Forward Facing Mikey

This weekend we finally turned Mikey around in his car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that kids over 1 year (and/or 20 pounds) remain rear-facing longer due to spinal cord injuries that could result from a car accident. The child's body is more cradled and protected in this position (since most accidents are from the rear) and therefore, they are recommending that parents wait to turn their little ones around. Poor Mikey is screwed because I have worked in a spinal cord injury unit and therefore I know too much....resulting in a very overprotective Mommy. (I have been teased that Mikey will be required to wear a helmet while riding a stationary bicycle....and the person who said that was EXACTLY RIGHT!) Sorry dude. We decided to turn Mikey around this weekend because his poor legs were getting scrunched and he was quite uncomfortable (obviously). Since it is so close to his second birthday we decided it was okay (with much hesitation from the worry-wart, AKA Mommy).

Saturday we drove to Queensbury for the weekend and Mikey was SO EXCITED to have a whole new (read: BETTER) view of the car and Mommy and Daddy. The other exciting thing was once he started to get fussy, Mommy and Daddy revealed the hidden DVD player that is on the ceiling of the car! We put in his favorite truck video and Mikey was in heaven. We started a horrible association. (In Mikey's mind, forward facing meant "I watch TV whenever I want".) That afternoon when we got back in the car to go sledding, guess what was repeatedly requested.....AND resulted in a tantrum and unwillingness to sled? Yup, you guessed it. The truck DVD.

We have nipped the video watching in a bud as we tell Mikey that errands are a "short trip". When we go on "long trips" to visit Mimi or Grandma, THEN he can watch "trucks". So far it's been working.

While driving around the neighborhood this week, it has been quite enjoyable having Mikey as an active participant in the backseat. He notifies me of all the trucks and buses on the road, we point out different objects while we are stuck in traffic or at a light....and we share more smiles during those lengthy lights, too.

Mikey, as much as I miss the "baby stage" with you, I gotta say that you are more and more fun everyday. Love you, buddy.