Job Title: Nanny

Days like today remind me why I feel as though I have the best job in the world!

I have my degree in Human Development and Family Studies, with an emphasis on Early Childhood. One would ask what you do with this degree. Simply put, I play with children all day and find so much pride and happiness in it.

I have worked in many child cares in the Reno area while going through college to pay for books, rent, food, etc. You know how it goes. At one point I was working at 3 different ones. I have no idea why, that's just what I did to fill up my schedule in between classes I guess. I wouldn't take it back for anything. I see each job I had as an amazing experience. Some learning the hard way, some learning amazing skills through amazing head teachers I was so fortunate to work with. The job I miss the most was surprisingly a desk job, working behind the scenes of the child care world. If you know me at all, you know that never in my life did I think I would like a desk job, but it was some of the most rewarding and self-gratifying experiences I've been through in life thus far. Not only did I work with an amazing staff and boss, but got to see first hand the immense amount of work that goes into keeping child cares up to the level of professionalism they need to be! It's a lot of work and a lot of people put many hours into making it up to par :)

Anywho....when Nick and I moved to Madison I knew I had to get a job FAST! We needed to pay for rent and get some cushion if we were going to survive this so-called residency path we had never been down before. I got a job at a day care and soon found out it was HORRIBLE and not the path I wanted for our new little life here in this gorgeous city! I soon decided nannying was what I would want to pursue(I had only done it one summer in Reno)......from that point on I have never looked back. I have truly found my niche and what I love to do with my spare time in this crazy thing called life. Going through a few ups and downs here and there, I am now nannying for an amazing family. I have almost been with them for a year in a few months and that makes me smile from ear to ear because there hasn't been a day I have woken up and said "I don't want to go to work today." Probably because my work does not feel like work at all. Probably because this family treats me as one of them and shows appreciation more than I ever thought was possible. Probably because I love them equally as much as they love me! I do what I love and I love what I do :):):)

It's days like today that I am reminded what it's like to live life through the eyes of a child at 1 year! Today as I played with little lady in the snow, I was reminded why I have the best job in the world. She looked to me for guidance while she walked in the 3 inches of snow with her clunky snow boots on! She mumbled in her language as she played in the cold white stuff. It was music to my ears! She was so happy to be in the snow, eating it (her favorite), touching it, making snow angels with my help, even putting her face in it! Today was truly a great day at work and I feel like this most days as I walk out the door after I give kisses, an I love you and a goodbye.

Today, like every day of my work as a nanny, is simply happiness at its finest because I am learning about my world through the eyes of a baby. Exactly what I believe I was put here to do on earth. Some may say it is not a job, but that is OK, because to me that is not an insult...that is a compliment!! I believe it to be the best job title in the world! It is quite amazing.....which makes me that much more excited for parenthood when we walk that path one day!!!

Go ahead and comment on the cuteness of this little lady! It's ok because I fall more and more in love with her every day! With every slobbery kiss, contagious giggle, intensely loud squeal, and hilarious personality, you are hard to not love, little miss!

Pictures-I am not one to post photos of children/families I work with/for because I believe in the privacy of the family....and professionalism. I believe this photo of Sidney still gives privacy to this family as it does not show her whole face. I will never post a picture of her face, so please do not ask me to. If you feel this picture shows too much of her identity, please let me know. I will remove it if needed. Thank you. Enjoy!