When people ask me what is the hardest part about having two children -- besides the sleep deprivation -- without hesitation, I respond “the oldest child.” While Ari has matured in that he has a larger vocabulary and a newfound empathy for others -- he does help out with his baby sister, for example -- he has regressed in many areas since her arrival.

He is in pull-up diapers again. Actually, he still wants to be the baby of the family. He constantly climbs into bed with us, he demands that I carry him and -- he wants to be pushed around in a stroller.

Initially, I would ignore his cries and nonchalantly tell him that he was a big boy with legs. But I noticed other mothers at his school shuttling around their babies and toddlers in this interesting stroller, or something like it.

Basically, it’s a combination stroller, the size of one. (And I thought Ari’s Graco travel system was fancy with its various components!) The baby sits upfront in a carrier, or in the seat, and the toddler stands behind on a platform. I chose the Joovy because Ari has the choice to stand or to sit.

Now there are no more fights. And for all that it offers, I did not pay much more for it than my grandparents did the Graco four years ago: $200.

My only beef with this double stroller is that it doesn’t recline all the way to napping position. We plan to go to Europe at the end of the month and were hoping Ari could use it to nap while we sling the baby. When we went to London two years ago, I actually purchased a cheap reclining umbrella stroller just so Ari could nap, letting me see the sights while Markos worked. (Yes, we have three strollers in the garage! There are so many options now and it seems like we have one for every occasion.) We may take two strollers or purchase another one abroad to leave behind.

What are your favorite traveling gear? What other things would you suggest we take to Europe (Germany and Greece) this summer? Gracias -- wait, how do you say that in Greek? -- in advance.