A Splashing Success

The morning nap didn't quite happen like it was supposed to, but we went swimming, anyway.

At the front desk of the gym we met a friend who had only seen the babies when they were in my belly. He was so excited to see Carmen and David so big and strong. Of course, Carmen wore a blue shirt (okay), and David wore a shirt with pink flowers (maybe not okay). Fortunately, C&D sat cozily in their wraps tummy to tummy with us, so my friend couldn't notice.

We had the therapy pool (kept at 91 deg. F) to ourselves. Still wearing the babies, we slowly stepped into the water. David quietly smiled and looked around as we bobbed up and down and made small waves. Carmen quickly began to splash and pulled away from Matt to have more room to wiggle and kick. Once we were certain that C&D felt comfortable in this new environment we helped them float on their backs, and then turned them over to let them kick while we pulled them along. We even dunked them on cue. David did a great job of holding his breath, but Carmen didn't like the dunking so much, maybe because she was very tired, or maybe because she is already past the point where her dive reflex is a part of her motor ability. She did very much like splashing, though, and Matt had so much fun that we will plan on going again next Sunday. With two chubby babes and sopping-wet cotton wraps we did look the spectacle, but C&D sure enjoy all the attention!

After playing in the water for a bit, we drove our two tired babies home. As we pulled out of the parking lot Carmen began singing her sleepy song, "Aaaaaaa-aaaaaaaah-eeeeeehhhh-yaaaaaaaah." And once in the house they slept soundly for exactly two hours.

No, they didn't. Despite two pairs of sleepy little eyes in the house, C&D hardly napped at all, and as soon as they fell asleep they woke up again. Sleeping apparently was not on today's agenda.

Not even the new swing helped. This morning we realized that our first swing is probably nearing the end of its natural life cycle. We also realized that as the babies have become more independent, a second swing--in a second room--might help on those few occasions when one baby has fallen asleep in the swing, and the other needs a swing-mobile-fishy-BabyMuzak fix that regular rocking, walking, or bouncing won't satisfy. So we begrudgingly bought Aquarium Swing #2 and placed it in the back bedroom closet (where else would we put it?). I already can't wait to eBay it, but I do hope it helps. As much as I dislike using the swing to settle them down, I dislike two tired, sad babies more!

But now they are sleeping, and soundly. Thank goodness. It's a very busy week this week.