Recovering // From a really fun but really hectic weekend. Jose and I went on a date night to the Houston Symphony on Saturday — it was their “dollar concert” sponsored by the Houston Chronicle, so tickets were super duper cheap! (We actually spent a whopping $10/ticket, which got us seats in the 5th row!) Then went back to Jones Hall yesterday with Emma for the symphony’s annual “Day of Music.” Between that, there were all the other weekend activities and errands. I was totally exhausted by the time Sunday night rolled around! I have a tendency to forget that pregnancy really does mean I need to slow down — at least a little.
Choosing // The next book on my reading list. After listening to Gretchen Rubin on The Lively Show last week, I’m pretty sure I’m going to tackle her latest, “Better Than Before.” I’ve seen it mentioned in so many places, but have waffled because while everyone else also loved “The Happiness Project,” I found it only so-so. But her conversation with Jess Lively was so, so interesting that I think I’m sold. (I’ve actually been listening to Rubin’s own podcast lately and enjoying it, but still hadn’t been convinced to read her book. Ironic, no?)
Wondering // If I should consider getting a double stroller? They are so huge and expensive, and I do feel like Emma’s stroller days are basically over. The one big exception is walking/running. Before summer arrived and it got hot, we would walk the mile to the playground pretty regularly, with Emma riding in the Bob. Plus, walking/running after this baby arrives is important to me…enough that I wonder if a double stroller would be worth it just for that purpose.
You parents of 2+ kids out there — did you have a double stroller and if so, was it worth it?
Purging // Several various electronics, including my old (OLD) desktop computer, a couple external hard drives that no longer work, an old (OLD) iPod, and more. The one errand I absolutely wanted to do this past weekend was hit up the monthly e-recycling pickup at Ellington Field — and I did it! I added my stuff to the lovely pile you see above. Hooray for having that stuff out of the house and no longer wasting space.
#saroy1sec #1secondev
We have a two year old and six month old and so far are getting by without a double stroller, just a single Bob. Although I have also wondered if we’d like to have two. My older son usually prefers to walk so I wonder who much he’d actually stay in it. I think my advice would be to wait and see, a double stroller is just an Amazon prime (or Craigslist purchase) away
Yeah, that’s kind of what I was thinking — wait and see!
So, there’s a daycare downstairs in the building I work in, and they clearly take the kids out midday pretty much every day. Since we are in the middle of Dupont Circle, they must be walking to a city playground, but its a lot of movement for a lot of kids. Usually its the pre-schoolers and they walk two by two holding a rope on either side like a row of ducks. But the other day, I saw it, they have FIVE PLACE STROLLERS. They went out with two groups of 5 kids all in the strollers. Unbelievable. Anyway, I am not sure this helps you make the decision. But it could be bigger than 2 place, right?
The JSC daycare has a 6-kid stroller/buggy thing, but it’s really for babies, not bigger kids.
Also, walking in two lines? So Madeleine! That’s adorable.
we have a Phil and Ted double stroller and love it. its nice because now we just have one stroller rider and so we don’t have the second seat in.
We also have a Phil & Ted and have loved it. The double seat rests above or below the main seat, depending on the child’s age, which fit our needs perfectly.
Wanted to add – we didn’t have a double stroller when we went from 1 kiddo to 2 and it was a similar age gap to your kids. We used a baby carrier for the baby and the stroller for the 3 year old. When the baby was big enough for our stroller (it didn’t adapt for a carseat) they’d take turns… when the 3 year old needed a ride we’d use a baby carrier for the baby. It worked.
We got the double stroller when I was pregnant with number 3 and had again the similar age gap. I’d say it was a nice luxury.
My two are just over two years apart, currently 3.5 and 18 months. We have a sit and stand stroller and it’s been awesome. My older son walks most of the time, but for hot days or when he gets tired out on the way home from the playground (or wherever we are) he has the option of catching a lift.
Adding a bit more: Just like Sarah (above) we didn’t get the double stroller right away. I’d say my younger son was six or seven months when I picked it up at a consignment sale. Until then he rode in the baby carrier and older son was in the single stroller. Given the age gap in your kiddos you could wait a bit (if you’re ok with using a baby carrier) and see how long Emma lasts on her feet once the new baby gets a bit older.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the conversation on TLS with Gretchen and are going to read the book. I think the concepts she shares are so, so good. I hope you enjoy them as well. : )
Love,
Jess!
I think I’ll wait until baby #2 arrives before deciding whether to go for the double stroller or not — and if so, I definitely plan to check out the sit and stand versions! I hadn’t considered that but it’d probably be perfect for our needs at that point if we do want one.
Sarah- I, too, did not like Gretchen Rubin’s first book that was very popular. I found it rather lame and her insights were quite generic. Let me know what you think of her newest book, and I may be convinced to give it a try.