Happy 4th Birthday, Aubrie

Dearest Aubrie,

Four years ago I was patiently, who am I kidding, I was impatiently awaiting your arrival. You came into this world on your own schedule and have been keeping us on our toes ever since. You've grown from a cuddly little baby to a feisty toddler to now a little lady with a mind all her own. You know what you want, when you want it and you'll put up a fight to get it if you feel it's that important. Sometimes that makes for a meltdown when things don't go your way, but I hope that you always keep that fight. I hope that you grow into a woman that stands up for herself and fights for what she believes in. If the determination you show at four is any indication of how determined you'll be when you are grown, the world better watch out, because you will do great things.

I love everything about you Aubrie. I love your curly hair, your bright eyes, your thoughtfulness and your cuddles. I love your firecracker tendencies (no wonder you love the 4th of July so much). I love the way you love (and argue) with your sisters. I love how want to be a helper with Haylie and the little tikes at your school. I love how you laugh with that big belly laugh. I love how you sing and dance. You're the one in this family that stops us from being bored. You love to make us laugh, but heaven forbid you even *think* we are laughing out you. But we wouldn't have you any other way.

You are whole lotta sweetness wrapped up in a little cuddly little package and we love you to pieces. Happy Birthday my Sweet Aubrie.

xoxoxo,
Mama

3 short days

I just three short days my *other* baby will turn F.O.U.R. Can you believe it?!?! Seems like it wasn't that long ago that we welcome that pink little bundle into our lives. We've got a busy weekend planned for the birthday girl - better get started.

Birthday post to follow.

WIN for car seat safety

Those that know me, know that I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to car seat safety. I just feel it's essential to keep our kids protected in the car and to keep them in a 5PT harness as long as possible, keep babies and toddlers rear facing as long as possible, use booster seats until our kids can pass a the 5 step test, etc. And I wasn't always like this - it's something that's transpired over years of research and things beings passed my way. I've made choices in car seat safety that I wouldn't make today, and luckily I nor my kids have had to pay the ultimate price. But I know better NOW and will do my best to help other parents do better NOW for their kids. And I will continue to do the same.

That said - the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has officially updated their recommendation for rear facing toddlers. The official recommendation now states to keep a toddler rear facing until the age of TWO, or up to the maximum rear facing height/weight for their car seat - so for many kids this can mean until 3 or 4. This is GREAT news, because while the AAP has had that recommendation for awhile, they also still had that 1 AND 20 pounds is the minimum, and that is no longer in the recommendation.

My hope for the future is that the LAWS change. That they will reflect the data and research in not only keep our toddlers rear facing as long as possible, but also keeping our kids in a 5PT harnessed seat as long as possible as well. But for today, I will take this victory, because it is sweet.

ADDED: The NHTSA has also changed their recommendation to be in the line with the AAP - good day for all.

Princess Hair

We went to Disneyland and splurged and took the big girls to Bibbiti Bobbiti Boutique. So fun!