I was shopping online a few days ago for Jessi a winter coat, and while skimming through reviews I was SHOCKED at how many people left reviews talking about buckling their kids into their carseats with their coats on. It was really scaring me to read that, because it was a reminder of how unaware people are of carseat safety. Since I’ve taken upon myself to share my tiny bit of knowledge with you, you get to hear a fun carseat rant today!

As we get into the colder seasons, there are some really important things you should know when buckling your kiddos into their carseats. Don’t feel guilty if you’ve been doing this, it’s such a common thing that people don’t know! Shoot, I did it before I knew the facts!

I had a cute little two year old and a nosey one year old help me put together this video to show you why it is so important to buckle them in without their jackets. I hope you watch, learn and share what you know with your mommy friends!

Maybe I should have done that during the baby’s nap time. Talk about distractions and me not making much sense! Basically, don’t buckle your kids into their seats with their coats, because in the case of an accident the coat will be compressed and not keep the child as snug in their seat as they should be. Never put anything thick (blankets, coats, etc) between the child and the carseat and harness.

Some tips for the cold months and keeping your kiddos warm in the car.

1. Get the car warmed up before buckling them in. If this is something you can easily do, it’s a great way to make sure they are warm and you aren’t putting them in cold seats!

2. Wear layers. We have lots of little zip up hoodies and fleece pull overs that I will put on my girls to get them in the car and then just throw their jackets on when we get where we are going. Make sure these are thin and don’t have that “compression” we talked about in the video. Here’s an example of something that would be a good option.

3. Blankets are ok! My girls are pretty attached to their blankets anyway and almost always want them in their seats. Even when it’s 90 degrees outside Jessi insists on being wrapped in her blanket. Just make sure the blankets aren’t BEHIND them, but just covering them once they are safely buckled in.

4. Wear the coat backward. Again, make sure you buckle them in FIRST and then if they are cold you can use their coat as a blanket and help keep them warm!

5. Don’t leave your house until Spring. That’s my favorite option. I am not a fan of winter

I hope all this helps with keeping your kids safe and warm in the car this winter! Please feel free to email me or comment below if you have any further questions and I would be happy to help answer to the best of my ability!!

I’m not going to lie, I was in TOTAL shock after we saw those “3 lines” in our big ultrasound last week. When we first got pregnant, all I could think about was another girl. It sounded so great, so easy, so fun. When I see sisters together who just adore each other it made my heart yearn for that. But as we got a little more into the pregnancy, I couldn’t help but consider the possibility of a little boy. A mama’s boy. Someone to play catch in the backyard with my husband on a fall day. To watch him learn how to mow the lawn and serve his sisters. A friend and a companion for my husband. All of these thoughts were exciting to me. Then we would go to the store and I would see a boy knocking down a huge rack of cookies and his VERY worn out mom chasing him (and losing). Boys scare the bejeezus out of me.

I had very mixed emotions going into the ultrasound. I was completely happy with either a boy or a girl, but there was something so different about it this time. Would this maybe REALLY be the last big ultrasound? Since we are planning to adopt after this baby, will we stop at 4? Or will I get the fever again down the road and decide to be crazy and go for another of our own? It’s all so unknown, and so I was a little nervous/emotional watching that perfect baby squirm around on the screen.

10 fingers, 10 toes.

That perfect heart beating away.

Everything in it’s place and growing perfectly. This is not something I ever take for granted. How thankful I am to carry another healthy baby, and pray every day that all continues to be just right. And finally that stubborn little baby stretched out of the curled up ball to show us “the goods”. THREE LINES. Hubby wasn’t surprised at all, he’s a fabulous girl daddy. Patient to no end with them, and just rolls his eyes and laughs at all the emotions flying through our house. But I was shocked. Um, I knew it HAD to either be a boy or a girl, so I’m not really sure why I couldn’t believe it. I kinda had a 50/50 chance here.

After a few days it really sank in and I couldn’t be more thrilled now. So many of you have told me stories about how you have 2 sisters and how close you are. That makes me so excited!! That is my prayer for my girls, that they will be the best of friends and always be there for each other. I’m excited to plan another girly nursery, and save a ton of money because we don’t need much at all now! What a blessing that is!

We will have a houseful of girls. Of pink. Of emotions. Of giggles and squeals. Of princesses and curls. More love and hugs and kisses than I could ever dream of. What a joy and a blessing each one of my precious girls are. I adore each of them for their individual personalities and how they look like mini me’s with their daddy’s ears.

Let’s not talk about the teenage years for now, ok? 

——————–
Linking up with AllisonO @ OMyFamily for The Parent ‘Hood Series

Sometimes when I watch some of you who have your kids farther apart in age, I get a little jealous. Jealous of the amount of individual time you get with each of your kids. Yes, its our decision to have our kids close together and honestly I wouldn’t change it for the world! It has it’s challenges just like I’m sure having them farther apart does. With only 17 months between my kids, I don’t get a lot of individual time with them. Today Jessi was calling me “Zoey’s Mommy”. Kinda cute and funny, but at the same time painful to hear!

With having my babies so close in age, getting out and doing anything gets difficult. It becomes easier to be hermits and stay home all the time, but I have to really make an effort to not let that happen. Life happens all around us and we get in a little routine at home. BORING! Then my children don’t experience new things or have fun adventures.

Last night while I was helping Jessi get ready for bed she said to me “I had fun today, Mommy! Thank you!” That right there is worth the extreme exhaustion I was feeling at the end of the day. It’s amazing how gratteful these tiny people can be for us just taking the time to do something special for them.

You don’t have to be a Pinterest perfect mom to be an amazing mom. I’m sure not! I don’t have daily activities planned out for Jessi Girl or a year full of crock pot meals in my freezer. But sometimes its just the little things like throwing old bread at some ducks that means the absolute world to them.

If you’re like me, most days it’s just so much easier to lay on the floor in your pjs all day with those sweet babies than ever leave your house. I encourage you to take some time to do something fun. Make some memories, teach your children something, introduce them to something new.