from this

to this

Every year I struggle with what to get Mike for Christmas. Since he didn't need anything, I wanted to get him something special that he could do with Colin; a little father-son bonding time. At first, I wasn't sure what they could together and then it hit me -- SWIMMING LESSONS!

Colin and Mike started swimming lessons through YMCA this morning. He loved it!!!! He is the youngest in the class but did wonderful. Some of the lessons are above his head but he enjoyed being in the water and was very concerned why two of the kids were screaming their heads off the entire lesson.

I didn't take a bunch of pictures because I was trying to video tape and enjoy the lesson but I did get a few.

Roll Call and instructions.

Kick. Kick. Kick.

'Jumpin' into the pool!

Using the kicking board.

The last 5 minutes of each lesson is free time. Colin wanted to play with the kick board.

I found you mom!!

This is a new series I'm starting. Hopefully I'll keep up with it. I've seen it on alot of other blogs and thought I'd steal the idea.

Usually I will keep it wordless or close to it. Since this is the first one and I've already wrote here, I'll give a small explaination.

Colin wants to stand. Colin doesn't know how to stand up on his own yet. This is how he tries :) And yes, he's wearing sweatpants and yes, I almost didn't post this picture because of that fact and yes, I'm that vain.

Dear Colin,

Happy 13th month birthday kiddo. Somehow 13th seems younger than 1 year and 1 month, so 13th it is. It has been an interesting month. Colin, sometimes the word interesting is used when you want to say a stronger word but you are trying to be polite. Interesting this time is code for frustrating. You learned how to throw a world class temper tantrum literally over night. Seriously, sweet happy go lucky Colin one day. The next day, a child who wildly whips himself on the floor and throws toys clear across the room in frustration the next day. What the heck happened little man?!?! I am blaming it on the fact that you are getting your molars but I have a feeling it might stick around long after those buggers finally push all the way through. Common phrases used around the house this month include: "Don't Bite Colin" "No Biting Colin" "Yucky Colin, Don't Bite." "No Colin" "Don't Touch That Colin." Are you seeing a trend? As much as we feel we've baby proofed this house, you find everything you shouldn't find. You love turning the DVD Player and the TV on and off, on and off, on and off. You bite literally everything. We've had to stop allowing you to read books alone because all you do is chew the corners off. You bite furniture, toys, silverware, and people. Ms. Cher calls you O'Beaver O'Beaver and its very fitting. To be repetitive, we are hoping this phase shall too pass. Your vocabulary is growing. Although there are still days where everything is "dada" all day long, you can say quite a few words and are really showing signs that you understand a lot of what we say. You 'talk' all day long and it's fun to hear real words and new sounds popping into your blabbering. You can make the following animal sounds: monkey, frog, puppy dog, and lion. You can say: buh bye, hi, bottle, drop it, whats this, all done. If you ask you to find your pipey, you will lift up your blankets in your crib looking for it. When we ask you where woof woof is, you grab him from your crib and squeeze him against his face. During dinner when you are thirsty, you will point at your bottle or sippy cup and ask for your bottle. You are becoming such a little boy. Over the past few weeks, you started doing the most adorable new thing. You love to lie your head down on random things. If you see a blanket on the floor, you will lay your head down and contently sigh. You cuddle your little people animals against the crook of your neck and happily sigh. The sweetest is you place your head on our shoulders and just quietly sigh. You do it often with me lately; when you are sad, when you are don't want me to leave, when you are excited to see me, when you are happy, when you are proud. In these sweet moments Colin, I am reminded that you are just a baby. A baby who gets frustrated because we can't communicate perfectly. A baby who doesn't understands why he can't stare at his reflection in the hot oven and give the baby a kiss. A baby who has two molars coming in at once and is in a lot of pain and sometimes just needs to chop down on something. Colin when your head is on my shoulder you are just a baby - my baby and I couldn't ask for anything more.

With all my love,
Mommy

Miles have been accrued. Flights have been booked. Hotels have been secured.

Puerto Rico we will be seeing you in December.

(yup, we are giving this trip another shot!)