Reflective Fionn and Shopoholic Mommy: Stroller Wars

Fionn and I would like to talk for a bit about a subject that has become very near and dear to us in the last few weeks: strollers.

Now, you may ask why would I be bothered with this whole stroller business when we are looking at ten months on the outside next week. Fionn will explain, as briefly as possible.

"My mommy likes to buy things. She has three diaper bags, and until recently, 4+ strollers."

I'm going to have to stop him there. Fionn is going to be giving you all the wrong impression. While it's true that I have three diaper bags, might I ask any of you girls out there if you only have ONE handbag? My point exactly. It would be like Rory having one coat. But I digress.

Strollers need to fill so many functions. Fionn would like to point out that he does pretty much everything in his stroller. Sleeping, eating, shopping, going on errands or to the dog park, and sometimes even getting changed all happen in the stroller. It has SO MANY JOBS. It is like the hardest working candy in town, mon.

It's odd that some stroller companies haven't caught on to this yet. But they LOVE people like me- first time moms who don't have as much time to research as they do to browse and have something shiny catch their eye. Or just go with another mom's shining reference.

Ladies I tell you, your stroller must fit your lifestyle. For example, I had a Phil and Teds. Yeah, that's right; I thought I was going to go jogging all the time. Fionn- you've been quiet for a while- how many times did we go jogging?

"Just the once, mom. The time when you sweated real bad out of your face.(hilarious laughter)."

Fionn would like to point out that while the stroller was extremely comfortable and got us through a wicked Canadian winter when he was a newborn, but it had served it's purpose. We sold the old girl last week on Craigslist and she has gone on to greener pastures. Now Fionny enjoys the ten month old life rockin it in his new Frog.

We're not going to tell you all the reasons why we eventually caved, and why I still haven't gotten rid of the other 2 strollers (totally next week), but we will say that try to think about not only your lifestyle, but also what you will use it for (everything but actually raising my kid) and where you will use it (transit, the mall, subterrain exploration etc). Then surf that web. Check Ebay for goodness sake- if you don't mind "gently used", you can usually get it for a third of the price or at least half. And remember, people like me are sometimes just getting rid of their "starter stroller".

Strollers- Three major brands and covetable buys. By Fionn
(mommy disclaimer- I can't be responsible for Fionn's rating system. He has basically equated how good the stroller is with things he loves or thinks are cool. You'll see.)

* Silver Cross http://www.silvercross.co.uk/ : Sleek, Classic and GORGEOUSLY done. I always do a double take when I see another baby in one of these babies. Especially the prams, cause they're SO very unneccesary (with all the combo strollers and travel systems available) and so very, well, luxe. I give them a high five.
* Bugaboo http://www.bugaboo.com/ : Take a walk through Yorkville, the Beach, Sherway Gardens or Holts- you'll see nearly all Bugaboos. Why? Cause they are like the time Mommy gave me a popsicle; as soon as I tasted it, I grabbed it and tried to shove it all in my mouth. Once you see what one of these things does (and how many strollers it takes to replace all of it's functions), you'll want it. Now. I give it a watermelon.
* Phil and Teds http://www.philandteds.com/ : Perfect for joggers and those planning to have Irish twins. It does a whole whack of things. I thought the basinett (or the cocoon, as the P&T people call it) was the best when I was a wee baby. I used to sleep in it in the pub, and when mommy carried me around in it, people thought it was just a duffle bag. Ah, misty memories of all those months ago. I give it a nostalgic "La" (the first sound I used to indicate I liked something. Mommy thought maybe I was saying "love". She's a sap.).

Gymboree ROCKS!

Fionny has been going to Gymboree for about two months now, and I have to say that he is loving it. It has taught him so many things and he has met some really cool new friends.


Some things Fionn has learned since going to Gymboree are clapping, standing, and crawling. Impressive, non?

Here are some of Fionn's BFFs. They are terribly, terribly cute, so brace yourselves. The first photo shows Fionny with his buds Zayd and Max. These guys are like the Level 2 Posse. Don't mess.


Look below to see what I mean These guys are tough. Max will bring you down with his smile, and Zayd, well, Zayd is too smart for you. He also likes hair :)

The next photo below is Fionn and Liam. Liam's mommy kindly gave him an Irish name everyone can spell and will not be confused with a girls name. Liam has really come out of his shell in the last few weeks. He is totally in the running to be the leader of the new Level 2 Posse when the others move up to Level 3. He's also impossibly cute. And a wee ginger. Look out.






The last photo below is Fionny and his pal Josiah. They are essentially talking around the Gymboree equivalent of a water cooler: the ball pit. Josiah is filling Fionn in on the details of his new experiences in Level 3, as he has recently moved up. I love Josiah's big, gorgeous brown eyes. And he's just a real happy dude. Always has a smile.

Reflective Fionn and Shopoholic Mommy

This is part of a new series Fionn and I are co-writing. Sometimes Fionn likes to reflect on his life so far, and tell me what he thinks I could have done differently. Not in a critical way, mind you. More of a "if you could do it again (or if you do)" kind of way.

Our first recommendation is for mums with babies in their tums. Shopping for baby gear, making your registry, and thinking about what you need can be overwhelming. Or, if you are like me, an absolute shoppers dream. Both are equally dangerous my friends.

Check out this great guide that Fionn and I wish we had seen while he was getting ready to bust out on the scene. Coulda saved us some money that Fionn tells me we could have used on an supa fly Escalade motorized ride-on truck. (Nice try, Fionn)

The Bare Bones Baby Gear Guide:
http://themomspeak.com/2008/08/the-bare-bones-baby-gear-guide/

My son, the supermodel

Today was Fionn's first photo shoot. He will appear in a Sears flyer that will be distributed the first week of October. He's on page 12.

We got a call last week from his agency (http://www.kamerakids.com/) saying they had a booking for him. We were thrilled! His picture has only been up a week or so, so it was rather surprising.

When we got there, there were three babies. Then the assistant came out and said she was only taking two. When Fionn was chosen, I was pretty jazzed. The other baby was pretty cute.

We got the kids dressed and sat down beside them on a white backdrop. The assistant blew some bubbles (Fionny f'in LOVES bubbles), and ten minutes later, volia! We were all done.

Be kind, rewind. Part two.

Here is Mr. Fionn at around three months. In January, we spent a lot of time housebound thanks to old man winter, but also a good amount of time at the mall (easier to push the stroller there).

In this shot, we see Fionn in a gift from daddy's good friend Stuart Deabill. Coolest. Bib. Ever.

Be kind, rewind. Part one.

Here is the first in a series of short blurbs that are my paltry attempt to make up for the eight months of lost blogs. Let's just say time flew and adjusting to being a mommy is a bit of work.

This is Fionn at about two months. His passions at this time included sleeping and pubbing. Not too far off from his daddy's favourites. Tee hee!

Fionny's up and running on Kamera Kids

My precious baby boy is finally posted to the Kamera Kids site. It's been almost a month since we first visited Sutherland Models, so I'm pleased he's now available for jobs.

We went to an "information session" armed with five snapshots and no expectations. Turns out Fionn was the right measurements (and obviously gorgeous enough) to be a Kamera Kid. Now we sit back and wait to see if anyone thinks he is right for their ad or tv show.

There are a LOT of really cute babies on the site, so we will have to see. Wish us luck!

Here is the link to Fionn's pic: http://www.sutherlandmodels.com/kamerakids/model-show.asp?id=TO04235

Nine months on the outside

So Mr. Fionny is nine months old. His daily activities consist of walks with his doggie Jinky, usually a little Gymboree, occasional (ha!) shopping with Mommy, and meeting Mommy's friends offspring. He does miss the one and only original, Chelsea Levi, though.

However, soon mommy's maternity leave will be over and leisurely days of happiness will be over (for mom at least!). Fionny will be off to preschool- not sure which one yet - hoping for Queen's Park. October 13 is back to work day, and the start of a whole new world for the dude.

Above is a pic of Fionny playing his favourite game, ball.