On the surface, this was a kind of silly week in politics. The biggest news arc involved former FBI Director James Comey promoting his book about being fired by President Donald Trump, which didn’t reveal anything especially new. The week ended with House Republicans releasing secret memos Comey wrote long ago that reveal the exact same stuff he’s been saying.

But somewhat below the hype radar, a number of other stories developed with bigger implications. In the far-off penumbra of Trump’s legal problems that center on his attorney Michael Cohen’s involvement with various hush-money payments, a lot happened — some funny but some conceivably quite damning. Tammy Duckworth and her baby made history. Senate Democrats got some cheery news. And on the foreign affairs front, it became clear that the Trump administration is a good deal more serious about pursuing a comprehensive diplomatic agreement with North Korea than we realized.

Here’s what you need to know.

Michael Cohen had some fun in court

Faced with sudden legal jeopardy after an FBI raid on his office, Trump lawyer/fixer Michael Cohen found himself in the midst of a flurry of legal activity.

A baby went to the Senate floor

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth became the first sitting senator to give birth last week, and this week the Senate changed its rules and allowed her to bring the baby onto the floor with her so she could cast a vote.

Skeptical senators: Not everyone loved the idea, including Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), who said, “I don’t think it’s necessary,” and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who wondered, “What if there are 10 babies on the floor of the Senate?” Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), meanwhile, seemed confused by the idea of a diaper bag.

Not everyone loved the idea, including Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), who said, “I don’t think it’s necessary,” and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who wondered, “What if there are 10 babies on the floor of the Senate?” Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), meanwhile, seemed confused by the idea of a diaper bag. In-person voting required: Senate rules require votes to be cast in person, which makes it difficult for Duckworth to take any real parental leave and also means that practical control of a 51-49 Senate often hinges on McCain’s medical condition and Vice President Mike Pence’s travel schedule.

Senate rules require votes to be cast in person, which makes it difficult for Duckworth to take any real parental leave and also means that practical control of a 51-49 Senate often hinges on McCain’s medical condition and Vice President Mike Pence’s travel schedule. What’s next? Most senators continue to be old men, so the 10 babies scenario is far-fetched, but scenarios in which senatorial illnesses meaningfully impact vote counts are very likely.

Democrats got some good news in Senate polling

The 2018 Senate map is brutal for Democrats, forcing them to defend an enormous number of seats in states that Trump won — including West Virginia, North Dakota, Montana, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin — but this week a series of good poll numbers cheered Senate Democrats.

Mike Pompeo took a secret trip to North Korea