Photos by Helen & Christina

Location: around London, ON

The night before the babies first visit to the pool, not knowing what to expect I asked Jen if they would go under water and how would they know to hold their breath? I guess I was a little nervous about the whole situation. When I was young I fell off of a ladder into a rain barrel where I was wedged underwater until my uncle happened to find me by chance. Because of that experience I never did learn to swim and must admit it is a fear that I cannot seem to shake. Jen on the other hand grew up around water and worked as a lifeguard. So when I asked her if the babies would be all right she laughed and mocked me for being so paranoid. I decided early in life that when I had kids they wouldn’t be like me and they would grow up enjoying the water.

We arrived at the Woodstock YMCA 15 minutes late for the scheduled baby swim. Pete (their uncle) and I helped manage the car seats, towels, bags and everything else while Jen changed them into their bathing suits. Chloe in her polka dot bathing suit and Liam in his fish pattered shorts were finally ready to go in the water. Another mother told us that the water was really cold due to the renovations being done on the building. Liam crunched up into a little ball for a bit and almost started to cry but he soon pulled through (even if he did suck on his hand pretty much the entire time). Chloe on the other hand loved it, she was laughing, splashing and I think I may have even seen her float.

They both did really well and here are some pictures I captured of everyone in the pool.

Location: YMCA Woodstock

Location: Kitchener Ontario, City Hall