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This Saturday is a huge church tag sale that we've attended for the last two years, and we're making serious plans to attend this one. We have secured the aunt to babysit for Gabe, we are arriving early, and we are coming prepared with lists of items we need to purchase.
This year, you see, we are in need of a serious item- a double stroller.
I've mentioned before that Gabe is a really active kid, and I've done a few outings without a stroller in malls or short walks, but I still think we're going to need a double stroller to get us through the first 6 months to a year with the new baby. In the first few months, I hope to wear the baby while we're walking, but if this one grows at the rate of his or her big brother, that is going to be a short-lived plan.
So... advice please!
I am pretty flexible on what I'm looking for in a double stroller, so I'd love all suggestions. I just want it to be easy to push. I don't jog, but I do walk for longish periods of time. It would be nice if the stroller had bigger wheels since certain neighbors don't clear their sidewalks of snow when they are supposed to, but I guess I could push my single stroller that has bigger wheels on those days and hope the baby doesn't weigh that much.
I'm planning on going in with a list of double strollers, Josh and I will split up, and we'll try to find one of our top choices. Right now, I'm thinking about one of the Maclarens, or Mountain Buggy, or the Bob Duallie, or the Phil and Ted's. All completely different choices, so I can use all the advice I can get.
We're also looking for lots of "dino, dino, dino" toys, but that is a whole other story. Feel free to also give advice on dinosaurs, though, if you're so inclined.
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Update: Nothing, nil, nada. We couldn't find anything worth the money, and then I found out that a fantastic baby store was having a sidewalk sale and all their store model strollers were on super clearance, but of course we got there late because we were at the other sale and missed all the good deals. I'm so mad about it!
Anyway, I'm on the hunt on Craigslist and Ebay and hope I can find something decent sometime soon. At least I found a fabulous sling (this one), and maybe that'll get me through the first couple of winter months until I figure out this whole stroller thing. Ugh.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
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11 comments:
Have you looked on Craigslist?
ok, so with the double- don't bother with a Maclaren if you're planning on going on longish walks with it. I'd stick with something that has big enough wheels to deal with some off roading- BOBs are great, a jogging stroller with heavier duty wheels is also great. I love my phil and ted's (the E3), and the newer models have the features that I wish mine had, so bonus!
Regardless of what stroller you go with, the only thing you absolutely need is a stroller that drops flat (or flat enough to allow a newborn to ride in it) for the babe.
Let me know if you find anything good!!
I found Craigslist and eBay to be great places to look for stollers. I just purchased a double jogger and double umbrella (MacClaren) off eBay for half-price each, and both were barely used. I agree with Chatty's comment that whatever you end up with, just make sure one side can be independently laid flat to accommodate the infant. We felt we really needed a good travel stroller that folded up as small as possible as the airlines just aren't careful with those and we didn't want them to damage to the jogger during our many travels.
yeah, I have no idea what to look for, but wanted to stop in and say 'hello'.
--an old 'girl' friend
You nearly gave me a heart attack. From the title, I thought you were going to tell us you were having twins! The craigslist suggestion was a good one. Its great for items like these.
I have the Mountain Buggy Urban Single and love it, so I bet the Double is equally great. Of course, I saw it in the store and it looked HUGE. The Phil and Ted looks more reasonable, actually.
I had a double that I used for YEARS. My two were 22 months apart.
My best advice is DO NOT get a side by side, get the front to back type. Side by sides make for trouble in stores!
I had a really nice graco. But there are many many good brands
We've been through 3 doubles. But if you want something that would be good for going walking I'd say a jogger would be best.
The stroller we have now they don't make anymore but it's easy to fold, easy to push and pretty compact for a double. It's the umbrella tandum from Eddie Bauer. There might be a good used one out there somewhere.
One I loved but sold because the baby started touching the older one and made her scream and refuse to sit in the stroller. It was a combi side by side. This one is set up were both kids can lay down at the same time. The drawbacks, no cup holders, no storage.
I would definetly check craigslst you can usually score a great deal on the double jogger that's been hardly used.
There is an alternative if you're interested. You can get a little platform that goes on the back of an existing stroller. Gabe would be able to catch a ride standing up and holding onto the handles like you do. He could "help" you push the baby.
Hi, I'm completely coming out of "lurkdom" here... I have the Phil & Teds and LOVE it. I would highly recommend it!
I had originally purchased the Graco Duo Glider, which is an OK stroller but slightly hard to maneuver, but after spending a day at the zoo with a friend who had the Phil & Teds, I ran right home and ordered one on line!
The Phil & Teds is SO much easier to maneuver- I can hold open a door with one hand, rotate the stroller and steer it through with the other, or push 2 kids up a hill with a cup of coffee in one hand (important stuff!). Even now, as my kids are 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 and rapidly approaching the 40 lb. mark, I can still easily push them if I need to. These days it is mostly used as a single but I sometimes keep the back seat on for storage.
Anyway, it is a great stroller. Folds up pretty flat, easy to open and close, pretty lightweight, easy to maneuver, and can be used as a single or a double. The only drawback; I'm not sure how it would work as a double with an infant carrier (we got ours when the youngest was 4 about 5 months old).
Good luck :)
Jen
That's a gorgeous looking sling. Which color did you get?
I have the Graco Quattro double stroller. I also have the same one in single (from Sean). I have all Graco, that's why I went with that. Though, I'm possibly going to look soon for a double side by side stroller, instead of the one I have. Maybe before we leave to Florida, we'll see.
Good luck finding a stroller. My Graco one is supposed to be 20% smaller than all doubles out there on the marker, yet it only fits into my trunk UPSIDE DOWN! There must be something wrong. And imagine I didn't get this one and another one? Would it have even fit into my sedan's trunk? I drive a 4 door FAMILY car and can barely get a stroller to fit!
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