Day Nine 2/9/11

Today's challenge is about passions and hobbies. Aidan is passionate about swimming. He loves it! Which actually surprises me a bit. When Aidan was 10 months old he fell into our pool right in front of my eyes. Of course, like any mother would, I jumped right in the pool and pulled him out. He was in the pool for mere seconds, but when I pulled him out he was initially unresponsive. (Let me say this is the worst way to ever see your child and I hope no one who reads this ever has to experience that). I thought to myself how could he not be responding, he is supposed to be scared, crying, and clinging to me. Only he was doing nothing. I immediately began to do CPR and he then he gasped for air and began crying. Only he was not making eye contact and it was not a normal cry. I called 911 and the paramedics, fireman, and police all arrived in moments. Aidan was rushed to the hospital where his X-rays came back clear (no fluid in lungs) and his scans came back that there was no brain damage. What a relief. However they transferred him to the children's hospital to make sure he was okay through the night. The doctors believe that he went into shock when he fell into the pool which caused him to be unresponsive and his temperature dropped. Thankfully with worming blankets, Aidan eventually calmed down, slept, and when he woke up he was my little boy who wanted his mommy. When we were finally released from the hospital with my little swimmer, he was unharmed and unaffected by the experience. I learned that a child can drown in twenty seconds. Believe me when I say it happens fast, and it can happen while you are supervising. Shortly after the incident, Aidan began mommy and me swimming lessons. This has been therapy for me more than him. He loves the pool and is just a little fish. It is so rewarding to see him be able to fall in a pool and find the side. He can pull himself out of the pool and can float on his back unassisted too. Granted I never let go of his hand while we are near water, but it is comforting to know I am doing everything I can to make sure he can help himself if he does fall in somewhere again. We swim twice a week for lessons and try to get to a pool at least one more day for fun. He enjoys it so much and it would not surprise me if he was on a swim team as he gets older.