A Slow Starter

Sam started taking swimming lessons two weeks ago today.  I’ve learned a lot about Sam through this experience.  I wouldn’t call Sam a shy or timid child…especially when we’re out shopping.  Lord knows he’ll usually talk to anyone!  However, I’m learning that he definitely needs a few minutes to warm-up to new people or new situations. As evidenced by his first swimming lesson.

His very nice teacher Miss Abby arrived and met Sam. We talked a little about how she likes to get to know her students during the first lesson.  As a teacher and a mother, that sounded great to me!  I hopped out of the pool and got the camera ready. What I thought would be a very slow-paced lesson quickly turned into a very fast-paced lesson.  Sam hung on for the ride the best he could!  I figured Miss Abby needed to get through a lot of things in order to evaluate whether or not she thought she would be able to continue working with Sam or not.  It was one thing after the other. Doesn’t Sam look like he’s having fun?

But what he’s really thinking is “Lady! What are you trying to do to me?”

What you don’t see in those photographs is the storm that was brewing. 

  

After the lesson, Miss Abby and I talked about what might have made Sam cry throughout the lesson.  I really felt like he may just be the kind of kid the really needs to start off very slowly.  She said there are some parents who sit there watching the clock and counting the money thinking “I’m paying you to teach my kid how to swim so…”  I told her I was NOT that parent.  We talked about taking it VERY slowly for the next lesson and she agreed to try again.  Thank goodness!

Lesson #2—Better! Not Great, but much better.  For the first 10 minutes, I was in the pool with Sam and Miss Abby and then sort of gradually released him over to her. She went a lot slower this time.  He did everything she said and seemed to bond with her, but still cried a little wanting to get out.  However, the cause this time appeared to be the growly, scary sounds coming from the pool.  I spent the last half of the lesson trying to control the scary sounds by pushing water into the drains.  So, while not a great lesson, better than the first. Luckily, Miss Abby agreed to keep seeing us!

Lesson #3—Yay!!! Third time’s a charm! What a great lesson! Sam cried to get out of the pool for about 3 minutes, then all of a sudden he realized he was having fun.  I talked on the phone the whole time and listened to him laugh with Miss Abby as they played games all around the pool.  It was a great lesson!  Thank God! I was worried that Miss Abby might give up on him! I was happy when she told me that she found out after Sam’s first lesson that she also cried when she began taking swimming lessons! And look at her now!  Swim coach extraordinaire!

Thank you, Miss Abby!

Eternal Sunshine

How optimistic am I? Well…

Every other morning Sam, completely potty trained during the day, wakes up soaking wet. (Doggone it! Won’t someone invent a pull-up for boys who like to sleep with their bottoms stuck up in the air?) And every other day, I pull all the pillows, sheets, animals, toys, books and blankets off the bed, throw the wet items in the washer and then make the bed again. Animals in place just so. Basket of books at the foot. Pillows just right. Everything ready for another night and my fingers crossed. Ah, the audacity of hope!

It is getting a little old though. So, tips, advice, and suggestions are welcomed!

Now, a little eye candy, because I can’t stand the thought of posting without just a taste!

“Let’s Hear It For the Boys” Adults Entry I ♥ Faces Week 24

I ♥ Faces is honoring the men in our lives this week with a special theme! No girls allowed! Not that any of my pictures ever have any girls in them…considering I’m always behind the camera! Anyway, here’s my entry for the adults category. I posted this picture on Father’s Day with the following explanation:

This is one of the most,if not THE most, intimate portraits of my husband that I have.  In fact, when I took this picture, I had no intention of sharing it with anyone.  I have a few pictures that I don’t share, you know, hold close to my heart instead. Surely you have some too. Somehow this one got out a long time ago (probably during that sleep deprived stage) so I feel it’s ok to share it with you here.

 

I took this picture the day we brought Sam home from the hospital.  In this moment, I knew that Scott would be a great Daddy and a great protector.  I was right.  He is a great Daddy. I like to think this is their bonding moment and I’ve never asked Scott if that’s true or not because I like believing that.

Please head on over to I ♥ Faces and check out the other entries.  It is so much fun to see all the wonderful photographs and leave them lots of comments!

“Let’s Hear It For the Boys” Kids Entry I ♥ Faces Week 24

I ♥ Faces is honoring the men in our lives this week with a special theme! No girls allowed! Not that any of my pictures ever have any girls in them…considering I’m always behind the camera! Anyway, here’s my entry for the kids category.

One of Sam’s “chores” is to bring in the paper on Sunday mornings.  I stand on the porch and watch, of course. This particular morning I had to grab the camera, though, because Sam insisted on sitting and reading the paper before bringing it in!

Yes, he’s in his underwear. Stick around this blog long enough and you’ll find out that he’s often in his underwear! He’s three. That’s how he rolls! :)

Please head on over to I ♥ Faces and check out the other entries.  It is so much fun to see all the wonderful photographs and leave them lots of comments!

An Intimate Portrait

Just a quick note to wish Happy Father’s day to a few of my very favorite fathers.

First, one of the most,if not THE most, intimate portraits of my husband that I have.  In fact, when I took this picture, I had no intention of sharing it with anyone.  I have a few pictures that I don’t share, you know, hold close to my heart instead. Surely you have some too. Somehow this one got out a long time ago so I feel it’s ok to share it with you here.

I took this picture the day we brought Sam home from the hospital.  In this moment, I knew that Scott would be a great Daddy and a great protector.  I was right.  He’s a great Daddy. I like to think this is their bonding moment and I’ve never asked Scott if that’s true or not because I like believing that.

Here are my guys today.  Sam recorded a message for his Daddy in a card that played the song from The Jungle Book called “I Wan’na Be Like You” which is so appropriate lately!

My other favorite father is my very own Daddy.  Here’s a picture of us fishing together when I was young and thin. He’s a great dad, too! Except for the time he put hot sauce on my french fry and told me it was ketchup. Not so great then. But he’s made up for it since.  Me? Still not a hot sauce fan. And I still have a scar on my lip from the incident. Anyway… My Dad couldn’t be here when Sam was born but came as soon as he could.  Here’s the very first picture of them together.

My dad held him all weekend just looking at him and smiling.  It didn’t matter how much Sam cried, Dad just kept on checking him out and smiling! I loved watching that!

Happy Father’s Day also to Pop, Scott’s Dad.  He’s pretty cool, too!  I love him because for 19 years, I’ve always felt like his daughter.

Happy Father’s Day to my Granddaddy!  I miss him terribly and don’t get back home to see him nearly enough.

And finally, Happy Father’s Day to my Granddaddy Murray who watches over me from Heaven. Much love to you and I still miss you everyday!