For all that don't know, I'm pretty much a baby gear whore. Even pre-Zayd, I spent hours and hours on end researching strollers, baby carriers, diaper bags, you name it. I love baby gear like most women love shoes and clothes. I'd make Khalid drive me to Buy Buy Baby in Rockville, MD, just so I could test out all of the high tech strollers. I'd literally spend hours in the store talking to other moms and moms to be about the pros and cons between the Bugaboo and the Quinny Buzz. I'd even debate with store employees about the best all-time stroller. I was totally offered a job there once. Strollers are by far my weakness. Followed closely by baby carriers.
When I found out I was pregnant with Zayd, I was sure that I was going to bite the bullet and buy this.
Khalid told me I was crazy, my family told me I was crazy, and even most of my friends thought I was being ridiculously impractical. Only few, select, people (ie. Kalia) understood the significance of the Bugaboo Chameleon. It is the staple of the young, urban, trendy, lifestyle. Okay, so maybe it cost a pretty penny, and has to be disassembled to place in your car, and you have to pay extra for the cup holder....so what. The Bugaboo screams hip, young, urban, mom-- I so want to resound hip, young, urban, mom.
I got close to purchasing the stroller a few times. My dear friend Ama even earmarked her gift to be used towards the purchase of my coveted stroller. I got as far as putting my beloved Bugaboo into an online shopping cart and entering my partial info, before closing the screen. As much as I wanted it, it was too impractical. We were a young couple with with grown up expenses. As much as I wanted to, I just couldn't splurge.
I ended up settling on a wonderful stroller. The Maclaren Techno XT. I waited until the 2008 model came out, and I bargained like never before with seedy online dealers with all of the online dealers to get the most bang for my buck. I love the Maclaren because it's lightweight, easy to fold, fully reclines for Zayd to sleep, and has a chic look. I love my Maclaren, but a part of me still had the hots for the Bugaboo. I just wanted to be cool.
So, you can imagine my surprise, when my Aunt Veronica & Uncle Jay sent mean email notifying me that they were sending a package my way. I'm thinking baby clothes or toys, everyone has been so good to my little boy......
I think I'm going to just use pictures to explain just how big of a surprise this was....
A Skate! A 2008 Peg Perego Skate. Think Bugaboo but better!! More features, a better fold, and a bigger seat for the baby. It alos has this cool 360 degree strap that allows Zayd to move freely in the stroller. I can adjust it to three different heights and have Zayd either face me or face forwards. I can also make the stroller lie flat for nap time... I'm in love. This stroller so new and sleek that it has its own website..with a video on it!!!
Now, like really: http://en.pegperegoskate.com/
I know I'm lame not to have pictures with Zayd in his new stroller, but things have been kinda hectic right now. I promise I'll load some when we take it for a spin this weekend. We are so hitting up all the farmer's markets in the town.
I don't know what touched me the most, the thoughtfulness of the gift, or what my Aunt Veronica told me when I called to thank her and the family. As I listened to my adorable cousin Babette Jolie play beautiful music on her violin in the background, my eyes filled with tears as my aunt talked about her and my uncle researching strollers and wanting Zayd to "have the best." I couldn't help but think to myself -- he already does Aunt Veronica, he already does.
So yeah, when you see my little baby riding around in his little "rich boy" stroller, as my mom so lovingly named it, please know that his most valuable possessions are the wealth of people who love him. On that note, if you see his mother, please think young, trendy, hip....... hey, it was worth a shot.
