A year in my life...

One year ago -- October 19th, 2009 -- Baby and I spent our very first day together. Back then, she wasn't even three months old. Her neck was wobbly; she couldn't roll or sit, and all she did was eat and sleep.

Now, Baby has no limits. 

I can't believe that I have had the same job for one full year! 

Before I got the job, I spent that whole day applying for the oddest positions. I had given up on nannying, and figured it just was not going to pan out. Then I went for a run and listened to my iPod shuffle, which was filled with motivational songs. To this day, the song, Live Like You Are Dying, still reminds me of the night I was hired. I can remember the elation that I felt after I listened to the message from Baby's Mamma. She said they wanted me to be Baby's Nanny, and I could not believe it. My heart literally stopped before it started zooming wildly in my chest. 

I spent the next two weeks enjoying the time in between getting a job and working. I don't know if anything can beat that relaxation. Knowing that I had a job made it so easy to just enjoy my time of nothing. And I am a big fan of nothing. I watched lots of Lost and got addicted to The Vampire Diaries. 

My job, though it can be slightly mundane at times, is always changing. With each new month, there is a new development. Going from absolutely stationary, to rolling, to sitting, to crawling, to standing, to walking, to talking, it is incredible to be a part of a little person's growth. I think Baby is a genius with loads of fantastic personality. She is such a character. I would like to believe that some of her quirks are due to me. 

Though I miss the tiny fingers and toes and little body that fit comfortably into one arm, I truly love the little girl she has become. And I am so grateful to have been given the chance to be a part of her life!

One year ago, I wrote this:

"Thus here I sit -- a real nanny! Hired permanently... Oh what a feeling to know that after today, this week, this month... I will still be here. It is a scary, yet romantically beautiful thought. I have just begun a journey with this little girl, this family. I am so grateful to them for seeing something in me that made them think I was the right fit. I knew I liked them right off the get go... Her emails were always so welcoming. They make me feel wanted here, like I am doing them a generous deed. It is them who have done the amazing thing by hiring me! Now all I can do is strive everyday to take care of their baby the best I can. Make her happy, care for and love her. I love how little she is, but I am excited for the spring when she will be old enough to take on excursions and voyages! Now it is just small advenutres around the neighborhood -- but let’s face it, with my directional skills, small adventures that lead us home are amazing.

So as I sit writing this poorly grammaratized commentary, Layla swings away in slumber. Thus with the time I have to myself I am going to write! It will suck at first, but hopefully day by day something great will be written. And who knows maybe eventually I will have composed a literary wonder -- such as Twilight or Harry Potter. I know I have the imagination, now all I have to do is find the words..."