Swimming!

Vanessa's very first swim lesson was this Friday. It was much anticipated! Our first class should have been held last Friday, but it was canceled due to the sleet. Add my disappointment from missing our first class to the fact that Vanessa had 2 grandmothers, a mommy, a daddy, and friends (Jessica, Revie, and Jeff) in attendance, and you get a picture of how much this class was anticipated! I know, swimming with a six-month-old baby is really just a glorified bath, but I couldn't help it, I was really excited about this class!

About 5 minutes into the lesson, I wasn't paying enough attention to what I was doing, and I let Vanessa get a face full of water. She wasn't too happy about that, and I could tell she got water in the wrong place and that she really had to burp but couldn't. It was stressing me out! As the lesson progressed, Vanessa and I were getting more and more miserable. By the end of the class, our instructor had had us dunk our babies in the water twice, and we were both more than ready to get out. Vanessa was crying loudly as we got out of the pool. But she soon got her burps out and was fine afterwards.

So her first swimming lesson didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped, but I'm still really excited about the next one. We did really enjoy the beginning of the lesson, after all, and I think I just have to be careful about Vanessa swallowing too much water. I'm thinking I might not dunk Vanessa for a few more lessons, though -- not until I'm really ready to.

Vanessa and mommy are really enjoying the beginning of the swim lesson. Jessica and Revie are in the background, getting along swimmingly! Vanessa almost looks like she might be kicking in this picture, don't you think?
If it so happens that Vanessa doesn't end up liking swimming, we have a hunch that she'll like soccer!

Vanessa is just beginning to figure out what to do with the soccer ball her Grampa Maxted (otherwise known as M Go Blue) gave her. It's too big to fit in her mouth, but she can push it around with her hands.

Vanessa's grandma came to see her! Grandma played with Vanessa a lot and especially helped her crawl. I think Vanessa has made incredible strides with her crawling this week! I doubt James and I have much time before our house has to be thoroughly baby-proofed.

Vanessa has been just a little grabby lately. It's her way of saying I love you (or perhaps I want to eat you, the two meanings are very similar in baby-ese!). Here Vanessa gives her Aunt Heather a squeeze at lunch today.

Vanessa grabs Uncle Terry's lip. We are so very lucky to have seen Heather and Terry so much lately. I love having family nearby, it's the best!

James and I just learned that we'll get to host my brother Zak for the summer while he works as an intern near here. I can't wait to have Zak around!

While I'm on the topic of family, I have to say that I am really missing my brother Jake, my sister-in-law Jessa, and my nieces Katelyn, Jadyn, and Bryn! I have been thinking about them so much lately. I finally added a link to their blog. http://jessicakaylor.blogspot.com Most people who check this blog also check theirs, but just in case you don't, you should check it out. They're a great family and you won't be able to help yourself from falling in love with them!

Vanessa and I took advantage of the beautiful weather to have an outdoor concert for Vanessa. She played some very modern atonal music for a very small audience (just her parents).

James holds Vanessa during a game of Settlers of Catan. Vanessa has become a little more advanced at her Settlers playing, now able to pick up cards and to make her parents scramble to keep her away from the tiny game pieces.