Summer at the Lake

Just a few pictures from this summer....

See the beach, the beautiful beach

Dear Max,
Today was precious. You discovered the sand between your fingers and toes this afternoon, and grandma Di and I ate up how delicious it was to watch you discover something new. North Avenue beach was bustling with tourists, Chicagoans, and babies. The sun was gorgeous today and a cool breeze finally returned to our Windy City after what has been a stiflingly hot summer. We walked down Michigan Avenue and thouroughly wore you out. You konked out in 2.5 minutes after your bath.
Love,
Mom

If I were the perfect stroller...

It's funny, since I'm the first one of most of my friends to have a baby, I'm suddenly the expert in all things baby. Nonetheless, there is one area where I am definitely at a loss....that is...the perfect stroller. I'm convinced it is not out there.

I have 4 strollers--the venezia, the jeep 3-wheel all-terrain buggy, the Maclaren triumph, and my favorite (but Max has outgrown it now) the Kolcraft Universal Carseat Carrier. That thing was awesome. I shlepped it everywhere. Truly, I was sad to say adios to that little powerhouse.

I did not go for the bugaboo like so many of my fellow city mommies for a few reasons: I was initially overwhelmed by all of the parts, it seemed impractical--minimal strorage, no cup holder, and of course it was $700. This seemed liked major bucks for a stroller. However, in hindsight the wheels and steering on that thing are great. Nonetheless, my friends who do have it, have their own complaints about it.

Alas, I digress. I love my venezia, but the wheels on it suck. They don't handle city sidewalks well and the sun-canopy should be set farther forward. If perego would put big air tires on that strolller, it would be nearly perfect...oh yeah, and if they made it steerable with one hand, life would be so much simpler. My son often freaks out in the stroller and wants to be carried, and then I'm left carrying him in one hand and pushing the not easily steerable stroller with another hand. It can prove to be a challenge.

So, note to all stroller companies: if you're looking to make the perfect stroller and have moms all over the world flaunting their visas at your doorstep, your stroller needs to have the following characteristics:

1) It needs to be lightweight--like under 18 pounds.
2) It needs to be great looking--no cheesy patterns, just great fabrics that won't stick to my baby, and cool colors.
3) It needs to be one piece, no taking off pieces--so a 4 point seat range would be nice.
4) The sun canopy must work, which means I shouldn't have to buy another sun canopy to go over the current sun-canopy.
5) Cup-holders and a tray. Busy moms need a place to put crap, and I don't want to have to buy the Valco Baby cup holder or the ugly Babu tray. I want my expensive stroller to have a cup holder that is actually usable.
6) I want a reversible handle. I want to see my baby. I do. It makes me happy to look at him, and I think he likes looking at me for the time being. When he doesn't want to look at me any longer, then I'll flip the handle.
7) I want big wheels. Did you hear me? Big wheels. Not skimpy wheels that you think can handle crappy city sidewalks. You should test the wheels and they should handle big bumps, cracks, grass, shopping malls, etc. The wheels should all swivel as well; I have to be able to shop and turn with this stroller.
8) Storage. I need to be able to fit a baby bag, toys, my purse, and even a shopping bag in the strorage underneath my buggy. The Kolcraft and Jeep stroller stroage is perfect! All stroller companies should strive to emulate this.
9) The stroller should be built well and amazing to look at. Sleek, modern, and sophisticated preferably no cheesy shiny plastic pieces.
10) Lastly, this stroller should be under $600! I know it seems implausible, but realistically speaking, most of America does not have thousands of dollars to spend on buggies, but believe me, women would spend $500 for the "perfect" buggy.

So, if the stroller companies were smart, they would hire moms, like me, to consult them on what stroller-pushing mommies want. Until then, I'll be waiting.

Watching you play

Dear Max,
You made a breakthrough today; you acknowledged Calvin when you were playing next to him and it was so cute. You both were talking to eachother and grabbing eachothers' toys. Calvin was crawling over you and you were laughing. I was just so proud of the way you were playing today. You are delicious.
Love,
Mommy

Loathing Lists

Why does my husband insist on making me lists? Does he think I don't know what I have to do today? Perhaps he just doesn't realize how challenging it is to shlep a 7 month old baby to the office depot for a printer cartridge.