philosophy and swimming under water

Some days I'm thankful I was there the day Abby was born, otherwise I might get tricked into believing she's really a very small 45 year old. I mean some days I can't do much more than shake my head and wonder where in the hell she comes up with this stuff. Today was one of those days. Actually today was the extreme definition of one of those days.

It's hot in our little corner of the world. Stinkin' hot. And humid. It really kind of sucks. I was looking forward to a dip in the pool when I got home from work like I can't even tell you. Luckily the pool had climbed up to 82 degrees by this afternoon. The warmest it's been so far this year. Our pool is typically on the cool side since we have a very shaded yard and no solar cover, something Mike has instructions to correct this week. Also for the first time this year the whole family was in the pool. Maya was hanging in her baby boat, Abby was flailing around in an uncoordinated attempt to swim and Mike and I were chillin' at opposite sides of the pool when Abby chirped up, "this is a really nice family time." She later went so far as to declare tonight "family swim night".

The big news tonight was she actually started swimming on her own. Not only on her own, but on her own under water. There was much cheering and rejoicing over this. When we first got in the pool she started showing us how she could dunk her head under and that led to her doing a combination deadman's float/star float. With her face in the water. It was during one of these floats that she began flailing her arms around and managed to propel herself forward about a foot. "Abby!!" I exclaimed, "you swam". To which she responded, "I *am* feeling proud of myself".

After spending the next 20 minutes or so practicing she paused at the side of the pool. "I think I'm having a heart attack," she announced. "Actually I think I'm having four heart attacks."

As she rested at the side of the pool I swam the two strokes it takes me to cross the pool a few times. When I popped back up for air, I found Abby still standing at the side of the pool. "Mom," she called out. "You're just showing off."

Moments later, completely out of no where we had the following conversation;
Abby: Girls are pretty, but not Moms, Dads or babies.
Me: What about Maya? She's a baby and she's pretty.
Abby: Yeah I know. I love her. I love everybody. They don't have to be perfect. You know Mom. Perfect.

And finally the moment that had me in tears, unable to catch my breath, howling with laughter was as we were getting ready to get out of the pool Abby turned to me and said, "Oww! My arm hurts." She paused and considered this for a moment. "Maybe I bonked it," she tells me. She's quiet for a moment longer and then pipes up with "Actually I think it hurts from all the heart attacks." And folks I am still laughing about that one.