Eva's very first swimming lesson xx

The first 'blip' since completing the 'blip 365' and how could I not write about Eva's very first swimming lesson?!

I hadn't had much sleep the last few nights whilst waiting for kittens to arrive. I'd been setting my alarm for every 2 hours throughout the night, then being up early for work, so it was lush this morning to not set the alarm and for Eva to sleep in til 8am. I let her be my alarm clock this morning.

We had Rhythm Time as usual, and for the first time, Eva actually crawled over herself and put her own instruments back in the basket to the song "pop them in the basket". A little boy called Ethan has been taking her things over to the basket up til now, as he just loves to help (he's such a cutie), but I was so proud today when Eva just crawled over and 'popped them in the basket'.

On the way back from Rhythm Time, Eva took her shoes off in the car. 'Shoes' is one of her new words and she says it so nicely.... "shooose!" (Munch munch) xxxx

Eva is still having her sleep 12 til 2-3ish, every day. By 12 - 12.30 each day she is desperate for her sleep. I had to wake her at 2.30 today, as she had her first swimming lesson at 4.20pm and needed to eat 2 hours before and she hadn't had her lunch.

I'd been quite excited about Eva's first swimming lesson, but as the time to leave drew nearer, the trepidation did start setting in. I'd been wanting to take Eva to this particular swimming school since she was tiny, but had ummed and arred so much, but finally decided to just book it after seeing and hearing so much positive feedback, including that from other people I know who take their little ones. I'd argued with myself about "is it cruel" "there's no rush" etc etc, but decided in the end that I had to take her, as the seed had been planted and how could I not, knowing these lessons existed? The company I chose is called Bebes Amphibies Int. and I really have done my homework. They focus the initial lessons around your baby learning to float on their back and gradually build up to being able to float, fully clothed including winter coat and shoes and go from there. So it's all about self survival in the water initially. Today's lesson was quite short and consisted of walking up and down the pool, with Eva floating on her back and just being held from under her chin. Obviously she hated it. Every part of me wanted to just forget the lesson and just enjoy being in the pool, but I knew I had to just grit my teeth and smile and just reassure her that Mommy wasn't going to let her go, and carry on. I even sang to her as we walked up and down, just trying to keep her calm and get used to the sensation. I did stop a few times and just cuddle her. She literally clung to me so tightly. Kim, the instructor said if I did that every time she would never get used to it and would expect cuddles all the time, so I did try not to, too much. I know it will get easier and Eva will reap the rewards and I don't even want to think about the life saving reasons ..... And so I reminded myself again why we were there. At the end of the lesson, Kim put Eva under the water twice and she floated up to my waiting arms. Kim said not to panic and just catch Eva in a calm manner, which I did outwardly, despite being in bits inside. At the end of the lesson, we got some toys and went and sat in the jacuzzi for 10 minutes with toy ducks that squirted water. Eva didn't let me go for a second. Back in the changing rooms, Eva was totally back to her usual content, happy, munchable self straight away and sat in her cute little towel next to Eva Shephard having their little snack of Pom Bears, whilst me and Jen got dried and dressed. I love how, in the photo, Eva is still holding onto the little ducky, she loves ducks and says "duck" so nicely. So all done and dusted, until next Thursday.

We got back at tea time, just as Mike got home from work. We put the cats out on their harnesses in the garden to get some fresh air (apart from Etta who we didn't put on her harness as we knew she wouldn't go far with her baby in the back room and she could just go in and out to him as she pleased). We had the French doors open, Eva was sat in her high chair and I got dinner on whilst telling Mike all about Eva's swimming lesson. Eva saw the bubbles and immediately started asking for "bu bu" so of course Mike had to oblige such a cute request. Jake came down then too and took Eva into the lounge to play whilst we got tea and the cats sorted. I told him again he is such a lovely brother to Eva and she is so lucky to have him.

After dinner, Mike got Eva ready for bed then I went up to give her her bedtime milk and cuddles and she was fast asleep by about 8.30pm tonight. I'm sure she will sleep extremely well tonight. Our little munch xxxxxxxx

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