Do you remember being a child and loving the pool? No matter what the weather was, the temperature of the pool water, the state of cleanliness of the water, nothing stopped you wanting to go. This past week we have been to the pool 5 out of 7 days easily, perhaps more. I am exhausted! Andrew and Paul T cannot get enough.
Our apartment opened the pool last Tuesday and we went every day of the week except one. And it was brisk to say the least! The water was so cold even after swimming in it for 30 minutes! We’d do the slow ease in and then get back out and the slight breeze hits your skin so it feels even colder then you get back into the water and it now feels warm. That worked a little but still after 30 or so minutes Andrew’s little bottom jaw was quivering. He’d eventually admit to wanting to get out.
We were going mostly later afternoon like 5pm because it was after naps and Daddy’s work out. I still managed to get sunburned a bit but no one else did. Then one day we went in the afternoon, I think it was Monday since Andy came home early from work for the holiday. I was super paranoid about sunburn that day and we didn’t stay long enough for Andrew’s tastes for sure!
After our first outing we decided to get Andrew some water wing floaties that go around the kid’s arms. I also got one for Paul and I. I sometimes wear Paul T in a wrap or sling into the water but I think most times he prefers freedom of movement so we just hold him. Anyway, the water wings weren’t cutting it for Andrew. His mouth still slipped under and his excitement is always so high that his mouth is open in a big wide grin. In rushes water, he swallows, coughs gets upset freaks out a little. Even with us holding him he’d manage this trick! It was never enough to scare him out of the water mind you but he didn’t feel confident.
Last night we weren’t going to go. Andrew said the water is too cold and he didn’t want to. Then about 5pm he saw the suits on the bed while I folded laundry and decided he wanted to go. I had almost talked Andy into just taking Andrew so I could stay behind and work on stuff. Taking an hour a day for swimming has left me drained and the sink can’t seem to get cleared out completely. But I knew Paul T loved swimming too so to be fair I said we’d come but we were right behind them. I finally remembered to grab the camera for the first time and after getting Paul and I suited up headed for the back door to find Andy coming back in. He said the pool was closed. I didn’t believe him at first but right behind him came a very confused looking Andrew. Disappointed big time!
Andy suggested we all go to the indoor Natatorium in Denton. I was not into it at first! I had so much to do and now a quick trip out to our backdoor was turning into a drive across town and an expense. but Andy said you should have seen Andrew’s face when I told him the pool was closed, so I understood. He was even willing to take Andrew without me and Paul T but I am so glad we went.
Andrew loves the pool but he hasn’t been too confident or brave about the water. He doesn’t like his face going under, he doesn’t trust his floaties, he won’t let us hold him so he can float on his back. We plan to put him in swim classes as soon as tumbling is over to help him.
We took our little water wing floaties with us to the indoor pool but they said they weren’t allowed but they provide devices including vests. Andy suited Andrew up in one and we got started. Andrew and Paul T had a wonderful time. It wasn’t as cold as our pool had been either. There were balls to play with and Daddy held Andrew up to make a basket.
Then I grabbed a noodle, you know the long floating tubes, from the side and told Andrew to hold it. I intended to pull him around on it. It was only a matter of minutes before he realized he could hold this thing and with his vest float freely. He was off! He kicked all over the pool for like 30 minutes! Wouldn’t let us touch him or help him.
Oh it gets better! Andy wanted to take him down the big slide. He’s too small though but just to be sure Andy took him up the steps to measure him. When they got back down, Andrew found a noodle by the side of the pool, he had let his go. Andy came to the steps where Paul T and I were to get in. But Andrew picked up this noodle by the side of the pool and stood on the edge looking at the water. Andy said he’s going to jump and took off quickly across to where Andrew was standing. Andrew had a look of determination and a grin at the same time and before Andy could get to him he jumped! His head didn’t even go under and he yelled out “I did it!”
Well that was that. The next half hour was spent kicking over to the steps getting out going to the side and jumping in then doing it all over again! Couple of times his head went under and he was fine.
We really feel like he is fully ready for swim classes now. They help to decrease fear of the water but since his confidence is up already that will help. Of course he wont’ have his flotation devices but we’ll be there. We’ve decided Paul needs classes too. The baby wants to swim I tell ya!
Paul T takes baths on his own, prefers it usually. I put him in the tub with a small amount of water and he kicks around and dunks himself and rolls and generally loves it. In the pool he seems to want to be let go! Of course Andrew was kind of like that too. He always loved jumping in but we always had to catch him before. Last summer I took him to a pool once just the 2 of us and he kept trying to get me out of the way so he could jump! He didn’t understand I needed to be there to catch him!
OK, so I started this post yesterday and I am finishing it a day later so yesterday afternoon we had to go and get some new floaties for Andrew and take him to our pool. After the rain and it was windy too, it was so awfully cold I could barely stand it! But we had to let Andrew practice his new found skill. And this time we brought the camera and got some pics and vids! I don’t have them yet but I will soon.
And one more thing, Andrew started pedaling his trike last night! Uh oh. Now we’re in trouble…