It's nearing the time for Cayman to move up to a toddler car seat. She's barely got an inch left before she's completely outgrown her current seat, which thus far has been her only seat.
When it comes to picking out a car seat, I don't find it an easy decision to make. Brand and style may catch my eye but what's most important is finding the seat that best fits Cayman and will keep her safe. I've been through a terrible car accident myself once and I experienced first hand how vital proper seat belt safety is. It can make all the difference. Without it, I would have not survived. And if it's not used properly, it can do nearly the same damage too.
So I went on a search to find which seat is perfect for Cayman. I discovered there is an endless amount of data and material on this subject. I could easily read myself right through this year before I would reach the bottom of the information pile.
Rear-facing...Front-facing...Side-guards...no side-guards...Italian made...American made...etc., etc.
Overwhelmed by the many opinions out there, I decided to call on the people that have earned my highest respect, U of M Mott Buckle Up. After Cayman was born, they assisted us on finding the best infant car seat. They were a huge help with a thorough program in educating parents on car seat safety. And when I found myself overwhelmed by the decision of which toddler seat to choose, I phoned Mott Buckle Up for help and once again they did not disappoint me. They tracked down the exact toddler seats that I had researched and when we met in person, Cayman was able to try each seat out and we even put them in our vehicle to make sure that was a good fit too.
It's in Cayman's best interest to keep her rear-facing for probably another year. And since convertible seats are taller than infants seats, there was question about finding one that would accommodate Cayman rear facing while still allowing the front seat to be adjusted back at its furtherest setting. Mike has long legs and we have to keep him comfy and safe too.
With the help of Mott Buckle Up, I am confident to say that we have landed on a decision.
Graco My Ride 65
I was excited when I discovered it comes in pink and brown. So pretty. So modern.
But when I went back online to search for the best price, that's when my eyes feasted on this print...
The colors, the pattern, it caught my eye. I spent nearly an hour, phoning various of places trying to track down this particular print. Finally I called Graco and it turns out that this is their newest print. In fact it's so new that it has not even arrived in stores yet but should be getting there any day now, the sales rep tells me.
Oh boy am I excited!! Not only is it a seat that will keep my little Cayman safe but it's so girly and beautiful too!
Ah life is good when a girl can accessorize every area of it, am I right?
A New Ride Coming Soon
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Posted by Kristen at 7:00 AM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
23 Showin' Comment Love:
You are to cute.
Kris,
This is the car seat that we have for Triniti and we LOVE it! It's perfect! It's bigger then most seats but Triniti is so comfortable in it. Plus when she sleeps in the car she doesn't fall forward or to the side! I can't say enough good things about this seat!
You are so right!!! Olivia was rear-facing for almost 2 years!! :) We always joke that she will be in a booster seat until she's 20!! We bought her a very cute seat too. Love it!
Absolutely!!! I made Brian take me to Dallas (almost 3 hours away) because they had Savannah's carseat in pink and brown at the Babies R Us down there. They had the same seat, but in black and gray here in town, but why would we do that when we can have a cute one! :)
I'm glad you found one that not only is cute, but functional. I agree with you, Matthew will stay rear facing as long as possible. I'm glad you were able to try each one out in the car; that's what our car seat program did also; it was wonderful! I, by the way, am now liking Matthew's car seat more and more. I've read through the manual again and have familiarized myself with it, and even though it's heavy..I like it. The feature I thought I would like the most (the ability to fold it for airline travel, I probably won't use, because although it does the job, it is not user friendly.
I absolutely think cayman needed pink and brown!! And I'd wait for it! Can't wait to see her syling in it!
Jill,
If I remember correctly, the Recaro was your top pick and you wished you would have chosen that one for Matthew. That was one we tried out for Cayman. The car seat lady did not feel the Recaro was a good fit for her because she had less room to grow in it for rear facing. She probably wouldn't even get another year in it. I don't know where Matthew and Cayman's torso height compare to each other, but after I heard that I was so glad you went with the seat that you have for Matthew now. It will for sure accommodate him rear facing for a long time more than the Recaro.
Oh and the seat I'm holding out for, for Cayman is not the pink and brown one. While I do love pink and brown, I find those colors to feel dark and drab after awhile if I'm looking at them a lot. So the seat I want for her is trimmed in a light gray with some pinks and purples. Very light and airy looking.
She'll be driving around town in luxury! it's beautiful!
Question though, if Cayman is still rear facing, how is there enough room for her legs and feet? Don't they run into the back of the seat? I am just having a hard time visualizing it, but I am sure it must work :)
Can't wait til it arrives so we can see pictures of Cayman in her new throne!
Isn't there a red a grey one?
Cayman's Daddy,
Everything can't be red and gray! Dare I say, that would be boring!
:)
Lisa,
I thought the same thing about the feet situation and had a hard time visualizing it. An older kid rear facing just kind of folds their legs up, knees bent or sitting Indian style. Which seems terribly uncomfortable to me but I was also reminded that kids are very flexible and their joints are not like our adult joints. :)
I'll be sure to put pictures up once Cayman is in her new seat.
I too had my eye on the My ride 65. We have always used BRITAX but more recently I discovered Abigail did not like hers. I however was not so dissapointed because we had bought that carseat when Michelle turned 2 so it is now almost 2 years itself. So we got our moneys worth. We went on a hunt for the perfect carseat and came across the Alpha Omega Elite. We used these for James and Shawn and they never failed us. Michelle actually has the Eddie Bauer version of it! We love them both and for the price it isnt bad at all! Plus they rear face and can turn into boosters!
I so feel your confusion on car seats and just had to laugh. When Rebekah was born we had a choice of about 2 kinds of car seats, so it was not a hard decision....14 years later when Annie came there was a massive amount of seats....and I mean massive, which you well know, and it almost drove us crazy trying to get the 'right' one!!! Glad you found a pretty one too!!
LOL:) I just knew Mike would want a red/grey one. Car seats sure have come a long way in 20 years. That is so beautiful it makes me long for another. Cayman is going to look so styling and will be ultra safe at the same time.
You are right! Saftey first...but cuteness is a close second. :) Can't wait to see photos of the seat with Cayman in it! Will you be waiting at the store doors the day it arrives?
Amy J.,
I would be waiting at the store doors the day it arrives if I knew when that would be. I wonder if Graco is getting tired of me calling yet. I will probably do the more convenient thing now a days and just order it online when it becomes available and then it'll come right to MY door. Not having to go out in the cold sounds pretty good to me.
We recently purchased that car seat too. We got it at Babys R Us and I really wanted the pink and brown but the teal and brown was about $30 cheaper so that's what we got. Abigail will be rear facing as long as we can keep her that way. I'm still working on getting her to use the cup holders because she loves to just throw her cup and bottle across the car leaving sticky messes everywhere.
Kristin,
Haha, I anticipate Cayman will be the same way. She will throw her bottle or sippy cup before she uses those cup holders. :)
What a great post! would they help someone out of state? Little Man will be needing a new carseat too & I've been looking at the options- its daunting!
LOVE the colors, very you & very Cayman. You'll have to post pics of her in in it when it arrives:)
Carla,
Yes, I know for a fact that Mott Buckle Up would help someone out of state (we live out of state). Your child's care does not even have to be related to U of M hospital. Mike asked them these questions when we were there recently. It's free to set up an appointment and have them help you find the right car seat and even show you how to install it correctly. I don't know where you live, but it's very likely that there is a place close to you that does this too. I know through our Early Intervention program there is such services as this. I just love Mott Buckle Up so much and have not found another place that is quite as helpful as they are.
I love it!!!!! I've been searching for a new carseat for Kadyn, as his was a hand-me-down and is about the be expired! Although I'll have to search for something more for a boy lol :)
I had this car seat and returned it. Maybe they fixed the problem, but it is really difficult to get the straps tight while rear facing. If you read revies on the BRU website you will see that complaint over and over and over again. Other than that problem, it is a nice seat.
love it. really....I do :)
Post a Comment