OCC requires that we do Christian service each semester. Since our schedule didn't allow us to do choir at school, we naturally decided to join College Heights' choir and be in their Christmas program. I just considered that a fun hobby and didn't know it would count as Christian service, so I also volunteered to babysit for CHCC's Mops group at the beginning of the semester. It didn't hurt that I'd also get my "fix" taking care of babies (I started talking about wanting a little one and Nick wasn't as eager, so I take care of babies at church to get my "fix"!).
It's been a lot of fun. I work with two other ladies at the church and we have about 11-15 one-year-olds in our room. The two volunteers probably thought I was nuts when I told them I wanted to work with the little ones to get my fill for the week, but they sure didn't mind letting me get all the experience I wanted when one would have a dirty diaper or a snotty nose that needed a Kleenex! I honestly don't mind. Having three young siblings, I was accustomed to it when they were young.
I've made some interesting observations being in there. The first is, when the time comes, I can't consider naming my own little girl Emma, Riley, or Madison. Good names, yes. But almost every little girl in the nursery has one of those names! It gets confusing at times trying to remember who's who when there's a full class of running toddlers, however it's pretty easy figuring the girls out. Just call them Emma, Riley and Madison and see which one they respond to!
Also, sign language is awesome! Most the little ones in there can sign "More", "Please", and "Thank You", etc., even though they can't talk. It's really a brilliant idea. You can pinpoint exactly what they're needing even though they can't talk.
It's amazing how early babies are hooked on sugar. Several parents dropped their toddlers off today with sippy cups full of fruit punch or chocolate milk and bags of donuts or Fruit Loops. None of them want water because they crave sugared drinks nor do they want Cheerios because they're addicted to sugared cereal. One of the little guys even had a filling!
Interesting perceptions....
