We moved Ayden into a convertible car seat way back in October because he was getting way too heavy for me to carry in his infant carrier. Actually, carrying him wasn't so bad. It was having to lift him in and out of the car in the thing that was becoming near impossible for me. We left Rylee in the infant carrier. This enabled me to still carry them both in and out at the same time. At least initially. Now they are both way too heavy for me to carry at the same time.
My system for leaving the house (by myself when Tony isn't here) has been to put Rylee in her infant carrier, and then to take Ayden out to the car. This ensures that she is safely contained while I am outside buckling Ayden into his car seat. Then I run back into the house to grab Rylee and off we go.
She is now outgrowing her infant carrier and it's time to make the switch. I can't delay it any longer. We've had her new seat sitting in our garage since October when we made the switch for Ayden. I got it out on Saturday and was all set to take the plunge and put it in, but I got nervous. I am so paranoid about installing it correctly! I think I can do it, but what if I can't? My brother-in-law
The whole point of this post is that I'm a wienie. Yep, a wienie. I'm intimidated by a damn car seat. Not to mention the fact that I'm not sure how it's gonna go even getting them into the car, without one of them running off and getting into trouble while I'm buckling the other one in. Twin troubles.
 |
| She LOVES the new seat |
 |
| Of course the box provided endless entertainment |
To read more #MicroblogMonday posts, click here.
Please please please take your car and the seat to a certified car seat installer! Generally there is someone at your local police dept or fire dept that has been trained and will make sure that it is installed correctly (and for free!).
ReplyDeleteThat's my plan! I just have to make a phone call to find out if they do it here locally.
DeleteThought I'd let you know that you motivated me to finally make that call today! The local fire dept does have someone that does safety checks/installs, but she doesn't work on Mondays. Left a message and hopefully I'll hear back soon!
DeleteI had someone else install the car seats so no help there. But this is how we did the twins and the car thing: I would leave one in the toy corral which was in sight of the front door. Run outside with first twin and buckle them it, leaving the door open. Run back inside and grab twin #2 from the toy corral. Lock the door and get the second twin in the car.
ReplyDeleteThat's basically what I've been doing with Rylee, except she's in the infant carrier. I suppose I could use the exersaucer, but I think that will only anger the one left behind! We'll see how it goes! Have to get that seat in first :)
DeleteInfant cat seats are much easier. We only had Paloma in hers for about 6 months.... We had the carseat installed by a professional though
ReplyDeleteIf only it was as easy as clicking them into the base always! But, I guess they do have to grow up....
DeleteInfant cat seats are much easier. We only had Paloma in hers for about 6 months.... We had the carseat installed by a professional though
ReplyDeleteOkay, 1st go down to your local fire department and they will install it for you properly and for free!!! And the kids get to see their first fire station up close and they will love entertaining them since they are so darn cute and they should walk away with their first fire hats!! 2nd, since they are walking, stick them both in the back seat, buckling in the first one and then going around and buckling in the 2nd one. It will go easier than you think and I know you both have it in you to do it because you have this twin thing down better than you give yourself credit for!!!! Love and hugs and happy trails!!! Auntie
ReplyDeleteOkay, just read everyone else's reply and see you have already taken care of the fire station suggestion!!! See, I knew you had it under control!!!! Love you!
DeleteYeah, I already knew about that. Just had t done it yet and was hoping to get it installed and just have them check it, but I think I'll wait and just let them do it! Lol. As for sticking them both in the backseat and then buckling one, that won't really work. The car seats are way too big and block both entry ways to the backseat. There isn't enough room between the front seat and car seat in back to stick a toddler. I tried once settling Ayden in his car seat unbuckled while putting Rylee in. Yeah, that might work when they get a little older and more stable, but he about killed himself and gave me a panic attack because he just tried to crawl out of it! I have no doubt we'll figure it out. Just another new challenge.
DeleteI leave one twin in the high chair with 2-3 Cheerios, buckle the other and come back for the first. Or utilize a stroller for one until the other is I , then put the stroller back in the garage and off we go. You'll find something that works for you
ReplyDeleteMy sister did the cheerio thing when her twins were little, usually the boy since he was always eating anyway.
DeleteGood luck finding something that works for you!
Both of these are very good suggestions! I do have a single umbrella stroller, so that could work.
DeleteAAA will install or check your car seats for you as well. I can't imagine juggling two babies into car seats! You'll find a way!
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know about AAA, but unfortunately we don't have it. I'm sure I will find a way somehow to get both of them into the car :)
DeleteThis is absolutely a justified fear. I do agree with the other ladies in finding someone certified to install the seats for you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm
And let us know how it goes getting both of them in and out. I want to hold off like you did, as long as possible.
I highly recommend waiting as long as possible to make the switch. I have another twin momma friend that did the same thing, making the switch for one and not the other until absolutely necessary.
DeleteI have no clue about all of this but can I just say that I LOVE the picture of them playing in the box, too cute!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteOk- so clearly I'm mama of the year... When do you know it's time to switch out of the infant seat?! And any good recs on convertible seats?! :)
ReplyDeleteLol Aubrey! You are a great mama! When we switched Ayden out, it was mostly for selfish reasons because I simply couldn't lift him up in the carrier anymore. Rylee technically could still fit in the infant carrier based on weight and height, but I don't think she's as comfortable I. The seat anymore. The deciding factor for us is that the straps are leaving huge red marks on her neck for long after she is taken out. Basically, go with your gut! However, you can also look on their car seats to see what the height/weight limits are.
DeleteI would HIGHLY encourage you to join the Car Seats for Littles page on Facebook. They are an excellent resource for car seat info. I told them what kind of car I have and asked what the best/safest car seat would be for my car. They gave me several recommendations and I researched from there. Hope that helps!
Lol I can't comment on the car seat stuff, but I love the pictures!
ReplyDeleteWell hopefully that will soon be changing!
DeleteWe put off getting rid of the infant seats for soooo long just because of the convenience. Then they got too tall and we just couldn't put it off any longer. We have the added problem of living in an apartment and parking on the street so there is no way to take one out at a time. We just put the one who seems least likely to run on the sidewalk while strapping the other in. It's not a great system. We also have backpack leashes that would probably work in this case but I keep forgetting to try it. One time when SH had them, he took Paige out of the car first and when her feet hit the ground she took off running - right in front of of the high school softball practice. They all stopped to watch her and cheer her on. I thought of you when he told me that story.
ReplyDeleteSo, there really wasn't any advice here since we haven't figured out a system. We are basically just lucky neither one has run into the street. Parents of the year :)
Yikes! I tried getting them out last week at our play date without putting them in a stroller... It didn't go so well. We were in a quiet parking lot, but they both wanted to just run and explore. I still haven't put the new seat in. It's too scary to think about them running into the street! That's funny that you thought of me for the softball practice. Not so funny that they all cheered her on! lol
Delete