Never again.

How many times will I have to tell myself never again, only to, of course, do it again?

You wouldnt know it, but I hate shopping for baby gear. Probably because I dont have $500-$600 to be throwing around daily to see what works best. So there is lots of research and then comes the test driving. Well after I found my City Mini stroller, I said NEVER AGAIN! I am in 7th heaven. No more strollers. Well that was before a lot of things - like finding out that number 2 will be born 18 months after #1. My ideas of hand holding an almost 3 year old when pushing my beloved single stroller.... HAHAHAHA! Especially my little energizer bunny.

So now I am on the hunt for the perfect double stroller. The easy choice? CityMini Double. Buuuutt, my little bunny likes being out and about  - and she isnt even walking yet! Tying her into a traditional stroller will probably difficult. My good friend has three kids (ages 3, 7, and 14) and swears by her Baby Trend Sit and Stand. I will say that on our zoo trip I looked on enviously at how easy it handled the ice chest (for our picnic), three kids worth of all day outdoor gear, and the 3 year old constantly jumping in and out. I wouldnt call it a daily driver, but for those days you will be out for hours in one place and need child resting and storage, its a Godsend. I think for those quick trips to Target, church, mall, and whatnot, we will be best served by the single CityMini or shopping cart for Elena and baby wearing the littlest one. So what I need a double stroller for is the out for 2+ hours at the same place trips, like the zoo, marathon shopping day at the mall, the rodeo, etc. That means crowds and possible narrow aisles.

As much as I adore my CityMini, the double is a side by side and that scares me. Plus, not as much storage for things like ice chests. Have you ever had to navigate the Children's Place with a stroller? Holy nightmare. The define narrow aisle. Even the narrow single sometimes has issues and it can turn on a dime. I dont ever want to worry about fitting through a narrow doorway. So that leads me to tandem strollers, aka Children Limos, These things are huge.

Super Stretch 65.5" Baby! The doubles and Sit and Stands average 49" long.

Now I have the extra problem of a very mobile baby/almost toddler. Run that likes to GO! Which leads us to the Sit and Stands or Stroller and a half. Problem is that the back bench sit/stand part is not made for a 18 month old. Yes, I can seat belt her in (3 point set belt), but most dont have a real seat back. So choose your rear passenger wisely - they can escape. This leaves me with two main options. The Baby Trend Sit and Stand Ultra and the Joovy Ergo Caboose. Elena is not, will not be old enough for standing on the runningboard attached to the CityMini Single. She will need to be able to sit. Plus, even an older kid will want to sit after a long day at SeaWorld.

Sit and Stand Ultra

Joovy Ergo Caboose

Lets first talk about the important things, What would you rather be seen pushing? I know, I know. I am obviously shallow. Looks matter to me. I am going to be hauling kids and their junk. I already look like a mom. Cant I look like a cool mom? If looks didnt matter, the fashion industry and that cute purse you are carrying wouldnt exist. Its not like I care what other people think. And I dont look for stray mirrors where ever I go, but I do have a mental image of what I look like and whether that look is one I like. The Ergo is way more inline with my aesthetic tastes.

So the real important things. These strollers are very similar for two very different prices. Your main difference is quality. Baby Trend is a budget stroller ($149, BRU) with budget quality materials. It probably wont wear as well for the long haul with multiple kids. The Joovy ($379, Amazon) is more of a premium stroller with things like twin piston suspension on the wheels. I will note that Joovy does have a simpler and cheaper option in the regular Caboose ($149, Amazon). The big difference: these two strollers allow an infant carseat to attach in the back at the bench seat allowing the older (but still youngish) child in the front seat. The regular Caboose has the infant seat attach in the front making the older child use the bench seat. This doesnt really work for us with Elena being less than 2 years old.

Other cool differences between the Joovy Ergo Caboose and the Baby Trend Sit and Stand:

- The Joovy canopy has MUCH better coverage for the front child

- The Joovy has a canopy (with a cutout for standers!) for the back seat. Bonus points for the side "windows".

- The Joovy back seat is more comfy than a hard plastic bench seat.

- The Joovy has a single lock that locks both rear wheels.

- Both Joovy seats are that weird see through mesh like a ergo office chair. This is great in our hot Texas summers. Optional padded seat covers are available and come in a set for $50.

- The Joovy front seat back is taller and roomier fitting an older and younger children better.

- The Baby Trend comes with a parent console standard. Joovy is currently offering a free one shipped from them with purchase.

The Baby Trend is easier to fold, the Joovy isnt hard but it is not one handed.

There are also other little things like how the front seat reclines and how the snack tray swings open that just scream "the Joovy is a better stroller".

In the similar, both have huge storage baskets, the rear seats slide and/or flip up for easy basket storage. Both include rear infant carseat adapters that fit most models. Both come with seating for two (front standard seat and back bench seat) and snack trays that swing open. Both have reclining front seats.

So, it all comes down to weight and money. Most of these work horses are HEAVY. The Ergo is light at 29 pounds, I am told a very noticeable 8 extra pounds over the Ultralight (the regular Caboose's lighter brother). However, 5 pounds lighter than the City Mini Double. Many tandem strollers are around 37 pounds. I think I will be okay with it, but I need to test drive.

The money? That's a little harder. I am pretty sure my local store has it for $349 (cheaper than Amazon), but that is still a lot of money not far off from the CityMini Double ($399, Amazon). But why would I spend less on a double stroller than I did on my single stroller ($230)? I like quality. I like being able to rely that it is going to last and that the company stands behind their product. With my husband not being guaranteed a long term job and a mortgage to pay, money is tighter than the first time around. So God please keep Daddy keep working because Momma doesnt like settling for made in China junk.

Hopefully my local store has the Joovy Ergo Caboose in stock so I can test drive it soon!