Today hubby and I learned how to properly install Emily's car seats. We went to the Kohl’s Gear Up 4 Safety Inspection Station, and some lovely ladies gave us a super informative lesson for the dos and don'ts about car seat and accessories safety.
Hubby and I tried to install the infant car seat that attaches to the stroller two nights ago. All I did was put the seat belt thru. Props are in order for me because the lady told me I did it correctly. It's the tightening of the belt that is the tough and tedious part. You really need to put some muscle into it. Hubby did a fantastic job of that. Our instructor seemed like she was hitting on him at times for how good he was at making the seat secure. We had fun with the whole process. Now I'll be cruising around with not one, but two car seats in the back seat.
Why two? Well, we learned that Emily's shoulders have to be above the opening for the top of the harness straps. Our infant carrier straps are one inch higher than our convertible car seat. If Emily happens to be short, we will have to bring her home in the larger car seat...go figure!
I feel like a real mom now driving around with car seats. Afterwards, I had lunch by myself at Chick-fila and saw tons of moms with their babies and toddlers. My hormones brought on watery eyes thinking that will be me one day not too far off. Well...I'll be eating chicken while Emily will be my company.
Last info about that car seat inspection. We've bought or been given all the child car accessories, so I loaded them in the car last night for the inspection. Thank goodness I didn't waste my time setting the mega mirror, the roller shades, and the seat protector (this one I took out of the packaging) up. Our inspector said it was all a waste of money because they are all safety hazards in the event of an accident. Here's the breakdown:
the so-called seat protectors won't protect my leather upholstery, the mega mirror for the head rest may hit the baby during a collision, and the roller shades can fall of the windows or be pulled on easily. I'm hesitant to return the mega mirror because I want to see her. The instructor also brought up a good point that if you did see something wrong with your baby while you were driving, you may panic to pull over and cause an accident. She said new moms will develop the "mom instinct" once their baby is born and get a feeling when something isn't right. Moms don't even have to see their baby, they just know to look. She said you do not want to be distracted while driving, so it is best to go with your gut feeling and not the mirror. I'll let you know what I decide when I figure that one out.
All in all, I totally recommend that all new parents have their car seat inspected to make sure you or hubby installed it properly. We also were required to practice putting a doll into the car seat and removing it. Again, if Emily comes tomorrow, we are even more prepared for her. As each of our childbirth classes, CPR class, and now the car seat inspection passes, I feel more and more confident about taking perfect care of her.
P.S. Our second childbirth class last night went over the stages of labor and the medicinal options available. I told hubby on the way home that I know feel more at easy about going into labor. I'm really going to try hard for as long as possible not to take any medications. Not confident I will make it all the way, but want to try for Emily's sake and so I can be mobile.
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