Introducing Roger

A couple of weeks ago we broke the news to Quinn about his baby sister. His initial impression was rather sweet and he wanted to be able to see into my belly in order to greet her. Of course, the layers of skin and whatnot prevented his view. He likes to press on my belly button- as if that is the key access point- and has kissed the belly and greeted the baby sister good morning. Naturally, this tacit acceptance is tempered by moments when he does not want a baby sister and doesn't want her to come home. His favorite names for his sibling to be are Roger, Ted, Tennis Ball and some other male name I feel I have forgotten. Oh well:) Right now, Quinn is watching G-Force and calmly accepting- for once- that someone is running the vacuum at the same time. Usually, if he's watching something and we deign to begin cleaning that is louder, he comes out and lets us know it is too loud. G-force was a gift from Nana and Papa for V-Day. Despite the action of the film the thing that Quinn most takes from it is the dance moves of the guinea pigs, who he refers to as his friends. Scratch the above statement: Quinn just came into the room and held his ear, his sign language for too loud. Yesterday we went to the Children's Museum for the Dino-Mite Valentine's Day party. We haven't used our membership in months, but Quinn was thrilled to be back and played for a long time driving the bus, working in the restaurant kitchen and shopping in the grocery store. His favorite haunt yesterday, however, was the music studio place where music plays and the kids perform on these video backgrounds. He was a huge fan of All Star by Smash Mouth and played a guitar over and over to it, dancing around and doing all kinds of performance antics. It was pretty delightful to watch. Quinn's progress report came out for the ECC, as conferences are next week, and it speaks to how he is a happy and friendly child, kind to others and not afraid to ask for help. Apparently, he gets easily distracted during group time and will often ask to go to his cot. As this is nap time, that seems ok to me:) Their goals for him are to increase his independence when it comes to putting on his own gear, to work on toilet training and to increase his self-direction. We bought a new seat for the top of the toilet to use for more potty training endeavors. His business didn't actually fit into his little boy seat we purchased a while back. SO, we'll make one of those reward charts, find some incentives and try to motivate him out of his trusty pull-ups which he is in no hurry to leave behind. New, wonderful phrases include, "Wow, that's amazing", "Awesome" "That will be exciting" and more phrases that seem to honor my attempts to always be using different vocabulary with him:) School continues to be a positive place for him. McCall and ND are still his BFF's and he doesn't seem phased by not "winning" when we run to the cars with ND. He's pleased as punch to simply run with his friends and that's the attitude I'd like him to have. Valentine's bags at school were sweet, though it took ages to deliver them to the bags with Quinn's help. He couldn't decide if he wanted to hold the bags, our bag of Valentine's or actually put something in the bags. Ah, the joys of indecision. The other day we went to Target and among other things, had Quinn help to select his Valentine's Day present. He started out determined to purchase a storm trooper costume, but Luke figured the mask over his had would likely freak him out once it was on. So, instead we headed to the Lego aisle where he proceeded to pick a clone war vehicle, even as Luke and I tried to upgrade him again and again to other more lucrative lego sets. I'm not sure our approach was sound, but it was a hoot to see us grabbing more expensive items to trade with the one he actually wanted. Quinn is all about making forts and houses out of the bedroom pillows, which is pretty cute. Naturally, our love for playing storm troopers, shooting at droids and acting as jedi knights is still very much present. We bought some new books the other day to add to his Star Wars collection and he's able to differentiate between the new and old sets of books when it comes to bedtime and what he wants to read. I adore listening to Quinn read aloud to himself as he summarizes the pictures and tells th tale in his own words. This morning he was quite loudly going through one of his Lightning McQueen board books. Pretty funny stuff. Quinn happily continues to be a marvelously happy and affectionate boy. When he snuggles with Daddy it is very normal for Quinn to reach back and grab Dad's ear lobes or set his hand on Dad's cheek. He loves to cuddle and spoon as well. He loves to play with the funny wrinkly skin on the back of my elbows, which is odd, but entertaining. Both Quinn and I have matching "fake" injuries on our forearms today with Buzz Lightyear bandaids on them. We also all have temporary tattoos on our hands, compliments of Quinn's Valentine's Day bag. Quinn loves to jump off the end of our bed shouting "To Infinity and Beyond". Funny. Luke finally got his iphone and so we've been taking more pictures using that. We need a new camera for the arrival of baby so some of her life will be chronicled. 11 weeks to go. We have an appt. this coming Friday and in two weeks we go back for another ultrasound to check out the cord and development. Considering how many people have asked me if I'm giving birth really soon, I must look to others like I am ready to pop. Nope, nearly 3 months left. I am definitely feeling tired and sleeping for longer patches as my body needs. As much as I hate to do it, I need to add some more items to my wardrobe. Uggh. Made a big trip to Babies R Us yesterday and got lots of essentials (burp clothes, receiving blankets, etc.). I suppose we still need this and that, but by and large, I think we could welcome a child to the house relatively soon. Megan is being a dear and lending much of what she has and returning the items we lent her. Aside from a high chair and changing table, I think we're in pretty good shape with the big stuff. Putting myself to sleep with my droll recounting. I know I'll appreciate it later to have notes about Quinn. Wish I had the spirit and spunk to write with more voice and personality, though. Such is life:)