Swim, Swim, Swim

Dear Peighton,

Today was a wonderful day!  You went swimming for the very first time and I have to tell you all about it! 

Earlier this week, we were experiencing a bit of cabin fever and I decided it was time we join the YMCA.  We spent a few hours there getting a tour and everyone stopped to say hello to you and tell me how beautiful you are.  Ultimately, we left there spending $15/month on a membership for you only (which is kind of a strange idea that only you would be a member).  Obviously, I am allowed to accompany you on any of your adventures.  It really just allows us to use the pool for family swim everyday and go to Sweet Pea Playgroup on Fridays.  When you are a little older, there are a lot of activities that a pre-school membership would get you but for now, that's it.  I really wanted to join so we could get you in the water as I was certain you would love it as much as your mother does (and I bought you the cutest bathing suit last week so I wanted to show you off in it).  I also signed you up for swim lessons on Saturday mornings at 8:30am for the next six weeks for $89. 

We went to family swim this afternoon for the first time.  As we walked out into the pool area, I felt a little nervous as to how you would react to such a large amount of water (I guess some babies are scared the first time they swim) but you, as always, were a perfect baby.  You seemed to love it right away!  We were doing great until a very pleasant man in the next lane over, stared at you in amazement and finally said, "that is so beautiful, I wish I had a camera, that is so beautiful".  I explained to him that it was your first time in the water and you were doing an amazing job but just as I got the words out, something scared you a bit and you began to wimper ever so slightly.  Then, my favorite part of the experience, as sad as it was, occurred.  You latched on to my arm as tight as you possibly could and put your head in the nape of my neck and stayed that way for about five minutes.  You weren't crying but you seemed a little nervous.  I actually loved every second of it though because I knew you were aware of the fact that I was going to protect you.  After you warmed back up to the water, you became a fish!  It was almost as if you knew how to swim - you were kicking your legs and moving your arms in a doggie-paddle fashion.  We splashed and played for about and hour and then I was getting cold so I figured you must have been chilly.  As we were walking away from the pool though, you were doing your, "ah, ah, ah" type of talking as if you were saying, "no, mom, I want to stay in the pool, we are having so much fun".  I promised you we would go again tomorrow, and the next day.  I can tell we are going to have a lot of fun in the years to come in pools, rivers, lakes, and oceans! 

I love you.

Mom