Thanks, everyone! She is such a fun age and she surprises me every day.

She's younger than Lillian!

Speaking of Lillian, what size is she wearing and could she use any clothes? Several friends gave me tons of adorable clothes when we left NC, but since it's still 90 here and projected to maybe get down to 80 in the next few months, I don't think Ellie will ever get to wear them.

Stephanie, she's beautiful!

Did anyone else read PS I Love You? The main character was a girl who wanted to be a romance novelist, and she, her sister, and her Mom went to do some house sitting in Palm Springs. Where she met a guy and there was romance! and turmoil!

I remember that book!

Ellie is so big and so pretty!

I loved that book. I may still have my copy, but I'm not sure. I kept several of my fave teen romance type books including one where the main character finds out she has cancer. There were several of those probably, but this girl goes off to cancer camp with her bestfriend (who later dies and it's very sad).

There were several of those probably, but this girl goes off to cancer camp with her bestfriend (who later dies and it's very sad).

LURLEEN MCDANIELS!!!!!!

What's the recommendation now anyway?

Age-wise, it's 12. Size wise, as far as I know, it's at least 5' and 100lbs. The passenger-side airbag in our new car shuts off, and it hasn't been an issue for us yet anyhow (and Ben is not 12, but he is 5' and 100lbs).

From the CDC:

All children ages 12 years and younger should ride in the back seat, the safest part of a vehicle in the event of a crash. About one-third of the children ages 12 years and younger who were killed in 2000 were riding in the front seat. This is especially important for vehicles with front passenger-side airbags. Riding in the back seat is associated with at least a 30% reduction in the risk of fatal injury in cars without such airbags. Placing children in the back seat of vehicles reduces this risk by 46%.

Airbags and Children

The force of a deployed airbag can injure or kill a young child even in a slow-speed crash. Children ages 12 years and younger, including infants, should never be placed in a seat in front of an airbag. Riding in the back eliminates children’s risk of such injury.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says age 13 for the front seat, rather than 12. [link] (the link mostly concerns infant car and booster seats, but about 1/2 way down, there's information about older children).

How about if I put him in the recline position?

I don't know why, but I have it in my head that that's dangerous. I would slide as far to the rear as possible, (you know, leg-room-wise, to keep him far from the airbag), but with the seat upright, or nearly so.

You'll probably see a pediatrician soon, for Matilda. Their office probably has hand-outs that can give better specifics.

Honestly Hec, I'd let him learn to sleep sitting up in the back, or deal with staying awake. My kids do it on the way home from Maine. Their necks are young. They can take the head-bob. I wouldn't put Emmett in the front seat with a passenger-side airbag. He's too small.

afraid the over-wifing tag close option is broken

Oh my goodness, just look at her! She's a little girl!

Aww, she is totally a little girl now.

And Megan -- apparently JDM's character is a singer. Does he SING TOO?

Stephanie, Ellie is so so beautiful.

Aimee. Thanks! Now I want to read the book, but I can't remember the name.

I'll have to go home and see if I have PS I Love You (PS for Palm Springs and Paul Strobe). And reread some of my Sweet Valley High books.