CAR SEATS!

I tend to be a bit fanatical about car seats - I know that. I think it's because I've been in several accidents, luckily none of them too bad. But every time I get behind the wheel I know that it is a possibility, so it is really important to me that I keep my children as safe as possible in the car. For me that means keeping my kids rear-facing as long as possible and keeping them in GOOD car seats. Yes, I know there aren't really "bad" seats on the market, but some are better and safer than others.

Personally I think the Radians by Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products are amazing and SAFE! Greyson has one and I want May Baby/Little Bird #2 in one too. Actually I want two! One for both cars for LB#2! Currently Greyson is in this seat in Michael's car and a Britax Marathon in my car. If I had to do it over again I would skip the Marathon and just get another Radain.

I just ordered this one (in metro) for LB#2, but I'll still need one more so LB#2 will be safe in BOTH cars! HOPEFULLY I'll win it!! Minnesota Mama's Must Haves is currently running a contest to win this amazing seat! It's the RadianXTSL. It "rear-facing children 5 - 45 lbs and forward-facing children 20 - 80 lbs in a 5-point harness. With height-adjustable and aluminum-reinforced head support, steel alloy frame and protective EPS foam, the RadianXTSL car seat provides complete side impact protection. The RadianXTSL's low profile offers amazingly easy child boarding. In addition, with its unique patented design, the RadianXTSL car seat fits three-across in a mid-size car while providing more shoulder room for the child occupant. Memory foam padding and infant support pillows provide additional comfort. All this, and the RadianXTSL car seat folds flat for convenient travel and storage." Basically it is one amazing car seat...and I WANT IT!

But I'd be happy if you won it too! Really I would! That would be one more great kid in a great, really safe car seat!
Enter here: http://www.minnesotamamasmusthaves.com/2010/12/sunshine-kids-radianxtsl-car-seat.html

I am sad to say that we will be flipping Greyson from rear-facing to forward-facing in May. But was just can't get 2 seats rear-facing in either car. If we could I'd keep him that way even longer, like 4 years like they do in Sweden. But he'll be 29 months old and probably 30lbs. Our seats rear-face to 35lbs, but I doubt he'll be that big. But I'll have kept him rear-facing more than twice as long as the minimum and I feel good about that. He'll still be in a 5-point harness in a great seat while forward facing and that counts for something!

Please remember that forward-facing a child in the car is NOT a milestone, or if it is it is one you want them to reach as late as possible! Feet touching the back of the seat DOES NOT MATTER! Hitting the MINIMUM requirement of 12 months AND 20lbs is just that a MINIMUM. I love this site about Joel. It's a scary story, but a great reminder that just because your child has reached the minimum they are still safer rear-facing. I'm a broken record when it comes to this, I know! But if you CAN do something to keep your kids safe longer - why not?