Simi's swimming gear

Here's two old pictures of Simi posing with his new swimming outfit. This was a couple of months ago, but it still makes me laugh. The second picture is Simi showing one of his swimming strokes, but it looks like a great bodybuilder pose!

-raj

Update

Gosh it's been too long since the last update. Here are the highlights:

Simi had his first soccer "practice" on Wednesday. It was a miserably cold, rainy day and we were both very glad that he's playing INDOOR soccer. He and his best friend, Alex, are enrolled in soccer together and you've never seen anything as adorable as the two of them running around the field, chasing after their size 3, regulation weight soccer balls. There are about twenty 3 year-olds in the class. Graeme, the coach, did a GREAT job of coaching. We're still really amazed that he got these little toddlers to follow his directions. They played "red light, green light", where red light - you stop the ball with your foot, green light: you kick the ball, yellow light: you go SLOWLY, and BLUE light: you SIT on the ball. Then all the little toddlers lined up and kicked their ball into the goal.

The look of glee on both Simi and Alex's faces was just heart-warming. I don't think I've ever seen Simi this happy. Of course I didn't bring the camera; you better believe I won't forget it this-coming Wednesday!

Now for an Asher update (I have to take a big, deep sigh before posting. OK, another one): The good news is that he's eaten four 4 oz. jars of stage 2 veggies and chicken today -- plus a couple of Wendy's french fries. And it's only noon. In fact, I haven't even given him a bottle all day. That's the highlight of the week. In other good news, he's just tremendously, absolutely, incredibly adorable. Let's just leave it at the good news today.

This morning was the annual easter-egg hunt in our neighborhood. Both Simi and Asher had a wonderful time. Asher didn't really care much about picking up plastic eggs, but he had a great time playing on the playground. Simi had a wonderful time picking up the eggs and eating the candy treats inside them. He even got a couple of yo-yos -- woo hoo!

We'll post some photos -- just as soon as Raj teaches me how.

Until soon,
Liz

Set-back for Asher

We learned something this week: it's probably not a food allergy that's causing Asher to vomit. The results of the allergy tests show no signs of any allergy - except for wheat which is too small to count. Plus, even with his stringent elimination diet, he's still vomiting. So, his issue is not food related.

While it's a good thing that Asher has no food allergies, we're still left with the unanswered questions: Why does Asher vomit all the time? What's going on in that adorable tummy of his that's causing all the distress?

Stay tuned while we continue to go 'round and 'round in this seemingly fruitless effort....

Meanwhile, if you have any suggestions on doctors who may help or Internet searches to read, or anything else that may help poor Asher's stomach, we're open to hearing them.

Epoca de Fútbol

In addition to swimming lessons, Simi wants to play fútbol norteamericano -- otherwise known as "soccer" in this country (isn't that a weird word?). Thing is, on Saturday mornings, Simi can either play fútbol or go swimming.

The other day, Liz found a flier for an indoor soccer league. They have classes during the week at 4:30 PM -- late enough for one of us to leave work a little early and take Simi to soccer play. Simi was sooo incredibly excited -- he hounded us until we signed him up. Then, it was off to the sporting goods store to buy a ball. Simi is now the proud owner of a size 3, regulation weight soccer ball. I can't wait until I get to say my first, "GOOOOOOOLLLLLLL!"

Swimmingly Simi

Last September, Simi began swim lessons. He first began with a six-week session in the parent-tot class; he really enjoyed that class. The following six-week session, we put him in the 3-5 year old group lesson, which was much less enjoyable. With five boys in the class, he hardly had any practice time with the instructor. And since he's too small to reach the step they put in the water, he had to cling onto the side of the pool. With his back to the action going on in the pool, he couldn't even see what the other kids were doing. Last, since he was in the water for so long without moving, he got so cold his legs barely moved by the end of the class. He learned nothing.

When it came time to sign up for the following sessions, we asked if we could go back to parent-tot class. With a parent in the water with him, Simi can spend the entire 1/2 hour lesson learning to swim. Plus, he'll be moving around and keeping warm. With permission granted, Liz and Simi trotted off to swim class. The next six-week session, Asher and Raj joined in, now that Asher is finally old enough. The Saturday morning parent-tot swim class is now a family event.

What a difference a few weeks in parent-tot classes make! Simi is really doing great! He kicks and paddles and even puts his face in the water and blows bubbles. This past Saturday, Liz tied a noodle around his waste, and Simi motored off on his own. It was just beautiful to watch! Simi is VERY proud of his aquatic accomplishments! You can practically see his chest bursting with pride.

Asher is doing great too, considering he's been in the water exactly twice now.

Our instructor is trying to get us to move Simi up to the 3-5 year old class again; we'll resist for as long as possible :-)