One year of Pemi

It's the 8th of June. On this day, we celebrate "Labor Day" - the day Jasmine went into labor. It's hard to believe that Pemi was only born one year ago. A year is a long time, but it is truly unimaginable that a year ago we'd never even seen his face. He just feels so real, like he couldn't have ever not been here!

Thinking about trips and adventures with Jasmine in the months before Pemi's birth has this funny feeling to it. My phone likes to notify me of random old pictures. When I see pics from hikes we went on last March, April or May, my first thought is always - "where was Pemi"? But then I remember, he was still growing inside Jasmine!

Over the last 12 months, we've time and time again experienced the feeling that Pemi is even more alive than before. In the beginning we were in awe of the subtlest changes. When he spent a few extra seconds pointing his head towards the edge of light coming past the window blind, we would think "wow, he's really looking at things!". Then, he would start looking at us, our fingers moving slowly to entertain him, our face smiling wider and wider as we begun to experience mutual recognition with him. Each step along the way, I would think to myself: "how did I think he seemed alive one month ago, compared to now that was nothing!"

But now, after 365 days of life, it's like he's another human who just happens to be in a smaller body. He has personality, desires, opinions, and a sense of humor. I'm sure one month from now I'll be thinking to myself how much he's already grown from where he was today. I guess that'll keep happening his whole life, albeit maybe a bit slower as he grows up.

We are squarely in the Pemi era of our lives. It's been the most fun and exciting times ever, watching him exist as a human is singularly awesome and has brought us so much joy every day. Even despite all the sleep loss ;).

Here's to you, Pemi, we're looking forward to every day of the rest of your life!