The sun and a star go for a swim

We made it back to You and Me Splash Together!  It wasn't a private lesson today...we met Jessica and Stella and loved making new friends while learning. 
Coach Mo noticed how quickly Sol reacted to having his picture taken. He sees the black rectangle come out (my iPhone) and he knows where to look. Smart boy!
We really did enjoy the lesson today!  We practiced bobbing, going under water (up to the nose), swimming on the kick board on our tummies and backs, and then going the whole length of the pool with a noodle.  I'm so proud that Sol didn't cry this week!  The going under water part is still a little scary, but we are getting the hang of it!
Sol's had a busy week. Monday and Tuesday he went to school so I could study. 
I love that Miss Jackie sent me a picture during his day. My lil man sharing his toy, so sweet.
Bubbe joined us at the zoo yesterday!  The Summer temps in Birmingham are finally beginning to cool down and I'm looking forward to Fall!  I think the animals are happy, too.  A lot of them were moving and shaking more than I'm used to.  The sea lions were barking and swimming and the alligator was swimming awfully close to us, too. Thank goodness for barriers...
Our next door neighbor, Hill, came over for a play date yesterday!  She was showing Sol how to stand and walk!!  So impressive. Sol showed off how he stands at one of his toys (I'm sure she didn't notice me helping him balance).

We are missing the You and Me Move Together class tomorrow since Sol will be at school. Next week, the J is closed Thursday and Friday, so Jessica and I may meet Wednesday morning with the kids for a swim!  Excited to continue working on our water skills!




You and Me at the J!!

Sol is conked out, so I have a minute to eat, post, and then off to study! 
This child is exhausted!  We've had a great couple days doing activities available at the LJCC!
Okay, let me start off by saying, seriously? Do you see these rates!?  How could I pass up the opportunity to do something fun with Sol at such a low cost!  I'm definitely buying the 12 classes and will probably go to the splash class every week and to the play class as often as I can.
Before you continue reading, go back to that picture.  Do you see the classes are available to nonmembers?  And at only five dollars a class!  I love it.  I really hope anyone (um, unless you don't have a child with you) feels welcome and will join us!
Yesterday was our first class and Sol wasn't so sure about what we were about to do.  There were other little ones in the pool taking private swim classes. Not all of them were so happy. But for Sol, it was comforting to have mommy!
Honestly, he is still so little that there's not much he would get out of private swim lessons that he didn't get from our class yesterday.  And for me it's only $4!
David and I have both been very interested in getting Sol acclimated to the water as soon as possible.  If we hadn't  had this option, we would have signed him up for private swim lessons...or would we have?  They're kinda pricey!!
Um, hello! We had a private swim lesson yesterday! Where is everybody?  We felt pretty spoiled, but we would rather have some friends there with us!  Muhammad (or Mo) was great.  He introduced us to going underwater, kicking our feet while laying on our back, floating, and swimming with the noodle.  Of course, I had my hands on Sol at all times and was able to comfort him when I felt appropriate.
I know how swim lessons go.  Parent drops off child. Child gets in water with swim coach a.k.a. stranger.  Child screams!  Water and who is this person? I am definitely not saying it is wrong to take your child to swim lessons with a private lesson. We will do it eventually!
I love that the J is offering this class so that Sol can get comfortable in the water before he is ready for serious swim lessons. 

Ok, onto today!
May I introduce you to Megan, Laura, and Rob!  I'm sure you all recognize Sol.

Megan and Laura will be teaching the play classes on Monday and Friday.  
I'm so excited our friends Karli and Landon came!  Landon is a couple months younger than Sol, and Karli and I have been threatening to have a play date for too long.
The class started with some chatting amongst mommies.  Oh wait that wasn't part of the class...;)
The class did start with singing and dancing!  We new mommies are still learning some of the words, but this class will help!
We worked our arms, legs, and core. They incorporated a little bit of body flow and core barre too!  
I got a great workout and was able to spend time with Sol!  I'm looking forward to our next class!

If anyone is interested in joining this class, your first time is free!  You can register for a spot online.
Also, it's called You and Me not Mommy and Me.  Anyone should feel welcome: daddy, bubbe, grandma, nana, zayde, grandpa, lito, caregiver, aunt, uncle, friend...come on!  Hope to see you in class!



Parent and Baby Yoga at Villager Yoga

It seemed natural to introduce Sol to yoga early on in his life, since it was something I did with him while I was pregnant.  I've gone through phases of absolutely loving yoga and meditation classes, but when I'm not doing it regularly, I need a little coercion.

My girlfriend and running partner, Leah, was persistent in asking us to join her and her daughter, Julia. My first thanks is to Leah!  We are so glad we attended and look forward to doing it again.
We attended the class right around the time that Sol started feeling confident sitting up.  I was so impressed I was able to leave him on the mat while I prepared for the class.  We decided to come very last minute.  Not only was he due for a feeding, but he also needed a diaper changing.  Hence why he is only in a diaper--I didn't want to waste anymore precious yoga time!  It was bad enough we had to feed 15 minutes into it.
How cute is this??  Julia and Sol have known each other longer than they can comprehend!  We had a few playdates when they were both newborns, but we're behind on visiting.  I hope that when the time is right, Leah and I will be able to get back to running together regularly AND bring the little ones along with us!  They should be used to sleeping through us chatting, so if they know what's good for them--they'll keep that up when we pull out the strollers and our running shoes!
I wish I had taken a picture with Katherine Kimerling Bromberg, our yoga guru for the day.  Katherine and I grew up together.  She is a youngin compared to 31 year old me, but we have a great connection--and I love when I get the chance to be with her.  My second thanks goes to Katherine!!  She has always had a way with kids.  It really shined through her warm welcoming, patience, and fun curriculum.
I highly recommend the Parent Baby yoga class.  It was a wonderful way for Sol and I to spend time interacting with each other.  At home, we interact with toys and reading; but only for so long.  After 15 or 20 minutes, the dishes or my schoolwork start calling my name.  Sol either plays on his own OR cries for me to come back to playing with him.  I loved bonding with him while stretching, cuddling and hugging, and singing/playing.  

Villager Yoga is one of many gems in my neighborhood, Cahaba Heights.  I love that it offers a beautiful, relaxing space with wonderful classes and even more beautiful and wonderful teachers.  My third and last thanks is to Annie, who owns, runs, and lives Villager Yoga.  I miss seeing you  and hope it's not too long before we can come back!!

Sol starts daycare!

At my mom's request, I have to share that Sol started daycare this week!  We have him at the ECLC at the LJCC. I know it is a great program because I went there and I know a lot of the wonderful people who work there. I'm very comfortable having him there!

On his first day, he wasn't very pleased with me as he was trying to figure out what was happening.
He was in Miss Jackie's arms and I asked him to smile. He fought it, but I got a little smile out of him!
His teachers sent home a sheet of what he did that day.  His schedule is far from what he and I do at home. He took two one-hour naps.  At home he usually takes one morning nap that last 20-30 minutes and one afternoon nap that lasts 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  It'll be interesting to see how he goes from day to day since he will only be in daycare 2 to 3 days a week.  I so appreciate his long afternoon nap so that I can do schoolwork or housework.

A friend of mine snapped a picture of him when she went into check on her child.
I am pleased that I am getting good reports from his teachers and my friends seeing him smiley and happy because of course when he sees me he wails to be in my arms.  

Today, day 3, appeared to be his best day yet. David dropped him off and he didn't fuss. Bubbe dropped by to visit during the day and said he was great, too. I could see him having fun when I picked him up from daycare, but of course he saw me and started his huffing and puffing. After I reassured him that I wasn't leaving without him, I managed to snap this sweet pic of him and his buddy Robert!
Thx to Ms Ann, Ms Jackie, Ms Marguerite, and all the other sweet people at ECLC to taking good care of my love!!

Just a few shots from our evening


Love love love!