My Step-Daughter Wants a Cat, and a Bunny, and a Gerbil

I am a new step-mom, only eight months into this adventure that will last a lifetime. Though I never thought I wanted children, I have fully embraced my new role as a mom figure of an eight-year-old girl. Starting July 1, Sophie will be living with us full time, whereas we've only spent every other weekend with her until now. And I am looking forward to finding our rhythm and routine, learning and growing together.Since the day we told Sophie we were getting married, she asked for a cat. She is going to be a master negotiator one day. We knew we were about to start a major home remodel, so we promised once that was complete, she could have a cat. As home construction tends to go, the process has taken much longer than we originally anticipated and it looks like it will be another four months before we move into our refreshed home. Gerbils, more than I would care to acknowledge, have kept the impatience at bay. Then last month, Sophie learned how allergic I was to cats after we visited some that were available for adoption.So now she wants a rabbit. And I think that is super sweet because she doesn't want me to have swollen red eyes all the time. The desire for a rabbit started today. In our world of instant gratification, she wants it now, much like Violet from Charlie and the Chocolate. Without knowing a thing about caring for a rabbit, there have been pouty faces and near tears tonight as we discuss all the research and work needs to be done to prepare. "This is hard!" she says before demanding again a set date for getting a bunny.We've now Googled, set a date for a rabbit "knowledge test," scheduled time to build a pen and taught her how to use Google calendar in the process. Still not quelled, we've distracted with a family viewing of a Jurassic Park movie.I'm exhausted. #thisismotherhood