Swim Lessons: Weeks 1-6

I'm not sure why, but as soon as the warmer weather came I started thinking about activities that Dominick could do. Our friends' girls were in swim classes on base and I decided to look into them. They offer them for babies as young as 6 months. Dominick was almost 9 when I called, but they were able to fit him in. His class is a private lesson with an instructor (also a lifeguard at the pools) for 30 minutes, 1 day a week. This post has a LOT of pictures and videos...they're a lot of the same thing, but I like having these to document his lessons and to see his progress.

His first class was June 3rd (his 9 month birthday). He did SO good. I wasn't sure how he would do since he wasn't going to be with me, but even that first day he did good. One thing I've noticed that's not getting any better is floating. He HATES it; he also hates being on his back in the bathtub too so I guess it doesn't surprise me.

 See, he has hated being on his back from day 1

The first week of class they worked mostly on just kicking. She uses the command "kick, kick, kick" and would move his legs as if he was kicking. Every week she has had him "climb" out of the pool on the side. This week was all about teaching him to pull himself up.

The second week of class they continued working on the "kicking" and added in the "splashing". This week the command was "splash, splash, splash". It's basically to get him to use both his hands and his feet. After just one week when we tell him to "kick" he will actually kick his feet. We practice a lot in the bath tub and in our kiddie pools.

The third week of class we started to get one side of his head under water when he would "jump" off the side. She would have him pull himself out of water (with assistance obviously) and then she would bring him into the water. She would then sway him back and forth and then put his head under water. This week they did more practicing of kicking, splashing and then she also has been adding in the blowing bubbles and keeping his mouth shut when going into the water.

By the fourth week he was going under water and was not crying. The last week he did cry when getting part of his head wet so that was a HUGE improvement. He also is getting stronger and able to pull himself up to the side and now recognizes that he has to lift his leg on the side to get out. This class she would put her arm under him and he would kick and splash on his own. After class this week we really practiced on keeping his mouth shut. We would say "1, 2, 3, down" and hold a finger to his lips. By the end of the week he was doing much better, but not 100%.

 

July 1st was his fifth week of class. She would put her hands under his armpits and he would kick his feet all on his own and has started splashing. Basically doing both together. Not always, he's way better at kicking.

On July 8th we had our 6th class and it was like he had made HUGE strides this past week. He was SO ready for class and I could even tell he was excited for it. This was probably his best class yet. He got in and immediately started kicking and splashing his little arms. He was doing better with going under water, but still opening his mouth and he was going under water for longer period of times. He was just having a great time this class and it was so fun to watch. This class he was actually holding on all by himself on the side and pulling up. Our instructor told us that when he was moving his legs it sounded like he was saying "kick". I'm not sure if he was or not because I'm obviously not in the water with him, but we say it quite often at home and she says it a LOT during class so it really wouldn't surprise me.

I'm really loving these classes and we continue to do them until we leave or he's not interested. Every week when we get to the pool he gets so excited and is ready. He loves the water and is really picking up so much. We LOVE our instructor and she is really so great with D. For us the 1 day a week private lessons have been a huge blessing as it's not too much during the week and it works well for our busy schedules.

Surprise!

Back in May I was telling Ryan how I wished I was able to go to Michigan while my brother and his family were in town. He told me I should just buy tickets and go. I have serious flying anxiety and couldn't imagine flying alone and with Dominick. I told him no and kept thinking about it. Finally he told me just to order the tickets. I told him wouldn't it be so fun to surprise my parents and that's how it all started. I called my aunt who said that she could pick me up and from there I purchased the tickets. It soon got out to quite a few of my family members and I was sure it would be leaked to my parents that I was coming home.

So Friday the 21st Dominick and I hopped on a plane (a red eye) and arrived in hot, humid Michigan Saturday morning. My Aunt and Uncle picked us up and when we got to my parents they started honking the horn. Both of my parents came outside looking all confused as to why they weren't getting out of the car. I held Dominick up in the back and my mom saw us and started to cry uncontrollably. My dad was all sorts of confused and finally through all the crying my mom was able to get my name out. They had no idea and it really worked out perfectly.

Our trip was QUICK! Saturday we hung around the house and got to spend time with my nieces and nephews. We had a big family dinner with aunts, uncles and cousins that night. It was awesome being able to see everyone in such a short time.

Sunday my mom, Dominick, my niece K and my sister in law S all went shopping. We were gone most of the day and we had the best time. We used to do that quite often when I still lived in Michigan. I loved being able to do that again. We had dinner together that night.

Monday my niece stayed with us and it was my last night in town. Both of my brothers and their families came to my parents for dinner. It was a little chaotic, but I know my parents loved having us all there...if only R was with us.

Tuesday Dominick and I packed up. It was my sister in laws birthday and we had lunch with them. We said our final see-ya laters and hopped on a plane to go home.

Our trip was extremely quick, but we will be back in just a few more weeks and thankfully Ryan will be able to go with us. I'm glad that I was able to go for my parents and to do something special for them. I know how much they appreciated it and it made this whole trip worth all the effort. I'm not so sure we will ever be able to top this surprise.