[Jen_in_OH]

DH and I hope to return to Russia in April to bring home our two soon-to-be children (knock on wood - with all the delays I still worry about jinxing myself).

Anyway - for those of you who have adopted two at one time, did you bring an umbrella stroller with you? I'm thinking it will be a pain to take with us, but we might really need it on the return trip. The children will be 2 & 4. Any suggestions?

Jen

[Mom4Girls]

I definitely would take a double umbrella stroller...or two single umbrella strollers. I am single mom with two 3YO children. We travel several times a year and the umbrella stroller is what allows me to get through airports. :-) Not only does it allow me to hasten the pace, but it also keeps the girls contained in their seats. I used the stroller to return from Russia also. I just wheeled it up to the door and the crew gate checked it. Each time, it was waiting at the door when we deplaned. I never used the stroller IN Russia, but it was a blessing in airports on the way home. I now have it down to a system where I can hang the girls' two backpacks (stuffed with their airplane activity items) on the handles of the stroller and toss the diaper bag and our one small carry on duffel over my shoulders and off we go.

You may find that your 2 and 4YO children are eager to explore all of the new sights in an airport. The stroller will help you to keep them in one place while you deal with tickets, passports, adoption papers, visas, immigration, etc. Wishing you the best on your journey~~
Stephanie

[Ozwald]

I agree with Stephanie. I would take one double or a couple cheapo umbrella strollers. We were thankful we took them with us to Guatemala. We used both strollers on our visit trip, but for our pickup trip, Eli would NOT go in the stroller. But we were happy that Nic liked the stroller. I put Eli in a Snugli and pushed Nic in the stroller. It freed up my husband so he could do the luggage (I definitely got the better end of the deal).

Good luck!

[MkMw]

with kids that age - I would take 2 umbrella strollers. You can also buy connectors so you can hook them together if you are someplace alone.

[Jen_in_OH]

Thank you! Sounds like the strollers are a must. Out of curiosity, did anyone get unusual questions/stares on your way to the country (two adults, two strollers, zero kids)? Has anyone purchased strollers while in the country (Russia in particular)?
Jen

[MkMw]

Because I was picking our children up as infants, and needed to be there (South Africa) a while, I was travelling alone (dh joined me a week later) with a double stroller and 2 infant carriers. The only strange look I got was from one of the curbside guys - he kept trying to look at my backpack - finally he asked "where's the baby"? But that was it.

I don't know anything about Russia - I did know before I went that I would not be able to get a stroller that 2 infant carriers could attach too though, so I broght it with me.

[Shellemarie]

I definitely would go for the 2 umbrella strollers as well, and check them, and if you get any questions... then just BRAG :-D
Good luck to you!

[MIKelly]

We took an umbrella stroller to Russia for our 23 month old son (we took a snugli for our 11 month old daughter). We used the stroller in Russia all of the time since our son was 32 pounds. It was a little difficult in Moscow since they have the underground passageways to cross the streets which meant we had to keep dragging the stroller up and down stairs. Another great use for the stroller is as a "seat" for eating in the hotel room. Remember that these kids are extremely over-stimulated when you get into a hotel room and will be bouncing off the walls. The stroller was invaluable!

Unfortunately our stroller never made it off the plane at JFK and let me tell you we would have given anyone anything to get our hands on a stroller at the airport. We had a 3 hour layover, the kids (and us) hadn't slept in 20 hours, our son viewed all adults as caregivers and was happy to run off looking for new parents. I would have given anything to have that stroller!!

Good Luck!
Kelly

[Kimberj71]

Jen,

I'm not sure about baby equipment prices in Russsia, but I know that baby equipment in Guatemala is much more expensive than here in the States. You may want to ask your agency or other parents who have been to Russia to be sure.
Have an awesome trip!
Kim

[dlbmcgill]

As another option if you don't want to drag carseats and strollers - I have a friend that used a carseat that converted to a stroller for the trip back.