It's almost hard to believe that today, it's five weeks since Viktor was born. Five weeks, one kilo and ~200 diapers, to be more precise. Already, much has happened - he seeks eye contact, he smiles a lot, he's very interested in (or bored by) his surroundings, he can lift his head, and he's started to realize that there's a difference between night and day. There's constantly something new, and every day is definitely live without a net, this being our first baby and all.
Viktor is an awesome little dude, and although we're sometimes tired and worn out, everything is forgotten when he shoots us a smile.
Green as though we may be, we've started to identify some less than absolute truths we've been told/have read and some purchases that turned out to be less than brilliant. Perhaps the first thing we noticed, was exactly how much space a stroller occupies in the car. We've got a Ford Focus station wagon, and in reality there's insufficient luggage space for us to, for example, go on extended road trips. The main problem is that the stroller is just a little bit too big to fit in line with the car, and so we have to cram it in sideways. This arrangement effectively puts the kibosh on any chance of for example stuffing additional suitcases and bags in there. Sure; there's plenty of room above the stroller, but that's not really a good idea considering that there's no physical obstruction between the trunk and the second row of seats, where Viktor sits. Just out of curiosity I've been checking out stats for supposedly bigger cars on the ol' interweb, and to my surprise very few cars (outside of VW Transporters and such) have bigger - in the sense of longer - luggage compartments. Apparently any extension of the car has been directed towards the passenger area. This is going to pose a problem next summer, when a road trip is within the realms of possibility.
Some products have shown to absolutely indispensable, like the diaper bucket and the base for the car seat. Other products have turned out to be a 100%, guaran-damn-teed, grade A fiasco, despite looking absolutely awesome on papyrus. For example; when we bought the car seat, we also purchased a mirror contraption (a mirror within a beanie animal) which is hooked onto the back of the seat (not the kiddie seat). This is meant to have the dual function of a) the child being able to amuse him/herself, and b) the parents being able to check up on the kid via the rear view mirror (dual reflections, dontcha' know). This product had tremenduous appeal, yet upon installing it became patently obvious that there is one significant design flaw; the upper part of the car seat obscures the line of sight between the two mirrors. If you are of or above normal height, that is. To be fair to the manufacturer of this product, there are two possible ways for it to function as described: 1) the passenger seats could be at a lower level than the driver's seat. I don't know of any cars with this feature, and the reciprocal solution 2) - having a booster cushion in the driver's seat. However, option 2) only works if your stature is such that people expect you to live on the Shire and keep asking about your uncle who supposedly jacked a ring from a dragon. Barring that, the mirror-thingy is completely worthless.
One step up from absolutely worthless, we find products with functionality but severe design flaws. Our diaper-changing station dresser with built-in bathtub falls squarely within this category. The diaper-changing station and the- well - drawers function just fine, and technically I guess the bathtub also functions, but not within earshot of fine. The problem, you see, is that in order to empty the built-in tub, the water has to flow out through an attached hose with diameter which heavily suggests that capillary forces rather than bulk flow properties are predominant. Put differently, it takes about 90 minutes to drain less than 15 L. You might see how this becomes annoying.
Viktor is an awesome little dude, and although we're sometimes tired and worn out, everything is forgotten when he shoots us a smile.
Green as though we may be, we've started to identify some less than absolute truths we've been told/have read and some purchases that turned out to be less than brilliant. Perhaps the first thing we noticed, was exactly how much space a stroller occupies in the car. We've got a Ford Focus station wagon, and in reality there's insufficient luggage space for us to, for example, go on extended road trips. The main problem is that the stroller is just a little bit too big to fit in line with the car, and so we have to cram it in sideways. This arrangement effectively puts the kibosh on any chance of for example stuffing additional suitcases and bags in there. Sure; there's plenty of room above the stroller, but that's not really a good idea considering that there's no physical obstruction between the trunk and the second row of seats, where Viktor sits. Just out of curiosity I've been checking out stats for supposedly bigger cars on the ol' interweb, and to my surprise very few cars (outside of VW Transporters and such) have bigger - in the sense of longer - luggage compartments. Apparently any extension of the car has been directed towards the passenger area. This is going to pose a problem next summer, when a road trip is within the realms of possibility.
Some products have shown to absolutely indispensable, like the diaper bucket and the base for the car seat. Other products have turned out to be a 100%, guaran-damn-teed, grade A fiasco, despite looking absolutely awesome on papyrus. For example; when we bought the car seat, we also purchased a mirror contraption (a mirror within a beanie animal) which is hooked onto the back of the seat (not the kiddie seat). This is meant to have the dual function of a) the child being able to amuse him/herself, and b) the parents being able to check up on the kid via the rear view mirror (dual reflections, dontcha' know). This product had tremenduous appeal, yet upon installing it became patently obvious that there is one significant design flaw; the upper part of the car seat obscures the line of sight between the two mirrors. If you are of or above normal height, that is. To be fair to the manufacturer of this product, there are two possible ways for it to function as described: 1) the passenger seats could be at a lower level than the driver's seat. I don't know of any cars with this feature, and the reciprocal solution 2) - having a booster cushion in the driver's seat. However, option 2) only works if your stature is such that people expect you to live on the Shire and keep asking about your uncle who supposedly jacked a ring from a dragon. Barring that, the mirror-thingy is completely worthless.
One step up from absolutely worthless, we find products with functionality but severe design flaws. Our diaper-changing station dresser with built-in bathtub falls squarely within this category. The diaper-changing station and the- well - drawers function just fine, and technically I guess the bathtub also functions, but not within earshot of fine. The problem, you see, is that in order to empty the built-in tub, the water has to flow out through an attached hose with diameter which heavily suggests that capillary forces rather than bulk flow properties are predominant. Put differently, it takes about 90 minutes to drain less than 15 L. You might see how this becomes annoying.
Coincidentally; if you're among the ones who claim that a) infants sleep most of the day, and/or b) if a baby is crying, a trip in the stroller is a sure-fire way to get the baby to sleep, feel free to go fuck yourself you might be surprised to learn that your advice is less than universally applicable.
My summer vacation is coming up in approximately one week, and it's going to be great to spend some more quality time with Viktor.
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2 comments:
Viktor is an awesome little dude, and although we're sometimes tired and worn out, everything is forgotten when he shoots us a smile.
Yeah, the little bastards quickly learn how to manipulate their parents! :-D
Green as though we may be, we've started to identify some less than absolute truths we've been told/have read and some purchases that turned out to be less than brilliant.
That's my experience as well. Some things worked for others and not for us. Depending both on what the baby and the parents likes.
We've got a Ford Focus station wagon, and in reality there's insufficient luggage space for us to, for example, go on extended road trips.
Wuzz! Two weeks in Denmark in a '97 hatchback Corolla! Learn to pack the car properly.
;-)
Seriously, here are a few tips:
- Take the wheels of the base from the stroller. The wheels will fit on the floor in the backseat of the car, and the base in the seat (other side of the baby, the driver side, I would assume). Fasten with the seatbelt.
- Pack in bags. No suitcases.
- Use the space in stoller bag. Not the heaviest stuff, but extra dipers, etc will fit fine in there.
- Cut down on the parents luggage.
And most important, once you've got everything in the car, never take anything out before you're home again. Because it won't fit back in... ;-)
Or invest in a ski-box. You can pack a lot of stuff in there.
For example; when we bought the car seat, we also purchased a mirror contraption (a mirror within a beanie animal) which is hooked onto the back of the seat
Bought a cheap mirror with a suction cup (the ones used when learning to drive). Placed in the side window opposite the baby, the front seat passenger can check up on the baby. Worked really well.
Our diaper-changing station dresser with built-in bathtub falls squarely within this category.
Ditch the bath tub. One thing is the time needed to empty it, another thing is that hose may slip off the tub, and the water pour into the drawers with clothes and diapers. Been there, done that.
Coincidentally; if you're among the ones who claim that a) infants sleep most of the day, and/or b) if a baby is crying, a trip in the stroller is a sure-fire way to get the baby to sleep
He, he. Only sure thing is, every baby is different. You'll soon enough discover what works on yours.
Wuzz! Two weeks in Denmark in a '97 hatchback Corolla! Learn to pack the car properly.
I know -how in the blue hell did you manage that? Thanks for the tips
Or invest in a ski-box. You can pack a lot of stuff in there.Seeing as how we ALWAYS pack five times more than we need, the ski box thing is a good option.
Bought a cheap mirror with a suction cup (the ones used when learning to drive). Placed in the side window opposite the baby, the front seat passenger can check up on the baby. Worked really well.
Sounds a lot better than the fiasco we bought.
Ditch the bath tub. One thing is the time needed to empty it, another thing is that hose may slip off the tub, and the water pour into the drawers with clothes and diapers. Been there, done that.
We might have to do just that.
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