Swimming Class

Lainey and I have started swimming class this week. We go twice a week for a month. I have to tell you, I have looked forward to this class before she was even here! It just sounded like such a neat and fun thing to do together.

So far, it's lived up to my expectations. Monday, the 4th, we were the only ones in class. This was very nice for many reasons! Mainly, it was nice because as Jared says, sarcastically, that I have the grace and sure-footedness of a mountain goat. It was nice to be able to go over the "moves" with the instructor right there. I'm sure Lainey appreciated that too! We sang and did kicks and strokes to "The Wheels on the Bus". We learned how to roll in the water and how to make it back to the wall. I had to dunk Lainey under water!!!

The instructor called it the dolphin swim. She said, "Ok, now, you will go bounce, bounce, dunk" and I said, "bounce, bounce, WAIT A MINUTE, WHAT!?!?". She said it was to get rid of baby's and mom's nerves. We did it and surprisingly, Lainey did great! She sputtered a little, but didn't grimace or fuss!! I think we have a real water lover on our hands!
My favorite part of the day was floating on our backs. I lean back and she leans back on me. The instructor told me that I was going to have to sing a song to calm her and make her lean back. Yeah, right. As long as Lainey has her fingers to suck on, I think that we could have been backstroking in hot oil. She was so mellow! ***Brag: The instructor said that she was the calmest baby she had seen!!

Today was just as fun and we had 3 other kiddos in our class. They were 12 months and 17 months. Lainey splashed and floated and really enjoyed watching the other kids. I think that is her favorite part of going to things like this-swimming, story hour, etcetera. One mom said that she just keeps signing up for the classes and doing it over and over until her kid is old enough to do individual swim lessons. I think we might do the same. It's nice to talk to adults and get out, but also we both get in some exercise!

I think one thing that bugs me about living here is that I feel like we don't have enough of this kind of stuff to do. I'm going to diligently keep my eye out, though, because even though it's quite a chore to get her ready in the morning, it has been SO worth it! Besides, she needs all the help she can get just in case she gets my athletic ability-or the lack thereof.

BONUS: She takes verrrry long naps afterwards!!