We went to the Boys and Girls club for their AquaPros program. The water was perfectly warm and the moment we got in Ava's face lit up and she started splashing up a storm. There were 2 other babies in our group -- one looked to be 2 or 3, and the other was only 8 weeks old. Needless to say, the 8 week old was totally oblivious about what was going on, and the other kid was tired because he was usually in bed at the time the lesson started and was not happy at all. But Ava was a ham and acted like she had been in the pool forever and it was her favorite pastime.
I loved the instructor and the method. We had a cup that we used to pour water over the babies' heads to get them used to having water on their faces, and the teacher explained that their reflex is to close their eyes and not breathe. Ava usually freaks out if she gets water on her face in the bath so I was scared to do it, but she didn't cry or anything any of the times I did it.
We sang songs and did little dances that were supposed to get the babies used to some of the motions of swimming. We said "one, two, three" before pouring the water on their heads, and did the same as we laid them on their backs and wooshed them back and forth. Eventually, we will build up to gently dunking them in the current we make with the swooshing when they are ready at the end of "three," but I don't know when we will get to that point. We also practiced blowing air bubbles in the water with our mouths, which Ava thought was absolutely hilarious and I was shocked that she totally did it by herself at random by the second half of the lesson. We made choo-choo train noises teaching them to grab the edge of the pool to inch along the sides, which Ava also loves because making choo-choo sounds has always been one of her favorite things. The teacher also guided Ava getting out of the pool with her elbows, tummy and then knees and each time she got to her knees she sprinted away crawling, which queued laughter in the rest of the group. We also threw toys in the pool and tried to get them used to making movements to go after the toys, which should aid them in moving to swimming. (As expected, the 8 week old didn't respond to this game.)
I bought her this little swimsuit in "bright meadow." I bought a 3T and it fits her perfectly, which is frightening. Anyway, it is adorable and perfect on her. I was so happy to see her take to the water so naturally and have so much fun. DaddyFantastic was a serious swimmer in his past so that must be where she gets it from. I was terrified of swimming and didn't learn until I was older than most kids who swam, and I remember one of the worst things I ever had to do in high school was passing swimming freshman year. (Our high school wouldn't let you graduate unless you did, which I think is BS, but that's another rant for another time.) Hopefully Ava never has to be terrified and enjoys the fun and exercise.
DaddyFantastic is sad he missed out so we will need to take a lesson or two on the weekends so he can also ooze with the baby love that only parents can understand!
In other news, I can't believe it but I am sick AGAIN. I have had a very high fever off and on for a few days, bad body aches off and on to go along with it, and a very sore throat. What the?! I think I caught whatever Ava just went through over the weekend and boy, do I understand her pain. Not fun at ALL. I was going to cancel the lesson, but Ava was really cranky and wanted out of the house and I felt pretty good through the lesson.
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