Jerome’s 1st swim!

As 2nd time parents, I honestly think that we are tardy in some ways in exposing Jerome. Jerry had his first swim at 5 months, but Jerome only went for his first swim last month when he is 17 months old. While there are many factors that lead to this, the key reason is… having one kid is so much easier to manage, especially with 2 pairs of watchful eyes.

Here’s the truth. We weren’t as confident in bringing 2 kids to the pool by ourselves especially when they both are so young, and basically not easy to handle (i.e. super active). And then, the kids just keep falling sick one after another when the time permits for a pool session so we never got round to it.

We finally did it but on the day we did, I dug out the swimmers that I bought for Jerome, only to realise that they are way too small for him already! *cries* We bought him a rashguard from the shop at the pool and paired it with another pair of swimming shorts that Jerry owns. Not the nicest (and cheapest) but I was determined not to let anything thwart my swimming plans. We really need to go!

Turns out… he hated it.

Look at that face. It was sheer torture to put him in the pool. He just climbs out and spends his time doing all sorts of random stuff around the swimming pool. Like…

with a concerned nice uncle seeing him run around the pool and asking me if that was my kid running amok.

At some point, he got down on all fours and started licking the stones! I was torn between letting him being the explorer that he is (super cute to look at) and having him lick the wet, dirty floor that probably scream GERMSS!! Errmm, I had quite a good laugh at the side and to be frank, I let him go a few more times at licking the floor in an attempt to capture the moment but still, I didn’t managed to. #lifeofabloggermum

Meanwhile, while I was looking silly running after my kid around the entire pool (and totally feeling conscious of having a bulging, flabby tummy), my 2 older kids had a lot of fun.

I managed to clock in some fun together with Jerry at the pool. He is the happiest kid that day, making splashes, floating around, dancing in the water and simply, just enjoying himself. It is quite fun to watch, as he so easily plays with himself and sometimes, observe others in wonder.

Daddy also managed to torture the poor pool-hating kid into clocking some splash time.

He only managed to ease up a little and not be that dramatic screaming baby when we plopped him into the floating seat and got Jerry to reassure him and push him around in the water. I guess it isn’t as intimidating since he has something to hold onto and his favourite gor gor as companion.

The 2 brothers are so so different and I am guessing the exposure bit is what makes them so different. Jerry has many many chances at being at the pool and he totally loves the water and the fun he gets (I always plonk him in tubs at home as well) whereas Jerome hardly gets the chance and he don’t sit in tubs like Jerry do (he is mostly bathed by my mum who helps me prep him ready when we were still staying with her last time and she hates using tubs) and at my current place, we don’t have a single tub so the kids get their baths standing up.

This is the only family photo that I managed to snap at the pool, which is pretty much a failure because the kids weren’t looking in the camera at all! Still, its a picture that marks our outing as a family, and Jerome’s milestone with his first trip to the pool. Would there be more? You bet! Will the kid be up to it? We will just have to see….

I am really hoping he can learn to enjoy the water and the pool a bit more and we can have a lot more fun as a family! Till our next adventure..