Having waited for what seemed like ages to have my wish come true and start a family, as soon as my 12 week scan had been given the all clear, allowing me to announce my pregnancy officially and make it public, I could barely contain my excitement at being able to look at baby wear, accessories, toys and nursery furniture. Plus of course plan what my baby would be seen in while we were out and about.
I remember picking up every catalogue I could lay my hands on whenever I visited a baby shop on the high street, and would happily spend time browsing the internet to see what the ‘in’ and most stylish and practical baby pram/buggies were. Therefore, when the time came for my OH and I to actively go out one Saturday and choose the right ‘travel system’ ( I didn’t even know this was the correct term until I was pregnant!) for our baby, I knew that I wanted one which would act as a pram aswell as a buggy so that my baby could lie down during its first few months, but as it got older it would be able to sit up and see where it was going once it was old enough to do so.
However, what we weren’t expecting were all the decisions we would need to make regarding the exact specifications our ideal baby travel system required! We were suddenly faced with a barrage of questions: which make would meet our needs? What colour way did we prefer and did we want the co-ordinating parasol, changing bag, blanket and cocoon sleeping bag to keep baby warm? Did we want three wheels or four wheels? Did we want it suitable for off road terrains or inner city sophistication? Did we want a combination buggy, so that the car seat can be attached to it? Did we want it compact and light weight? Would it fold down and fit into our boot easily? Was there space underneath for my shopping? (this was a question I asked – very important consideration I think!).
Oh the list went on and on. Aaaaaaaaaaghhhhhhh!!! I never realised how complicated choosing something to push your newborn around in, actually was! Or that is would have so many different gadgets and gizmos and accessories you could add on, all colour co-ordinating of course! It was exhausting and a bit mind boggling to tell you the truth. Especially when baby brain was already starting to set in!
Its no wonder we didn’t end up ordering one until about two months prior to our baby’s due date in the end- I think we both got a bit flummoxed by it all, and having so many – maybe too many – choices made available to us, we took a while to make our decision so that it was the right one for us and our baby. We just wanted to keep it simple : choose a comfortable travel system suitable from birth until toddlerhood in a colour which is unisex and at a competitive price.
Of course our next dilemma was what to do with our brand spanking new travel system when it arrived a week or so before the due date at our house. So many people I came into contact with about its delivery to our abode, were like “oh its bad luck to have the pram/buggy in your home before the baby is born”. Eeek!
Well, the buggy did enter our home and was set up ready for the imminent arrival of our bundle of joy and stored under the stairs in the hallway, ready to greet its new little owner.
Then just a few days later I gave birth to a healthy and perfect 8lb baby boy 🙂
