Baby Swimming

Just before his first swimming lesson

I've realised I haven't posted much about swimming and swimming is a big part of Nate's life. Nate started swimming at 9 weeks old, we both enjoyed the swimming lessons it was very relaxing in the water especially as the water was warm.

Underwater

At 3 months old he went on his first underwater photo shoot. We started swimming with Little Dippers and took part in the photo shoot with them as well. Take a look at the photographers other underwater work, Zac Macaulay.

Swimming on holiday in the pool

We continued swimming until Nate finished Stage 7 of the Little Dippers course. After that we decided to take him swimming outside of lessons, unfortunately we didn't keep it up. Mainly I didn't enjoy being cold and as Nate was beginning to want his own freedom in the water the children's pool was always full.

Then a heated pool opened up near us, with the Little Dippers taking lessons there along with the Little Swim School so we decided to take Nate along. It took Nate a couple of weeks to get used to swimming again but he really started to enjoy it.

While on holiday Nate was either in the sea or the pool most days and was really swimming, it really surprised me that he could get to me from the side of the pool with little help from me. I just had to pick him up when he got to me.



I don't know if swimming has helped his confidence but Nate is a very confident little boy especially around water. He can happily get himself in the pool and hold on to the side and if the side is low enough he can climb back out.

He got himself in the pool...

and then out again.

Nate wasn't very sure of the sea and it took most of the time we were there for him to happily swim between us. Instead he favoured holding on to my back while I swam.

All in all we have loved our swimming lessons, in the beginning it was a good way to make friends with other mums but it has soon grown into something Nate loves and asks to do all the time.

Cool souvenirs

We wanted to get Nate a souvenir that was relevant to where we had been and in our search we found this a Canimal.

Its a stuffed toy in a tin can. On one side of the can you have a picture of the stuffed toy and a warning about how adorable they are.

On the other side of the can is information about the animal we got the canimal turtle so there is lots of information about their nesting habits. The other canimals I have seen are monkeys and black belly sheep but we didn't see any of the others this time.

The only issue with this is you have to use a can opener with it, it would have been nice to be able to keep the can with a resealable lid .

What's hiding in the can?

There it is, the canimal turtle is born. The turtle isn't the best quality stuffed toy we've had but Nate loved the novelty of having to open the can (mummy had to do that) and finding out what was in it. 

Barbados family friendly destination?

We've just recently come back from being on holiday in Barbados, this isn't the first time we've been as a family but while there this time I started to think about it's family friendliness. The first time we went as a family was last year for our wedding and was our first holiday as a family. The hotel we stayed in had everything so you didn't need to leave at all. However, as I have family in Barbados we explored the island and found there were issues with baby changing facilities.

 One major attraction on the island told me I could find the baby change in the "ladies washroom" so off I went and there was no where to change Nate, it was the floor or nothing.
I thought this would be a one off occurrence and other places would have space to change babies but this time we went to an event and the baby change facilities with a sign post for it was on the counter top next to the sinks. For an older baby this isn't much of an issue as noted by my noticing only one place this year without proper changing facilities.

Using the carrier in town

Barbados as a whole I would say is family friendly however, unless you use a carrier it isn't going to be easy to get around. The pavements when there are pavements aren't built for prams or wheelchairs for that matter. Remember to pack that suncream and to take little children somewhere cool during the midday sun.

In the pram near Grandma's house, notice the lack of pavements.

Holiday in pictures

Here are a few pictures from our holidays:

This was taken in Speightstown, to the North West of Barbados. Nate loved looking out at the sea and was pointing to another beach.

All cuddled up to daddy. 

Happy to be in his big boy pants

At North Point in Barbados there are lovely picture opportunities. Here you can see an anchor in the distance. 

Enjoying the view from North Point

At The Crane, the lovely hotel in St Phillip Nate enjoyed looking at the fish, there were two ponds for the Koi, one outside one of the hotel blocks 

The other with lovely large Koi outside the Zen restaurant

For daddies birthday we went on a picnic in Barclays Park along the East Coast Road

Nate's favourite thing was airplane spotting so here we are at my favourite beach for the same reason. When I was younger I always thought the planes flew close enough to touch so would jump when the big jets flew over. 

Scratch meals

While wandering around food shopping in a jet lag induced daze. We came across Scratch meals which contain everything necessary to cook a meal and all prepped ready to go. Perfect for me after flying 7 hours. It serves two people, however in our house it also served a little person as well.

It says it'll take 8 minutes which is slightly longer than a ready meal but a lot nicer and more healthy. I think it took us 10 minutes which wasn't a bad time for a nice meal. 

As you can see the instructions are simple to follow. We will be trying another of Scratch's meals again soon. 

Hevea Alfie on holiday

We were lucky enough to be given a Hevea duck called Alfie while at the gTea last month. Nate loved Alfie so much we decided to take it with us on holiday. Here are a few pictures from our travels:

On the beach, Alfie made himself at home in the sand.

Alfie having a little swim

After all the hard work at the beach it was decided Alfie needed a jacuzzi bath.

Nate and Alfie enjoying bathtime.

Alfie gets to have a look at the beautiful Atlantic Sea from The Crane

Yummy, Alfie is tasty.

I'm really impressed with the Hevea duck it stood up to Nate chewing on it (his form of affection for his toys it seems) and it doesn't have that awful hole in the bottom that lets water in and then you're left with a mildewy duck. Plus Nate loves it.

Sunrise on a plane

I normally love flying. I dreaded flying this time as it was going to be just me and Nate with the 5000 things a toddler needs I wasn't sure I had enough hands. Nate was great, it being a night flight probably helped. I thinned out our hand luggage and I have to say I was glad I had as we used the things we had and didn't require anything else.

Packing list

iPad 

Magazines(2 for Nate, 1 for me)

A book (Nate)

Nappies & wipes (3 changes worth)

A change of clothes (for Nate) 

Passport etc
A couple of baby flapjacks

Nate slept for most of the flight, after breakfast Nate woke up walked over to me and asked for a flapjack. This flight was almost dream like.