Don't follow me

This weekend we went to the Children's Museum with Lee, Kris and the Little E's. Quinn was SO happy to be with Ethan and Ellie and his E's were coming out beautifully. He pronounced their names so clearly as he called out to two of them. Quinn wore a workjacket and hat in the Work Center and loved it:) Ellie had a fantastic time playing with the bubbles:)

After the museum, we came back to the house for dinner. Prior to that happy time, Quinn had a minor break down in the parking lot when we had to say a quick goodbye. He cried and cried for Ethan:( Back at the house, he wanted a quick nurse, but when he heard Dad say that Ethan and Ellie were here, he dashed off. And then, the moment came. Coats were off and people were settled into the house. Ethan asked where Quinn's room was and they were off to play upstairs. Quinn was the last one up the stairs and as I went to follow him, he turned and said, "Don't follow, Mommy". My little marvelous, independent man wanted to play without my presence with his two little cousins! When I snuck upstairs later under some random pretext, he gently, but firmly closed his door on me so he could play in private. Goodness! And this was after I let him out of my site at the museum! We were in the work area and I was sitting with Lee and his little ones while we waited to use the crane. Quinn went around the corner to the loading area and I didn't move. Lee asked where he had gone and I pointed around the bend, saying that Luke thought I was too much of a shadow, over-protective. As luck would have it, Quinn popped back in that instant, safe and sound.

Luke and I go back and forth about a second child. This weekend was a reminder that Quinn would be a loving, wonderful sibling and that despite the changes it would bring to our family, it would bring great joy to and fill a need in Quinn's life.

The poor boy was so exhausted from his day with his cousins that he went to bed at 10:30 this morning at Jo-Jo's.

This week we have our conference with the speech therapist to go over the Carolina and see where Quinn falls on the developmental chart. I think he's made enormous strides in his language and that everyday seems to bring new words into his working vocabulary. I relish hearing his articulate how he feels and what we wants. It's also insanely interesting to watch his personality emerge as he doles out his yes's and no's when asked particular questions. Like a glutton for punishment, I will ask him silly questions like, "Do you love Mommy?" and because he knows it vexes me to say no, he'll shake his head, making eye contact with me the whole time with his beautiful mirthful eyes:) He's in this interesting crossroads where he needs me very much, but some other instinct in him wants independence. Of course, this will be the way of things for years to come. Luke would like me to let him play by himself upstairs. I worry that something could happen while he's out of my sight and I could never forgive myself for that. Plus, I feel like the time he has with us is limited and I should spend it well- playing with him and being attentive.

How interesting to discover how much I like to give Quinn things. For a reason I can't recall, Luke and I challenged me to go two weeks without shopping for Quinn. Oh yes, it came after a weekend where Quinn got some new clothes, a new movie and a horse and cow. Granted, the monetary amount wasn't out of this world, but I realized that the instinct to get him things I think will make him happy was strong. What I need to contain though is the pattern that when we go to a store, Quinn comes out of it with something new. Me telling him that there's no money isn't something that will or should register.