Madison Swimming Videos from Summer

These videos were taken during Madison's Infant Swim Resource (ISR) testing that was done after 7 weeks of 10 minute lessons, 5 days a week this Summer. (Better late than never). I have blogged about it and posted photos but really wanted to post the three days of testing videos to show how far she had come and I just think it is cool to watch. She is more 'water safe' at 19 months than I was when I was 6 years old. While some might see this method of 'swim lessons' as extreme or over the top, I was confident in my choice of instructor and method. And while difficult to watch at times, it was an extraordinary experience for all of us.

Since ISR is based on teaching 'drowning prevention skills' rather than typical 'swimming lessons' there are three days of testing after the lessons are completed, one with Summer clothes, one with Winter clothes and lastly back to swim suit for 'reset'.

The idea is to think about what they would likely be wearing if they wandered near the pool and fell in, anytime of year. The sensation of being wet fully clothed is so much different than when wearing a swim suit and the children need to be exposed to that sensation so they can learn adjust their 'float' accordingly. If they usually carry a lovey or have a pacifier all of the time, it is recommended they test with those items as well.

Each video is the length of a typical lesson (about 10 min) so if you only have time for one, I recommend the Winter one (#2) and the end especially when she is jumping in from the edge and comes up to a float.

Summer Clothes: TShirt/Shorts/Crocs/PullUp. A rather unfortunate reality of falling into the water with clothes on is that you are likely to have something covering your face at some point. At one point during testing, Rebekah removes Madison's shirt and places it over her face to be sure she has the skill to pull it off her face.

Winter Clothes: Undershirt/Long Sleeve Shirt/Jeans/PullUp/Socks/Tennies/Fleece Lined Jacket (Hey we live in California! What are the chances she'll accidentally fall in the pool with a down snow suit on?)

Last day of testing, swimming reset back to swim suit. I got in the pool on the last day so Rebekah could show me how to work with her when we went swimming.

(Click here if you would like to learn more about the lessons and research behind ISR. Click here for more local Modesto information.)

Madison's ABCD's

I heard Madison in her room saying the ABCD's and she did the WHOLE thing THREE times without missing a letter. I asked her if she would do it again for the camera and she said "SURE!". (miracle in itself)

I took three videos and she missed some each time but was very proud of herself as was I.

The first one was the best ABCD's and the second one was cute because of the LMNO part. (no that isn't text lingo for lauging anything off.)

I turned the camera so I could get her whole outfit and nervous jig moves thinking I could turn it later like with photos but I couldn't figure it out. Sorry.

This was Thanksgiving and she was wearing the dress Papa picked out for her birthday. When I put it on her she twirled and said "I beautiful!". The sweater was also a birthday gift from a friend.

Zoe found her calling: Ghostbuster

So much has gone on since I posted last...I have such good intentions...I hate posting without pictures and I while I am good about making sure I TAKE pictures I am not so good about getting them on the computer.

Future blogs with photos to include:
Madison's 2nd Birthday and Two Year check up stats
Halloween and pumpkin carving
Trip to Monterey
Madison's first hair cut
Potty training update

In the meantime I had a Madison/Zoe story to share and I have some pictures of Madison and Roxy playing outside in the dark one evening before it got too cold.

Zoe and Madison have a love/hate relationship. Madison loves Zoe and I hate that I have to keep them separated for both of their safety. It isn't all bad, Madison knows not to touch her and Zoe knows to steer clear. Things have gotten much more relaxed now that Madison has control of her movements and walking steady etc. We just make sure Zoe doesn't get cornered and forced to choose fight over flight. Unfortunately there is a lot of "Go lay down Zoe" "Don't touch Zoe" "Zoe down" "Zoe leave Madison's food alone" talk around our house. I feel guilty sometimes but we manage. Don't get me wrong, Zoe gets her play time in with Mom and Dad and Roxy too.

Well tonight I think we found Zoe's purpose in Madison's eyes and it was fun. Madison came into the kitchen tonight and here is how the conversation played out:

Mad: "Ghost coming"
Mom: "What? Did you say ghost?"
Mad: "Yea, ghost right dare! Scare me."
Mom: (Inside my head: Imagination here we come) "Where is the ghost?" {calm}
Mad: "In da window right dare!" (She ran behind my legs to hide).
Mom: (I had to think on the fly. My gut told me that Daddy would protect us, but he is leaving for WY in the morning and with her memory the way it is I didn't want to risk hearing tomorrow "Daddy not here, ghost coming." So I thought of Zoe. "Madison, show me where the ghost is. [she pointed to the wall] Watch this. Zoe come. {Zoe came and I leaned down and whispered in Zoe's ear "what's that" and she perked up, on cue and barked her head off and ran out ran outside to 'chase the ghost'.
Mad: "Where Zoe go?"
Mom: "She is making sure the ghost is gone."
Mad: "Zoe come ear! Zoe good girwel. I yuv you Zoe." {heart melt}
{She leaned in to hug her and we were back to normal conversation again}
Mom: "No touch Zoe."
Mad: "Touch Roxy."
Mom: "Yes you can touch Roxy."
Mad: "I yuv you too Rox."
Life is good.

It was so sweet. It was as if Madison was so proud of Zoe protecting her and we were both glad that Zoe is a little more assertive than Roxy. Zoe seemed proud too. I have to chuckle to myself thinking that now Madison and Zoe have something in common, an active imagination. Zoe is always chasing off imaginary 'ghosts'. Now I don't want any comments about real ghosts. My dog and daughter come by their active imaginations naturally!

I think God spoke to me today

The strangest thing happened to me today. This post isn't about Madison, one of only a few but I wanted to document it none the less and this seemed like an easy way to express myself.

I know when asked, I often talk about being an only child and that is mainly because in general conversation it is easier to say than explain I had a half sister with whom I grew up with but who died before we could be adults together. But the truth is, I did have a sister who loved and tormented me during my young years.  Her name was Christina and she would have turned 47 next month.

My sister is buried in a beautiful cemetery in Sonora just up the road from my dentist. I have been there with my Mom a few times to put out a new flag for the season and I have gone a few times alone to take flowers for the deer or just to sit quietly and look over the tiny city from the hill.  

I had a dental appointment today and for some reason she was on my mind as I drove through town. I thought it would be nice to take some flowers and then I realized I didn't know where to buy any.  After my unpleasant dentist appointment, I was still thinking of her and so I looked around and decided on a nice natural wreath with pine cones on it.  It smelled great.  She was very crafty and would have enjoyed it. I drove up the hill and put it on her stone. I stopped and looked over the hill and quietly thought about her and I when we were children and how I longed for her to be here with me now as adults.  I also thought of her adult son who I recently heard is expecting his own child. The thought of her being a grandma while I am a new Mom made me smile wondering what that might have been like.

I didn't stay long and drove on down the hill, back to work.  I am not sure why she was on my mind so much, I admit it doesn't happen often.   

Here is the strange part: When I am in the car I often look at the plates on other cars and wonder what the personalizations mean.  As I was driving back to work, I looked over at the car next to me and the license plate read: 

"LV USIS". 

 At first I was like "Who would pay $X extra a year to say that?" 

Then it hit me.  Maybe God put that message there just for me to see. Was she thinking of me too, or perhaps saying "Thank you" for the wreath? I shook it off, thinking I was being crazy, as if God was too busy to talk to little 'ol me.  I actually rolled my eyes at myself.  But then I thought, 'Why not me?'

We can choose to believe whatever we want, and I am choosing that she spoke to me through Him and it warmed my heart overwhelmingly, once I allowed it to.

Here are some of the things I remembered today: She was a great cook, she could make the best things out of NOTHING, and even when something didn't turn out she could turn it into something else. I remember one time she burnt up a batch of biscuits and then proceeded to pull out the paints and made a flower sculpture!  She could drive somewhere once and always know how to get there again without a map (0r GPS for that matter).  She taught me how to tie my shoes, helped me have the courage to take my earrings out after the required 6 week wait time (aka forced me to), and she told my Mom when she caught me using her razor shaving my leg for the first time, (I refused to shave the other one because I thought I was in trouble).  I remember her fighting for her right to watch soaps when I wanted to watch Sesame Street, (She was 6.5 years older than me), and she loved animals.  She used to hold me down on the floor and kiss me all sloppy all over my face while I screamed.  I hated it then and do it to Madison now.  She was who I hunted Easter baskets with and who I walked out with to see what Santa had brought us.

Thank you for the message Chris, I heard you, I love you and I miss you.