Sometimes Things Don't Go According to Plan

Peter LOVES the water. He loves bath time and when I take him to the park, I spend a good amount of time keeping him from running into the stream.

That is why Jeremiah and I were so excited to take Peter swimming for the first time. I bought Peter some cute little swim shorts and some swim diapers yesterday. Jeremiah called the Fairmont Aquatic Center yesterday to find out their hours. They informed him that their kid pool opened at 10 a.m. That worked perfectly with Peter's current nap schedule.

So, Peter woke up at 8 a.m. this morning which meant that he wouldn't want to go down for his nap until about 11:30 a.m. or 12 p.m. (He is transitioning to one nap a day)

We played and had breakfast and then everyone got ready to go. Peter was antsy to get outside, so we left early so that we could run an errand before the aquatic center opened up.



Above: Peter excited to be outside...especially since the neighbor's cat stopped by for a visit.



Above: Doesn't he look cute in his swim shorts?

We arrived at the aquatic center at 10 a.m. on the dot...only to be informed by the very unsympathetic receptionist that the kids' pool didn't open until 11 a.m. (despite the fact that Jeremiah had repeatedly questioned the employee he spoke with yesterday and she confirmed and re-confirmed that the pool opened at 10 a.m.).

We didn't know what to do. Peter needed some playtime (badly). Jeremiah had a thought about another pool, so we hopped in the car. We looked it up on Jeremiah's phone and gave them a call...no answer. Throughout the drive, we called at least 4 other places (either no answer, or they weren't open until much later). Then, of course, Jeremiah discovered that he desperately needed to go to the bathroom. So, we pulled over at a store and Jeremiah went in to go to the bathroom...Peter cried the whole time. Fun.

By that time, it was 10:30 a.m., so we decided to simply drive back to the Fairmont Aquatic Center. They had a small playground outside, so we played there until the kid pool opened at 11 a.m.







Above: Peter enjoying the playground.

We went inside and Peter (though beginning to get tired) was in very good spirits. The time on the playground had revitalized him (that little guy loves a good slide). The pool had a very small slope into the water (like sand on a beach). Peter had the sweetest look on his face. He definitely thought that the water was pretty cool. He barely had his feet in the water, but he was very happy. He was taking a good amount of time to get into the water, so we figured that we would help him along. Jeremiah picked him up and brought him further in. We didn't go very far at all though. When we sat down in the water, it went to our waists and when Peter was standing, it went to his chest. He started getting slightly upset (I didn't know then if it was because the water was colder than in the bathtub, but I think now that it was because there was so much water and it was deeper than what he is used to), but he still seemed to be alright.



Above: Before getting in the water.

There was a water vent on the ground right by his foot (it was pushing heated water into the pool). Before we knew what was happening, Peter decided to check it out by simply bending over to grab it...which of course meant that he put his face right into the water. We got him out quickly and he was only under for a split second. But it scared him.

From that point on, the pool ceased to be fun for Peter (we had only been in the water for maybe 5 minutes).



Above: After the traumatic events in the water.

We moved him to a section of the pool that was quieter (thinking that perhaps the noise was adding to his anxiety). But he didn't calm down. So, I got out of the pool and took Pete back to our chairs cuddled him in a towel. He didn't calm down until both Jeremiah and I were sitting next to him. He had to take turns being held and cuddled by both of us until he calmed down. However, anytime we tried to take the towel away or move him closer to the water (to see if he would give the pool a second chance), he would start crying immediately. Poor little guy! Even when he was calm, he still did the cry breathing thing (you know, when you take a deep breath and your chest shudders with little after-shocks or after-cries). It was so sad.



Above: Cuddling with dad for comfort.



Above: Cuddling with mom. Look at those sad, listless eyes!

By that point, it was 11:30 a.m. and it was too close to nap time and Peter was still so upset that it was pointless to try again. So, we headed home. Now, Peter hates his carseat. But when we got him into the car and into his carseat and he realized that there was no chance of returning to the pool, he finally calmed down completely.

We felt so badly that an outing that we hoped would be so fun for him turned out to be so sad!

But he wasn't permanently scarred. After dinner, he was clamoring to get into the tub as usual. So, we'll have to try the pool again another day (perhaps we'll try to ease him into the idea with a kiddie pool in our yard first).

He was so sweet and cuddly the entire rest of the day (especially right before he went to bed). So all's well that ends well.



Above: Peter cuddling me on the bed while the three of us listened to music. Isn't he sweet (and doesn't my hair look awful?)?!