Quinn Update- Holiday 2008

It's about 4:54 in the morning on Christmas Eve Day, but if I don't write now, this post will forever be delayed by the flurry of holidays we have before us. A few weeks back, Luke and I enjoyed a really relaxed trip to Target while Quinn was with Nana and Papa at the Macy's display. As we careflessly wandered the aisles, oohing and aahing at all that Quinn might like, I felt and ease and joy at the notion of splurging on my little one. The past few days have been such a buzz with activity and anxiety that I cling to that memory to get through it all. Earlier this holiday season when I emailed folks about what they might like for Christmas I spoke about the true spirit of the season being the time, energy and search involved with finding a gift someone will really love. Turns out, when you start shopping so late in the season and on a limited budget, it's more about making sure lists look even and that someone hasn't been neglected; the heart seems sucked right out of it all. Fortunately, today was a salve for that. I spent 5 hours at Asha's working on small photo albums of Quinn to give to his beloved aunts, grandma's and great grandma's. They are absolutely adorable and I was able to spend time oohing and aahing over my son's photos and think back on another joyful year with him. I do hope people love this gift as it represents the best I have in me- both Quinn and creatively.

We're on Week 2 now of Quinn going to sleep on his own- sans nursing. He still BF's in the morning, afternoon and before bed but we are removing the critical "down to sleep" one and I think this will help in the long-run. I am behind in sleep and tired, but to be fair, so is Quinn. He is waking up earlier and earlier and yet won't head down earlier. Once the rush of this week is behind us, I think we can start initiating the 15 minute incrementel earlier to bed program/thing that ECFE taught Luke.

So many hilarious things seem to happen on a near daily basis:

The other day we had a slipper and hat parade, organized by Quinn. Dad was made to wear Quinn's cowboy hat, I wore his winter cap and he donned his John Deere cap. We all had on slippers: Luke and I wore our super cheap, but new IKEA slippers and Quinn wore his teddy bear ones. The image of us all marching around was so funny.

I sing a great deal in the car with Quinn, less when Dad is present:) On the way to pick up Luke from the train last week, I was singing the itsy bitsy spider but the wintery roads were prohibiting my arm motions. When I glanced back to check on Quinn "engagement" I saw him making the "out came the sun" hand motions I always make and I was filled with glee and joy. I love that way that he absorbs so much and then indiscriminately models/demonstrates his brilliance.

Last Thursday evening the whole family traveled to MOA on the train. Quinn had been asking to ride a great deal and so we took the time to head there for dinner and some light shopping. Quinn had an absolute blast at Lego Land. We ate at the Food Court above LL and when I walked him over to the ledge, he immediately said, "Legos" and started galloping around. Of course, his father was nearly as happy to check out the legos.

Lately, we love to be under things. The dinner table is a fine fort and we are sure to follow Quinn's request to "close door" and push in the chairs. Today he ate part of his animal cracker snack there. Other times, it's below the computer desk. Luke has just the right set-up to transform the couch and blanket into a stellar crawl space. With some work, he can wheezle his way under the crib and also the dresser in his room. I think I hear my family stirring upstairs. More later!

Words

"Touie"
"Bulls"
"Bis"
"Daryl"

Translation: Ratatouille, Incredibles, Chris and Sheryl. I love Quinn's language.

I am embracing the runner in Quinn because it means I'm being more active. Round and round we go in the front hall. I'm also dancing up a storm. The Handy Manny CD has some lovely Latin-inspired tunes and Quinn and I twirl around the room in my make-shift dancing moves. Quinn has a new winter coat and snowpants. They're a very nice blue and Columbia to boot. I've wanted to own a Columbia jacket my whole life, or for as long as I can recall, and it makes me happy to dress Quinn warmly. I, on the other hand, don't have a regular winter coat, but priorities change when you have a little one. Quinn loves to take pictures with our camera. He's learned to say, "cheese" before he takes the photo. He even puts the camera up to his eye, which he closes, before he snaps the pic. Another household tool he loves is the flashlight. He loves to have us turn the lights down so he can see it projected on the ceiling and walls. Smart boy. Last night Quinn and Dad went out to shovel. He's quite an adorable thing out there with his little man shovel. Two days ago we practiced shoveling his legos in his room; I'm sure the demo helped:) I do my best to talk to Quinn whenever we're driving; I sing and point things out as best I can. He knows that we go "'round the bend" on our way to Jo-Jo's and "over the choo-choo tracks" as well.