." I asked "do bạn like being a big sister AJ?" She đã đưa ý kiến "yeah; but I wish bạn could spend thêm time with me because I kind of miss when it was just me and you! I really tình yêu Prince; but I can't have bạn all to myself anymore!" I đã đưa ý kiến sympathetically "I know; in a few thêm months Prince won't need me to take care of him quite so often and then we can do things that bạn like to do. That actually reminds me; what did bạn want to do for your birthday this year?" She đã đưa ý kiến "I want to have a Spiderman party daddy!!!" I chuckled and sarcastically đã đưa ý kiến "I didn't see that coming! Do bạn want your uncles, grandma, and aunts to come to the party?" She đã đưa ý kiến "no; grandma and Aunt Latoya can come over; but that's it!" I asked curiously "why don't bạn want everyone else to come?" She đã đưa ý kiến "because they are mean to bạn and make bạn sad."
***
Last năm I was rehearsing for my tour when AJ's birthday rolled around; so I really didn't have the time to set up anything special for her. That's why I want this birthday to make up for the last one. Plus, this is the first birthday that I think she will remember years from now and I want it to be a memorable ngày for her! I walked upstairs and into AJ's bedroom to see if she was awake yet. I was surprised to see that she was still sleeping because it was almost 9 o'clock and she usually wakes up around eight. I walked up to her and pulled the covers away. She slowly opened her eyes and I đã đưa ý kiến "good morning sleepyhead. Are bạn excited that your birthday is only a few days away?" She đã đưa ý kiến "I'm so excited daddy!" I đã đưa ý kiến "good because I'm going to do my best to make this the coolest party ever!"
She jumped on my back and I carried her downstairs. I let her down and she sat on the couch. I put hoạt hình on the TV and walked up to Grace in the phòng bếp, nhà bếp and asked in whispered tones "will bạn watch AJ as well as Prince while I go shopping for her party?" She responded "of course I can Michael." I đã đưa ý kiến "I have to stop bởi a few other places too; so I may be a couple of hours." She đã đưa ý kiến "that's not problem Michael; take as long as bạn need!" While AJ was mesmerized bởi the TV, I quickly snuck out of the house before she noticed because I knew she would have separation anxiety if she knew that I went somewhere without her.
After going to the store with my bodyguard Jeffrey, I decided to stop bởi Havenhurst to check in on my mother because I haven't seen her in a few weeks. I knocked on the door and Majestic answered it. Majestic was the magician I hired to entertain me while I was still living with mother and Joseph; but now he just stays at Havenhurst free of charge because I didn't want my mother's been lonely here bởi herself. I greeted Majestic and he đã đưa ý kiến "it's about time bạn come to visit me!" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "I'm actually here to see mother." He jokingly đã đưa ý kiến "oh… I see how it is Michael!" I walked into the living room to see mother sitting there in a chair. She looked up and đã đưa ý kiến "there's my little Michael!" I rolled my eyes and smiled as I đã đưa ý kiến "I'm not so little anymore mother! I'm going to be 34." I sat down in the chair tiếp theo to her and she đã đưa ý kiến "you'll always be my little Michael!"
She asked "so, what brings bạn here today?" I đã đưa ý kiến "I just finished shopping for Alanna's birthday party and wanted to stop bởi to invite bạn to come on Saturday." She đã đưa ý kiến "of course I'll be there! Can –." I cut her off and đã đưa ý kiến "please don't even ask that mother! I'm not inviting my brothers, Janet, Rebbie, and especially not Joseph! I've tried three times in a row to invite them over to the ranch and it never ends positively! I want this to be good birthday for AJ and even she realizes that being around any of them makes me tense! She told me all on her own that she doesn't want them to come!" Mother đã đưa ý kiến "that's fine Michael; it was just a suggestion." I got up from my ghế, chỗ ngồi and đã đưa ý kiến "okay mother; I tình yêu bạn and I'll see bạn in a few days at the ranch for the party." She hugged me and đã đưa ý kiến "I can't wait; I miss my grandbabies!"
When I opened the front door to the main house on the ranch, I saw that AJ was sobbing uncontrollably on the other side of the door. I picked her up and asked "what's wrong?" She đã đưa ý kiến "I was watching TV and when I looked around later on, bạn were gone!!!!!!!!!!!!" I rubbed her back as tears flowed from her eyes and đã đưa ý kiến "you couldn't come with me because I had to get your party stuff. I came back; didn't I?" Grace came into the room and đã đưa ý kiến "see; I told bạn daddy would be back! She had a complete meltdown once she realized bạn were gone Michael!" I đã đưa ý kiến "she's become very clingy in this past few months that we've been back home. I don't know what's gotten into her! bạn know I would never leave bạn forever AJ; I always come back!" She đã đưa ý kiến while rubbing her eyes "next time, please take me with bạn daddy!"
***
I ran into AJ's room and shouted "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" at the hàng đầu, đầu trang of my lungs. She jumped out of giường and đã đưa ý kiến "yay; it's time for my party!" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "whoa; slow down! It's only 8 o'clock in the morning! We still have a while to go before grandma and Aunt Latoya come over! I called Aunt Elizabeth (Taylor) and she is coming too." She quietly walked downstairs and I đã đưa ý kiến "remember, Prince is sleeping so we can't be too loud! Grace was upstairs with the baby so I could spend some much overdue quality time with AJ. While I slowly began to get the things out of the phòng bếp, nhà bếp so I could make French bánh mì nướng for breakfast.
The phone started ringing as I stood there putting the syrup on the French bánh mì nướng that I had just made for breakfast. I answered the phone and the person on the other end đã đưa ý kiến "hello; is this Mr. Jackson?" I đã đưa ý kiến "yes; may I ask whose calling?" The person đã đưa ý kiến "this is your party planner Deana and I have some unfortunate news for bạn Michael. The person that bạn hired to come to the party dressed as Spiderman canceled about 20 phút ago." I whispered angrily "what do bạn mean they canceled? They can't do that! That was supposed to be the best part of AJ's birthday party!" She responded "I'm sorry Michael; is there any other superhero that your daughter would want to come to her party?" I đã đưa ý kiến irritated "no; that's why I specifically asked for Spiderman! Why don't bạn have one of the people that dresses up in costume wear the Spiderman one instead?" She đã đưa ý kiến "because the other staff members aren't crazy enough to put on that costume because it's extremely hot and makes them sweat. The person that was supposed to wear the costume today was my 16-year-old nephew and the only reason he agreed to wear it was because I was going to let him borrow my car so he could go to the prom with his girlfriend. Then out of nowhere he called me and told me that he wouldn't need the car anymore because they are just going to ride in a limo with a group of their friends. I'm sorry Michael; but there's nothing I can do about it at this point because it's such short notice that I wouldn't be able to find someone and time." I was getting very aggravated at this point and đã đưa ý kiến "you know what, just bring the costume over to me and I'll wear the freaking thing! I mean this is totally unacceptable and I won't be using your services again after today! bạn should be ashamed of yourself and I hope you'll be happy when I spread the word around to all my other celebrity Những người bạn about how ridiculous this is for me to have to deal with right now! All I can say is that the birthday cake I had bạn make better be amazing!"
I slammed the phone down on the bàn and shook my head in disbelief. I went into the living room and saw AJ sitting on the đi văng watching cartoons. I sat tiếp theo to her and she đã đưa ý kiến "I can't wait for my party daddy! Is it almost time?" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "you just got up 10 phút cách đây and I told bạn the party isn't going to be for a while." She đã đưa ý kiến "it's taking too long!" I đã đưa ý kiến "you're still in your pajamas and we haven't even had anything to eat yet!" She asked "are bạn making something for breakfast daddy?" I đã đưa ý kiến "of course I am; I have French bánh mì nướng started right now. It should be done in a few thêm minutes!"
Once the French bánh mì nướng was finished, I sat down tiếp theo to AJ at the bàn and meticulously cut her thực phẩm into the smallest bite-size pieces possible. Grace came downstairs with Prince in her arms and sat down tiếp theo to me at the table. She đã đưa ý kiến "happy birthday AJ." I looked over at AJ as she shoveled so much French bánh mì nướng in her mouth that she couldn't even respond. I đã đưa ý kiến "AJ; bạn know better than that. It may be your birthday, but that doesn't mean bạn get to break the rules." She swallowed her thực phẩm and softly đã đưa ý kiến "sorry" under her breath. I đã đưa ý kiến "I just don't want bạn to choke because I would feel awful." she asked "daddy; since it's my birthday, can I pick out what clothes I'm going to wear?" I đã đưa ý kiến "I don't have a problem with that."
One of the maids helped clean the house while Grace and I started setting up the decorations for the party. Grace đã đưa ý kiến "wow Michael; bạn really went all out for AJ's party this year!" I đã đưa ý kiến "I really wanted this birthday to be special because this is the last năm that I think I can get away with calling Alanna a baby. I have a feeling that this năm is going to be really hard on me in particular because I'm finishing up a tour and trying to successfully raise two kids. I'm realizing now that I've spent so much time with Prince that I don't want AJ to think he's thêm important then she is to me! It's easy for a three-year-old to perceive things in that way. I want her to know that just because she isn't my one and only priority anymore doesn't mean I've forgotten about her!"
After we had set up the entire first floor of the house with Spiderman themed party decorations, AJ came downstairs and I couldn't wait to see what she had picked out for clothes. I turned around to see that she was wearing a tank hàng đầu, đầu trang over a sweatshirt, one blue sock, one yellow sock, and a pair of Spiderman võ sĩ quyền anh shorts. I had to try my absolute hardest not to laugh and she asked "do bạn like my outfit daddy?" I crossed my arms and đã đưa ý kiến "it's original; that's for sure! Just out of curiosity; do bạn need my help picking out pants to wear?" She đã đưa ý kiến "no; I'm just going to stay like this!" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "stay like that! bạn can't stay like that AJ!" She asked "why not daddy?" Grace started cracking up and I đã đưa ý kiến "because AJ; you're just in your undies! bạn don't want everyone to see your undies; right?" She đã đưa ý kiến "but daddy –!" I đã đưa ý kiến "no 'but daddy’s’ bạn have to put on jeans hoặc something! I'll compromise with you; if bạn want to wear Spiderman pajama pants bạn can!" She đã đưa ý kiến "okay daddy; I like your plan better" and ran upstairs.
I laughed and đã đưa ý kiến "okay; maybe letting AJ pick out her own clothes wasn't such a good idea after all! I kind of forgot about her obsession with the Spiderman boxers" the doorbell rang and I let my mother, Latoya, and Elizabeth inside. AJ ran into my arms and I đã đưa ý kiến "there; bạn look much better now! bạn didn't have to change your áo sơ mi though!" She đã đưa ý kiến "I know; but I wanted to match!" Latoya took AJ out of my arms and asked "do bạn want to see your birthday cake? Auntie just picked it up on the way over here!" AJ shook her head "yes" and Latoya showed her the blue and red cake with Spiderman's face on it. I breathed a sigh of relief because I was so worried that the party planner would mess up the cake. I whispered "did bạn get the costume from the lady?" She put AJ down on the floor and pulled me into another room.
Latoya đã đưa ý kiến "yes I did Michael; but are bạn sure bạn want to wear this? The fabric is really thick!" I đã đưa ý kiến "yes I'm sure! I don't want AJ to ever forget this birthday!" I snuck upstairs to go put the costume on and immediately started sweating. The weather outside was already in the high 80s and I don't know how long I'm going to be able to handle this for! I quickly slipped the mask over my head and went downstairs.
I walked into the dining room just as Latoya was lighting the candles on the cake and tapped AJ on the shoulder. She turned around and her face was priceless. She was absolutely speechless and then she forced out of the words "how did bạn get here Spiderman?" I đã đưa ý kiến in my normal tone of voice "I swung on my con nhện, nhện webs!" Latoya nudged me with her elbow and whispered "deeper voice Michael!" I cleared my throat and đã đưa ý kiến "so; I could tell bởi my Spidey senses that today is your third birthday!" AJ đã đưa ý kiến "whoa; I can't believe bạn knew that!" Latoya could see I was sweating like crazy in the costume; so she đã đưa ý kiến "listen AJ; Spiderman has to leave." Latoya took a picture of us together and AJ đã đưa ý kiến "wait Spiderman; I think my daddy is upstairs and if bạn see him please tell him how he can get big muscles like bạn have!" I chuckled at the irony of what she just đã đưa ý kiến to me and đã đưa ý kiến "I'll make sure I let him in on all my secrets!"
After changing back into my regular clothes, I went downstairs to tham gia the party. Surprisingly, AJ didn't have too much to say about meeting "Spiderman" and I think that was because she was still in shock from the whole experience. She didn't even say a single word to me afterwards about it.
It was time for AJ to go to giường and I was giving her a piggyback ride up the stairs. I gently dropped her onto her giường and when I leaned in to give her a Kiss good night, she asked "daddy; did bạn see Spiderman?" I smiled and đã đưa ý kiến "yes I did." She asked "did he tell bạn how to get big muscles like him?" I đã đưa ý kiến "he did; but why do bạn think that my muscles need to be bigger than they already are?" She đã đưa ý kiến "because I want bạn to be able to beat up bad guys and monsters that can hurt me!" I đã đưa ý kiến "trust me AJ; I will protect bạn from any bad guys! I'll beat up anybody that wants to hurt you!" She seemed unconvinced as she stared at me with her eyebrows wrinkled and đã đưa ý kiến "I don't think so daddy; some of those bad guys are really strong!" I đã đưa ý kiến "AJ; when it comes to someone hurting bạn I'm stronger than Spiderman is! No one will ever hurt bạn as long as daddy's around to hurt them first!" I shut off the light after finally getting my good night Kiss and just as I was about to leave the room, AJ đã đưa ý kiến "thank bạn for the best birthday ever daddy! I tình yêu bạn so much!" I đã đưa ý kiến "I tình yêu bạn more! You're welcome; sleep well!"
***
I đã đưa ý kiến "AJ; bạn have to be patient because I'm taking care of Prince right now! Grace will help you!" She shouted back "no; I want you!" I sighed and đã đưa ý kiến "just come in here then!" She đã đưa ý kiến "NO; I don't want to!" I rolled my eyes and đã đưa ý kiến "you're about to find yourself in the corner for three phút if bạn keep this up!" She đã đưa ý kiến "you're being stupid daddy!" I couldn't believe my ears at first because I had never đã đưa ý kiến that word around AJ before. I passed Prince to Grace and went into the play room to investigate.
I sat down on the đi văng tiếp theo to her and asked "where did bạn hear that word AJ?" She responded "Uncle Tito calls bạn that when he's mad at you!" I đã đưa ý kiến "well; I don't like that word at all because it's a bad word and I don't want to ever hear bạn say that again; do bạn understand?" Of course AJ being as stubborn as she is, looked me straight in my eyes and đã đưa ý kiến "stupid, stupid, stupid!" I picked AJ up and sat her in the corner of the living room; so I could keep an eye on her and finish feeding Prince a bottle.
AJ got out of the corner and walked up to me as I đã đưa ý kiến "you better get over there AJ!" She whined "daddy those are my bottles; I don't want Prince to use them!" Grace đã đưa ý kiến "I think someone's a little jealous of her little brother Michael." I đã đưa ý kiến "AJ; bạn don't need these anymore remember? bạn have your Spiderman cups now!" She đã đưa ý kiến "I don't want to be a big kid anymore! It's awful!" I asked "what bạn mean bạn don't want to be a big kid anymore? Don't bạn like being a big sister?" Grace looked at me and I đã đưa ý kiến "I think bạn may be right when bạn say she's jealous!" I looked back at AJ still waiting for an answer from the câu hỏi I had just asked her and she đã đưa ý kiến "I'm going to wet my pants." I đã đưa ý kiến "you better not because I know it won't be an accident!" I could tell that she was contemplating it; so I gave her my "I'm dead serious" daddy look and she immediately went back to the corner. Grace đã đưa ý kiến "I tình yêu when bạn make that face Michael; that's the only time I've ever seen bạn one hundred percent serious!"
I called her out of the corner and đã đưa ý kiến calmly but sternly "sit down; right now." AJ slumped down in the spot tiếp theo to me on the đi văng and I đã đưa ý kiến "that was completely unacceptable AJ! First of all, bạn don't need to be calling me bad words. Secondly, I realize that Prince has been around for a about a tháng now; but bạn need to understand that bạn can't have me all to yourself anymore. Lastly, bạn need to act like a big kid." She đã đưa ý kiến "fine; then I don’t want to wear the diapers at night anymore!" I hesitated and stopped myself because I realized that I was holding AJ back again. I đã đưa ý kiến "okay, okay, I guess we'll start that tonight."
Grace could tell that as it got darker outside I grew thêm paranoid. After I read AJ a bedtime story, I asked "are bạn sure bạn don't need to go to the bathroom again? She đã đưa ý kiến "stop asking me that she daddy!" I waited all night long for the inevitable screams for "daddy" but they never came and the ridiculous thing as that I don't know whether hoặc not to be happy hoặc sad about that! Is it too much to ask to be needed?
The tiếp theo day, my eyes shot open because my three-year-old was jumping up and down on my chest saying "I told bạn so!" The funny thing is that the tiếp theo night was way different than the first. Her "I told bạn so's" quickly turned to 2 AM "DADDY", 3 AM "DADDY", and "NOT AGAIN DADDY!!!" At least I can say that it is done and over with. Now if I could just get Prince to sleep through the night I might finally get a good nights’ sleep myself!!!
When I arrived at the hospital, Debbie was so happy to see me and she đã đưa ý kiến "I'm not even close to having the baby anytime soon. I can't really complain too much because Alanna's delivery was so easy and quick. This is just the payback for the first time!" I sat down in the chair tiếp theo to her hospital giường and đã đưa ý kiến "I don't care how long this takes; I'll be here to support you!" She đã đưa ý kiến "I had the doctors give me an epidural because I just couldn't handle the pain anymore. I've been nauseous and I just wanted to warn bạn because I will probably throw up at some point." I hugged her and đã đưa ý kiến "just relax! I'm not going anywhere; even if bạn throw up! That stuff doesn't bother me! Did bạn forget that I have a two-year-old at home? Throwing up is nothing to me anymore Debbie!"
phút after I finish that sentence, she did end up getting sick in a bucket that she held in her hands. She looked embarrassed almost to the point of devastation. She đã đưa ý kiến "I'm so sorry bạn had to witness that Michael!" I đã đưa ý kiến "you really don't need to worry about it; seriously Debbie! That doesn't bother me at all! I'm just glad that bạn have better aim than AJ does because I've Mất tích count of how many times she's gotten sick all over me and that doesn't even bother me anymore!" After I đã đưa ý kiến that she seemed to be at ease and we sat there finally able to catch up on what has been going on in each other's lives.
Debbie asked "how's AJ doing?" I đã đưa ý kiến "you'll be happy to know that I threw away the baby bottles." She đã đưa ý kiến "that's great. How is the bathroom situation with her going? I know bạn were really struggling with that before!" I đã đưa ý kiến "she's 100% trained during the ngày and it'll probably be a while before I'm comfortable working on nighttime with her because I'm going to be busy taking care of Prince in the middle of the night." Debbie asked "what about her oppositional defiance disorder and ADHD? Has that gotten any better?" I took a deep sigh and đã đưa ý kiến "unfortunately no; if anything it's gotten worse! I've never seen a child that young with the anger that she has! I can’t imagine what it's going to be like when she is older! I know she's not broken but sometimes I just want to fix her in some way because I can see that she doesn't even want to act the way she does! I think she realizes what she does after the fact and feels remorseful; but she just doesn't want to admit it. She is so stubborn but; she has the potential to be so well behaved and I hope I'm doing everything in my power to help her get to that point!"
After almost 23 hours of labor, Debbie had almost delivered our son into the world and I was glad because I could tell that she was completely exhausted. She was cursing up a storm and I would try to come up with another word for her to use because I rarely ever swear! I only really swear when I'm extremely mad! Sometimes "hell" will slip out of my mouth here and there; but I don't really consider that a swear word because it's in the Bible. Anyway, I finally got to hold my son for the first time and it brought me back to all the times when AJ was that small! I of course thanked Debbie and was glad when they let me leave the hospital with him a few hours later. Debbie unfortunately has to stay at the hospital for a few days to monitor her health because the delivery lasted so long.
I got back to Neverland with Prince around 2 o'clock in the morning and Jeffrey was waiting for me. I let him go back to his servants’ quarters because he was pretty much sleeping when I walked through the door. After feeding my son and helping him get off to sleep, I walked across the hall into AJ's bedroom to see her peacefully sleeping with hoạt hình playing on her TV. I kissed her forehead and turned off the TV. I couldn't help but realize how much AJ has changed in almost 3 years’ time.
***
Okay, maybe I forgot how much work it is to take care of a newborn baby because it's been so long. Ever since I bought Prince trang chủ about six hours cách đây I've been exhausted and I'm about to get a lot thêm tired because AJ should be up any một phút now. She still doesn't know that her brother is here because she was fast asleep when I got back to the ranch with him. Thank God Grace will be back tomorrow because I have feeling today is going to be very long ngày which will make me one very tired daddy.
I was sitting on the đi văng in the living room with Prince in my arms and my eyes barely open when AJ yelled "I'm awake daddy" from upstairs. My eyes shot open and I walked upstairs with the baby still in my arms. I opened her bedroom door and quietly crept over to the bed. I whispered "do bạn want to meet your baby brother?" I sat down tiếp theo to her on the giường and helped her hold Prince in her arms. She đã đưa ý kiến "he's cute daddy." I đã đưa ý kiến "I know." She đã đưa ý kiến "I can't wait until he's a little bit older so I can teach him stuff!" I asked "did bạn listen to Jeffrey while I was at the hospital?" She responded "yeah; but I missed bạn and now I really have to go to the bathroom!" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "I don't understand why bạn don't ever go when I'm not here. bạn make me feel so bad for you." She dashed off to the bathroom while explaining "because I just can't go daddy." I rolled my eyes and đã đưa ý kiến "whatever bạn say AJ!"
AJ came downstairs with me a little while later and I was surprised bởi how patient she was being with me because I had to spend so much time taking care of Prince. She actually wanted to be helpful to me and would go get me something that I needed if Prince started crying. I đã đưa ý kiến "you're being such a good big sister AJ!" She looked down at Prince as he drank from the bottle I was feeding him and asked "daddy?" I responded "yes?" She asked "is that one of my bottles?" I đã đưa ý kiến "it used to be a few months ago." She whispered "oh" and wrinkled her eyebrows. She stayed really quite after that and I don't really know why.
***
I was woken up this morning bởi the doorbell ringing and grabbed Prince out of the cũi, giường cũi that was set up in my bedroom so I could go answer it. When I opened the door Grace was standing on the other side and I was so happy to see her because she's been gone for the past six months taking care of her sister who unfortunately passed away. I đã đưa ý kiến "it's so nice to have bạn working for me again; so much has changed! AJ’s going to be three years old in a few weeks! This is my newborn son Prince Michael and you'll be taking care of him too. Luckily, I don't really have too much going on with my job right now because I'm in between legs on my tour and the final leg doesn't start until the week after AJ's birthday. There are only 15 shows left and then the tour is finally over! If bạn can’t tell bởi now, I hate being on tour! It absolutely exhausts me and I can't wait until I don't have to worry about it anymore! Until then, I'm just trying to enjoy as much quality time with the children as possible before we hit the road again." She đã đưa ý kiến "well, I'll be here to help bạn with anything bạn need so that when bạn get back to the hotel after a buổi hòa nhạc bạn can just relax!" I đã đưa ý kiến "I really appreciate that from bạn because there would be no way that I would be able to watch both of the children on my own and do my job correctly. It was hard enough just watching AJ for those last few concerts when bạn left to go tend to your sister. My manager was so irritated with me because I spent thêm time worrying about Alanna then I did about preparing for the show. He stresses me out way too much! I'm not looking phía trước, chuyển tiếp to having him breathing down my neck pretty much all ngày long. I definitely don't miss that part of my job."
AJ came scurrying down the stairs and I picked her up. I kissed her forehead and đã đưa ý kiến "this is Grace; do bạn remember her?" She started to act shy and asked "is she the lady who was here when bạn put me in timeout for the first time daddy?" I smirked and đã đưa ý kiến "yeah that's her." Grace đã đưa ý kiến "your daddy looks like he needs a break." I đã đưa ý kiến "actually; I was going to have bạn watch the two of them while I go to my studio here on the ranch." AJ immediately started having separation anxiety; I can't really blame her because she hasn't really been away from me for the past six months.
She screamed "you can't leave me here daddy!" I asked "why not? I'm just going to be over at the studio a few miles away in the backyard munchkin." She refused to talk to me unless Grace left the room; so I had her feed Prince a baby bottle in the living room while AJ and I talked. I asked "what's the big deal AJ? I'm not going anywhere far away!” She đã đưa ý kiến "I don't want to be away from you! I heard bạn talking about how you're going to go back to work and be gone all ngày while I'm in a hotel!" She started crying uncontrollably and I couldn't help but feel bad because I don't like leaving either of the children for any amount of time; let alone all ngày for five days a week. We'll only be gone for a tháng and a half because I average about three shows a week and there's only 15 shows left on the tour.
I asked "do bạn want to go down to the studio with me then; since bạn don't want me to leave bạn here with Grace?" She đã đưa ý kiến "yes" and calmed herself down. I walked into the living room and đã đưa ý kiến "you don't need to worry about watching AJ because she's going to the studio with me. We'll be back in about an hour; check the backyard if bạn need me." Grace đã đưa ý kiến "no need to worry; are bạn sure bạn don't want me to watch AJ for you?" I responded "no; that's all right. If bạn can't tell bởi now; AJ is extremely attached to me!"
I tình yêu my personal recording studio that I had built on the ranch because it has a living room that AJ has a play area set up in. I held her hand as we walked through the front door of the studio and I brought her to the living room. She asked "daddy; will bạn play with me?" I felt really bad because I haven't really been able to spend much time with her in the past two days because of Prince needing so much of my time and attention. I lay down on my stomach on the living area floor and đã đưa ý kiến "sure; since there's not many things in here, why don't we just talk instead?" She đã đưa ý kiến "okay daddy." I asked "do bạn like being a big sister AJ?" She đã đưa ý kiến "yeah; but I wish bạn could spend thêm time with me because I kind of miss when it was just me and you! I really tình yêu Prince; but I can't have bạn all to myself anymore!" I đã đưa ý kiến sympathetically "I know; in a few thêm months Prince won't need me to take care of him quite so often and then we can do things that bạn like to do. That actually reminds me; what did bạn want to do for your birthday this year?" She đã đưa ý kiến "I want to have a Spiderman party daddy!!!" I chuckled and sarcastically đã đưa ý kiến "I didn't see that coming! Do bạn want your uncles, grandma, and aunts to come to the party?" She đã đưa ý kiến "no; grandma and Aunt Latoya can come over; but that's it!" I asked curiously "why don't bạn want everyone else to come?" She đã đưa ý kiến "because they are mean to bạn and make bạn sad."
***
Last năm I was rehearsing for my tour when AJ's birthday rolled around; so I really didn't have the time to set up anything special for her. That's why I want this birthday to make up for the last one. Plus, this is the first birthday that I think she will remember years from now and I want it to be a memorable ngày for her! I walked upstairs and into AJ's bedroom to see if she was awake yet. I was surprised to see that she was still sleeping because it was almost 9 o'clock and she usually wakes up around eight. I walked up to her and pulled the covers away. She slowly opened her eyes and I đã đưa ý kiến "good morning sleepyhead. Are bạn excited that your birthday is only a few days away?" She đã đưa ý kiến "I'm so excited daddy!" I đã đưa ý kiến "good because I'm going to do my best to make this the coolest party ever!"
She jumped on my back and I carried her downstairs. I let her down and she sat on the couch. I put hoạt hình on the TV and walked up to Grace in the phòng bếp, nhà bếp and asked in whispered tones "will bạn watch AJ as well as Prince while I go shopping for her party?" She responded "of course I can Michael." I đã đưa ý kiến "I have to stop bởi a few other places too; so I may be a couple of hours." She đã đưa ý kiến "that's not problem Michael; take as long as bạn need!" While AJ was mesmerized bởi the TV, I quickly snuck out of the house before she noticed because I knew she would have separation anxiety if she knew that I went somewhere without her.
After going to the store with my bodyguard Jeffrey, I decided to stop bởi Havenhurst to check in on my mother because I haven't seen her in a few weeks. I knocked on the door and Majestic answered it. Majestic was the magician I hired to entertain me while I was still living with mother and Joseph; but now he just stays at Havenhurst free of charge because I didn't want my mother's been lonely here bởi herself. I greeted Majestic and he đã đưa ý kiến "it's about time bạn come to visit me!" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "I'm actually here to see mother." He jokingly đã đưa ý kiến "oh… I see how it is Michael!" I walked into the living room to see mother sitting there in a chair. She looked up and đã đưa ý kiến "there's my little Michael!" I rolled my eyes and smiled as I đã đưa ý kiến "I'm not so little anymore mother! I'm going to be 34." I sat down in the chair tiếp theo to her and she đã đưa ý kiến "you'll always be my little Michael!"
She asked "so, what brings bạn here today?" I đã đưa ý kiến "I just finished shopping for Alanna's birthday party and wanted to stop bởi to invite bạn to come on Saturday." She đã đưa ý kiến "of course I'll be there! Can –." I cut her off and đã đưa ý kiến "please don't even ask that mother! I'm not inviting my brothers, Janet, Rebbie, and especially not Joseph! I've tried three times in a row to invite them over to the ranch and it never ends positively! I want this to be good birthday for AJ and even she realizes that being around any of them makes me tense! She told me all on her own that she doesn't want them to come!" Mother đã đưa ý kiến "that's fine Michael; it was just a suggestion." I got up from my ghế, chỗ ngồi and đã đưa ý kiến "okay mother; I tình yêu bạn and I'll see bạn in a few days at the ranch for the party." She hugged me and đã đưa ý kiến "I can't wait; I miss my grandbabies!"
When I opened the front door to the main house on the ranch, I saw that AJ was sobbing uncontrollably on the other side of the door. I picked her up and asked "what's wrong?" She đã đưa ý kiến "I was watching TV and when I looked around later on, bạn were gone!!!!!!!!!!!!" I rubbed her back as tears flowed from her eyes and đã đưa ý kiến "you couldn't come with me because I had to get your party stuff. I came back; didn't I?" Grace came into the room and đã đưa ý kiến "see; I told bạn daddy would be back! She had a complete meltdown once she realized bạn were gone Michael!" I đã đưa ý kiến "she's become very clingy in this past few months that we've been back home. I don't know what's gotten into her! bạn know I would never leave bạn forever AJ; I always come back!" She đã đưa ý kiến while rubbing her eyes "next time, please take me with bạn daddy!"
***
I ran into AJ's room and shouted "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" at the hàng đầu, đầu trang of my lungs. She jumped out of giường and đã đưa ý kiến "yay; it's time for my party!" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "whoa; slow down! It's only 8 o'clock in the morning! We still have a while to go before grandma and Aunt Latoya come over! I called Aunt Elizabeth (Taylor) and she is coming too." She quietly walked downstairs and I đã đưa ý kiến "remember, Prince is sleeping so we can't be too loud! Grace was upstairs with the baby so I could spend some much overdue quality time with AJ. While I slowly began to get the things out of the phòng bếp, nhà bếp so I could make French bánh mì nướng for breakfast.
The phone started ringing as I stood there putting the syrup on the French bánh mì nướng that I had just made for breakfast. I answered the phone and the person on the other end đã đưa ý kiến "hello; is this Mr. Jackson?" I đã đưa ý kiến "yes; may I ask whose calling?" The person đã đưa ý kiến "this is your party planner Deana and I have some unfortunate news for bạn Michael. The person that bạn hired to come to the party dressed as Spiderman canceled about 20 phút ago." I whispered angrily "what do bạn mean they canceled? They can't do that! That was supposed to be the best part of AJ's birthday party!" She responded "I'm sorry Michael; is there any other superhero that your daughter would want to come to her party?" I đã đưa ý kiến irritated "no; that's why I specifically asked for Spiderman! Why don't bạn have one of the people that dresses up in costume wear the Spiderman one instead?" She đã đưa ý kiến "because the other staff members aren't crazy enough to put on that costume because it's extremely hot and makes them sweat. The person that was supposed to wear the costume today was my 16-year-old nephew and the only reason he agreed to wear it was because I was going to let him borrow my car so he could go to the prom with his girlfriend. Then out of nowhere he called me and told me that he wouldn't need the car anymore because they are just going to ride in a limo with a group of their friends. I'm sorry Michael; but there's nothing I can do about it at this point because it's such short notice that I wouldn't be able to find someone and time." I was getting very aggravated at this point and đã đưa ý kiến "you know what, just bring the costume over to me and I'll wear the freaking thing! I mean this is totally unacceptable and I won't be using your services again after today! bạn should be ashamed of yourself and I hope you'll be happy when I spread the word around to all my other celebrity Những người bạn about how ridiculous this is for me to have to deal with right now! All I can say is that the birthday cake I had bạn make better be amazing!"
I slammed the phone down on the bàn and shook my head in disbelief. I went into the living room and saw AJ sitting on the đi văng watching cartoons. I sat tiếp theo to her and she đã đưa ý kiến "I can't wait for my party daddy! Is it almost time?" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "you just got up 10 phút cách đây and I told bạn the party isn't going to be for a while." She đã đưa ý kiến "it's taking too long!" I đã đưa ý kiến "you're still in your pajamas and we haven't even had anything to eat yet!" She asked "are bạn making something for breakfast daddy?" I đã đưa ý kiến "of course I am; I have French bánh mì nướng started right now. It should be done in a few thêm minutes!"
Once the French bánh mì nướng was finished, I sat down tiếp theo to AJ at the bàn and meticulously cut her thực phẩm into the smallest bite-size pieces possible. Grace came downstairs with Prince in her arms and sat down tiếp theo to me at the table. She đã đưa ý kiến "happy birthday AJ." I looked over at AJ as she shoveled so much French bánh mì nướng in her mouth that she couldn't even respond. I đã đưa ý kiến "AJ; bạn know better than that. It may be your birthday, but that doesn't mean bạn get to break the rules." She swallowed her thực phẩm and softly đã đưa ý kiến "sorry" under her breath. I đã đưa ý kiến "I just don't want bạn to choke because I would feel awful." she asked "daddy; since it's my birthday, can I pick out what clothes I'm going to wear?" I đã đưa ý kiến "I don't have a problem with that."
One of the maids helped clean the house while Grace and I started setting up the decorations for the party. Grace đã đưa ý kiến "wow Michael; bạn really went all out for AJ's party this year!" I đã đưa ý kiến "I really wanted this birthday to be special because this is the last năm that I think I can get away with calling Alanna a baby. I have a feeling that this năm is going to be really hard on me in particular because I'm finishing up a tour and trying to successfully raise two kids. I'm realizing now that I've spent so much time with Prince that I don't want AJ to think he's thêm important then she is to me! It's easy for a three-year-old to perceive things in that way. I want her to know that just because she isn't my one and only priority anymore doesn't mean I've forgotten about her!"
After we had set up the entire first floor of the house with Spiderman themed party decorations, AJ came downstairs and I couldn't wait to see what she had picked out for clothes. I turned around to see that she was wearing a tank hàng đầu, đầu trang over a sweatshirt, one blue sock, one yellow sock, and a pair of Spiderman võ sĩ quyền anh shorts. I had to try my absolute hardest not to laugh and she asked "do bạn like my outfit daddy?" I crossed my arms and đã đưa ý kiến "it's original; that's for sure! Just out of curiosity; do bạn need my help picking out pants to wear?" She đã đưa ý kiến "no; I'm just going to stay like this!" I chuckled and đã đưa ý kiến "stay like that! bạn can't stay like that AJ!" She asked "why not daddy?" Grace started cracking up and I đã đưa ý kiến "because AJ; you're just in your undies! bạn don't want everyone to see your undies; right?" She đã đưa ý kiến "but daddy –!" I đã đưa ý kiến "no 'but daddy’s’ bạn have to put on jeans hoặc something! I'll compromise with you; if bạn want to wear Spiderman pajama pants bạn can!" She đã đưa ý kiến "okay daddy; I like your plan better" and ran upstairs.
I laughed and đã đưa ý kiến "okay; maybe letting AJ pick out her own clothes wasn't such a good idea after all! I kind of forgot about her obsession with the Spiderman boxers" the doorbell rang and I let my mother, Latoya, and Elizabeth inside. AJ ran into my arms and I đã đưa ý kiến "there; bạn look much better now! bạn didn't have to change your áo sơ mi though!" She đã đưa ý kiến "I know; but I wanted to match!" Latoya took AJ out of my arms and asked "do bạn want to see your birthday cake? Auntie just picked it up on the way over here!" AJ shook her head "yes" and Latoya showed her the blue and red cake with Spiderman's face on it. I breathed a sigh of relief because I was so worried that the party planner would mess up the cake. I whispered "did bạn get the costume from the lady?" She put AJ down on the floor and pulled me into another room.
Latoya đã đưa ý kiến "yes I did Michael; but are bạn sure bạn want to wear this? The fabric is really thick!" I đã đưa ý kiến "yes I'm sure! I don't want AJ to ever forget this birthday!" I snuck upstairs to go put the costume on and immediately started sweating. The weather outside was already in the high 80s and I don't know how long I'm going to be able to handle this for! I quickly slipped the mask over my head and went downstairs.
I walked into the dining room just as Latoya was lighting the candles on the cake and tapped AJ on the shoulder. She turned around and her face was priceless. She was absolutely speechless and then she forced out of the words "how did bạn get here Spiderman?" I đã đưa ý kiến in my normal tone of voice "I swung on my con nhện, nhện webs!" Latoya nudged me with her elbow and whispered "deeper voice Michael!" I cleared my throat and đã đưa ý kiến "so; I could tell bởi my Spidey senses that today is your third birthday!" AJ đã đưa ý kiến "whoa; I can't believe bạn knew that!" Latoya could see I was sweating like crazy in the costume; so she đã đưa ý kiến "listen AJ; Spiderman has to leave." Latoya took a picture of us together and AJ đã đưa ý kiến "wait Spiderman; I think my daddy is upstairs and if bạn see him please tell him how he can get big muscles like bạn have!" I chuckled at the irony of what she just đã đưa ý kiến to me and đã đưa ý kiến "I'll make sure I let him in on all my secrets!"
After changing back into my regular clothes, I went downstairs to tham gia the party. Surprisingly, AJ didn't have too much to say about meeting "Spiderman" and I think that was because she was still in shock from the whole experience. She didn't even say a single word to me afterwards about it.
It was time for AJ to go to giường and I was giving her a piggyback ride up the stairs. I gently dropped her onto her giường and when I leaned in to give her a Kiss good night, she asked "daddy; did bạn see Spiderman?" I smiled and đã đưa ý kiến "yes I did." She asked "did he tell bạn how to get big muscles like him?" I đã đưa ý kiến "he did; but why do bạn think that my muscles need to be bigger than they already are?" She đã đưa ý kiến "because I want bạn to be able to beat up bad guys and monsters that can hurt me!" I đã đưa ý kiến "trust me AJ; I will protect bạn from any bad guys! I'll beat up anybody that wants to hurt you!" She seemed unconvinced as she stared at me with her eyebrows wrinkled and đã đưa ý kiến "I don't think so daddy; some of those bad guys are really strong!" I đã đưa ý kiến "AJ; when it comes to someone hurting bạn I'm stronger than Spiderman is! No one will ever hurt bạn as long as daddy's around to hurt them first!" I shut off the light after finally getting my good night Kiss and just as I was about to leave the room, AJ đã đưa ý kiến "thank bạn for the best birthday ever daddy! I tình yêu bạn so much!" I đã đưa ý kiến "I tình yêu bạn more! You're welcome; sleep well!"
***
I đã đưa ý kiến "AJ; bạn have to be patient because I'm taking care of Prince right now! Grace will help you!" She shouted back "no; I want you!" I sighed and đã đưa ý kiến "just come in here then!" She đã đưa ý kiến "NO; I don't want to!" I rolled my eyes and đã đưa ý kiến "you're about to find yourself in the corner for three phút if bạn keep this up!" She đã đưa ý kiến "you're being stupid daddy!" I couldn't believe my ears at first because I had never đã đưa ý kiến that word around AJ before. I passed Prince to Grace and went into the play room to investigate.
I sat down on the đi văng tiếp theo to her and asked "where did bạn hear that word AJ?" She responded "Uncle Tito calls bạn that when he's mad at you!" I đã đưa ý kiến "well; I don't like that word at all because it's a bad word and I don't want to ever hear bạn say that again; do bạn understand?" Of course AJ being as stubborn as she is, looked me straight in my eyes and đã đưa ý kiến "stupid, stupid, stupid!" I picked AJ up and sat her in the corner of the living room; so I could keep an eye on her and finish feeding Prince a bottle.
AJ got out of the corner and walked up to me as I đã đưa ý kiến "you better get over there AJ!" She whined "daddy those are my bottles; I don't want Prince to use them!" Grace đã đưa ý kiến "I think someone's a little jealous of her little brother Michael." I đã đưa ý kiến "AJ; bạn don't need these anymore remember? bạn have your Spiderman cups now!" She đã đưa ý kiến "I don't want to be a big kid anymore! It's awful!" I asked "what bạn mean bạn don't want to be a big kid anymore? Don't bạn like being a big sister?" Grace looked at me and I đã đưa ý kiến "I think bạn may be right when bạn say she's jealous!" I looked back at AJ still waiting for an answer from the câu hỏi I had just asked her and she đã đưa ý kiến "I'm going to wet my pants." I đã đưa ý kiến "you better not because I know it won't be an accident!" I could tell that she was contemplating it; so I gave her my "I'm dead serious" daddy look and she immediately went back to the corner. Grace đã đưa ý kiến "I tình yêu when bạn make that face Michael; that's the only time I've ever seen bạn one hundred percent serious!"
I called her out of the corner and đã đưa ý kiến calmly but sternly "sit down; right now." AJ slumped down in the spot tiếp theo to me on the đi văng and I đã đưa ý kiến "that was completely unacceptable AJ! First of all, bạn don't need to be calling me bad words. Secondly, I realize that Prince has been around for a about a tháng now; but bạn need to understand that bạn can't have me all to yourself anymore. Lastly, bạn need to act like a big kid." She đã đưa ý kiến "fine; then I don’t want to wear the diapers at night anymore!" I hesitated and stopped myself because I realized that I was holding AJ back again. I đã đưa ý kiến "okay, okay, I guess we'll start that tonight."
Grace could tell that as it got darker outside I grew thêm paranoid. After I read AJ a bedtime story, I asked "are bạn sure bạn don't need to go to the bathroom again? She đã đưa ý kiến "stop asking me that she daddy!" I waited all night long for the inevitable screams for "daddy" but they never came and the ridiculous thing as that I don't know whether hoặc not to be happy hoặc sad about that! Is it too much to ask to be needed?
The tiếp theo day, my eyes shot open because my three-year-old was jumping up and down on my chest saying "I told bạn so!" The funny thing is that the tiếp theo night was way different than the first. Her "I told bạn so's" quickly turned to 2 AM "DADDY", 3 AM "DADDY", and "NOT AGAIN DADDY!!!" At least I can say that it is done and over with. Now if I could just get Prince to sleep through the night I might finally get a good nights’ sleep myself!!!
