Week 15: Kylie Does Annual Conference

We had fun trekking out to Greenville for Annual Conference this year. Last summer I saw all the young moms with babies in their Moby wraps and thought it looked adorable and easy. Boy who was I kidding!  For one, Kylie doesn't like any baby carriers and it was either hold her or have her in the car seat/stroller. Packing was a unique experience as well. Last year was a big year as I was to be ordained!  I spent a while shopping for dresses for both the clergy session (where you are formally voted forward after recommendation from the board) and the actual ordination service. 

Love that look!

This year- I could hardly think of anything but Kylie's needs- mainly the pack and play! I took one suitcase, knowing it'd be tricky to get in and out of the hotel already. With her multiple onesies, diapers, a small fan (ha!) I had exactly one-third of the suitcase left for me. I decided on dresses for each day!  Easy to throw on in the dark and would immediately look nice. Shoes- "hmm I need a bigger summer shoe selection". 

The drive out went fine- Kylie sleeps like a rock on road trips. And with a baby- no snacks needed or fussing about music choices. We had a little Red Robin date right at 5 to avoid any crowds. She did start crying when my food arrived- when I realized (again!) how much help Mike is!  That night we had a group meeting at 7, when she is generally asleep, but she was quiet the whole time and went right to bed after. I neglected to bring a sheet for the pack and play mat- so I heard a lot of swooshing all night. 

I had not been in a hotel room with a baby before. Once she went down and the lights were off- there was no noise or light allowed. I could not find my cell phone- and the alarm clock was the dimmest I'd ever had. So feeling around I eventually found it!  Fortunately I was so tired I konked right out myself. 

The week was a fun blend of one-on-one time with Kylie and seeing friends, many of whom held her while she was asleep, fussing, you name it!  At one point I forgot I was supposed to be on stage with the other deacons, so she came up with me- bottle and all!

Thursday she was terrific and hardly cried at all. Friday was a different story- and thru lunch she screamed and screamed. I had a part in the afternoon session, so I couldn't just go back to the hotel. A friend miraculously got her to sleep and she ended up being fine. But I was stressed!  Admittedly Annual Conference is super tiring- so her screams were certainly warranted- but it was still stressful to try and keep her calm. 

We made it home Saturday afternoon- and I think the week finally sunk in. She was extra fussy that evening and eventually we got her to sleep. It took a few days for her to finally catch up on her rest. 

All in all, I loved having Kylie with me for AC and am so thankful to have the memories of being together with her. I also think she'd do better next year to stay home or with grandparents as its really not a kid-oriented event. I will have a bigger hand in the ordination activities next year, so I also wouldn't be able to give her my full attention anyhow. But for this year- she was my cute little arm candy and definitely brightened the spirits of everyone who saw her.