Graco MyRide 65 Review is IN!

OK... sooooo... I LOVE IT!  I've only had it a day, but from what I've gotten out of it so far:

PROS:
EASY to install
EASY to adjust height and tighten straps (not as easy as EFTA)
HAS *2* Latch "ropes" - one for RF and one for FF position (no need for re-looping Latch to change seat position)
COMFORTABLE for my 6 1/2 month old infant (reclines just enough for RF position)
GORGEOUS design (Grey with Pink/Purple paisley from Target)
BABY is happy in it!

CONS:
Doesn't come "RFing Ready" so you have to adjust some flips things at the bottom from FF to RF (which is odd because #1- the strap height comes at the lowest (infant height), and #2- this seat gets such high reviews for having a high RFing weight max).  It didn't explain properly how to "flip" some adjusters for RFing position I had to study it well after I almost broke the part off.

Plus, it looks HUGE when you see it at Babies R Us on display, but it's actually about the same size as the EFTA (which isn't a tiny puppy anyway I guess).  I think I made the right choice in the end seeing my baby girl will be RFing for a long time, even if it is just another 6 months, she needs to be comfy another 6 months.  I will, however, probably keep her RFing as long as possible.

Kiddopotamus Deluxe Piddle Pad

Toys R Us

The award-winning Deluxe Piddle Pad Waterproof Seat Liner by Kiddopotamus protects car seats, strollers and joggers from diaper blow outs and potty-training accidents!

Saved sons Car Seat during PTing days!

We decided to Potty Train our 2 1/2 year old by putting him in regular underwear (pull-ups didn't seem to be working). We didn't want to give in during trips so I bought this pad as opposed to the Piddle Pad ("non-deluxe", the regular one) because that one had poor reviews that it wasn't padded enough. This one I could tell right away had a nice layer of padding and plastic/vinyl on the opposite side so it won't leak through. We were on a 6 hour car ride to visit family and he had an accident! Filled up the pad and not one leak on the car seat! We pulled over, changed him and he was able to sit down in his dry seat. The piddle pad went in a tied up grocery bag and I washed it in the washer at home. Dried it and it was like new again!!! LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!

Pros:
Easy to Clean
Easy to install
Comfortable

Cons:
None

This week's Target In-Store Ad

It's worth a look!!! And it's viewing online as well!  Click here.  Boppy Pillow Barenaked pillow 19.99 from 29.99!  Britax Regent Convertible Car seat 179.99 from 279.99! And much more....

Graco ComfortSport "Midas" $50 at Target (Ends 9/12 while supplies last)

The Graco CS has quite a bit mixed reviews.  On many sites' reviews forums, you'll find moms that love them, and moms that just hate them.  I say, the best car seat is one that fits your car, your child's height, weight, and comfort, and your circumstances ;).  ...There's one out there for everyone! 

I went in to get the Evenflo Chase DLX Booster car seat for my son on sale for $49.99 (In-Store sale only)!  Once I went in and actually inspected the Chase, found it to feel "cheap" and quite unsturdy.  I was very much turned off by it.  I was going to hand down my sons EFTA to my daughter and get him into the Chase DLX instead.  I decided to keep the EFTA for him being a little dissappointed in the look and feel of the seat.  I walked by this Graco CS sale and just could not resist!  I've read a lot of reviews on it and knowing that it is (according to other reviews) "difficult to install" I bought it anyway (Geez! It was only $50!!! Same cost as our second car's Cosco Scenara that's my sons except the CS has EPS Energy Absorbing foam!!!!).  The Cosco Scenera and the Graco ComfortSport both have the same RF and FFing weight limits (FFing limit at 40lbs).  Seeing that she's 6 months, and I know she'll average out like DS did (he was a big baby too and now at 2 1/2 mos is 31 lbs) it will last her awhile.    When my DS turns 3, I will get him a Booster seat w/5 pt harness... a good one.  I just can't invest in TWO good car seats (as in expensive) at the moment. 

A ComfortSport for $50 and the only catch is "difficult installation"... to me, it was totally worth it!  This will be DDs car seat for our second car most likely and I will be trading in the infant carrier at BRU before the sale is over on the 20th for the main car seat.  Just haven't decided which one yet... :/.  Target has the MyRide 65 online for $135 so I may do that.  Or with the Trade In at BRU it would be $128!  I'm sooo undecided on the main car seat still (for our primary car) for her.  Maybe the EFTA???

Experience so far with Graco CS "Midas"

Pros:

**EPS Energy Absorbing Foam**

Tight, secure fit using Latch in RF position

Inexpensive
Narrow
Recline position
sturdy cup-holder
Cushiony

Cons:
Confusing directions
not very soft exterior fabric
Most likely you'll need to use a towel to assist in recline position RFing

All in all, it seems safe and sturdy (using rolled towel for extra tight RF fit.  I'm pleased what I got for the price!  Plus, baby girl seems to like it too!!!

Top ten diaper bag must-haves

What kind of diaper bag you have isn't as important as what's in the diaper bag.  Here's my advice on things that you should always have packed in the diaper bag (obviously besides diapers and wipes) in no particular order...

1.  Recieving blanket- at least 1.  They can be used for almost anything!  (ie. extra shade to throw over car seat on the way into the store, cover up baby if it's extra cold in the restaurant, rolled up as a little pillow in the car seat if head drops too much to the side, as a burping cloth, as a changing blanket to lay down on the changing tables in public restrooms, etc).

2.  A few small toys that will entertain baby.  Preferably ones that make noise and/or ones that can be chewed on which keeps them busy for awhile.

3.  A make-up or ziploc bag (some diaper bags comes already with a little extra bag) with small travel medicines- infant tylenol, teething medicine, gas drops, thermometer, and neosporin!

4.  A small roll of diaper disposal sacks - I fold up grocery bags if I run out of the sacks.  Very convenient when your little one has a little smelly explosion at a restaurant or grocery store.  Obviously you dont want to stink up the restroom with a smelly diaper, or your car if you have to change baby in the backseat!... a poopy diaper sure can smell up a vehicle fast in the hot sun.

5.  Extra pair of clothes- I keep two onesies and one pant.  My little one will have a diaper explosion at the most inconvenient times!  The day I dont pack the onesie, is the day I'm at the mall and my kid decides to vomit her shirt or poop her pants. 

6. If you nurse...

A nursing cover - It's always nice to have a good nursing cover.  I dont recommend this one or this one, if you pay another $20 you could get one that actually covers you when you're nursing like this one

If you dont nurse...

A serving of formula enough for one emergency feeding (in case you forget to pack it or think baby had enough for your "short trip" which ends up longer than planned because of traffic, etc) packed in a formula dispenser or a gerber glass food jar if you dont want to buy one.

7. Gerber or a snack!  (ie. fish crackers, granola bar, fruit)

8. WET ONES!!!!!  Antibacterial wipes.  A wipey can wipe up a messy baby, but it wont kill the germs that get smeared on baby when she/he decides to pet the dog the stranger puts in her face... since it's "sooo cute" and the dog "likes babies".  This also helps to clean down the shopping cart!

9. Bottled Water - In case you need to use it to make babies bottle, or if she's thirsty for something other than milk, or for YOU!

10.  Bulb syringe and saline drops, or for the toddler, a travel pack of tissues.

11.  A bib... for a meal, or for a drooling teether!

Ok, I tried to cut it to ten, but I couldn't find one thing I would choose to leave out over the others.  All in all, these are all generally very small items and take up very little space.  Adding about 3 diapers and a pack of wipes, you're set to go anywhere!  :) 

Let me know if you agree, or if you would have to add something else! 

Infant and Convertible Car Seat Covers (Even for the EFTA)!

I've been searching religiously for someone online that could make a car seat cover for the Evenflo Triumph Advance LX.  No one does because of the unique slide harness straps (no-rethreading)....Until NOW! 

Low and behold I found someone on my local craigslist that makes them... and they look absolutely beautiful!   It's called That's Sew Baby! Now I may consider actually handing down my son's EFTA to my daughter and disguising it with a car seat cover so my son doesn't get upset that she's in his seat.  :)  I'm not sure if she delivers, but if so, give her a call or email with your request if you have one.  I'll keep you updated if I actually order one with a pic of it. 

Perhaps I'll end up getting the Graco Nautilus instead for my son if I do this (the price of it just kills me though so not sure if I will... or maybe the MyRide 65).

Baby Trend Sit N Stand LX

I got a crazy deal on this Tandem Stroller.  It was on clearance at Target for $65.00 from $129.99.  It was the end of season clearance.  I was pregnant with my daughter and my son was almost 2.  The first time I used it, my husband and I went to the outside Marketplace with my newborn girl and my 2 year old son.  I have to say, it is a smooth ride, and fits really nicely in the trunk of my Honda Accord sedan.  However, my little guy would try to jump out of the seat (even with the seat belt on) or would begin to get sleepy if it were a longer trip.  If we let him walk, he'd run from us (and those funny-looking kid leashes dont do any good for us either).  I sold the Sit N Stand on CL for what I paid (awesome deal for a barely used SNS). 

I would say if my son was over 3, this would have been the perfect stroller for him and my newborn girl. Plus, my son still takes one nap in the day, so if he gets sleep on this stroller, I'm screwed.  My daughter is now growing out of her infant carrier at 6 months and the front seat where she would have sat is actually hard, and it reclines (just barely though) so I may have sold it off either way.

Summary of Baby Trend Sit N Stand LX

Pros:

Easy to Assemble

Fits in Compact vehicles
Sturdy

Cons:
Uncomfortable front seat
Front seat reclines maybe 30 degrees

Overall, it's a good pick if you leave the house at the right time
(not during nap time) for short trips.