Mine follow me all over as well and don't like to get too far away from me even though they are 7 weeks old now and way bigger than any of our cats. We had them swimming in the bath tub from the 2nd day we had them and them moved them to swimming in an outdoor "pool" that we set up for them by 2 weeks. I used to dry them off every time we had them in the water with a big fluffy towel which they seemed to love. Now when I pull out the towel, they clamor to get in the my lap and preen me. We've learned not to wear shirts with buttons on them when we are out with the birds because we are afraid that if they pull one off it will get stuck in their throat.
I used to think the same thing about their preening hurting when they get older, but they have gotten more gentle and almost never preen my skin now. They still pull on my shirt and hair though. And they love to eat lettuce and grass out my hand.