The Dangers of Leche Addiction

Yes, you've heard about that dreaded affliction that strikes at anytime....LECHE ADDICTION. Those who suffer from this scourge of the little class can be identified by the following signs:

1. They crave leche at all hours, regardless of the sleep patterns of those around them.
2. They become irritable if not provided with leche exactly when they want it.
3. After consuming immoderate amounts of leche they enter a stupor "leche drunk" and look a bit silly.

See below for a handy clip out image to aid you in diagnosis.


When not consuming leche, the addict may be found visiting the doctor's office where the following phases can be heard:

1. "Her heart sounds perfect."
2. "She's lost some weight but that's to be expected and nothing to worry about since the leche has come in."
3. "Look at all that hair!"

Finally, those who love a leche addict may discover the car seat's powerful soporific effect a tempting storage solution. It should be used in moderation and only under the careful monitoring of the fashion police (look at those pants!).

Who is Sylvia?

Sylvia and her entourage are doing well (even if the latter are a bit sleep deprived). She gets more beautiful with each passing hour. Since pictures don't tell the whole story, here are a few fun facts sure to embarrass her in the future:

Day 1: 3 diapers, 6 trips on the leche train
Day 2: 4 diapers, 8 trips on the leche train
Day 3 (so far): 3 diapers, 7 trips on the leche train

momma and baby enjoy a little chat

grandma baby + comfy chair = contentment

It's great to have her home. Susan and Stephen have been wonderful, making sure that there's warm food and open arms when we need a break.

One last item. When I told my mother the name of her grandchild she recollected a stanza from Shakespeare's "The Two Gentleman of Verona". I've reproduced it below and here's a link to a fragment of a musical version.

Who Is Silvia?

Who is Silvia? what is she,

That all our swains commend her?

Holy, fair, and wise is she;

The heaven such grace did lend her,

That she might admirèd be.

Is she kind as she is fair?

For beauty lives with kindness.

Love doth to her eyes repair,

To help him of his blindness,

And, being helped, inhabits there.

Then to Silvia let us sing,

That Silvia is excelling;

She excels each mortal thing

Upon the dull earth dwelling:

To her let us garlands bring.

William Shakespeare

Presento Sylvia Joy Hidalgo

Without further ado...

SYLVIA JOY HIDALGO

Born:
APRIL 22, 2008 (Earth Day)
3:43 am
Portland, Oregon

Weight:
7lb 6oz

Length:
19 inches

We in Oregon love you all and can't wait for you to meet our little one.

And now we're going to bed.

Timber Jim takes a bow

April 17th dawned cool and damp. The air was electric with excitement. The words on everyone's mouth: "Timbers Opening Night." With high spirits and the first of our season tickets clutched in our trembling hands my buddy Jake and I entered the soccer cathedral that is PGE park for the spectacle that is the beautiful game.

As Portland's USL League 1 team, the Timbers have a varied history dating back to the early 70's, much like myself. 2008 finds the Timbers without our star keeper and striker (both stolen by the LA Galaxy) but with Takayuki Suzuki who has played in both the World Cup and UEFA Champions League. (Note: This is when those who find soccer to be less than stimulating often glaze over and begin staring at wall behind me, perhaps finding solace in the cracked plaster beyond). With our newly reinforced roster the Timber's took to the field for the first game of the season against the Puerto Rico Islanders (creative name to be sure). The Timbers looked fit after a month of pre-season training in their traditional green and white.

Suzuki enters stage right.

But the real drama of the night was the farewell to Timber Jim. He has been the team mascot for the past 20 years (with a decade break when the team was defunct) and is an institution. He leads the crowd in cheers and taunts and, this being Portland, cuts a round of a log with his chainsaw every time we score.

TJ and his drum

TJ claps his hands.

TJ hangs from the rafters 80 feet in the air and bangs his drum.

TJ riles up the crowd.

The game started slow and the first half ended 0-0. The second half had some clever play from both sides that culminated in a Timbers' goal. Timber Jim cut his final slab as the crowd chanted and screamed.

The final whistle saw (sports writing is a challenge; it' all been said before) the Timbers victorious and Timber Jim tired but content. His number was retired to the rafters but lifetime season tickets means that the Green and White Army can count on his help for years to come. (Cue swelling music and credits).