One of the things we realized not long after I found out that I was pregnant was that we would need to replace my car, because it would not hold 3 car seats (not comfortably, anyway) and replace it with a van.
I have owned my 2003 Toyota Matrix since August of that year. Dad came to RC at the beginning of my junior year of college when my Escort started giving me trouble. He wanted me to have a reliable vehicle, so he made the trip and we bought my red Matrix, sight unseen (in hindsight, Mom should've been the one to come- she is better with cars and a MUCH better negotiator- love you Dad!). A day or so later my roomie went with me to pick it up when it arrived at the dealership; I remember the two of us squealing as we drove it off the lot! It has been a great car, we took good care of it, and it really never gave me any major trouble. So this is a farewell to the 'car of my youth', pictured below (not the best picture since it was filthy due to all the snow and salt, so just imagine it clean and shiny).
My dependable Matrix as we left her at the dealership...and yes, she's gone a bit ghetto from missing a hubcap. It went missing about a year ago and since it wasn't essential, it never got replaced!
We traded it in and got a 2006 Dodge Caravan. Obviously it is a used vehicle. We were not thrilled about buying used (we like to buy new, then keep vehicles until they die...we would never have gotten rid of the Matrix unless and until we had to) but it was really the only option. I did a lot of research and found this vehicle and thought it looked like a good choice. Wednesday I had a snow day and Russell was off of work, so we left the boys with Russell's parents to go look at it and ultimately buy it. I was nervous because the last time we went to this dealership was four years ago when we bought our CRV (which will barely fit 3 car seats, but we will somehow make it work!) and Mom came with us and really gave the salesman her best and we got a great deal. I was hoping I would be able to do it on my own (I was constantly texting her with information and asking for advice!) and I think I negotiated pretty well, for my first time.
Luke has been SO excited about the new car. I picked him up from Cubbies that night and he was thrilled to ride in the new van. Every time we have gone somewhere since then he has been very disappointed if he doesn't get to ride in the new van ("Mommy's red car is old and stinky. This car smells good and is awesome!").
The next day I had another snow day, so I drove the CRV to the dealership to get our (free!) state inspection and drop off the title of the Matrix (yes, we forgot the title when we went to buy the new car- oops). While waiting for the car, we got some more good news; the SNP Array from the amniocentesis came back completely normal! It looks like Ally has no genetic abnormalities! We are so thankful for such wonderful news. The last major test will be a fetal MRI to take a better look at Ally's brain, which will be on February 11th. After that, it should be just regular doctor visits and visits to MFM to keep an eye on the head growth as we get closer to 39 weeks.
Another thing that happened later that day is that we got a package from the Dandy-Walker Alliance. The bracelets and car magnets we ordered finally came! (Too bad the Matrix never got to carry one.) You too can sport one of these stylish bracelets or your new (to you) family van (or any vehicle in your fleet!) can sport one of these ribbon magnets by going to http://www.dandy-walker.org/magnet-request/. Donations to the alliance appreciated but not required!
Thanks for your prayers, comments, and concerns. You don't know how much they mean to us. As I am now officially 30 weeks it is getting closer and closer to Ally's arrival and (hopefully) a lot of questions answered and decisions to make about the future. We are trying to enjoy our current 'normal' for the little time we have left with it and rely on God and the support of our family and friends (ya'll!) with the uncertainty ahead.
We recently made the switch to a minivan, too, and it was one of the best decisions we ever made. No more cramming the kids and all their stuff into the sedan. Now they all fit comfortably in their own seats, and we have plenty of room in the back to keep all of their stuff with room to spare!
ReplyDeletePaige Hollingsworth @ Baldwin Motors Lincoln