My stroller and I

I have a love/hate relationship with my stroller.

I spend more time with my stroller than I do with my husband - so it deserves a mention.

I first purchased my stroller in 2008 prior to the birth of Master 4.  Like any pregnant mama, I did a mountain of research as to which one was going to be right for me.  Was it safe and sturdy? Was it not too heavy? Was it narrow enough to fit through the checkouts? Did it fully recline? Could it fit two kids later on? Could I fit my shopping, my bag and the kitchen sink underneath it...just in case I might need to lug that around too?

We finally settled on a Phil&Teds.

Originally we had ordered the mid range model.  But about three weeks before my baby was due,  the stroller still hadn't arrived.  They called me to let me know it wasn't going to arrive until the end of October.  

Well - you just don't tell a 38 week pregnant first time mum that her stroller isn't going to arrive until three weeks after her baby is due.  Biiiiigggg mistake.

I let out a hormonal rant "I ordered this stroller over three months ago..."  "This is not good enough..." "My baby is due in three weeks, what am I going to do without a stroller, I can't exactly carry the baby everywhere...." (despite the fact I had been carrying the baby for the past eight and a half months - did I mention I was VERY pregnant). 

I felt sorry for the poor 16 year old (or so he sounded) guy on the other end.  Was it the store's idea of a joke to get the work experience boy to call all the pregnant ladies to deliver this news?  The joke was definitely on him.

"We are so sorry Mrs Jones...why don't we upgrade you to The Vibe" he said.

The Vibe was the top of the line model.  It cost well over $500 at the time.

Stopping mid rant, I said "Ummm....well yes, that would certainly be a good solution - thankyou so much" 

Score!

So, I have had the Phil&Teds Vibe since then.  I have loved this stroller most of the time. 

I love that it can fit two children in it using the same footprint as a normal stroller.  It will fully recline to allow a baby to sleep whilst still ensuring the toddler has somewhere to sit.  It is lightweight, easy to fold up and put down.  It is easy to manoeuvre and the break is on the top of the handle and is easy to use.

Except when it doesn't work properly, then it irritates me no end.  

My most recent issue with it involved the back tyres wearing out (again).  Since being in the USA, I have no car which means I walk everywhere and use my stroller all day everyday.  The tyres wore down to the tread within a month, so I bought new ones - these also wore down to the tread within a month. 

I sent in a warranty repair request to Phil & Teds to get the tyres replaced.  They responded within two business days - just like their website said they would - with this response "Hi Kelly, we are going to get a new frame, front wheel and rear wheels sent out to you to take care of this issue. Everything else from your current buggy will transfer over. Enjoy your buggy!"

Within 4 business days, the new frame, front wheel and rear wheels had all arrived.

I was wrapped with the customer service and with the outcome.  I just hope it means the end for my troubles with the tyres.

Thankyou Phil&Teds for helping me with this issue so efficiently and for being a reliable and customer focused company.  

Now my stroller is all fixed and working beautifully - I love it again.  In fact I think I should give it a name.  Any suggestions?  

So, would I buy another Phil&Teds.  Yes.

(BTW, I have not been endorsed by Phil&Teds to say anything in this post).

Does your stroller have a name? What do you love about your stroller/pram?  What irritates you?

Vomit in a public place

My little baby boy vomited in a cafe today.

Not just a bit of baby milk spew but a whole lot of tummy bug vomit. This is groce, I know.  You don't probably want to be reading about vomit but the cafe owner had an interesting reaction...

To set the scene - it happened with completely no warning.  He was not really off his food or lethargic or particularly quiet - he seemed fine.  When it happened it went everywhere - all over him, all over me, all over the table, all over the chairs and on the floor - yuck - sorry again for the graphic detail.  I promise it will be cleaner from now on!

After it happened, the cafe owner came out with a disgusted, cross look on her face (like I can help it). I apologised profusely - I would never take my any of my children out of the quarantine of my house if they had a tummy bug.  I asked her for some paper towel.  The first thing she said " You will have to clean it up, we're not allowed to touch it".  I would NEVER expect someone else to clean up my child's vomit and was 100% prepared to clean it up.  In fact, I would not let anyone else clean it up for fear of spreading germs.  I didn't expect her to clean it up but what I did expect was 1. Some sympathy for my poor little baby boy who was sitting in his pram looking grey and 2. For her to be as helpful as possible to help me clean it up.

So there I was, with my baby wipes and a plastic nappy bag trying desparately to wipe it up.  There was no offer of gloves, mop, bucket of soapy water, plastic rubbish bag - nothing.

Finally after I asked she bought out some paper towel and a packet of antibacterial wipes.  Whilst I was on my hands and knees, she squirted disinfectant onto the floor in front of me.  I was mortified and beyond apologetic and whilst I was on my hands and knees for 20 mins covered in vomit and wanting more than anything to get my sick little man home - she and all the other staff went about their business.

I am completely appalled at the way we were treated and will never go back to that cafe again.

Am I expecting too much? I think she should have helped me more.

Have you had this happen to you in a public place?  What did people do/not do for you?