Riding in Style

Thank goodness for firemen! (Sorry, Bo.) We had a bit of a rough night last night trying to get Cameron's new car seat installed in my car. I wish we could wait until she can sit up a little better on her own, but she has just grown way to much to stay in the Peg Perego one.

So after much effort on Bo's part, it was still really loose and wobbly. He said he didn't feel safe putting Cameron in it! We just couldn't seem to figure out how to make it tighten down more and stop rocking from side to side. The instructions were a complete waste of paper, and my sister Rachael (who has the same carseat) tried to offer some suggestions and encouragement. The two latch hooks end up with only one strap to tighten them down - just not an engineering marvel.

This morning while running some errands for work (shhhh!) I happened to be passing a fire station and decided to see if someone could help me out. Years ago, they used to offer to help install car seats, but apparently now because of liability issues, they are encouraged not to really. It's the same thing with Babies R Us, you can buy a car seat there but they won't touch it.

Fortunately for me, I happened to catch a very nice guy named Mike when he was busy restocking the ambulance. I guess he is more of an EMT than I fireman actually.... (Shout out to my friend Carrie's husband Jacob - I am sure you are just as helpful!) Anyway, he came out and looked at it and thankfully said he has kids and actually had a similar car seat! He pulled the whole thing apart, untwisted some of the straps and slowly tightened it down. Then he realized that I had another hook near the floorboard, so he used the latch on the back and tightened it down to the floor. No more wobbling!

I had to take him some cookies as a thank you. And I was reminded again how thankful I am that we bought two car seats so that this one can stay put in my car! I cannot imagine trying to get it latched in every single day... Hopefully this afternoon I will remember to get a picture of Cameron riding in style in her "big girl" car seat!