My Confident Aquatic Problem Solvers!

We did it!! Elliana and Nathaniel have finished their session for Infant Swimming Resource Self-Rescue swimming lessons. I am so proud of them both and how great they have done. The last week was very different and difficult as we tested out their skills while wearing clothing. The week started with them wearing light weight summer clothes, then long pants and long sleeves, then to thicker heavier clothing, and lastly in full winter outfits and shoes.

Elliana's "Starfish!"

Thanie's "Starfish!"

Rotating from his back to his stomach for a swim-float-swim rotation. This way he gets as far as he can, but knows to roll over to float, rest and take a breath whenever needed!

Through this program Nathaniel and Elliana both learned breath control, and swimming face down (which promotes vertical swimming. When your face is not in the water your more likely to sink) Where your head goes, your feet are sure to follow!

Ellie floating independently with heavy fleece winter clothes on!!

The rolling over and going for the wall as she finds her way out.

For more information on Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) visit http://www.infantswim.com/.

These lessons are very different then your traditional swim lessons. The skills they learned are for self-rescue purposes in the unfortunate chance that they find themselves in a situation with water. SUPERVISION is always the best protection! Survival skills are just one more layer of protection we as parents can offer our children.

SOOOO Proud of them both and how hard they worked over the last month and a half. I truly believe that they are now confident aquatic problem solvers. So incredibly thankful for Becky, our awesome ISR instructor. Blessed that God brought her, and this amazing program into our lives, and blown away by the healing it brought, the passion it birthed and the new journey it has started us on! I would have never even dreamt it 2 months ago!

"Star" Baseball Player

Nathaniel: Mommy, when I grow up, can I be a Star Baseball player, would you like that?"

Spring time is here and it's t-ball again. Nathaniel has come such a long way this season. He has impressed us, his team mates, and coaches. He is so much more focused, able to throw better and often catches the ball. We are so proud of his hard work playing this year.

Here are some of the highlights from my #5, Royal Blue, left handed boy!

Up to Bat!

Home!

Baseball Ready!



Check out that form!

Always a... "Good Game!"

Team Party and Trophie night.

Spring 2010 Summerville Little League 'Sportsman Shop' Royal Blues

" YES, My dear... You can be ANYTHING you want to be when you grow up... and I would love to see you play baseball. Just remember... You are already a STAR to me!

I love you Thanie!!"

18 Months

Elliana is now 18 months old!

It's so hard to believe she is growing up so fast. She is such a joy and delight to us. It's amazing how much she has changed and progressed in the last 6 months. We are so proud of all that she is doing. She is really trying to imitate sounds and words and has learned quite a few. She loves music and is often found dancing. You'll never miss when Ellie walks in the room as she beams her million dollar smile and gives her"Miss America" wave high in the air. She blows kisses and gives hugs all the time and absolutely loves babies. Elliana will never be left out of play time with Daddy... she loves to be tickled and wrestled with and jumps right in with big brother. She already has such a sweet tender and caring heart and it shows with her interactions with others as well as in her play. Elliana adores her big "bubby", Nathaniel.


Ellie knows many of her body parts and has taken off with signing!I love to see her making requests with signs and I do believe it is reinforcing the verbal language as well. Here is a short video of her in all her cuteness.

Elliana also has such a little personality blooming. I must confess that we do have quite a Diva Princess on our hands.

Elliana loves shoes (of any kind, any size!) loves jewlery, lipgloss and nail polish. She is often found with a purse or bag on her arm and a bracelet and necklace on.

We have learned the word, "No" which we are not too happy about but we are working through it. When she wants something, Ellie is not shy to let us know and when we don't get our way, there is quite a little attitude that shows its face. We've also learned to love the camera... and "CHEESE!" ...when we're in the mood!

We love her so much, and know that we have been soo blessed with the gift of a daughter. I thank God every day for our precious little girl, our Elliana, our answered prayer.

Out of the Mouths of Babes Moms!

This is a new blog carnival found over at MckMama's Blog. I always chuckle when I read about the silly things that come out of MckMama's Mouth. It's nice to know I'm not the only one that say's such goofy things. As Mom's you never know what we may need to say to our children on a daily basis! It's part of the joys of Motherhood.

So today, I decided to join in on the fun! Here are some things that have come out of the mouth of this Mom...

"NO, Hunny... Please don't put your hands IN the Poop!"
"If you would just lie still, this would be over with very quickly!"

"Please do not squeeze or pull the snake! We will let him free himself."

"Do not let her touch or grab your penis! We keep our private parts to ourself!"

"Yes, that is poop all over her sheets, No you can not see it and smell it, I will clean it up". "Yes you make Lots of messes like this when you were little."

"Wipe off marker should not be used on your sister... please only use it on your wipeoff board, thank you."

"No, when you grow up you will not have breast, and you will not need to wear a bra. Only Mommy's and ladies where a bra."

"I'm sorry sweetie, but you may Not eat scissors! They are not a snack or a toy."

How about you?? What silly things have you said lately?!

ISR Update

My little Swimmer! ...

Well, we are now at the end of week 3 of lessons. Things are going great! It's amazing to see the change in such a short time period. Elliana is doing so good and is so much happier, you can see the confidence building as she improves day by day.

As intense as I knew it would be, I still had my doubts about only 10 minutes a day. I have been so impressed and amazed to see how much that 10 minutes and the consistency of everyday can do.

Earlier this week we also started Nathaniel with Self rescue lessons as well. He was so excited to finally have his turn at lessons! With a big smile on his face from the first minute, he is really enjoying the lessons and doing really well.

Here is a short video of Nathaniel on his first day...

We are working on floating more than anything with him as he is a bit over confident, but I know that he will continue to improve and gain these important skills in no time.


Chin to the ceiling.... starfish!

Looking forward to the coming weeks to see them get even better and better as they gain more confidence and the skills come naturally

OrangeOnions.com

I found a great new website that I wanted to tell you all about! It has great products for great deals. They also have giveaways and sales for all your shopping needs! I am looking forward to doing some shopping! Check it out for yourself and be sure to check out their
Deal of the Day!


http://www.orangeonions.com/c=6xOgJrKRACevEDu2AyvMVwvsN/category/peel_of_the_day/

Elliana's 1st ISR self rescue swim lesson

Today was Elliana's first ISR swim lesson. She will be learning self rescue water skills over the next few weeks. It was an emotional and difficult day but I am so proud of how well Ellie did! They began today by working on holding onto the wall (or the pvc bar at the wall- lower for practice due to Ellie's size) She needs to gain confidence in the wall and learn to reach and go for it (not a person) when needing help or a way out.

Here is just a quick snipet of her lesson.

Looking forward to watching her grow and learn over the next few weeks!