Olympic Mania - On a Toddler Level

I don’t know about everyone else, but I sure have been having fun watching the Olympics! I give up hours of precious sleep at night to watch some of the events that I love the most: gymnastics and swimming.
I remember watching the Olympics as a kid, but I don’t remember it being a huge event or a big part of my life when the Olympics came around. I think for Stella that will be different.

Stella in her swim cap

Since we try to not have the television on when Stella is awake, I had no intentions of introducing her into the Olympics this year. But I was watching swimming one afternoon when she got home — I was hooked on the event and didn’t turn the television of right away. She asked me what I was watching, and I started to explain the Olympics to her. Since she takes swimming lessons, and she was immediately interested.

Before I knew it, Stella was on the floor “practicing her kicks” while watching the swimming event. She informed me that she was kicking like her swim teacher taught her and doing it “fast” like the women on TV.

A couple days later, she awoke from bed for a drink of water (yes, she is in “that stage”) to find the hubby and me watching women’s gymnastics. She clapped and squealed with delight at the girls jumping and spinning.

It was at this point when I realized that perhaps it's not too soon to make the Olympics a part of Stella’s life. Even at 2 years old, she finds joy and inspiration in what she watches. There is plenty to learn from the Olympics, and it excites me that she is so into it. I have even found some ideas on how to bring the Olympics into our home with arts and crafts.

Stella now tells me she would also like to play volleyball where you “can hit the ball over the net and you can’t miss.” I am sure Misty May and Kerri Walsh only wish it were that easy. They sure make it look like it is. While our Olympians are an inspiration to us all, I glad I didn’t miss the message that their inspiration can never start too early.

ECOSWIM Product Review and Bathing Suit Giveaway

Haute Mom has discovered something exciting and new for the summer season – ECO SWIM swimsuits by Aqua Green. These swimsuits are not only fantastic for moms but they are eco-friendly; how haute is that?

As a mommy of one, and in five short weeks, a mommy of two, long gone are my bikini days (for the most part.) The best part about these suits is the styles. No matter what your body type there is a swimsuit for you. Styles range from bikinis to one pieces that are form flattering no matter what shape you are in. Even if you are happy with your shape, we have all learned that a bikini isn’t always the best choice when chasing the kiddos around the pool. These suits will allow you to flaunt your stuff and still be baby-chasing friendly!

I personally felt comfortable in the Eco Basics Dress and the Eco Kini well into my pregnancy. Both of these suits will be right back on after the little one is born. They are comfortable and will hide all of my post-pregnancy spots well until I can lose that baby weight.

What makes ECO SWIM so different from other bathing suit companies? That’s where the eco-friendly part comes in. The company is doing everything that they can to reduce their impact on the environment during the manufacturing of these suits. This includes things like manufacturing in the USA (which reduces fossil fuels by 96.9 %,) making the swimsuits with recycled materials (including fabric, lining, and elastic,) and using recyclable materials in their packaging.

You get to be haute, comfortable, and save the planet all at the same time!

Because haute mom loves these suits so much, I am going to giveaway one swimsuit, winner’s choice! No matter how you feel about your body, I promise that you will find something to enjoy the rest of the summer in!

All giveaway participants must be a public follower of Haute Mom. Visit the ECO SWIM website and check out the various styles. Leave one comment telling me what style is your favorite, along with your email address.

For extra entries:

“Like” Haute Mom on Facebook

Follow Haute Mom on Twitter

Become part of Haute Mom's circle on Google+1

“Like” Eco Swim on Facebook

Follow Eco Swim on Twitter

Share this giveaway on your Facebook page (leave the link in a comment)

Tweet about this giveaway (tag @Ktenny in the Tweet)

Share this giveaway on your blog (leave the blog post link in a comment)

I can’t wait for one lucky Haute Mom reader to experience an Eco Swim suit! The giveaway will end on 23^rd at 9 p.m. (PST.) The winner will be chosen by Random.org and be contacted via email. Good luck haute moms!

　

　

Haute Mom Dilemma #47 ~ We Know What's Best

I remember doing things as I child that I disliked.  Well, to be honest, some of these things I hated with a capital "H".  Going to certain lessons, places, and even select summer camps just had me filled with turmoil and anxiety. I vowed never to do the same thing to my kid when I was older.

Fast forward to the present day.  I just wrapped up Stella and my third "Parent and Me" swim class.  They start them as early as six months so I figured waiting until 1 year would pose no problems.  Stella loves the water and usually takes new things on fearlessly so I was super excited for summer to come where I could share this time with her.  We all know things don't always go as planned.

I checked out a bunch of swim schools and settled on one that had a great facility and no set times.  This meant I could go anytime I wanted, without having to commit to a specific time and day.  This was ideal for me.  The first class she seemed really excited and was loving most of it until they had us put them under water.  Nobody else seemed to mind that much except for Stella who was mad as a hornet.  To make things even better, they had us do it again...and again.  I was now "that parent" with the screaming kid in the middle

 of a lesson with four other giggling and drooling babies.  Great. 



She loves the wading pool
where she
 knows I can't dunk her. :)



I know this may seem a little harsh but the "level" for this class makes perfect sense. Ideally, the school wants the infants and toddlers to be able to go underwater, come up, and eventually turn and float on their backs.  This is the safest thing for them in case they ever (God forbid) fall into water.  Once Stella can achieve this (it may be awhile), she gets to move up.  My parents have a pool and we spend a lot of time on boats and near the water so I know that this is important which is why I chose to put Stella and all those parents with the happy water babies through more Saturdays of screaming Stella.

Today was the third lesson and she did significantly better although she is still protesting being under water, quite loudly in fact.  I realize that she may seriously hate these lessons but know that they are in her best interest and once she gets used to it, she will actually learn to love swimming.  I mean, while she screams, she does clap for herself.  That's gotta mean something, right?  It kills me to take her, knowing that she will utlimately be unhappy at some point.  If we quit now, I am afraid she will loathe the water and more importantly, not be as safe as she could be with these lessons. It is the best thing for her.  Boy, I have become my mother.