Baby's first big purchase

Well, we finally bought a stroller. This has been a long process of visiting many baby stores (in at least two different countries), looking at many models, looking at manufacturers' Web sites, comparing types, and thinking. (Plus there is a lot to choose from here in Europe - we think there is a lot more to offer here and more innovative equipment for babies than in the U.S.) But then again, this is the usual process for both of us when we make a major purchase. We're definitely not the type to rush into anything.

But it's just a stroller, you say. Yes, but it's more! Because we are moving out of Geneva in several months, we did not want to get too much furniture or equipment for the baby (we'll buy it all when we finally settle down somewhere), and so we had been looking at a three-in-one type of stroller, and an Italian brand model (Chico) caught our eye early. This is what we ultimately settled on. In addition to your traditional stroller (which we will be able to use when the child is a few months older), it comes with a car seat/carrier and a bassinet/carrier, and it's this part that will double as Baby's bed at home until we leave Geneva. The car seat and bassinet both go on top of the stroller part so you can push the baby around in those things too.

So finally Daddy gets a picture on this blog, and this is me with the new stroller. We spent a little time learning how it all works today. Talk about a sophisticated piece of equipment (and we still haven't figured it all out)! You would probably be shocked at the price, but remember that we got three major pieces all together (which have to be bought by every new parent anyway) and probably won't need to buy any other furniture or equipment while we're here (plus the woman at the shop said this model should last us ten years; I wanted to tell her that a 10-year-old would be too big for the stroller anyway). While it means comfort for Baby, this stroller is really for the parents - it will be a nice model to have and use. Sarah keeps saying, "I'm pleased."

So you'll see Baby gettin' around town in style - getting on and off the bus, at the tea room having coffee and croissants, and at the grocery store buying a baguette. I'm just worried that it will remember what a nice stroller it had at birth and then, at 16, demand that we buy it a sports car!