Baby Girl's Got a Place to Lay Her Head!

Got the call on Friday ... baby girl's crib has arrived ... woohoo! I can't wait to go and pick it up ... unfortunately all of this food poisoning business has made getting out of the house difficult ... let along picking up and putting together a crib ... but tomorrow ... Sunday, that's the morning plan ... I can't wait to put it together and to place her bedding in the crib! Exciting!

Her crib isn't Dutailier like her dresser and chest of drawers are but I think the crib will look great with the rest of her furniture! Can't wait for the Dutailier furniture to come in!

Are You Serious ... Food Poisoning?

So, Monday of this week ... October 26th ... well that evening while teaching my 2 hour and 50 minute Multicultural Issues in Counseling course, I vomited once, experienced increasingly painful stomach cramps, and I had diarrhea ... I had to leave the classroom 3 times. I made it through the class but by the time I got home, the pain was ridiculous ... talk about NO SLEEP ... I basically laid in bed all night with really painful stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea ... it was pretty bad ... the next day ... Tuesday the 27th ... I was miserable and pretty much stayed in bed all day. By Wednesday the 28th, all was pretty good ... I noticed that I seemed to be a little bloated and was experiencing some very light cramping but nothing too bad. On Thursday the 29th, I had my monthly prenatal ... I was fine ...

Well, by FRIDAY afternoon (the 30th) ... all was not well in the world ... all of my symptoms had returned but worse ... excruciating stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea ... it was bad ... once again, I didn't get any sleep that night ... last night ... I just hung out on the couch ... I sat up most of the night because my stomach seemed to feel worse when I laid down ... it was horrible ... I finally got to sleep about 6 am and woke up around 8 am ... I remembered that I had to get to the doctor's office by 10 am to drop off my urine sample and to get my blood work done. I was still in pain ... though I felt better but I felt too week to drive and so I was forced to catch a cab ... got there, dropped off the urine, had the blood work done and I was fortunately able to see the doctor but I pretty much knew what she would say ... "Sounds like food poisoning ... drink lots of fluids ... if it persists, call your primary physician." Thanks ... but I've had it before and yes ... I pretty much know the drill ... you wait it out ... my poor baby girl ... I know she was starving ... I pretty much didn't eat anything the day before ... it was too painful ... today, I've been drinking water and 7Up and I had a little vegetable broth for lunch ... well tofu soup ... not to be confused with miso soup ...

An Old Love Revisited ...

I'm having the urge to revisit coconut bubble tea ... huh ... great restaurants within walking distance from here and its taking everything that I have ... all of the self-discipline that I can muster up not to take a walk and get a bubble tea ... oh the silky smooth sweet taste of coconut ... followed up by the biggest tapioca balls you've ever seen ... huh ... might have to splurge ... I'm trying to wait it out ... maybe the urge will leave but ... we'll see :D

Protein in My Urine?!

Well, went to the doctor today for my normal monthly. All together ... I've gained 13 pounds ... oh the horror ... she said it's likely that I'll end up between 24 - 26 pounds which she says isn't bad but I'm not a small girl to begin with so the thought of having gained 24 - 26 pounds ... well ... it's a little difficult to swallow.

She also had a chance to read my little lady's ultrasound results from last week when I had the anomaly ultrasound at 20 weeks. It appears that my baby girl is totally "symmetrical" ... which she says is a little unexpected but great nevertheless. Apparently, its not uncommon for babies at this time to be measuring a little small or large in certain areas (head, legs, arms, etc.) but nope ... our baby gurl is right on track. Her heartbeat is great and yep as my doctor says, "still a baby in there." Also, my blood pressure was excellent ... as usual ... however, there's a BUT ... see below ...

Now ... for the not so great news ... after receiving answers to my usual list of questions, she asked how I was doing etc. One of my complaints, besides recent tummy ache and diarrhea (sorry folks ... I know ... a little too much info), I told her that I had experienced a couple of episodes of "seeing stars" which in my case, is typically associated with elevated blood pressure ... which I've been known to have in the past. But, since I've been pregnant, my blood pressure has been freakishly excellent. Anyway, she wasn't really too happy to hear about this and she said that in my urine analyses that I have with ever visit, there there is a little bit of elevated protein ... most recently +1. Long story short, she ordered a 24 hour Urine Protein Test ... fun ... so tomorrow morning, I start collecting my urine for the next 24 hours, I drop it back off at the doctor's office on Saturday morning, and at that time, I'll have bloodwork done. She said that sometimes, the little bit of elevated protien is associated with some minor kidney damage, sometimes, preeclampsia, etc. So, we'll have to weed through all of that.

I found this website about the test and elevated protein ... a little scary ...

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/urine_protein/test.html#what

H1N1 and the regular seasonal flu shot ...

The regular flu shot ... got it ... and H1N1 ... I hope to get it tomorrow at my monthly prenatal visit ... it;s sooooo funny ... my mom keeps calling me telling me how my aunt, great aunt and other family members have been calling her to make sure that I get the shots ... great looking out family :D Oh ... AND ... I have to admit that anyone coming near my newborn baby (i.e., anyone planning on holding, cuddling, kissing, etc.) will need to have had the shots too! Our little girl is going to be born toward the end of the flu season ... nevertheless ... it will still be flu season. Can't see a newborn with the regular seasonal flu or H1N1. Not my kid if I can help it!

Poomp!

Yep ... until tonight, I've been able to feel my little lady from the inside only for the most part ... and only twice from the outside ... that's me placing my hand on my stomach to feel a little somethin' somethin' from my little one ... but then tonight as I lay on the couch ... thank goodness I just so happened to be looking down at my stomach and there it was ... the first visible kick ... yep ... made my shirt pop up!!!!! Amazing! I love being pregnant (sometimes :D)

Pre-ordered my UppaBaby Vista Stroller!

WooHoo! I LOVE THAT STROLLER ... even more, the fact that it will grow with our family ... easily will sit accommodate an infant and two toddlers on a rumble seat attachment and the "piggy back" board. So excited but unfortunately, the 2010 version of the stroller with it's great new upgrades won't be available until mid to late January ... so I thought I'd go ahead and pre-order the stroller ... don't want any problems with overdemand ...

Caden Lane Pink Moroccan Spill Mat

From http://www.babysteals.com/ ... the cadn lane spill mats were available (now sold out as of 11:15 CST) for $23.98 as opposed to $43. Great! I think the pink mat that I chose will come in handy:

For years to come, you will rely on this great Caden Lane Spill Mat in bold Blue Moroccan print through all of life's little (and big!) messes! From eating to art projects, this great mat serves as a catch all that works to keep highchairs, car seats and floors as clean as possible through generally messy activities. Double sided and laminated, this awesome mat easily folds for storage. Measures 35" x 39".

I definitely think our little one will get great use out of this "steal!"

My Momma the Southern Cook!

So, my mom came to visit this weekend since Kristopher wasn't able to fly up for my "big ultrasound" ... congenital anomaly ultrasound (http://www.babycenter.com.ph/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/scans/secondtrimesterscans/) ... oh and of course we were able to "confirm" our "elective ultrasound," which had technically already told us that we're having a little girl :D ... but always great to have another opinion ... anyway, not only did mom purchase the baby's crib, mattress, dresser, and chest of drawers but I purchased the baby's infant car seat (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3330193&CAWELAID=297340821). But "most important" (not really but it was certainly one of the many perks of seeing her) was her freezable dinners! WooHoo! Yep ... she got in the kitchen and "rattled some pots!" All I had to do was section them off into freezable serving sizes ... One of my favorites? Her baked macaroni and cheese ... a vegetarian's heaven! Oh, and the baby's too ... but then again, it seems that the baby is greedy :D ... she does flips when I eat ... well ... pretty much anything!

Thank you momma ... I LOVE YOU!

Boppy Maternity Belt ... Oh the pain!

Well ... since Wednesday night ... the night before my "big ultrasound" ... I've been in pain ... just plain old pain ... deep ... down ... about five inches below my bellybutton and right above my pubic bone ... the pressure ... I just thought I had done too much that day. But then the next night after the ultrasound of my yoga performing daughter, ... I WAS HURTIN'!!!!!

I swear it was hard to walk ... the pain ... whenever I was in the seated position for a prolonged period of time, the pain was almost unbearable ... felt like my uterus was going to fall out ... the pressure ... but then I could pretty much walk it into a dull pain ... wasn't as bad on Friday ... but bad enough to really be getting on my last nerve ... then today ... less pain but more consistent pain ... uncomfortable ... but bearable ... I read up and found the following about this "pain and pressure:"

Pregnancy can be a time of extreme discomfort. From aching feet to lower back pain, the pregnant woman’s body feels the effects of being pregnant. In addition to carrying the weight of baby, the changing hormone levels and changing shape and size of the uterus cause all sorts of stresses on the body. One of the most common types of discomfort that a pregnant woman can experience is pelvic pressure and pain.

There are two major causes of pelvic pain & pressure during pregnancy. The expanding uterus presses on your pelvis, causing pain and pressure. As pregnancy moves on, your baby will become larger and move deeper and deeper into your pelvic area. At times, this can almost feel like someone is pushing from the inside on your pelvis. You may be actually able to feel your uterus at this time.

The second major cause of pelvic pain & pressure during pregnancy is the stretching of ligaments. As the ligaments that support your uterus thin and stretch, they can cause sharp, almost stabbing pains on the side of your pelvis. This pain can stretch all the way down to the thighs. The sciatic nerve may also be crowded, causing a painful or sometimes a numb feeling in this area as well.

There are a variety of things that you can do to help relieve pelvic pressure & pain during pregnancy. You might find that you can use heat, such as with a heat pack or a warm bath, to help relax your pelvic area. Some women have had success with pelvic massage. Sometimes, just changing your position can get your baby into a different spot, and thereby putting less pressure on your pelvis. Knee lifts can sometimes help with stretching ligaments, although you should always take care to do these in such a way that you maintain your balance and avoid the risk of falling. Pelvic rocking or hip squeeze exercises may provide some relief. If the pain and pressure are unbearable, or if they are frequent, you should speak with your health care provider.

http://www.thelaboroflove.com/articles/pelvic-pressure-pain-during-pregnancy/

I ended up purchasing a maternity belt ... the odd thing about it is ... it feels great ... doesn't exactly address the pain but gives me comfort ... discomfort that I didn't even know I had ... sort of relieves "all of the work" somehow ... kinda lifts up my belly for me ... again, not exactly addressing the problem that I purchased the damn thing for but it does feel good ...

Boppy Maternity Belt ...

Dutailier Nurseries!

So, at first ... I was completely convinced that if our little one were to be a girl ... I would ... hands down ... go with the Munire' Savannah nursery furniture collection ... buuuuut when mom and I arrived at Lazar's Juvenile Furniture (http://www.lazarsfurniture.com/ ) this afternoon ... we both thought that the collection was beautiful ... for a nursery ... however, this little girl is going to keep this furniture for the long hall ... or at least that's the plan ... until she goes off to college ... anyway, it really didn't look much like something that a 16 year old would have ... definitely for a nursery or a little girl ... so we decided to go with Dutailier Nursery Furniture! LOVE IT ... of course it ended up being a bit more expensive ... definitely more than the "ball park" price range that I had given my mom ... but we actually ended up taking the floor model chest of drawers at $200 less than we would have paid for it if we ordered it and ... no luck ... we didn't have a choice but to order the dresser at the regular price ... but even with the $200 savings ... quite a bit more than what I had hoped we'd (well mom) spend for baby furniture ... like I said, my little girl will have this furniture until she goes to college so I think paying for quality longlasting furniture is worth it!

We ended up purchasing the Dutailier Bed Room Set → 550 Series - La Petite Collection in cherry ... to match the crib that we purchased for much less ... again, I can't commit to one of those "grow with you beds" ... I just never found one that I could actually see being my daughter's headboard and foot board ... so, I went with a traditional crib ... that I love ... again, Not Dutailier ... didn't spend THAT much!

this is the furniture ... but not in white ... we went for Cherry ... and ... not the crib ...

First Family!

Great official family photo of the First Family Annie Leibovitz!

Baby's first baby doll!

Mom and I made a trip especially to pre-order the UppaBaby Vista stroller http://www.uppababy.com/ from The Land of Nod http://www.landofnod.com/default.aspx ... no luck ... they don't even have the 2010 version of the stroller in their system yet ... "we have no idea of when the stroller is actually going to be released ... we've heard that it will be out in January but we don't know for sure ... we find out about a month before our store actually receives the stroller ... keep checking back" ... I know that you're able to pre-order the stroller through Pish Posh Baby http://www.pishposhbaby.com/ but my mom had never seen the stroller in person. She loved it! While we were there, the grandmother to be couldn't help herself ... she had to pick up a few items for her granddaughter ... one item in particular ... her first baby doll ...

I can just see our little one dragging around her first baby doll ... so excited!

WOW! HALFWAY THERE!

I can't believe that we're half way to the finish line (20 weeks!) ... pretty amazing that all of this takes place so quickly ... with each day I feel our daughter just a little stronger ...

Our baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to her bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.)

She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

Made in Louisiana ...

So, my husband Kristopher decided to do a lil shopping for his "baby gurl" ... adorable ... his favorite ... "Louisana Made" ... in honor of our honeymoon baby ... bless his heart ... it looks like it's for a teenager ... kinda big but he swears it's "supposed to fit a newborn" ... I reassured him that even if it is a lil too big, his "baby gurl" will be able to wear it for a while ... adorable ...

Udder Cover Arrived ...

Well, my Udder Cover arrived in the mail ... cute and I can definitely see how it will be useful ... however, I have to say that it is just a couple of yards of material with a rigid neckline that's meant to allow you to have direct eye contact with your baby while you nurse. Cool ... but honestly, had one of the ladies from "the bump" not posted a message regarding a "free udder cover" offer (you only pay for shipping and handling), I definitely would have used a receiving blanket for this purpose ... nursing anywhere or at anytime I need to ...

Old Faithful ...

Well ... its been a while but I decided to visit one of my "old favorites" today for brunch ... Orange ... "contemporary brunch with a peel :D" ... my husband really can't stand this breakfast/brunch/lunch spot located on the north side of Chicago but I decided that I was in the mood for some of their "fruishi" ... that's right ... "fruishi" ... "Sushi" made from fruit, fresh fruit juice infused rice, and coconut - as tasty as it looks... a fresh squeezed glass of grapefruit juice and their famous chai tea french toast ... YUM! I was in heaven ...

It's THIS BIG!!!!!!!!!

So, I've been quietly sitting in misery ... the headaches ... they're so intense ... I haven't taken anything ... not any kind of medication since I became pregnant in June but this is becoming increasingly unbearable ... how long is this going to last!

Beneath the Rowan Tree ...

I found this artist ... she's amazing ... she makes handcrafted items (sculptures, children's clothing, blankets, toys, etc.) that are made with all natural materials ... her work is beautiful ... her site:

http://beneaththerowantree.com/

http://beneaththerowantree.blogspot.com/

A few samples of her work ... well ... samples of some pieces that most attract me these days ... for obvious reasons:

The Lil Lady's Boudoir ...

Decided on my lil lady's bedding ... Plumeria 4 piece baby crib bedding set by Cocalo Couture. Retails between $279.99 and $349. HOWEVER, I found the set in Marshall's for $69.99. Score!

So, how far along am I really?

This is always so confusing ... I've gotten used to telling people how far along I am in weeks but most want me to calculate it into months ... 4 weeks isn't a month ... more like 28 days ... so really 4.45 weeks is actually a month ... anyway, I found the chart above at:

http://www.baby2see.com/pregnancylength.html

Petunia Pickle Bottom Outlet Sale!

So, I was pretty sure that I wanted a Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack ... I like the idea of being able to use the bag as a backpack (particularly when I'm holding baby and a million other things) and a shoulder bag if I choose ... on the other hand, I was a little conflicted because I really wanted something that was more "neutral" ... something that looked more like a purse or a bag that I would ordinarily carry instead of the usual "baby" looking diaper bag. But, because Petunia Pickle Bottom Outlet is having a sale starting today (October 13th through the 21st at 30 - 50% off), I said, "What the heck ..." and went ahead and purchased a pretty "non-neutral" and "girly" Pink Parfait bag to carry my lil lady's most important stuff ... score!

New Orleans Husband Withdrawal ...

(nonprofessional pics)

Well ... here I am again, missin' my husband ... he's been gone since Labor Day but again, doesn't get any easier ... I miss our walks on the beach ... just a couple of blocks from here ... I miss our Saturday morning breakfasts at our favorite spot ("Toast" ... we frequently here, "It must be a Saturday if you two are here") ... reading the paper and coffee at our local coffee shop ... exploring new restaurants, dog shows, hangin' at lounges, concerts, tucking me in at night when I'm exhausted and ready to get to bed early, ... etc. Huh ... withdrawal ...

I'm finding it hard to go to sleep at night ... I frequently go through bouts of insomnia ... I'm not proud but I'm a known worrier ... its much better in terms of my worrying ... I try not to let things get to me ... don't want to stress out the baby but the sleeping on the couch thing instead of going to bed is pretty bad these days ... usually, he would be the one to get up around 11 p.m. (he usually goes to bed around 9 p.m.) and insist that I go to bed ... no one to do that now ...

The Growing Secrets of a Little Lady

I'm so excited ... today, I'm officially 19 weeks pregnant ... it seems like the time is going by so fast but so slow ... it's amazing to me that there's so much progress from ... well ... literally day to day in terms of my little lady's growth ... it was at the tail end of my 16th week that I started feeling her move ... from time to time ... and then all of a sudden, she's as active as can be ... I have to admit that I'm really looking forward to being able to feel her kick ... instead of the (honestly) really strange "fish swimming" in my belly that I feel ... BUT ... DON'T GET ME WRONG ... I COULDN'T BE MORE THANKFUL ... and it is definitely exciting every time ... just feels a little strange :D

	Week Nineteen: Genitals recognizable
	19 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 17 weeks) Fetus is around 6.5 inches (17cm) and 9 ounces (250gm). Your placenta continues to grow and nourish the baby. Features of your baby's heart, should be visible during an ultrasound. Your baby's genitals are distinct and recognizable. Scalp hair has sprouted and continues to grow. My little lady's uterus has started to develop, her vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place. Females have a limited supply of eggs in their lifetime. At this point our daughter will have 6 million eggs. This amount decreases to approximately one million by birth. Her legs are reaching their relative size and with the increase muscle development occurring as well, I'm excited to learn that soon I'll start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks. Our baby will increase its weight by more than 15 times between now and delivery. Crazy!

I'm counting the seconds until my big ultrasound next week ... I couldn't help but have an "elective ultrasound" weekend before last ... and the technician said that she's a she ... Kristopher of course is in New Orleans and because of numerous meetings, etc. he won't be able to fly in to Chicago to accompany me to my appointment ... but my mom however will be here next Wednesday the 21st ... she decided that it would be fun for us to do this together ... I'm thankful she decided to fly in ... the ultrasound is next day ... the 22nd. I can't wait to see her and to see my little one ... I'm hoping for no "change in sex" and for a "healthy looking ultrasound."


Other than that ... all is well ... but ... I've been eating like a beast ... I can't seem to get enough of anything ... I'm sure I've gained too much wait ... I don't know what's the matter ... its not only "sweet treats" but in general ... extra large helpings of whatever ... ahhh

One decision down ... a million more to go ...

So, I decided on the Munire Savannah for the baby ... actually, we're going with the chest (in cherry in the left pic) and the dresser (in linen in right pic) ... which as you can see in the picture currently has the changing area on top ... I didn't want to invest in an actual changing table ... we won't use it for very long and then what would we do with it ... I didn't think it was the most economical purchase and so we opted out ... all of the furniture will be in cherry. I wanted to find a good quality furniture that would last ... now the crib ... I only want it to be safe .... I've had a hard time "committing" to a convertible bed as a potential long-term option and so, I've just decided to go with a really economical yet safe crib (to be determined) ... the Munire furniture will be a little bit of a splurge but my mom has decided that she'll purchase the baby's furniture.

My take on 7 strollers ...

Well ... after WEEKS AND WEEKS of research ... online, calling manufacturers (literally), and visiting various retailers that carry these strollers ... I finally came to a decision ... but first, let me tell you a little about the contenders (NOTE: THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE ... JUST A FEW OF MY THOUGHTS ... THUS, THERE WILL CLEARLY BE PROS AND CONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED - may have been viewed as less relevant to my decision making process):

1) Bugaboo (tried them out at Lazar's Juvenile Furniture in Lincolnwood, IL right outside of Chicago)
a) Cameleon ($979)
b) Frog ($759)
Obviously, the Cameleon is the VIP version of the two ... they look exactly the same but what does the Cameleon have that the frog doesn't have?

• The Bugaboo Frog does not feature:
• A height-adjustable handlebar
• Adjustable suspension
• The Bugaboo Frog has a smaller under seat basket for storage
• The Cameleon also allows you to change the fabric color of the stroller ... uh ... okay
  

The good thing about the bugaboo is that there are available adapters for infant car seats:

• Graco car seat adapters work with SnugRide and SafeSeat (Step 1) Infant Seats
• Maxi Cosi adapters work with the Mico Infant Seat
• Peg Perego adapters work with the Primo Viaggio and Primo Viaggio SIP made in 2007 and later

Both models are also rear and forward facing ... that's a great thing!

Now, as for why ultimately, (baby is moving :D) I chose against the bugaboo ...

• both models fold into two pieces - the frame and the seat/bassinet
• the rear tires are air filled ... wasn't interested in filling any stroller tires
  
• didn't have as much undercarriage storage space as the stroller that I ultimately chose in the end
• does have a toddler board but I'm thinking that after a while, a 2 year old might grow tired of standing and riding on a board
  

Honestly, I was really leaning toward the bugaboo (frog) and it came down to the little stuff ...

2) Orbit (tried it out at the Land of Nod) - let's take a look:

• The orbit infant system also known as their "new parent starter kit" runs $900 and comes complete with stroller frame, car seat base, and the infant car seat - NO OTHER INFANT SEAT WILL FIT ON THE FRAME ... AND IF YOU PLAN ON HAVING MORE CHILDREN, THE INFANT CAR SEAT WILL NOT FIT ON ANY OTHER FRAME ... I hope that wasn't confusing ... you might have to read over that again ...
  
• As your baby grows, you must purchase the toddler stroller seat for $220 ... the catch here is that you still need a car seat for your growing baby ... that's another purchase
• That brings us to the toddler car seat which will run you about $360 - I will say that the toddler car seat will easily dock into the stroller frame ... of course you don't have to purchase their version of the seat but it does make it convenient to be able to doc the toddler car seat right onto the frame.
  
• Finally, there is no available "toddler" seat available that will doc onto the frame ... so you can't carry more than one child at a time ... we plan on trying for another child pretty soon after our first and so it was important to us to find a stroller that would allow for a second child to ride

3) Peg Perego Skate ($900 ... but you can certainly find them on sale for about $500 - I tried it out at Lazar's Juvenile Furniture in Lincolnwood, IL right outside of Chicago): awesome!

• Converts quickly from the carriage (great for long walks in the park or around the neighborhood) to the stroller- once piece conversion - no additional bassinet component
  
• Seat can be reversed to face either direction
• Travel System-compatible-the Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seat attaches easily to the frame using adapters (included)
• Multiple height adjustments
• Unique "Tilt-in-Space" comfort plus adjustable backrest
• Elastic net basket with bungee cord straps to secure items
• Easy to open and close
  
• Stands upright when closed
• Wheels designed with ball bearings and shock-absorbing springs
• accommodates 45 pounds
  

It was "the one" for a long while ... then I found out the following:

• Car seat adapters included for Peg Perego car seat (sold separately) - but I didn't want a Peg Perego car seat
  
• Rear wheels are pneumatic (air pump included)- again, not interested in putting air in stroller tires
  
• No toddler attachment available - when I contacted them directly, they indicated that it is "on it's way to consumers"
  
• After trying it out ... it's PRETTY heavy ... getting it in and out of a car constantly might be a bit challenging ... this seems to be one of the biggest criticisms ... 33.7 pounds - I've heard that every pound counts

4) Phil and Teds Vibe ($699 - tried it out at The Land of Nod):

• I really loved this one because I've seen it around town a lot and I really appreciate the "two kid" adaptability - BUT THE EXTRA SEAT IS REALLY TIGHT (small)
  
• the stroller easily adapts to an infant and a toddler
• using the doubles kit (to accommodate both infant and toddler w/attachment), the stroller folds without having to remove the extra seat (cool)
• full seat recline so that your infant can lie flat
• Infant car seat accommodation
  
• folds really compactly
• 22 pounds (as a stroller for one child)
• accommodates 55 pounds
  

Why I chose against it:

• again with the air tires
• I've heard consistently that the shocks are "pretty bad" though it's sold as an "all terrain" stroller
• but the biggest issue for me was that your kids face away from you
  
• and honestly, I kinda wanted a bassinet
  

5) Quinny Buzz stroller (3 wheel = $579 vs. 4 wheel = $629.99) (as low as $279 for the 3 wheel edition in certain colors)

• Forward and rear facing
• will accommodate the Maxi Cosi Infant Car seat
• Bassinet available for long walks (extra charge)
  
• accommodates a child up to 50 pounds
• weighs 27 pounds
  

Why I ultimately chose against it:

• he biggest issue for me personally was the lack of accommodation for a second child ... that was pretty much a deal breaker for me
• Only accommodates the Maxi Cosi Infant Car seat ... that's not the one I wanted to invest in
  

6) Teutonia: honestly, love the fact that you can "build" the stroller to your specifications but it seemed too complicated ... I wasn't interested in going through the process of making all of those decisions ... so I didn't get beyond, "cute, you can choose your fabric combinations" - as for the price ... varies depending on your choices of wheels, fabric, type of seat, etc.

7) THE ONE I ULTIMATELY CHOSE ... THE UPPABABY VISTA (2010 - I like the changes that have been made on newest edition) ($669)

• round foam and rubber wheels for the perfect smooth ride - no air tires (high performance extra wide wheels - not too wide to make getting around tight spaces problematic)
• the rubber-coated chrome finish tires never go flat
• one touch brake to brake the stroller and one touch to unbrake
  
• the seat for the child is really roomy ... actually 1.5 inches taller (torso) and which means more time that you will be able to use this stroller as your child grows
• Includes both bassinet and seat—completely interchangeable -
  
• the bassinet has great sun protection on it and a great waterproof latex mattress
  
• the bassinet is fully lined with organic soybean fiber and cotton
• there's also great padding for a smooth ride in the seat for your child
• Also accommodates two children comfortably - woohoo (known as the "rumble seat")
  
• Also available is an infant car seat (CHICCO, GRACO, PEG PEREGO)
• Easy one-step fold—with or without the seat attached
• Stands upright on it's own when folded
  
• Forward facing OR rear facing
• 4-wheel shock absorbing suspension
• even has an elevated seat/bassinet height brings you closer to your child
• Full-size easy-access basket and convenient cell phone pocket - really the basket is the largest that I've seen
• accommodates up to 50 pounds
• Frame and seat 24 pounds