Swimming Lessons

We took swimming lessons this summer at the Colman pool -- a lovely outdoor salt water pool right next to the puget sound -- with our friends Megan and Maggie. Jack sort of enjoyed himself.. He definitely does not like swimming in the cold and there have been many cold days lately. Otherwise, he occasionally smiled but he wasn't enthusiastic. We'll try again next summer.




Maggie and Jack


The woman in this picture was in my chemistry class last fall. Her daughter is very into the water and I thought her shades were hilarious.

9 months

Last week, Jack had his 9 month birthday. He has now been on the outside as long as he was on the inside. It's been a rough couple of weeks as I finished my chemistry class and then started my first of two new part-time jobs. I was very cranky since my class ended with a cumulative exam covering the entire year of general chem. Jack was also very cranky and I didn't make the connection until I mellowed out these last couple of days and so did he. They certainly are observant. Who knew?

He is now getting confident on all fours and rocks back and forth. He really wants to go forward but he doesn't quite know what to do first. We cheer every time he gets on his hands and knees so he might just be satisfied with that and think he has arrived at the apex of his motor skills. I had heard that parents get so excited about every little developmental step. It's true. It's funny how interesting it is to watch your baby become a little person.. everything seems miraculous.

getting strong now

Jack has mostly been scooting in circles these last few weeks but he just started pushing himself up. He occasionally gets on his knees but never for too long. He has been pretty fussy during this process like he can't believe how hard it is.

Sometimes chemistry makes me feel that way.

Worse living through chemistry

This summer, I am taking my last general chemistry class. It's a ten week class condensed to 8. It is taking a great deal of my time, and I am not doing very well.. as far as I can tell, this will be my worst grade. It's irritating. I have more child care and I work on it when Jack goes to bed and sometimes even when he is awake. In the past, I spent about 25 hours a week on my chemistry homework.. but now I simply do not have that much time. I have to pay attention to Jack; he is my first priority. And I have to work when Ryan is home on the weekends.

I hear a lot of moms who work outside the home talk about this new mediocrity. Before a child, they excelled at everything they did and now their best is not as good only because they don't have as much time as they used to for work. It is hard to make peace with my less-than-good grade especially after I have given the class so much energy.

Here is Jack with Bridget (who sees him more than I do it seems)



Jack and Lily (the other baby Bridget watches)