It has been an exciting, milestone-filled 10 days at Sarita's house. Apparently she has taken over ownership often requesting we go home to "my house".
A week ago Sunday Sarita started her first unattended swimming lessons. We were thrilled and gobsmacked when she started swimming on her own (with a flotation device) during class 6 of an 8 week parent-n-me session. I was surprised the instructor recommended she go it alone and enroll in the Seahorse class even after I explained, "She doesn't go to daycare so she doesn't listen very well. When you say blow bubbles she chases toys." Her response, "She just doesn't listen to you. You wait and see. She gets it; she is ready for the next level. Plus the ratio is four kids per teacher so the class is designed for kids like her." The teacher was spot on. Though Sarita told me, "Mom, you need to put on your swimsuit" as we dressed her for the first solo lesson, she had no separation anxiety whatsoever. She was just happy to be going swimming whether it was with me or with Christina with the braces. Bravo Sarita! What a relief. She even waved excitedly to Ragav and I during class, exclaiming "Look Mommy and Daddy, I am in the pool!"
Last Thursday night at the town library kids concert, Sarita finally caught air, logging milestone number two caught here on this video.
Prior to this, Sarita's jumping looked more like a odd skip with one stiff leg. I don't think Sarita has stopped jumping since Thursday and refers to herself as a jumping chicken. Clearly we need to review animal behaviors. Now we needs rules like "no jumping in the tub".
And tonight, well tonight was BIG. Watch this...
In addition to showing off marked improvement in her Spanish skills thanks in large part to the recent realization that I need to get on the case, this could not go undocumented. Those of you without kids are probably saying TMI, but those with know how exciting the first pee pee on the potty can be. (In case you were wondering, Ragav gets credit for the song even though this is right up my silly song alley.)
For about 5 weeks now Sarita has been sitting on the potty whilst I run the bath water hoping the sound and my encouragement would trigger her. She would dismount claiming, "I did it" to which I would respond halfheartedly, "Yes, you sat on your potty chair. Maybe next time...", knowing full well not to push it. Tonight her diaper was dry even after guzzling two full cups of milk. Feeling hopeful, I adamantly demanded, "Sit back down" when she got up too quickly. My hunch was right. HURRAH, well done! With any luck the associated excitement will lead to a repeat performance tomorrow. If nothing else she'll jump around the bathroom floor saying, "I did it".
