that post where i talk about strollers in new york city

we have owned six strollers since hugo was born.  yes.  it's true.  for those of you with (or without) kids, i'm sure you are gasping right now.  i mean, hugo is only a year old.  that means that we have a new stroller every other month right?  well...not quite.  we've ended up getting different kind of strollers for different transportation needs-and there's been a learning curve along the way (a lot of trading one stroller for another).  and only two of those strollers were purchased new (craigslist is amazing).  anyway.  currently we own three-but hopefully will only own two when all is said and done.

as many stroller brands as babies in this photo.  (captured during a cookie stop at levain bakery for the mamas)

in my defense-our stroller is my primary mode of transportation.  if i am leaving the house-the stroller is coming with me.  it is how i carry my groceries home, bring toys to the park, deliver meals to dinner parties or sick friends, and how i get hugo from point a to point b (it still take him about 10 minutes to walk a block).  we don't own a car so our stroller is how we get around and how we get our stuff around (think dry cleaning, trips to the drugstore, everything that might go in your trunk or backseat is going in the stroller basket).  it has to jump curbs, go through mud, water, into stores, elevators, escalators, and at times, up and down stairs.  it gets quite the beating.    

so-just for kicks, here's my list (and reviews) for all you who are just dying to know (feel free to stop now if you could care less-there is nothing personally interesting in this next section).

stroller #1-bugaboo cameleon (2007)-bought before the tyke was born.  LOVED this stroller.  bought it on craigslist with all the accessories included.  it was easy to push, compact enough for getting around the city, but still had enough storage to bring the groceries home.  super comfortable bassinet and seat that hugo slept in like a champ.  and the fact that he faced me-divine!  when you are out and about for long periods of time, nothing is more stressful than having to stop the stroller in the middle of the sidewalk and walk around to the front to quiet a crying baby.  with him facing me i could sing songs, give him snacks, and point out all the dogs along the way without losing a step.  which made a huge difference when we were out walking for long periods of time.  didn't take it out on outings that required me to take a bus or carry the stroller up and down subway stairs.  it was too heavy/bulky.  i probably could have carried it but just didn't quite feel comfortable.  this stroller was almost 5 years old and was still going strong-and we sold it on craigslist a year later for exactly what we bought it for.  thank you bugaboo for holding your value (not surprising given its fantastic parts).

stroller #2-b.o.b. ironman (2007)-bought this about 2 months after hugo was born when i was ready to start running again.  it was a fantastic stroller-super old and still in great shape.  but the fixed wheel was killing me.  if i was out for a run and wanted to stop at the grocery store on the way home i was stuck.  i couldn't turn in the aisles without taking out another shopper.  so while i loved this stroller (it was divine to run with-so fast and so easy to push) it had to go...craigslist again saved the day and i sold the bugger for what i bought it for.

stroller #3-b.o.b. revolution (2012)- bought this in the fall of 2012.  can i tell you how amazing this stroller is?  perfect for travel (folds like a dream), great on lots of surfaces (it saved our beach trips by hauling all our extra stuff for the baby through the sand), and the swivel wheel made it perfect for those errands i had to run on the way home from our runs.  not as much storage as the bugaboo-so if i was making a big trip-i usually waited until i had the cameleon.  but for running-i was in heaven.  it pushed just as well as the ironman with the bonus of being able to get around town if we needed it.  it was slightly too big for me to use it as a daily stroller-plus with the seat facing away from me and the slight "sag" that hugo did when sitting in it-it was definitely just a jogging/offroading/beach stroller.  sadly-this stroller is on craigslist now that we are going to have 2 babies.

stroller #4-unnamed umbrella stroller (2004)- this stroller was given to me to help me get through the airport when i was flying alone with hugo.  and what a life saver!  it wasn't pretty-nor very hardy.  but it got the job done and didn't break.  this stroller has since been passed on to another family who needed a travel stroller.

stroller #5 maclaren quest (2012)-this stroller has been a lifesaver for the last few months.  i can no longer carry hugo in the carrier when we go on buses/subway stops without elevators.  my pregnant belly just doesn't allow it.  but with this umbrella i can fold it up and carry hugo in one arm and this stroller in the other.  it's still a little bit of a schlep (i feel like all travel is hard at this stage)-but doable.  not to mention it lays down flat and has a little foot rest that comes up to keep our foot muff from dragging on the ground during the wintertime.  however- i have noticed that my back and hips hurt when i push this stroller.  i don't think it will be a problem once i am not pregnant.  but as soon as we got our next stroller (the bugaboo donkey) i noticed an immediate difference in my back and hips.  we'll be keeping the umbrella for those day trips where we need to take up less space (and bus trips).  i'll carry one kiddo and put the other in the stroller.  sounds a little crazy right?  yeah.  i think so too.  but such is life in the city.

stroller #6 bugaboo donkey (2011) - craigslist deal of the century.  seriously.  i'm still yet to use its double capabilities-but as a single stroller this is like the porsche of strollers.  seriously.  so easy to push, lots and LOTS of storage space.  and it pops curbs like nobody's business (which i actually was a little surprised about) i'm excited that my kiddos will be able to face me (so much easier to entertain them and teach them about the world around us) and my back and hips are no longer screaming in pain at night.  thank you bugaboo for saving my pregnant body from complete collapse.  i'm guessing this stroller will be my go to stroller for most trips.  once i can run again, i'm going to end up running with this baby too (i thought about the doublewide b.o.b.-but it's a joke-IT'S LIKE THE TITANIC OF STROLLERS!).  i'll let you know how that goes.

the end.  all you wanted to know about strollers (and more) in nyc.  oh the things that you become an expert in...!?