The Stroller Dilemma {A Three Things Thursday Post}

I could not. I would not. A double stroller.

When I was pregnant with Silas, I vehemently refuted that I would ever need a double stroller. I wouldn't need it during maternity leave, I said, as I could run with Si in the single BOB while Miles was at daycare. Mark would be home once I went back to work, providing adult supervision for either boy (or both) while I ran. Come fall, Miles would be in Pre-K and I could, again, run with Si after drop-off.

It was a great plan. Great justification. But then reality happened.

As I run more – often and farther – the idea of sticking Mark with the boys (my perception, not his) is harder to swallow. I have no problem when it's a run date with my BRF during the week or with my girls on the weekend but the weekday runs are where I struggle. I hate to leave them when I'm going to leave them again just an hour or so later. I could take one of the guys with me but it still leaves Mark at home with one.

It's a shame we can't go out together, I tell Mark. If only I had requested another jogger, or a double, instead of an Ergo when my in-laws asked me what I needed for our family of four.

I tried to work out our options on a fantastic run on Tuesday, a solo outing thanks to Mark dropping off Miles at daycare and taking Si with him to Great Clips.

2-year-old Miles!

1. Scour garage sale sites and Craigslist for a second jogger. I have been looking but so far have come up empty. Most of the strollers that I have seen for sale are not the quality that I would look for in a jogger. I think most of them would be good for casual runners or walks but not for regular use. AND, if I only found a single, I could not take both boys by myself.

2. Sell our BOB Ironman and upgrade to a double stroller. From looking at sale sites in bigger cities, I feel confident that we could ask a good price for our stroller but it would not be an even deal. Also, we'd be stuck with a double long after we'd need it. I am sure Si would be happy to fill the seat with a cuddly but the stares from neighbors might not be worth it.

3. See No. 2 but sub the Burley Bee. We have a great bike trailer that would do well on online sale sites. Get rid of that and upgrade to a bike trailer that can convert to a stroller. Of the three, this option is the most practical in that we will always use a double bike trailer. We would come out in the red if we went with the Burley Honey Bee but I did find an Allen Sports model that would be affordable(ish).

Of course, I could buy something new (not really) or do nothing (more than likely). After all, do I really want to run with my husband, toddler and newborn? I thought I took up this hobby for peace of mind :)

Summer Saturdays

Gone are the weekend mornings of going to the library or walking the mall. The anxious anticipation for lunch  and, let's be honest, nap time as we play blocks has disappeared.

The sun is out, the days are warmer and everything about nature screams, "Be outside." Summer, it seems, has finally arrived.

Mark, Miles and I are finding a new rhythm to our days, a rhythm that's measured in cadence and steps. We visit the zoo, packing a lunch to enjoy in Australia. Other days, we walk purposefully around the garden center before heading home to plant flowers and vegetables. Digging in the flower beds is always a must as we are on the constant lookout for worms.

But the days we enjoy most are the ones where we pump ourselves up and put the pedal to the pavement.

Mark and I recently bit the proverbial bullet, buying the Burley Bee bike trailer that we've been eyeing for two years now. We had been hesitant, wondering whether we'd get enough miles to make such a pricey purchase worthwhile. However, in the month that we've had it, it's proven to be a valuable part of our active family.

On Saturdays, I come home from teaching BODYPUMP and as I grab a bite to eat, Mark will pump up the tires. As he brings out the bikes, I make a snack for Miles - usually a combination of Goldfish, raisins and peanuts - and get a couple bottles of nuun.

Our rides are never very long, in the six-mile range, and we always make it a point to include a playground along the route. We stop and let Miles run free. From the comfort of a nearby bench, we've seen our precocious toddler blossom into an independent boy. One who has mastered the steps and ladder rungs. One who has no time for the swing as he finds it too confining. One who likes to "flide" over and over again.

We were quite amazed today at his prowess and lack of fear, taking on the big boy slide. Not just once but a good five times. (Note: We were not sitting on the bench for that one!)

After Miles is sufficiently wore out and our bellies not-so-sufficiently full, we head home for lunch on the patio. They are never anything extravagant - a plate with cottage cheese, baby carrots and grapes or sandwiches - but sitting in the sun as we eat seems to make the meals that much better.

Summer can often be filled with parties and trips, all fun in their own right, but these days, these quiet mornings are the ones I like best.