My name is Julie and I'm an addict!lol

I was speaking to a friend today who called to discuss strollers...she's looking to buy a new one and wanted some input. You see, I have a stroller addiction so people have been known to call me to discuss their stroller needs and get suggestions - friends also know they never need to bother to load their stroller in the back of their car when they're coming to visit - they'll have their choice to borrow from!lol Anyhow, this friend jokingly dared me to post a pic of my strollers and come out of the closet as a stroller addict...and then earlier tonight, I'm reading another adoption blog and the topic of strollers comes up and it turns out I'm not the only stroller addict out there!lol Let me first say that I'm a walker...I tend to have a more European shopping style in that I'm usually out and about with Emma every day getting our groceries for that day. We also walk most anywhere we go in the neighbourhood and almost daily enjoy walks on a neighbourhood nature trail. The strollers get used a lot. So, how did I end up with this fine collection??lol Let's start on the left: That's the Bebecar stroller and it's the first one I bought for Emma. I wanted a stroller with large wheels to handle the nature trails and I wanted the front wheels to swivel for ease of use. Voila, stroller issue resolved. Well, next thing you know, Emma is home and Emma pretty much cries hysterically anytime I try to go for a walk with her - Emma MUST see mommy at all times and this stroller does not reverse - Emma has to face forward as I push behind the stroller. So, on to the 2nd stroller in the pic. I head up to my fave baby store and tell them I need a stroller with a reversible handle, where Emma can sit in the stroller and face me or face out. Well, they don't have many current options other than the Bugaboo which I personally dislike (I find the handle to be a really uncomfortable fit for my hands) but eventually the owner mentions he's got a big Peg from last year that's on clearance - did I want to see it. Well, if Emma can face me while we walk, I want to see it. This thing is huge but it's comfy as can be for Emma, great for napping, and I could easily fit a month's worth of groceries in its huge metal basket!lol Okay, so I'm all set now, right... but wait, these 2 strollers are huge and heavy and the 2nd one doesn't even fold - it's a bassinet on a frame - what do I do when I'm out and about with the car? I need an umbrella stroller - enter the orange P3 stroller. A little heavy for an umbrella, but full recline, space for cup and snacks, etc, good all around out and about and vacation stroller. Well, now we must be done...oh, no, but wait... what about those wet, snowy, windy days; what about those really rough nature trails we sometimes go on - well, how about this M3 - it's on clearance and it's got an amazing fitted plastic hood that will protect Emma from the elements and it's got BIG wheels that will go over anything - it even rolls smoothly at the beach!! And now our last one... I think it doesn't really count since it's from Thomas' time (yes, I did have a stroller addiction back then and owned a whole 'nother collection of strollers for Thomas - all given to a womens shelter when he outgrew them, which is where Emma's will go as well) but this old Maclaren is good to leave in the back of Gary's car so we don't need to schlep the Pliko from my car to his...it's a little worn, but I'm good with it - oh but wait, I just saw the cutest Maclaren with a polka dot pattern - what's a girl to do!!!lol I'm kidding - I will not get it... I have to say, the new Maclaren is made so much more cheaply than the one we have...can't believe what's happened to their quality - although Emma sure would look cute in that polka dotted seat!!lol So, anyone know if there's an AA for stroller addiction??lol As for Gary, he hopes one day to be able to fit a CAR in the garage!!lol