My parents won’t have their house for much longer, so I’ve made my list of things I want to at the house before it’s sold. I really wanted James to have his first swim in their pool, just like his sisters did before him. It might be silly, but these kinds of things matter to me. Annabel and James obviously won’t have any memories of Madeline, but when it’s appropriate I’d like them to all have similar experiences to tie the three of them together.
Madeline’s first swimsuit
Annabel’s first swimsuit
James’ first swimsuit
Madeline and Annabel both loved their first experiences in the pool:
James…well, he’s only three months old. His sisters were seven months old and five months old when they first swam. And to be fair, he didn’t hate it. There was no screaming or crying. But he was skeptical.
It helped a lot that his favorite person in the world was in the pool, too.
He only has eyes for Annie.
I want my kids to be strong swimmers because we live in California, where pools, the ocean, and water sports are everywhere. Annabel is a strong swimmer after eight weeks of lessons this summer (I signed her up for an additional two weeks at the last-minute), but she also loves swimming. I have a feeling that even though James seemed a bit lukewarm on swimming yesterday, he’ll eventually love it just like his sisters.
I hope when James and Annabel are older, they’ll look at these pictures and see something they had in common with each other and their sister, in a place that meant so much to their mother.
Lenora says:
So sweet. I love swimming too. I go to the Y and do water exercise. I enjoy watching the kids in their swim lessons (though it doesn’t leave a lot of room for me). When I see all of the little kids with their goggles, I think of Annie and her “gobbles’! I watched a man in the pool recently with a baby ( I would guess not more than 18 months), he had the baby on his back and would go under the water with the baby hanging on to his back. It was pretty freaky to watch.
Marsha says:
love love love this plan and these pics!!!!!!!!!
ryan says:
Love it! What does Mike’s tattoo say?
ryan says:
Nevermind, I expanded the pic. I love it!!
Kenna D says:
I love James’ “skeptical” look! Like he’s just too cool for everything. “umm, my sisters love this pool, but I went swimming lots of times in utero, mom.”
shannon says:
Oh Heather.. I just have to say what a lovely family photo!
Valerie says:
Loooooooove the pics, the sentiment, and ESPECIALLY James’ skeptical looks!!!
Much love from Ohioooooooo!
Valerie
Sue says:
What beautiful photos,,,each and every one of them. I love how you have such wonderful, and meaningful plans for the present, and future, times in life, Heather!!!
Mary Ann says:
Not sure why but that post brought tears to my eyes. Maybe it’s because I am a sentimental mush, but OMG those pictures are adorable. Love James in his first swimsuit photo!
twingles says:
Adorable pix of all 3 kids. Sometimes babies don’t like pools because the water feels cold to them compared to a bath, especially when they’re under 6 months. I’m sure he’ll be a fish too!
itsmemishmeow says:
The candid shot of the four of you is amazing.
Paula says:
All three of my boys are fish. The youngest went through a period of sheer terror of water. I believe it was when he was just past one. That summer he would scream if we tried to get him in MIL’s pool. He hated it – but would get in a small inflatable pool. The next summer? He was over it and ready to dive right into the deep end. We didn’t let him, obviously, but all three of them are excellent swimmers.
JT says:
Love the pics. Even though I don’t know you, I still get so happy at seeing a pic of you and Mike with two kids together.
I love how you’re trying to tie Maddie, Annie and James together, while also focusing on how that will affect Annie and James. I’m in awe of what a good mom you are.
Amanda says:
So touching! Beautiful pictures
Jerilynn says:
Heather, reading this was so bittersweet. It made me think of the lines from one of my favorite songs, by my favorite band. Have you ever listened to “Time Stand Still” by Rush?
I’m not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Rest assured those memories in that pool–any everywhere else you’ve been with them–will be indelibly etched in their minds. Nobody forgets what it’s like to be loved.
Lindsay says:
“Nobody forgets what it’s like to be loved.” What a pure and beautiful way to say that.
Norma says:
Your photos always touch my heart…
Shelly says:
All of these pictures are so precious and gorgeous, thank you for sharing them with us. I especially love the look on James’ face in the second picture of you holding him in the pool-skeptical for sure!
Sara says:
Wonderful photos and I love that you are doing this to help James and Annie feel connected to their big sister. Your kids are just beautiful.
Lisa Lannen says:
So my neighbor was selling her house and had already moved out and realized that she didn’t have a photo of her and her husband with their third child in the hot tub….like she had with first two children. He and her husband with said child sneaked into backyard (it had sold by then) and into hot tub, with a friend in tow, and managed to get her shot!!!