I have always hoped that my child would love swimming. I have always vowed to myself that I would start teaching my children to swim at a young age, and that I would teach them first hand my own personal love for swimming.
We started swimming later than I planned. I wanted to take him swimming at 6 months (since that is the earliest the pediatrician said we could take him). I kept waiting for times to coincide with Will's schedule and the pool schedule with hopes that both of us would be able to take M swimming for the first time, and when it didn't look that that would be happening anytime soon and with the arrival of his eight-month birthday a few days ago, I decided it was important that I take him by myself.
After his terrible fall (and his ER visit) last Sunday afternoon, I decided to stay home from work on Monday. I took M swimming Monday morning and he far surpassed any of my expectations. I have taught a lot of "Parent/Tot" swim lessons and all levels of swim lessons in general, and I have honestly never seen a child so comfortable in the water so young and on their first couple trips in the water. I'm not just saying that as a proud parent. Honestly - I wish he had SOME sort of fear (since that is healthy and keeps him safe) but he doesn't. He submerges his entire head willfully, floats comfortably on his back (with his ears completely covered) and is already a pro at kicking on his stomach. Its actually very crazy. You'd think he'd been swimming for months, and not just twice.
When we went on Monday, we met and hung out with another mom and her almost nine month old son and it was also their first time at the pool. It was great for me to be able to compare the boys, and yes - Marshall is unnaturally natural in the pool. I am one proud momma.
He only looks upset in this photo because he wanted my phone/camera:
All these pictures are from yesterday (Friday). I took Marshall swimming again, and bought a pass so we can start going every week. Will bought me a life case for my iPhone, which makes it completely waterproof (you can take video and pictures underwater with the phone). Some of the stares I got for having my phone with me in the pool were priceless. Marshall was playing with my phone and submerging it completely underwater. One mom was like "Is your phone WATERPROOF?!" Luckily, my phone is still working. I'm pretty happy with this case. :)
Will is going to be able to go swimming with us next Friday since he has work off, so hopefully next week we'll have some better photos since it won't be just me trying to juggle M and the camera.
Yay for water babies!
