Whole Lotta Crafting

Thank GOD this weekend is over. It was a fun festival, as usual, and Autumn did an amazing job once again. But I am beat, and though I didn't do quite as well as last year, I'm pleased with the outcome. My feet hurt, my head hurts, and I am writing this and immediately going to bed. Luckily, several of us Craft Mafiosos were under the "Big Top," which provided many an "unladylike" conversation. Almost everyone under our tent also had kids, either babies or toddlers, who payed visits over the course of the 2 days. This always gives extra entertainment and total cuteness factor. I feel kinda bad that my friend and fellow photographer Julie B. was in the tent, I think she was unaware of the craziness that is the mafia ladies and their babies. But can you really prepare someone for that?

Neko

I have very few precious minutes these days, due to Syl and her struggle to nap. Up till a few weeks ago, I would've guaranteed she'd be napping till 4th grade. She would go down easily and sleep a good 2 hours. Lately, it's taking longer and longer to get her to nap, and when she goes, it is brief. Well, it's usually an hour, but the problem is that I nap with her for about 20 minutes, wake up in a panic that I have many things to accomplish while she's still sleeping, dash around to get them all done, sit down to eat, and she wakes up. And by get things done, I mean read emails and blog (not really important stuff, but something I'm currently addicted to).

So let's start with the terrible day that was yesterday. I was daydreaming about yesterday for over a week, you know, my beloved night out with some old friends ending with a Neko Case concert? Well, let's just say Syl was crabby all day, I was crabbier, and we experienced stroller meltdown number 2. The stroller was great, beyond awesome, but not suiting the purpose I need it for. I didn't want to spend that much money anyway, nevertheless on a mall/MOBOT/zoo stroller, which is what this turned out to be. I couldn't lift it up or down steps without Sylvia screaming for her life. Come to find out in the booklet, it is not to be lifted up and down stairs. It is for flat surfaces only. Have you walked from my house to the park? There are curbs and bumps galore. Am I supposed to walk in the street? I mean, it's like the stroller brand forgot I live in the city of excessive stop signs that no one pays attention to.
Luckily, I opted to purchase this from Tar.get online (free shipping) and return it immediately to our local store (no shipping). I was refunded and happy to get on my merry, toddlerless evening with the lovely Neko.

Lo and behold, upon quickly peaking on craigslist last night, I found an unopened jogging stroller with the front swivel wheel. It was a model from a few years back, but who cares about that? I picked it up after gymboree today and met an awesome aunt who is the primary caregiver to her sister's 4 kids. Anyway, she makes organic cotton products, including cloth diapers & slings, and takes the kids to the Waldorf School. Can you believe it? My luck has shifted, I love the stroller, and the planets have realigned for me in a much calmer manner. Well, until this weekend hits. Then it's scrambled egg city again.

Neko Case was an awesome show, except my ass hurt from sitting so long. It made me feel old, so pregnant, and very sober. But well worth the night out. Ironically, we sat in the same section as the only other 3 obviously pregnant women. How do we always manage to flock to each other?
Now, I'm off to enjoy the last 5 minutes before my kid wakes up.

The Final Countdown

As I gather all my goods for this weekend, I find I have more stuff than I imagined. Hopefully the weather stays nice and cool and the people come out in droves.
I took a nasty fall tonite getting this clothing rack into my house. It was getting dark and Dave was up with Syl, so I decided to take it upon my really clumsy-ass self to get it into the house. It got stuck in the door and boom, down I went a-tumbling! It really hurt and I got a little panicky, like there's not some extra pounds of stuff surrounding the little guy. Then he started happily kicking me in my cervix, reassuring me that not only is he ok, but he is still upside down. Great.

On that note, tomorrow marks the beginning of my 3rd trimester. Holyshitfuck. As the baby room is set up (still no pics, sorry), I'm still not mentally there. Though there are thousands of moments through everyday that I can't believe I feel so large and tired and STILL have 3 more months (because no matter what they say, 40 weeks is 10 months). After this weekend, I am going into make baby stuff for myself mode. Wow, it may actually happen this time. With Syl, I had ambitious ideas that never came to fruition. With a little more sewing practice under my belt, I feel like I may just get some projects done. I want to make a big quiltish blanket (still saying quiltish, until I actually get a lesson), some wall hanging ideas that I already have the fabric for, and try softie fabric balls that I've been scared to attempt. We still need to paint the dresser, but besides that, we are "ready" (if I could make computer quote marks any larger, I would've done it there). As far as names go, I'm currently liking Ephram (Efram?), and it's the only name Syl loves. I even tried the name Radio with her, thinking it was just silly enough that she may go for it. She gave me a highly sarcastic laugh and then, in all seriousness, said no. We've tried to get her to be in charge of naming him, mainly to take some pressure off of us. I guess she's still too young to really get it. Dammit.

Saturday Squirrels

Just ordered a new stroller and I think I'm about to throw up. Hopefully this one works out, and if it doesn't, I can return it to a local store for FREE, very important. As the credit card bills are mounting, I just noticed that I was overcharged for gas yesterday by $10. And of course, because I'm all eco-friendly (sometimes), I didn't print the receipt. So there is no proof. And I very well could be wrong. Not only does this little boy suck up my brain power (the little that is left after a toddler and years of those i.v. drug use!!), but he is giving me zits. And not those fun, easy to pop ones. The under grounders that you can barely see and that really hurt. T.M.I., I know, but what else is there really in life but the over-sharing of life's most mundane details? No need to answer that one.

I assisted this morning at a Bar Mitzvah in the county and the funniest thing happened...a baby squirrel jumped on my leg! It was being all cute and scared, and wouldn't shoo away. So as my boss almost (accidentally) stepped on him, I put my leg out to avert her. And then he jumped up on me. Like the immature child I am, I started screaming and flailing my leg. Very dramatic, I know. Nature is very cute, from a distance. But get it on you and it's just too much reality. Even if I am only speaking of this really tame baby creature, and not some enormous fury spider or something. Let's just say that the family we were shooting didn't think the scene was really that funny, so instead of it being something we could chuckle about later, I hung my head in embarrassment. Then I called my mom and we laughed loudly about it. Cuz really, what other way is there to start your weekend?

I have also been avoiding my gestational diabetes test because I can't stop consuming peanut butter m&m's. Of course, I do it while Syl is napping, cuz it would just be wrong for me to feed HER those. Today, as Dave was home to witness the horror, he said he was concerned that our baby would be born addicted to chocolate and coffee. What a downer! I guess I'll put the crack pipe away until he's off to work. He can be so judgemental!

Lots of Photos

We went to the Children's Garden today and spent a lovely morning there. Like the zoo yesterday, the Gardens were void of people, which is just as fine by me. Less toddlers to contend with, ya know what I mean??!! I finally got some images done to post, though none of the baby room yet. Dave's been working really long hours and I finally got a much needed night "off" of normal duties, and my activity of choice was to veg out in front of Project Runway all night. I made a few slings earlier, but all in all, L-A-Z-Y. I also think I've developed pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel. My right hand goes totally numb if I hold it up for more than 30 seconds. In the morning, since I sleep with my right hand all crazy, it usually wakes me up like a cold, dead hand on my pillow. Yep, it's a fun way to start the day.

Feeling good though, the stroller is on route to being returned and I will receive my shipping cost back, so that makes me happy. Also found another stroller to test buy, as crazy as that may sound. I had narrowed it to 2, but 1 is significantly cheaper, and I'm weary that it'll result in total crap. Yes, I am a consumer like that.

You're also probably wondering why a sling maker is so obsessed with purchasing a stroller?! Well, though I like to wear my babies, I also like to exercise with my babies in tow. You can only walk so fast with a baby in a sling. Sometimes I'm known to jog. Also, I'm realistic that my toddler may not want to walk everywhere in the near future, so she can happily stroll while baby boy happily slings. I use a stroller everyday, so it's a much needed item. And I know I am currently being obsessive about it. Forgive me, pregnancy sprinkles a little extra crazy dust on my head.

Here are some super cute photos of my favorite fully developed human (I'm trying to learn to love 2 small things equally early, since I'm fearing an inner struggle later).

I just noticed in this obviously staged photo that she is adding the number 2 block. Or, maybe she was taking it away to bring out the selfishness that is age 2. Where is Freud when you need him?

Bye Bye stroller

I returned my stroller today. The bummer part of it all is that with all the shipping, I may as well bought the initial stroller I had wanted. But alas, I am back to square one. There are 2 I am eyeing on the Target website, though not available in stores. At least they pay for all the shipping. So it's kind of like an overly-excessive way to shop. But I am determined to be pleased with the stroller that'll be used for the next 3 years, dammit.
Syl and I went to the zoo this morning, and I was shocked at how dead it was. It was such a beautiful morning and there was nobody there. It was a slow trek, but we saw the highlights we wanted. Plus the kookaburra (which is also Sylvia's nickname) gave us a grand show of it's talented voice at the indoor bird house. Syl is so obsessed with this place, though I think she can't really see the thin cages they're in, cuz she refuses to get out of her stroller here. Normally, she wants to climb in with every creature, maybe thinking that the zoo provides some sort of safety net for the animals to not maul a toddler. Ohh, to be young and naive. We were both totally wiped out, but I am trying to not take any naps because it is totally giving me insomnia. Or maybe it's being on the computer all damn night instead of reading myself tired.
Found out yesterday that I made the Rock n Roll Craft Show again this year. It's 2 weeks before my due date, and I refuse to pay to not work my shift. So if you decide to go, which you should, look for the crafter that looks like she swallowed a large basketball. That'll be me.
Strange Folk is next Saturday and I am freezing under the pressure to get anything done. I was totally on a roll, but it has stalled. I think I work better under pressure anyway.
Babies room is painted, except for final trim stuff and the door. Did I mention the color Dave convinced me to paint? We'll just say it's not quite pale pale yellow, which is what I wanted. We are calling it French's Mustard yellow. Yes, it's f**king brighter than shit. I wanted pale walls to add really bright pieces to, now we'll be doing the opposite. It does look sweet, almost like we're designing for Sylvia. But no, it's for a boy. Go feminism!
I'll post a photo later.

Weekly Goals

It is Sunday night and I've just finished my 8th "quiltish" tag blanket. This one was totally different than the others, a bit more experimental. I used batting and stitched freely over the entire thing, before finishing it off with ribbons and the baby "minky" stuff, ya know, the super soft baby blanket fabric. I don't use this stuff on all my taggies cuz it is damn pricey and really messy when cutting. But the result is always so luxurious! I also tried quilting different size patches, for a more free-handed, no lines match up style. It doesn't really make it any easier in the end, but I wanted to try and whole new method. Maybe I'll take a photo of it tomorrow, but I'm about to hit the sack because...
Syl woke up once an hour last night with wicked night terrors. She goes back down easily, I don't even open her door, I just tell her to go back to sleep and she immediately does. The issue is that I turn her monitor down, and I'm the only one who can hear it. Hence, I'm the one who is awoken by her violent screaming. Plus I worked yesterday morning and 6 hours last night. The morning was a breeze, but last night I photographed at a Bat Mitzvah and my feet/back/entire body was very tired. So I'm working on about 5 total hours of completely interrupted sleep. All while cooking a boy in my belly. The bags under my eyes are priceless.
Strange Folk is 2 weeks away, and I need to make myself some deadlines. And since my blog is like my to-do list, this is where I'll make them.
1)after this Wednesday, NO STARTING NEW PROJECTS.
After I finished my "quiltish" tag blanket, I cut the pieces for 1 more (the final one for the show). Meanwhile, I was thinking I need to make more tooth fairy pillows and I have so many scraps that I should do some young girl headbands. Easy peesy, right? Well goddamn, who do I think I am? The table I have at the festival is rather small, and yet the sweatshop in my dining room is behaving like I'm opening a line at Macy's. Sheesh.
2)take Syl to the zoo.
I know, it's been like 2 weeks. But the kid is freaking out about seeing the monkey house and the indoor bird house, her newest obsession.
3)inventory, tag, collect, gather, hoan, make, finish, stop all projects for S.F.
4)go take my gestational diabetes test. yuck-o
5)search for my fall/winter maternity clothes. cuz let's face it, stuff just ain't quite fitting anymore.
6)relax

On a relaxing tip, I decided to splurge and buy myself a ticket to go see Neko Case next week. Some friends from outta town will be here and we are going to make an entire evening of it, with dinner and the show. It's a week from Wednesday and I wish it were tomorrow. I know the time is getting near and an evening like this will be few and very far between. I will be taking full advantage of my night out. Maybe I'll even order a Virgin Mary, extra dirty.

Sylvia: the 28th Month

Obviously late, since here 28th month was on the 6th, so here is the short long of it...
Your mama is well into the making of your little brother, and not currently in them mood for witty and ridiculous banter on your growth in the past month. Needless to say, I'll make a few good, a few terrible points:

Bad Parts of the 28th Month (to be held over your head at a later date, say, next month):
~though potty training is going splendidly well, yesterday you shit in your panties at Mokabes, then later on the rug in our bedroom. what the hell was that all about?
~your bossiness is really out of control. I'M TELLING YOU NOW TO STOP IT. where on earth could it be coming from?
~your fake cry, along with fake eye rubbing, only works on your father. try again, sweetheart.

Good Parts of the 28th Month (I remind you of your good times daily, so there):
~your sensitivity levels are through the roof, much appreciated by your negative and crabby mother. like the 3 days in a row I couldn't stop randomly crying, you patted me on the arm to say, "it's ok, you're going to be ok mama...(and then as you walk slowly out of the room, you turn to add)...you're not going to keep crying, are you? are you mom?" it was sweet, then sour, yet so my daughter.
~observing your ability to provide names for the colors, and they're usually correct (this has been a hard one for you). your crazy dad always thought you were just color blind.
~the way you say, without being prompted, I Love You.
~our new after dinner ritual of taking a family walk, and you not using your godforsaken stroller to sit in, but to push. all by yourself. rather slowly.
~the huge responsibility we've given you to name your brother (cuz he's YOUR brother, not OUR son, for some reason). thus far, you go back and forth between Lucy and Nolie. Ok.

So I ramble, I know this. I meant to make it a short letter, but the more I get started on how much you've changed, the more I remember how quickly it is occurring. My baby, not so much a baby anymore.
I love you,
mama

Trip to Laumeier

Today, being such a beautiful day, Syl, the dog, and I ventured out to the sculpture park. I decided to take her on the trails first, which they graveled to some degree. This made for quite the morning workout of me pushing a 33lb. toddler in a stroller through deep rocks. As we would randomly stumble to a sculpture, Syl was mesmerized. By the time we got to the open field of sculptures, she was pretty confused. These were not like the MoBot Nikki sculptures, where the colors are vibrant and most pieces are climbable. At Laumeier, climbing is prohibited, plus the sculptures are quite large. She still thought they were cool and it totally wore her and I out. Here are some pics of the morning.

Playdate

Elizabeth & Olive, Heather & Eliot, and Syl & I had a afternoon playdate at our crib today. Though Syl went in and out of interest with Olive (she did end up proclaiming that "Olive LIKES me") she did find a moment to sing her a lovely tune. I was late on the taping, and it's with my cameras video mode, so don't mind the wobbles. But it's still pretty cute.



Eliot and Syl played, Olive chewed on everything. It was entertaining and I got some adult conversation in. And we all know how important that is an a day. This morning was the first day of our local Parents as Teachers stay-and-play. Syl was one of the older kids, but she still had fun. We looked into their pre-school, but she won't be old enough till she's 4. We've also been looking into City Garden Montessori, which is a strong possibility for next fall, pending financial stability. I really think she'd enjoy some sort of structured learning environment, she has such a short attention span right now (I know, she's only 2), but I need to be aware of splitting my attention amongst 2 wee ones. I don't want Syl's learning to be stalled by my lack of time. We'll see, I'm in the initial research phase.
More pics to enjoy. Oh, and the photo of Eliot was taken by my beautifully talented 28 month old.

Updatey ramblings

So I hate my new stroller. It actually isn't so bad, but the front wheel is totally jacked up in swivel mode, the main reason I wanted it. I hate having to lift the front end of my old jogging stroller every turn I take. I guess it's what you get when you can't test a stroller out. Even before realizing the jacked up issue, I made an attempt to sell it on craigslist, instantly got a response, only to have the mom show up and experience jacked up front wheel. I thought Dave could fix it, that maybe I had put the wheel on wrong, but alas, I wouldn't even let her attempt to buy it. It was embarrassing and frustrating at the same time. I took it on 1 walk and it was fine. I'll let you know the conclusion to this saga later...

After an overly-hormonal few days, I'm actually feeling pretty darn good lately. The weather has been awesome and Syl and I have been walking a lot more. I think it's improving my mood, and possibly doing some good for my body/the baby. We (Dave) has made serious progress on the boy's room this weekend, all it needs is the walls painted. The color is a few shades brighter than I had anticipated, but Dave is all I don't want a pee-yellow baby room. So it's like a just-took-a-prenatal-vitamin pee yellow. But I won't tell him that.

We even have room darkening curtains, oh yea, they're black as all black. I was wanting white curtains, but these were on clearance at Target and I couldn't resist. It goes with the scheme and all. What's funny is that thus far, there is very little white in the room! I'm make something white, geez.

As we've entered fall mode, we are becoming quite busy with things to do. This Tuesday is the first stay-n-play for P.A.T., and that burns up some morning energy. Monday, Wed. and Friday is all open play at Gymboree (yes, Jimbo presides in his evil throne!!), and her actual class is Thursday morning. We'll probably only do 1 play a week, but it's a total toddler energy drainer. With story times and our usual trips to the zoo/magic house, I plan on spoiling Syl with entertaining events till winter. I also still want to take some trips to Laumeier Sculpture Park, Lone Elk, and other haven't been to yet places. Time, and rain, pending. That's it for now, my pregnancy carpal tunnel is making my right hand numb, so I guess I'll make my brain numb but watching some tv.

**Update**: took the stroller into a local bike shop and a mechanic tightened the bolt for the swivel wheel. turned out to be a simple fix, now the stroller works well and i've decided to shut up about it and keep it. the end

Another Friday Night

Instead of working on a paying photo shoot that is long overdue, I'm blogging. On a Friday night. At 9:15 pm. While sitting on an exercise ball cuz, frankly, my ass hurts. And no, it's not sore from over-exercising. It's tail bone pregnancy sore. Anyway, I've been fine-tuning my quilty baby tag blankets and have hence made 5 total. I plan on making 3 more before Strange Folk, and at this pace, that should be no problem. Besides these blankets, I've got to finish up the 5 bird mobiles that need to be strung, whip up about 3 more ring slings (just cuz I have the stuff for it), and maybe make some embroidery hoop wall hangings, since I sold all of mine to Chick Pea in Glenn Carbon. But that may be too ambitious. After this weekend, my weekends are booked with Bar Mitzvahs, weddings (shooting and attending), craft shows, and the BIG BATHROOM RENOVATIONS, which really only involves me hanging with Syl and being out of the way.

We have been to 3 Gymboree groups this week. I know, it's a bit overkill, but I'm really getting my mom's money worth here. Syl loves it and tonite was Open Play, where kids go wild for as long as 5 hours. Obviously, none of them last that long. But I think this was Syl's first time being around so many kids around her age, free to run wild, on extremely child-safe and clean toys. Dave came too, so I sat on my ass laughing at the toddler mayhem. It was nice. We'll probably only go on Mondays for the Open Play and to her class on Thursdays, but I wanted Dave to get a feel for the place so that when I'm all post-pardum and all, he can take her there. And she konked out super early tonite because of it, so it's money well spent.

And no, this is not what she looked like at the snobby Gymboree place. This is a totally random and Dave taken photo, I just love the look she's making and the gut. Just like mama.

My 24 week appointment went well. Upon applying the doppler, the doc was scanning around the belly and said this unnerving statement out loud: "Huh, I can't find his heartbeat." Now maybe, just maybe, to a relaxed pregnant lady, this may have not phased her. But to most pregnant ladies, especially those that have experienced loss, my heart practically shit out my mouth, if that's possible. Luckily, I quickly realized I could feel him moving, so I was all keep looking, he's still in there. She found the heartbeat. But geeeeezzzzuz, spare me a moment of near trauma, why don't ya?

Here are the new tag blankets, folded in the corner so you can see the back (duh). I'm getting better at the quilting, though it's kind of tough with no books or lessons on the matter. I'm so cheap that at JoAnns the other day, I sat for about 30 minutes reading helpful books, because I wasn't about to buy them. I'm still having issues getting the squares to line up perfectly with every row, even though I'm doing the same seam allowance and cutting the squares from the same pattern. But since I'm whipping them up rather quickly, I could probably blame it on that.

Turns out a bird pooping on your head IS good luck!

FINALLY got paid from the magazine and my new stroller came today. Looks like a bird shitting on your head/chest/shoulder IS good luck. We took the stroller out for a ride tonite and it is definitely pink (they call is rose, but we now know what that really means). So what though, boys can sit in pink strollers just as well as girls. We are raising liberated humans, are we not?! It's not my favorite stroller I've ever pushed, and it'll take some getting used to. But it's easier than my previous stroller, Syl loves it, and the front wheel swivels or locks, my other jogging stroller didn't do that. So before, to turn, you had to literally lift the stroller and turn the damn thing. Got real old, real fast. Tomorrow is my 24 week appt and Syl and my mom will be joining me. Then its off to gymboree, a class mom signed Syl up for. She loves it, and I believe it's helping provide some simple structural lessons and paying attention to an adult other than me.

On a different tip, I've always been jealous of those who quilt, like Cara. Making tag blankets is sort of my instant gratification of sewing, so I decided to venture onto a new endeavor with it: quilted tag blankets. They're smaller than quilts, can be tossed over a car seat or dragged (drug?) by a toddler. Syl never used a tag blanket, but she enjoys putting her dolls under them, so they occasionally get used around here. But I know some kids who can't live without their taggies, and store bought ones are all pastel and hideous, in my opinion. So here is attempt numero uno, and I'm pretty darn proud of it. Move over Squaresville, there's another quilter coming to the bee.

Waking Up the Proper Way

What country believes that its good luck to have a bird sh*t on you? Yea, cuz that's where I belong. As in, a bird sh*t on me at 8am this morning. If that ain't some sort of sign, I don't know what is. Though, it could just be coincidence. No, it's definitely a sign.

To Be Gouged Daily

Is it just me, or does every damn bill come at once? I mean really, I haven't gotten my check from the magazine I shoot for in 3 months, yet the bills keep-a-piling up. Today, along with a plethora of money-grubbing monopolized businesses that are a necessity to modern living (gas, electric, ect) I was lucky enough to get one of those photo tickets. Yes, I blew threw a red. But shouldn't I have gotten pulled over for doing it? There is something totally violating about being documented by those "big brother" eyes that feels wrong and dirty. On top of the mounting bills, I just realized that my stickers have expired and I never got a notice. Funny, the city is on top of sending out those camera tickets but way delayed on updating stickers. Oh, now I get it. If I get pulled over, the ticket I'll get for outdated stickers will be even more than the updating. Tricky bastards. Its funny how money can keep flying out the window and yet never fly on in.

I really wish a s.a.h.m. or dad would become a powerful politician and fight for some sort of "raising an awesome human being through the exhausting task of staying at home vs. returning back to work" bill, which of course would allot worthy paychecks (and paid vacation sans chilldren).

Good-Bye Pool

Today was, to me, the official last day of summer. As a s.a.h.m. to a toddler (and a bun in the oven) my schedule isn't determined on the calendar school year, as of yet. So as Labor Day hit, so did the last day at the pool. This is a total bummer because August was such an unseasonably cool month, we were only able to go swimming a handful of times. Watch now, September will be the new August and all the local watering holes are officially closed for business. Plus, the blow-up pool is the yard is deflated and all we have left is the hose. Oh hose, you can only entertain for about 30 minutes, and I feel so wasteful when I use you as a toddler toy.
So today we swam, one last triumphant swim. And it was a good one. Now that Syl enjoys her floaty suit, she won't let anyone hold her in the water. Though it adds a but of freedom for me, it's also incredibly stressful when the pool is as busy as it was today. The slightest wave forces her to super paddle, sending her into mild panic. But no! Don't try to help her, that panics her even more and sends her scrambling to get away. So I try to relax and know that she can't sink in the floaty suit and I am never more than 2 feet away. I'll see you next summer, oh glorious pool and toddler energy drainer.We'll all miss you.
On a positive house front, we have stripped and mudded the walls in the baby's room. Just a light sanding and touch-ups before we are painting. Yes, we are doing this a bit early for my superstitious mind, but we have 2 total bathroom demos to complete pre-bursting. So let's just finish the baby room and move on already. Hopefully I'll be nabbing a used glider from Clare this week and starting on the re-upholstery project (with lots of help from ma mere). I'm currently on the hunt for a new jogging stroller, due to losing out on an ebay one by $1 last night (what can I say, Japanese Festival was a-calling me). I have 30 more minutes to wait on this other one, which is the same stroller, just a lot more feminine in color. I refuse to pay over a specific amount, and I'm being pretty stubborn about it. And after stroller shopping yesterday and babies-r-u-know-what, I have to say my pickings are slim.
I'll fill you in later if I win.
(yeah, I won my new stroller! ebay rox)