Sunday, November 9, 2008

Retiring the Ride

For me, my first vehicle was the most memorable: a '74 Ford Maverick. Received as a present from my parents upon college graduation, it symbolized progress...movement. Sadly, I didn't allow it to pass with dignity; I toted a spare battery with me to "self-jump" as need demanded (and it did often). Antifreeze spat at me through the vents, it didn't matter. I loved that car.

For Darren and Sarah, their first mode of transport served them equally well. Derided by many, but beloved by our family, we rocked our Graco DuoGlider in Princeton print. Given us by my adult Sunday School class when our twosome was still in-belly, we were mobile from the get-go. The double baby buggy facilitated excursions everywhere...even if only for durations of 10-20 minutes to the mall for a quickie environment change between nursings.

More than most aspects of the kids' "babydom," the stroller was symbolic -- and sentimental. As such, I'd been embarrassingly reluctant to relinquish it. Our use of the DuoGlider ended years ago, and today, our stroller possession ended. Yet the stroller lives on....experiencing a new life with our beloved -- newly blessed with a second child -- neighbors across the street. We couldn't be happier.

On their first walk around the block with Daddy, less than a week old...
Today, hamming it up for a last ride across the street to the new owners' house.

Today, I'm thankful...

Sarah has been tasked with a playroom book purge, and she's being considerate of her brother's favorites (he opted out).

Darren has replaced the Halloween Oriental Trading Catalog with today's Target Toy Season flyer.

Double Daddy is clearing out the former nursery that had become the "catch all" when we moved the twins to their new room.

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21 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's always sad to see the stroller go, but it instantly opens up space for more things...like a tandem bike!

Jenni said...

We had nearly the same Duo Glider!

Tamara Mitchell said...

I love the "Today, I am thankful for!"

Rebecca said...

The fact that you got a picture of them sitting in the stroller cracks me up! It definitely symbolizes moving on and moving up!

Liz Jimenez said...

Isn't it incredible that those teeny tiny babies became the big kids you know today? Amazing how the slow, subtle changes add up to such a momentous shift.

Unknown said...

So funny to see them squeezed in there! I bet that was a chore to push!

We didn't get our double stroller until the kids were about 8+ months old. Looking back, I so wish I'd gotten one sooner but then again, we didn't venture out a whole lot when they were itty bitty b/c it was winter time and RSV season. We stayed home more than not, but did get out when we needed to!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you found someone to pass it to. It's hard to let go of those things, but it really does help a bit to know that it's going to someone you know will use it and need it.

Totally got that Target flier last week.

Love the new profile pic.

Threeundertwo said...

I see you went for the "matching shirt for dad" option. You're always so coordinated!

Gail said...

LOL I LOVE the photo of them in the stroller now. Too cute! And such sweet babies with Daddy. :) I don't know what a twin mom would do without the stroller. We actually have a triple one here (Runabout) with our three kiddos.... it's just a sanity saver! I'm glad you found someone you could pass it on to. *hug* Happy Sunday, Cheryl!

SouthernDogwoods said...

I call our DuoGlider (which we still have but have outgrown) the "Cadillac" = it is HUGE and not that great on steering but it is the best & served us well!

Leia said...

Yay for new toy catalogs. The Target one today didnt hold much attention as the others we have. Its hard to top the Penny's one though. Ethan had a great time when we got the Wal-mart one in the mail this past week. Surprised me when he looked at it and said look its a Wal-Mart catalog since its not somewhere we shop very often. Maybe its been engrained in his head from when we lived in Salida and that was the only place to shop

Laura said...

What will you do with the new room?
Silly String supply closet?

MereCat said...

I love the "fast-forward" from then to now. Gee they really outgrew that stroller fast in my head!

Keetha said...

My son turns seven on Thursday and I remember putting away his car seat. Sigh. Wow does time get away.

Anonymous said...

My first car was also a 1974 Maverick (Maverick!) - puke green in color. Weird!

Kim H. said...

Way to share the stroller love! :) I know, it's so hard to move stuff like that on. I've saved a few special baby items that I want family to have - although when my siblings have kids, I remember how nice it was to get all new....then I remembered how life got a little more complicated...and the budget a bit tighter when the second one came along - so may be my items will still end up with a sibling....


But I suppose letting go (even of the 'stuff') is all part of this parenting gig.

Harris Boys said...

we had that same one...bought it used at a consignment sale then we got a newer one. How nice of you guys to donate yours. :)

Renata said...

We have a side by side one (as that's all that would fit into our car! I'm going to be very sad to see it go - it is not only great, but has a lot of sentimentality connected now!

Jen said...

It's always so sad to see the baby things go! I can't believe how much they've grown since their first ride!

debi9kids said...

Oh wow! That is a milestone & a half! Getting rid of the stroller!
Onward & upward!

ps I tagged you on my Saturday post (I think. LOL) It was the same Values Post that Barb just did :)
...don't kill me :)

Lisa (mummascribbles) said...

Wow that served you well. I only have one little one but we are on our third buggy! Started with the full on tank when he was a baby, then that got far too heavy and so we got a second hand easier to navigate buggy and then when that got too big we moved onto a smaller stroller which is what we use now! And if we have baby number two, I’ll be starting out with new ones as we beat the others up too bad to re-use – purposeful or not, the other half will never know hehe! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday