We have been busy as usual the past few weeks. Somehow, even with me being off work for summer vacation I still feel like there is never enough time. We have been visiting the pool a lot lately. The first couple of times were awful. Audra-Grace was so excited and wound up because it was so new to her. She did not want us holding on to her - not understanding that if we let go she was going straight to the bottom. That sent us on a search for a flotation device that would allow for her to be in the pool on her own (of course with us right beside her). First we tried a bathing suit with a build in life jacket - that kept her on top of the water but did not keep her head from going under. Next we tried a actual life jacket that has a big piece that goes around the head. That is the safety feature. It immediatly flips her on her back. This would be nice if we were on a boat and I needed it for safety only.... but we want her to be able to move around in the water and learn to kick her legs and move her arms. Not to mention --- several of our friends were over for a family swim night and they all laughed at her in it and said they could not bear to see her continue to wear it all summer. They said she looked like she had just come out of some sort of neck surgery and was wearing this to keep her head from moving. Finally we have found the perfect solution. Daniel found this thing called a swim trainer at Walgreens and it has worked out great but we have to pair it with floaties. She is now able to move around on her own and is learning to motor around the pool. It is so fun to play with her in the water. We are trying to take her several nights a week after dinner to keep her used to the water. The more we go the better she does.
Thank goodness for this solution. I am already an overprotective mom but I am especially anxiety driven around water. I was a lifeguard, swim instructor, and pool manager for years. Water was always a part of my life. I grew up loving to swim, spending hours the the pool perfecting all of my strokes. And then grew up to make a job of it. After becoming a lifeguard I was never able to go to a pool and not be in full out lifeguard mode. This is terrible at times - I wish I could just relax. And then about 6 years ago one of those things you never forget happened. I was at work managing Beechaven pool and I heard a scream I will never forget. I look up and see a women holding a little boy. I knew from the sound of the scream what was happening. I ran over and took the little boy in my arms and started CPR. Thankfully he was OK. However it has totally changed my feelings of the water. I am now a nervous wreck around water when young children are involved. This being even worse with my own child. Needless to say I will be very glad when she is older and swimming like a fish and I dont have to worry so much.
Well, that was long ---- sorry.
I will try to do better about updating the blog. I promise to add more pictures soon. The worst thing about my iphone is that I now use it to take all my pictures and they never make it to the computer. I will dig the camera back out of the bottom of my purse and take a few shots to put up. :)
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