So Tadpole and I went swimming today. (sorry, no pictures even though she looks really happy in her new swimsuit. Cameras not allowed on deck and I figured the other guys in the locker room wouldn't appreciate me pulling out a camera). We got to the pool a little late - I still haven't really processed just how long it takes to get out the door with Tadpole, especially as the weather starts to turn, but still got about 20-25 minutes of our 30-minute class, plus a few extra minutes of splashing around afterwards.
The short version is that Tadpole loved it! The instructor provided a contraption that is combination wetsuit and personal flotation device (probably wouldn't support Tadpole all by herself, but definitely makes her a bit more buoyant) - we didn't have fancy things like that when I was teaching! (Of course, I learned to swim and did most of my instructing in pools that were oriented towards children and therefore pretty much as warm as pools get. The West Loop Athletics Center pool is definitely not competitive, but it's a bit chillier than I was used to.
We did a few songs and practiced different activities and holds - bubble blowing, feet kicking, reaching and grabbing (Tadpole is good at reaching for a toy & then nomming it!), and floating on the back. There were a few moments early on where Tadpole was a bit uncertain, but having daddy right there to hold her made everything OK, and she was generally great in the water. My favorite part was floating on her back. The former instructor part of me remembers that this is really the first skill that kids can pick up to be independent (try it sometime - trust me, it's easier to move around floating on your back with gentle kicks than anything else), so I'd love for Tadpole to actually be able to float on her back unassisted. She's not there yet, but the aforementioned wetsuit/PFD means that she might well be able to by the end of the sessions.
Anyway - extremely good times and highly recommended. There were 4 or 5 kids there along with two instructors. One other dad was their with his wife and child, otherwise the other parents were all moms, but that's too be expected. Next week we get a few extra minutes in the water as long as I can get Tadpole there early enough!
Logistics: The pool in only about a 15 minute drive away ... so total commute time of about an hour and half when you factor in getting Tadpole ready, getting out the door, finagling the carseat, etc. Still, a pretty easy trip. at 11:30, we should usually have about 30-40 minutes to get to class after a good nap. So it's close (since I really need to feed / change Tadpole as well), but doable.
Feeding / Changing the baby: The locker room works just fine for changing the baby. Just pull up the swim diaper and then tear apart the sides when done. Obviously no feeding, but the timeslot just after her first nap and before lunch is perfect for Tadpole.
Activities: There's really only one - swimming. But that's a pretty good one. Bubble blowing, kicking, front and back floats, going up and down in the water, playing with toys ... the possibilities in a pool are endless! (Or at least, you'll run out of warm baby before you run out of things to do).
Bottom Line: Sooo excited! I really loved teaching swim lessons when I was younger, and getting back in the pool with my daughter is a pretty amazing experience.
Most important fact: Temperature matters. We're luck to have a relatively warm pool, plus the warming suit. They also lay out warmed towels afterwards - wrap the baby in a war towel, rinse yourself & baby in a warm shower, then go get a new towel & go change. Keep an eye out for cold babies, especially if you're bouncing in and out of the water a lot. Oh, and don't let go!
Off to NaNo ... hopefully Tadpole will cooperate & take a nice long nap.
Showing posts with label Destination Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Destination Review. Show all posts
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Stay-at-home-dad Review: Shedd Aquarium
Tadpole and I walked over to the Shedd Aquarium and got a membership today. This was her first trip, and my second, but we got a membership so we'll be back at least a few more times.
I want to like the Shedd. I really do. There are jellyfish, meaning that I can actually do research for my NaNoWriMo novel when I take Tadpole. (because while I know not-nearly-enough about this book-to-be, it WILL have space jellyfish!) Plus, there are a lot of other really cool aquatic creatures (heceforth referred to as fish).
Tadpole likes the Shedd, which is a plus. She likes looking around at all of the people a lot. When we're close to the glass & she notices the fish swimming, she likes them too. I have a feeling that if we go, we're going to spend a lot of time in front of the aquarium at the entrance, which is full of fish, including at least one shark & a turtle. I'm guessing she'll also be entranced by the otters going back and forth, back and forth. She wasn't a huge fan of the couple of smaller fish displays, but there are enough big displays (and people!) to keep her occupied, which is good. Meanwhile I can watch her smile & not worry so much about the animals penned up in a relatively small space endlessly testing the barriers of their confinement. (The first of two reasons I have trouble with the Shedd).
So, Review:
Logistics (the second of two reasons I have trouble with the Shedd): For us, the Shedd is about a 20 minute walk. For others, the #146 bus, which can be accessed from at least the Red, Orange, Green, and Blue line trains is the public transit option. Parking is close by, and it's right on LSD, so there's a beautiful bik path available. Once you get to the Shedd, you will stand in line. The first time R and I went, we went through general admission on a summer weekend and probably spent over an hour in line. Today, it looked more like about 20 minutes or so, but was difficult to judge, since I got to jump the line by getting a membership! Our wait was about 10 minutes, and even once I get the member card, we'll still have to get in line to pick up a bracelet, so you will stand in line.
Feeding/Changing the baby: There's a pretty depressing lunchroom that I visited today. I'm pretty sure this was the wrong decision, and should really only be used by families with exhausted children who need some privacy or school groups. In fact, it's probably only for school groups. There are lots of overpriced vending machines, but no way to acquire actual food. My memory is that R and I had lunch at a cafeteria farther in the Shedd the last time we were there -probably what I should have done with Tadpole. Also didn't change her, since our round trip was only about 90 minutes & she didn't seem uncomfortable. I have to imagine that there are changing tables readily available in family-friendly bathrooms. Note to self - now that I'm a stay at home dad, those maps that places hand out are a lot more relevant for exactly this reason. Check that in the future! (So basically, I failed at these, I'll have to revisit the Shedd to properly review them for next time)
Activities: There are people. And interesting fish. Tadpole cares about the people more, at least for now. There are movies & lots of other activities as well - if you can't stay entertained at the Shedd with children, you're probably doing it wrong.
Bottom line: I need to work out how to handle an hour of commute time when Tadpole's space between naps is 2 hours, and there's about 20-30 minutes of transition time in there as well. We spent about 10 minutes in the Shedd this time - must do better next time.
Most important fact: DO NOT place the wristbands on you incorrectly such that the adhesive will touch your skin. It hurts to remove & takes your arm hair with it.
Gotta run - Tadpole just woke up!
I want to like the Shedd. I really do. There are jellyfish, meaning that I can actually do research for my NaNoWriMo novel when I take Tadpole. (because while I know not-nearly-enough about this book-to-be, it WILL have space jellyfish!) Plus, there are a lot of other really cool aquatic creatures (heceforth referred to as fish).
Tadpole likes the Shedd, which is a plus. She likes looking around at all of the people a lot. When we're close to the glass & she notices the fish swimming, she likes them too. I have a feeling that if we go, we're going to spend a lot of time in front of the aquarium at the entrance, which is full of fish, including at least one shark & a turtle. I'm guessing she'll also be entranced by the otters going back and forth, back and forth. She wasn't a huge fan of the couple of smaller fish displays, but there are enough big displays (and people!) to keep her occupied, which is good. Meanwhile I can watch her smile & not worry so much about the animals penned up in a relatively small space endlessly testing the barriers of their confinement. (The first of two reasons I have trouble with the Shedd).
So, Review:
Logistics (the second of two reasons I have trouble with the Shedd): For us, the Shedd is about a 20 minute walk. For others, the #146 bus, which can be accessed from at least the Red, Orange, Green, and Blue line trains is the public transit option. Parking is close by, and it's right on LSD, so there's a beautiful bik path available. Once you get to the Shedd, you will stand in line. The first time R and I went, we went through general admission on a summer weekend and probably spent over an hour in line. Today, it looked more like about 20 minutes or so, but was difficult to judge, since I got to jump the line by getting a membership! Our wait was about 10 minutes, and even once I get the member card, we'll still have to get in line to pick up a bracelet, so you will stand in line.
Feeding/Changing the baby: There's a pretty depressing lunchroom that I visited today. I'm pretty sure this was the wrong decision, and should really only be used by families with exhausted children who need some privacy or school groups. In fact, it's probably only for school groups. There are lots of overpriced vending machines, but no way to acquire actual food. My memory is that R and I had lunch at a cafeteria farther in the Shedd the last time we were there -probably what I should have done with Tadpole. Also didn't change her, since our round trip was only about 90 minutes & she didn't seem uncomfortable. I have to imagine that there are changing tables readily available in family-friendly bathrooms. Note to self - now that I'm a stay at home dad, those maps that places hand out are a lot more relevant for exactly this reason. Check that in the future! (So basically, I failed at these, I'll have to revisit the Shedd to properly review them for next time)
Activities: There are people. And interesting fish. Tadpole cares about the people more, at least for now. There are movies & lots of other activities as well - if you can't stay entertained at the Shedd with children, you're probably doing it wrong.
Bottom line: I need to work out how to handle an hour of commute time when Tadpole's space between naps is 2 hours, and there's about 20-30 minutes of transition time in there as well. We spent about 10 minutes in the Shedd this time - must do better next time.
Most important fact: DO NOT place the wristbands on you incorrectly such that the adhesive will touch your skin. It hurts to remove & takes your arm hair with it.
Gotta run - Tadpole just woke up!
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