Day 1--Swim Lessons

Hollis and I were the first to arrive this morning for our 30 minute swim class at Tom's Dive Shop. The pool is indoors and quite small. After I dressed H in his suit the other students started to arrive: a 14 month old, a 2 year old, a 6 month old and the lovely, lively Hollis were all waiting to start class. Smiling, with his dolphin fins on, he eagerly bolted for the pool and I swear he would have dove head first had we not been forced to sit for our "safety" intro. After we lowered ourselves into the pool we practiced blowing bubbles (I practiced blowing while he ignored me watching all of the other activity around him), kicking (his choice means for chasing after a floating plastic gold fish), paddling ( he didn't really have an interest), floating (relaxed while I sang to him) and getting out of the pool (amazingly enough, once I put one elbow on the side of the pool he did the rest pulling up and then crawling out). One of our exercises was to climb up a pvc pipe and then fall to the bottom and blow bubbles. I thought to myself, "oh! this is a little advanced." To my surprise H started climbing the pole and was so quick I had to catch up to help lift him out of the water. Is he ten years old or 8 months? I am having trouble keeping count!!! Once back down in the pool he watched while the instructor blew her bubbles and was taking a lot of mental notes :)! He drinks water so Dad and I have some homework to teach him how to blow bubbles and/or spit out the water so his brain does not swell with pool water.

Once again, I was amazed at his enthusiasm and fearless efforts as the 14 month old is crying next to us not taking part in any of the activities. We are so blessed to have such a happy, determined son! He trusts us so much that I am convinced our methods of babywearing and co-sleeping have laid the foundation for an independent, confident little boy.