"Installing Carseats: for Dummies"

Your's truly, apparently, being the dummy. Guess I'm still miles away from "Mom of the Year" award if I can't even get my child's carseat right. Let me explain...

Today was the day where I first got the privilege of jumping right into this "mommy of two" business as we had our first outing as a troupe of three: me, baby Noah, and Big Boy Lincoln (that's what he prefers these days). Lincoln had a check-up at NWA Ped to make sure his ears were completely clear of fluid from his ear infection he recently had. It was this afternoon, and I knew getting there was going to be a challenge with a newborn and a 15 month old who still needs undivided attention (and weighs that of most 3 year olds, nonetheless).

Note: I am a punctual person. Always have been. This is important to me. If I'm late to something, I planned it that way. So today was no different - I would be on time. So I put Lincoln down for his morning nap with plenty of time for him to sleep 2.5 hours and managed Noah's nursing sessions accordingly to get us to Springdale (20 minute drive) on time.

My morning was impressive:
- Played with Lincoln one-on-one for a couple of hours in the morning (since Noah sleeps in until noon)
- Gave Lincoln a bath and had him in bed by the time it was time to nurse Noah again (and we're on a two hour feeding schedule so this takes some talent)
- TOOK A NAP (Yes, so far I am still getting naps!)
- Gave Noah a very thorough bath and put him in a cute little outfit his Aunt Ginger bought him
- Made myself lunch
-Woke Lincoln up, got him dressed and ready
- Installed carseat #2 (which was Lincoln's since he hadn't been in our car the past week)
- Loaded up the diaper bag for 2 (first time I've had to do this too!)
- Loaded up the car with mommy, baby, and big boy

Yes. And all on time.
I was proud. Had a smile across my face with my blinker on, headed onto HWY 412 feeling pretty accomplished and like "What's the big deal anyway??" I can do this.

Then 5 minutes on to 412, I glance back at my handiwork in the backseat (still a little in awe that there's TWO back there!), only to see Big Boy chilling in his carseat (still backward facing) - completely sideways!!! Sideways, as in carseat laying on it's side, as in Lincoln being so heavy (or something!) that when I had turned, the whole thing tipped over and had been for a portion of trip! Obviously he didn't mind, but I immediately pulled over to try and fix it. I had to unstrap him, set him in the floorboard while I tried to fix it - he started crying, I couldn't get it fixed (for some reason) and was irritated, it was FREEZING cold outside, and I glance over at Noah who is nonchalantly sucking a pacifier, strapped in snuggly to his seat, with his huge bug eyes and crinkled forehead looking at us like we were nuts.

Crap. This was putting a damper on my timeliness. After about 10 minutes (yes - still not sure what was wrong with it), Lincoln became a front rider in his car seat and we were again, on our way...Mom's pride in her accomplishments from earlier diminishing.

Then as we were almost there, I realized in all the things I had managed to get done that morning, I forgot to put on deodorant.

Pride diminished.

But no fear because we made it to the clinic with 1.5 minutes to spare - which, of course, means pride instantly restored. :)

Side Note = Lincoln got a perfect bill of health. And the sweet doctor went ahead and weighed Noah for us again to see if he was back to birth weight (which he was an ounce OVER this time!), which meant we got to cancel our follow-up appointment next week! Love NWA Ped. :)