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View Full Version : A great CPS day yesterday (KDMF installs)

scatterbunny
02-19-2008, 12:49 AM
Yesterday Judi and I (and another tech friend) met and teamed up for a KDMF install. We had a blast! :D

The mom was wonderfully patient, it was definitely a challenging scenario: 8yo disabled, 5yo and 4yo, all over 40 pounds, one Britax Regent and two Sunshine Kids Radians in a 1995 Land Rover Range Rover with center lapbelt and leather interior.

We had to play musical carseats for awhile. Mom wanted the Regent in the center with Radians outboard, and at first that seemed workable, but the Regent would not hold tight with the required short belt path in that center lapbelt. It slid forward easily every time, no matter what tricks we tried.

So we moved the Regent outboard behind the passenger and it went in rock-solid, very easily. With the recline mode engaged on the Radian and using Aidensmom's tip of not pushing BACK so much as just DOWN while tightening, the Radian went in solidly in the center. The other Radian outboard (with locking clip) was a challenge, but eventually with two sets of hands we got it in, too.

Judi has the pics, she'll post them soon. :D

All in all, it was a very rewarding experience, and I hope to be able to help the foundation in the future.

Between the recipient family's 4yo (the only child who was able to come), my 6yo and the other tech's 9yo and 3yo we had four kids to keep amused, so Judi brought out a bunch of seats from Baby Depot (where she works, and where we were doing the installs) for the kids to try out. That, plus her laptop with photos of her puppies, kept them busy the whole time. :D
cpsaddict
02-19-2008, 12:57 AM
Wow, that sounds like so much fun and challenging. LOL at the puppies! :love:
DaniCPST
02-19-2008, 01:06 AM
Ohhh that sounds like a good one!!!! I am doing a KDMF install this coming Friday afternoon. I got two Regents and a Windstar so it should be a lot less challenging than the one you did!
Judi
02-19-2008, 01:11 AM
Less challenging is an understatement! I really thought we had it, with the regent in the middle. Here I am, with the regent.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4782.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4781.jpg

Hopping up an down like a mad woman!
Judi
02-19-2008, 01:16 AM
I thought I had it!

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4784.jpg

It was fine side to side, but I could pull foward from where the harness adjuster is and slip the seat right out!
Judi
02-19-2008, 01:18 AM
Very frustrating!

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4785.jpg
scatterbunny
02-19-2008, 01:19 AM
:ROTFLMAO: I didn't realize we got a pic of your frustrated flop on the parking lot!
Judi
02-19-2008, 01:25 AM
Yes! It felt so good to just lay there!

Here is a pic of Jenny, trying something different! Doesn't she have a great smile!

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4787.jpg
Judi
02-19-2008, 01:26 AM
What a puzzle!

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4788.jpg
Judi
02-19-2008, 01:38 AM
Esther joins in!

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4789.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4790.jpg
Judi
02-19-2008, 01:39 AM
The finished product!

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/DallasOregon/car%20seat%20stuff/IMG_4794.jpg
Starlight
02-19-2008, 10:32 AM
I don't think I've ever been inside one of those vehicles, but I am truly amazed you were able to do a 3 across w/ a Regent! :eek:

:bow: :bow:
papooses
02-19-2008, 10:37 AM
I'm such a dork: that looks like so much fun! :love::p Wish I was there.... :o
wildeyes
02-19-2008, 10:47 AM
:yeahthat:
azgirl71
02-19-2008, 11:03 AM
Glad you had a great time with great results!! You deserved a to have a great day! Especially after all the recent stuff you have been dealing with :love:.
azgirl71
02-19-2008, 11:08 AM
Thanks for posting all the great pics!!! YOu all look like you had a blast! I do have to ask....Who stepped on the RN seat...LOL. It looks like a big black mark on the seat.

I see where you son get his hair now, Judi :love:! Nice to have a face with the name.
scatterbunny
02-19-2008, 11:27 AM
Thanks for posting all the great pics!!! YOu all look like you had a blast! I do have to ask....Who stepped on the RN seat...LOL. It looks like a big black mark on the seat.

:p They already owned that Radian, for the 4yo, it was well-loved. :p The 5yo and 8yo had been riding in boosters, but they were both too immature to use boosters safely. The 8yo is disabled and really needed the harness. This family really was great! Mom had already had the dealership install three tether anchors in the back and was very interested in CPS. In fact coincidentally, I found out that this mom has my old Britax Laptop! :love: Doriansmummy posted awhile back about a friend needing something for a 40+ pound child in a lapbelt, I sent her my Laptop, and it went to this family! What a small world.
azgirl71
02-19-2008, 11:33 AM
:p They already owned that Radian, for the 4yo, it was well-loved. :p The 5yo and 8yo had been riding in boosters, but they were both too immature to use boosters safely. The 8yo is disabled and really needed the harness. This family really was great! Mom had already had the dealership install three tether anchors in the back and was very interested in CPS. In fact coincidentally, I found out that this mom has my old Britax Laptop! :love: Doriansmummy posted awhile back about a friend needing something for a 40+ pound child in a lapbelt, I sent her my Laptop, and it went to this family! What a small world.

AH ok, that explains the balck marks. Wow, that is as small world!! That is great Mom is intersted in CPS. :thumbsup:
Judi
02-19-2008, 09:46 PM
Usually I try to use my knee, not my foot.....usually.
azgirl71
02-19-2008, 09:52 PM
Usually I try to use my knee, not my foot.....usually.

I will use my knee generally to. I have occasion used my bare for on my personal seats. ;)
bombedier
02-25-2008, 06:09 PM
Hey Jenny and Judi - can you forward me the photos and your write-up about the install through email ASAP?

Thanks!
scatterbunny
02-25-2008, 07:25 PM
Judi has the photos saved, I forgot my camera. :o I'll try to put together a write-up about it in the next day or two.

Laura, will anyone from the KDMF be at Lifesavers?
AdventureMom
02-25-2008, 07:37 PM
LOL! It looks like a hoot! My installs for the KDMF were very easy: two Regents in captain's chairs - pretty straightforward... :)

FYI, is Esther the other tech friend? Wow. To show up to install carseats in a skirt... I can't imagine trying that! :p
scatterbunny
02-25-2008, 07:39 PM
Yes, Esther is the other tech friend. :) She and I were certified together, last year. She came right from church! :D
Judi
02-25-2008, 10:02 PM
Hey Jenny and Judi - can you forward me the photos and your write-up about the install through email ASAP?

Thanks!


PM sent
Judi
02-25-2008, 10:11 PM
LOL! It looks like a hoot! My installs for the KDMF were very easy: two Regents in captain's chairs - pretty straightforward... :)

FYI, is Esther the other tech friend? Wow. To show up to install carseats in a skirt... I can't imagine trying that! :p

I do that way too much. Good thing I wear long skirts!
tumblebug
02-25-2008, 10:17 PM
You gals ROCK!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Judi
02-25-2008, 10:19 PM
Thanks! :)
snowbird25ca
02-26-2008, 05:06 AM
That looks like so much fun.

I had a blast when I did the install process with my KDMF family. It's even more exciting once the write up gets on the KDMF website. ;)

Laura - I should apologize to you, because I never have gotten around to writing up a blurb about my experience. :o I'm still in contact with the family though through email & facebook. :thumbsup: