Swimsuit Edition

Before I was a Mom, I was always amazed at what some parents would do for their kids. Well, I'm now one of those moms. We signed Tommy up for 8 weeks of swim lessons that started this past Saturday. And lo and behold, I put on a bathing suit since the class is called "Parent and Me." I'd actually bargained with John to be the one to go in the pool for this class since I had to go to work shortly afterwards, but I brought my suit and ended up changing because our little man was a little anxious and I figured if we needed to switch off, I should be prepared. We were both in for a bit at first with Tommy, but it ended up me most of the class while John played photographer.

Yeah, I am so not bathing suit ready. But then again, I don't think I've really been TRULY bathing suit ready since my late 20s. So it's not like if I worked out between now and the summer I'd be any more ready. Because we know I'm not working out as much as I used to. And did I tell you about the new dark chocolate Tastykake Candycakes I found last week? YUM! But now I can't find them in the store! Probably just as well, since I'm complaining about wearing a bathing suit.

Back to the swim lessons - the reason for having to put on a bathing suit in the first place.

I was very impressed with how well Colin, one of Tommy's classmates did with his swim lessons, so I asked his mom for info on where they went and ended up signing up for 8 weeks of lessons. It's more of an introductory to water class, where they show the parents the safe/right way to get in and out of the pool with your baby, as well as doing some fun exercises with your child that includes kicking, moving their arms, etc. The teacher made it fun for the kids by incorporating nursery rhymes, which greatly helped ease Tommy's anxiety. The poor kid started crying as soon as we walked in the bubble which houses the pool. It was very loud inside, and people were yelling to be heard, and Colin's mom had indicated that had been a problem for him as well. Colin is actually going to be doing the lessons again and happens to be in the same class as Tommy. They weren't there on Saturday, but I'm hoping maybe having a familiar face next week will make it a little easier on Tommy.

He did not cry the entire time; I just think he wasn't totally sure what the heck was going on. The class is only 30 minutes, which was just enough for Mommy as well since I was bouncing around with an extra 25+ pounds in my arms (I don't know what people mean when they say you get lighter in the water) and seemed to end up doing squats with said 25 pounds in my arms while bouncing around. I don't want to admit that I'm probably more out of shape than I thought. FYI, I'm back to spinning class on Monday night this week...

Daddy got Tommy to laugh after a few tense moments upon our arrival

Tommy's laugh essentially saying, "I'm not wearing these flip-flops, Mommy."

Yes, his swimsuit says CRABBY BUT CUTE. He definitely was both this day!

This was the look that Tommy gave to convince Mommy to go put on her bathing suit. Followed by some more tears. So I literally sucked it in (instead of sucking it up). Sorry Mom...I know you hate that word, but it sort of fits here.

As soon as he got this toy frog in his hands, Tommy seemed to relax a bit and accept this could be a sort of playtime, but in the pool.

Save me Daddy, please, just save me!

Getting ready to show Tommy how to blow bubbles in the bowl

Yeah, I'll show you bubbles MOM. I'm going to get your hair wet. (Notice Mommy leaning away?)

Tommy blows bubbles!

Mommy looks like she's drinking it, Dad!

Synchronized bubbles!

Trying out the backfloat..."do you have me Mommy? I mean do you really have me? Because I am going to squirm with all my might to get out of this pool!"

An inflatable toy that Tommy actually did try to swim towards!

Happy while clapping during a sing-along

"Thank goodness that's over...can we go home and play with all the balls in the house?"

And here's a video where you can see Tommy doing some actual kicking...as well as some crying. We were so proud of him! He must have been exhausted though, as he took a THREE hour nap that afternoon AT HOME (remember my previous post about how he doesn't nap that long at home?) Woohoo, right? Yeah...not so much. Neither John nor I were home to enjoy it. We had a sitter with him since both John and I were working that afternoon. And it was one of his teachers from daycare, so I did ask her if there's some secret they have since he does this at school, but she wouldn't admit to one if there is. Her theory was that he was exhausted from swim lessons. So now I can't wait until next Saturday since I'll be home, to see if we can get a repeat...and maybe Mommy can get a nap in too!