First Pool Experience!

I had been talking up going to the pool with Lincoln all week long! We listened to a bunch of songs about swimming and pools (shout-out to CocoMelon for the awesome beats...). I swear, he was so excited. He even packed up his Panda in the car to come with us, which is a huge deal. The first picture is of his happy face when he saw the pool. He was in awe and literally ran toward the gate. But then he flipped, and refused to step in, feel the water, or even dip his fingers in to feel the temperature. While he's never been to a pool before, we've done lakes and he didn't seem to mind. He was 10 months then.

Luckily, my mom made the trip with me so I handed off Layla to her, and got Lincoln. The boy screamed the second his toes touched the water despite being in my arms. I spoke to him clearly about how he was safe and how I wouldn't let go of him. Still screaming. I went in a little bit deeper to my chest and his tummy and still, he cried. I did a few laps just to see if maybe he would settled and get used to the water, but no dice. I sat on the step with him and the second I let go, he jumped up the stairs and out of the pool shouting "all done!". 

Layla on the other hand had the time of her life. When I was holding her, she loved being dipped in to her chin and popping up. We brought a small boat that we thought Lincoln may like to ride in and shocker, he refused to go in it. But Layla enjoyed it. It was a perfect size because she leaned forward a bit and I could put my arms around her and float with her. 

I tried to get Lincoln in the water again and finally picked him up and went in. This time his crying was way worse to start and he seemed so scared. I did a couple laps again and let him out. He seemed to calm down faster. I think we're going to have to make the pool trips more often so he gets used to being in water. I'd like him to learn the skill while he's little. He was actually signed up for swimming class in April but due to COVID and our community center closing, it was canceled. Oh, well! Something to work on with the little man!