Pretend you are having twins...

[mybabysmomma]

What stroller(s) would you buy and why? What carseat/ stroller combo would you use when the twins were newborns? What would you use when they were older? (assume that you have a $1000 budget for all strollers you would buy).

While you are pretending to buy strollers for your twins, also take into account that you will have an almost 4 year old and a 2 and a half year old when the twins are born ;)

I am desperately trying to figure out what I want to do stroller (and carseat) wise once our twins are born and I would love to hear what you stroller experts would do.

Thanks so much!

[HEVY]

Ok I'll play.
Stroller, I would choose this one. Has recline for the babies and a toddler seat as well as an attachment for your 4yr old to stand in the back.
http://valcobaby.com/products/strollers.html?tx_productcatalog_pi1%5Buid%5D=4
As for car seats, any would do, as long as they fit. I don't like travel systems, especially with the 2 and 4 yr olds to account for.

[Jennifer mom to my 7]

i already have the stroller i would use for twins. An emmaljunga twin cerox 360 with the carrycots and all accessories :love:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a206/jenniferlee_/strollers/IMG_2139_1.jpg
http://www.emmaljunga.se/start.asp?lang=UK&country=UK
Or maybe try to find an extra bassinet for my stroll-air....
Or, you could do an I candy pear...that can also be used as a single.
http://www.icandyuk.com/products_detail.php?id=pear_stroller
Or bebecar will soon be selling the vector duo here also.
http://www.buystrolleronline.com/main.asp
I would probably get keyfits, and the snapngo frame that is said you can fix to take them for shorter outings. Of course, I may splurge for the double reclining toddler seat for an ABC double also, since the concept is great and the 4 and 2 year old could go in the stroller, the twins in the toddler seat.
http://www.abcbuggy.co.nz/everest_quad_buggy.html
of course this one is pushing the budget a bit since it needs to be imported.

Now, i happen to know of a lady who was selling her twin cerox 360...I could see if it is still for sale:whistle: Not me, but I bought mine from her. SHe loved it for her twins, but didn't use it much.

[atsuydam]

I want to play but the double stroller I wanted I can't find online :(
From what I found Dorel (grrr...) bought my precious Bertini and ditched my favorite stroller.
I would so get a twin version of my Bertini Bidwell with the carry cots. That would be for longer trips. For simple trips to the mall I would get a twin umbrella stroller that reclines.

As far as travel systems go I never used them and don't care much for them so I have no idea what car seats will fit on what strollers :(

ETA:
I thought about it a little longer. I think realistically what I do, having 2 and 4 yo too is this.
I would get two of the large infant seats and one of the double universal car seat strollers. I would have that in the car for winters to be used for those quick errands, like dropping the oldest off at preschool (if you go that route) and grabbing a gallon of milk.
When they a just a bit older get the double umbrella stroller. I was in to baby wearing so I would wear on baby if the 2 yo wanted to ride.
Add one full size double, one that fully reclines and has nice wheels, like the Queen bee's or emmaljungas, if you are into walks to the park or all day outings to zoo, etc. On those trips I would take a cheap umbrella for the 2 yo if they are a rider (my oldest was walking everywhere at 18 months.) One thing I like about the nice full size strollers is that while you SHOULDN'T I can easily pack both kids (80 lbs together) into the Bertini with out any issues on the stroller frame. They fit quite well.

[Jennifer mom to my 7]

yes, bertini is gone in the US. I have a bidwell sport, love that thing! I was so sorry I didn't get the bassinet for it. But, if you search craiglist, they come up on there from time to time. Only thing is they have big wheels and are heavy to go to the mall with and such, but i did it:)
THere is one listed on torontos craigslist, and the lady i bought my emma from also had one of them:)

[SillyLily]

If I could spend $1000 on a stroller and car seats, I would probably end up getting Keyfit 30s for the seats. For the stroller, I really like the Valco Trimode, and the Bumbleride Indie Twin (which I think you can get a toddler seat for to make it a triple). I also like the Jane Powertwin. I know a lot of people love the Baby Jogger City Mini, but I don't know much about it. And of course, the Mountain Buggy Urban Double is loved by many.

My dh and I are TTC. I am sure we will have a singleton, but I have thought about if we had twins. I would probably end up using my Bugaboo Bee and slinging the other one. We have a 4 year old and a 2 year old (they will be at least 5 and 3 by the time I would be due with another), and our cars only seat 5 in each. I would either get the Keyfit 30 or the new Britax infant seat if it is out by then. I would also probably get a Maclaren double stroller off of craigslist. I love small strollers, so I don't know if I could be happy with the larger doubles that I mentioned.

[Kat_Momof3]

sorry... thought this was just pretend you'll have twins... got ahead of myself... posted below of what I'd do in the op's situation.

[bobandjess99]

I'd be too busy having my heart attack..twins, a 2 yo and 4 yo?

I'd be looking into a nice, cushy room for myself....

[skipspin]

I'd be too busy having my heart attack..twins, a 2 yo and 4 yo?

I'd be looking into a nice, cushy room for myself....

Um, yeah, this is what I was thinking.:whistle:

I may admit to thinking I could pay my almost 6 yr old to push the 2 year old in my umbrella stroller and just get a double for the twins. I could always wear a twin or toddler if I just wanted to take the double stroller.

No, really, I think I'd get a double that either the twins or the toddler could fit in for flexibility- which one would depend on my preferences. Maybe infant seats with a double snap and go too, just for places like church, but I wouldn't make it my priority.

I really wish you could get a double phil and teds with a toddler seat- or two. That would be so great.

[bobandjess99]

I guess I'd need to knwo how/when/why you would be using them. What sort of situations do you see yourself in with all teh babies? Would you be alone, or with another adult? At like a store or mall, or are we talking about extended hikes? Or would walking and using strollers be a primary method of transportation, like in a large city?

Personally, provided the nice doctors could give me enough drugs to get me out of my catatonic state, I woudl probably get 2 strollers and plan to use both, this assumes there would be another big person with me, or else the 4 yr old can push the 2 yr old. on shorter walks.

i woudl get something like the sit and stand or joovy caboose for the 2 and 4 year old., for times whe they would be pushed by an adult. For times when the 4 yr old would be pushing the 2 yr old, i woudl get a nice, simple, easy to push single stroller. I would get a double for the twins...honestly, I'd be tempted to just get a nice pram-style kind, and just lay both of them in it together. In fact, with a larger bassinet/pram style one, i could possibly squoosh the 2 yr old in with them.

i guess..i'm not sure what you would be using it for,..are thinkign of taking them all to teh store? park? dr. office?
Essentially, if there was very little walking involved, like from the car to an office or store, library, etc the older kids can walk while i push the babies. i would assume for an extended trip, like all day to the zoo or something, such that the older kids would need pushed, there would be an extra adult there.

[Kat_Momof3]

oh... for your situation... and the money is just for the strollers?

hands down... Adventure Buggy Company Everest Twin (I had one and loved it so much)... I'd get a reclining toddler seat.

The stroller is as untippy as it gets... I'd get a stroller board for the 4yr old (the handle is great for leaving room for the standing child), put the 2yr old on top, and the twins in the main seat.

hands down what I would do.

I'd start by looking on strollerswap on yahoo, but if I had to pay full price and import... I'd do it.

Oh, and because I desperately miss my everest twin in camo... I'd get camo.


and the reason I'd do that... because it's compact enough and quick enough to fold/unfold to be the only stroller, has a MASSIVE basket that converts to a bag for walmart/quick grocery shopping/holding all your stuff, and yet it's rugged enough to take on any situation or place and just keep going.

it's also narrow enough to fit anywhere.

if the reclining toddler seat was too much cost, I'd get the regular toddler seat, but my kids still liked the recline at that age and Ruthie napped in strollers at that age, so I'd want the option.

[vermontmoms]

Ok, I don't have to pretend to have twins b/c I had them...Mine are 5 so we are now out of the stroller stage. As for your 2 and 4yr olds...My twins are my first and only so far but I can guess what that would have been like....

For us we did a graco duoglide combo (seats/stroller). This was ok but not my fave. We ditched it at 7mths b/c the boys outgrew their infant seats. It was not great for two small infants since the first seat didn't recline much and his head would flop to the side in the front seat. Also this was a huge stroller that didn't collapse well and took up too much space in our car. When the boys were born we were also given a kolkraft side-by-side umbrella and that was nice. We used it till they were 5 especially at the beach and for long walking trips. It was a trooper of a stroller and has been through the ringer. That said, the newer versions don't seem to be as nice or hold up as well.

Now, if I was in your situation...I would definitely look at the valco tri-mode twin. It looks like you can add carseat attachments and that would be great plus you could get the ride along for the 4yr old and the toddler.

For umbrella type I like the Mclaren or the Chicco twin. The McClaren is pricer but the Chicco seems very nice too when we tried it out just for fun at the store.

If I were you I would not buy a stroller just for the carseat attachment. If you want that feature I would get (a used) double snap and go. These are great and really all we used our graco for...after the twins outgrow their carseats; I would get an umbrella type stroller for the twins or maybe a triplet stroller (ie, Baby Trend Triplet Stroller). By the time you need to upgrade your older kids should be 3 and 5 and you may not need a stroller for all 4. At this time you could better decide if you want the big Valco or something similar.

Personally, I would do the double snap and go, then Chicco/McClaren, and then buy a double jogger. I would also get a Chicco Keyfit, new Britax Infant seats or Graco infant seats (depends which would fit best into the double snap-n-go). After the twins are 6mths I would go with the TruFit or a Britax convertable seat. Remember most twins are early (mine were 6wks) and are about 4lbs-6lbs...you will definitely need a seat that can hold smaller babies and then upgrade carseats around 6mths.

Good Luck and Congrats...Twins are such a blessing and after you have two at one time you think all kids should come in pairs!
Take care,
Jen

[Laryn41]

I want to play but the double stroller I wanted I can't find online :(
From what I found Dorel (grrr...) bought my precious Bertini and ditched my favorite stroller.
I would so get a twin version of my Bertini Bidwell with the carry cots. That would be for longer trips. For simple trips to the mall I would get a twin umbrella stroller that reclines.

As far as travel systems go I never used them and don't care much for them so I have no idea what car seats will fit on what strollers :(

ETA:
I thought about it a little longer. I think realistically what I do, having 2 and 4 yo too is this.
I would get two of the large infant seats and one of the double universal car seat strollers. I would have that in the car for winters to be used for those quick errands, like dropping the oldest off at preschool (if you go that route) and grabbing a gallon of milk.
When they a just a bit older get the double umbrella stroller. I was in to baby wearing so I would wear on baby if the 2 yo wanted to ride.
Add one full size double, one that fully reclines and has nice wheels, like the Queen bee's or emmaljungas, if you are into walks to the park or all day outings to zoo, etc. On those trips I would take a cheap umbrella for the 2 yo if they are a rider (my oldest was walking everywhere at 18 months.) One thing I like about the nice full size strollers is that while you SHOULDN'T I can easily pack both kids (80 lbs together) into the Bertini with out any issues on the stroller frame. They fit quite well.


I like that one too. But i would wish for it to be able to have them face front.

[atsuydam]

I like that one too. But i would wish for it to be able to have them face front.

Mine faces both ways, front and back. You just take the seat off and flip it around. We liked when the girls were tiny because we could have them face us, which limited stranger touching, then we flipped them when they were bigger.

[mybabysmomma]

I'd be too busy having my heart attack..twins, a 2 yo and 4 yo?

I'd be looking into a nice, cushy room for myself....

ROFL!! You aren't kidding! Let's just say that my doctor, who is German, learned a whole slew of American words when we saw that second sac. I am a darn good bargain shopper-- I just had no idea I was shopping a 2 for 1 sale when I put in my request to God for a baby ;)

Thank you so much for all of the replies, everyone!! You have given me a lot to think about and confirmed a lot of what I was thinking too.

Here's a bit more info:

I will have help with the kids for the first 4-5 months and will probably only go out alone with either the twins or the older 2. After that, it will just be me with all of the kids 90% of the time as my DH works long hours and can be gone 3-4 months at a time.

We will use the strollers mainly for school pick up/ drop off, shopping and trips to the doctor. I don't plan on going on many big outings alone, hopefully DH or another adult would be with me if we went to a zoo or something for the day. That being said, we live in the boondocks, and probably always will, so when we do go out, we are gone for most of the day and do all of our errands in that trip.

These babies will be born (most likely) in July. It can get up to 110/115 degrees in July and August where we will be. It doesn't get too cold in the winter, maybe 40 degrees, but we will be moving in January and could go anywhere from Alaska to Hawaii to Georgia.

Here is my current stroller collection:

Single Jogger (that I'm going to sell)
Graco Quattro Tour (that I will probably sell)
Maclaren Quest (that I will keep)
Graco Duo Glider (that I hate with a passion and will sell)
Graco Duo Quattro Tour (that I am thinking about keeping, although I don't really like it-- I want to see if the Keyfits fit in it first)
BOB Duallie SUS (which is my favorite stroller ever and I am SO glad I have it, especially now)
Joovy Caboose Ultralight (that we will keep for the older kids)


We also have a MacPac and Ergo which we use for the older kids when we go places where a stroller isn't appropriate.

My thoughts had been to get the Keyfits because I don't think these babies will be big at all and I am pretty sure they will come quite early. I personally hate using travel systems/ infant seats in strollers, but if I am going to go out with all 4 kids, it would probably be easiest. If the keyfits don't fit into the Graco stroller, I was thinking of getting a Contours and then selling it once we were done with it. I really wish I could play with a snap n go and a keyfit to see if I am comfortable with the fit.

I have really been looking into the Valco Twin Timode because of the kickboard and the toddler seat option. I think it would be a good fit for us, but I also like the look of the Bumbleride. Originally I thought I wanted the BJCMD but I'm not sure how I would feel about smaller babies being in it.

I do live in Germany right now and after seeing some of these strollers that have been posted, I'm thinking I need to take some trips to baby stores around here before we move to see what they have. European strollers are GORGEOUS and I wonder if they sell any of the ones posted? Then I wouldn't have to worry about importing one if I fell in love.

Thank you all, again, for all of your suggestions! You have really helped lead me in the right direction. I'm thinking after 4 years of blah strollers, I deserve a nice primary stroller, right? Plus, I know we are going to get our money's worth of use out of it. Honestly, after pushing my BOB SUS, I can't go back to Babies-R-Us strollers. The Gracos make me cuss way too much. It's not good for the kids to hear ;)

If you think of anything else or come across something spectacular, please let me know!

PS. Do the sun canopies on the Valco adjust low, or do they stay high?

[Jennifer mom to my 7]

Heehee, you think you like the bob sus? You should check out the revolution:love: I upgraded to a revolution from an sus and love it!

Of course, if you use the sus alot for offroading and hiking, it is fabulous, and if you jog on a regular basis. I just like to walk alot.

ANd if you are in Germany, definitely check out the stores. German prams are gorgeous and so well made, and made to take a beating, too!

[mybabysmomma]

Heehee, you think you like the bob sus? You should check out the revolution:love: I upgraded to a revolution from an sus and love it!

Of course, if you use the sus alot for offroading and hiking, it is fabulous, and if you jog on a regular basis. I just like to walk alot.

ANd if you are in Germany, definitely check out the stores. German prams are gorgeous and so well made, and made to take a beating, too!

We looked into the Revolution at the time but the SUS worked best for us because when we live in the States, we live about 3 miles out a dirt/ pothole filled road and when we live in Germany, we live on a cobblestone street and go on the hiking trails a lot. DH is the runner but I walk so it was a good compromise.

I will def. check out the German Prams. the only thing I don't like about most of them is that the front wheels don't turn, so you have to physically pick up the stroller when you want to maneuver. That is a pain for me, but they work great on bumpy roads.

[*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue*]

My cousin had at the time her twins were born(10 months ago):
2 1/2 year old, 5 year old, 16 year old, 17 year old :eek: (twins were a suprise).

She uses a twin graco stroller, and never goes anywhere by herself(if they go out together-the 2 1/2 year old rides in an umbrella stroller.

But.....that is not my idea of strollers. I like everyone else's suggestion.

Good luck! :-)

[Jennifer mom to my 7]

You should be able to check out the Emmaljunga there. It has front swivel wheels, that can be locked, and the one I have also has a reversible handle, so you can put the big wheels in front if you are too off road or in snow. Works great! And somewhere, there is a board you can get to go on the stroller when the handle is reversed, so you can put a child on the board. THere may be a toddler seat somewhere for it (I have heard mixed things on this, they may have discontinued the toddler seat all together).

[Rosey]

I would consider the Joovy BIG caboose. Two seats and a stand area for one of your older children. They can even switch out. I cannot imagine a 2 year old walking free.

http://www.amazon.com/Joovy-Caboose-Stand-Tandem-Stroller/dp/B000NDZUBS/ref=pd_sbs_ba_12

[CarseatDiva]

What stroller(s) would you buy and why? What carseat/ stroller combo would you use when the twins were newborns? What would you use when they were older? (assume that you have a $1000 budget for all strollers you would buy).

While you are pretending to buy strollers for your twins, also take into account that you will have an almost 4 year old and a 2 and a half year old when the twins are born ;)

I am desperately trying to figure out what I want to do stroller (and carseat) wise once our twins are born and I would love to hear what you stroller experts would do.

Thanks so much!

I don't have to pretend!

I have four boys! 7, 5 and the twins are 2years 4 months old!

I had a double snap N go! That thing was a life saver!! They stupid thing was great! I treated it like crap and it with held the abuse! My boys even rode on the frame one on each side sometimes if I was in a hurry or through busy parking lots!

I had SIP Peg Perego Infants seats for them because I got a great deal. But If I wouldn't have gotten the awesome deal, i was planning on getting normal graco seats, since I would need to afford two more Britax's soon after.

After they outgrew their infant seats, I bought a Jane Powertwin.
I twas the only stroller I could find that fit the needs that I had. I need BIG wheels for soccer fields, and I needed it to fit though the locker rooms at the YMCA for my boys swimming lessons!

LOVE that stroller too!

[Starlight]

When/If my next one comes along this Fall, I intend to buy the Valco w/ the toddler seat. I'll have 3 under 3, w/ a special needs toddler and possibly a medically fragile infant. Just shoot me now. :love: