Mr. Independent...well Almost

It was Liam's first solo swimming class this morning. I wasn't sure what he would think of going in the pool without me.

We get all ready & have a little big boy pep talk. We're waiting on the pool deck & I'm doing all I can to keep him from bolting straight into the pool. We meet his swim instructor, a young guy who seems very nice. He takes his hand & off he goes with the other two kids.

My first thought was, wow he did that so easily. I had a Mommy moment and yes I did get watery eyes! I was feeling very silly... thinking, there goes my baby off on his own. My split moment emotional breakdown poolside, another milestone, but a little bit closer to not needing his Mommy.

Part of me would love tell you he was great for the whole class & enjoyed every minute. The truth is once I got to the parents viewing area, he realized I was gone and started crying in the pool beside another little boy who was crying. I had to admit a little piece of me was happy he still needed me.

What a sad sight, my Mommy heart was breaking, so I went back to the poolside. The swimming supervisor came over & said I couldn't stay- ahh!! I explained it was his first class & she was understanding, but said he'd probably do better if I was in the viewing area. I listened.

It is a tough job knowing when to let go & when to hold on. I could see him in the pool, I knew he was just fine & his instructor was very sweet and patient. When he saw me through the glass he put his little arms up in the pool & was saying "Mommy". Oh my it was tough, but I knew he needed to stay.

I'm thankful for each little milestone my wee man reaches. I'm thankful that on the one hand he is incredibly independent, he always wants to do everything "all myself". I'm also thankful he still needs Mom's reassurance.

This was him deciding this chain link rail was a great big live version of Angry Birds that he could use with his balloon that Great Grama gave him at the hospital. He seriously cracks me up, he came up with that all on his own.