JTsMom
12-30-2009, 12:54 PM
I posted about this a while back, but I have more info now, so I'm asking again. :) Sorry it's long- I'm going to try to simplify it.
-We need a second seat for DS so that we have one to be used very rarely in DH's car (95 Camry).
-We'll also need seats for the new baby. I want to start with an infant seat.
-We currently have a MA in our 09 Sienna- DOM= 3/28/05.
-DS is 4.5, right around 41-42", and weighs just shy of 40 lbs. He has recently started to slide down the chest clip on his seat, so he can lean forward for toys, etc. I'm all over it, but I don't trust him to sit properly in a booster, UNLESS locking the belt on him every time sounds like a good option (which I doubt). He still frequently naps in his seat.
-Safety is a bigger concern than budget (within reason of course).
So, yesterday we went and tried out both the Frontier, and the Nautilus. He and I both prefer the Frontier. I figure we can get that for the van, and move the MA to DH's car for now. When he outgrows it, we can re-evaluate, and maybe replace it with an inexpensive booster if he's ready at that point. Now, am I understanding correctly that the MA is not outgrown if his head goes above the shell? It's currently about even. There are two fingers width between the top of his shoulder, and the top slot for the harness. I can post a pic if it would help. Is that the only number that matters outside of the height/weight limits? How long do you think that will give us? I'm guessing a year, maybe a year and a half tops- at which point the seat will expire anyway.
For the baby, I'll probably start with either one of the high limit Gracos, or the Keyfit, but I haven't even started looking at those. That should give me about a year minimum, right? At that point, we can switch to a MA, or whatever is best at that time, then move on to the Frontier, which won't expire for 9 years from DOM, right? So if the baby is 4.5, he/she should have about 4 years in it, and by that point, DS won't need it b/c he'll be 9.5.
Does this all make sense? Is there something else I should do? Am I misunderstanding any of the limits? Thanks!
-We need a second seat for DS so that we have one to be used very rarely in DH's car (95 Camry).
-We'll also need seats for the new baby. I want to start with an infant seat.
-We currently have a MA in our 09 Sienna- DOM= 3/28/05.
-DS is 4.5, right around 41-42", and weighs just shy of 40 lbs. He has recently started to slide down the chest clip on his seat, so he can lean forward for toys, etc. I'm all over it, but I don't trust him to sit properly in a booster, UNLESS locking the belt on him every time sounds like a good option (which I doubt). He still frequently naps in his seat.
-Safety is a bigger concern than budget (within reason of course).
So, yesterday we went and tried out both the Frontier, and the Nautilus. He and I both prefer the Frontier. I figure we can get that for the van, and move the MA to DH's car for now. When he outgrows it, we can re-evaluate, and maybe replace it with an inexpensive booster if he's ready at that point. Now, am I understanding correctly that the MA is not outgrown if his head goes above the shell? It's currently about even. There are two fingers width between the top of his shoulder, and the top slot for the harness. I can post a pic if it would help. Is that the only number that matters outside of the height/weight limits? How long do you think that will give us? I'm guessing a year, maybe a year and a half tops- at which point the seat will expire anyway.
For the baby, I'll probably start with either one of the high limit Gracos, or the Keyfit, but I haven't even started looking at those. That should give me about a year minimum, right? At that point, we can switch to a MA, or whatever is best at that time, then move on to the Frontier, which won't expire for 9 years from DOM, right? So if the baby is 4.5, he/she should have about 4 years in it, and by that point, DS won't need it b/c he'll be 9.5.
Does this all make sense? Is there something else I should do? Am I misunderstanding any of the limits? Thanks!