General discussion - Mom and Dad Esq.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
We have a double stroller and do not even try to use it anymore. It's so big that it's hard to get in our (not-small) car. And we don't want to use it in our 'hood because the ground is not flat and the stroller threatens to take off on you on a slope -- fully loaded, the weight is considerable, so the spectre of inertia* really keeps you on your toes. (Perhaps my kids are lineman-sized, but so are yours.) By my lights, if I'm trying to transport both kids, I'd rather have one in a backpack and the other in a single stroller. Or lately we've also been using a Radio Flyer wagon.

* Originally one of Atticus's socks, I think.

I suggest looking for this feature in your next stroller:

"Locking caliper brakes and safety leash keep driver in control"

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
I suggest looking for this feature in your next stroller:

"Locking caliper brakes and safety leash keep driver in control"

"Safety leash ensures lightweight drivers won't miss any of the downhill fun."

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
"Safety leash ensures lightweight drivers won't miss any of the downhill fun."

Hint: walk baby THEN start drinking

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
We have a double stroller and do not even try to use it anymore....

I'm in Houston: we do not have hills, unless you count curbs or dead armadillos.

While #2 is small, I will try to use a single and the Bjorn where practical (but after about 18lbs, it kills my back, so its use is limited) or a single and a baby leash for #1 (yes, I'm mean like that).

And how does one fit groceries in the cart with a kid in the seat and a baby bucket in the main part of the cart? Eat less? Shop more often? Order in?

On an unrelated note, I have a mama raccoon and 6 adorable babies noshing on my back porchat this very moment. They like leftovers. And apple cores. And the 3lbs of cat food I left for them. I am such a sucker.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Hint: walk baby THEN start drinking

You clearly don't know my kids.

[tmdiva]

Originally posted by TexLex
And how does one fit groceries in the cart with a kid in the seat and a baby bucket in the main part of the cart? Eat less? Shop more often? Order in?

On an unrelated note, I have a mama raccoon and 6 adorable babies noshing on my back porchat this very moment. They like leftovers. And apple cores. And the 3lbs of cat food I left for them. I am such a sucker.

Take turns doing grocery shopping after the kids are down. Even with only one, we do that quite a bit. We also have organic produce and milk delivered.

tm

Originally posted by tmdiva
Take turns doing grocery shopping after the kids are down. Even with only one, we do that quite a bit. We also have organic produce and milk delivered.

tm

Mr. Lex is not permitted to go to the grocery store unsupervised unless I am desperate (admittedly, this will soon be more often than now), so this translates into "have your mom over more often." That works too.

I saw a woman at Kroger the other day with 4 kids - approx ages 5, 4, 3, 2. That takes strength. Or a couple of strong drinks before leaving the house.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by TexLex
Mr. Lex is not permitted to go to the grocery store unsupervised unless I am desperate (admittedly, this will soon be more often than now), so this translates into "have your mom over more often." That works too.

I saw a woman at Kroger the other day with 4 kids - approx ages 5, 4, 3, 2. That takes strength. Or a couple of strong drinks before leaving the house.

If you can't have the infant in anything smaller than the entire bucket (on the back?), either hire a babysitter one afternoon a week for errand-running or make it a family event to go to the store.

[soup sandwich]

Originally posted by TexLex
Mr. Lex is not permitted to go to the grocery store unsupervised unless I am desperate (admittedly, this will soon be more often than now), so this translates into "have your mom over more often." That works too.

I saw a woman at Kroger the other day with 4 kids - approx ages 5, 4, 3, 2. That takes strength. Or a couple of strong drinks before leaving the house.

Hmmm, I also am not allowed to go the grocery store. I've never really asked why because I don't mind being banned from shopping.

Regarding shopping with a toddler and a baby, I suggest using one of those shopping carts that looks like a car: two seats in front of a normal looking shopping cart (very popular with the under-5 set).

Belt #1 into a seat in front, strap #2 in their car seat into area of the cart where kids usually sit. Sure, #1 will escape from time to time, but you still will be able to shop in short 2 minute bursts in between corralling #1 back into their seat.

Originally posted by soup sandwich
Hmmm, I also am not allowed to go the grocery store.

Same reason he's not permitted to go to Best Buy - he comes home with a bunch of stuff we don't need and ends up spending way too much.

Originally posted by soup sandwich
I suggest using one of those shopping carts that looks like a car.

We have these at our store - they seem bulky, but if they do the trick....

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by soup sandwich
Hmmm, I also am not allowed to go the grocery store. I've never really asked why because I don't mind being banned from shopping.

Young newlyweds are new to town and looking to join a church, so they meet with the pastor. Pastor says, "We have a very strict moral code, and cannot tolerate vice. Only if you can refrain from fornicating for three weeks do you have the discipline for salvation. If you can, you are welcome in our spiritual community." Newlyweds exchange pained looks but agree to abstain.

They report back after one week. "Have you been able to avoid the temptation of sin?" "Yes, Pastor." "Come back next week, then, and in the meantime do not indulge your base bodily urges."

They report back again the second week. "Have you successfully avoided the sin of carnality?" "Well, yes, Pastor, but it's been very difficult." "Very good. Come back next week, and avoid the pleasures of the flesh until then."

Third week, they report again. "Have you succeeded in avoiding the sin of lust?" "Well, Pastor, the other day my wife dropped a can of tomatoes on the floor, and when she bent over to pick it up, I just couldn't control myself and I took her then and there."

The Pastor clucks disapprovingly. "Then I am sorry to say you're not welcome here."

"Funny thing, Pastor --- that's what they told us at Safeway, too!"

[andViolins]

Originally posted by TexLex
Mr. Lex is not permitted to go to the grocery store unsupervised unless I am desperate (admittedly, this will soon be more often than now), so this translates into "have your mom over more often." That works too.

I saw a woman at Kroger the other day with 4 kids - approx ages 5, 4, 3, 2. That takes strength. Or a couple of strong drinks before leaving the house.

When your kids are older (I think the minimum age is 4 - at least at the supermarket here) the food gods created an inhouse daycare center for you. Well, at least they did here at the Giant Eagle brand grocery stores. It has video games, tv, toys and even crafts to keep the kids entertained while you shop. It is a very, very good thing indeed.

aV

[OscarCrease]

Combi has a side by side double that will fit through a standard doorway; is very quick and easy to break down and not super heavy. It's pretty well balanced, I can put the 5 yr. old next to the 10 mo. old and it doesn't spin; although it is very tough to steer one handed when there is a big weight differential between the passengers. With the 2 yr. old and the 10 mo. old it's no problem. I think it has considerably less mass then the Graco.

With respect to shopping; I think I recall that all Lexlings are 10+ pounds either at birth or within 5 to ten minutes; i.e. Bjorn sized at birth. Can't you put the newborn in the Bjorn; middle child in the kid seat and let oldest walk and/or hang off side of cart?

I tried the backpack once for shopping except that while I was looking at one side of the aisle, my passenger was able to reach the shelving on the opposite side and dropped a half dozen glass pickle jars from the top shelf...MMMmmm, pickle juice.

Originally posted by OscarCrease
Can't you put the newborn in the Bjorn; middle child in the kid seat and let oldest walk and/or hang off side of cart?

Thanks, and yes, they are rather large, but there will only be 2 in the immediate future, unless Mr. Lex has some 'fessing up to do. Yikes! - We will need to survive #2 before even considering moving on to produce #3.

[mommylawyer]

Originally posted by TexLex
I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to need a double stroller if I intend to leave the house in the next couple years. Anyone have any comments? I think a side-by-side is out, since I will have a big baby and a (relatively) little one and don't want it to go in circles. That monstrosity, the Graco Duoglider, seems to be the most populer, but I'd prefer something lighter/less bulky, if possible. I'm not sure what I want exists. Anyone?

BTW, #2 appears to be measuring bigger than the Lexling for the same age (ie. already 6lbs at 32w). Thank god for c-sections.

I have 2 munchkins, age 2 and 3 and I LOVE my Maclaren twin traveller - in fact it is my 3rd double and i wish i had it the day #2 was born. It fits easily through standard doorways, its easy to open and close (automatic locking), fits in the trunk of my old (read small) honda accord. I am almost 6 ft and DH is a half foot plus taller than I and is comfortable pushing it, it has the 2 handles angled inward so your shoulders don't get all out of wack too. It ain't cheap (I found it on the net for $350 with free shipping) but it has been a god-send. nice sturdy wheels for both city (has handled NYC/Boston/DC and Barcelona) and mall walking and the seats are high enough so that my long children still can't drag their feet on the ground...ruining their expensive shoes and slowing me down). It has 5 point strap and head support and duo positions in each seat so it can accommodate both newborns and toddlers (my best friend has a 2 year old and a 3 month old). Its not light - i'd say about 23lbs or so, but its definitely worth it to me. I travel with my kids a lot and I won't go anywhere without it...don't get me started on how un-child friendly airports and airlines are...grrr.....

good luck in you choice

ml