Child Passenger Safety Week - Sept 15-21, 2013

Image source: http://www.safercar.gov/ 

Did you know that this week is Child Passenger Safety Week? I thought it would be a great time to check- is your child in the right seat? Some parents may be unaware of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) change in policy from 2011. The AAP now advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

Here is an overview of the new recommendations on car seats:

Image source: http://www.safercar.gov/

Birth to 2 years: Your child under the age of 2 should ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing longer. 

Note: This is different from the AAP's prior recommendation of Birth to 1 year. 

Image source: http://www.safercar.gov/

2 years through Preschool: Any child 2 years or older who has outgrown the weight or height limit for their rear-facing car seat should use a Forward-Facing car seat. This car seat should have a harness. Keep your child in this car seat for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. 

Children typically outgrow these car seats between the ages of 3 and 4.

Image source: http://www.safercar.gov/

School Aged Children: Belt-positioning booster seats are the next step for children who have outgrown their Forward-Facing car seat. This seat is to be used until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when the child has reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

Within this category of car seats, there are two different types- boosters with and without a back. My 5 year old is currently in a booster seat with a back, but I imagine he'll switch to one without a back next year.

I hope this information is helpful! If you need to have your car seat checked, go to http://www.seatcheck.org/ to find a location near you. This Saturday is 'Seat Check Saturday'! 

Home Renovations

Now that we have moved into our home, we got started right away on our construction projects. We're doing two main things. First, we're adding a 4th bedroom, by cutting the master bedroom in half. Secondly, we're completely gutting the master bedroom.

An 'in process' shot of our bedroom

The 4th bedroom still needs a closet, and then we can paint it and set it up. I still feel like we're not really moved in, since we have so much of our 'stuff' in the garage. But little by little we're getting there.

The addition of the 4th bedroom will require a new entrance, as well. Below is a photo of the progress on that task. This particular item took a while to figure out the best way to enter the 'new' bedroom. I'm happy with how it's turning out!

And the master bathroom is gutted, can't wait to see what it looks like complete! The bathtub ending up coming out too, so there is literally nothing left. Today, the shower got framed, and the tile was ordered.

Have you gone through this process? I'm really glad it's not our kitchen, as I've lived through that in my parents' house. Tell me your home renovation stories!

We FINALLY Moved!!

We were finally able to move into our new house. It took 2 months to close escrow. I could tell you all the things that I still need to do, all the things we will need to fix, or all the obstacles we faced this weekend. But I'm going to try to focus on the positive aspects of this week...

My handsome little man

Little J is settled in the house before he starts kindergarten. He will be attending a wonderful school, and he can even walk (with an adult) to his new school. Several kids that he went to preschool with are attending this school, so hopefully we'll know some people.

Finally, he has all his 'stuff'!

'Baby' Mayhem has his 'big boy' room all set up, and he LOVES it. He actually asked me to bring him to bed last night! He said, "Momma, I tired. Come to my room, read my dinosaur book." How can I argue with that?

The dogs are adjusting well to the new house, and are enjoying their backyard.

Our appliances (fridge, washer and dryer) arrived this week. We are a functional home again! AND Thursday was the first USC football game of the season. Fight on!

How was your Labor Day weekend?