Tweet and Win a Stokke Xplory Stroller!

Breaking news! Stokke is giving away an Xplory Basic Stroller (a $1000 value)!!

Here are the details of the giveaway, taken from their site.

**Contest runs from June 22 to June 29, 2009**


Rules:

1. Tweet your favorite Xplory stroller feature and color. You can see all the colors here--including my favorite Limited Edition 2009 Yellow. And you can choose from these fabulous features:

* It brings your child up from the ground closer to you. This helps create a bond between you and your child.
* It has 2 way facing and 5-position seating features
* It has an adjustable footrest for baby's comfort and support
* It can be used from birth up to 45 lbs
* It can be used as a restaurant highchair
* It's made from automotive-grade materials for safety and durability
* It comes with 3 year warranty.

2. Follow @stokkelovers twitter account

3. Use #stokke hashtag on your posting

The winner will be posted on @stokkelovers twitter account on July 5th, 2009

You can read all my previous posts about the Xplory here. Don't wait--enter this contest. What have you got to lose??

Stroller Savings: Free Diaper Bag with Xplory Stroller

I just discovered a really great deal for those of you who are about to purchase or are thinking about purchasing an Xplory Stroller!
Apparently from now until July 15th when you buy an Xplory Basic or an Xplory Complete from Strollers.com you will also get a Stokke Diaper Bag *free*!

The Diaper Bag is sporty and modern. You can use it as a backpack or attach it to your Xplory Stroller. And it's a $120 value!

Keep in mind that the diaper bag doesn't just come in the mail with your stroller. You have to register your stroller online with Stokke here and Stokke will send you the diaper bag.
By registering your Xplory Stroller you also activate the 3 year warranty that comes free with your stroller purchase. The *free* diaper bag is just icing on that yummy stroller cake.

Exploring the Xplory: The Answers!

As promised, here are your penetrating questions about Stokke's Xplory Stroller along with answers straight from Megan at Stokke.

Question 1: The Xplory doesn't look like any other stroller I've ever seen. What was the inspiration and reasoning behind the unusual design?
Answer: All Stokke products are designed with a purpose and that is, they are built in the best interest of the child. For the Xplory the goal was to bring babies closer to their parents, strengthening the bond between them. The higher seat also gives toddlers a panaramic view of the world, inviting them to visually interact with their surroundings.

Question 2: The handle doesn't look like anything I've seen on other strollers. Why is that?
Answer: Both the height and position are adjustable to fit the shape and size of any person pushing the stroller...from the tallest Dad to the youngest walking sibling.

Question 3: I have twins. Any chance Stokke will design a double stroller some day?
Answer: That's the first question I asked when I joined the company but unfortunately an Xplory twin stroller is not in the immediate plans.

Question 4: How much can the basket really hold?
Answer: It can hold 4-5 gallons or a full pack-sack diaper bag.

Question 5: Where's the brake?
Answer: On the Stokke Xplory, the brake is the white part on the inside of the rear right wheel. It can easily be turned on or off with your foot. Actually, all the movable parts on the Xplory are white so they're easy to find!

Question 6: Will Stokke ever have customizable color options?
Answer: I'm glad you asked because in March we're launching Xplory Moods, which includes a new textile color and two new patterned accessory kits. This will enable parents to customize their Xplory stroller to make it look unique.

Question 7: I'm pregnant and shopping for my first stroller. I'm willing to spend a little more if it means I'm getting a stroller that will last. I like the Xplory but it's so expensive, especially right now when money is tight! How can I be sure it's worth the money?
Answer: That's a great question. The Stokke Xplory grows with your child from baby to toddler, all the way to 45 lbs. It's the only carriage, pushchair, or stroller your child will ever need. And since we believe in its quality, construction and dependability, we offer a three-year warranty.

A big thank you to Megan at Stokke for answering all of your questions.

If there's a particular stroller you want to know more about, let me know and I'll see if I can work my magic to bring you more Ask Mother Goose info--straight from the stroller source!

Reminder: Send Me Your Xplory Questions!

You've got one week to send me your questions about Stokke's Xplory Stroller. I'll be sending your questions to Stokke so we can get the answers right from the source!

I've already received some great questions so keep them coming! Send them to me at mothergooseblog@gmail.com.

Bugaboo May Have Some Competition...

Well my stroller envy poll has come to a close and it looks like Bugaboo isn't the only stroller brand making everyone weak in the knees. Not suprisingly Bugaboo's Cameleon still came in first with 27% of the votes. The futuristic Orbit tied with Bugaboo for first place! So maybe the Orbit really is the next Bugaboo as Patty predicted.


I'm surprised the Quinny didn't get more that 17% of the votes. I work in downtown Boston and the sidewalks are usually swarming with Bugaboos but I counted at least three Quinny Buzzes just during my lunch break! These strollers are getting more popular by the day!

I can't help but agree with anyone who voted for the Silver Cross pram. I've only ever seen it in baby boutique windows--never actually in use by a real parent and a real baby. Maybe you're not actually allowed to put real babies in them except for celebrity photoshoots. I've been known to shamelessly stand on the sidewalk with my face pressed against the glass, drooling.

Stokke's Xplory came in last with only 6% of the votes! I admit, I'm surprised, though I suppose someone always has to come in last. Still, the Xplory is almost as space-agey as the Orbit and I love that it's height keeps baby close. What made you snub the Xplory? Inquiring moms (and dads for that matter) want to know!

Footmuffs: For When The Weather Outside is Frightful

Maybe you're already getting snow where you live or you just know it's coming soon. In Boston it's been cold enough for me to wonder whether all the neighborhood kids will come trick-or-treating bundled up so that I can hardly tell what they are.

It's definitely time for big, warm coats and wool blankets...and stroller footmuffs!

Stroller Footmuffs are a wonderful invention. They keep your baby warm without restricting movement--minus the hassle of having to dredge that stroller blanket off of the slushy pavement every five minutes (yuck).

Footmuffs may be designed for use with particular strollers or for a variety of brands. Of course, if you're thinking of giving someone in your life a footmuff for the holidays (good idea!), you might want to stick with the kind that will work with many different strollers, unless you know what type of stroller they have. A Brooks Pond Perrenial Stroller Footmuff is one option I blogged about back in September.

If you're lucky enough to own a Stokke Xplory Stroller, then you can purchase one of my favorite stroller footmuffs. The Xplory Stroller Footmuff (shown) features a snug hood to keep baby extra warm and a split in the legs to give baby a little extra wiggle room. Plus, in typical Stokke style, the muff is fun and stylish with its modern, graphic pattern.

No matter what stroller you own or what style preference you have, I highly recommend getting a footmuff for your baby. Now if only they came in adult sizes...

Stokke's Xplory: Taking Strollers to New Heights

It has occured to me that while I've referenced the Stokke Xplory Stroller before on this blog, I haven't actually blogged about it! So today that's exactly what I'm going to do. A Stokke representative brought an Xplory in for us to play with here at the office a little while ago. And honestly, I was pretty much ready to write them a check that day. There's just something about the Xplory.

Of course one of the most notable features of the Xplory is its height. The design keeps baby on your level. This makes it easy for you and baby to interact and share the same experiences as you move through your day. It also means your closeness can enhance baby's feelings of safety (and it beats bending down every time he or she gets fussy. Parents also like the fact that the height keeps baby away from the street where there may be garbage and car exhaust.

The look of this stroller is very unique. I've seen it in downtown Boston and done a double take. Personally, I really like it. It's great for urban parents, especially if you want your stroller--and your baby--to stand out from the pack. The stroller is smooth and easy to push and maneuver even in tight spaces(I've tried it) and it's really convenient when you're out to lunch or dinner. Just pull the stroller up to the table--no need for a high chair!

You can use the seat from birth or purchase the lovely carry cot to keep baby extra snug until he or she reaches 20 lbs before you switch to the seat. The seat depth can be adjusted with a padded insert so that even the smallet children can reach the footrest. And of course you can also adjust the seat height and the footrest to totally customize the fit to your child as he or she grows. Face the seat towards or away from you. The choice is yours.

Speaking of adjustments, the handle height and angle can easily be adjusted as well to ensure that any parents is comfortable no matter how tall. Plus, the fact that there's no cross bar between the wheels means taller parents can stride along with ease.

The Xplory Complete Stroller includes the Chassis (aka frame), the Seat, the Carry Cot, Canopy, Raincover, Mosquito Net and stylish Shopping Bag for underneath the stroller. There are also some nice accessories available like the lightweight Sleeping Bag or Car Seat Adaptor, which are compatible with the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP, Maxi-Cosi, and Graco Snugride car seats.

Don't be afraid to give this stylish stroller a double or even a triple take. Take a closer look at Strollers.com.