Mermaid baby

I couldn't wait to get Anya in a pool. I held off until she was 4 months old but couldn't handle the excitement any longer. Both in baths and showers she is happy and totally content with water over her face and head. So I assumed she would be fabulous in the pool.

She did not disappoint! We started going to the Bellevue Aquatic Center this past Tuesday. We go with another mom and baby from my PEPS class and swim in the 91 degree therapy pool. Basically it feels like a big bathtub and the babies couldn't be happier. Both Linnea and Anya thoroughly enjoyed their first "swim lesson".

The other Mom- Alana, and I plan to do this weekly for the girls. I have taught mommy swim classes in the past so I am very comfortable with Anya in the pool and help Alana with some important steps (like baby going under and pool safety lessons). Myles was able to come and watch so he took some great pictures and video.

Anya was happy floating on her back or tummy and kicked her little legs like a pro. She even went under the water once and came up smiling. This was the first time I felt like I was bonding with my child over something other then mommy stuff (feeding, sleeping, changing- etc). It was so fun to experience this with her I can't wait to go every week.

Myles was home this past weekend and got to spend some quality time with his daughter. He has a calming presence that helps her nap... if only he were home all the time.

We have struggled with her sleeping yet again. This week we decided to stop swaddling her at night. The first night with no swaddle Myles and I got about 3 hours of sleep! It was a nightmare! HOWEVER- night two went much better and we have had two good nights of sleep now. She is learning how to soothe herself with her hands since she doesn't like the binky very much. I still get up to feed her once or twice a night but if she wakes up on her own and isn't hungry she is able to put herself back to sleep. What a relief!