Back to the stroller thing!

You may recall several months ago, I wrote a post about strollers and what I wish I had known about them before we had kids. Now... we've recently invested in two new strollers, and I am LOVING both of them, so I thought I'd share with you my choices, and why I love them so much!

The first purchase was a new umbrella stroller... the Bumbleride Flight (in trendy 'seagrass').  I am loving this stroller for a few reasons... A. it takes my Graco car seat, B. its super easy to fold up and cart around, C. it fits my newborn, but also my big boy (until he's 5ish), and D. it came with all the necessary accessories: raincover, car seat adapter, cup holder.

I bought mine on ebay, and it was delivered to my door within 5 days. It was MUCH cheaper that what is retailing at in Canada (which is about $250). We took this baby to Florida with us, and it was great for flying with... the one handed fold down and pick up maneuver was so handy, plus it comes with a shoulder strap if you need to sling it over your arm at any point. PC and I both enjoyed pushing it, and I love that it will grow with our family. I plan to have this stroller until my youngest is 5 or 6, and I bet it will still be in great condition once he's done with it.

The one drawback I would say is that it doesn't have a humungo sun canopy, but I have the universal UV net and that works like a charm.  So all in all... its fabulous!

The second investment we've made is a double stroller... The City Select Baby Jogger. I am also in love with this stroller. It was recommended to me by a friend (shout out to Terri), who also had two kiddies the same ages as mine, and she said it was hands down the best purchase she's made. I did my homework and researched the heck out it, and concluded the same. We've had it for over a month now and I call it my freedom stroller, as it allows me to go out and about with my two boys by myself and not have to worry that my 2 y/o will run away on me, or that my newborn will be uncomfortable or unable to fall asleep enroute to our destination!

This stroller rocks (in my opinion) because when its just me and H here, I can go out and about with him... but if I have E and H with me, it easily... let me repeat, EASILY, turns into a double stroller. This stroller is easy to push, easy to maneuver, and easy to get into your trunk!

The single best feature (again, in my opinion) is the humungo (yes, I said humungo TWICE in the same post) ... the humungo (three times now!) basket in the bottom of the stroller. It can be accessed from all sides, it unzips, expands... it ROCKS! 

I also love it as a double stroller because it has so many options for how the boys can sit... facing each other, facing forward, backward, inward, outward... it can accommodate their moods while continuing to be functional! The sun canopies give great coverage for both boys... and the handle easily adjusts for taller people to push it (like PC).

My only regret about this stroller is that I didn't know about it when I had my first son! This stroller, although an investment, would have saved us the nuisance of collecting and storing strollers as a hobby! It has really been the best stroller we've come across, and I know that I will also have it for quite a few years, and when we're done with it, I think we will be able to recoup some of our costs as it is well made and will serve another growing family like ours!

The good news now is that we are finally done buying strollers... and we are so happy with our final purchases! If you're an expecting parent and are having trouble deciding what stroller to purchase.... do your research (watch reivews of your stroller choices on YouTube) and save yourself some money in the long run by purchasing the right stroller first!

Here are just a few pics of our City Select in action from the past weekend!

Single Stroller vs. Double Stroller: Advice for New Parents

Strollers, strollers, strollers... so many different brands, options, uses. My biggest regret from my first pregnancy was not researching strollers enough. I basically walked into Toys R Us one day after work, saw one that had Polka Dots on it and said 'that's the one I want'.  And 6 months later, my parents bought it for us as a gift for the baby.  It was a Graco travel system and worked well for us for E.  I love the snap and go travel system but it is bulky to load and unload and takes up a lot of space, and isn't the easiest thing to steer.  However, we love love love the car seat and its a bit oversized, so E had not problem using that car seat for his entire first year. He didn't grow out of it until he was over a year old (14 months to be exact), and the functionality of snapping the car seat into the stroller was awesome (and still is as I am using it with H now).

However... while the travel system was great for the newborn phase, when we stopped lugging the snap and go car seat around and started taking E in and out of his car seat, the stroller portion of that system wasn't as ideal. We soon went to the Baby Trend jogging stroller and I really love that stroller.  It was also a gift from PC's parents and we have definitely gotten a lot of use out of it, but again its fairly big to load and unload and takes up a good portion of the trunk.  Not ideal for long road trips if you have a lot of other luggage and baggage to use but is good for all terrains and was great for going to the park and just walking in general with it, such a smooth ride. 

In addition to those two strollers, we went out and bought a middle of the pack umbrella stroller... it was also a Graco and folded compactly but had a good recline on it and a nice size sun canopy... it was around $130 and we honestly used it a lot with E, especially between 9 and 18 months. I would say we wore that stroller down, the wheels are pretty beat up and over time the steering has become difficult, but because its so compact, its the stroller I love to take with me, because I can always have it in my car, if I need it, but can also SHOP SHOP SHOP without any problems.

SO... if you've kept count, we have 3 strollers, the travel system, a jogging stroller, and an umbrella stroller.  While all of these strollers have there uses, what each of them does not accommodate is a SECOND CHILD.  What was I thinking? I can tell you I wasn't thinking of a second child needing a stroller while my first child was still using one! If I had done my research and thought more about it, I would have put my money into a stroller that you could easily buy a second seat for or a car seat that was compatible with a double stroller, etc.

Our Baby Trend jogging stroller, now has a version with a matching car seat and then you can also buy the Sit N' Stand platform stroller that the car seat works with and it provides a place for your toddler to ride on.  It would have been an ideal purchase from the get-go, but now that we have all of these other strollers already in our possession it seems like a bit of a waste if we aren't having any more kids.

Now... that we have two kids, I am on the hunt for a double stroller, but I can't decide between a compact umbrella stroller (like the Maclaren Twin Techno), or sit n' stand platform type stroller.  E is at the point where he will most likely want to walk for a good part of our outings, which is great when PC and I are out together with them, but when its just me on my own I want something I know I can put them both in there seats and they'll be controlled and not running out to play in traffic!  I also am torn between having a spot for E to ride in vs. having a place for him to lay down and nap.  Take for example our trip to Florida, if we go out for the day, he is still napping and would most likely fall asleep but with a Sit N' Stand platform, he can only sit and ride not rest. A double umbrella stroller would allow him a place to sit and to rest. 

The other dilemma is that I am wondering how long E will be in the phase where he would actually sleep in a stroller. Do I buy the double umbrella stroller that's only good to use for a year or less, only to have to go out and get the platform stroller for the later years? I know it I buy a good double umbrella stroller, I can probably re-sell it, especially if we only use it for 9 months, but its the all the wondering if its even worth it to buy it in the first place.

Then... once E is old enough to not need a place to rest or ride, I will be back to needing a decent single umbrella stroller... which if you remember from above our single umbrella stroller is DONE.

Honestly, strollers are my worst nightmare lately. And reading online about traveling with a newborn and a toddler isn't helping either as many people are staying to put the baby in a carrier or a sling on you, and take a single umbrella stroller for your toddler - if he doesn't want to ride in it, you can use it for the newborn - which seems like a great plan, except I will want to get a new single umbrella stroller!

If you managed to stay engage this far down in the post, I would say my advice to new parents would be to invest in a decent multipurpose stroller that has room to grow with you.  You can upsize it when you have the need for two kids, and down size it when you only need it for one child. I think while big bulky strollers are comfy and very useful for your everyday neighborhood outings, they aren't good for long trips where cargo space is limited, so you will most likely need a good umbrella stroller too.

If you've had a similar experience with strollers or have found the perfect solution to not owning enough strollers to start my own store, please let me know. I would love some help in figuring out which investment to make before investing my life savings in strollers!

The Sequel's New Room

The last few weeks I have been busy (as has PC) preparing The Sequel's room. You may recall a post I wrote about being the baby of the family, and how I wanted to do a little make-over on the nursery so that it was special and unique for the new baby. At the very mention of this, PC rolled his eyes, but actually he was quite relieved when the only thing I requested him to do was paint one wall.

In E's nursery we had a green accent wall, and for The Sequel I wanted to do the accent wall blue - so PC got to work and in no time at all it was a totally different room with just two coats of new paint on one wall.

I added in the new baby bedding I ordered from Target (shout to my BFF Bee for sending it to me), with some wall decals from All Posters.ca and with that, The Sequel's new room is now ready to roll.

All we need now is... The Sequel!

Hopefully it won't be much longer, but for your viewing pleasure, here is what he is coming home too!

Top 5 Tuesday: Useful Gear for Babies!

I have decided to start a little tradition here... to*try* and do a Top 5 list every week. I am not exactly sure where this going to go... but I am struggling lately to keep the blog up and running and often I don't have the time in a day to flush out a great post, so I thought an idea like this might take the pressure off of me, if I already know what I am going to write about every Monday!

This week... I'd like to share with you my Top 5 great baby items. I know I stumbled upon a list similar to this when I was pregnant and thought that recommendations from other Moms went a long way when I was shopping ... so here a gift from me to you, new Moms or Mommy-to-be's!

This top 5 list consists of things I used with my baby boy, and things I consider useful accessories or items to help make your day to day activities with your baby easier and fun!

• 1. Moby Wrap... I blogged about this at the end of last year but I still stand by my recommendation. I borrowed a Moby wrap from a cousin of PC (shout out to Sarah) just after E was born, and my life changed for the better. I got my sanity back when I was able to get a few things done around the house while E was comfortably sleeping on me in the Moby. I used it daily for the first four months, and recently I have used it with E to carry him around my hip the days he needs a little extra Mommy attention. The Moby looks a little overwhelming as it is such a long piece of material, but it is SUPER easy to use and it goes in the washing machine for a quick clean.
  

• 2. J.J Cole Travel Blanket... this is a must-have for me. I was given this item as a gift and I thought it was just a blanket, but I quickly discovered that its HUGE, yet it folds up to nothing, with a shoulder strap and is really light weight. It is easy to take ANYWHERE, and can be wiped clean with a baby wipe. Sand and dirt does not stick to it like a heavy wool blanket... and the best part is, it looks super fashionable when you open it up at the park. It's reasonably priced, and I know I will use it for many outings with E in the future too.

• 3. Travel Booster/Highchair Seat... this is another must have for me. When going out to eat with a little one, it is always a concern how clean the restaurant high-chairs really are... or if the restaurant even has suitable seating for an infant. We have the Fisher Price one... and it comes in handy when eating out at restaurants or at relatives or friends houses. I would even go as far to say that if you don't want to spend the money on a full service high-chair, you could easily get away with using the travel booster seat at home for your main infant feeding chair... and the best part is, you don't have the annoyances of storing or dust around a big high chair - and it comes with all of the dishwasher safe washable trays.

• 4. Gagou Tagou Hooded Towels... I received a few different versions of the hooded towel when I was expecting, but I have to say that the Gagou Tagou one is by far the best I have used with E. The towel actually absorbs the water and drys the baby off, and is much thicker than the cheaper versions. You can't beat the cuteness factor either... and these towels are big enough that they can be used with the baby for a few years!

• 5. Fisher Price Little Super Star Stage... E received this a gift for Easter from this grandparents, and it has been a staple piece of entertainment in his day. This toy really taught him how to sit up unsupported, and now it helps him master standing. The music is cute, and not annoying like some toys. Since April we have not replaced the batteries once, and we leave it all the time. E LOVES to dance to the songs, wiggle his little head... and I know in the years to come, he will be using the fake microphone to practice up for Canadian Idol!

There you have it! My first installment of Top 5 Tuesdays! I hope you enjoyed it! Now... the only challenge is what should Top 5 list should I do for next week? Any suggestions?

Is this your nursery?

Last week... I put E down for a nap in the afternoon and I took the monitor downstairs with me. As I was cleaning up the kitchen I noticed some static on the monitor so I hit the video button on it to see what he was doing.

To my surprise, there was a two second flash of some other nursery. I knew this because E has a white crib, and this crib was clearly dark wood... and we have our camera so that you can see a close up of his face... and this nursery had more of full crib view.

I was totally creeped out. When I hit the button again, it was E, sleeping peacefully. I thought to myself that maybe that is was a pre-loaded standard nursery picture that comes on the monitor when you buy it, but since we've had our monitor for 9 months, and I had never seen this picture before I didn't stick with that story long. I tried to put it out of my mind but then it happened again.

We have a colour monitor and this time I noticed bright green nursery walls, and a white mobile hanging over the crib. The crib mattress is much lower than E's... so I said to myself, it has to be a baby that is older than him, as his mattress is still on the highest level.

I started fooling around with the channels on the monitor, but there are only two and when I switched the monitor to the other channel, I got a clearer view of this nursery. I committed myself to not going back to that channel... and thought this would be the end of it.

But the other night, I got up in the middle of the night to pee, and when I was getting back into bed, I noticed the lights on the monitor meaning E was either up or making some noise of some sort. In my sleepiness I went to turn the volume up and hit the wrong button ... which is when I saw a BABY in the other nursery rolling around and making some NOISE!

I immediately snapped out of it and woke right up, as I wanted to see if I recognized this baby as one of my neighbours... and then I could easily talk to them and try to figure out if we could get this channel situation figured out - but of course I didn't (not that I got a very good look at this baby's face), so now I have this view into some random nursery that could be in our neighbourhood, or could be some freaky sci-fi or Will Smith Enemy of the State movie in the making.

I have these fears that I am going to see this nursery and see this baby either trying to climb out of the crib or doing something really dangerous ... it will unfold right in front of me and I will be helpless as I won't know whose damn baby it is, and where the heck to send my 911 call for help.

A bit extreme? Perhaps... but the even creepier part for me is that, if I can see into this nursery, does this mean the video monitor owners on the other end have seen E from their side?

Ahhhhhhhh!
The video monitor might just have to go, if that's the case!

Moby heaven!

I have been meaning to write this post for a while now... but of course needed a photo to go with it (and since my in house photographer is usually reffing or working, its been a real challenge to remember to have him take a photo when he is home!).

Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape or form getting paid or being given anything to write this post.

I, Sara Coleman, have fallen in love with the Moby Wrap.

If you are a new Mom out there... and you will be by yourself for much of your mat. leave, I encourage you to invest in a Moby Wrap... it will change your life (as a Mom).

I was going a little insane prior to my discovery of the Moby. PC's cousin kindly offered to bring me her wrap to try (shout out to Sarah)... and from the moment she left it with me (and gave me a quick crash course in using it) - I have been in heaven.

E is a baby that likes to be held a lot and likes to be on the move. If you are sitting still with him, he is not your friend! The first two weeks of being with him on my own, I thought there was never going to be time for me to do things around the house, wash a few dishes, or even make a piece of toast. Anything that required two hands seems out of the question... but enter the Moby Wrap and my world has changed completely.

If E won't go down for a nap in his crib or the playpen, I simply wrap myself up in the Moby, put him in it, and he is is so snug and secure that I can do anything from laundry to make lunch, wrap presents, check email, EVEN blog!

It has been amazing... the best thing is that within 5 minutes of putting E in the Moby, he is sleeping, and I am free to go about my business while still having that bonding time with him. He absolutely loves it.

See:
The best thing about the Moby is that it comes with an instruction book about how to wrap yourself up... and there are many different ways you can do it, so as your baby grows and his/her favorite positions change, the Moby can change too!

I swear you won't be disappointed. I love the Moby so much, I have decided to make it a shower gift for close friends, as I think they absolutely need to have it. I've ordered a few from Parenting by Nature... and can't wait to get them.

Have you used or heard of the Moby Wrap before? Do you love it just as much as me...?

Presenting... Baby Coleman's Bedroom Suite!

Well... its been a few months in the making... but Baby Coleman's gender neutral room is finally ready for its reveal.

I have to say this was a joint effort between PC and I... my ideas, but he had to carry out the majority of the work and installation. He painted the walls and assembled the furniture, while I wore the white hat and carried the bull horn!

I am very happy with how it turned out... and I hope Baby Coleman loves it just as much as I do!

Now... the moment you've all been waiting for:

Ridin' in Style!

Thanks to my Mom and Dad, Baby C will be riding in style! My parents bought us our travel system, stroller & car seat combo.... it was delivered last week via Puralator and PC assembled it on Monday night, and so we have been practicing rolling it around the house, sans Baby C!

I have to say, its pretty slick... its big and roomy, and the car seat fits right into the top of it, and it rooooooooolls rather nicely!

I was commenting to PC last night that if the baby came tomorrow at least we would have something to bring him/her home in... of course we wouldn't have a room for him/her to sleep in, but we could just stay up all night strolling around the neighbourhood in our new travel system!

Thanks Mom & Dad, greatly appreciated... we know Baby C will be very happy in the new ride!