We’re supposed to pick up our house keys sometime today between 8am and 2pm. I am going to assume that’s still the case because I didn’t hear otherwise – the loan was supposed to fund yesterday and no one told me it didn’t…but then again, no one told me it did. I seriously never ever want to do this again. I will spend all morning sitting with my phone in my lap, waiting for it to laugh. My phone’s ringtone is Annie laughing. Although, most people think it’s her crying…it’s awkward when it rings in serious situations.
We packed a box yesterday! That was pretty exciting. I almost put Annabel and Rigby into their own boxes, because they wouldn’t leave each other alone. Gah. Did you know you can’t reason with dogs or toddlers? So annoying.
Last week I met my parents and Annie at my childhood home. We were there to play a complicated game called “car swap” where everyone leaves in a different car. See, super complicated. I rarely drive “my” car, a VW Beetle, and I realized Annie had never been in it. My dad and I realized her car seat actually fits in the car (when I bought the car six years ago I paid little attention to selling features like “car seat anchors”), so we dropped the top and took her for a little spin around the neighborhood in mommy’s convertible:
I didn’t include the clip where her brain melted out of her ears when she realized she was ASIDE (outside) with the SKA (sky) and BOIDIES (birdies) and DOGGIES (canines). It was too graphic.
Rosa says:
oh my god that was so cute haha thank you
Sally says:
Yow! I turned my volume to hear Annie better and was startled by the ending music! It’s awesome that you captured this “first”. I can’t wait until she can tell her own stories!
Becky Campbell says:
Me too! The kids all looked at me like I was old and hard of hearing or something!;)
Jenn says:
Yep!!! She REALLY is a CALIFORNIA girl!!!! Lucky, LUCKY little girl!! Glad you enjoyed your drive Annie!! You are such a cutie pie & “Canada Aunite” loves you!!!
S says:
I know I’ll get chewed out, but here goes. I don’t know if you know but the newest recommendation by the AAP is to keep children rear facing until minimum 2 years of age (preferably until the seat is outgrown rear facing though). There are many many sites online detailing why RF is safer. But even so, if you have her forward facing, please move her straps so the level is at or above her shoulders (as it should be for forward facing). It’s only for rear facing that the shoulder straps be at or below the shoulders.
Sorry, I’m just worried and like to help when I can. I read your blog daily but seeing the video made me worry.
Courtney says:
Heather’s a pretty with-it parent…I’d bet she knows about the AAP recommendations. She said they went for a quick stroll around the neighborhood – and it was probably easier for this one, quick ride to install it FF (especially in a Beetle!). That was my assumption anyway.
I have no idea what they do regularly, but honestly, I don’t feel like it’s my beeswax anyway.
Can’t speak to the level of the chest clip – my son is still RFing, so that’s all I know about.
Andrea says:
The proper chest clip position is the same in both rear and forward facing seats. Armpit level!
As far as it being none of your beeswax… I feel that sharing information is a good thing if done in a polite and respectful manner. If everyone just said, “Not my business” then the opportunity for others to learn disappears. To me, keeping kids safe while riding in the car is more important than worrying about stepping on a parent’s toes (or pride).
This blog is widely read and I am sure others look up to Heather and Mike and their parenting decisions. I wouldn’t want those people walking away thinking the way Annie is riding in this video is perfectly safe when there are simple changes that will make her safer.
katrina @ They All Call Me Mom says:
Maybe she rear-faces in her regular car (the one she’s in the most) but for this quick ride perhaps the seat fitted better in the forward position? I don’t know, I’ve never been in a VW bug (if you can believe that!) so I don’t really know how much space is in the back. I do know that with some cars, with a carseat that has a high back…it just doesn’t fit in there in the RF position. The front seats will prevent it from reclining in the proper position. Perhaps this was the case on this car ride.
All that being said, babies and toddlers’ necks are really not strong enough to support their heads in a powerful forward crash. Their neck can be seriously injured. The longer you can rear face their car seat, the better. Usually up to 35 pounds, and in some of the newer carseats even to 40 pounds. My three year old still is in the rear-facing position in her car seat.
And I do agree that if it’s said with respect, it’s okay to mention a safer way to do things to a parent. I have nine children, and my first few children were forward facing in their carseats as soon as they turned 12 months old. I just didn’t know any better. If someone had shared with me a “safer” way to transport them in a car (backed with facts, of course) then I would have changed my ways and have been thankful for the warning. After all, when we know better, we do better. Just saying.
Eva says:
What’s sad is the first thing I noticed in the video was how clean her car seat straps and buckle are, haha. My car seats are nowhere near that clean! I don’t know how you keep it that way but props to you for it. And she is so adorable, it’s fun to see videos where we actually get to hear her voice.
Bampa says:
Here’s the secret to a clean car seat…use car seat from Bampa’s car.
Melissa says:
The first thing I noticed was that her chest clip was in the right place, and done up tightly enough. Drives me crazy when parents leave that clip down by the ribs.
Then I noticed (again) how cute Annie truly is! I love watching her grow!
Eva says:
Haha bampa, thanks for the tip! I don’t feel so bad now lol. Even after being cleaned both of my daughters seats look like they could harboring their own micro ecosystems.
AmazingGreis says:
LOL!!! Hi Bampa!!
Heather says:
Don’t listen to my dad! While that WAS his car seat, my car seat straps are super clean! I don’t let Annie eat in her car seat.
Eva says:
Haha Heather, that’s a habit I should have instituted bc itsomposdible to stop once it’s what she expects. *sigh* I guess that we all have at least one of those with our kids, in the meantime I’m doomed to a life of sticky seat straps.
Noelle says:
She gives new meaning to the phrase “California girls”!
Okay, so my daughter and I love the videos where you voice-over, but this sure was worth hearing!
Sannah says:
Oh she is too cute! I have a toddler and a puppy and sometimes it is impossible to get anything done – a box sounds very tempting!
Janet says:
I don’t understand this “never drive MY car” if you don’t who does and who’s car have you been driving????
Bampa says:
Heather drives Mike’s car and Mike drives Heather’s car. Heather’s VW is the perfect car for one person who may have to drive long distances. Mike’s car is more substantial with many more child protection features. Subsequently that is the ideal car for transporting Annie.
Janet says:
Thank you for the clarification
Lisa says:
T hanks for the little slice of heaven! I love getting watch Annie grow up, especially since my own little slice (my 2 yr old grandson) is currently 11 hours away for 8 more months
Andrea says:
Loved the video! Annie is just so adorable. I need to mention though that she really should still be rear facing in her car seat. I know you guys want to keep her as safe as possible and extended rear facing is one of the easiest things you can do to protect her.
http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html
Katie says:
I was going to say the exact same thing. Plus, if she is forward-facing, the straps need to be at or above her shoulders- below the shoulders is only for rear-facing.
Other than that, very cute
Tami says:
Annie is a doll!! I dont like hair in my face. So I consider her a real trooper for having the wind and hair in her face .:)
susanmig says:
i’ve gotta say, it was incredible to hear annie’s voice!! i do love her “video” voice, but this was such a treat thanks for letting us into your world for just a precious moment…it made my morning a bit brighter!
Mommy says:
I thought the same thing! It is so fun to hear her!!!! Although you REALLY need to teach her to say “peace out” like her video voice!
Mike says:
“Peace Out!” that’s a good idea! Will be teaching Annie that one ASAP. Oh, and if you liked hearing her talk you should check out this video from last week which has lots of chatting complete with subtitles:
Annie Speaks 2!
Marisol says:
She’s SO cute!! aww Makes me want a baby so much!
Rebecca says:
Love the Annie video this week. She looks like a star!
aubrey says:
She is so cute. I love her little voice.
I used to have a 98Beetle. LOVED that car! I fit 3, yes 3 car seats into the back when my babies were little. No one believed me when I told them this. Sadly my engine went bad and I had to get rid of my favorite car. I will have another one one day, maybe a convertible, maybe a sunroof. Who knows but just so you know we are meant to be friends I have decided because we like, like ALL the same things! Have a great Friday guys, can’t wait to see the first pictures of you all moving!
Lisa says:
That made me smile! I just love her little sounds and facial expressions!
Katrina says:
She is adorable! I miss having a convertible so bad! Looks like Annie enjoyed her cruise around the ‘hood!
Good luck on getting your keys today! Such an exciting time!
amourningmom says:
So adorable! Hoping you have the keys to the new house by now :-). Take care.
Rachel W. says:
aww, the part where she says “wow” totally reminded me of maddie! how cute.
Lea says:
Just love her sweet voice! Too cute for words!
Laura says:
Love her sweet voice!!
Have you got the keys yet?
AmazingGreis says:
Love this!!
Glenda says:
Annie is too cute! I don’t like my hair blowing in my face… so I was thinking all the time watching…Annie needs a hat! lol
California girl all the way! Love it!!!
Amanda says:
Her little voice KILLS me. Sooo cute!
Good luck packing! If I was in LA I’d offer my help. I’m super-organizer/packer, just ask Alison (or my mom, or my friends, or my boyfriend). Actually I will be in LA on Thursday (before going to Vegas for the first time since I was 12 and Vegas doesn’t count when you’re 12).
Becky Campbell says:
Nothing better than going topless!;) She needs some sunglasses…then she’ll really look like a movie star! We took our kids out in a topless Jeep to look at the fireworks on the 4th of July…it was the best way we’ve ever seen them!:)
Brittany says:
FIRST,I am upset she didn’t sing Rebecca Black’s Friday.
SECOND, it creeps me out how she sounds and talks EXACTLY like Gigi. What is it called when twins are carried in two separate eggs sacs in two different wombs? Because that’s what they are.
Mommy says:
LOL! Love this comment!
Carrie says:
She is too cute! She reminds me of my daughter, only a darker version. My curly haired, Amazon (what my brother refers to her as thanks to her height) is a blond haired, blue eyed creation.
And I didn ‘t know about the whole strap being at shoulder level or higher for front facing. Good to know… Of course if Annie is anything like my daughter then she could outgrow the carseat during a quick trip to Wal-Mart…