First donation - car seat!

When we announced that a baby is coming it was inevitable that someone would have old equipment lying around that they wouldn't mind donating. Actually so far only one person has offered their old car seat. I'm somewhat uneasy about used car seats. I have no problem using old equipment other than car seats.

Although I'm not an expert in car safety or other safety, I do believe that there are some safety issues in using old car seats. As experts have mentioned before, car seats do have expiry dates and they shouldn't be used after they've been involved in a car accident. This makes sense to me - it's the same with bicycle helmets. Expired car seats may have materials that have been weakened by heat, sunlight, sweat, etc., such as plastics and foams. Similarly, seats that have been involved in car accidents may have internal damage causing structural weaknesses.

I do think that having the extra car seat around will be useful though, at least as practice in getting the seat secured in a car.

Spring!

Spring finally feels like it has arrived and we took the opportunity to take a first hand look at some of the offerings at the local Toys R Us store.

After seeing what's available we are leaning more towards the dedicated car seat. Quick calculations found that either route is similar in cost. The major downside to the travel system is that we would have to switch it out from the car after 4-5 months.

I saw a few people in public using the carrier straps. I guess they're just called baby carriers. I've only seen women use them so far, so I hope it's not because it doesn't fit men. The mom that was wearing the baby also had a stroller though, working shopping cart duty.

I wouldn't mind wearing my baby. One problem is that it would be mid summer at that time so it will be sweaty. I've seen some that have extra breathable materials. I'll post some of my research on it but unfortunately I won't be able to provide first hand experience.

25 weeks tomorrow! Wife's belly is big and kicking. Sometimes the baby kicks in response to my tapping. I'm pretty sure that's what's happening. Baby also likes to step on wife's bladder so she will suddenly feel like going to the washroom one second but not the next.

Cat is also enjoying the bump. She spends every morning sitting on the bump through the covers. She's already trying to assert her dominance over the new family member.