Mr. Sami is approaching 6 months and I can’t believe it! I am so proud of him - the little bugger.

Sami has started screaming - he is an awesome screamer. His shrieks pierce my very soul. His blood-curdling rebel yells resonate throughout the universe. Sami screams in happiness, he screams just to hear himself scream, and he screams in dismay, rage, and frustration. I love what my little 16-ish lb wonder can do with his lungs. He’s finding his voice, the little guy. I like to think that it is the future activist in him coming out. I can imagine him yelling someday: “Whose streets - OUR STREETS!”

He is so much more into his surroundings these days - especially other people. He flirts like a madman. When he sees a person, he stares at them for a second, as if sizing them up, and then he breaks into a slow smile. Inevitably this results in many expressions of appreciation at his ridiculous cuteness. I think Sami is going to have a way with people, if this is any indication. He is wildly social.

I will never forget last yesterday - Sami and I slept the day away. It was disorienting and weird but lovely. We slept cuddled up together on the ugly rocker-recliner for 2 hours, then he woke up a bit hungry, I fed him, and we were both back to sleep for another two hours. When we both woke up it was past 4 pm. I have had a cold that I can’t seem to get over and I think li’l Sami just sensed that I needed lots of sleep, so he gave me the opportunity to rest.

Other Sami thingies:
He looooves to drink water out of a cup. He makes a funny face at the taste of water, but then he goes back for more.
He tears up magazines with gusto.
He loves to suck on paper.
He still “phantom-nurses” when he’s asleep.

Did I mention that I think he’s the cat’s meow?

I always fall into cliche when I want to describe my love for my son. It sure is hard to find fresh language around it.

I love saying it in arabic: “Bahebak ‘ad al-bahr wa samakaatu” - My love for you is as deep as the ocean and all the fish in it.

I think this is something I will say a lot to my son as he grows up.