I still have a fear of the water.  I suppose it could be the unknown that really drives my paranoia.  For example, I won’t get too far into the ocean, at least not the Atlantic, because I can’t see what’s in the water.  

I have a hard time sticking my head under the water even in a swimming pool, because I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold my breath and that I’ll drown.   Once my husband and I went snuba-ing in Grand Cayman.   Well, I did more of what’s considered snorkeling.   The instructor had to take the added weights off of me due to my fear of a hole being in my air line and that I wouldn’t be strong enough to swim to the top.   Thanks to the weights, I would drown.  I could actually feel the pressure on my entire body and my anxiety increase.  

Thankfully, my son appears to be just the opposite.

I didn’t learn how to swim until I was 7 years old and my fish in the water routine couldn’t be attributed to swim lessons, but instead to a very devoted uncle who took time out of his evenings to teach me one summer.  

The thought has crossed my mind to put Davey into swimming lessons, but I decided to hold off on that and just spend this summer getting him acclimated to the water. 

Davey has always enjoyed taking a bath but that wasn’t a guarantee that he would appreciate the pool (and we’re still a little over a month away before his first beach trip).   Fortunately, my son has a huge sense of adventure and zero fear.   I say fortunately, although I’m sure at some point in the future that lack of fear and adventurous spirit means he won’t use his head and do something stupid.  We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. 

Two weeks ago, Davey pushed himself free from my grip and went head first into our community pool.  Needless to say he aged me quickly in those few seconds, but when I pulled him up he coughed out some water, laughed at me, and then screamed to go back for seconds!  

This past Saturday we spent the day at my mom and dad’s house.  Davey sat on the porch with my mother and me.   My dad walked out to the garage to get Davey’s float.   The moment he walked out the door and towards the pool, float in hand, Davey’s eyes lit up.   He crawled over to the window, reached out for his Papa (or maybe the float) and even let out a whine.   Within a matter of moments, he was jumping up and down with impatience.   He squirmed little a fish OUT OF water while I tried to change his clothes and put on his swimsuit.  

After a slight wait while I changed my clothes, we were in the pool and my water baby was splashing around and loving every minute of it.  

I look forward to every opportunity to get him in the water, to watch him explore and learn something new.  And I can hardly wait to see his reaction to the ocean.  Stay tuned