AuntJ and Limby come to visit!

Today, GranE's sister, AuntJ, came to visit with her daughter Limby from Georgia. They played with B-Boy, who is still trying to figure out why all these new folks are here.

We took him to the pool and had a great time. (It was VERY hot, but we made do!) B-Boy showed them how he can go under the water, kick his legs when his Daddy pulls him through the water, and splash!!!

Faster GranE Faster!

I know one of you is about to dunk me, I can just tell!

The water is nice and cool AuntJ! You should get in!

Before Limby and AuntJ left, we took some time to snap some photos. Limby was sweet to play along with me wanting to take so many...

Before they hit the road, I told AuntJ that she had to take another photo with B-Boy. I told her he needed to be in the same position he was in the photo from the last time she visited. It took her a moment to remember... she had held him out at her side. Yikes!

But she was sweet to do as I asked, especially since I promised she would not have to do it again.

October 2009, B-Boy at just about 2 weeks old

July 2010, B-Boy at 9 1/2 months old

We will have to find another pose for her. Did I mention B-Boy is HEAVY????  Could you imagine me having AuntJ and B-Boy do this pose when he is 12? HA!!!!

Happy 1st Father's Day Neb!

Today is Father's Day, and it was Neb's first. It began with a homecooked pancake breakfast for Neb and his cards. After we all ate (B-Boy had a bottle and then a big bowl of apricots), B-Boy and Neb played in the living room.

Neb is excited as he got tickets to see his FAVORITE musician Jackie Greene in Raleigh on July 16th. The guy is immensely talented, and is just amazing to hear. (If you don't know who he is, go check him out at his website.) He is from northern California, where Neb grew up, and doesn't hit the east coast very often. Neb also got a few sessions with a personal trainer, as we want to keep him around for a very long time.

After B-Boy's morning nap, we all went back to the pool. B-Boy did really well again... he started floating in his raft with his feet stretched out in front of him. A little later, he discovered that not only can he stand in the pool with help from us, but that in his raft, he can stand and walk around pushing his raft where he wanted to go.

Nice shirt Dad.

For a kid who is as big as B-Boy, who can't easily maneuver around normally, the freedom of the water must be wonderful. He really enjoyed himself, but I must admit that the water was very warm, warmer than yesterday... so he started to get a bit fussy.

I took him to the big pool where I thought the cool water might make him feel better. Initially, I stood on the step and eased him into the water... but he perked up and I could not resist taking him further into the pool. I submerged him to just below his shoulders, and we spun around several times in the pool. Neb joined us, and we played handing him back and forth.... gliding him through the water each time. He adored it.

He's laughing here, not crying, I promise!

Then Neb played with him in the pool, and decided to try to see how B-Boy handled water on his face. He dipped him into the water so that his face got covered. B-Boy took it like a champ, and didn't even make a peep. I think part of this is due to the fact that when I give him a bath, I pour water over his head. It may sound mean, but I really want him to be used to water in his eyes. I don't do it with soap on him, that would be cruel, but there is nothing wrong with a little water... so I think that helped him today.

Neb also spun him around on his tummy, his arms out in front of him like a super hero, flying through the water looking for a damsel in distress. He giggled the whole time, although for some reason every photo shows him looking angry. I swear he wasn't! He squealed with delight the entire time, only getting upset when we started to leave, and made him take his top off to get dry.

The nap he took that afternoon was a VERY long one, and gave Neb a chance to head to the gym. We did a little shopping later this afternoon, and took B-Boy to one of Neb's favorite stores, Best Buy. 

All in all, it was a great day. We are all exhausted to prove it.

See the next posting for B-Boy's Father's Day costume picture.

I finally got a Pool Boy

I finally got a pool boy, but probably not the kind you are thinking of!

Neb and I are in complete agreement that we really want B-Boy to enjoy the water, and swimming. My family is from Maryland originally, and water is a big part of my memories of growing up. However, I did not learn to swim until I was in the 5th grade or so... Neb and I both wanted B-Boy to be exposed to it as soon as possible.

Neb found out that the Athletic Club has swim lessons for babies... and signed B-Boy up for lessons on Saturdays. Unfortunately, they don't begin until August. We didn't want to wait that long, and so Neb kept looking. He found that the swim club by our work is offering swim lessons for babies starting July 5th. They are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm. Neb signed him up and we can't wait.

Did I mention we can't wait? So today, we took B-Boy to the pool for the first time to see how he would do... kind of like pre-work for his class.

It's my first time to the pool!

Neb found him a raft at Target that has a mesh seat in the middle for him to ride in. I have to say, B-Boy absolutely loved it! Neb also got him a cute hat, and he was sporting his sun glasses most of the time. We bought him some Litlle Swimmers diapers, that are specially for babies in the pool.

We snapped lots of photos for you... cause I know you want to see his adventures. And just for the record, B-Boy's swim trunks are size 24 months... for his 8 month old self.

We took him to the kiddie pool, which is 2 feet deep. There was a slight current that went round and round the pool. The water was the perfect temperature, and we had it all to ourselves.

First, Neb put him in the raft...

Well, this is new...

And he floated around the kiddie pool for a good long while. He was quite proud of himself! Neb and I would give him a little nudge to keep him floating.

I make this look GOOD!

He then found the toys attached to the raft...

This toy is BUMPY.

And then he discovered that the water is fun to splash...

Then I took him out of the raft and let him stand in the pool. Oooooh... standing....

Hi folks, I am standing in a POOL!

After he had fun standing up and feeling the water flow by him, I took him over to the stairs and sat down. He started splashing and really enjoying himself.

Wheeeeeeee!

Daddy, thanks for taking me to the pool!!!

In the end, B-Boy got REALLY tired. We dried him off, took off his shirt, and put him in his car seat. He was sound asleep by the time we got home.

Zzzzzzzzzz

I gave him a bath, Neb fed him, and he went down for a nice long nap... He is still asleep as I write this. Heh heh.