A first time

Last night, I joyfully baby-sat for my mentor’s children as she and her husband attended a wine-tasting event for work. This was an exciting and rare opportunity! I definitely found it worth giving up a Friday night to spend time with two of my favorite kids.

There was a slight challenge though. I have no baby-sitting experience. I am a 24 year old woman with no baby-sitting experience. Never had I changed a diaper, washed a child, nor put a child to bed... prior to last night.

Due to my sheer excitement, I rushed out of work at 4:55 and arrived at the family’s home 15 minutes prior to my desired arrival time. The parents were just getting ready. The younger of the two, a one-year old, looked suddenly nervous upon my arrival. He carefully watched me for a good half an hour. After awhile, he warmed up and showed me books and stuffed animals. He happily waved goodbye to his parents as they left and the two’s evening were now dependent on me.

We watched a Winnie the Pooh movie, which they apparently loved and sang along to. The four-year old knew all the words. The little one just followed along, his tone expressive, but words were slurred. Then it was time to warm up the milk and put him to bed.

I was nervous. So was he.

His night attire, fresh diaper, and baby wipes were all layed out on the counter. I looked at all the items briefly. Looks easy enough, I thought. So we proceeded with the evening ritual. My hands started to shake. He must have sensed my novice approach because he started to whimper. I struggled with the diaper for a couple minutes, and then decided to call my roommate for a demonstration. (She arrived after dinner and was playing with the four-year old). She told me I had it backwards. Poor thing. I thanked her. Then I was alone once again with the toddler as we tried to figure out the onesie. I was shocked to see that he knew exactly what he was doing. He knew to fit his arms through the holes. He knew to raise his feet for the pants. He knew to stay still as I buttoned up the shirt. It was wonderful.

Then he finished his milk and started to rub his eyes. I held him for awhile, soothing him to sleep. Then I layed him on his crib as he fell asleep to the sound of lullabies.