1 Seat Closer

Anyone have test anxiety?  I don't think I have ever had too much trouble with it, but recently Aundrea and I had to correctly install a child car seat for an MDHS staff member.  This is one of the "last" steps to completing our foster licensing.  We had a car seat my sister had loaned us and planned on practicing with it ahead of time, but life happened and our practice consisted of trying to put it in the car before we went to get tested!  We have had 2 kids already, so how hard could it be, right?  I have to admit I think Aundrea was a little more nervous than I was.

Before we left the house, I installed the base using the LATCH system.  It is the strap that clips to the metal buckles in the crease of the vehicle's seat.  I like this option because I can really crank on the strap to get it good and tight.  Well, turns out that might not have been the best idea.

We met the worker at the Walmart in Olive Branch (I am VERY grateful she was willing to meet us there instead of us having to get out to Hernando) to complete the install.  She had brought her own infant and toddler seats, but when she saw ours she said we could use it.  Aundrea showed her how we could place the infant seat in the base, and she checked our side-to-side movement and said it was really snug (I was proud!).  She then asked Aundrea to go ahead and remove the base to see that we could do so.  Guess maybe I shouldn't have put it in there THAT tight!  Try as she may, it was no use.  The worker even tried and finally just gave up and decided it was good where it was, we could just continue with hers.  What can I say???  No kid will ever flip sideways in a car seat I install!

We used her toddler seat and Aundrea climbed in the Tahoe and took charge.  She got it in and the worker gave us a few good pointers.  At that point she said we were good to go.  The funny part was Aundrea, who was more anxious about this than me, ended up doing most of the heavy lifting.  I was a good door holder, though.  Maybe my base installation just convinced the worker I was good to go.

We signed our certification forms and she gave them to our Licensure Specialist on Monday.  This should hopefully complete our packet and move us one step closer to our Home Study, and eventually licensing!

Keith