Yesterday we went to register Sami’s home birth with the Bureau of Vital Records. It’s weird to think that this whole past six weeks, he didn’t officially exist! His birth certificate is coming in the mail next week, and his Social Security card in the next 6-8 weeks. I could have changed his name to anything — I joked with Hani that I named him “Bob Edgar.” We talked with Mrs. Lewis, the woman who helped us with our paperwork. Rochelle (one of Karen’s other clients) and I mentioned how it seems like so many baby boys are being born. Mrs. Lewis said that she had been there during the Vietnam War, and that the number of baby boys born during wartime is statistically higher. I don’t know why, but that creeps me out for some reason.

In other news, Rachel, Jason, and baby Darian left today. After fifteen years, I still consider Rachel my best friend. It was so good to hang out with them, and what a learning experience to hang out with her sweet one year-old. She is so amazingly curious, full of boundless energy, and gets into everything. She laughs and cries and screams and squeals with abandon. She is fascinated by electric sockets and anything remotely dangerous. She has buttery, bite-able cheeks. She takes a few steps and then plops on her butt with a giggle. When she falls forward, she is able to break her fall with her hands.

We definitely got a sense of what kind of baby-proofing we’ll have to do when he gets older.

Right now I am enjoying these days of his tiny, tiny babyhood. He is right beside me on the bed right now in a wonderful state of quiet alertness, dressed in the cutest pair of blue long john pants. He kicks his little legs and coos and yawns and breathes his funny, old man breaths. He smiles when I smile and say his name, and say, “hi, little boy!” I interrupt my typing to play with him and kiss his little tummy. I love my little man so much! He’s the sweetest little being I’ve ever known… These days of simplicity are so precious, I can’t even express it in words.