Having had twins, I needed a double stroller. I agree that putting the older kid (then 3 y.o.) in confinement would have been nice, but -- expense-wise -- we just couldn't handle that. So the oldest had to learn to keep one hand on the stroller and walk with us. He did okay. I say all this because sometimes the kids have to learn to stay with and behave. Actually, for the most part, he enjoyed having more freedom than his infant sibs.

But sometimes he would certainly get tired and wanted a ride. I would just put him on my shoulders at that time.

It also wasn't too cold in Kansas, so that is a big issue.

I agree with ticktock's overall assessment, though, do what you need to do for those days when you want to be lazy. I don't say this derogatorily. We all have days when we want/need the easiest route, and you really will appreciate spending the extra hundred bucks or however much. Remember, it's a one-time expense to deal with an issue that will last for a few years.

That said, here are my thoughts which (with $3 will get you a fancy coffee somewhere):

1. Have a car seat that you can just plop/attach into the stroller. Again, it was worth it. Baby sleeping. No wake baby. Good daddy.

2. Stroller for two! I liked the front-and-back because we could get through doors a lot easier. But some people want the side-by-side and didn't have problems with doors. It finally boils down to personal preference. I just took the path of least resistance.

3. Again, personal preference. I didn't want a sling because I didn't want to carry the kids on long walks. That's me. What I should have gotten was a drink-holder for the stroller. I really, really, really would have enjoyed that, but I didn't know that at the outset.

Finally, (whew!) since you are looking at one older and one younger, I saw this one stroller that I thought was cool but couldn't use since we had twins. The back seat converted to a standing area for the older kid. I talked to a couple of moms about it, and their kids thought it was cool to stand like mommy yet not have to walk all the time.

I googled it for you and found these:

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Baby%20Trend%207548%20Plus%20Sit-N-Stand%20Plus%20Double%20Stroller:2003571614

Also, this next one looks absolutely kick-a@@, and would have been my dreamstroller if I knew about it. Almost makes me want to have more kids:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5223201

Read the reviews, of course. And if you are anti-Walmart (which lots of people here are), then just buy it elsewhere.

Good luck having the new little girl. It's gonna be awesome. I'll be rootin' for you for everything to go perfectly.

(P.S. -- I suck at putting links in these threads, so you might have to cut-and-paste. Sorry.)

Hey Guys;

What do you think/know about tandem strollers?

DW I have been searching around and found two of them that seem to be good option, but they are new models , so no so much info about them, and they are available online only.

Joovy Caboose Ultralight
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3123775

Mia Moda Compagno Stroller - Mint Java
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3121429

The second one has a "recommended age" (Birth - 3 years), and my son is almost 3 yo, so are those age limits important?

Please have you experience with them? Any Review?

======================
Congregatio pro erudio et auxilium
Information Technology User X
Itux

Thanks JohnGilroy fro your answer,

I did order the Joovy Caboose Ultralight from Babies R Us, and now I wondering what baby car seat can be used?

We are planing to buy the Britax infant carseat, but I guess it won't fit really well in the stroller, we tried it with a tandem stroller and their fit was far from acceptable. So any suggestions? Did your infant car seat fit OK?

======================
Congregatio pro erudio et auxilium
Information Technology User X
Itux

I'll tackle the slipping portion of this one Itux. There's no right or quick answer for this one. I can just tell you what I did. Buy lots of tylenol and ice packs... you'll need them. Just try to take it slow, that way if you or the kids do slip and fall, it won't hurt as bad. Slipping on ice in the winter is like getting poo on your hand when changing a diaper. It doesn't happen regularly, but it WILL happen. So just make sure you're careful as to not make things worse. If you start to slip, protect the kids and try to go a little limp. It wil soften the fall (an old trick I learned in martial arts when I was young enough to participate). You can do everything to try to stop it from happening, but the best thing you can do is just be ready for anything. If you start to slip and panic, things will go swiftly from bad to worse. So just take it easy and remember, a sign of a good dad is one that is covered in bruises. It seems that the more boo-boos a dad has, the fewer the kids have!