I just finished babysitting a friends 16 month old littler girl. I had a ball. She is so sweet! I hadn't actually seen her since before Christmas and it just amazes me how much children grow when you haven't seen them in a few months. She is walking and saying words. She understands a lot of what you say to her. The last time I babysat was when she was six month old. She was a good baby back then, but she is a really good toddler now. She didn't cry when her mom walked out the door to leave. She was easily entertained. She was even really good at letting me know what she wanted, like when she was hungry, wanted to go outside to play, or needed her diaper changed.
The only problem with watching my friends little ones is that it just reiterates how much I want one of my own. I know its not always fun, and there is a lot of hard work that goes into parenting, but I also see how rewarding it is to have your baby smile at you or your child run up and give you a hug. I want that bond that only comes from being a parent. I want the reward of watching a tiny baby grow into adulthood. I am not one of those women who will be satisfied with pets as surrogate children. I love my cats and rabbits, but I want something more. I need something more. I have to have faith that it will happen for us. We are still at the beginning stages. Now is not the time to get impatient or frustrated.