Thick as Thieves

It has been almost twenty years since Brick and I met in our college dorm in Connecticut. Little did we now then that two short decades later (and with some small help from our lovely wives) we would be introducing our daughters to each other. All went well as Ayla and Sylvia greeted each other: but the world may never know a safe day again. Perhaps you might consider this hyperbole but one look at these two shows them already thick as thieves.

Sylvia, being five weeks older,
will probably drive the get away car.

This historic meeting is the lucky result of Brick's family also living in Oregon. After spending time with his northern family, Meg, Ayla and Brick dropped by our residence for a few days of tea, cookies and gifts. Below, Ayla sports part of a hand knit ensemble from Aurelia.








Sylvia scored some super sweet "Bumpity Blocks" that were designed by a friend of Meg and Brick. These blocks are really fun to play with, and I have even considered sharing them with Sylvia when she gets older.







Aurelia spent a little time considering the wisdom of the old adage: "Only have as many babies as you have hands."

Of course the two proud papas could not resist mugging with their progeny.

And of course Miguel couldn't resist playing near the electrical outlets.
No worries!

San Francisco's cutest chica

During my brief but wonderful stay in San Francisco I enjoyed the hospitality of Meg, Brick, and their new sweety, Ayla. Ayla is too cute and I fear for our safety when she and Sylvia start hanging out.

Social Butterfly

Sylvia and her parents have been working towards the twelve week mark with our eyes on Aurelia's return to work. Even though she will only be going back for two weeks we've all been a bit anxious: Aurelia is concerned that there will be adequate leche for Sylvia to bottle feed, Sylvia is touchy that her favorite toy-Senor Ducky- will be available, and Miguel worried that he will still get to sleep more than Aurelia.


To work on Sylvia's social skills we motored over to our friends Nititsh and Sajini's home to join them, Nitish's parents and some friends for a fine dinner. Sylvia spent a good deal of time crying but eventually quieted down enough for a group picture during dessert. (The bowls below contain homemade jamun, one of my favorite confections. You can't eat just one...dozen).









Soon after Sylvia went to pieces and we beat a hasty retreat to the car and a long, long, long 20-minute ride home.


So with some trepidation we faced the coming week and the new schedule. But we needn't have worried. Help was on the way. Even as Sylvia was screaming in her car seat, Susan and Stephen (aka Granny and Grandad) were driving north from Arizona. Upon their arrival S+S read our two pages of instructions, surveyed the leche supply, and started the easiest week Sylvia has ever enjoyed. Sylvia slept a great deal of the time and had her fill of bottled momma's milk. They even took her out for walks where she...wait for it... slept peacefully. Gasp!
















With Sylvia well taken care of Aurelia went off to the hospital and her meetings and I spent a few days in San Francisco attending some software training for work. The software, named Ecotect, will be used for building energy analysis during early design. I'll blog about this software, it's pretty cool, another time.









More exciting was a chance to see Brick, Meg and their new daughter Ayla who was born four weeks after Sylvia. She is beautiful and we can't wait to get the two girls together some play time soon.

Pic "borrowed" from Brick's blog 'cause I forgot my camera in Portland.
See more of Ayla at Brick's blog.

The week concluded with dinner and drinks for the whole family at the McMenamin's Kenny School Tavern where the ladies had a much deserved pear cosmo and the gents had beers.

Mom has buffalo wings and baby samples the thumb.

"The San Francisco Kid"

We are ecstatic to report that Meg and Brick welcomed Ayla Rose Conway to the world today. The "San Francisco Kid" was born on May 25th (I think) and weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces. Definitely a contender.

We can't wait for our two little ones to meet and as Brick put it, "Tell Sylvia to get her jump rope and tea set ready." Huzzah!!!

For those who know Brick and Meg and want to keep up with their new family, you can check out his blog (though give him a few days to update it, he's busy). 

Hidalgo Center for Exceptional Small People

It's been a busy few days at the Hidalgo Center for Exceptional Small People. My buddy Brick was up from San Fran visiting his parents near Portland and dropped in for a visit. He and his lovely wife are also expecting a little monkey in the near future and I did my best to share the vast storehouse of knowledge I've accumulated in my long career as a parent. (e.g. "Don't tip them upside down just after they've eaten, 'cause they tend to get drippy.")



The following day we were graced by a visit from Aunt Victoria who has taken a shine to the kid. She also knitted a beautiful, cable-patterned wool blanket for Sylvia. She dried the blanket with lavender and it exudes a wonderful scent. (Please scratch circle #58 in your scent pack for the complete smell-o-vision experience).

'S' modeling her new blanket.

The sisters discuss the finer points of Sylvia's noggin.

Lest you all think that this kid has been all fun and games here's a couple pics from the keepin' it real collection. The first shows one day's diapers and wipes. We're trying the wash-your-own route. I'm not sure why I'm smiling. Probably sleep deprivation psychosis. The latter is one of the many of Sylvia's "urps." Dad is clearly too slow.

But at the end of the day what's a few urps and diapers.

Lovely Baby Bumps

Meg and Brick jetted up this weekend (Feb. 9-10) from San Fran to visit his family in Willamina. On their way out of town we were able to connect with them and his mother Rose for a few hours. Brick whipped up a very tasty quiche lorraine and we ate too much coffee cake. Meg and Brick are also expecting about five weeks after us so there was some immediate bump comparison. The verdict: both look awesome. (Like, what am I gonna say?).

Aurelia and I took this as an opportunity to pass a few gifts on to our buddies.

Brick is clearly excited.

The sweater was hand made by Aurelia
and has little elephant buttons.
Cute!

Lovely Baby Bumps al jardin.