I've attempted to blog several times now, and have even started a couple posts, but this is the first one I've actually been able to finish. So for those of you who are still left reading, enjoy!
After two weeks of being at home, I announced to Dana that it was time to get us all out of the house for a bit, so I decided that after lunch we would head out to the mall. Not wanting to look like an idiot in the parking lot, I decided that I would practice putting their car seat carriers into the stroller to make sure I knew how everything worked. I successfully secured both seats in the stroller, took them back out, folded up the stroller and placed it in the back of the Jeep, feeling rather assured that I could do this without fail. Upon arriving at the mall, Dana and I hopped out of the Jeep and took the stroller out of the back. Grabbing the top of the stroller, I pushed the button and twisted the handle, ready to put the "easy single hand release" feature to good use. Well, as you can guess, the stroller wouldn't budge. Surely, I just didn't do it right, so I tried again. Nothing. Hmm, well this wasn't going to plan, but no worries, I was sure it was something simple that I just wasn't seeing. Dana and I both looked the stroller over several times hoping to find some sort of button that we hadn't released, but everything appeared to be unlocked.
A glimmer of hope appeared when a couple with a stroller started to make their way towards us. Well, technically they were heading to the mall, but I saw them as a solution to my problem, so clearly they were coming to help me. As they neared our car, I fessed up to our ridiculous problem and asked if they knew how to open our stroller. After a giving our stroller the once over, the both concluded that they could be of no help to us. They were just as lost as we were and it now looked like the stroller would be closed forever.
Dana and I tried for just a few more moments and then I finally gave in. I was going to have to swallow my pride and head for home to look for the manual. This was humiliating. I was so sure I could do this outing without fail. I did not want to be that person; I wanted to be the mom who has the perfect first outing. So much for that brilliant idea!
Just as I was about to put the stroller in the back I noticed a mom with a stroller that I assumed was the same kind as mine. I hurried over to her car and ask her if she had the same kind of stroller as me. I'm sure I looked like a complete dork! She of course did not have the same kind of stroller, but I told her of my stroller woes and asked her if she could come look at my stroller anyway. This angel of a woman kindly obliged. She left her soon to be crying child buckled in her car and waddled her pregnant self on over to my car. As my pride would have it, she had that stroller open in a matter of seconds, simply by releasing a lock that we hadn't realized was a lock. Honestly, I still don't think it looks like much of a lock, but whatever...
So with that, Dana and I grabbed Carson and Keira, who were still sleeping, and loaded them into the stroller. We had no real agenda other than to make it there, so we walked around and wandered into a few stores. We also treated ourselves to some delicious frozen yogurt. After buying next to nothing and walking for what seemed like hours, we left for home at my request. We were at the mall for a grand total of 1 hour and I was exhausted. Lame. Oh well, on the upside I did manage to get the stroller folded back up and into the car without any issues.
Final Score: Stroller: 1, Jamie: 0.
16 years ago
10 comments:
we have a winnah! For the record, I think every locking mechanism on a stroller should be made from a different color plastic--easy, right?
Kristi - That is pure genius! Sounds like you've found your million dollar idea! I'd love to see that in action! I'm guessing that the only way I will is to get out the nail polish and mark the locking mechanisms myself. Sigh...
Great story! If it makes you feel any better, on my first outing I was able to get the stroller together. HOWEVER, I was not able to close it up after I was done shopping! When I was about to just put it in the trunk of my Pontiac Sunfire and tie down the trunk door with a bungy cord, an angel from heaven (who looked just like an experienced mom)came to my rescue.
See? We moms stick together. :-)
Hi Jamie! First, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who does not update my blog as often as I did before the babies arrived. Second, I have to confess that unloading the stroller is one of the big reasons I have not ventured out with the babies yet. Now that the weather is warming up, I CAN'T WAIT for it to get just a little nicer so we can go strolling outside.
Strollers are stupid! Don't feel embarrassed, we've all had our moment. I'm impressed with the humility it took to ask several people for help!:) I'm sure it just felt good to get out! I remember my first outing was riding in the back seat of the car while Corey drove to Jimmy John's to buy subs for supper. I stayed in the car the whole time, but it was different scenery than my house!:)
Way to go Jamie! I think I would have started to cry and called it a day when it didn't open after a few attempts! Love that you posted an update.
Janelle - let's hang out soon! Joey and I would love to see you and Matt and your beautiful babies! Perhaps we could attempt an outing/walk together? I don't know about you, but I think the stares alone will be worth the effort. :)
Loved your story. :) There are some of us who STILL have stroller issues, even after almost a decade of parenting...last fall I took the kids to the zoo, buckled Nate & Courtney in, and as we made our way across the parking lot I unknowingly did not get the stroller locked into place...we hit a bump which sent Nathan flying out of the stroller as it collapsed in an instant. No joke! He was traumatized for a good half hour.
So weird that the lock wasn't a different color! We have two graco strollers, both of which are blue. One is a single and the other a double. The locking mechanism on both are red. I would have been stumped with your lock as well - if that makes you feel any better?!
Love this! The first time I took Derek out by myself I got the stroller unfolded ok, but then I couldn't get the seat to recline so I could snap the car seat in. I was on the slushy wet ground in the middle of February fighting with my stroller while Derek slept peacefully in the car. I was so cold my fingers went numb when suddenly out of nowhere the latch released and the seat reclined. I had no idea how I had done it, but I didn't care at that point! Haha! (Later I figured out that our stroller's recline lever is just a little sticky)
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