Carriage Ride

One of the items of purchase for our little grandson was a stroller. I didn't buy the top of the line, but one which had the portable features which would allow us to facilitate travel beyond the infant car seat. It was not too heavy, and foldable. Had a small area for storage, and a hood to protect him from the sun.

We never dreamed that he would get so much use from it. Nathan was born in January and our yard was covered with new-fallen snow at the time, but we mused, when spring arrived he would be just the right size to take him out in the carriage. Wrong! Carriage rides became a remedy for the fussy baby, who at times had reflux, and loved traveling through the house, usually falling fast asleep.

Nathan grew fond of grampy giving him carriage rides, and often he'd observe the sports memorabilia around the room as he positioned his right arm straight out. The one which later would hold a small flag.

Spring came, and we'd bundle him up for a ride through the slush and remaining snow as we sought the middle and drier part of the small street. Yes, he would be an outdoor type, and we would also benefit from getting out and exercising.

Our walk expanded as the weather became better and one would see the little toddler being pushed down the street holding his flag. The flag which was dropped and picked up while he was observing the birdies, doggies, kitties, squirrels, and other little critters out there.

Then, it was the basketball hoops, mail boxes, water catch basins, and fire hydrants. I made the mistake of buying a carriage that did not have a footrest. His little legs would just hang down and the blanket that I'd wrap around him would loosen and get caught on the wheels. I'd have to stop and re- wrap the precious cargo.

It wasn't long before he knew his way. Telling me -- that way! And now that he has become heaver, the inadequate plastic small wheels make maneuvering more difficult still. Up the hill we go. He's all of thirty pounds and I can't even imagine what a carriage ride will be like at 45 pounds, which is the carriage maximum.

He eventually replaced the need for holding a flag to holding his "snoopy white" stuffed toy dog. Always, he carries a ball with him just in case we stop to shoot some hoops at the end of the street.

Today, I pushed him up the huge hill, which years ago I couldn't even climb without becoming winded and exhausted. My husband also had found it challenging, very often he'd push the carriage downhill and Grammy had the privilege of pushing it uphill.

We turned the bend, he looked at me and said, "grandma faster." Wouldn't it be nice if we could take turns?

We have a burm below our driveway and sometimes, I make the ride more fun by stepping it up a bit going over the bump at a speed that sets him off laughing. Repeating, its up the incline of the driveway, slightly turning around, running a bit, and whoops over the bump. Funny! His reply is always the same, "again." Threes a charm, then that's it until the next time, when I say, "does Nathan want to go for a carriage ride?" To which he always replies "Yes."