The Max has landed

We have a baby boy! I'm a dad! There's a little person living in our house, and he looks like he's gonna stay (that means he's a genuine keeper, as grandpa would say). Maxwell Levi Kissel was born Apr. 17th, 2008 at 5:30pm or so (c'mon, I have so many dates to remember already.) It sure was a long process, so we were extra glad to finally see him. The short version of the birth story would take up 3 pages, so I'll give you the abstract: Water broke Friday night. Labor started Sunday night. All day and all night Monday. All day and all night Tuesday. All day and all night Wednesday. All day and *pop* there's a baby in our bed at 5:30pm (or so) on Thursday. We managed to have him at home, even though it looked a bit iffy at times, so that was happy. The midwife had assured us that it wouldn't be that messy. It was messy as hell, literally and figuratively, but we ended up with a healthy baby boy, and someone else did the laundry and hosed down the walls before they left. So, like I said, we were happy. Very happy. Still glowing from happiness. Max has been such a pleasure to get to know. He is an amazing little teacher, who simply pours forth his Buddha nature. (I usually get stuck scrubbing that up). Although at times it is frustrating because of limited communication, our relationship keeps growing more robust and rich. Now at 8 weeks, he is so much fun to be with. Fits of inconsolable, inexplicable crying are rare, and instead we are treated to smiles, coos and attentive stares when he is awake. When he sleeps, which is for longer and longer bouts (a couple of 5 hours stretches, though by far, that is the exception), we can count his tiny inverted knuckles or listen to his funny squeaks or imagine what he's dreaming about. We even play a game with him- I'm not sure if we are deluding ourselves or if it really happens, but it seems like when you stick your tongue out at him, he'll stick out his tongue back! Our little monkey apes us.
All of the immediate family has been out to see him (except Susanna and Faiza, who will see him very soon when Mariam goes back to Boston for Emily and Owen's wedding). As always, you can see pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/jake.kissel
We're doing a pretty good job documenting his life in pictures. Could do better, but he certainly already has thousands of times more than either of us had as infants.