La Petite Baleen AKA The Torture Chamber

Yesterday was Garen's first swim lesson at La Petite Baleen in San Francisco! Not really a swim lesson, more of a have fun in the water type thing. The place is just beautiful and perfect for children. The water is warm and so is the temperature in the dressing rooms as well as the swim area.

And amongst the sounds of kids laughing and splashing around, one could discern the distinct sound of Garen's cries for "Mama, Mama, Mama!" You'd think someone was shoving bamboo under his fingernails, but no, just his teacher Justin singing an aquatic version if "Wheels on the Bus". I was in the water with him but that made no difference to my little Katch Vartan. He just wasn't having it.

But, he did manage to swim a few strides under water towards me and actually, through some pretty big tears, give Justin a high five at the end of the lesson.

So, we'll be going to LPB every Thursday at 11:30AM and here's hoping that next week there will be a little more fun and a lot less crying.

San Diego or Seattle?

Where to take a 19 month old toddler on vacation? Decision, decisions. If it wasn't for this swine flu craziness, we'd be in San Diego, no question. There is just so much to do and Garen adores the water. We'll see....

MRI Results Back...Everything's GREAT!

Thank GOD! We were all a jumble of nerves but no signs of anything bad. We're still trying to figure out what Ara's pain is all about but to be able to rule out a tumor or possible MS, well, that's just beyond wonderful news.

Ara's MRI Tomorrow

Ara's been feeling ill for many months now. He has a double hernia surgery scheduled for July 8th but some of his symptoms do not seem related to the hernias. After too, too long, we are finally getting MRIs of his head and neck. We had a fairly rough car accident in 2005 and maybe there is something going on with his cervical spine? Who knows. Either way, I am happy we are finally getting this imaging done.

I'm still waiting on the VA to contact me about switching over to UCSF for prenatal care. Should get the approval in the next 1-2 days.

And Garen? Well, he's just got A LOT of energy! And, enjoys counting to 10 in French.  He's worldly, what can I say?