Mimi Welcomes Her New Cousin!

Yesterday morning we woke to the exciting news that Sumie's sister had given birth to a beautiful and healthy boy.  Mimi had been blessed with a new cousin!  And she wanted to see him.  But given that Mama had to work, she had to bide her time.  She decided to brush up on current footnoting practices by skimming through Kate Turabian's ever-helpful A Manual for Writers. 

Sumie was home by 6 with a quick tonkatsu dinner for us and a few goodies to bring to Kae and her expanding family at the hospital.  All the west coast residents of the Iwasaki clan were soon on their way to welcome little Haruki to the world. 

The space was, shall we say, tight.  But it was great to have everyone together.  While I enjoyed our private space out in NYC, it's definitely a luxury to have family so close to hand. 

Even with everyone there, little Haruki was still able to sleep.  Sumie and I were amazed.  On the way home, we both remarked that this child was all of 12 hours old but still a better sleeper than our 16 month old, who, coincidentally, didn't go to bed until midnight that night.  Sigh.

At the hospital, Mimi was a bit unsure what all the commotion was about.  She doesn't quite get the concept of "baby," perhaps because she's still one herself.  But she was gentle around Haruki and, for Mimi, rather well behaved.  No tantrums, no whining, just an occasional piercing squeal of delight as she chased her other cousins around the hospital room. 

Nana, Haruki's oldest sister, was very good with him.  I think she's excited to have a new playmate, even if she has to be extra quiet and extra gentle. 

It was a wonderful way to welcome a new member of the family to the world.  We only wish that Obachan and Ojichan (Sumie's parents), and of course her brother Genta, could've been there. 

Today, I wonder if Mimi remembers meeting her cousin for the first time last night.  I rather doubt it.  I guess that's one of my jobs as her Papa: to remember and, if I can, to catalog those special moments in which she took part but otherwise would never recall.