First there were 2. the Aria, beacuse it matched the car-seat I wanted and looked nice and lightweight, and the InStep Ultra, for jogging (since I jog…or have jogged, anyways) and to keep in my enclosure for neighborhood walks since I find dragging a stroller in and out of the trunk while holding a baby in my arms is a huge PITA and prefer to have a stoller just for this purpose. I know, I like things too easy!
Anyway. There were 2. Then I discovered that the Aria, though awesome with the car-seat, did not have good long term potential for me, due to the fact that when the car-seat is not used, the stroller on it’s own is so light that it tips over everytime I take Charlotte out of it, which I do often. The only way to avoid tipping is to never hang the diaper bag or any shopping bags or anything on the handle, which is not an option as I need to carry things and though the basket is generous, it is not generous to carry my diaper bag, my purse, outerwear, baby carrier, and any and all shopping bags I may fill on a given trip.
So the search for the perfect stroller began.
It started with the I’coo Pico, from Once upon a child. I loved this stroller because it is cute, sturdy, has a huge basket. However after a few days, I decided it was not quite right, since Charlotte cannot face me in it, and it does not steer well one handed (I often need a hand to hold onto the girl’s hand, or carry Charlotte).
So I found the I’coo Infinity (not online, no longer made) on Craigslist and got it. Almost perfect. This stroller looks great, faces rear or front, steers like a dream. Not perfect as it can be a bit tippy (not nearly as much as the Aria though), cannot carry the carrier car-seat (which I still like to use in the mall if it is raining or if Charlotte is sleeping in it…so I started carrying the Aria in my front seat and Infinity in the trunk just in case one of those things happened), is very big and difficult to get into my trunk (once it took me 10 minutes in the rain, needs to be just right to go in) and the basket was smallish. Even though the Infinity was not perfect, I was planning to keep it since it seemed good enough and I knew some of the issues (car-seat, trunk) would resolve as Charlotte grew out of the carrier car-seat and I got more accustomed to fitting the stroller in my trunk.
But then I went to Safety Superstore to get the new car-seat I ordered and saw the Kolcraft Contoursstrollers. I have seen these online and noticed them, they are super popular in the U.S and have a great reputation. I asked about it and learned it was quite affordable ($199 for the 3 or 4 wheel model). Then I went home and obsessed and obsessed, as well as researched and researched. I finally decided to put the Infinity on Craigslist and if it sold for enough to buy the Kolcraft, do it. I got 3 responses right away, and started tyo make arrangements for the potential buyers to come see the Infinity.
While I was waiting for the Infinity to sell, I went to play with the floor models at the store and make absolutely sure this is what I wanted to do. It was. I loved the stroller and it had everything I wanted-sturdy, huge basket, reversable seat, better fit in my trunk, car-seat adaptor I can use with my seat, nice look, great steering. So, with my decision made, as I was leaving the store to go sell my Infinity, they offered me the floor model of the one I really liked for 30% off. I LOVE floor models. Not only for the price, but also since it mans no boxes, packaging or assembly to deal with. I HAD to do it.
Of course, now no one has followed up on the Infinity. So I have the Kolcraft in my trunk, the Infinity, Picu and Aria in my enclosure, and the Jogger in my basement. The Jogger (since the new Kolcraft is a 3 wheel and can be used for jogging-and I really doubt Iwill jog with the baby anyways, I like to jog alone late in the evening) and Infinty are still for sale. The Kolcraft is my everyday stroller (and I am SO happy with it, it is perfect!) and I am still deciding if I want to keep the Aria or the Picu as my “stroller in the enclosure for neighborhood walks”. I am leaning towards the Picu, since it is really cute and has a great basket and I am getting better at steering it. Or maybe the Aria, since it is lightweight and easy to throw in my trunk and will be good in a year or so when I no longer want a big heavy stroller for Charlotte and no longer carry a diaper bag big and heavy enough to tip it. Oh well, I’ll figure it out.
The moral of my story. I have none. I do have 5 strollers though.
P.S. My new stroller:
