Savvy Toddler Mom

I know it’s been a while since I’ve blogged!  I’ve had a rough couple of weeks… exhausting, frustrating, busy and expensive.  Among everything else, this was my car last Friday afternoon in the Westminster College parking garage.  Shot is from the rear left of my car:

Talk about “stuck in a tight spot.” 

It was not a good day.

The harder I tried to get AWAY from that concrete pole, the CLOSER I got to it, until I was right up against it.  Finally deciding that my driving abilities were beyond being able to get my car out of this precarious position without scratching it all the way down the side, I called SavvyDad.  Poor guy.  He had just gotten a wisdom tooth pulled and was half an hour away.  He had me call his uncle, who was there in under five minutes (hero of the day!!!) and was kind enough to back my car out without further damage.  It is a little scratched, but nothing a little buffing won’t take care of.  UGH.

The next day, my windshield got cracked by a flying rock.

See where the “expensive” bit is coming in?

Well, anyway… amidst the insane schedule I’ve had lately and all the ludicrous set-backs, I do have some good news!  Both my sister-in-law and SavvyDad’s cousin announced on Valentine’s Day that they are pregnant.  I’m so thrilled for both of them!  I’ll admit, though, that both announcements made me sad.  It’s hard for me to see time passing and the people around me having children and yet… I’m… not.  And it’s hard for me to explain — and be convincing — that while I’m sad for me, I’m so happy for them.

I think I’ve convinced CTM that there cannot be weirdness!  She’s six months along now (remember, we were supposed to be due the same day?) and since we see each other every other day, how awkward would it be to ignore the fact that she is having a baby? LOL  I am so grateful to her and her little boy on the way for helping me cope in a comfortable environment: with a close friend.  I’ve told her she’s not allowed to hold back — gotta tell me about the doctor’s appointments and nursery plans and baby kicks — and it’s my job to tell her when I can’t take it that day.  She is the absolute best.

Also good news… (I think…) I was called to the Relief Society presidency last week as the secretary.  I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to do it all.  Isn’t that the biggest question, though?  How do we do all the things we want to do with the time we are given?  I remember someone talking about Michelangelo and how many incredible things he did… but that he had the same amount of time given to him as the rest of us: one lifetime.

I was talking to a dear friend of mine two weeks ago and she said that she had a shift of perspective recently when she realized that life isn’t supposed to be easy.  It just isn’t.  If things were easy, how would we learn?  I get so hung up on the trials that I have… that life isn’t fair, or why me?  But really, that’s why we are here.  We need to learn to cope; to overcome and endure.

So here’s what I am doing: the absolute best coping, overcoming, and enduring that I can.

Oh! I almost forgot to mention… Amazon.com is having a Britax sale (best brand in convertible car seats) now through March 2nd.

Happy Monday!  I have some sweet deals to share…

I stumbled across a Graco TurboBooster this morning for $36.24!  Graco TurboBoosters normally retail around $50.  This one is in “Simpson Racing” (very boy) — the regular retail cost listed is $89.99.  Amazon.com has is right now for $36.24.  (Did I mention that?)  Get ‘em while they’re hot!

I also found some Jiffy Lube coupons at www.jiffylubeutah.com.  My Toyota Sienna needs an oil change and inspection.  I can’t believe I’ve had it for a year already.  I still absolutely love it.

I emailed Denise & Alan Fields, the authors of Toddler Bargains, the other night when I couldn’t find their review of the Graco Air Booster. To my surprise and delight, they replied this morning. 

To my inquiry about this seat, they said:

“The Graco Air Booster is a new product. The seat itself is the same as the Graco TurboBooster—they’ve changed the fabric to this new cushion for additional comfort. So we’d recommend it if you want to spend the extra $.”

So, folks, there you have it… straight from the expert’s mouth/email.

Thank you, Denise & Alan Fields, for your quick response and helpful information… or, for employing people to do it on your behalf. :)  I like you guys more today than ever.

Get a load of this… Have you ever seen those toy award stickers and wondered what else has won?  Check out this web site for the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winners.  They have them divided into age categories:

• Infants
• Toddlers
• Preschool
• Early School Years
• Later School Years

I have a third birthday coming up (not for me… for the toot, of course) and I need to make that birthday budget stretch!  I got some great ideas for some toys that will give me the biggest bang for my buck.

They also have past winners categorized by toy type, so check that out as well.

The Graco Air Booster or the Graco Turbo Booster?

I’ve been researching booster seats tonight, since I discovered yesterday that the toot is 39 1/2 inches tall.  39 1/2 inches tall!  He’s going to be 3 in NOVEMBER. 

Anyway, I downloaded the latest version of Toddler Bargains, an ebook, but it didn’t review the seat I’m wondering about, the Graco Air Booster.  Anyone know anything about it?  It looks like it’s new — debuted on Amazon.com in June.  Amazon.com doesn’t even have any reviews for it yet. 

I’m intrigued by the whole “patented FLEX-Comfort suspension seat with flexible micro-adjustable material that adapts to your child’s weight and size, reducing pressure points and providing an exact fit every time. This remarkable material also lets air circulate to help your child stay comfy.”  I know I’m a sucker for marketing sometimes (yes, I’ll admit it, SavvyDad…), but the toot gets so hot in his Britax Marathon, especially in this crazy Utah summer heat, and I do want the safest thing out there.

Side note: I am still thrilled with the Britax Marathon purchase.  I love the product — would recommend it to anyone.  I also shopped around online, found an insane price, then took it to USA Baby and had them match it.  Apparently still feeling smug about it, too…

But back to the point, which is: I don’t know about the Graco Air Booster and I think I’m going to have to go with the Graco Turbo Booster, which IS the Toddler Bargains’ recommendation.  Not to mention, it’s half the price.