-- because we dropped out.
And I don't consider it a failure!
The good news: I have my playful, fun, curious and vibrant daughter back.
Where'd she go?
That Alexandra disappeared after the first week of refresher survival swim lessons.
As usual, she cried during her entire 10-minute lessons -- just like she did during the 2 months or so when she first learned how to roll over on her back, and hold onto the side of a pool (if she were to fall in)
But this time around -- she's expressing herself better and made it quite clear she wants nothing to do with the lessons.
I ignored her protests the first week ....
Then during the 2nd week, Alex's personality, her actions, demeanor -- everything changed.
She was taking lessons in the morning, but her protests would start the afternoon before --
* Alex stopped eating a good dinner; only consuming 1/2 of what she normally eats ... which would carry over into breakfast the next morning....
* Alex would whine all afternoon long -- fought hard every night about going to bed; because it meant swim lessons a couple hours after waking up...
* Alex was even crying -- and i mean to the point of hyperventilating HARD -- IN HER SLEEP, never waking up, but crying incessantly ... only stopping when my husband or I would tip-toe into her room and place a gentle hand on her back or forehead.
Funny -- when there was ever a thunderstorm and she realized we had to skip her lesson for the day, Alex would run around the house screaming, "We can't go!! We can't go, mama!! It raining outside!! We can't goooooooo!!!"
Which always ended with an "I love you" squeeze to my leg.
Ugh.
I could have put up with all of the protesting, because I really believe the survival swim lessons are important... but I can't let Alex go an entire week not eating well.
Alex was only 4 pounds, 10 ounces when she was born and has stayed very thin -- though she's growing vertically like a weed.
If she catches a cold and doesn't eat well for a couple days -- she loses weight, so you can imagine -- an entire week?!?!
Too much.
I hated breaking the news to her instructor Ms. Suzi, who was totally find with my decision.
It took a week for Alex to even go into another pool, and even then -- she cried when we put on the sunscreen, and only stayed on the top step for an entire hour.
It's been a couple weeks now.
Alex still protests when going into a pool .. but once she's in, she's having fun -- on her terms, of course.
We have started the process, and just as i though -- Alexandra still hates her survival swim lessons. lol!
I have noticed some changes though.
The biggest change even surprised the instructor Ms. Suzi -- Alex can talk.
So accompanying Alex's screams and crying comes, "NO SWIM!!! I GET OUT!!!"
The up side- this time around Alex is understanding directions more ... and she's calming down the louder my cheers and praises to her are.
Alex seems to remember the flipping-onto-her-back.. and grabbing-the-wall routines... though she looks a little awkward now that she's a little bigger and stronger, fighting some of the moves more.
And as soon as the short lesson was over, she was totally fine -- 'talking' to Ms. Suzi like they were old friends, and watching the next student (victim) fussing during his lesson.
Poor thing- Alex's first refresher lesson wore her out. She fell asleep in the car on the way home.
Overall, I think she did very well. One lesson down, at least a dozen more to go!
I was hoping to spare Alexandra the repeat torture, but i just don't see any way around it.
We took a dip in the pool over the weekend, and I checked to see if Alex remembered any of what she learned the summer before about floating on her back, and holding onto the side of the pool wall..
Nope.
The panic in Alex's eyes when I tried to hold her as she floated on her back -- too much ... for me to witness at least.
She's going to have to get refresher lessons on survival floating/swimming.
It was torture last summer, watching Alex FREAK OUT every day for 6 WEEKS of lessons with her instructor, Ms. Suzi.
In the end, despite all the dramatics -- Alex WAS able to flip onto her back and float ...
Flipping back and forth, Alex actually made it to the side of the pool wall, and could hang on -- while still screaming bloody murder. lol..
Fortunately, a refresher course means just a couple of weeks (hopefully) of torture ... but better that than the ultimate nightmare which could happen..
Swim Safe ISR with Suzi Taylor
We did it.
Survival swim lessons are OVER.
Every day, for the past 6 weeks -- Alexandra has screamed her way through her 10-minute lessons, but that girl can sure FLOAT!!
I feel SO much better, and the instructor Suzi Tayor was amazing... so patient, soft-spoken ... and no doubt suffering from hearing loss after dealing with my daughter, lol... oy, man.
Yesterday, Alexandra had her final test - flipping from her tummy to her back, while wearing winter clothes: shirt, pants, socks, shoes and a coat!
She did great the lesson prior, in her summer clothes - open-toed shoes with shorts and a lightweight t-shirt ... but i thought for sure she'd start to sink once her coat filled with water.
Nope.
You could see Alex adjusting to her new body weight, and it was actually a relief to hear her screaming while on her back -- she could breathe!
The think i'll remember most about the 6-week lessons -- Ms. Suzi said because of all the screaming, Alex would likely burp alot the rest of the afternoon.
Alex never burped. It would always come out the other end.... alll ....day.... looooong. HAHAHA!
When she gets older, Alex will either hate me or love me for those lessons.
Maybe i won't tell her about the farting. lol!
Ms. Suzi with another student
