Chopper and the endless asking

Zack follows me through the house with a common refrain: 'What? What mommy?' Which has led to me some conclusions...

a)He has suffered hearing loss, pre-concert years, and needs a hearing aid
b)He is distracted/ignoring me.
c)He loves the sound of his mother's (increasingly impatient) voice.
d)He has water in his ears.
e) All of the above.

So I do my chores, repeating myself more than I should. Just when I think I'm losing my mind, he says he misses Daddy so much that he 'thinks his heart is going to crack'. I try to remember that Greg's travel schedule is hard on everyone. I sit down and we read Captain Underpants together. He laughs and he listens and I am sure he is fine.

*********

We put the swimming lessons to work last night. Lexi took off with her friend, floating away. I can't see her in the pool. She has taken Independence Day to heart.

Zack obeys the sign that reads: Children under 7 must be within arm's reach of a parent. He dives down and holds his breath, playing with his girlfriend, part-mermaid. He shows me his back float. He whips onto his chest and propels his arms through the water, attempting to crawl. He swims with a fury, and goes very little. I laugh until he pops up; afraid he'll misunderstand and grow discouraged. He swims and I laugh. I laugh at this boy making his way, slowly, with gusto.

My heart is full.

swimming listening summer pool motherhood