Today, I was much more experienced with the daily routine and felt more comfortable going around to patients' rooms. It was Adam's first day today, so I was the one showing him around. I was no longer the newbie. I even got a mini workout today. I didn't realize, but staff members, volunteers, etc. walk so much during their work day at the hospital. I have to sign in and out on a different floor than the one I actually work on. I'm walking around all day, running errands (getting toys or coloring books) for the parents and the children, or I'm taking the children on mini adventures in the stroller around the floor. I am also constantly walking around all the rooms to see if there are any children who would like to play in the Activity Center.
But that wasn't the workout today. The babies sure are super adorable, but they require a lot of work and strength as well. I was holding this 5 month old baby girl for two hours, trying to rock her to sleep. She would cry if I sat down, and I had to hold my arms out (she was comfortable when I held them like that). She loved to watch TV, so we watched Nemo together. Success! I got her to fall asleep, but when I put her in her crib, my arms began to ache so much, and they're still so sore tonight. I'm preparing myself to do the same thing for the next few weeks.
There was a little boy who was only 17 months, and my goodness, he had so much energy. I took him for a stroller walk, he stared out the window of Rainbow and looked at the view below, pushed him in the Little Tikes mobile car, played catch with him, and chased him down the hall. The nurses told me he loves to run, and he sure did!
I actually worked with quite a lot of children today, about 7, but these two really stood out to me because I spent most of my time with them. This has only been the 2nd day, and I already know it's going to be such a rewarding experience!
~Clare
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