Sanada Apocalypse Challenge [Completed]

[oshizu]

The Sanada Apocalypse Challenge: Dystopian Dearth


Chapter Links
Note: Generations change every time the next "heir" reaches young adulthood, the current heir moves out, or it's just time to switch (as in the case of Generation 5).

A Very Short Introduction

Generation 1: Satoru Sanada
  1.  Week 01/Day 001: You Again? (Apr 28)
  2.  Week 01/Day 004: My Boo's Nooboo (Ap 29)
  3.  Week 02/Day 009: Lookin' Good in the Neighborhood (Apr 30)
  4.  Week 03/Day 016: The Tricer is Watching You (May1)
  5.  Week 04/Day 022: An Eyesore No More, Eeyore! (May 3)
  6.  Week 04/Day 023: Yuki Is Workin' It (May 4)
  7.  Week 04/Day 025: Business Tycoon! (May 6)
  8.  Week 05/Day 029: Trick or Traits (May 8 )

Generation 2: Tatsuya Sanada
  9. Week 06/Day 036: Bad Hair Daze (May 9)
10. Week 07/Day 043: A Penthouse Crib? (May 11)
11. Week 08/Day 050: Stranger in the Night (May 14)
12. Week 09/Day 057: Jade's Final Journey (May 17a)
13. Week 09/Day 062: Welcome to the Family! (May 17b)

Generation 3: Daia Sanada
14. Week 10/Day 064: Console Cowgirl in Da House (May 19)
15. Week 11/Day 071: Even the Swiftest Cheetah (May 20)
16. Week 12/Day 078: Return of "The Shadow" (May 22)
17. Week 13/Day 085: A Very Grim Proposal (May 23)
18. Week 13/Day 091: Restarting from Scratch-ish (May 24)
19. Week 15/Day 099: Two Cakes, Three Moves (May 26)
20. Week 16/Day 106: Let Them Eat Cake! (May 28)
21. Week 16/Day 111: A New Home (May 30)

Generation 4: Go Sanada
22. Week 18/Day 120: Why So Mean? (June 6)
23. Week 18/Day 122: Letting Go (June 6)
24. Week 18/Day 124: Daddy's Dirty Dancing (June 9)
25. Week 19/Day 127: Sometimes I Feel Like a Fatherless Child (June 10)
26. Week 19/Day 130: Naoto's Lady Friend (June 12)
27. Week 19/Day 131: Love Is Everywhere (June 13)
28. Week 20/Day 134: Bro to the Fourth Power? (June 14)
29. Week 20/Day 137: First Comes Love, Next Comes Marriage (June 17)
30. Week 21/Day 141: Stork Bait (June 18)
31. Week 21/Day 144: Stork Watch, Part I (June 19)
32. Week 21/Day 144: Stork Watch, Part II (June 19)
33. Week 22/Day 148: The Last Generation (June 20)
34. Week 22/Day 149: It Happened in the Hot Tub (June 21)
35. Week 22/Day 152: Shirtless in Seattle (June 22)
36. Week 23/Day 155: Introducing Izaiah Landgraab (June 23)
37. Week 23/Day 158: The Force Is Strong in This One (June 24)

Generation 5: Jade Sanada
38. Week 23/Day 161: The Fifth-Generation Teens (June 24)
39. Week 24/Day 162: Something Old, Something New (June 26)
40. Week 24/Day 167: Not Quite a Vacation (June 28)
41. Week 25/Day 171: Remember Us? (July 9)
42. Week 26/Day 176: Farewell to an Angel (July 10)
43. Week 26/Day 179: Work, Work, Work, Work, Work (July 11)
44. Week 27/Day 183: Support Your Local Barista (July 13)
45. Week 27/Day 185: B.I.L.T. (July 15)
46. Week 27/Day 187: If a T-Rex Attacks You (July 15)
47. Week 28/Day 190: Can't Touch (July 17)


Career Restrictions Lifted
Finished!
Click here.


Family Tree
While reading along, did you come across the name of a sim who you don't remember? Or have the familial relationships become unclear?
No worries. This family tree includes names and relationships as well as portraits and careers.

Clicking here will take you to the family tree on the Family Echo website.
Opening the link in a new tab is recommended. 
Due to spoilers, I especially recommend that you don't look at the Family Tree until after Chapter 15, Return of the Shadow.
Note: If the photos and/or careers aren't showing, go to the "Show" box at bottom center and click "Show Profession" and/or "Show photos."

[oshizu]

The Sanada Apocalypse Challenge: Dystopian Dearth


This is a restart of my Apocalypse Challenge, which failed because I’d overlooked the Teen/Retail restriction banning the use of dressers to plan outfits.
If you'd read parts of my first attempt, please note that the first chapter will start out somewhat similarly but quickly engage a different cast
(doing similar things. What can I say, it's the same challenge...)

The complete list of Pinstar’s Apocalypse Challenge Rules can be found here.
Recently, I finished the Wonder Child Challenge for the second time to design a founder better suited for an Apocalypse Challenge than my first Wonder Child.

Here's a screenshot of my Wonder Child during his high school years. You can read his backstory here. And, now, this same  Wonder Child appears (again) as the founder of my new attempt at an Apocalypse Challenge.




Click here to skip the stats and start reading my Apocalypse Challenge.

[oshizu]

Career Restrictions Lifted

Please note that explanation of each restriction simply revises Pinstar's Apocalypse Challenge Rules. See those rules for a fuller explanation.


Week 03 Day 020   
Satoru Sanada (Founder) clears Culinary/Chef. All kitchen appliances can now be purchased, but all drinks (quick meals, bar drinks, coffee/tea) remain prohibited.

Week 04 Day 026   
Jade Rose-Sanada (Gen1) clears Business/Management. Sims need not quit job after missing/arriving late for/leaving early from work. Elders may retire.
May take vacation days/family leave (but Granite Falls locked by Space Ranger). Jobs may be re-joined after quitting.

Week 05 Day 035   
Erika Sanada (Gen2) clears Teen/Babysitter. Traits can now be chosen freely. May influence the gender of unborn children using (wild) produce.

Week 06 Day 040   
Kenta Sanada (Gen2) clears Teen/Retail. Sims can enter Buy/Build mode on any day of the week. Planning outfits is permitted.

Week 08 Day 055   
Yuki Behr-Sanada (Gen2 spouse) clears Tech Guru/eSport Gamer. We can now use phones and we can buy/use computers, tablets, TVs, and gaming gigs..

Week 10 Day 065   
Tatsuya Sanada (Gen2 heir) clears Writer/Journalist. May buy/use showers/tubs. May use "Woohoo" option. May take pregnancy tests/mediciine.
May go to hospital for delivery.

Week 11 Day 073   
Sasuke Sanada (Gen2) clears Entertainer/Comedian. May throw parties and go on dates. May move multiple sims into household per generation.
May use mirrors.

Week 12 Day 082   
Nancy Landgraab (Gen3 move-in) clears Criminal/Oracle. May use MOO cheat. May import sims from Gallery /My Library and place them in the neighborhood.
May legally use "kaching" cheat once per sim-day.

Week 13 Day 090   
Daia Sanada (Gen3 heir) clears Secret Agent/Diamond Agent. May visit community lots and sim homes (but not Granite Falls or libraries). May move sims out of household.

Week 14 Day 098   
Morgan Fyres (Gen3 move-in) clears Teen/Manual Laborer. May plant/tend/fertilize/evolve/harvest plants. May hire maids.

Week 16 Day 111 
Kage Takeda (Gen3 spouse) clears Secret Agent/Villain. May build beyond 8x8 grid. May sell/delete/release spirit of gravestones/urns.

Week 16 Day 112 
Sofie Bjergsen (Gen3 move-in) clears Teen/Fast Food. May eat snacks via "Quick Meal" option on the fridge or cooler. May order chips from bar.
May order pizza by phone. Quick meal drinks remain locked by Mixologist.

Week 17 Day 115 
Siobhan Fyres-Sanada (Gen3 move-in) clears Business/Investor. May sell Buy/Build mode items and collected/harvested items. May sell to Geo Council.
May publish (not self-publish) books and license songs (but song-writing remains locked by Musician). May write/sell jingles.

Week 19 Day 129
Naoto Sanada (Gen3) clears Criminal/Boss. No more protection money to the mob (no reducing funds to zero every Monday after paying bills).

Week 19 Day 133
Mauricio Landgraab (Gen4 move-in) clears Entertainer/Musician. May switch aspirations and cancel whims. May buy/use radios/stereos/speakers. May perform any interaction of musical instruments.

Week 21 Day 142
Karina Sanada-Landgraab (Gen 4) clears Athlete/Bodybuilder. May move/sell objects with a footprint larger than 1x1 once placed. May carry multiple stacks of items in personal inventory. May remove items from family inventory.

Week 22 Day 149
Go Sanada (Gen 4 heir) clears Tech Guru/Startup Enterpreneur. May buy and use objects of any quality level.

Week 22 Day 151
Tao Kaneda (Gen4 move-in) clears Athlete/Pro Athlete. May purchase reward traits.

Week 22 Day 152
Sara Shin-Kalani (Gen4 move-in) clears Astronaut/Interstellar Smuggler. May place/sell/use career reward objects. May upgrade any objects.   

Week 22 Day 154
Mitchell Kalani (Gen 4 move-in) clears Culinary/Mixologist. May drink any beverage (bar drinks, quick-meal drinks, medicine). Infants may be bottle-fed.

Week 24 Day 162
Mina Arata-Sanada (Gen 4 spouse) clears Painter/Patron of the Arts. May sell sim-produced items and self-publish books.

Week 24 Day 166
Amanda Fyres-Kaneda (Gen4 move-in) clears Astronaut/Space Ranger. May place objects in an unwalled/unroofed space. May sleep outdoors.
May vacation in Granite Falls. May Stargaze/Cloudwatch/Observe Sky (telescope). May enable objects' mood aruas. May use tents.

Week 26 Day 184
Kyle Kaneda (Gen5 move-in) clears Teen/Barista. May drink coffee/tea. May buy/use lump of clay.

Week 28 Day 191
Jade Sanada (Gen5 heir) clears Painter/Master of the Real. May create mood-aura paintings, mood-aura sculptures (workbench), and emotional books.

Week 28 Day 192
Makoa Kalani (Gen5) clears Writer/Author. May order books from bookstore/online. May visit library lots.

Finished.

[oshizu]

Week 01/Day 01: You Again?


Day 01 (Sun)

Thanks to my Watcher—fondly nicknamed “Watchette” by her various watched sims—who unintentionally violated one of the Apocalypse Challenge restrictions during my mission in Oasis Springs,
I was swiftly pulled off that mission but then immediately dispatched here: a lushly green, waterside neighborhood in the city of Newcrest.


My name’s Satoru Sanada and I’m a product of the Wonder Child Project administered by the Simverse Center of Genetic Excellence.
Upon arriving on this empty lot early this morning, I found a suspicious-looking manila folder in the mailbox.


Besides my handlers, only Watchette knows I’m here right now, so I assume it’s from the Center.
(The following is a moderately edited version of the original written by Pinstar for this challenge, which I’ve further edited for this restart.)



Date: April 27, 2116
Location: The City of Newcrest
Program: The Apocalypse Challenge
Project: RRR (Phase 2)

Briefing

Greetings Citizen Sanada. This is your second attempt at this mission, so we are aware that you have first-hand experience with the devastation.
To recap: approximately 5 minutes after half time of the Super Bowl, the nuclear power plant of New Phoenix melted down, causing pervasive destruction throughout the region,
including New Phoenix as well as outlying cities such Newcrest. The army core of engineers cites that a simultaneous flush of every toilet in the city resulted in
a massive drop in water pressure, thus causing the plant to melt down due to loss of coolant. This isn’t your ordinary meltdown. That plant was experimental!
The fallout is causing strange and odd problems in the region and we have very little detail about what is going on in there.

What we DO know is that we need a leader, a hero to willingly go in, establish themselves in the region and help restore the region back to normal.
We have on other bit of declassified information. This actually happened 20 years ago. We’ve lost contact with the region.
You, Citizen Sanada, have graduated from our Wonder Child project. You were specially created to be able to solve these issues.
And although you failed your first mission due to an infraction by your Watcher, we are fully confident that you will make us proud this second time around.

So get in there and, this time, show us what you are really made of!
The entire simverse is depending on you!
 
Sincerely yours,

Dr. Eugene Icks, Director
Simverse Center of Genetic Excellence



According to my papers, I’ve been assigned to live in a lot named Rippling Flats. It’s slightly more expensive than my former digs but,
hey, I’m an island boy so I found that dusty desert an extremely depressing place to live.
I mean, if I and my family are going to have to suffer, we can do that equally well near the water. I just know I’m gonna love this place!

Watchette: Satoru, before I forget, I’d like to explain to the readers what your name means.
As a verb, “Satoru” means to become enlightened. Its noun form “Satori” means enlightenment.
S: Does anyone even care about nerdy stuff like that besides you?
W: I just thought it would make your name easier to remember…

Anywaaay, this Rippling Flats lot is 40x30 just like your previous lot but has so much more going for it.
To the southwest of your lot, there’s a pirate gym!
And on the east, there are two monkey bars and a grilling area.
S: Great news, Watchette. I truly hated having the grill and the monkey bars inside our teeny tiny house.
And now Rambunctious Scamp can be completed without leaving the neighborhood!




W: You know, I was initially hesitant about agreeing to this lot. Newcrest is relatively unpopulated.
Since you can’t leave the neighborhood for the first couple of generations (Diamond Agent), we don’t want to be stuck in a place without foot traffic.
Satoru: So, what’s our workaround?
W: (buffing fingernails on shoulder proudly) I convinced Luxe Health Club Inc. to build a Newport branch across the street from your lot.
You can’t actually visit the lot but let’s hope it will attract visitors to our neighborhood!
S: Sweet! But isn’t that against the challenge rules?
W: I’ve decided that since The Forum’s Immortal Dynasty Challenge rules allow the placement of Maxis-created venues at the start of the game, it’s okay for this challenge, too.


But that’s not all! Behind the gym, there are two more grills plus two fishing spots!
On one hand, you could harvest tomatos, carrots, onions, and sage in your old neighborhood; here, you’ll only find strawberries, snapdragons, basil,
apples, lilies, mushrooms, and bluebells—great for a dragonfruit empire but not so great for cooking.
S: At this point, I think the advantages outweigh disadvantages, don’t you?
W: Well, that’s why we’re here this time instead of there! All we’re missing is a chess table which we can easily place in the house.

 
W: Let’s build you a starter home, Satoru!
S: That was quick! Here’s a shot of my new crib’s exterior. Wow, there’s even a tree!!!
One thing I’ve been wondering. Why’s my lot all dried out and sandy when everywhere else is so green?
W: Ah yes, that’s just a little visual reminder that we’re actually living in a post-apocalyptic world, hehe.


As before, the floor plan is inspired by SummerSnOws “Apocalypse Hope” on the gallery.
W: By the way, Satoru, since the Challenge Rules haven’t been updated for so long, I’m making a personal revision to allow meditation stools.
S: Fine with me.  From top to bottom, here are the second floor, first floor, and basement.




S: What’s that small room in the basement?
W: You can only carry one stack of items at a time (Bodybuilder restriction), so I’ll constantly move your items out your inventory into this little room, especially fish.
You get a negative moodlet around foul fish. You’ll also need a place to store all the food you prepare for your career.
S: Oops, yeah, I’ll phone in to join the Culinary career right now. Done! I don’t start for two days. What next?
W: Why not fish for a while so you can cook later when you get hungry.


S: Since I have no neighbors, I guess I won’t be visited by a Welcome Wagon, either, right?
W: Let’s wait until 10 a.m. and see what happens.
While Satoru fishes, I keep an eye out on the neighborhood in search of a “special someone.”
Hmmm, there go Walking the Dog, Mila Munch, her son Edward Munch, Geoffrey Landgraab... no sign of “her.”
Where can she be? I know she’s off work today!
Cassandra Goth, Bob Pancakes, Morgan Fryre, Lucas Munch, Alex Goth, Bjorn Bjergsen…..
Satoru: Still no sign, huh?
Nope. Lots of people visit this neighborhood which is a great thing, though I never see anyone enter the health club.

Come on, girl! He can’t leave the neighborhood so you need to walk by!
Speak of the devil! Satoru, get your cute behind over here and socialize!


Satoru: Watchette, you’re thinking of me and Jade Rosa?
W: She’s not the prettiest girl in town, but her stats are out of the ballpark.
Satoru: Why not Summer again? We had such lovely children!
W: Meh, Summer. Once @reggikko mentioned her walk, all I could notice was that annoying perky walk. Also, she starts out in the Culinary career with zero charisma.
Summer and Jade both have the Outgoing trait, but Jade is already Level 2 in the Business Career and has Level 6 Charisma. 
She makes the perfect wife for a Chef founder! Especially since we know about the 4+2 pattern!
Did I mention that she’s Neat, Ambitious, and Outgoing?
Satoru: I must say she has tremendous curbside appeal!


Satoru: Watchette, have I ever thanked you for buying me the Beguile trait?
Maxing charisma never hurts either!
Satoru: Hey, take back what you said about Jade not being pretty! She’s incredibly cute!
W: Yeah, yeah. Just not a fan of that everyday outfit.
Satoru: First kiss with my new housemate!



W: Good job, Jade, on asking him to be your boyfriend. When you two are done with the mutual squees, please go work on your daily work tasks for tomorrow.
Satoru: Not right now, Watchette. Jade just asked me to woohoo.
Seriously? I hadn’t planned on that, but I’m glad you two autonomously like each other so much.
Just remember, no trying for baby until tomorrow!



Well, now that you two have gotten that out of your systems…Jade, go fill out business reports!
Satoru, run along to a grill and cook a plate of Fried Fish! Back already?

Jade: I have zero Logic but need Level 8 Logic to complete the Business/Management career, so I'm having Satoru mentor me.
Satoru: Yoga mats aren’t allowed but meditation stools are, so that’s why I’m in my athletic outfit.
W: I feel we are owed at least that much since we can’t use dressers!
Jade: Thanks, Satoru! I’ve reached L3 Logic! Let’s call it a night, okay?


Day 02 (Mon)

W: I like your work outfit, Jade! It’s a much better look for you than your everyday outfit. *weeps at not being able to use a dresser
Satoru: Have a great day at work, darling! Remember to come straight home from work today, so we can try for a baby!
Since you finish at 5 p.m. but I start work from 6 p.m., we’ll only have a one-hour window!


W: Gee, you remember well, Satoru!
Satoru: Of course, I do. According to the 4+2 theorem, a pregnancy lasts 4 days without a pregnancy test, after which the infant stage lasts only two days.
If Jade gets pregnant on Monday night, she’ll give birth on Friday night and the baby will be weaned by Sunday night. Jade won’t miss any work or any breast-feedings!

Jade: I just got back from the office, sweetheart, and ran right upstairs to find you! Ready or not!
Satoru: Honey, I’ve been ready ever since we first met!
W: While waiting to take one of those run-of-the-mill woohoo shots, I catch Jade making this odd face instead. Wuuut?



Satoru: Honey, I’m hoooome!
Jade: Later that night, after Satoru returns from his first day of work, I propose.
Satoru: I really wish I was the one proposing to you!
Jade: Right, but your Charisma is already maxed and I’m only Level 6, so I’m proposing instead.
While we’re at it, let’s elope tonight, too!



Day 3 (Tue)

Satoru: I don’t work again until Friday evening, so I putter around the house, fish, and meditate.
As soon as Jade gets back from work, we go over to the park where I make dinner.
Jade: As much as my Ambitious trait and I loved getting promoted to Level 3 Business, I’m not loving this frumpy pink suit!

W: Today’s real news flash, however, is that Jade popped a new moodlet around 7 p.m.: Eating for Two (24 hours to 2nd trimester).
People, the incoming nooboo arrives on Friday evening! *crosses fingers on both hands for cute children!





Remarks:

Jade vs Summer
I’d never played Jade Rosa in an active household before but she’s quite a super fit for my chef founder and, to my delight, the two of them are often autonomously affectionate.
In my previous attempt, Satoru’s spouse Summer also first learned on Day 3 that she was expecting, but the similarities end there.
Whereas Jade reached Level3 of the Business career on Day 3, Summer did not reach the same level until Day 16.

Grilling
No kitchen appliances except for a grill can be purchased and placed until clearing the Chef career.
Since Satoru will no doubt max his Master Chef aspiration within the next two weeks and the Chef career several days after that, using a public grill until then is very do-able.
After the right to buy kitchen appliances is earned, it’s a pain being stuck with that 1x2-footprint grill in the kitchen (BodyBuilder restriction).

Sorry!
For now, I'm just thrashing about, attempting to crawl back to where I'd previously stopped: my founder married with two teenage children and one grade-school child.
Once the incoming nooboo becomes a child, this challenge story will diverge more and more from my previous attempt, hopefully.
I don't regret restarting, though. The new lot and new choice of spouse will prove tremendously beneficial.

[wfgodot]

Nice start.   I like the new lot a lot more, too.  I can tell you seem a lot happier with Jade, also.  I, too, am already feeling the frustration over not being able to change her looks, though.  I wasn't sure at first why the timing of the nooboos was so important, and then it finally clicked in my head that this is all about not feeding with bottles.  Sheesh, so much strategy involved.  And yes, what the heck is that face Jade is making!!!

[Nettlejuice]

Sorry about the restart but this is a much better lot to begin so you have the monkey bars and pirate ship. The views are a bonus too  As much as I love Summer, Jade is by far a worthier wife/mother and her outfits aren't too bad - even the frilly suit, lol.

[tjtemple]

Well done on the fresh start and maintaining your enthusiasm!  I like Jade - she's a much better spouse; this was SO all meant to be!!

And yes, the new lot is much better too; I have never played Newcrest but it looks very useful!  Good luck for this attempt

[JudesSims]

Good job, @oshizu! Your writing style is so engaging! I'm jealous!

[reggikko]

Yay! I've only ever played Jade briefly, but she's a nice Sim. Make sure you have your aging settings right!

Sorry about mentioning Summer's walk and planting that distraction in your head!

[oshizu]

@wfgodot   Yes, there's a two-fold restriction. If a sim misses, is tardy for 60+ min for, or leaves early from work, the sim must quit that job and may never re-join it (Business/Management).
                   Also, as you noted, until Mixologist is cleared, bottle-feeding a baby means a failed challenge. The 4+2 pattern provides a workaround.

@Nettlejuice  I considered Jade my first run but I hadn't figured out the 4+2 thingy yet and was afraid she'd need to quit her job. Yes, this new lot is very children-friendly although the
                     neighborhood is empty of neighbors. I'm thinking of dropping some houses into Newcrest. Jade's pink suit wouldn't be so bad with different shoes... ;-)

@tjtemple     Thank you for the encouragement! Well, I hope that Satoru and Jade make cute children then life in Newcrest would be perfect! I'm glad you approve of Jade!
                     My ID briefly ran a retail store on the large lot next door and I also played another challenge in Newcrest, both in preparation for starting a Rival Dynasties Challenge (which I never started).
                      I no longer care that the lot lacks a dystopian ambience!

@JudesSims   Thank you for the compliment but my writing is nothing to envy, lol. You and I, we both prefer playing the game to writing, perhaps.

@reggikko      No worries about mentioning Summer's walk. I was just trying to be funny at your expense, hehe. You're a mind reader about the age settings! After Jade moved in, I checked my settings
                      and Auto-Ageing for Unplayed Sims was checked! I wonder if that's the default?

Thanks for your support, everyone! 
I guess no planning outfits means I need to look elsewhere for entertainment....hmmmmmm 

[Shewolf13]

lol!  Poor oshizu, no dressing anyone up yet.  --pats on back-- Great restart.  Jade makes some cute kids!

[LivvieLove]

Thank you for explaining the meaning of Satoru!
I love him and Jade together! She's gorgeous! Not to mention a go-getter! That certainly doesn't hurt!

Congratulations on a new start! I can't wait to read more! Best of luck to Satoru!

[oshizu]

Week 01/Day 4: My Boo’s Nooboo

Day 4 (Wed)

Jade: Feels so great to have a good night’s sleep!
Satoru: Look at you with your little baby bump, Jade! I can’t believe we’re going to be parents soon!
Jade: Let’s take a snapshot together?
Satoru: Dressed like this?
Jade: Why not? It’s how we’re usually dressed when we’re home anyway!


Jade: Oh, it’s time for work. Wait a minute, I’m not feeling so good *runs to bathroom
*Sighs
You’d think that, at least when I have morning sickness, I’d get to brush my teeth before work!


W: What’s wrong, Satoru? You have stars spinning around your head, but you don’t have a sickness moodlet.
Satoru: I’m not sure. I feel a bit dizzy but not bad enough to spend the day in bed. What should I do?
I can’t cure myself because we’re not allowed to drink medicine (Journalist), orange juice (Mixologist), or tea (Barista).
Three hours of painting later, Satoru finally pops a 3-hour Dizzy moodlet, so he’s sent off to bed to sleep it off.
Jade had a “Nausea (from illness)” moodlet when she first arrived at work, but she’s feeling better now, thank goodness. 



Satoru: After Jade gets home, Watchette notices that I have yet another 3-hour Dizzy moodlet, so she sends me off to meditate.
Not sure how that worked, but my Dizzy moodlet vanished after an hour or so.  Good to know!
Jade: After I get home, I begin filling out business reports before I get too tired.
By monitoring my moodlets, Watchette discerns that I get the “Pregnant: 2nd trimester (24 hours to 3rd trimester)” moodlet at exactly 6:44 p.m.



Awww, poor Satoru! He’s only been downstairs meditating for about 90 sim-minutes but he has the sad “Missing Family” moodlet. Jade, can you help out?
Jade: Sure thing. (calling downstairs) Satoru, hun, would you come upstairs for a moment? I have something to show you!
I have to confess, Watchette, that I get so much joy from seeing Satoru’s excitement over the baby, the way he seems so awed and delighted by the miracle that is our future child.



Satoru: Two more nights and our child will be born!
To advance her career and to help mentor our future child, Jade asks me to mentor her in logic for a few hours before bedtime.
For some reason, I now have a “Stuffed-Up (from illness)” moodlet.
I have no idea why I’ve gotten one sick moddlet after another all day.


Day 5 (Thu)

Satoru: Another day off today. I really hope I’m not sick off and on the entire day, like yesterday.
Jade leaves for work and I, naturally, get another 3-hour “Stuffed-Up (from illness)” moodlet, except this time I have strange swirl marks all over my body.
Yesterday, I had four separate three-hour sick moodlets and then this morning I also wake up sick.
What exactly is going on?
I am just trying to prepare for the birth of our child!


Today, I’d like to befriend another Family-Oriented sim to introduce to Jade.
I’ll be working nights this weekend when the baby is born so I’d like Jade to have a helper around the house so Jade won’t get too distracted from her career.
First, I seek out Clara Bjergsen, who I know from the island.  She’s a family-oriented, perfectionist foodie with Level 6 Cooking.
Since she’s an old friend of the family, I know I can trust her! I wonder if she and Jade would get along?


By chance, Summer Holiday and Mila Munch drop by the grilling area nearest my home. These two would also make great companions for my wife.
W: No, not Summer Holiday. Don’t even go there. You do NOT want her coming around the house, trust me!
Satoru: You're right, I guess. Do you really think she remembers what happened in Oasis Springs?
Anyway, there’s also Mila Munch, who is good and cheerful. She’s a foodie with the Big Happy Family aspiration. Would she only be good with her own kids?

Clara, Summer, and Mila are my co-workers and they'd be great companions for my Jade who has zero Cooking skill,
at least until our children are older.
W: Did you just say “children,” as in plural?
Satoru: Yeah, Jade and I want at least three children!

Gah, I just realized…whenever I’m at work, my co-workers will be at work, too.
I need someone who can be with Jade whenever I’m not there! Back to the drawing board…


Feeling better for the moment, I remember that I work for the next four days and so I drop my fruitless quest to go fishing.
If I stock up enough fish, I’ll have that much more time to spend with Jade and our child.
Watchette, how else can I prepare for our baby’s arrival?
Fishing is time-consuming and takes you away from home, so stocking up fish is a great idea.
Because of all the restrictions, there’s really nothing else you can do to prepare.


Satoru: Welcome home, sweets.
Jade: Guess what? I got promoted to Level 4 Regional Manager today! My Ambitious trait and I are wildly ecstatic about that!
In fact, now is a good time to work on my Charisma!
Satoru: Why aren’t you wearing your new work uniform, darling?
Jade: I’m not sure. Maybe I’m just too big to fit into it today?


Jade: Satoru, this fried trout dish is really delish!
Satoru: I caught the trout right before you got home, so it’s really fresh. I’m glad you like it!
Jade: What are those orange-red swirls I see on your arms, love?  Are you unwell?
Satoru: I really don’t know what’s going on. This is my third sickness today!
Jade: Really? Hey, I just got that “Jade can now take family leave” notice, did you?
Satoru: I never noticed before, but it arrived at 6:44 pm, which is exactly 24 hours after the “24 hours to 3rd trimester” notice you got yesterday.
Jade: Oh, so the family leave notice arrives 24 hours before my actual delivery. Good to know!


Day 6 (Fri)

W: Wow, catch a glimpse of the island boy looking all ordinary, in a white button-down and slacks!
You know, the first week of this challenge ends tomorrow, but this is only your second day of work!
Satoru: I know! Since I’ve only worked Monday so far, I haven’t had a single promotion yet while Jade has been promoted twice!
But actually, since I started at Level 4 and she started at Level 2, all she’s done is catch up with me.
W: It’s too bad you can’t be home for the delivery! She’s going into labor within the next hour, you know!
Satoru: Thanks for being here for Jade, Watchette. I’ll be home as soon as I can!


Jade: At 6:43 p.m., I receive the “Gone into Labor” notification as predicted.
Since Satoru’s at work, I decide to have the baby at home and waddle slowly upstairs.
Meet Tatsuya, our firstborn son. Isn’t he precious?




Day 7 (Sat)

Satoru: I finally get off work at 2 a.m.! I should be excited about my very first promotion to Level 5 Line Cook.
But all I can think about is running upstairs to meet my son!  My boo’s nooboo is perfection incarnate!


Day 8 (Sun)

Jade: Satoru worked until 2 a.m. this morning and I stayed up until he came home, so we both want to sleep late this morning.
However, Tatsuya’s loud wailing wakes us up. When trying to go back to sleep, I get a message that Tatsuya will be taken away if he’s not fed soon. What!?
At that, I leap out of bed and rush to his bassinet to feed him.
Satoru: And since we are now both fully awake, we go downstairs to renew our marital vows.


Jade: Satoru leaves for work and I spend the day at home with baby Tatsuya at my side, playing chess with a friend to level both Charisma and Logic.
In the evening, Tatsuya ages up to a child and becomes a Creative Whiz Kid.
Satoru: Hey, Jade, I got promoted to Level 6 chef tonight. So this is our little genius, Tatsuya!
Jade, why don’t you play three chess games with him for his Whiz Kid aspiration, while I mentor him?


Satoru: Since it’s Sunday, we’re allowed to go into Buy/Build mode.
Besides buying a bed, a study desk, skilling items, and toys for Tatsuya, we also add floor and wall coverings to most of the house.
Jade: We’re down to $719, love. Good thing we can count on two paychecks tomorrow to help pay the bills.
Satoru: We want to have just enough to pay the bills, right? Too much and the mob wins.


Satoru: It’s time for you to go to bed, Tatsuya. You want to be rested for your first day of school tomorrow, don't you?
Tats: Won’t you please read me a story, Dad? I promise to go to bed as soon as you finish reading me a story.
Please?
Satoru: Well, okay, since you promise. *opens a book
Once upon a time, there was a unicorn named Eunice who had always dreamed of becoming a ninja…
W: Tatsuya has a heart-shaped face just like his father!


W: You look very relaxed right now, Jade!
Jade: Thankfully, Satoru has been taking care of Tatsuya since he got home from work, so I have a little time to myself. At least, for tonight.
So you’re trying for baby again after Satoru’s work shift Monday night?
Jade: Yes! And about that, would you please, please, please do us a huge favor?
Sure, you name it.
Jade: Would you mind contacting @JudesSims and asking her to share some of her "multiple births mojo”?
If only things were that easy…




Watchette Sez

My sims only have twins when it is sure to ruin my plans. The only time I’ve ever seen triplets has been in a failed dynasty attempt between a dynasty pollinator and Liberty Lee but she was not in my active household.
So I imagine that this family will hobble along, giving birth to one single baby after another, possibly until I clear Bobybuilder (to buy a massage table for Fertility massages) or Diamond Agent (to visit a spa for fertility massages).
Any tips and suggestions to boost the likelihood of twins and triplets would be profoundly appreciated.


As always, thank you for reading! Come back next time to meet Baby #2!

[Shewolf13]

Oooo! Lovely update! Loving Jade and Satoru together! And their son is adorable!

[KRae]

What a strong comeback, I'm really enjoying it.