Second Time Mummy

Saturday, 30 June 2012

Review: Britax TRIFIX Car Seat

Back in April we were approched by Britax who were launching their latest car seat - the Britax TRIFIX. Dubbed "the safest and most beautifully engineered Group 1 car seat", it sounded fab and after taking a peek at it on the Britax website I was impressed by all of it's safety claims - not to mention it's modern look and sleek lines.

I wrote back immediately to confirm that we would LOVE to road-test the TRIFIX -and that is what we have been doing for the past 3 months.

3 months, I feel is a long enough time to really get to grips with a carseat and it gives you enough time to pick up on any annoyances that in a couple of weeks might not necessarily come to light.

Here's my full and frank review...

The Arrival and Fitting

Well to be honest car seat fitting is not my speciality so Chris took charge of "putting it in". Our car is a 54 plate Meriva and we had checked beforehand that the car seat was compatible with our particular car.
After thoroughly reading the instructions he got to work.

After locating the iso-fix bars between the seat cushions, Chris lined up the car seat arm hooks. At first he really struggled and we're not sure what was at fault (the car, the human or the seat) but he only seemed to be able to lock one of the iso-fix hooks rather than both hooks at the same time. As he hooked one on in the other hook would retract. This went on for about 10 very frustrating minutes before he eventually managed to fix both together.

It's important to note that the TRIFIX cannot be fitted using the cars three point seatbelt. In fact, research shows that only 30% of car seats installed using an adult seat belt are installed correctly, compared to 96% when using the iso-fix system.

The V-Tether system (shown left) was relatively easy to setup. One of the good things about this seat is that it has 2 special indicators - (1) to show that the iso-fix arm hooks are properly engaged and (2) to show that the V-Tether is pulled tight.

It took Chris about 25 minutes in total to fit the seat and ensure that it was all safely fitted.

Second Time Mummy Top Tip: It is a lot easier to fit a child's car seat when both front seats of the vehicle are as far forward as they will go. It allows the fitter maximum room to move and adjust the child seat in the back of the car.

The Sitting Test

Prior to fitting the seat, we had Little E sit in it in the hall so that we could adjust the headrest and the harness to the correct height.

A correctly adjusted headrest ensures optimal protection for your child in the safety seat and should be adjusted so that the shoulder straps are at the same level as your child's shoulders or slightly above.

The seat is clearly comfortable - it has deep softly padded side cushions which are incorporated with uniquely designed SI-PADS. These SI-PADs are made of special energy adsorbing material which will protect your child from any side impact collisions by moving them away from the accident.

The Strap Test

Straps are key for me when choosing a car seat. I want my child to be safe and secure but comfortable at the same time. The straps on the TRIFIX were a real standout for me in comparison to previous car seats we have used. The TRIFIX has special 'perfomance chest pads' (see left) incorporated into the five-point safety harness - meaning, if an accident where to occur these pads will absorb forces felt by your child and further reduce forward movement.

The straps, with thier flexbile high-density foam padding, allow your child to be tightly strapped in to the seat without cutting in to them or feeling too tight and uncomfortable.

The Fastening Test

It's all very well having a comfy seat but if it's a nightmare getting your kids in and out then there's a big problem. One of my favourite features of the TRIFIX is that the main buckle remains permanantly upright saving me a lot of "fishing under bum time."

My ultimate fear though is catching Little E's skin in the buckle and the TRIFIX doesn't solve this issue. If I could change the design in any way it would be to add some kind of leg protector to prevent any nasty accidents.

The Sleeping Test

There are multiple reclining positions available for when your little one is sleeping and I am pleased to say that you can adjust the position easily using the front lever - without it even waking your little one!

We did still get a case of "drooping head" but I felt that Little E was a lot more supported than in her previous seat. The head rest is well padded and snug. In the past 3 months the TRIFIX has seen a lot of snoring from my little girl so I guess that's a pass.

The Cleaning Test

Great news.. you can remove AND wash the cover! There are full instructions provided but basically you just slide off the headrest cover and then the main seat cover comes off easily. Both covers can be safely washed at 30 degrees. The only part you cant wash is the shoulder pads as they are permanently attached to the harness.

Finally, huge tick for Britax for realising the plus points of having a removable main buckle. This has been one of my major frustrations over the years when cleaning - you always get loads of crumbs and dust gathering in the nooks and crannies that is impossible to remove because of the buckle. You can never do a proper clean - not anymore! Hooray!

The Fashionability Test
The TRIFIX is currently available in 8 colours. The design is fabulously sleek and I've had a couple of "Oooh what's that car seat?" queries whilst chatting to mums in the nursery car park. It looks stunning and I only wish I could ride around in one!

Specifications

ISOFIX+ – superior ISOFIX system allows direct connection to the car’s ISOFIX and Top Tether anchorage points
V-Tether – superior top tether system which intelligently absorbs energy in proportion to the accident
SI-Pad Technology provides Superior Side Impact Protection
Top tether provides a third anchorage point, limiting the rotational movement of the seat
Deep, softly padded side wings provide Optimum Side Impact Protection
Side Impact Protection
Performance chest pads reduce your child’s forward movement in the event of an impact
5-point safety harness with one-pull adjustment
Height-adjustable headrest and harness with easy single-handed adjustment, prevents rethread errors
Indicators confirm the ISOFIX hooks are engaged
Indicator confirms the top tether has been correctly installed
ISOFIX connector release – releases easily from the front
SOFIX insertion guides – for easy installation and protection of car interior
ISOFIX arms retract for easy storage
Multiple recline positions – adjusts without disturbing your child
Quick-remove cover without interfering with the harness
Softly padded cover can be removed for washing
Harness retainers make it easy to get your child in and out of the seat
Buckle stays in forward position to make it easy to put your child in the seat
Installation with ISOFIX

What Do Britax Say?

Mark Bennett, Britax’s Car Seat Safety expert remarks, ‘We are incredibly proud to be launching our safest Group 1 car seat. The advanced safety technologies form part of what Britax call 360 degrees protection – our commitment to keeping children safe from every possible angle of impact. We will continue to strive to develop and enhance all our seats to ensure peace of mind for all parents who choose Britax and optimal safety for their children.

The original ISOFIX (which connects child car seats rigidly to the vehicle chassis) now an international standard for child seats in vehicles, was born by Britax in co-operation with VW in 1997 to combat the problems of poorly fitted car seats and improve child safety. Now, with the advent of ISOFIX + technologies used in the TRIFIX seat, parents can have the ultimate peace of mind knowing their child could not be any safer.

As well as being Britax’s safest child car seat for this age category, TRIFIX is simple to use. The ISOFIX system anchors the seat directly to the car’s ISOFIX connection points, while the V-Tether clicks into the third anchorage point in the rear of the car. Special indicators show parents that the ISOFIX catch arm hooks are properly engaged and that the V-Tether is pulled tight.In addition to this, there are some more practical, parent friendly enhancements; the seat cover is quick and easy to remove and wash, the buckle stays in the forward position so it is easy to sit your child in the seat, there are multiple recline positions for when your little one is sleeping and the ISOFIX arms retract neatly for easy storage.

The Verdict

After 3 months with the TRIFIX we absolutely love it. It gives us piece of mind with all it's safety fetures, it looks great and Little E finds it comfortable enough to snooze in. Retailing at £319.99 I would have completely dimissed this seat as being out of budget but given that it can be used for 3 years - that works out at less than £10 per month over that time frame. Well worth it if you've got the money to spend up front. We think it's great and we're recommending it to all of you.

The TRIFIX seat is suitable from 9 months to 4 years (or 9-18kgs) and retails at £319.99.

Secontimemummy.com recieved a Britax TRIFAX carseat in order to post this review. However, this is not a sponsored post and all views are my own.

Monday, 18 June 2012

Olympic Meme

Ooooh - I just got tagged by Kate over at Another Goldfish in her 2012 Olympic meme. It involves me answering 9 Olympic related questions (originally started by Lou from Bloggomy) so here goes...

1. If every day tasks were Olympic events what would you get a gold medal in?
Hmmm, washing without ironing (where possible). I'm sure you all do it - but if I put a clothing wash on, I hover nervously around the machine until the door clicks open and drag the clothes out as fast as I possibly can to avoid creases - if you hang them/tumble them in time then no iron is required. It's a fine art!

2. As a child (or now even) did you excel at a particular sport and if so which one?
Er... no... not unless the sack race is a world recognised sport! In fact I was probably the worst in my year at any kind of track event - I remember my PE teacher saying I had a good arm for javelin once but that was a one off lesson! Maybe I could have made it if me and my arm had been nurtured.

3. Michael Phelps (swimmer) or Michael Johnson (runner) – which sport appeals to you more? Ooooh tough one, swimming is fun and the spinny thing they do in the water to turn (my knowledge of swimming as a sport is immense - can't you tell) has always fascinated me but for me it has to be track events. When I was about 10 years old one of my favourite things to do was run as fast as I could for 10 seconds and pretend I was winning the 100m. i love watching runners and I love the nervous feeling I get when Im watching the relay - eeek - dont drop the baton!!

4. How fast can you get out of bed and ready to go out the door if miss the alarm and sleep in?
Unfortunately this is becoming a regular thing - but I can be out within 13 minutes provided the 'non-iron' event in question 1 has worked and I don't have a non-iron failure.

5. What fantasy sport would you like to see made into an Olympic event?
Oooh - getting the kids up and dressed in the morning - I train every day for this event - Im ready to win gold!

6. Claim to fame time – Have you ever met an Olympian and who was it?
Hmmm, I saw Kriss Akabusi once at Manchester Airport in 1999 - does that count?

7. What event in past Olympics can you remember most vividly?
Barcelona!

I'm pretty sure I watched the whole of the Barcelona 1992 Olympics - I was 10, I'd race home from school and turn the TV on. I remember Sally Gunnell being my ultimate heroine when she won Gold in the hurdles and then she and the GBR team won bronze in the 4x400m relay. The men won bronze too - cue huge crush on Roger Black! Kriss Akabussi (my mate from the airport) won bronze in the hurdles and Linford Christie - well he won gold in the 100m!! Oooh and Chris Boardman won gold with that strange pointy helmet and Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pincent won the rowing. Amazing - I don't think we've ever done that well since!

8. Tuning in at home, not for me or tickets clamped ready in sweaty palms?
At home at the moment - living so far from the big smoke meant we couldn't afford it. I did try and get tickets but missed out (lucky really considering I proabbly wouldn't have been able to pay the mortgage if Id been successful!)

9. Who do you think most deserves a gold medal (any walk of life not just Olympians)?
Parents - because we all have it tough and we plod on no matter how bad life gets. No matter how we feel we keep calm and carry on- because we know that our little people need us.

Now it's time to pass the Olympic torch on to another five bloggers:
(which I will do tomorrow because it's sooooooo late)

Night night x

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

WIN A Fathers Day Gift with Merci Maman

If you are looking for some amazing personalised gifts then look no further than Merci Maman. I've been checking them out for Father's Day gifts and I'm really impressed. I find it really difficult to buy great presents and always try and opt for something a little bit different.

Check out some of thier fantastic gifts...

There are some stunning pieces and we are lucky enough to give you the chance to win this fab engraved Men's Personalised Open Disc Bracelet. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter entry form below.

Merci Maman are taking orders for Father's Day orders until wednesday 13th June (for first class delivery) or until friday 15th for Next day delivery.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, 1 June 2012

The London 2012 Olympic Flame Relay: Burscough

Last night I felt an overwhelming sense of community spirit as everyone on our street came outside to put up their bunting up in anticipation of today's special arrival - The Olympic Flame.

We feel so honoured to live on the torch route and this morning the flame came right past our house carried by Dan O'Hara (pictured).

Everyone came out to line the streets - I loved that the older residents got their deck chairs out and sipped bucks fizz while they were waiting!

The kids loved it despite it all going so fast! Take a peek at the rest of our pics...

Thursday, 31 May 2012

What a Mug!

Really can't believe that the school (yes, that's right, the school!) gave these out to the children today to celebrate the Jubilee - anyone spot the error?! Very embarrassing!!

Are we really to trust the local 'coucil' with tomorrow's Olympic Torch event if they can't even spell their own name?

Monday, 28 May 2012

Maternity Wardrobe on A Budget: Summer 2012

I've recieved a distress message from Melissa and her bump. She's struggling not to feel frumpy now her bumps expanding so I've scoured the stores and come up with some fab pieces!

Dresses
A maxi-dress is a key piece in any woman's wardrobe and New Look has the answer for any bump rocker...

Maternity Jersey Maxi Dress - New Look £19.99

Tops

I've fallen in love with bow detail top from Mamas and Papas - just a shame I haven't got a bump to put in it! Just work it with skinny jeans and you're on to a winner.

Bubble Hem Vest - Mamas & Papas WAS £30.00 NOW £10.00

This stripey cap sleeved tee would be perfect with cropped chinos or black trousers

Effortless Black & White Stripe Top - Debenhams WAS £16 NOW £12.50

or if your budget's tight and you can't stretch to £12.50 for one top then try this 3 pack from New Look for just 49p extra...

3 Pack of Scoop Neck Tees - New Look £12.99

Pants
This season floral pants are huge and just because your pregnant doesn't mean you should get left behind in the fashion stakes. Check out these capri's from Asos - the print is fab!

Floral Cropped Trouser - ASOS WAS £40.00 NOW £28.00

If prints not really your thing and your after something plain then check out these linen trousers at Matalan...

Linen Trousers (also available in blue) - Matalan £14.00

Shorts
The Summer weather has arrived so shorts are a must. These chino shorts are part of the buy one get one half price offer at Dorothy Perkins

Chino Shorts - Dorothy Perkins £22.00

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Review: LEGO Duplo Creative Cakes & Creative Sorter

Earlier this year we were sent some more fabulous Duplo products to review as part of the Duplo Blogger Programme, here's how we got on...

DUPLO 6785: Creative Cakes

Wow, what can I say about this set - we absolutely LOVE it!

Little E (20mths) was immediately drawn to the colours, she loves Duplo and she loves anything pink.

I produced the set as a distraction in the middle of a toddler rampage. The screeches immediately subsided and Little E sat down to play. She was soon joined by a very intrigued Mister A (5yrs) - he was concerned that Duplo was now in girly colours!

Together they 'baked' their cakes and pretended to eat. It was great to see them playing together and helping each other and soon the hostess trolley was out with Little E encouraging us all to pretend to eat cakes with them. *Pic to follow when I find the right SD card!*

I was really impressed with this set and thought it was great to incorporate the lid as a tray to help with role play - I love a dual use me!

DUPLO 6784: Creative Sorter

We actually had the privilege to see this in action before it hit the shops. As part of our Duplo Blogger role we got to see some of the prototypes for the new range back in the Autumn. This was one of my favourites then and it hasn't let me down now that we have it at home.

The great thing about this is that it can be played with on so many different ways.

We love that this set has been created as a unique shape sorter. There are 4 individual sorting sheets that when placed in the tub can be used like a traditional shape sorter.

If that's too advanced then remove the sorter from the tub, lay on a flat surface and use them as a basic jigsaw fitting the pieces in to the sorter....

And then of course once it's completed you can build the Duplo in to your animal shapes...

This set is great and has proved challenging (in a good way!) for both Mister A and Little E. They have always worked together with Mister A helping his sister with the shape sorter and teaching her about the colours.

My absolute favourite thing about Duplo is the way that it brings the children together despite their 4 year age difference and the fact that eldest loves Ben 10 and littlest loves Peppa Pig.

Mister A also knows that he can ad his own 'big boys' lego to the Duplo too - "so it's not just for babies!"

My kids love both sets and I'll feel that they're learning as they play - what more can I ask?

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Back to Blogging

Sometimes life can be tough, sometimes everything just seems to go wrong - you feel like everything's against you and there's no way out. The past few months have been really tough and the death of my wonderful Grandad has hit me hard.

Usually in times of sadness I turn here, to my blog, just to get it all out but for some reason I just wanted block everything out, I didn't want to come here anymore, my priorities changed.

I guess I just lost touch with everything on this side of my life. I haven't really blogged through the bad times like I usually would and I think that it's been a mistake - usually Id know that my bloggy friends were out there with kind words and moral support but instead I was left wallowing without the support of like minded ladies. I miss that.

I feel like I'm almost back in the blogging zone (even though I haven't got a clue what all this no follow link business is all about!) and I can't wait to start again.

So there we go, I made the move, I'm back Mr Bloggy - I hope you're happy to have me ;)

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Monday, 16 April 2012

Review: Pokémon The Movie: Black: -Victini and Reshiram’ and ‘Pokémon The Movie: White - Victini and Zekrom

A couple of weeks ago we were sent a copy of Pokémon the Movie: Black to review. Mister A couldn't wait to get it in the DVD player and he's been forever asking for it since. To be honest it was a welcome break from Ben 10 so that in itself gets it a good review from me!

As you know Mister A is 5 years old and this went down really well - he is a massive Ben 10 fan and rarely takes a break to watch/play/do anything else. Luckily he gave the Pokemon Black Movie a go and he is now a big fan.

I did my usual probing for informayion and in all honesty I couldn't get much out of him about the story line. Here's what he said about the DVD:
"Pokemon Black is so cool, it's my new favourite. It's really, really good. My favourite bits are when Victini gives Ash power to jump and when Damon uses Victini's power."

That was pretty much all I could get but about half an hour later he came back to me and said;

"Ooooh, d'you know what mummy? I also liked it when the pillars of protection went around Ash Victini and Picachu. Put that on your blog!"

So I have! I think it's a big thumbs up here!

To tell you a bit about the 2 Movie Pack:
Ash, Pikachu and friends embark on a new adventure in the feature length films, Pokémon The Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and Pokémon The Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom -launching at retail stores nationwide on 9th April 2012 as a special double pack DVD.

When Ash and his friends enter a battle competition in Eindoak Town, they meet the Mythical Pokémon Victini, who becomes their newest friend. Disaster strikes when the misguided wanderer Damon seizes Victini for his own plans!
Can Ash prove himself a hero and earn the help of the Legendary Reshiram—or Zekrom—to rescue Victini and save Eindoak Town?

Certificate: PG DVD Format: Double pack DVD
Run Time: 3hrs, 4mins approx
Genre: Kids entertainment, Fantasy
RRP DVD: £12.99

Tuesday, 10 April 2012

WIN: The Universal Children's DVD Collection

To celebrate the Easter holidays I have got a fab Universal Easter DVD Collection up for grabs featuring four titles full of fun and laughter – showing off the best in CBeebies classics and CGI animation.

There’s something to keep everyone amused, from pre-school favourite, Everything’s Rosie, to the crime-fighting Rastamouse, as well as story-telling adventures aboard Driver Dan’s Story Train and a classic re-telling of The Jungle Book

The 2012 Easter Titles Are:

Rastamouse: Hot, Hot, Hot! Irie man!

Give it up for Rastamouse and Da Easy Crew; crime fighting agents with important work to do. Loved by adults and children, rock musicians and film stars alike, the good natured antics of Rastamouse has given CBeebies one of its biggest cult hits for many years. The coolest mouse in the country – voiced by DJ Reggie Yates - brings fun and frolics with bonus footage from Glasto and Lollibop

Driver Dan’s Story Train: Bouncing Bunnies

All aboard the story train for this fun-packed DVD featuring episodes from Series 2 of the hit show for pre-schoolers. Join Driver Dan and his friends in their story-play filled adventures and meet Bippity the Robot, who loves inventing things for his friends and always tries to re-cycle and re-use things to create new gadgets and objects. Driver Dan's Story Train is the perfect opportunity to join your little one as they watch and play along!

Everything’s Rosie – The Greatest Show in the Garden

Join Rosie, Raggles and all of their friends in their colourful and adventurous world. Embark on a journey of fun and discovery whilst learning important values and life lessons along the way. With over 2 hours of fun, the DVD features 13 episodes from the show packed with fun adventures.

Jungle Book

Join Mowgli and his friends Bagheera, Baloo and Kaa the Python for their wonderful adventures in the jungle! Each episode promises drama, excitement, adventure, fun and emotion with these beautifully new animated stories which are sure to delight new audiences to the classic tales.

We have one full set to giveaway - just enter using Rafflecopter below...

A Poem For My Grandads Funeral

RIP Grandad
Ralph William McLoughlin
24th October 1917 - 19th March 2012

It is with a very sad heart that I have to tell you all that my Grandad passed away yesterday. He was 94 years old but in all honesty it has come as a massive shock. Until last year he was still driving and he worked until the grand old age of 84.

It is his funeral on Friday and I have been asked if Id like to do a reading. I had a look at various verses and poems but none seemed quite 'him' so this morrning I wrote this poem. I'm just hoping I can read it through my tears.

Although his chair is empty
His mug of tea no more
We mustn’t think of him as gone
We mustn’t close the door

Our Grandad is still here you see
He’s watching from the sky
Protecting us from here on in
As each day passes by

He would not want this sadness
He’d want us just to smile
Because he had the greatest life
Every minute was worthwhile

We shared so many good times

And we had so many years
We must remember those today
And wipe away our tears

He made each day so special
But its time for him to rest

We thank you for just everything

Grandad you were the best.

Sunday, 11 March 2012

WIN 3 x Adventures In Lalaloopsy Land: The Search for Pillow DVD

Over the past couple of weeks there has been a new 'favourite DVD' in our house - no it's not Ben 10, Peppa Pig or any of the usual suspects - it's Adventure In Lalaloopsy Land: The Search For Pillow.

I have to admit, I hadn't really heard of Lalaloopsy until we were offered this for review, I had seen an ad for the dolls over Christmas but I hadn't paid much attention. We decided to watch the DVD together. Mister A screwed his nose up at the suggestion - he's 5 and if it hasn't got aliens in it, he generally isn't interested. Little E however, loves anything pink and girly so I was certain it would go down well with her.

For those of you that don't know, Lalaloopsy dolls are rag dolls that come to life the moment that they receive their final stitch. They each have their own personalities reflecting the materials they are made from.

In this DVD, one of the Lalaloopsy dolls, Peanut, has a big surprise to share and no one can wait to see what it is. Unfortunately, before the surprise is revealed the friends realise that one of the dolls is missing. Pillow has sneaked off for a nap with her friend sheep and the gang are worried that she'll miss out on the surprise.

The Lalaloopsy girls set off to find their missing friend but it seems everyone has their own ideas on how to search for Pillow - and it’s not until they work together that their plans start to work.

As expected their is a happy ending and to celebrate finding her friends Pillow decides to have another nap! (She's very much a girl after my own heart that Pillow!)

It's a great little DVD movie adventure and suprisingly Mister A rather enjoyed it. In fact he seems engrossed everytime we watch it! Little E loves it and even has her own dance when she hears the theme tune! We think it's fab and would certainly recommend it for any young families.

You can check out a clip here if and see for yourself..

To celebrate the special launch of this DVD on 26th March, a limited edition of the DVD is also available as an exclusive toy-pack which includes a double-sided colouring poster and your very own Pillow Lalaloopsy Doll! RRP £15.99

But if you're feeling lucky, then why not enter my comp to win 1 of 3 copies of Adventures In Lalaloopsy Land: The Search for Pillow. All you have to do to enter is enter via Rafflecopter below...

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