Still In Love With Phil & Ted

The stroller.  Remember?  I did not need a whole lot for the second offspring, so I splurged on the stroller.  I did.  And so happy I did.  The Phil & Ted Sport with Jump Seat.  Navy.  I use it HOPEFULLY 3-4 or more times a week.  It has TOTALLY helped me lose the SJ lbs.

Why do I love it?  Because it is versitile and functional.  Two kids…one kid.  I have the option to switch it up.  It is really easy to manuever even on our jacked-up streets and no-having sidewalk town.  It has been to Texas and back 3 times, abused by American Airlines thank you very much.

I washed and scrubbed the fabric last week and it is like a brand new stroller!  Almost Armor All-ed the tires, but The Fisherman said that was taking it a bit too far.

PROS:

1. The frame is really heavy duty, but still lightweight enough for me to use as an everyday stroller.  This is most beneficial to me where I live.  Rinky-dink shit strollers just won’t cut it here.
2. Handel bar adjusts.  I just recently started using this feature.  Down when I am strolling through town and need room for my beverages.  Up when I am jogging.
3. Jump Seat attaches to the front.  I RARELY used this feature because I was unaware of it.  I wish I knew about it sooner.  It is PERFECT for younger babes who can sit up pretty well.  It keeps them high.  Looks cool.
4. Tires.  Heavy duty inner tube style.  They can withstand a lot, but are NO MATCH for the damn bouganvilla thorns I come across.  Air pump, patch kit and spare tube are always in the basket.  Easy to change.
5. Versatility.  I just have one stroller. This is perfect for my lifestyle, and maybe not yours.  But, I don’t want to lug around a double, a light weight, a buggy, etc.  Who needs all that shit.  This one stroller does it all for me.  My 3 year old and 15mos old are both comfy in either seat, front or back (P&T recommends heavy child in the back).  Only one kid on my morning jog?  Not a problem.  Two kids?  Pop that easy jump seat on and we are so good to go.

CONS:  Unfortunately, there are some.

1. Fabric is FADE RESISTANT, not fade proof.  What?  In my harsh sunny-happy-paradise environment, the navy fabric has faded to a…faded blue.  I scrubbed it after a year, it does look brighter.  If the stroller is not in the back of the SUV, it is on my shaded porch, out of the sun.  Hmm…maybe Scotch Gaurd might work.
2. One mis-step of a child getting into the back jump seat and into the lower storage basket could easily result in torn fabric.  Looks ratty.  Probably can be sewn.  My point is, for the amount of money spent on the wheels, the fabric should withstand kids, ’cause its gonna happen.
3. Handle bar cushion has split, broken a little bit.  Again, for the money…
4. No drink holders!  Not a biggie.  There are several attachable to choose from or you can make your own.
5. Sun shade is crappy.  Does not provide that much coverage.  you would think this would of been a big deal in my decision making, but, it wasn’t.  I tried to “make my own” sun shade, then realized some other smart mom beat me to the punch and is now selling them on Amazon and making a bazillion dollars.  Damn her.  But I bought it and it works terrifically.

Versatility and functionality for MY lifestyle are what makes this stroller PERFECT for me.  After a year of LOTS of use by two kids, I am still very happy I spent the money on it. And it still has lots of life left.  Look for it on Craig’s list soon.  Maybe.

What Do You Mean?

I hate having to make returns off island.  Now what?

This is the box our new phil & teds sport stroller arrived in.  Even funnier on the Survival Guide (instruction manual) was this:

Parental Female guidance required.

On Its Way!

 

When I found out is was preg with #2, I decided I really only needed three things.

1.  A few packages of white onesies.

2.  A breast pump.  New or used. (thank you Glady’s for swiping your old one for my comfort)

3.  The versitile, lightweight, streamlined Phil & Ted’s Double Tandem Stroller.

Can't wait to tear it up!

Happy to report, its on its way!

Why do I LOVE this stroller?  A very good friend of mine who recently left island had this stroller.  We walked routinely on our less than perfect roads.  It is so lightweight!  The older babe can sit up front comfortably while the tiny one snoozes in the back.  The jump-seat is removable, which is great.  The stream-line is prefect for my taste.  The inner tube tires are a must for our terrain, which include thick thorns from bougainvilleas.  The plastic wheels would never cut it for the type of EXTREME STROLLING I do here.  I can also RUN with this stroller.  Something I hope to get back into after #2 is born. 

I know some moms love the side-by-side, but it is not for me.  I use my stroller too much and know how hard it is to much less WALK on the streets of St. Croix, especially in town!  This stroller is pricey, but is absolutely the perfect one for me and my life on St. Croix.  One of my friends, mother of 3, put it well: “My stroller was  a bit expensive, but we’ve used it almost everyday for three years and it has held up in out harsh sun and salt air!  Worth every penny and and keeps me and the kids outside!”

Enough said.  I have justified it. And can’t wait to get it!