Lily got to move on up to a big girl car seat today. I have a small car, and the backseat to Cayce's truck is snug therefore, we were in need of a super safe, compact, convertible seat for her. So after plenty of online research we decided on the Britax Roundabout 50.
We headed to BRU knowing we would be purchasing this seat and breathable safety bumpers
since Lily has taken to moving all over her crib at night and waking up crying from hitting the sides and/or getting her little legs stuck between the slats. We had to purchase the car seat in the store in order to use a 20% off coupon I had, and I also planned on using another 20% off coupon for the bumpers. Well we get to the store, first things first, bathroom stop. It's a long drive from Beaufort to Charleston. So as we cross to the car seat aisle the walkers catch my eye. Just for fun, because I've read what a danger they are, stairs, tipping, yadda yadda yadda, we look at them. We picked a super expensive, bulky, and popular, walker and put her in it. She was still too short for it and was none too pleased. I spied a smaller walker, a good $70 less than the other one, which might I add, I'd also read negative reviews about, and once again, just for fun, we
put Lily in it. Oh Good Lord, the smile and giggles that girl gave us! Immediately she was having fun. Her little feet could touch, and she was slowly, yet surely, pushing herself down the aisle. So Cayce and I, suckers that we are, look at her, look at the price, and say her happiness is totally worth $39. I've got that 20% off coupon right! So, before we could even get one of the items on our short list, we've already gone $40 over our expected budget.Well, now happy and glowing to have been snookered by BRU we head to the car seats with blinders on. There we see our intended. We take it and the Britax Marathon, and play with them on the vehicle seat they have conveniently set up for shopping enthusiasts like us. We snap them in, put Lily in each, recline the seats, let her try them out, and we confirm our choice of the Roundabout. Now the fun part. There are boxes and boxes and boxes of Marathons and Boulevards, but not a Roundabout in sight. Cayce hunts down a friendly salesperson, and after some research we are told they have none in the store, and as a matter of fact, will not be getting anymore in the Cowmooflauge because the pattern is being discontinued. However, if we want that style we can still order it online or they can sell us the floor model. Disappointment sets in. We can't use the 20% off coupon, which makes an expensive purchase, a reasonable purchase, unless we buy in-store. Amazon, surprisingly, isn't even better priced than BRU, especially with the coupon. Trust me I looked! I suppose we could have purchased the Marathon, but it would be a tight fit in my car, and probably would not have worked in Cayce's truck, plus it was $80 more than the Roundabout. Surely we can't buy the floor model? Can we? I know we're not supposed to buy used car seats because you don't know if they've been in an accident, expired, yadda yadda yadda. But is the floor model the same as "used?" Hmmm. Must think about this. In the meantime I run to get the bumpers. I know we're getting those regardless of the seat. In my absence for bumpers and a subsequent diaper change the friendly salesperson returns with news from the manager, if we take the floor model they will take an additional 10% off. *ding ding ding ding* we have a winner! In our euphoria we also decide to buy a car mirror
for our chatty Cathy to have someone to talk to in the back seat, and seat belt strap covers.
I know, I know we're not supposed to add anything to the car seats in order to avoid compromising the intended safety and warranty of the seat, but her little neck just needed some relief from those straps! Besides, they're minimal and just soften with adding little bulk to the strap. (Did I ever mention there are too many rules "they" put out about raising children?) So now that you've taken this shopping journey with me I'd like to add up the original cost of all the above listed items.Britax Roundabout 50 $199.99
Baby Trend Walker $39.99
Breathable Bumpers $29.99
Safety Mirror $15.99
Car Seat Strap Covers + $ 6.99
subtotal 292.95
7.5% tax + 21.97
$314.92
Who thinks we spent anywhere near that much?? No, no, no. Take the 20% off coupon, plus the additional 10% off of the car seat, the 20% off of the walker, and some random "Members Rewards" sales here and there and we spent... drum roll please.... $226.65. Buying $63 worth of merchandise more than we anticipated we actually only went about $10 over what we had originally budgeted. It was a GOOD day for us! The even better news is Lily is much more content in her new seat, and enjoyed talking to her new friend on the drive home. She slept pretty peacefully once we got out of the city, and had a nice long hour and fifteen minute nap. She's enjoyed her walker quite a bit this evening. She'll only be able to use it in the kitchen as it's the only room in the house without carpeting, but that minimizes risks to safety and can keep her entertained while I cook and "coupon clip" online. The bumpers look nice, and I feel safer knowing she has them. Even though Cayce and I go a little overboard with Lily it all comes from a place of love. We want what's best for her, I research the heck out of everything we buy, and we rarely (walker excluded) buy items for her without giving serious consideration first. If it makes anyone feel better, I know it makes me feel better, we have a wonderful consignment shop in town where we purchase a lot of her clothes, so we do save money there. I know she's spoiled, and I know at some point we're going to have to employ the word "no" and mean it, but not yet, right? But who can deny this girl anything?
Who's ready for supper?!
World's largest teething toy.
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