Shh, I'm swimming

This morning I taught Daniel how to do 'shh'. It is pretty cute when he does it. He has made the sound for ages but I decided to show him how you put your finger to your lips and he copied me. Cutie!

We then went to his 2nd swimming lesson. Mum came to watch too which was nice. Daniel was a bit excited and wanted to keep watching Nana but he did do well. He had his proper instructor today - I think her name was Robina. She was very nice. We started again singing 'The Wheels on the Bus'. Then we started to do some paddling and kicking to get a duck. Daniel did pretty well with his kicking but needed me to help him paddle. They were impressed with his reaching though. We then did some kicking of a ball while on your back.

The problem was that he kept trying to sit up and pick the ball up in his hands - not quite as relaxed as last week. We poured some water over his head using a cup and the teacher was very impressed with his reflexes. She decided that he was ready to go under water so we did and he was fine with it which was awesome! He went under around 5 times. She was impressed that he blew bubbles and didn't get upset.
We then did some more paddling and kicking to get some little flying saucers and then put them back into the bucket. He again did good kicking but not so much paddling.

 We did some more humpty dumpty and jumping in from the side, then climbing out again. He is very good a knowing what to do to climb out - reaches out for the edge, pulls himself up onto his tummy and gets one leg up. 

This action is starting up - when he doesn't want to do an action, but is cute about it. Here he didn't want to clap

Paddling and kicking to the edge

Starting to get out

Here is a video Mum took of paddling and kicking to get a ball.

 

Robina commented that he is a water baby and is doing very well and being very confident in the water for just his 2nd week. She was also impressed with his straight back when doing paddling and kicking. I'm very glad that we have started swimming lessons! Daniel is doing great!

Also this morning, we left the pantry latch unlocked and Daniel decided to venture in and see what he could get his hands on. Cheeky boy was very proud of himself!

Mmm... muesli bars!

 

Just keep swimming...

Today was Daniel's first swimming lesson. James and I have decided to give him 6 months of swimming lessons so he can become more comfortable in water and learn the basics. After 6 months we will see what we do, but I am looking forward to the next 6 months!

This morning we headed to Aquabliss at Thornleigh all dressed in our swimming costumes. We arrived early - I have now learnt that that is not needed. On time is fine so that will be the plan next time. The normal teacher was away so we had a replacement, she was lovely. There was one other baby in the group - he was 18months old and had clearly done lots of lessons before - lots of head under the water. I told the teacher that this was Daniel's first lesson so we had no idea of what to do. She was then very clear with each instruction which was great!

We started with a song of the Wheels on the Bus. Then we started doing some paddling and kicking practice. Daniel didn't really know what to do so she helped me learn some ways to show him how to teach him paddle and kick and to repeat the words lots so he would recognise them. He did some little paddling with his arms and over a few minutes he loosened his legs so you could move them to kick. We grabbed balls and chased a fish. The teacher even got a couple of little smiles. We then did learning how to get out of the water - elbows, tummy then knees. Daniel was pretty good at that, with assistance. We then did Humpty Dumpty and practiced jumping into the water, turning around, paddling and kicking back to the edge and then getting out of the water. After that we did some floating and kicking on our backs. Daniel was very comfortable lying with his head on my shoulder. His teacher was impressed. We then tried doing some bubble blowing - no chance! She said that it wasn't a surprise, it will come with time but it is something that we can practice in the bath at home. Also to blow on his hand or face to show him what you are doing. We then finished with a song of 'if you're happy and you know it'. 

It was scary going to a new place, with new people but it was great! The teacher was very impressed that he had no tears at all. She was very pleased with his progress. Only problem was it was very cold after the lesson. Daniel was shivering a lot! So we quickly came home to have a shower and a bath. I hope the proper teacher is as lovely!

Time away

This week has been a hard one, but I feel that I have risen to the occasion. On Monday morning James left at ridiculous o'clock to head to Melbourne for work for a week. Wednesday was my first day back at work. Mum was away with the school Canberra excursion so she wasn't coming over for my normal 'help around the house and hang out with Daniel' Mum day. And my body decided that I would come down with a cold this week. 

Daniel has been pretty good. He has let me have an afternoon nap most days while he has had one too. He has also let me have some down time in the mornings. He has been ok with me just watching him or doing other things, not playing with him, because I don't want him to catch this cold. He had been ok with having minimal cuddles too. I really hope that he doesn't catch this cold though! That would not be very fun for him or for anyone who needs to look after him.

This cold has really knocked me around. I don't remember having one for so long, but maybe that's because times before when I have had a cold I have been able to just bludge on the couch all day, have dinner cooked for me and be looked after. Whereas this week I have had some down time on the couch but have also been up watching/chasing Daniel, I have had to cook dinner for myself, feed Daniel, etc. I admire how our parents (and all parents for that matter) cope when they are sick and need to look after kids. I am pretty sure this is my first sickness since having Daniel (which isn't too bad for over a year). I am also hoping that this cold will pass tonight (and Murphy's Law tells me that it will because James gets home tonight) so that I can participate in the Transport Challenge tomorrow with James, Sam and Kate - organised by Howie. But we will have to wait until the morning to see. I have definitely been feeling a bit better as today has gone by.

Anyway, yes, this week James has been in Melbourne for a work conference. It is the longest that he has been away from Daniel and he has been missing him. We have used skype a couple of times and Daniel just loves watching and talking with Daddy.

Hi Daddy

Laughing at Daddy playing peek-a-boo

Blowing Daddy kisses

Waving bye

Listening to Daddy chat

It is so amazing how we can use technology these days. I love that Daniel got to see James, even though James wasn't here in person. They even got to play a game of peek-a-boo which Daniel really enjoyed!

While I feel that I have done quite well this week - I haven't had any melt downs, I haven't just crashed and burnt at the end of the day - I am definitely keen to have James back home and to have him not go away again soon. I really do value his love for cooking, the way that he willingly looks after me when I am sick, the way he helps look after Daniel, the way he loves Daniel's bath time. I know I often take it for granted, but this week has reminded me of how much of a team we are. 

I also started work again this week with the Athletics carnival. It was nice to be back. Not so fun having the head cold - really made me struggle toward the middle and end of the day. I also found the transition from being full time to part time a bit difficult. I was the one who was moved from my job 3 times to help out others - not necessarily a bad thing, but other times when I have been given a job and kept that one. It's hard to explain. I know it's because I am flexible and won't whinge and complain about it for ages to come, but it is a transition. As some other part-timers said, 'welcome to being on the bottom of the food chain'. I am looking forward to Monday and starting up my proper job of Literacy Support in year 3. I am looking forward to working with some kids that I taught 2 years ago and to seeing their progress over the rest of this year. I am looking forward to working closely with some of my great buddy teachers who I really admire. I am looking forward to being back. 

It always makes it easier when I know that Daniel enjoys being with Auntie Jenny and Oscar and Uncle Awesome too. I hope that Oscar and Daniel enjoy hanging out with each other more as he will be home on Mondays and I hope they look after Auntie Jenny too!

Standing strong, Cruising along and Party times

This month Daniel has continued to enjoy moving around, how ever he can. On the 6th July he started to have a go at standing on his own, without holding anything. He can do it when he is distracted, but as soon as you draw his attention to the fact that he is standing, he sits down or holds onto something.

On a Saturday morning when James let me sleep in while he looked after Daniel, he taught him a new skill - how to blow kisses. It is hit and miss as to when he wants to do it, but he is very cute when he chooses to blow you a kiss. He feels most comfortable doing it to Mummy and Daddy but can do it to others too.

We have spent a week at Kedron and Daniel was a champion during it. He slept pretty well at night - most of the time he went down without a fuss. He enjoyed looking at everyone there, although he was a little bit overwhelmed at times. He ate well and fed well. Lots of people commented on how happy he is which was lovely. It was hard letting him play as there weren't really any places for him to be let loose, without having to stop him getting into things. However, there was a big bench which he enjoyed using the cruise along and he got very good at doing it.

It has also been a time of birthday parties. On the 3rd of July we went around to Auntie Sue's place to surprise Grayma for her birthday. And what a surprise she got. She was very happy to have some lovely cuddles with Daniel and he was very good during it too.

 Then last Sunday we had a combined 1st birthday party for our Mothers' Group bubs. It was a lovely day, just perfect for a picnic in the park. Daniel and I headed from Kedron going the scenic route to extend his nap time to an hour. He then just sat there and watched everyone arrive and play with different toys.

The girls found it funny how he is so happy to sit and watch others. Eventually he started to go and interact with others, looking at their toys. He had no interest in his own toys. He enjoyed looking at Daniel's truck.

And even tried to push Edward along on it (which didn't go too well)

Lunch was his normal meal but he was quite keen to get into his mandarin.

We have also bought him a new waterbottle, one with a straw, because I am a bit concerned that he isn't drinking enough after dropping the morning feed. He is getting better at drinking it.

 After a bit more playing it was time for cake! Charlotte had worked long and hard on this amazing cake which the kids couldn't wait to get into.

We put them all on the ground with the cake and sang them 'happy birthday'.

Fortunately none of them got to it before it was cut, although Ebony tried very hard to get to it. When it was cut, we all understood why it took so long to make. It was an amazing rainbow cake!

Then just before Daniel and I headed back to camp we got a photo with all the mums and their bubs. 

 

 I have been very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of mums and bubs who I have been journeying with over this first year of being a mum. It is such a non-judgmental group, encouraging, supportive, understanding, funny, friendly group of people all from different backgrounds. They are people I gladly call friends and look forward to our bubs growing up and interacting together more.

Back at Kedron we went for an adventure to the city as an activity. The kids had to find answers to clues all around the city. Daniel and I went in to go and sit at the finishing point with James and the other directors. It was a cold and overcast day so I got to dress Daniel in his matching beanie and mittens - so cute!

 He enjoyed crawling around in the gazebo at Observatory Hill and playing with different people. Again, he was very good during the whole camp. It is nice to be home again though!