True confession: I have six strollers
by HeatherI feel icky saying it out loud, but one visit to my house will confirm this embarrassing fact before you even ring my doorbell. Yes, we have six strollers. So, I figure the least I can do to cleanse my karma is to review them for you and save you from following down my path:
The bare bones snap-n-go — Whitney loaned me her Graco model and it was stolen from my front yard! So, I still consider this one a loaner and when her baby is born she gets it back. We replaced the stolen wheels with the Kolcraft Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier and it’s just great. Lightweight, collapsible, and a smooth ride to boot. My only minor complaint is that the Graco carseat does not snap into place, you have to remember to strap it down. [Our cost = ~$60]
The jogger — My husband actually runs Holden around in this stroller and I consider it a lifesaver. We got the BOB Sport Utility Stroller as a Christmas present the year Holden was born and it has been well worth the $0 we paid. [Our cost = $0]
Holden’s regular ride — we first got the Sydney Chicco C5 Lightweight Stroller when Holden was ready to graduate to an umbrella stroller because it was reasonably priced and had a sunshade. It hasn’t held up very well in my opinion but it’s not terrible either. [Our cost = ~$60]
The double — we borrowed the Chicco Citta Twin Stroller from Whitney one day when we had the option of a nanny-share. That was a year ago. By the time we “return” it, she will get any double stroller of her choosing (within reason) because it has not held up well. And we only use it four days a week for rides to and from the park… it’s not even getting tossed into a trunk or crammed through doorways. [Our cost (when we replace it) = ~$130]
The convertible double — what do you buy when your boys are 21 months apart? Why, a stroller that allows a carseat, a couple regular seats, a seated bench for the toddler, and a ridealong board… All this and a “parent tray” are promised with the Baby Trend Deluxe Sit N Stand. We were truly blessed to get this as a gift from our parents. And also lucky that (since they live far away) they don’t see the state of our porch on a regular basis. [Our cost = $0]
The double jogger– I found this Twinner Double Jogger for $100 on the Berkeley Parents Network and jumped on it immediately. If Alec can run one kid around while I sleep in, I can’t wait for the day he takes both of them out. I have to wait another five months for that day, but at least we have the wheels for it. We also think this will be a nice smooth around-town ride for the boys. [Our cost = ~$100]
All that being said, I have major double stroller lust for both the Phil & Teds E3 Buggy (with toddler converter kit) and/or the Valco with toddler seat and rider board. And single stroller envy for Whitney’s simple but sturdy Maclaren Quest. Oy vey.
Obviously we can’t justify any new stroller purchases at this point, but I’m still accepting donations ;-).
ps my newborn is strapped to me in his Baby Bjorn right now for good measure… so don’t get me started on his other conveyance devices right now!
Stumble it!
April 6th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Good grief! Where does one keep 6 strollers??? You’d need an extra garage. have only 1 and can’t seem to find a good place for it.
My house was crammed before baby stuff started flooding in. Now I don’t know what to do with myself!
April 8th, 2007 at 6:14 am
I realize that I didn’t even mention the stroller that started it all. In my quest for simplicity and a single-stroller-life, we bought the Graco Metrolite Travel System. It was a very smooth ride from home and boasted the click-in carseat feature, a large basket, and a life beyond the carseat as well. I thought Whitney and her two stroller system (snap n go and the Mac) was just silly and wasteful. Well, ha ha on me. The dang thing never fit into our trunk and drove me nuts! Nuts, I tell you.
In order to get our slim trim Chicco, I had to agree to give up the Graco. It seemed a fair trade at the time.
ps We have a back shed and a front porch. And like I said, one did get stolen from the front yard.
May 4th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Mmmm…strollers…me likey. I LOVE my Valco Runabout; it’s awesome. Just have one kiddo now, and I click in his SnugRide with the car seat adaptor (there’s also a strap to use, which I do). They make a double that takes a car seat, which looks really cool, but the toddler seat for the single is pretty sweet too. You can check them both out at Waddle & Swaddle, and if you decide to add to your stroller family, they have a 15% off coupon in Berkeley’s Guide to the Good Life booklet and a 10% off coupon on their website.
Also have the Graco SnugRider for doctor office visits, etc. and a DuoGlider from Nannying sitting unused in the garage. Hmm…and I want a Mac for once kiddo is out of the carseat. I may have an addiction as well…heheh.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I’m partial to my “Combi Double Stroller” because it’s held up to many years of abuse. My kids are grown now but I still use it to cart my little niece and nephew around. I don’t fall prey to the strollers that the hollywood stars use (bugaboo) because…well…I’m just not that trendy. Plus, I can’t afford it…lol.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:28 am
[...] before I buy. After having too many baby carriers to justify buying another one and being burned by one too many strollers, I am lucky to have a network of friends in my mom’s groups so I could take these items for a [...]