Christmas Eve Day with the Infants

        This Christmas Eve was very different for me then the last two Christmas Eves in the past 2 years. It was really strange for me. I had to work until 6:00 so I couldn't go home so I spent Christmas Eve by myself but I'm glad I didn't go home this year because throughout the day my eyes were open.  I only had 3 children and not 15 children on Christmas Eve and that is a good difference. It is good because it meant they had families to stay with and go home to.
         I was quite at work today for moments at a time because I would just look at the babies and think about what their 1st Christmas would be like. I also almost cried at work today. They actually get a first Christmas with their parents. It is so hard working opposite jobs one after the other because it is fresh in your mind and that is all you go back on. It is like my mind has lituatlly been renewed with different things. I was playing with the babies that I had at work today and they were all happy and smiley. They each had a Christmas outfit on and were so cute. Even though I didn't get to do anything Christmasy with them, we did listen to some Christmas songs.
          It was also hard on me thinking about how they are going home and my place of work would be shut down and I could go home and to my parents' house tomorrow without a worry. The babies would be with their family opening presents with their parents on Christmas morning. I was thankful that they were going home but it was still hard. I got a lot of hugs today form parents and workers that just filled me with joy because they could see how much their children grow and learn because of the teachers in the room. When you work at a children's shelter, you don't get that because there are no parents there. I have also got 3 presents from parents and that meant a lot more then it use to because I know what it is like to do without.
             I had this one mom that hugged me and while she was hugging me I almost started to cry because she hugged me tight like she almost squeezed me. Her son is the cutest boy ever and the happiest boy ever. She is ver outgoing and can be strict on us at times but it is only because she cares for her baby boy. The 1st two babies I looked at were about 6 months and a little bit older. Then there was this 2 or  3 months little boy that I looked at while talking to and just stared at him for awhile. It is dinfantly his 1st Christmas and he was the cutest thing ever dressed up as Santa Claus. I took a lot of pictures of the babies today to remember the moment by but still it is sad when you can compare different kinds of children.
             The ones that are so happy and playful on Christmas Eve without even knowing why and then those children that are upset and sad because their mom and dad are not around for that special moment. I am the kind of person that need a lot of encouragement and thanks from the parents just to get me through the days sometimes and I think that is why I like a preschool job better. You have the parents who show you that and you see that in a "normal" child. I mean the babies have learned to sit up, wave, almost walk, stand up, and a lot of other things just in the 3 months that I have been there.
            The places are really two different places and you really need a heart for one or the other. That is what I am learning now and my heart is for a "typical" preschool/daycare with "normal" children, even if they are spoiled sometimes. It is better to be spoiled then to have nothing at all. I literally heard no crying today or as much as I would have if I was at the shelter and that is a good sign. I got to sit and play with the 2 babies and hold them non-stop, which is what I love to do. I really have been blessed this Christmas by a lot of things even though some things went wrong this year. I think the good covers the bad for sure this year. It is an actual Christmas where I can say that I am blessed spiritually and earthly.