Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I Cannot Believe I'm Blogging About This!

My Head Is Going to Explode!

I know, you are thinking I have an awful headache. I don't. Well, I may be getting one. I feel so overwhelmed, and mostly just from shopping for a double stroller. Who would have thought that this is that time-consuming?!

Just so you know, double strollers come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and prices. You have the front/back ones, the side by side ones, and some that appear to be above/below! They range in price from the cheaper end (let's call them Hondas-they are well built and practical) to the outrageously expensive (think the Cadillac of strollers).

I really never, ever, EVER thought that I would write a post just about strollers. Particularly double strollers. But that is where I am at. Not that I wouldn't have it any other way, as it means our little man will be here soon. Thank you, God!

Back to strollers. I had originally planned on getting a Graco Quattro Tour Duo with matching carseat. It is probably a "Honda". I took Alice Nd went to BuyBuyBaby to try them out. I had read the reviews and my mind was set. I tested it out. We put a Snugride 35 in the front and wheeled around the store. I was sold. Then I folded it down. It was pretty big, and I wasn't about to try picking it up. But I was still sold.

Then I saw the Chicco next to it. A little bigger. Not really liking that. The lady shows me how to put the car seat in...the front seat folds down and viola the car seat goes in! Alice had a lot more room, and loved that she could see the car seat in plain view. I liked that too, but had visions of the babies socks/shoes being pulled off constantly, and being hit with sippy cups and Lord knows what else. I decided to go home and think about it.

We walked around the store looking at a few things (getting sippy cups and a refrigerator lock along the way) and then go back to the strollers. I wanted to write down prices, names, etc to do more research (and look online for cheaper!). That is when it happened. The best sales person ever!

She convinced me to look at the Baby Jogger City Mini. It is a side by side, which I didn't want because I was 1) afraid Alice would hit or throw things at the baby and 2) have a hard time getting through doors. The sales lady eased all of my worries. This baby folds in half, and you are left looking at it wondering how it could be a double stroller! The canopies are larger than any I have seen! I wouldn't have to buy a larger add on canopy. It moves like a dream. I couldn't believe I was pushing a double stroller! I could recline BOTH seats comfortably if needed. The downside...the price. It is on the higher end (in fact I have only seen one brand of stroller more expensive). This particular one is on clearance (making this a really time sensitive decision!) for right around $300. Of course, we'd have to purchase a car seat adapter (roughly $80-90), and any other accessories that we'd need. Like a cup/snack holder (most likely two eventually), and a cup holder for me. Granted, I don't NEED a cup holder, but I'd like one-especially for walks and stuff (or perhaps jogging one day!).

So I told Sean about it. He was turned off when I told him the price. Why get a stroller, when you could get a stroller and car seat for the same price? Then I explained that I'd we get the big, bulky stroller and I hardly ever use it, then we may as well just flush a few hundred dollars down the toilet. I'd rather purchase something that I will use, and hopefully for awhile to come. Of course, I say that now. Will I regret purchasing a stroller/accessories/car seat for about $600 and not regret it? Who knows?! I need to make my mind up soon. If I wait too long, I know the stroller will be gone or the price back up to astronomical highs!

2 comments:

HereWeGoAJen said...

You know, a lot of the time, I hear people say that the expensive strollers are worth it. I hear that a lot about the Phil and Ted's too, so you might want to look at those too.

Danifred said...

I'm not going to lie, I don't have a clue about strollers. Tot always refused to sit in one and by the time Bean came along, I just didn't care.