Buying a stroller is no walk in the park

"Everyone ends up with a Maclaren anyway." These were the words my hub and I were told when purchasing a Bugaboo Chameleon travel system before the arrival of Harry. 'Whatever Trevor', I thought.

On two hours sleep - first journey

When pregnant, I wasn't that bothered about surfing the net for baby essentials. I left all that to my husband. He informed me that the Bugaboo was the best pram for us. So, we traipsed the shops and had numerous demonstrations on how to swivel, collapse, push, lift... you name it.

I'm afraid I was easily distracted. It was like stopping for directions and then drifting into one of your own. One shop assistant had really smelly breath, another reeked of BO, one other had her own business so the price was a no-go. AND... another was a man. I was surprised. He was about twelve. What did he know?

It turns out that he knew quite a lot more than me: "You have a go."
"I'm sorry, what?" I blundered my way through a poor attempt to collapse yet another pram. I blamed the hormones.

One son later (and a lot less dosh), I've been Googling everything from 'dribble bibs', to 'lightweight Strollers'. The latter searchable term has thrown me into a world of forums, shopping sites and various Top Ten results. This busy lady only gets to sit her tired arse on the sofa at about 9.30pm at the earliest, so you can imagine the frustration at finding far too many results which confuses an overtired mind.

So, why the hell am I searching for 'lightweight strollers'? Hhmmmm. I love the Bugaboo. I really do - it's easy to swerve around annoying obstacles (the likes of nattering grey-haired duo's and young pram-pushers with an attitude). It's also bright blue, which I love. And it's been there from day one.

I may be attached to my blue beauty, but I'm tired of lifting it into the car boot in two parts. Its back wheels have also been known to jolt a few coffee slurpers in Costa too. It wasn't on purpose. Honest.

So, I apologise to 'Whatever Trevor'. You were right. A Maclaren it is. After rubbing my eyes after two weeks of screen surfing, tonight I said the words: "S*d it. I'm buying it." I've read the forums, I've had the tedious shop demonstrations (and I listened), I've clicked on the Top Ten websites, and compared weights. The hardest part was trying to find my settled choice at the cheapest price. Which, by the way, I bought through Boots.com for £111.60 (rrp is currently £155). Just key in 'PUSHC80 if you're interested.

Nicole Richie styles-out a Maclaren

The Maclaren I'm ending up with is a Quest Sport (2011) in coffee and deep water (I drink the former daily and the latter is something I've been in a few times). It's lightweight and easy and doesn't have a drawstring back to recline. The seat has four positions, there's a calf-rest, a five-point harness, reflective strips (for evenings if I ever go on holiday), a raincover and a UV protected hood.

OK, so I ended up with a Maclaren. But so has the likes of Brangelina, Salma Hayek, Heidi Klum, Gisele, Emma Bunton, Nicole Richie and Michelle Williams.

I will just have to sweetly kiss my Chameleon goodbye. It's been quite a journey.

Bye and thank you Chameleon

I will never forget our first trip, as the July sun breathed warmth across my hair and face.
We spent quality time together, as we tentatively walked the neighbourhood.
It was a proud moment.
My confidence grew, and you were shown off -
You were with me wherever I went.

There were good and bad times.
We shared moments with friends - I laughed, ate cake and sipped coffee.
We walked hand in hand. Together.
But, there were times when we sat by the river.
Alone.
Looking out at the water, wiping lonesome tears.
Sometimes we had company.
Other times, it was just us.
You may be 'just a pram'. But you've been there from day one.
You never left my side. Thank you.

Good toes: Taking my son on his third swimming lesson, strolling the shops (exercise), going to the Osteopath for my painful back and shoulders. Eating a gorgeous salmon stir fry, Getting my son into bed by 7.45pm. Hooray!

Naughty toes: Eating too much of my mum's Green & Black chocolate, becoming fed up of people knowing the ins and outs of my business. It's out there. I can't change what other people have said about me, so I just need to deal with it.