Car seats - next steps!

[desamom]

There is a thread very similar to the one I'm going to write, which was helpful, but looking for some specific recommendations.

My DD is almost 3 and has just reached 35 lbs. She is RFing in her True Fit, which I will now have to turn around FF. I know keeping her RFing longer would be safest, but is it "okay" to FF her now? I also have a 3 month old DD (15 lbs) in a Graco Snugride.

I am thinking my two options are as follows: 

1. Turn DD1 FF in the True Fit until DD2 needs to be moved out of her Snugride and then buy DD1 a FF/booster combo seat -- if I did this, do people have recommendations for what I should buy? We have  2003 Honda Civic.

2. Buy a CA and keep DD1 RFing until 40 lbs, and then put DD2 in the TF when she outgrows the Snugride. But then will I have to buy another seat before just a booster? Or will the CA take her to a dedicated booster?

Thanks so much for any insight!

[chickabiddy]

The Complete Air will get many kids to a safe booster age/size.  Very tall kids may need another harnessed seat, and kids who are a little slower to reach booster readiness (my own wasn't ready until past her seventh birthday, but most are ready by 5.5-6) may need another harnessed seat.

[MJB]

I would get a CA and keep her RFing. I would feel totally comfortable going straight to a HBB when the CA is outgrown by my kids (who tend to be around the 75th % for height). My 6 mo. old is in a CA and it will be her only seat until she moves to a booster at 5-6. My 5 yr. old just moved from his Radian (which he still fits in) to a booster. 

Also if your little one outgrows the TrueFit RFing at a young age, you can put her in the CA RFing and your older DD in the TF FFing. So both kiddos can get extra RFing out of a new convertible. 

I turned my 5 yr. old FFing at 2.5 because there were no seats that rearfaced past 35 lbs. at the time. I'm glad I can keep my baby girl RFing longer because I hated to turn him so young.