Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Stand Aside

So here was our adventure this week:


The triple jogging stroller.
(Despite their faces, the boys actually enjoyed it, this was just the end of the ride.)

It's pretty much ridiculous.

I could not keep a straight face while pushing this tank around the neighborhood. Whenever anyone made eye contact with me - before they'd even had a chance to register the woah, what the heck factor - I bust up laughing because, yes I realize just how absurd we look. I mean really, it's about 4 feet wide, and just as long. It really seems to accentuate the wow-you've-got-your-hands-full even more than pushing the double with Cash walking. And one dumbell even said, "Wow! Triplets! I can't believe it. My mom had twins, but...."

Luckily I borrowed it from a friend to see what we think before we would actually invest in one. Mostly, we were just seeing if we would fit through our building with it.

Pretty much, we don't.


If I could find one that was 2 inches more narrow, I think we could swing it. But as it is, we have to have two of us turning it sideways and tipping it onto the front wheels (which swivel) to get it into the elevator. Which is beside the point. The goal is autonomy. For me alone to be able to go out and walk around the park as much as I want, especially since Cash is such a stroller-lover and could sit in there all day. As far as maneuvering through our building, I've tried every other scenario there is. The only other option is for me to put the kids in one at a time out the side door of the building (hoping no one steals them while I go in and get the other ones - although they'd hardly be inconspicuous if they felt running off with them in a triple stroller, I guess) and then go down through the parking garage with it. That was looking like a real possibility until I realized - oh wait. Besides being slightly dangerous, that means I have to come back up 4 flights of our parking garage pushing 100 lbs. Hmmm.



But it sure does drive like a dream. Much easier than pushing our double. I've never had a jogging stroller before. I can see why they're so great. They're so fast they really make you want to run. And there is just about nothing in this world that makes me want to run.

Well, it was cute to see the boys all next to each other. And it was almost just as amusing to watch people diving off the sidewalks out of our way when they saw us coming, like we had dynamite hanging off the sides of the stroller or something.

13 comments:

Tanya said...

I need one of those too, just haven't broken down and paid for one yet. It would probably help you a lot, make life a little easier and allow you to get out more and look at all those bueatiful Miami people =) Here is one that was referred to me by my sis in law's friend who is in the same situation as us lucky ladies. She bought it on ebay. Hopefully this link still works. http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=triple+stroller&category0=

shannon said...

Jen I hope you find one that works for you. My double jogger was definitely one of the best gifts ever. It fit through any door that a wheelchair fit through though. It was baby jogger brand. I prefer the stationary front wheel and always have because it tracks better. Good luck.

Melanie said...

Definetly has the wow factor! Reminds me of the "fat" wheelchairs at the hospital only yours doesnt have the sad commentary on our society. Good Luck finding a solution! Im sure being able to just walk out your door would be a dream!

Aimee said...

Check out Triple Decker strollers on Google. Someone just donated the twin version to us, and it is the craziest thing I've ever seen! I can't wait to see babies in it! They even have a "twins + a toddler" version on the website. They're super expensive, but it is a fun idea. I'm intrigued to see how functional it is.

SuburbiaMom said...

If you already have a double stroller than you might consider this product for Cash: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=524769&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85219&subCategoryId=86214

Good luck--your sons are cute--in or out of the stroller!

Jen I said...

Yeah, my first thought was to get the one that's a double plus a sit 'n stand, but I tried Cash on one that has a bench and he hated it. I suspected as much. He likes to just sit and zone out. Aimee - lucky! Someone donated a double stroller for you!?? How come I don't have friends like that? We didn't get anything for our twins!! Anyway, that looks like those are just when they have their infant seats - am I looking at the right ones?

The Spendloves said...

Yeah, I do love my double jogger, but they do get flats pretty easily. And then when you have to go back to your regular double stroller... oh man, it's the worst. The other day I had to push our old stroller with them in their car seats again. I don't remember it being so hard to maneuver before. But, after a jogger everything is harder to push and turn. I think the swivel wheel is key if you plan on using it day to day. I like my swivel wheel for going to the store or running errands. But I just lock it when I'm running. Do you have Play it Again Sports out there? I've seen triple joggers there.

Sarah Starr Alleman Smith said...

The first time I went to the zoo with my friend who sports a red triple jogger to hold her 3 daughters (two are twins) she warned me - "people shout out things".

Safire said...

I love my jogging stroller. It's a BOB brand and a dream to push. Seriously, can't go anywhere without it. My twins sit in the seats and my daughter sits on the foot rest. It's only as wide as a wheelchair and the front wheel locks and unlocks as you need it. LOVE IT.

LuAnn said...

In most cases I think I'd prefer a double jogger over my Maclaren, but we still plan to get a Chariot...just wish I had it now.

I know I've mentioned the Ergo...you really can carry a pretty heavy kid on your back longer than you would expect with that thing. I still carry Simon in it with little strain and he is 26 lbs. You could at least get to the park, etc.

I can only imagine those looks with you and that triple. I think I'd be cracking up, too.

Anonymous said...

Look how big they are all getting! I can't believe it!!!! What cuties!!!!

Julie

Anonymous said...

They all look so long and lean in the cute matching blue stripe outfits. They are very tall babies with adorably cute round faces. Love it!

AnnaMarie said...

Cute pictures...I love it. It looks like you'll have all the shopping help you need. Hope you find something you love!