Just Swimmingly

Since mid-September, Michaela has been enrolled in a session of swimming lessons through our local swimming pool. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, we packed up the little backpack with a towel, snack (for after-swimming energy) and clean underwear (I forgot two out of these three items the first day of lessons - so glad I remembered the snack) and headed the 5 minutes away to the pool. Michaela was shy for the first several sessions, but really warmed up to it after that.

First day excitement!

She has been so sad now that swim lessons finished last week. Her little class of 4 preschoolers was just perfect. I enjoyed watching our little tornado of a daughter try to learn how to put her face in the water and kick, as well as laying semi-still and semi-flat on her back while trying to learn to float. 

She did learn how to put her face under water, how to blow bubbles, how to scoot along the wall of the swimming pool while holding on with her hands, and how to jump in and be caught by her teacher. I think we plan to do another session in the winter or spring. Josiah was pretty jealous about being left behind, as soon as he could he would escape and crawl towards the pool as fast as possible. It's a good thing I'm faster!

She excels at splashing!

Waiting on the "boat" for her next turn

A "little jump"

It was always amazing how well she napped on the days she had swimming lessons. An extra bonus.

One Year

One year ago today... our second little (fuzzy) bundle of joy joined the family. One year ago Josiah looked like this: 

Yesterday he looked like this!:

He has changed so much lately. I never got around to an 11-month-post (that I recall), however, I've been prepping one mentally for a while. He FINALLY started sleeping through the night about two weeks ago!!!! I haven't wanted to commit it to print on the blog for fear of jinxing it, but I feel that he has definitely made the change. He got two top teeth, for a current total of four. He has started walking. He doesn't walk long distances, but he can take a good 6-10 steps before collapsing, and he is SO proud of himself when he does. He is beginning to climb more... up the stairs... on top of the kids' picnic table... on top of the kids' inside table... He says "Mama" and "Dada" and "Bye-bye" and I heard him say "duck" the other day. I was using some pretty strong cleaning chemicals at the time, though, so I can't be sure. He tried peanut butter sandwiches this week, and loves 'em. 

Josiah likes playing in the bark chips at the park (and tasting them), swinging, going down the slide while holding onto my hands provokes cackles of glee, going for walks in the stroller, roughhousing with his daddy, eating, being held and cuddled by his mama, giving kisses, nursing (he's down to twice a day), music - it makes him dance, playing with Michaela's toys, and glimpsing illicit snatches of "Curious George" when Michaela is watching an episode at his bedtime.

He does not like napping, though he does it, getting his diaper changed, getting his face washed, being out of sight of his mama, long rides in the car or sleeping anywhere but his comfy crib.

We love this little guy - Happy Birthday Josiah!