Let me tell you a little bit about water. I love water - swimming, scuba diving, water parks. I love it all. But, it didn't really start that way. It took me 7 times to pass beginning swim lessons. I don't think I am exaggerating either. However, I consider myself to be a strong swimmer now and I will do everything in my power to make you a strong swimmer as well. As soon as it is logical, we will be taking you to lessons - even if it is just to blow bubbles in the water! I hope that you come to love the pool, lakes, oceans and water parks as much as I do. Your dad, well, I don't think he enjoys the pool or lakes or water parks but he sure does love to go scuba diving and I know he is already figuring out how long it is before he can get you certified.
Because I love to do so many water activities (and your dad gets drug along), I really wanted Andrew to know how to swim. Most times, we end up taking him to fun places with us. we enrolled him in swim lessons at the Y. For over a year, he went every week. Most of the time, your dad took him. I went in the beginning then I would go occasionally. In the beginning, he wasn't much of a swimmer. He had to repeat his first class - but, that is 5 times less than your mom had to take it. After a few sessions, I took him and I couldn't even believe it. That kid who would have drown in a bathtub was swimming the full length of the pool. I was near tears because I was so proud of him. I had never felt that emotion before - the feeling of pride in someone else's accomplishment & knowing that I had a small part in making it happen. Now, he is like a fish. He went with us tonight and we didn't even have to watch him. He was on the diving board and the slide and he is confident in the water.
Then, there is your cousin Tyler. Well, Tyler is younger - he is going to be 3 soon. Some background on Tyler - he is a fussy pants. He cries at us a lot. He used to scream when we would even go near him. I think that he is some kind of super genius because I swear he knows how it hurts my feelings when he acts that way and he does it on purpose. He will run away from me then he will turn around and give me a smile that melts my heart - just flirting with me :) So, we decided to get him enrolled in swim lessons a little earlier. It was a young kids class that an adult participated in. I really enjoyed the Saturday mornings with Tyler. I felt like it gave us time with him and I got to really be close to him in the pool - he was scared and I was the only familiar face so he held on tight. He would be fussy when I picked him up and when we first got there but he would adapt to the water and end up having fun. We only made it to one session because the hassles of getting him there and the early Saturday mornings got to be too much. I also really doubted if he was enjoying himself. One day, your dad called me all excited. I didn't know why he was in such a good mood. He said that Tyler goes into the bathtub and starts talking about me. He says "Tete" and "KickKickKick" like we did in class. Oh my gosh kiddo, I was in shock and I was so full of emotions. It made me realize that he probably did sort of like me, he knew who I was and he was learning something at swim lessons. Hearing my name had never sounded so sweet! We took Tyler tonight too. Your dad picked him up and he screamed the entire way from his house to ours to the pool and for about 1/2 hour when I got him in the pool. Then, he mellowed out and started having a good time. He still clung to me in the water - which, I have to admit, I kind of enjoy since it is rare that I get to hold him like that! Debbie strapped a life jacket on him and we threw him down the slide. He didn't cry or anything. I got out of the pool later to go on the slide and he started saying my name. It always tickles my heart when he says my name. I think that once he stopped screaming and he realized he was stuck with us, he had a good time.
Anyway, kiddo, I share this with you for a few reasons. One, I hope that you are close to your cousins even though I really do believe that you are a girl :) Two, I hope that you will have a true love for water like me. Maybe if I start some swimming while you are cooking in there, that will help too. Three, after thinking about my experiences with your cousins, it makes it unimaginable as to what my life will be like when you are here. To know that I will have a large part in how you grow up, seeing your victories & successes, hearing you talk & say mama for the first time is so overwhelming to me. You know how I told you yesterday that I am not good at emotions & I hope that you break me of that? As I write tonight, I can't imagine that you WON'T break me of that. Those two small moments that changed my heart with your cousins cannot compare to having you grow up in my life full time and I can't wait!
Tomorrow, off to Minnesota to see Uncle Brian play some soccer. When I get home, I will tell you about your Uncle Brian and how he isn't really your uncle but you can call him that anyway :)