And, truly, it's for such a SILLY reason.
I've yet to decide on which stroller to buy and I wake up at night with my mind racing, trying to analyze my options. I know this is stupid. I know it's just a stroller. I don't get to take it with me when I die. But seriously, I feel like it affects my quality of life. And I literally cannot make any other decisions concerning the baby until the stroller is sitting in my garage. Oh, I'm so shallow! So I'm just going to lay it all out there. Here are my concerns. Keep in mind that I've spent upwards of an hour every day reading every review possible :
- We've budgeted $300 to put towards a stroller/strollers. Anything over that I have to come up with myself. (Not quite an easy task when you don't work.)
- The main things I think I'll use my stroller for are: daily walks, jogging, places like the zoo, farmer's market, etc. I rarely go to the mall or even out shopping since that's just no fun anymore with a toddler. In fact, I got our stroller out about 2 weeks ago and realized that I hadn't used it since Christmas!
- I HEART BOB. I want a Revolution Duallie. (Yes, this is double our budget -- but worth it??) I even found a store that sells them and dragged Jon and Tanner there with me to check one out. Jon and I both agreed that it rocked. However, we were a little concerned that our carseat isn't compatible with the adapter. Then, we tried to fit it in our trunk and it wouldn't fit. For a split second, I considered getting on my hands and knees and BEGGING Jon to upgrade us to a mini-van this year instead of next so that we could accomodate this wonderful stroller. (I'll blame that little bit of insanity on the hormones ...)I cried on the way home. Because I was disappointed it wasn't going to work and I was upset with myself for being upset about something so materialistic. Did you get all that? And now ... I just keep thinking ... maybe we could have maneuvered that stroller just a little bit differently and somehow made it fit ... Anyways ... it's hard to spend $600+ on a stroller that's not 100% perfect. And they literally can't be found used.
- So then I think ... how about buying a cheap jogger that stays in our garage and then another stroller to keep in the car. But the jogger has to be decent because it's already hard enough for me to run 3 miles and if the jogger is crappy then I know I won't use it. And I could just get a sit-n-stand for the car??
- Part of the problem is that we have a Chicco carseat, which is compatible with NOTHING. Except for maybe the Bumbleride Indie Twin, which I'm really starting to think might be our best option. Again, it's way more that we want to spend, but might be a good "all-in-one."
So there it is. Go ahead and say it -- I'm a total stroller snob. You were all so sweet to leave me comments and suggestions after my last stroller post. Any more wisdom you might be able lend?? I'd love to be able to get at least a few weeks of good sleep before little Landon comes and the real sleep deprivation begins!!!
9 comments:
You should check out mamabargains.com they put up double strollers brand new for almost half price everynow and again. It might be worth a shot.
Good Luck.
I don't know one thing about strollers, but i just love you and your blog and hope you find the perfect one. hang in there friend =)
I have been waiting for you to post what you got! I just started doing research and kept thinking, Rachel will tell us what she got and I will check out the same! I hear ya on all the reviews. They are so mixed on double strollers. Pros and cons to each. Some people rave about them, others hate them. Doesn't seem to be an overall winner (unless you want to spend the big bucks). I am like you, would love a Bob, but do I really need it that much? I could use that money for so much more. Ah, decisions. Best of luck to you. It is consignment sale time here in Nashville, so I've been hitting them all up looking for a deal!
I feel your stroller pain! I've been looking forward to hearing what you decided. Good Luck!
Hey Rachel...not sure where you live, but Craigslist is really huge in and near big cities. I live in rural Alabama and I almost want to cry when I see what great stuff is going up on Craigslist in Los Angeles. So you might want to check out what they have there. It has a search function too, so you can go to the Baby and Kid Stuff section, and then type in BOB. I did it for where I *think* you live, and a BOB sport utility double stroller came up for $250. So you might want to peruse those ads, or even put up a wanted ad. But then again, if the BOB doesn't fit in the car...
I agree with the Craigslist. I would keep searching, searching, and searching. BOBs are hard to find but you never know :-). Just be sure to search ALL of the major cities around you. Some people might be willing to meet you half way driving wise...worth it if you save a few hundred bucks.
I'd also check out the consigment sales in your area. We have A TON in the DC metro area in the spring and I'm hoping to find some great deals.
Another thing to think about....if you want to keep holding out so you don't feel so much pressure to buy the stroller right now is to sling the baby for the first few weeks/months. The Moby sling is soooo great and then you don't have to worry about carrying the car seat everywhere...and you can still put Tanner in your "old" stroller to you find one. Just a thought :)
Good luck finding one!
Rachel, I know the love you feel for the BOB. Mine is bordering on obsession and I will say that our Revolution Duallie has been a really awesome stroller. Yet it is big for those around-the-town errands. Before, I had to pop off the back wheels to get it to fit in our Jetta. That might be an option until you get the minivan. Also, keep your ear to the ground about BOB bargains. We got ours at an end-of-year closeout for $420 with free shipping! It was a steal! Occasionally they'll go for around that on eBay, so keep checking.
I second Billie's suggestion that if you can't come to a decision, you could sling or Bjorn the baby for the first few months (you won't be going out that much at first with all three of you as you all find your routine). Tanner could always hold your hand while you push the baby, etc. Then, when push comes to shove and you're ready to take to the road... then make the big decision!!
Prayers--you are not a snob and this isn't a light decision! This will carry your precious loves. You want them safe and yourself, happy!! Hugs!
Okay as a mom of 3 kids all close together I can give you my opinion. I decided how much I was willing to spend and what I thought I would use more. I knew I wanted a jogger more than the occasional shopping stroller. So I went with the jogger there are baby trends- that are not bad. I had a single once. The thought is this ~ if you have a babybjorn you have the baby in that while Tanner is in the stroller, by the time the baby is out of that Tanner will most likely not want to be in a stroller.... Then you would have your jogger to go running with and maybe get a wagon down the road. When I went jogging none of my kids car seats fit in them... it is perfectly safe for them to be strapped in their spot of the stroller... I had a summer baby! Or even get the jogger you want and look at garage sales for the double stroller- you never know what good deal you may find there. I personally did not feel getting a double graco was worth it... I used my jogger far more than that... just my opinion.
Rachel... I second the Craigslist idea- however, I assume you have been on top of that.
How about this? In a month or so (I know, cutting it too close to your due date), start trolling Wilmette, Winnetka, NW Evanston, Kennilworth, Lake Forest, etc. for garage sales. These people have bought the best of the best, and most likely you could get lucky there??? It's a little risky, but you won't be jogging with that little newborn for a good month or two, right?
Post a Comment