She Swims!

Yay!  The big bucks I paid for the private swim lessons have paid off after five of the eight lessons.  We arrived down here at our condo on Indian Rocks Beach (a few miles south of Clearwater) last evening, and Calleigh insisted that she go in the pool despite it being about 7:15 and time for supper.  She had her life jacket on, as usual, but after a bit, we convinced her to take it off and the next thing we knew, she was swimming all over the pool by herself just as cool as a cucumber.  I'm attaching a link to the video here that Duncan took although I'm sure this will bore 99% of the people reading this!  But for that 1%, here it is.  She didn't seem quite as much into the life jacket-less swimming today but I think she was partially distracted by other people in the pool.  Regardless, we now know she can do it so I'm very satisfied with that.  We were supposed to have her sixth lesson yesterday morning but for whatever reason, Zoe never showed up so now they're going to give us an extra lesson as compensation.  Maybe she can learn to swim under water in that time but perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself!  

So yes, we're down here on a mini vacation with Ron and Elaine.  The condo is just off the beach and has a great pool.  We're very happy with our accommodations which Elaine found for us on-line.  It's sort of feels funny to be on a vacation only two hours from home.  A guy in the pool last night asked us where we were from and we're like, "Uhhh, Orlando."  I'm sure he was expecting something a little more exciting than that.  The place has three bedrooms and I did attempt to have Calleigh and Aubree sleep in the same room last night, which has been working out very well at home, but it didn't quite work out the same way here.  I ended up sticking Aubree in the hall and I don't think either of them went to sleep until at least 10:45.  I wish I could say the same.  If I fell asleep before 2:30, it was a miracle.  I didn't feel tired and then because I have to sleep on my side now (which I HATE doing), the bed felt quite uncomfortable because it's pretty hard compared to my soft one at home.  Ahh, yes, the life of a very pregnant woman.  Let me just start complaining about how hot I always am and I will be your stereotypical pregnant lady!  The great thing about being on vacation with three other adults, instead of being the sole caregiver of the girls on a typical Friday (which reminds me, I missed my yard sales, darn!), is that I didn't have to exert a whole lot of energy today.  After breakfast, we went down to the pool for awhile and then set up camp (and I do mean camp) on the beach where we hung out for several hours.  The day was absolutely beautiful with not a cloud in the sky and the gulf was like warm bath.  All together just a splendid time.  

Clutching her baby, contemplating just how far to go in.

You can't get a smile for a picture out of this kid for anything, seriously.

Proof that I went in the water...at least a little of me, anyway.

This was like a parasailing thing but only there was no boat.  We had never seen anything like it but it looked really fun!  Sure did scare Aubree right to death though when he flew over our heads.  I think she thought it was a giant bug or something because it was making a humming noise.

It came as no surprise that both girls went easily down for a nap.  Aubree must have been asleep in less than 60 seconds.  After three hours, I finally felt compelled to wake them less we have a problem tonight.  We asked Calleigh what she wanted to do and without hesitation, she said "Pool" with a big beaming smile on her face.  So back they went.  This time I stayed inside to relax (I was working while they all napped).  They switched a few times between the pool and beach with the highlight of the afternoon/evening being a shark that someone had caught.  It was a hammerhead shark and was about 7 feet long so it was pretty impressive. It definitely caused some excitement for the girls.  

Crowd gathered to see the shark.

They let him go and I sure hope he swam far, far away.

As I've mentioned, Aubree is significantly more timid about the water as compared to Calleigh at the same age.  What I can say, at least, is that she'll go in to a degree and be happy but then if someone tries to take her in with them to swim around, she'll adamantly refuse.  She was sitting on a step with water almost up to her chin and she was perfectly fine so we do have some hope.

Going back a few days, Tuesday was Calleigh's actual birthday and I thought it would be nice to do a little something on the real day.  First I had to go to my doctor's appointment which was thoroughly disappointing due to the fact that I had gained three miserable pounds in six days.  I couldn't even blame a big breakfast (hadn't eaten anything) or Jennifer's treats (hadn't had any recently).  I did, however, make my own chocolate cake and that must have done it.  At this point, I'm ready to just throw caution to the wind and say "whatever."  After the appointment, Yolanda and Emma came to our house and followed us to a park where we met Jennifer and three of the four boys (one was in school).  The kids played in the very shaded playground and then we had lunch which I had brought with us.  Jennifer then unveiled her, as usual, awesome treats which included cookie "necklaces" with the girls' initials on them.  They also got some gifts and Calleigh was in seventh heaven to discover a Polly Pocket set.  

For supper, I let Calleigh pick the meal and as expected, it was macaroni and cheese (incidentally, Aubree's selection last night for her birthday was quesadillas).  We did a webchat with Uncle Ricky and he got to watch as the girls opened their presents from us.  Once again, Calleigh was beside herself with excitement to get yet more Polly Pockets.  Apparently she just can't get enough.  Aubree's main gifts were a stroller and bassinet for her babies.  But regarding the Polly Pockets, my parents sent the girls birthday cards and I explained to them that they would get their gifts from them when they come down in a few weeks (might as well spread it out).  Calleigh's response?  I quote "Send an email and tell Gigi I want Polly Pockets."  

Wednesday morning Calleigh had a swimming lesson and I had a dentist appointment so I was able to just drop the girls off at Grandma and Grandpa's.  Thankfully this was just an uneventful cleaning and nothing major.  

Thursday was a very busy morning and afternoon trying to get ready to go.  First, we had to squeeze in a swimming lesson that never happened.  Then it was on to meeting up with a lady from whom I purchased a Rock 'N Play Sleeper off Craigslist.  This is some new baby thing that has been created in the last two years and has gotten very good reviews so I decided we needed one (but not a new one, of course).  From there, it was off to Publix to get groceries.  No gas card or Amex deals going on so I had to pay a lot more for groceries this week but still a very good trip.  

So that's that.  This afternoon I was sitting patiently by the phone waiting for my call from Shannon with her big news.  And I'm happy to report...it's a girl!  Somehow that just seems to fit.  Devin and Leigh also found out today and their news is a boy, at least they're pretty sure.  I thought it was a neat coincidence that Devin found out he was having a boy on his 30th birthday while a few months before, it was me finding out the same thing on my 35th.  

That's all the news from paradise...Have a Happy Sabbath!