I’ve been taking Emily to the swimming pool for as long as she can remember. But it was just last week that she finally got up to courage to trust her life to a small foam tube and venture off without daddy holding her hand. Not only did she swim on her own, but she swam an entire length!
When we got home and Emily – beaming with pride – told Jan the news, mummy couldn’t believe it. She had to see it for herself. So the very next day, we all marched down to the gym with swim trunks in hand to see our little girl prepare for what is destined to be nothing less than a stellar Olympic career. Sebastian came, too! It was his very first swim session and Emily was thrilled to demonstrate for him how one day he too will be able to swim all by himself. We thought he would only last five minutes in the not-so-warm pool but he had a great time! Smiling and flapping, he played in the pool for about 20 minutes!
After the pool, Sebastian went with mommy to the ladies locker room and Emily went with me. The post-pool shower is a ritual that we both really enjoy – even though I’m pretty sure I get cheated out of my fair share of under-the-water time. Standing there, watching this smiling little creature trying to keep the water out of her face by spinning in circles, I got sad. They grow up so damn fast. We’ve only got a finite number of showers left together and this fact become painfully apparent at that moment. But I couldn’t wax sentimental for too long – we had to dry our hair under the hot air blower, hide inside the lockers in the dressing room, and gallop home like horsies.
Hair? You have hair?
I knew I’d get shit for that line!
Hey. Thanks for the photos. I can’t get enough of those kids of your’s. The one of Emily in front of the old claw-foot bath tub with the white flowers in the back is like an oil painting. Keep up the great work.
aw Josh I think I know exactly what you mean! My little lady’s only a few months behind Emily but is talking away now, bright as a button, and going through a real “no mama,I do it by mysel” stage and while on the one hand, Im soo proud and happy to see her doing so well, at the same time somewhere deep down my heart is aching…….Do you think … See Moreitll always be like this? willing them on and wanting them back at the same time?….You can tell I was thinking about this myself lately cant you?lol
Oh and a whole length!!! Wow Well done Emily!
It’s so beautiful and it hurts so much. I imagine it’ll be that way from now on. Relentless. Better prepare yourself! Or not. Maybe it’s best just to fly by the seat of your pants. Forget the past and don’t worry about the future. Carpe diem!! Yeah, right… easier said than done.