Upon finding out I was pregnant, Matt and I agreed to keep the Prius. We'll get something bigger (AKA - Minivan) when we move back to the States in a couple of years. I have driven a bigger vehicle in Europe (Toyota 4-Runner) and hated it. I know, I know. Hate is a strong word. But, really, I'm not fit to be driving a big vehicle in Europe. Tight parking spots, narrow roads, crazy drivers - enough said.
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| Radian |
So, I went to a friend's house to see if her infant car seat (removable) would fit in my car with two boosters. Not even close. I then start to question if the Coccoro will fit in my car with two boosters. Or one booster and a car seat. It really didn't seem that much smaller than an Graco Snug Ride, Chicco Keyfit or Maxi Cosi.
A friend in Wiesbaden, about an hour away, came to the rescue. She has a Coccoro. She offered to test it out in my car as none of them are sold around here. It fits perfectly with two boosters. I even have room to buckle Liv's booster seat easily. The Radian, more narrow than a booster, will easily fit. While the Radian is expensive and the baby's car seat and Radian combined will cost just over $400, I can hand down the Radian to "The Boy" when he's about two. Lila will not mind being in a 5-point harness for another two years. She's extremely small for a 4.5-year-old anyway. She'll have plenty of room to grow in the Radian.
As far as taking a sleeping a sleeping baby out of the car - I'll deal with it. It will be fine. I know it will - especially if it's all he ever knows. I think the safety and warmth of being up close to mama will put him right back to sleep. Or it won't and, well, time will pass by and, like what happened with my two girls, he'll be a off to kindergarten in flash. It's a good thing, in this situation, I'm not a first time mom. I know how fast this all goes by. It really is temporary. Soon enough I'll be wallowing in self pity because I have no more babies left...
Just a note...i have never been able to get that stupid carrier out of the middle without waking the baby :-) I did like the carrier with the 3rd since he often only napped on the go. I also used the stroller more (GA heat and baby wearing seem at odds at times). But now, he still gets taken out asleep and put in the ergo and yeah, he still sleeps. Makes them resilient!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and you can probably sell the other when you are done (or make yourself feel good by giving it away to someone else in need).
ReplyDeleteWe hardly ever took Henry out of his car seat into stores. I can count on one hand and have fingers left over! We always just transferred him to Ergo or Moby. I think "don't wake the baby" is meant for people who don't babywear. I think if more people didn't follow that advice and actually woke their babies for a moment to transfer them to a carrier, that advice would simmer out and go away. You'll deal with it. I had the same freak out moment before Henry was born thinking about taking the car seat into stores and how I DIDN'T want to do that because I wanted to babywear as much as possible. I dealt with it, and it turned out to be a non-issue.
ReplyDeleteBack when you were small we took all babies out of their car seats to bring them into the stores etc. Not a big deal. You'll do just fine. No worries.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, driving a minivan here in Germany hasn't been all that bad. It sounds like you have your problem solved, but if you need a second option, I wouldn't rule a van out. We even have a bigger, older minivan and I do fine. Steve's Chevy Tahoe on the other hand... (ug) In a weak moment, he gave me permission to sell it and I'm not going to ask any questions. That beast is GONE!
ReplyDeleteI have the Britax for Laurel - and didn't buy a stroller this time. I totally Moby'd her up since she has been born. Yes, there have been times when I was like - What was I thinking that baby carseat would have been a lot easier - but its life - you roll with it. Great choice! "The Boy" will know nothing better - only problem now is that Laurel really doesn't like my quick umbrella stroller that I have if I want to take a trip to the mall...might be buying a Ergo... The Moby is good, but shes moving around more and its getting to be a pain to carry her - shes 11mo.
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