Sylvia's Journal

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I told Sita’s cats, Mooshi and Cortez  that they have a new brother. Mooshi couldn’t care less, he is like the equivalent of a princess (not just a prince).  He may well react like when Tessa was born and Sita realized she was there to stay (“I am very displeased”). I think Mooshi is going to be like that. He remains very aloof.

Neither one of the cats have ever been very friendly with me or Axel – but Cortez has warmed up to me and greets me in the morning, even lets me pet him. He knows something momentous has happened. He showed some interest when I brought back the little knitted baby hat that the new member of the family wore most of yesterday. He sniffed it at from all sides, pushed it around with his paw. Mooshi took one snif and turned away (I think he disapproves).  I left the hat on Sita and Jim’s bed which is one of their favorite places. It is part of a very slow introduction of the new baby to the house. With animals you start with smell.

The birth registrar of the hospital came in yesterday morning with lots of papers. She filled them in leaving the name section blank and then gave Sita and Jim a book with 35000 names. I tried my best, first asking which initial this baby looked like (a tentative ‘F’) and then worked through all the F names. There is one that has everyone’s approval except Sita’s. Since Jim gets the last name this is an important obstacle.  Today the lady with the papers will come in again to see if they made any progress. I think not.

And so we keep calling him baby Bliss. One suggestion was Shere Bliss. It has a ring to it. Everyone is helping with finding the perfect name for this new man in our lives.

All three sets of grandparents have now met their new branch on the family tree and been photographed holding the baby. He is entering into a wonderful big and welcoming nest. I know this is not always the case with newborns. We are all very lucky.