With the last couple of times being disappointed with the double strollers selection and customer service, I headed to a baby boutique close by here. From the outside, the shop looked tiny. I wonder if they even have strollers here, let alone twin strollers? I proceeded to walk into the store anyway.
"Hi, can I help you with anything?" A man in his mid thirities asked.
"I'm looking at twin strollers." I replied. From the expression on his face, they didn't have any.
"We only have the McClaren. Twin strollers take up a big footprint in our store."
"I understand." and nodded in agreement.
He then he showed me some City Mini strollers and a Valco twin stroller which he was being shipped to the store soon. I politely thanked him and took his card. Jeff was his name. At least he had good customer service.
So I left and headed to Babys R US to check out more strollers...
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Twin A, Twin B initial info
Today we received more information about our first U/S which was at 9 weeks.
Twin A
- Sac containing fetal pole, crown rump 2.3 cm.
- 9 wks old
- heart beat 144 bpm
Twin B
- Sac containing fetal pole, crown rump 2.34 cm.
- 9 wks 1 day old
- heart beat 160 bpm
Dichorionic, diamniotic pregnancy.
Still, can't believe there are two in there.
Twin A
- Sac containing fetal pole, crown rump 2.3 cm.
- 9 wks old
- heart beat 144 bpm
Twin B
- Sac containing fetal pole, crown rump 2.34 cm.
- 9 wks 1 day old
- heart beat 160 bpm
Dichorionic, diamniotic pregnancy.
Still, can't believe there are two in there.
Do you need any help sir?
That seems like an understatement.
Today was about the third time I went looking at strollers while my wife was working. Each time no one has even looked my way. This time I went to Sears because it was near by. I wonder what they have?
Again, 2 twin strollers out of like 30 singleton strollers. I proceeded to fold them down and rock them back and forth.
"Sir do you need any help?" Asked a sales lady.
"Ya, I'm just seeing if this will fit into my car," I replied with a confused tone.
"Oh, twin strollers will be big," she replies and promptly walks away before I could even curse.
Why can't I find some customer service here? I'm trying to find out about the features of the stroller and you walk away? Oh I see.....cause I'm Chinese right.....yeah yeah....I'm playing the race card...just kidding. But seriously.....I had to go to another sales lady just to get a measuring tape and take some measurements on my own.....and no one...God forbid...ask or help the Man.
It's a good rule of thumb to go by....but when it comes to babies....a good man wants the best for his kid....and wants to do what is right. I obviously left the store disgruntled but I knew where I was...Sears...probably not the best place to find advice.
The good news is....the folded stroller I measured (Graco Duo 48" L x 20" W x 16" H) ....seems like it will fit into my 05 Civic and 94 Corolla. Bad news is....it doesn't leave much space for anything else and definitely no room for our dog anywhere.
So, the hunt for a stroller still continues....
Today was about the third time I went looking at strollers while my wife was working. Each time no one has even looked my way. This time I went to Sears because it was near by. I wonder what they have?
Again, 2 twin strollers out of like 30 singleton strollers. I proceeded to fold them down and rock them back and forth.
"Sir do you need any help?" Asked a sales lady.
"Ya, I'm just seeing if this will fit into my car," I replied with a confused tone.
"Oh, twin strollers will be big," she replies and promptly walks away before I could even curse.
Why can't I find some customer service here? I'm trying to find out about the features of the stroller and you walk away? Oh I see.....cause I'm Chinese right.....yeah yeah....I'm playing the race card...just kidding. But seriously.....I had to go to another sales lady just to get a measuring tape and take some measurements on my own.....and no one...God forbid...ask or help the Man.
It's a good rule of thumb to go by....but when it comes to babies....a good man wants the best for his kid....and wants to do what is right. I obviously left the store disgruntled but I knew where I was...Sears...probably not the best place to find advice.
The good news is....the folded stroller I measured (Graco Duo 48" L x 20" W x 16" H) ....seems like it will fit into my 05 Civic and 94 Corolla. Bad news is....it doesn't leave much space for anything else and definitely no room for our dog anywhere.
So, the hunt for a stroller still continues....
Friday, February 11, 2011
Love you Corolla and Civic
Any of you parents out there try to get a stroller into the trunk of a Corolla or Civic? Maybe it's a question of what kind of stroller? Maybe it's a question, do you see any new parents driving a sedan with their infant? I'm sure lots do but have you seen the size of strollers?
Knowing nothing about strollers or babies, I found myself at Toys R Us, the baby section. No one comes to help and no one even comes within 20 feet of the stroller area for me to ask. They have many types of strollers, various designs and colours too....and they all look about the same size. "Where are the twin strollers?" I wondered.
Turning the corner I see....4. Graco something something...and Baby Trend something something. I wasn't paying attention to the brand name, I just wanted to see how big they were. "Holy shh...." They are huge. Wider than a shopping cart and way more expensive. Let's see how this folds. "Holy shh...." After folding it down, it's still huge! "Crap, this isn't going to fit in the back of the trunk."
Let's see how a singleton stroller folds down and looks like. "Damn! Even a single stroller wouldn't be able to fit into my car. Why didn't I take the van offered to me by Kuya Mark."
So I walk out of the store all depressed about how I have to look for a bigger car.
"Well the bugaboo donkey is coming out this year and the frame folds and expands. That will probably fit." My wife says after meeting up with her. She also adds...."oh and it's $1600...plus I'm the one that's going to be using it more. I want one that works for me."
"Are you @#$@# kidding me? I will strap both babies to my body and carry them around....one in the front...one in the back! We don't need a stroller."
But I digress...because I'll probably be so tired, I won't even be able to walk on my own two feet...but c'mon....$1600? That's not including tax by the way.
Knowing nothing about strollers or babies, I found myself at Toys R Us, the baby section. No one comes to help and no one even comes within 20 feet of the stroller area for me to ask. They have many types of strollers, various designs and colours too....and they all look about the same size. "Where are the twin strollers?" I wondered.
Turning the corner I see....4. Graco something something...and Baby Trend something something. I wasn't paying attention to the brand name, I just wanted to see how big they were. "Holy shh...." They are huge. Wider than a shopping cart and way more expensive. Let's see how this folds. "Holy shh...." After folding it down, it's still huge! "Crap, this isn't going to fit in the back of the trunk."
Let's see how a singleton stroller folds down and looks like. "Damn! Even a single stroller wouldn't be able to fit into my car. Why didn't I take the van offered to me by Kuya Mark."
So I walk out of the store all depressed about how I have to look for a bigger car.
"Well the bugaboo donkey is coming out this year and the frame folds and expands. That will probably fit." My wife says after meeting up with her. She also adds...."oh and it's $1600...plus I'm the one that's going to be using it more. I want one that works for me."
"Are you @#$@# kidding me? I will strap both babies to my body and carry them around....one in the front...one in the back! We don't need a stroller."
But I digress...because I'll probably be so tired, I won't even be able to walk on my own two feet...but c'mon....$1600? That's not including tax by the way.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
How are we....?
When I heard the news, I didn't feel scared, I didn't even panic at the news ....but thought.....winning the lottery couldn't compare to this. No amount of money could bring us a miracle like this. Even though having two right away, doubles the initial cost, I didn't even give it a thought.
5 mins later...
"How da heck did this happen? "
"Are you serious?"
"Two?????"
"How can we afford...."
"This is just a dream, that's all...just like in INCEPTION.....wake up now..c'mon..."
"There's two in there? Can two fit in there?"
"What are the risks now?"
"How are we going to do this?"
"I need a beer...."
It's a continuous cycle that kept running it's course. Tough to wrap around by any means. Family and friends are going to freak out! Brix, our boxer dog, is going to freak out! We're freaking out! Like Kool n the Gang....FREAK OUT!
But really...it isn't that bad. It's a blessing. Later on during that day, we realized this is for real and so the journey begins, life with twins.
5 mins later...
"How da heck did this happen? "
"Are you serious?"
"Two?????"
"How can we afford...."
"This is just a dream, that's all...just like in INCEPTION.....wake up now..c'mon..."
"There's two in there? Can two fit in there?"
"What are the risks now?"
"How are we going to do this?"
"I need a beer...."
It's a continuous cycle that kept running it's course. Tough to wrap around by any means. Family and friends are going to freak out! Brix, our boxer dog, is going to freak out! We're freaking out! Like Kool n the Gang....FREAK OUT!
But really...it isn't that bad. It's a blessing. Later on during that day, we realized this is for real and so the journey begins, life with twins.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Secret
Secrets are meant to be told I found out. Keeping one of this magnitude for 12 weeks is like asking the Pope not to pray. Although this pregnancy is suppose to be on the down low, I found it spreading like a forest fire and always ending with the words...."you can't tell anyone about this ok?"
Even I admit, I told a couple people, 2 to be exact. My boss and manager needed to know why all the necessary time off for appointments. They were understanding and congratulated me.
"Welcome to parenthood....a life long job...." he said.
"Gee....thanks," I replied.
Indeed it will be a life long job and it still hasn't hit home yet. I still wanted to do things like play hockey, work on my DIY projects...longboard in the summer days....but that will soon have to change because.....
Even I admit, I told a couple people, 2 to be exact. My boss and manager needed to know why all the necessary time off for appointments. They were understanding and congratulated me.
"Welcome to parenthood....a life long job...." he said.
"Gee....thanks," I replied.
Indeed it will be a life long job and it still hasn't hit home yet. I still wanted to do things like play hockey, work on my DIY projects...longboard in the summer days....but that will soon have to change because.....
When the brick wall falls on you.
A couple of weeks have past since the initial news of my wife being pregnant. Sometimes I drive alone in the car and forgetting she is pregnant.
I was in the car and heard an old Pink Floyd song....
"...all in all you're just another brick in the wall....."
Know that tune? Well today, I did not feel like another brick in the wall. Today was our first ultrasound at 9 weeks. It's early for an U/S but that's the time that was booked. I've never really seen an ultrasound before except for the ones on TV shows like Grey's Anatomy. Afer today, I still didn't get the chance to see one.
"...no, your husband cannot come into the room because it's too early. He can stay right here..." The expression-less U/S tech commented.
It's ok I thought. All I would see was probably a pea sized thing in black and white. So I waited....and waited....and waited for about 20 mins. I wonder what is going on? I hope everything is ok?
Not long after, the door swings open and I see my wife. She smiles for a brief second, and then her eyes begin to swell with tears. Well, she must be overjoyed because she just saw the baby on the screen for the first time. Or maybe there is no baby after all and she just had a miscarriage. Now I was getting worried. She begins to cry a little more... and then even more... her mouth almost unable to speak.
"We're having two...."
"What!?!?"
"There are two babies ...."
And then she hugs me. The brick wall felt like it crushed me into a pancake....God help me.
I was in the car and heard an old Pink Floyd song....
"...all in all you're just another brick in the wall....."
Know that tune? Well today, I did not feel like another brick in the wall. Today was our first ultrasound at 9 weeks. It's early for an U/S but that's the time that was booked. I've never really seen an ultrasound before except for the ones on TV shows like Grey's Anatomy. Afer today, I still didn't get the chance to see one.
"...no, your husband cannot come into the room because it's too early. He can stay right here..." The expression-less U/S tech commented.
It's ok I thought. All I would see was probably a pea sized thing in black and white. So I waited....and waited....and waited for about 20 mins. I wonder what is going on? I hope everything is ok?
Not long after, the door swings open and I see my wife. She smiles for a brief second, and then her eyes begin to swell with tears. Well, she must be overjoyed because she just saw the baby on the screen for the first time. Or maybe there is no baby after all and she just had a miscarriage. Now I was getting worried. She begins to cry a little more... and then even more... her mouth almost unable to speak.
"We're having two...."
"What!?!?"
"There are two babies ...."
And then she hugs me. The brick wall felt like it crushed me into a pancake....God help me.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Oh shoot....she's pregnant?
My story begins right after the New Years. My wife and I weren't really "trying" to have a kid. We always just said, when it happens, it will just happen. That's when we'll know it's our time to become parents. I guess it happened sooner than we thought....
Jan 8, 2011
"Babe....I haven't gotten my period yet.", my wife wakes me up one Sunday morning.
My heart begins to race slightly....it's too early to tell if she is or not...
"How many days has it been?", I asked her.
"5 days.", she responds.
Now my head starts to get warm...she's usually like clockwork....
"Naw...you're not pregnant. It's only 5 days. Let's just wait 'till next week and see what happens", I it said with all the confidence in the world.
"Ok, but if I still don't get it....I'm taking THE TEST", she said and fell back to sleep.
Time rolls onwards....
Jan 15, 2011 Still No Period
Early morning while still in bed...
"I bought the CLEAR BLUE stick. I have one chance to pee on this thing, and it's digital..."
"All right don't miss, that thing isn't cheap. I'll stay in bed."
I knew what it was going to say.....but can this really be true? I hear my wife in the washroom. The test takes up to several minutes....
5secs later
"OH MY GOD!!!!", she screams. I jump out of bed to see the image of what could be great joy or great stress...
.
My head and mind goes into confusion. That can't be right. It couldn't have happened this quickly. All I didn't remember for some reason I could hear BIGGIE SMALLS...."...I love it when you call me big poppa...throw your hands in the air...if yuz a true playa...."
We were going to be parents....a lifetime job and committment...how are we going to do this?
Specs
Jan 8, 2011
"Babe....I haven't gotten my period yet.", my wife wakes me up one Sunday morning.
My heart begins to race slightly....it's too early to tell if she is or not...
"How many days has it been?", I asked her.
"5 days.", she responds.
Now my head starts to get warm...she's usually like clockwork....
"Naw...you're not pregnant. It's only 5 days. Let's just wait 'till next week and see what happens", I it said with all the confidence in the world.
"Ok, but if I still don't get it....I'm taking THE TEST", she said and fell back to sleep.
Time rolls onwards....
Jan 15, 2011 Still No Period
Early morning while still in bed...
"I bought the CLEAR BLUE stick. I have one chance to pee on this thing, and it's digital..."
"All right don't miss, that thing isn't cheap. I'll stay in bed."
I knew what it was going to say.....but can this really be true? I hear my wife in the washroom. The test takes up to several minutes....
5secs later
"OH MY GOD!!!!", she screams. I jump out of bed to see the image of what could be great joy or great stress...
My head and mind goes into confusion. That can't be right. It couldn't have happened this quickly. All I didn't remember for some reason I could hear BIGGIE SMALLS...."...I love it when you call me big poppa...throw your hands in the air...if yuz a true playa...."
We were going to be parents....a lifetime job and committment...how are we going to do this?
Specs
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