Friday, February 20, 2009

Denied

I knew that once I hit the 'publish' button on that post about Moana's schedule the other day that everything would instantly change. And I was right... although it wasn't Moana's schedule that changed- it was Scott's.

Scott has had to go to work early the past 3 mornings, which means that I miss out on those two precious hours of athletic sanity to which I've become quite accustomed. Wednesday and Thursday I made the most of it by getting on my trainer while Moana was still sleeping, but let's face it, 3 mornings in a row on a bike trainer is enough to drive a mother crazy. No. It's Friday. I really wanted to swim.

Years ago I was living in Arizona and a girlfriend of mine had a baby that she brought to the pool. He slept in his car seat on deck while she swam. I remember thinking that was the coolest thing. (Foreshadowing here... can you feel it??)

So this morning while I was feeding Moana at 5:00AM, I started thinking... she sleeps from like 6-9 every morning... I bet she could sleep in her car seat on the pool deck just as well as she could in her crib... I could just run her over there in the jogger and she'll sleep for sure...

The plan was finalized.

It briefly occured to me that the lifeguards might not think my plan was as good an idea as I did. These guards could probably win The Laziest Lifeguards in the World award if such a competition existed. But I rationalized it to myself thinking that it's not like she'll be up and running around the pool deck. I'm not that dumb. No, an immobile sleeping baby in a car seat should be just fine.

I arrived at the pool just as it was opening and got a very warm welcome from some of the older ladies who are regulars. They watched Moana grow in my belly since I swam the whole time I was pregnant and have been bugging me to bring her by the pool so they could see her in person. It was cute. Moana had SuperStar status this morning at the pool.

Nalani was psyched that I brought along a coach for our workout this morning... Although I think the basic expectation of a swim coach is that they keep their eyes open, so don't know if she actually would qualify for the title?

I left the jogger near the locker rooms and, walking past The Lifeguard With The Terrified Look On His Face, carried the car seat to the end of the lane where I always swim. To his credit, he waited until all the oooohing and aaaahing by the old ladies was over before he sheepishly told me that no unsupervised children were allowed to be on the pool deck.

Ok. I used to be a lifeguard. I understand the rule. But seriously? She's strapped into her car seat. I'll stop everytime at the wall to make sure she's still sleeping. I swear she's not even going to wake up...

But rules are rules, and I didn't protest too long. There was no swimming this morning. But in good news (I guess), we did run about 6 miles instead. So all was not lost. I'll go to the ocean to swim tomorrow morning... with my wetsuit... 'cause it's fr-fr-fr-freezing in there...

10 comments:

Rebecca DeWire said...

I always thought about trying this with Elena when she was tiny, but never got up the nerve. The lifeguards scared me.

Angela said...

What a bummer, technically she wasn't unattended...technically.

Hope you get a good swim in the ocean!

N.D. said...

Well that is BS!! It was a good thought. Total BS!! I would have been really mad. Glad you got to do the 6 miles though. Maybe next time the old ladies could watch her! What all is on your bob? I like how it is facing you, I guess it is like that with the car seat adapter (which I just ordered). Anything else I need for its debut next week? I think I ordered a handle bar thingie with waterbottle slot.

Aron said...

what a bummer! that sounded like a good idea to me. enjoy your ocean swim :)

Angela and David said...

Good try! Any chance you could have gotten the old ladies to watch her?

rr said...

Nice try! My kids ran all over the deck earlier this week.. good thing there are no lifeguards over here in Hi Kai, I guess..

Sorry it didn't work out, that would have been awesome for your training schedule.

And brr is right.. I keep chickening out. If there's a duke's swim, text me? Thanks!

BreeWee said...

I LOVE your profile foto- AWESOME!

Oh my gosh, this is toooooo funny. When Kainoa was little I tried to leave him on deck too, in the car seat, and your thoughts are exactly the ones I rambled with...

Good luck with the training/babysitting stuff...

And ocean over pool anyday :)

Anonymous said...

I can see why they won't let you, but I also don't see what the problem is!! But 6 miles is a pretty good alternative! My only other suggestion (and since I still baby-sit and maybe it's different when you have a baby) would have been to ask some of the regular ladies to watch her while you swam? They could ooh and ahh some more! :)

RunningMama said...

Ug, bummer. I have often wondered if I could just bring my little guy with me to the gym if he is conked out...but haven't had the guts to test the system. Good for you for trying!

X-Country2 said...

Booo to stubborn lifeguards. Good luck in the ocean!