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With summer approaching, we finally decided to take Keegan to swim lessons. The signs were all there: he really enjoyed playing in the baby pool we set up in the yard a couple of weeks ago, during the heat wave; he has been really enjoying washing his hair (something he hated for quite a few weeks), or at least getting water dumped on his head; the weather is getting nicer, and we are planning on FINALLY getting solar panels for our pool.

So, we thought it was time. We didn’t quite have the courage to take him to the heavy duty water safety course for babies, a real water boot camp. The idea of having Keegan tossed in the water concerned me a little.  To get an idea of what we are talking about about, check out this video:

We didn’t completely excluded the idea, as it is important he understand how to float if he gets in the pool accidentally, but we wanted a softer approach to begin with. So we enrolled him in a YMCA water class. The goal is to make the babies comfortable in water, and not afraid. The class is only 8 lessons, twice a week. It is not the best time, because it is pretty much around his dinner time, but we have managed so far, with big snacks.

The class is small, 5 babies, ranging in age from 15 months to past 2 years, and we are using a small, heated (87 degrees) pool. Parents are in the water too, and there are songs and small exercises. Keegan seems to like it so far. He, like most of the kids, does not necessarily want to do what the teacher would like, but he does not mind being in the water. We even got him underwater, and he liked that. He also loved when we dunk him in the water from the edge. It is fun.

In other news, he is talking a little more now, almost real words. Beside using the sign, he now says “MO” for more, and he says “PA” for ball (palla in Italian), and his favorite now, “BOBBLES” for bubbles (bolle di sapone in Italian), his new obsession. He really likes them. And he likes saying the word. he would say it in the car, or for no apperent reason. He likes to repeat it, with a crescendo…bobbles, bobbles , bobbbles, BOBBBLEEEEESSS, almost in a frenzy. We have to get a video of that. So I guess we will have to buy some automatic bubble maker, so he can make them himself. He is also “talking” quite a bit, in his own language of course. It really does sounds like a language, with sentences. It is so funny. We even have conversations…so, he is more and more a little boy now.

While we are still working  through the pile of toys we accumulated in the past few months — and the grandparents definitely helped in that department — and slowly revealing a new thing every few weeks, Tizi went to a parents’ swap meet last week and ended up getting a few fun things for dirt cheap. She got some really cool books including a music playing, pop-up Old McDonald book. Keegan loved it, and guess how long it took him to destroy the pop ups? A whole 2 minutes! Well, it is recommended for 3+ years, but he enjoys playing the song and hearing the dog bark. Tizi also got a rocking giraffe. It is the cutest thing ever. Keegan is not quite that taken by it, but he will go on it for a few minutes. He also thinks it is a weird looking cow, so he moos every time he approaches it.

He’s still going through his separation anxiety, especially from mom, who can’t even go to the next room without causing tears. And, more surprising, he has become very shy. Every time there are other kids around, he initially hangs on to us, even if is the same kid at daycare that he sees every day and that always comes over to hug him in the morning. It is very surprising to us, since he has always been quite a social baby, and he is still very interested in other people…just a little shy. We are sure it will be a phase, and we will try to put him in as many social situations as possible.

So we are happy to report that all is well, and following the expected path. Now, we are looking forward to summertime and more fun in the sun.