Kaika's eyes and ears are still at an early stage of development, everything fuzzy (at least that is what most will say -- we of course don't know for certain). But every once in a while there are flashes of recognition that startle. Moments before I took this picture, Naoko was saying "Papa" to Kaika, and there were ever so subtle murmurings of recognition from Kaika, he making little sighing noises. Now mind you it could have just been a coincidence, but....

Another thought engendered by this: My brother and I grew up calling my father by his first name "Jim," and still do (my mother has always been "Mama"). It just sort of happened that way. And I've always thought it was cool that we did (not to mention that for some reason "Dad" grates on my ears). So naturally I've been envisioning that Kaika will eventually call me Kurt. It's still way too early to be pondering all this, but I have to admit I kind of like the sound of Papa.