taste of success

I have mentioned swim lessons a few times now. Well, yesterday we had a real break-through. Amelia has moved up to the next age level since turning one. She is the youngest one in her class of eight toddlers. All of them are walking, while she can barely stand on her own. So, although she fits in pretty well, she doesn't follow all of the activities perfectly. By the end of class she gets frustrated with me moving her arms and feet for her, trying to get her to paddle and kick while I hold her, and usually ends up just hugging me so I'll quit treating her like a puppet.

Yesterday, that all changed. I don't know if it was the long nap and full tummy before class, but Amelia was finally kicking and paddling on her own, letting me hold her an arms length away from me, and holding onto the water dumbbells while I led her around.


These are water dumbbells. She floats on her tummy while stretching her little arms out and hold onto the bar of this floating dumbbell. I thought it would take years for her to get the hang of this, judging from previous awkward and somewhat frustrating attempts. She looked so adorable and content floating on the water with her chubby little legs fanned out behind her. I have to admit I kind of guided her toward our instructer a few more times than necessary, making sure she saw Amelia's success.

I know this is probably so boring to everyone else, but I'm getting a taste of that crazy joy my parents probably got from watching me and Meg succeed in sports. I even had this weird urge to stop somewhere for a milkshake after swim lessons to reward her for a great job!! But I'll wait a couple more years for that :)