Shopping for car seats and strollers

It has been a few years since we had any need for baby gear. Boy, have things changed! When my girls were babies I looked everywhere for girly, pink stuff. But there was nothing! Now though.... NOW there is TONS!

Graco SnugRide 30 Infant Car Seat - Mirabella

I am in love! I want the incredible adorable pink SO BAD! I can't get a pink stroller because it's not practical. I can't get a pink swing because it's not practical. I can't get a pink bouncer because it's not practical. I don't wanna be must be practical. *sigh* The reality is that as soon as I get something pink we will probably get a call for a boy or two or three. Soooo.... I decided to go with this....





Graco SnugRide 30 Infant Car Seat - Odyssey

It is practical. It is gender neutral. And it's still cute. I'm okay with that. Really, I am. Kinda.

But WAIT! What is this link at the bottom of the product page!?! Oh....Em....Gee!!!!

Elmo Car Seat Cover

Hmmmm.... I do believe that I may have a winner! Now, I can have my pink and have practicality too! I will get one Graco SnugRide 30 Infant Car Seat - Odyssey and one Graco SnugRide 30 Infant Car Seat - Mirabella and one Elmo Car Seat Cover! I am all set for a boy and a girl, 2 boys, or 2 girls!

AND I GET MY PINK! YAY!!!! :D

Now, you may be wondering why I'm so stuck on the Graco brand. It's because I came across something so utterly amazing that I am planning everything else around it. See, I had 2 of my girls 12 months and 10 days apart. Twelve years ago there weren't a lot of double strollers to choose from. I tolerated liked the one we had, but of course there are many more styles and bells and whistles now. While browsing online I came across a terrific double stroller.
 

Graco Ready2Grow LX Stand & Ride Stroller - Odyssey

  



And just look at all the different positions! TWELVE different positions, not including if you use it as a single stroller.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Bn8U8FYPxt0

  



I do believe they must have had foster parents in mind with this genius invention. Way to go, Graco!

DCS DVD

We recieved a DVD on "An Introduction to Foster Parenting". We were so excited to watch it, so as soon as Daddy Bear got home from work we stuck it in the DVD player.

FINALLY, after the "hold on I have to go potty" and "let me go get a blanket" and "can I have a snack" comments, we finally hit play. LOL I don't know why this always happens. I mean, you KNOW that we are sitting down to watch a movie or a show and it isn't as if the bathroom is going to close while we are watching the show. Plus, there is this awesome invention of being able to hit the pause button! ;o)

Anyway, back to what I was saying.... the DVD was very informative. I did find it funny that as the director was talking Daddy Bear said, "How funny is it that they are breaking their own rule of not showing the kids' faces". Low and behold, behind the director were 2 collage picture frames with about 40 kids' faces. HA! It was well thought out and had a perfect balance between comic relief and tear jerker moments. There were experienced foster parents, as well as former foster children.

By the end, I had something in both eyes.

It mainly focused on teens and made me look forward to being able to the time when we can take in that age group. For now we will be doing 4 years and younger until our bio kids all get older.

Now to wait until we get to start training. It just can't get here fast enough. However....

 

 

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I Heart Daddy Bear!

The following text messages took place between Daddy Bear and I today:

Daddy Bear: I want you to know you have my support in any choice you make about this journey. Know I've got your back no matter what!

Me: Thank you, honey!

Daddy Bear: No, thank you for having the courage to follow your dream. For never giving up and for being the person you are and having the heart that you do. Never let anyone make you think you're not enough for this, because you're perfect for it!

Awwwwww..... (sniff, sniff)

DCS Lady called

I got a voicemail from a lady at DCS. A very lengthy message... LOL... Instructing me to sign up for classes and basically repeating what the first lady said. I thought it was funny that they are already on different pages. But, really, I expected that. They have better things to do than to call each other to follow up with new foster parents' training. ;)

The ball is officially rolling....

I called DCS yesterday morning and left a message letting them know that we are interested in becoming foster/resource parents.

After playing phone tag, we finally caught up with each other. I was advised to call the agency who handles training and register for classes. The lady was very nice and although she started out with a "stressed out" tone, she ended the call in a much brighter mood. We are also supposed to be contacted within the next week from someone else at DCS, and then again every 30 days until we complete training.

I called the agency to register for classes. I was sad to find out that the next round that is available doesn't start until July 11, 2013. I was so hoping to begin sooner. However, they have put us on a list for a Saturday class and will call us if space opens up for my husband and I.

My girls were hoping to be involved with the classes. They want so badly to help. I get that the topics covered may be a little more detailed than what they need to be exposed to, but we have always been a family who is upfront about things. So, I will be instructing private classes for them (leaving out anything too graphic).

So, now we wait on the call from DCS.

EXCITING!