My Dream Job

After high school I got offered a job at a daycare facility just down the street from my house. Currently I was working at the only grocery store in Morgan and I figured would I rather work at the boring old grocery store or take the job at the daycare and work with cute little pre-school kids. Of course, I picked the daycare.

At first it was intimidating. I didn't know any of the other staff and I didn't know the kids or how to relate to them or how to deal with the parents. Yet as time moved on and I got to know the kids and they got to know me....I learned to love this job.

I first started out with the preschoolers. I would head over after school and stay until the last kid left. I always got there right at nap time, so my job was to get the 10-15 preschoolers all down for their naps. Let's just say I got pretty good at getting kids to sleep. After nap time, it was snack time, then group project time, then outside time and finally free time until they were all picked up. I learned very quickly when dealing with a large group of little kids that a structured schedule was the number one key to any success.

I spent about 3 years give or take working in the preschool. I learned to love those kids as if they were my own. Everyday when I would come in all the little kids would yell "Teacher Cynthia" and all run and give me hugs! They would all tell me how much they loved me and "Teacher Cynthia look what I made today" and "Teacher Cynthia look what I can do". I loved that so much. I became very close with those kids. I helped those kids to learn to write their names, what the days of the week were, how to cut paper, and even potty-trained many of them. I would play tag with the boys, dig holes in the dirt, and check out ugly bugs with them. With the girls we would play house and get our hair done and have little tea parties. Most of the time it didn't feel like a job ....it honestly just felt like I was playing.

Well eventually all my 3-4 year old kids grew up and moved on to 1st grade and left my class as the new ones filter in. It was almost heart wretching to see them go....and they weren't even my kids. They were my daycare kids! I had become so attached to them. I would often wonder if I love and care for these kids so much how much more will I love and care for my own.

Well as the kids grew older and teachers came and went....I got transfered to work with the babies. The 6 weeks to 23 month old ones. That was alot of fun! On average I would have anywhere from 3-7 infants. If I had 5 or more state law required that someone was in there with me to help. Compared to the preschoolers there was alot more crying, alot more trying to figure out what they wanted and a schedule that was alot more lax.

This time I became good at changing diapers in lightening fast time, making a perfect bottle, and rocking the fussy ones to sleep. These little ones grew so fast. Watching them learn to crawl then take their first step was awesome. Hearing them say words for the first time or learning to recognize their names was amazing. Once again I fell in love with these children. I worked with the little ones for about a year and half. The owner then lost her lease and was unable to find a building suitable for a daycare so the company closed it's doors. For the sake of the parents and because I couldn't come to heart that I had to leave these kids. I volunteered to do daycare in my home for the summer until the parents were able to make other arrangements.

Eventually this all came to an end. It was very sad. I loved loved loved those kids! I couldn't wait for the chance to have my own so I could create that bond again....but only stronger.

Well the wait is finally over.

For the past several weeks my body has been busy building my own little baby. Finally I will get to have my real dream job.....to be a mommy! Part of me is super excited and part of me is super nervous. It's amazing to see already how much my mindset and life has changed knowing that there is someone coming that is and will be completely dependent on me for everything.

So despite the fact that I am so sick and completely miserable right now......i.e.... I've lost my sleep, breaking out more then I ever have, have already out grown my clothes, recieved my first stretch mark, out grown my bras (and my breasts are super sore), visit the restroom way too often, heartburn and mean cramps, eat like a horse then completely lose my appetite, gag when I brush my teeth, exhausted, unmotivated to do anything, insanely congested with swollen tonsils and unable to take any medicine......my ultrasound today showed a healthy bouncing baby with an incredible heart beat! The sweet things looks like a little gummy bear right now :)

I'm already in love!

Expected Due Date: January 16th, 2011