Alone Time

At two years and two months old, Emrick still mostly prefers to play in the presence of me or Marcus — either in direct interaction with us or with us observing him. But his bouts of alone play are slowly increasing in frequency, which means I can usually take a few minutes to tidy the kitchen without him literally pulling me away by the hemline to go do something else. I think with his increased understanding of language, he now knows that when I say, “Let me finish putting the groceries away and then we’ll play” that I really will play with him in a few minutes. And when I say, “I need to check the laundry upstairs for a minute” I really will be down in just a minute or two. A year ago, my disappearing upstairs for a second usually upset him, but not anymore. And when I am in the kitchen putting away those groceries, or rinsing out the sippy cups, or making his lunch, he more often than not hangs around to “help” or he brings his flashcards into the kitchen to play with them while I work.

But once in a while, when I am doing some brief chore, Emrick will hardly take note, leaving the kitchen without a sound. Then I will be standing at the sink with soapy hands wondering why I haven’t heard my baby in — how long has it been? Then I rush to rinse and dry my hands so that I can check on him. Even though I always let myself worry for a second that he’s off defusing (or detonating maybe) bombs somewhere, invariably I find him playing happily in his play room. And when I rush in, or call his name in a concerned tone, he drops what he’s doing and looks up at me with a face that says, “What’s got into you?”

On one such day, though, I checked my worry, and tiptoed toward the playroom to see if I could get a glimpse of him without disturbing his play. When I saw what I saw, I tiptoed back to the kitchen to get my camera.

I spy little feet by the right side of the door.

Yes, I see little feet sticking out from under a book! Can I get a picture of Pookie reading without him seeing me?

Inching slowly… slowly… I see his hair! I need to inch a little more so that I can get his face. Can I do that without him seeing me?

D’OH!!! He sees me. I am the worst invisible photographer ever!

No, no, Pookie. Don’t close your book! Just keep reading so I can take your picture. Ignore me. No, really. Pretend I’m not here. Act natural… Aw, that GRIN!

You’re getting up to come see me? So sweet, but you mustn’t!

I see you!

Hey, are you going to let me in, or just look at me?

Oh, you DO want Mama to come into your playroom.

Or not!

After that, he opened and shut the play room door several times just for the heck of it because opening and closing things is pretty great stuff when you’re two. And then we played — because once I disturb his alone time, he thinks, “Oh yeah. Mom!” and then I forget the dishes because I know that in a few short years, his reaction to discovering me spying on him probably won’t be to jump up and greet me merrily at the door. So I am enjoying what I can while I can. My dear, sweet Emrick.