Mine

I am a Nanny at this point in my life. It's arguably the best job situation I have ever had. The family I work for is pretty awesome and there's somewhat of a family history there (my boss used to babysit my hubby and bil). My days with a 20 month old and my 7 month old can prove to be either hilarious or make me wish I lived in a more grown up world, although most days are a mix of the extremes.

Take today for example. Mr. R (my lovely little charge) has discovered a fascinating new thing~ TALKING! He used to babble full force and then look at me as if I was crazy when I didn't comprehend anything... but lately? He speaks~ for real words~ in context, no less~ and he can carry on conversations with me! As limited as they may be, I still love it. I like to teach him new words, and the more useful or random, the better!!! Elbow and stinky send him into glorious laughing fits.

I also now work part time as a 3rd shift nurse aide taking care of retired Sisters of Notre Dame. For this new job, I had to get my fingerprints re-done... so our journey for the day. It rained, then naptime ensued, so we finally headed out around lunchtime. The hours had been changed from what I was told, so with 20 minutes to spare and children growing increasingly more cranky, we trudged back to the car and ended up at Chik-fil-A... I enjoyed a milkshake while passing back bits of nugget to appease R. Upon our return, we find a line (of course!). I set E's carseat into a chair and R is standing next to me in line when someone else walked in and then had the audacity! to talk and coo to E.

"MINE!"

Oooh, a new word! I probably should have corrected him, but how could I? He bravely marched up to the seat and stood at E's feet while giving this lady the evil eye and proclaiming, "Baby. Mine." How I love this little boy! The lady thought it was adorable~ how cute for him to be a protective older brother! I've stopped correcting strangers that I'm "just" the nanny in these situations...

As I reflect on R's possessiveness of MY baby E, I realize not only how much he loves her and I love them both, but neither are truly mine. To quote Robert Fulghum, "To love something and to possess it are not the same thing." For now, she is mine to hold, she will always and forever be mine, but at the same time, E can never be mine.