Water, water, everywhere...

When Reese had her check-up on Tuesday, the pediatrician said we might think about giving her swimming lessons, but warned us that swimming lessons do not decrease the likelihood of childhood drownings.

Amy has been wanting Reese to take swim lessons before we head off on vacation to Hawaii in four weeks.

When I was in college, I worked as a swim instructor for about a year. I taught babies as young as 6 weeks to roll over and float on his or her back. I also helped teens and preteens get ready for the junior lifeguard test, which is a pretty intensive test. So I have been putting off giving Reese lessons because I figure I could teach her. The only problem is we don't have a pool.

I have been practicing with Reese in the bath to get her face in the water, and she has been pretty good about that. Face in the water is a big hurdle to jump over. Many adults have a hard time with it.

Today I introduced blowing bubbles while putting your face in the water. I started off by making a funny noise while blowing air through my lips while my face was above water, and continued to blow air and make the noise while I lowered my face into the water. I blew bubble then lifted my face while still making the funny noise and blowing air. Reese thought this was hilarious! She mimicked me once, then completely forgot about the blowing air/funny noise business and just kept bobbing her face in and out of the water, then giving me a huge belly laugh.

For about a week now, I have also taken time to get her on her back while in the tub. We don't do it very long and I don't force her to float on her own - I have my hand behind her neck and the other on the small of her back - but I want her to get used to the idea of the water in her ears. Like mouth, nose and eyes in the water, getting your ears in the water is a mighty big step. Again, it is something a lot of adults have trouble with.

But ever since she was tiny (jeez, she still is tiny!) I have wanted bath time to be fun and enjoyable. Not because I'm trying to get her to like baths, or to avoid a fight in the future, but because I want her to love the water.

I grew up with a pool and some of my favorite moments as a kid were swimming. I want Reese to have the same type of appreciation and love for the water and water sports like I did.

I may not be teaching her to swim right now, but my bath tub is only so big.