Car Seat - Check

One of the things that has really bothered me is not having a car seat for Ellie. Now, granted, I knew we would have one before she came home. That was never the question. I just couldn't make up my mind what kind was "right". For those of you who haven't walked into a baby superstore, like Babies R Us, in a while - WHOA!!! -- baby product overload. And then there is Target and Walmart who carry totally different products and online there are a million more -- and that's just the car seats.

So, imagine my surprise when I was at Target this week and found they had put their Britax car seats on clearance. I've never seen them on sale, much less clearance. They only go one sale a few times a year online. So then the "great debate" came. I'm telling you people I cannot make a decision. Did I want a convertible kind or would an infant carrier be better? Did I like the color? Was it too boy-ish or too girl-ish? Was the price low enough to justify? Should I wait? If I wait they'll run out? On and on it went. I just stood there with a dumb look on my face. I tried to call Kevin (who was in the store) and his phone rang in the cart. Well, that was helpful.

So, I continued with the questions in my mind. Finally, I thought, well, if they only had it in the pink girl pattern, I suppose I would get it, but it doesn't look like they do. AND THEN, I found one in the Brooke pattern and it just seemed like it was the one I was supposed to get.

Kevin hates to shop with me -- do you understand why now?

So, here's a stock photo of the car seat that Ellie will be sporting around town in. It's safe, soft and, best of all, pink.


Now, the questions are: Do I use this on in my car or in Kevin's? What if she falls asleep in it? If I had an infant carrier, she could just stay asleep in it? Should I get an infant carrier for the other car? If so, which person gets which car seat? Which car seat should I get if I get an infant carrier? Does the color matter? Which is the safest one? Which is the most user friendly? Which one is softest and the most comfortable for her? OY!!! See, it starts all over again. *sigh* This is hard stuff. Clothes are easier.

For some reason, walking by this sitting in the living room floor has made it seem so real all of a sudden -- not that it hasn't been before. But, somehow, even now, after having met her, a lot of time it still seems vague, more like a concept than a reality. It's hard to explain. Other adoptive parents I've talked to seemed to understand it. And, even with a nursery ready, buying clothes and stuff, it hasn't been until the purchase of the car seat that it felt real. I've also started putting items into the diaper bag I'm going to carry -- some bottles, some toys, the Hotsling carrier, pacifiers -- items purchased over several years and gently put into a closet to wait for the right baby to arrive. And now, opening the packages, removing the tags, it has become a little more real to me.

The judge is due back at work on July 28 -- only 10 more days. If I had to guess, I'd say he might be able to hear our cases (again, assuming we are included in the first group to be heard) that Wednesday, July 30. I've stopped praying specifically for that, because I have a peaceful calm about her impending arrival. I have a date in mind and I'm counting the days until that day. I think my guess might be close to being correct -- pending any surprises. I am hopeful that we might get new pictures on Tuesday. There are several families travelling to pick up their little ones who are going to diligently try to get photos of her for us. They are also taking her some little presents for us. We are so thankful to them for taking them over for us and for taking time to think of us and take pictures. What a wonderful community of families the Kyrgyzstan adoption community is. We have been blessed in getting to know each family that we have so far.

Ellie, we are coming -- soon.