Don't grow up on me!

          After tonight, I have spent a total of 10 hours volunteering with Step By Step. I still absolutely love it. I look forward to Thursday nights. Holding a baby definitely counts as a form of stress relief, and as a full time college student taking 19 hours, doing research, and working 12 hours a week, stress relief is something I don't have time for. I know Step By Step was created as an organization to help young, single mothers in our community, but I think it honestly helps me just as much. How did I not know about this earlier?

          Throughout these past couple of months, I have gained a LARGE amount of respect for these mothers. Don't get me wrong, I love children, and I am so grateful for this opportunity, but at times children can be a lot to handle. They cry and wiggle around and pee and poop and constantly need attention. I mean have you ever tried spooning out four scoops of formula into a bottle that you forgot to uncap before hand with a crying baby on your hip? Being a mother is a legit skill. Not only are you taking care of yourself, but you're responsible for taking complete care of another human being; I can barely make sure I eat every couple hours and shower once a day and I am almost 19 years old. I spend 2.5 hours in the infant room at Step By Step every other Thursday night, and by the end of the night I am so drained; happy, but drained. I don't know these mothers continue to take care of their children 24 hours a day, for over 18 years! And to think, some of these mothers have more than one child. This absolutely shocks me! On that note, I think I have a lot to learn before becoming a mother. 

          I am so thankful to have the opportunity to interact with these wonderful mothers and children. I love every single one of them in a way that I cannot describe. 

Don't let that cute face fool you, he really only likes hanging out with me because I let him suck on my fingers. Tonight's mini-lesson was how to "selfie". I wonder if they will still be taking these when he becomes my age...