First Paddle

May 7, 2012

When you have a kid (or kids, I suppose), you want to expose them to all sorts of experiences and opportunities.  Sometimes, you want them to really like something you like; you want common ground.  Or, you want them to follow in your footsteps.

Canoeing is pretty special to me and Tyler.  We met at summer camp, we fell in love on a canoe trip, and we've always felt that canoeing, camping, and the outdoors are part of who we are as individuals and as a couple.  So when we took Finlay canoeing for the first time we both thought he would follow in our wake and fall in love with the paddle.  Tyler actually said, "Finlay, we're going canoeing and you have no choice but to like it."

At first he fought the life jacket.  He freaked out when we put him into the Old Town canoe.  He screamed and cried as Carleigh sterned us away from the dock.

Here he is in a lifer.  He was wailing so we popped a soother in there.  Still sobbing at this point.

The life jacket was riding up and squishing his gigantic cheeks so we had to unbuckle the top clip.  It was limb/cheek over life...  He immediately calmed down.  He started to look around.  He started to listen to the hull splash the water and the laughing of his parents.

There were even some smiles.  I couldn't catch it on camera...  but there were.

He's looking around, he sees Carleigh, he is talking to her about this canoe thing.  It's not so bad.

He even gave up his soother for a second or two.  And then, he wanted to try paddling!  Just like his Auntie and his Mama!  See the video below as this glorious moment was caught on camera!  So special!

Finlay's First Paddle on Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o33bjQbFNAk&feature=youtu.be