to this
It's not that I haven't felt like a mother before. I mean I do have a a 2 year old and now a 3 month old but I finally gave up my young fun car for something much better suited to the rest of my family.
My little yellow bug was a a wonderful Christmas gift back in 02. It was 2 years old then and in the last 5+ years I have loved my bug. Being short as I am, it wasn't a problem getting my first infant and then growing into toddler son in and out of his car seat even though it was only a 2 door car. I was even able to make the stroller that fit with his car seat fit in the back seat of the car as well until I added a 2nd car seat back there so I could also take the little boy I began babysitting 4 days a week last summer. But by then Ryan could easily use an umbrella stoller which fit in the trunk and was already walking.
With two car seats being able to fit side by side in the back of the bug, I didn't really see the need to give up the bug when Adam came along. Except that my double stroller had no hope of fitting. After my second c-section, we decided that it would be easier for me at first to travel with the boys using Brad's car since it has 4 doors and fits the double stroller. I always figured before too long, he would beg for his car back and I would take the bug back.
Then we started kind of used car shopping. Mostly we were looking for a 4 door vehicle that would fit the double stroller and that I would be able to drive. For vertically challenged me, that means being able to move the driver seat close enough that I can reach the pedels but not so close that I am right on top of the wheel. It also means being able to adjust the seat so I can see over the dash and see the front end of the car. It's not always been so easy an task. We also decided that if the right car came along and I was not able to drive it but Brad was and he liked it, then he would take the used car and I would continue to drive his HHR.
Long story short....
we found this used, fully loaded 2003 kia sedona van. Being fully loaded, it has 8 way power front seats (in addition to lots of other features) and it fits the double stroller without having to take the rear seats out. So I am able to adjust the driver seat just the right way to be able to drive it. Now I just have to learn how to drive something so big and adjust to driving an automatic after 10 years of driving a stick shift. But I have to say... I LOVE MY VAN!!!
Picking it up yesterday was almost as much fun as when I got my bug. Almost. Not quite so exciting or surprising. But as enjoyable. So instead of driving a fun little car, I am now proud to be cruising in practicallity.
4 comments:
I worry for the day that I have to give up my sweet little blue bugger, Art. I wasn't thinking of having children before being better established when I was 16 and mom and dad were buying my first car for me. Had I been, I would have gone for the Jetta.
I, too, love, love, love my van! It is as essential as a car seat in terms of must have baby gear as far as I am concerned. Enjoy!
I LOVE my van too!
I do remember that "you know you're a mom" moment though-before C was born I drove a 2000 (or '99) Mercury Cougar and even at 8 months pregnant I felt "cool" in that car! After she was born we realized that the car seat and stroller did not fit in it and traded for a Sable. One day I was driving the car down the highway with the music loud and singing and realized I wasn't as "cool" as I thought in this MOMMY car!
With the twins and C in the Sable it was awful so I rejoiced with my van! I would never go back-although with 4 kiddos I can't!!!
Congrats on the new vehicle!
There's nothing quite like a minivan to make you feel very mommyish :) !!
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