Our little girl ain't so little anymore. Cece, who has always loved the water and has become quite the accomplished swimmer, joined our swim club's swim team this summer. She's the youngest of all 125 kids on the team (the oldest is 19). She competed in the Girls 6 & Under 25 Meter Freestyle event in her first swim meet last Monday night.
As the air horn blew, signaling the start of the race, Cece and the other 5 girls jumped into the pool and took off swimming. But just 10 feet out, Cece suddenly turned around and swam back to the wall. Marino and I were stumped. Was she scared? Did she somehow hurt herself on entry? But she quickly took off again, and despite her late start, managed to come in 4th!
After the race, we asked her what made her turn around. "Well, everyone was yelling 'Go, go, go!' -- but when I was swimming, I thought they were saying 'No, no no!' so I went back. But then I heard them right, so I started swimming again."
Cutie. She thought she had a false start. :)
She was pretty bummed about it -- but we assured her that she did GREAT, and that she's sure to do even better at next week's meet. She may decide to compete in the 25M Freestyle AND the 25M Backstroke this time, too.
Go, Cece, GO!
But even more impressive than her standings in the meet are her attitude and bravery. On our way home, Cece told me, "Mom, I was pretty scared when we got to the meet. But I just faced my fear and did it anyway."
"That's the best thing I've heard all day, Cece," I told her. And yes, she's not even 5 yet. She amazes me every day.
Today she announced, "Mom, I want to be just like you when I grow up." I've got news for her: I hope to be just like her right now.
Meanwhile, Nico is walking like a big kid now; he hardly ever crawls anymore. He's incredibly balanced and steady. But for the past couple of weeks, as soon as we pick up the camera, he sits down and refuses to walk. (Turkey!) Today, after countless tries, I finally managed to get a little video of him toddling around the house. 
It's been a banner couple of weeks for Nico: He's also started sleeping through the night recently! Woo-hoo! He's so good about bedtime now that he'll actually point to his crib and lean himself toward it as I'm holding him. He always snuggles on his belly up against the front wall of the crib and goes right to sleep. I'm so proud (and rested)!!!
Wonder how long until Nico's swimming with Cece?
