Preggo stuff, Baby Stuff, Toddler Stuff...post your best finds here!!

[Blenheim]

Pumps - I have a Medela PIS and it''s worked pretty well. I know that multiple users is supposed to present a health risk and void the warranty, but honestly I don''t see too much of a difference between using a good trusted disease-free friend''s hand-me-down versus one person using the same pump on kiddo #s 1 and 2?? I don''t know if I''m missing something though.

What I was told (not by an LC, but by my midwife) was to start pumping at 2-3 weeks and try to introduce a bottle around 3-4 weeks, as long as BFing seems well established. This was for going back to work at 6 weeks, FWIW.

Phil and Ted - Love the concept, but even with the new adjustable handlebars I keep kicking the wheels.

I''m not sure that it''s really made for a taller person, unless they have ape arms like my DH. I''ve read reviews saying that the wheels are an issue, and I know that the display in the store that we looked at had flat tires. The owner of the store said that when they started stocking replacement wheels they were sold out within days. I''m not sure if Curly also had wheel problems? But other than the tires it seems like everyone who has one loves it.

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/2/2009 11:16:36 PM
Author: neatfreak
Jcrow I know Pandora had strong opinions on the Bee. Might have even bought one? If she doesn''t chime in here might want to page her on the newborn thread.

hum, for some reason i thought she had a stokke stroller. will look back and see. thanks!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/2/2009 11:22:24 PM
Author: jcrow

Date: 12/2/2009 11:16:36 PM

Author: neatfreak

Jcrow I know Pandora had strong opinions on the Bee. Might have even bought one? If she doesn''t chime in here might want to page her on the newborn thread.

hum, for some reason i thought she had a stokke stroller. will look back and see. thanks!

Hehe well many of us have multiple strollers! I know she at least seriously considered the bee. Not sure if she has it in addition to her stokke stroller too.

 

[Mara]

jcrow i was interested in the bee since we could get it through greg''s work rewards program for free. i loved the small footprint. we ended up nixing it because of one thing... almost everyone seemed to complain about the seat insert. so where the kid sits...there are apparently like these wings on the seat insert which comes in handy for when they are smaller but if you have a child that grows quickly or a big kid in general, apparently they can grow out of the bee really quickly. some parents were saying their kids outgrew the seat because of the insert within a year. and apparently if the kids are too tall they bump heads on the canopy. so for a $500 stroller i thought well we should be able to use it more than a year. and given that greg and i are both tall and were both long babies and over 8 lbs i don''t think we will have a wee child. hehe.

check out the valco latitude also, it''s down to that one and the city jogger mini for us but i like the valco latitude better i think.

 

[jcrow]

well crud! i really like the bee. hurmp.

i haven''t checked out the valco latitude. i did see it today at the store though. will have to give it a go next time we''re in there.

 

[jcrow]

ok, after a bit more research, it looks like the new model of the bee will have improvements like the seat having an adjustable height and adjustable width so that it kinda grows with your child. and those wings are gone. and of less importance, you can change out the canopy for different color options like the cameleon. it also looks like the new model might be more pricey and it's called the bee plus.

 

[NovemberBride]

Jcrow,

If you are interested in the Bugaboo, check out the Uppababy Vista. I was set on getting a Bugaboo until I tried the Uppababy. It has all the features of the Bugaboo and more (plus, all the accessories are included instead of being an additional cost with Bugaboo). For example, the Uppapaby folds in one piece, where on the Bugaboo you have to take the seat off to fold it. After doing it a few times with the baby, I am happy to have one less step. Also, the Uppababy has an adjustable handlebar, which only the Bugaboo Chameleon has (Bee and Frog only have one height). This is great for us since I am 5''2 and DH is 6''3. Another thing I like about this stroller is that the baby is high up. So I am not bending way over to put her in or take her out, and when we are at a restaurant I can pull her up to the table and she''s eye level for me.

I am loving this stroller so far. I know a lot of people say you don''t need one of these fancy strollers unless you live in the city, but we live in the suburbs and I love it. I almost went the route of just getting a snap n'' go and then an umbrella stroller for when she''s older, but I am so glad I didn''t. I enjoy taking long walks with the baby and we live in an older town, so the sidewalks are kind of awful. Olivia gets a very smooth ride in this stroller and I can''t imagine taking our walks with the snap n'' go. I will probably still get an umbrella stroller when she''s older, but for now I definitely think this stroller is worth it.

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/3/2009 12:24:42 PM
Author: NovemberBride
Jcrow,


If you are interested in the Bugaboo, check out the Uppababy Vista. I was set on getting a Bugaboo until I tried the Uppababy. It has all the features of the Bugaboo and more (plus, all the accessories are included instead of being an additional cost with Bugaboo). For example, the Uppapaby folds in one piece, where on the Bugaboo you have to take the seat off to fold it. After doing it a few times with the baby, I am happy to have one less step. Also, the Uppababy has an adjustable handlebar, which only the Bugaboo Chameleon has (Bee and Frog only have one height). This is great for us since I am 5'2 and DH is 6'3. Another thing I like about this stroller is that the baby is high up. So I am not bending way over to put her in or take her out, and when we are at a restaurant I can pull her up to the table and she's eye level for me.


I am loving this stroller so far. I know a lot of people say you don't need one of these fancy strollers unless you live in the city, but we live in the suburbs and I love it. I almost went the route of just getting a snap n' go and then an umbrella stroller for when she's older, but I am so glad I didn't. I enjoy taking long walks with the baby and we live in an older town, so the sidewalks are kind of awful. Olivia gets a very smooth ride in this stroller and I can't imagine taking our walks with the snap n' go. I will probably still get an umbrella stroller when she's older, but for now I definitely think this stroller is worth it.

hum, they must have made some revisions to the bee, because it does fold in one peice + has an adjustable handlebar. we have a height difference too - i'm pretty short 5' and hubs is 6' so it would be nice to have an adjustable handlebar. [that's one thing i don't like about the city mini we're considering. the handle bar was a little high for me WITH 4" heels.]

we looked at the uppababy, but it just seemed so big.

 

[Mara]

i have a problem with the big stroller footprints too ... but i have to say the vista is sweet. i have been walking between buildings at work back and forth a lot, and yesterday and today i saw the same stroller out, a vista and i really liked the look of it. and didn''t seem too big surprisingly. whereas like the bob''s i have seen seem monstrous to me.

i just don''t want to pay for anything that expensive for a stroller, mental block. the bee was just an option for us because it was free through greg''s work and i have no idea what we''ll do with those points otherwise. (prob a walmart card for diapers at this point!)

plus now that we got the A3 we need a stroller that fits in our trunk... so that''s why we are leaning towards the latitude. i saw a youtube video review, it seems to have everything we need, i like the way it looks and it fits in our trunk. plus it''s $249 in terracotta and black on albee baby.

 

[meresal]

Hey jcrow!!

Since you are sooooo far ahead of me in planning and we are all bogged down with this whole "house thing"... would you mind just sending me a list of your final purchases and decisions?

You're the best!!

I am absolutly not moving anywhere on baby decisions! It's hard to do, since when I imagine getting something or registering for anything, I immediately envision it sitting in the corner of our already stuffed apartment. Uggh.

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/3/2009 7:54:38 PM
Author: Mara
i have a problem with the big stroller footprints too ... but i have to say the vista is sweet. i have been walking between buildings at work back and forth a lot, and yesterday and today i saw the same stroller out, a vista and i really liked the look of it. and didn''t seem too big surprisingly. whereas like the bob''s i have seen seem monstrous to me.

i just don''t want to pay for anything that expensive for a stroller, mental block. the bee was just an option for us because it was free through greg''s work and i have no idea what we''ll do with those points otherwise. (prob a walmart card for diapers at this point!)

plus now that we got the A3 we need a stroller that fits in our trunk... so that''s why we are leaning towards the latitude. i saw a youtube video review, it seems to have everything we need, i like the way it looks and it fits in our trunk. plus it''s $249 in terracotta and black on albee baby.

maybe i looked at a big vista? not too sure. i just remember thinking it was big. bob''s seem big to me too. i think it''s those big wheels.

gosh, speaking of strollers... i dreamed ALL night about the bee. so weird.

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/3/2009 8:09:42 PM
Author: meresal
Hey jcrow!!


Since you are sooooo far ahead of me in planning and we are all bogged down with this whole ''house thing''... would you mind just sending me a list of your final purchases and decisions?

You''re the best!!


I am absolutly not moving anywhere on baby decisions! It''s hard to do, since when I imagine getting something or registering for anything, I immediately envision it sitting in the corner of our already stuffed apartment. Uggh.

it''s so funny, i thought i was nuts for starting to research and work on our registery so soon, but now i''m SO happy i did! i feel like i''m already running out of time! we have to transform our guest room into a baby room. which means emptying out several peices of furniture, praying we can stuff that stuff into boxes and shove them into closets, find a new dresser to buy, move our guest bed to the inlaws for now, and on and on and on. sigh.

but yeh, i think i have your email addy still, so if you don''t mind i''ll email you our registry. it''ll be easier that way! :]

 

[meresal]

Date: 12/3/2009 8:23:43 PM
Author: jcrow

Date: 12/3/2009 8:09:42 PM
Author: meresal
Hey jcrow!!


Since you are sooooo far ahead of me in planning and we are all bogged down with this whole ''house thing''... would you mind just sending me a list of your final purchases and decisions?

You''re the best!!


I am absolutly not moving anywhere on baby decisions! It''s hard to do, since when I imagine getting something or registering for anything, I immediately envision it sitting in the corner of our already stuffed apartment. Uggh.

it''s so funny, i thought i was nuts for starting to research and work on our registery so soon, but now i''m SO happy i did! i feel like i''m already running out of time! we have to transform our guest room into a baby room. which means emptying out several peices of furniture, praying we can stuff that stuff into boxes and shove them into closets, find a new dresser to buy, move our guest bed to the inlaws for now, and on and on and on. sigh.

but yeh, i think i have your email addy still, so if you don''t mind i''ll email you our registry. it''ll be easier that way! :]

J, you are so sweet! I''m going to start following your posts a bit more closely and make more notes. I have a few but they are scattered everywhere.

I actually went to our BRU 2 weeks ago on a day off, and we didn''t have a single stroller over the price of $250. I don''t think our area has the nicer ones, which really surprised me. I just need to find a "must have" list, and then search from there. The hard part is not even knowing where to start. Did you just start with the major things? Stroller, crib, etc... and will decide on the samller items as you get closer?

I''m admitting it... I''m so over my head. LOL.

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/3/2009 8:39:25 PM
Author: meresal

Date: 12/3/2009 8:23:43 PM

Author: jcrow

Date: 12/3/2009 8:09:42 PM

Author: meresal

Hey jcrow!!



Since you are sooooo far ahead of me in planning and we are all bogged down with this whole ''house thing''... would you mind just sending me a list of your final purchases and decisions?

You''re the best!!



I am absolutly not moving anywhere on baby decisions! It''s hard to do, since when I imagine getting something or registering for anything, I immediately envision it sitting in the corner of our already stuffed apartment. Uggh.

it''s so funny, i thought i was nuts for starting to research and work on our registery so soon, but now i''m SO happy i did! i feel like i''m already running out of time! we have to transform our guest room into a baby room. which means emptying out several peices of furniture, praying we can stuff that stuff into boxes and shove them into closets, find a new dresser to buy, move our guest bed to the inlaws for now, and on and on and on. sigh.


but yeh, i think i have your email addy still, so if you don''t mind i''ll email you our registry. it''ll be easier that way! :]

J, you are so sweet! I''m going to start following your posts a bit more closely and make more notes. I have a few but they are scattered everywhere.

I actually went to our BRU 2 weeks ago on a day off, and we didn''t have a single stroller over the price of $250. I don''t think our area has the nicer ones, which really surprised me. I just need to find a ''must have'' list, and then search from there. The hard part is not even knowing where to start. Did you just start with the major things? Stroller, crib, etc... and will decide on the samller items as you get closer?


I''m admitting it... I''m so over my head. LOL.

i just sent you a humungo email! really hope it helps. it took me SOOO long to wrap my brain around everything so i know exactly where you are coming from! been there myself! i did buy the baby bargains book. not sure i gained *that* much more knowledge than i''ve already gained here on ps. really ps has been a lifesaver! i went weeks [during my sick days!] going through this thread and the preggo thread over and over and over making lists and taking notes.

i think the hardest decision for us was *where* to register! there is only bru where my family is. plus they aren''t much for internet shopping. BUT, i figured heck they figured it out for our wedding, they can figure it out again

after much debate, we decided to register at buy buy baby. i''ve read that since it''s owned by bed bath & beyond, you can use the bbb coupons for purchases there. haven''t tried it though. they also have a 10% completion discount, which is nice. we were going to go the easy route and just register at babies r us, but every time i decided on an item, bru didn''t carry it. most of the time, they didn''t even carry the brand. i was frustrated more times than i can count with that happening, so i nixed babies r us pretty quickly.

the other place we considered was baby earth. what i liked about them was that many of the items were actually cheaper there! plus, they have an incentive program. something like getting $5 [for you and the buyer] for every $50 someone spends on your registry using your code. however, the code was complicated numbers and letters, and i just don''t see my family getting that.

what it boiled down to was compiling a list of all the things that were recommended. and most of those items could be found at buy buy baby, so that''s where we registered. i figured we can pick up odds and ends on our own. the big things [strollers, car seat, co-sleeper, babycook [which i really am looking forward to using!] were covered at bbb. so, bbb won.

 

[qtiekiki]

Aden & Anais 4 pack Swaddle Wrap are on sale for $24.98 at babiesrus.com (reg. price $39.99). They only have two patterns though.

 

[Mara]

thanks so much for posting that QT! the A&A wraps are the 47x47 size too.

i hate BRU''s website (so slow and crashes my IE at times!)...but i braved it and got 3 packs of the sage one (1 for me and 1 each for 2 preggo friends who i wanted to get the wraps for since moms seem to like them so much) and also i noticed that the Halo sleep sacks are buy one get one 50% off! so i got 2 for $30, YAY! and its free shipping over $100. WOOT!

oh and for anyone considering the eddie bauer bassinet--its normally like $150 and they have it in the clearance section for $99.

i love killing two birds with one stone. i was looking at halo deals for the last 2 days online and $15 is a great deal for one.

 

[Blenheim]

I just realized that I don''t think I''ve really mentioned the BabyHawk Mei Tai. It''s my favorite carrier, and I''d really recommend it. It can be used from newborn on up through 40 lbs. You can do a front carry, a hip carry, a regular back carry, or a high back carry in it (which is great if George wants to be able to see over my shoulders and look out). The front carry is still extremely comfortable with George currently at 19 lbs or so. It''s really easy for people of different sizes to use it as it''s much more easily adjustable than, say, the Ergo. It comes in a lot of cute patterns, and it''s also reversible in case dad doesn''t want to wear a cute pattern. If I could only get one carrier, it would be this one. The straps are less padded than the Ergo, though, so the Ergo''s still my go-to for really long walks.

 

[qtiekiki]

Mara
I was trying to rack up $100 to get the free shipping, but I couldn''t. At least I had a $15 gift card from before when I bought two packs of diapers from Meena, so I ended up paying $41 something for two packs of a&a. I got one for me and one for my preggo friend too.

Miracle Blankets are 10% off one, and 15% off two or more on their site. According to Tgal, they have that offer all the time, but you can use "MAMA12" for additional $5 off.

 

[neatfreak]

Mara Just so you know it seems like BRU is ALWAYS having a B1G1 50% for the halo sleepsacks. So don''t ever pay full price for one there because very likely they will be B1G1 the next week!

 

[fieryred33143]

Date: 12/4/2009 11:55:22 AM
Author: Blenheim
I just realized that I don''t think I''ve really mentioned the BabyHawk Mei Tai. It''s my favorite carrier, and I''d really recommend it. It can be used from newborn on up through 40 lbs. You can do a front carry, a hip carry, a regular back carry, or a high back carry in it (which is great if George wants to be able to see over my shoulders and look out). The front carry is still extremely comfortable with George currently at 19 lbs or so. It''s really easy for people of different sizes to use it as it''s much more easily adjustable than, say, the Ergo. It comes in a lot of cute patterns, and it''s also reversible in case dad doesn''t want to wear a cute pattern. If I could only get one carrier, it would be this one. The straps are less padded than the Ergo, though, so the Ergo''s still my go-to for really long walks.

Thanks for the rec Blen. I was looking into a Mei Tai. I still haven''t gotten a baby carrier (besides the Bjorn

).

 

[so cal girl]

I just wanted to chime in real quick and say we have the Bee and love it!

The size is perfect for us. I got a bit of cabin fever after being home for the first month, so I have spent a lot of time roaming the mall to get out of the house, and I love how the Bee manuevers in small spaces. None of the other strollers we tried would be able to get through tight aisles like the Bee does. And it folds up so well. Easy to do and super compact compared to others we looked at.

The other stroller we were seriously considering was the UppaBaby Vista. But, since we were able to get the Bee for $100 off, the Vista was a lot more expensive, and I couldn''t justify the cost. In the end, I think the Bee is a better fit for us. It had everything I was looking for: reversible seat, can fold with seat on, usable from birth, car seat adapter, smooth ride, huge sun canopy, and adjustable handlebar.

Since my DS is only 2 months old, we have mostly used the car seat attachment, but we have used the actual seat twice for day trips to Disneyland. He seemed pretty comfortable. Time will only tell how long it will take him to outgrow it.

We do also have a Bob for hikes and the beach. We got it used from a neighbor for a good price, otherwise I''m not sure we would have gotten it. It rides great, but it is bulky. Not sure I could use it as an only stroller ever. Both my mom and MIL will be taking care of DS when I go back to work, and I don''t know if I could force two 60 year old women to haul around a Bob with them.

Okay that was kind of rambling and took me forever, since my computer sucks, and I typed this all one-handed. But hopefully it gives you some more info on the Bee.

 

[meresal]

Jcrow- You are a true ANGEL!!!

Thank you so much for your email and such the wealth of info!!!

I'm headed out for the day, due to the weather, so if it makes it your way I hope that you all stay warm this weekend and have a good time at hubby's Christmas party!!

 

[lovinsparkles]

Anyone want to help a stroller newbie out with some basic questions? I'm working my way through this thread, but there's a lot there and it's slow going... Here are my basic questions:

1. Do I need more than one stroller? I want one that I can push easily on rugged sidewalks (and on icy winter sidewalks) since we will do a lot of outdoor walking. I also need something that I can get on the bus/train occasionally. I've heard good things about the BOB Revolution. Will such a stroller be sufficient or are there other reasons to have more than one? For example, I've heard about some that accomodate a car seat so that you don't have to wake the baby. That would be a separate stroller (a travel system?) than the BOB Revolution?

2. Are any strollers upgradeable to accomodate a second child? We are expecting one now, but *hopefully* will have a second bundle of joy in a couple years. I've read on here about the Phil and Ted's that I think you can add to for a second child. Are there others like that, or do most people just have to buy a new (dual) stroller when the time comes? (On that note, how long do kiddos sit in strollers for...maybe by the time the second comes, the first will be walking?? Can you tell I'm a first timer? LOL)

Thanks for any help/suggestions!

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/4/2009 1:39:57 PM
Author: meresal
Jcrow- You are a true ANGEL!!!

Thank you so much for your email and such the wealth of info!!!

I''m headed out for the day, due to the weather, so if it makes it your way I hope that you all stay warm this weekend and have a good time at hubby''s Christmas party!!

ohh, good! i''m glad you got it! i truly hope it helps! like i said, it''s a work in process!

ooohhhh and it''s SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i was totally jealous reading the houston thread, but it''s snowing here! it just started!!! i''ve never seen snow in the daylight!

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/4/2009 1:31:48 PM
Author: so cal girl
I just wanted to chime in real quick and say we have the Bee and love it!


The size is perfect for us. I got a bit of cabin fever after being home for the first month, so I have spent a lot of time roaming the mall to get out of the house, and I love how the Bee manuevers in small spaces. None of the other strollers we tried would be able to get through tight aisles like the Bee does. And it folds up so well. Easy to do and super compact compared to others we looked at.


The other stroller we were seriously considering was the UppaBaby Vista. But, since we were able to get the Bee for $100 off, the Vista was a lot more expensive, and I couldn''t justify the cost. In the end, I think the Bee is a better fit for us. It had everything I was looking for: reversible seat, can fold with seat on, usable from birth, car seat adapter, smooth ride, huge sun canopy, and adjustable handlebar.


Since my DS is only 2 months old, we have mostly used the car seat attachment, but we have used the actual seat twice for day trips to Disneyland. He seemed pretty comfortable. Time will only tell how long it will take him to outgrow it.


We do also have a Bob for hikes and the beach. We got it used from a neighbor for a good price, otherwise I''m not sure we would have gotten it. It rides great, but it is bulky. Not sure I could use it as an only stroller ever. Both my mom and MIL will be taking care of DS when I go back to work, and I don''t know if I could force two 60 year old women to haul around a Bob with them.


Okay that was kind of rambling and took me forever, since my computer sucks, and I typed this all one-handed. But hopefully it gives you some more info on the Bee.

thanks for your feedback! how did you score it for $100 off?? also, when the seat is reversed, does it fold down? or do you have to remove the seat? i know it folds down in one peice when the seat is facing outward.

 

[jcrow]

Date: 12/4/2009 1:42:16 PM
Author: lovinsparkles
Anyone want to help a stroller newbie out with some basic questions? I''m working my way through this thread, but there''s a lot there and it''s slow going... Here are my basic questions:


1. Do I need more than one stroller? I want one that I can push easily on rugged sidewalks (and on icy winter sidewalks) since we will do a lot of outdoor walking. I also need something that I can get on the bus/train occasionally. I''ve heard good things about the BOB Revolution. Will such a stroller be sufficient or are there other reasons to have more than one? For example, I''ve heard about some that accomodate a car seat so that you don''t have to wake the baby. That would be a separate stroller (a travel system?) than the BOB Revolution?


2. Are any strollers upgradeable to accomodate a second child? We are expecting one now, but *hopefully* will have a second bundle of joy in a couple years. I''ve read on here about the Phil and Ted''s that I think you can add to for a second child. Are there others like that, or do most people just have to buy a new (dual) stroller when the time comes? (On that note, how long do kiddos sit in strollers for...maybe by the time the second comes, the first will be walking?? Can you tell I''m a first timer? LOL)


Thanks for any help/suggestions!

#2 - look at the phil & ted. it''s start outs for one child and then has a seat you can add behind for a second child.

 

[PrettyBlues]

The Uppababy Vista also has a "rumble seat" that you can add on to it for more than one child. And would certainly work on more rugged terrain and icy/snowy sidewalks. It's a bigger stroller though, so don't know how much you would love to take it on a bus or train.

I'm new to this too, and still in the researching period, but it seems like it's almost impossible to get one stroller that is going to cover all of your needs. Right now I am looking at something like the Uppa or a Bob as my main walking stroller (and to deal with the same kind of terrain you mentioned) and a smaller umbrella type stroller for public transport, travel and small errands when it's too much of a pain to lug a big stroller around.

 

[lovinsparkles]

Date: 12/4/2009 2:02:02 PM
Author: PrettyBlues
The Uppababy Vista also has a ''rumble seat'' that you can add on to it for more than one child. And would certainly work on more rugged terrain and icy/snowy sidewalks. It''s a bigger stroller though, so don''t know how much you would love to take it on a bus or train.

I''m new to this too, and still in the researching period, but it seems like it''s almost impossible to get one stroller that is going to cover all of your needs. Right now I am looking at something like the Uppa or a Bob as my main walking stroller (and to deal with the same kind of terrain you mentioned) and a smaller umbrella type stroller for public transport, travel and small errands when it''s too much of a pain to lug a big stroller around.

Thanks PrettyBlues!

It looks like the Uppababy Vista rumble seat and the Phil and Ted''s are the two options for a later conversion to holding 2 kiddos. Good to know.

Also, thanks for the thoughts on needing 2 strollers. I agree it seems like a jogger like the BOB would meet my walking/terrain needs but a small/lightweight/easy-to-fold umbrella might be better for indoors errands and getting on/off public transport. Maybe that will be my plan, too.

It looks like I would still buy a separate car seat but with the BOB adapter could use that on the BOB stroller...I wonder if it''s a pain to convert it back and forth to fit the car seat or if it''s relatively quick and easy? Otherwise, could I potentially need a third stroller that would easily fit the car seat for errands? Yikes.

 

[so cal girl]

Date: 12/4/2009 1:54:34 PM
Author: jcrow


thanks for your feedback! how did you score it for $100 off?? also, when the seat is reversed, does it fold down? or do you have to remove the seat? i know it folds down in one peice when the seat is facing outward.

We got our stroller last year over Memorial Day weekend, and the store was having a sale. I think that was the only way I convinced my husband to get it. But now he loves it!

The stroller folds with the seat in either position, although it is a little more difficult to fold with the seat reversed. Still easier than most others I tried. It doesn''t really "lock" with the seat rear-facing, but it is still compact and easy to carry. I got it on and off the tram at Disney by myself, while the baby was in the Baby Bjorn, if that gives you any idea of how light it is.

 

[neatfreak]

Lovinsparkles: I woulds start with a snap n go stroller and then after a few months decide what type of mom you are and therefore what strollers you need. The SnG is amazing for the first few months and SO much cheaper and easier than a travel system stroller.

As for your later strollers many many moms love the Phil & Ted or Bob for the bigger stroller and a Maclaren for the lightweight one. No way in heck are you going to want to haul a Bob on public transit.