The double stroller problem

Ever since we found out we're expecting number two, I have been researching strollers. We have a really great stroller for Luke but he will only be 19 months when baby number two arrives so we will need a double stroller. We love going outside and Luke just won't be able to walk on his own for very long or stand on a board behind te stroller. The problem is: double strollers are expensive and I'm just not convinced about any of them. Here are the ones I have found:

The Stokke crusi with sibling seat. This would be great because we have a Stokke crusi so we wouldn't need to buy a whole new stroller. But Lucas would have to sit below the new baby which I don't like and neither will he. It seems like the sibling seat is very low to the ground and the child is just looking at peoples feet. The seat also has just one position and it's not completely upright, not great for a toddler. I'm kind of disappointed that this is the only Stokke duo stroller option.

Another option is the Icandy peach 3 blossom. Icandy is not a well known brand in Belgium yet so I can't find much about it. Some stores do sell them but most don't show them on their site. We saw one in a store but we didn't have Luke with us so I couldn't really test to see if the seat was wide and long enough to keep him comfortable for a few more years. It did seem to be quite roomy for a double though. Here are the pros and cons in my opinion:
Pros:

• Looks good (I like the black frame best)
• Can be used as a mono and duo
• Not too big and foldes quite compact
• Both children can see something even if the seats are high/low

Cons:

• Can't use our Stokke izi go in the duo
• The duo cot seems a little small

I have also been looking at the ABC Design zoom duo. I haven't seen it in any stores so I can only go by what I can find online.

Pros:

• It looks really beautiful
• It seems to be really comfortable for both children even when they get bigger
• Both seats can face both ways
• Both children are at the same height

Cons:

• Very long and very heavy
• Can't use our Stokke izi go
• might be too big to go shopping with
• Can't be used as a mono

If you are looking for a double stroller, you will come across the Bugaboo donkey everywhere. It is probably the most well known double stroller in Belgium.

Pros:

• Looks good, not that many colours but I prefer blacks or greys anyway
• Very narrow for a side by side stroller
• Can be used as a mono
• Compatible with our Stokke Izi go 
• Easy to move around

Cons:

• So expensive!
• Quite big when folded

It's a good thing we have 5 months! I think I will be visiting a lot of stores before we make our desicion. If anybody has experience with any of these or can recommend another one, do let me know!

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Things I regret buying for my baby

In this post I wanted to talk about a few things that I regret buying either because they didn't perform the way I expected or because I really just didn't need them.

The first things I regret is the Childwood Evolu high chair. I really love the look of this high chair. It's just a very simple chair with kind of a modern design look to it. The only problem is that I can't use it anymore (kind of a big problem huh). The first problem is the harnas. The Evolu we have does not have a bar between the legs so you have to use the harnas. It is a 5 point harnas that can also be used as a 3 point harnas ( meaning that it still clicks if you only use the straps at the waist and between the legs). The straps over the shoulders I can't use because they cut into Lukes neck really hard even when he sits still. But being able to just use the harnas as a 3 point kind of helps with this problem. The big problem however is that I don't feel the chair is safe. Luke is a very active boy so he is not one to sit still. He will rock back and forth and wiggle and when he does this, the legs come of the ground and so I'm afraid he will tip over. I contacted the manufacturer but they just told me the chair is up to code so it's safe. I'm now just using a cheap Ikea chair because it is so much safer and it's more comfortable for Luke to sit in.

Another thing I probably shouldn't have bought was the baby carrier. This has nothing to do with the carrier itself but just with the fact that I never remembered using it. It is the Stokke carrier and I did try it and it is very safe and comfortable so if you really want one I do recommend it. I do think I will get a lot of use out of it when we have another baby because I will have Luke to run after and it will be easy to carry a baby around and have my hands free. But with Luke it only got used twice so I probably shouldn't have spend the money.

Another thing I never used and shouldn't have bought was the belly bandit. I loved the idea of it but it was just so uncomfortable. I'm quite a short person with a short torso and it just hurt and I couldn't nurse with it on because it pushed at my boobs. I do know a lot of women like it but maybe try to borrow one and test it before you spend the money.

I don't regret buying many things because I did do a lot of research. The best way to make sure you get the best gear for your baby, just read the reviews and the blogs.