Back to Life

After three straight weeks away from home, our little family is finally getting settled back into our weekly routine.  Don't get me wrong, the 3 of us LOVED being with our family for such a long stretch of time, but there's just something about our normal, everyday schedule that I start to miss after a while.  Thankfully, Kyndall does great no matter what situation she's thrown into, and doesn't freak out if she's not on her normal schedule.  Same goes for the reverse.  She quickly slipped right back into her little daily routine as soon as we returned home. 

We almost didn't know what to do with ourselves this past weekend.  I can't remember the last time we've had a whole weekend where we were all in the same town with nothing to do!  So, we decided to make a visit to the aquarium.  Kyndall and I went in July for the first time, which I blogged about HERE.  Matthew had never been, and since I bought yearly passes for our family, we decided to take advantage and make a day of it. 

Matthew at the "touch tank"

Being married to a man who can't get enough of Troy and the other "Swamp People", I knew Matthew would want to make a stop by to see Alabaster the albino alligator.

We had a great day, just the 3 of us!  After leaving the aquarium, we went to dinner and then came home and put Prissy to bed and Matthew and I watched a movie.  Another thing that we have really missed doing as a family is going to our church here in Summerville.  As long as we've been going there, we've never left Kyndall in the nursery.  Not because I'm one of "those" Moms who doesn't trust other people with my baby, but simply because she was so tiny and so quiet that we were easily able to sit on the back row and nobody even knew she was there.  Boy, have things changed!  This past Sunday we let her stay in the service for the music (which shes LOVES), but then made a quick exit with her once things got quiet and the Cheerios, toys and paci were no longer keeping her quiet!  Being her first time in the nursery, I walked back there expecting to quickly drop her off and get back to the service.  Little did I know what a high tech system they have in place back there!  Wow!  I was greeted by a very official looking nursery worker who was adorned with a fancy name tag and a warm smile.  She led me over to the end of the counter where she registered Kyndall into the nursery's computer system.  She then handed me two small key chain tags with bar codes on them (just like the reward key chains you get at CVS, Petsmart, Babies R Us, etc.) which were linked to Kyndall's file in the computer.  One for me and one for Matthew.  She explained that next time I drop Kyndall off, I simply scan the key chain at the check-in station and wait for the computer to print out three stickers.  These three stickers have Kyndall's name, our name, her age and other personal info on them.  One sticker goes on Kyndall's back, one goes on her diaper bag, and the other goes on a small card that I keep with me and serves as my "receipt" for picking her up.  Without that card and bar code, nobody is allowed to get her from the nursery.  I was also given a number.  If Kyndall cries for an extended period of time, or there is any sort of problem, my number will flash up on a screen in the church sanctuary and I will know to immediately report back to the nursery.  Wow!  I think they've covered all of their bases as far as safety as well as convenience!  I was definitely impressed.  I'm not sure how much of the sermon I actually heard, as I was so busy watching the screen just waiting for my number to pop up.  I can happily report that it never did!  Apparently, she did great!  I think we'll be leaving her from now on.

Here are a few pictures that I snapped before the service started, and before she made her quick exit!

It's been nice to get back into our routine, but it won't last for long.  This Sunday, Kyndall and I are heading back to Tallahassee for one final summer trip.  This time, it's for her first birthday party!!  I'm going a week ahead of the party to prepare, and staying a week after in order to attend two more birthday parties on the following Saturday.  Matthew, of course, will come for the weekend of her party but then have to return to SC.  I *think* this will be our last long trip for quite a while, so I plan to enjoy it as much as possible!