Twenty Cool Toes

Our family and friends spread across the country (and around the world) means distant events influence our lives. This time it's Hurricane Ike that is heading its way toward New Orleans and Aurelia's brother Chris and his g-friend Lisa who live there.

5-day hurricane track as of Sunday Sept. 7.

Chris was scheduled to visit Sylvia this week but he wisely decided to delay the trip until the weather and any possible evacuations have passed. We wish them, and the rest of the east coast, a safe ride.

As small consolation AJ and I took Sylvia outside as much as possible to take advantage of the glorious weather we're having on Oregon. First the two ladies headed into the backyard to lie in the grass. Thumb sucking was enjoyed by the under 28" set.
















As the temp rose, the two had a bit of a snooze under the ornamental pear.









In the afternoon we three selected one of Portland parks for a family outing. We chose Peninsula Park and were soon parking on the eastern edge of this 16 acre, inner city park. The park is split into two halves, one for a formal rose garden (Portland's original-the larger version on the west side being built a few years later) and the other for a community center and athletic fields.

Le Rose Garden

Outdoor "room" made with four trees.

The fountain in the center of the Rose Garden was just the right depth for cooling toes large and small.























With twenty of our thirty toes brought down to manageable temperatures we made our way to the other end of the park where one of Portland's many Hispanic league soccer games was underway. The play was rapid and skillful.










Sylvia grew tired of the game and decided that is was more fun to eat her carrier.

Why yes, that is a Deportivo Cuenca soccer jersey.
Viva La Chronica Roja!

Noodle takes a walk

Perhaps it's the arrival of a new developmental milestone, perhaps she just thought life was too easy for her parents, but Sylvia has been a bit reluctant to sleep consistently. What used to be a night with one or two brief interludes has grown into longer breaks with less sleep. And when the little noodle doesn't sleep neither do her parents.

Aurelia, the one who gets up with her the most, has rallied with research on baby sleep and we are now the proud owners of a number of fine books on the subject. There does not seem to be a consensus on how to get babies to sleep. One school of thought, propounded by Ferber et al, suggest letting the child cry it out. Another, championed by Dr Marc Weissbluth and others, emphasize "attachment parenting" and soothing the child. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and both suggest being consistent with your child and creating patterns that make them more susceptible to sleeping and staying asleep. We have not made any decisions but are working on our bedtime routine by dimming the lights and quietly singing or reading to Sylvia.

Until we all get to sleep well we find that a good walk around can help the noodle (my new nickname for S) settle while giving the other parent a time of peace in the house. Below is Sylvia and I just before an early morning excursion. One of us is clearly more awake than the other.









We meandered down Broadway and stopped to play with the flowers.








For those of you looking to experience (or re-experience) the joys of early morning walkabouts here is what it looks like to carry the noodle, a cup of coffee and a muffin back home.









These walks have been an opportunity to examine our neighborhood in greater depth. One detail that caught my eye are the metal rings cast into the concrete curb. I've been told that these are for tying up police horses but I've never been sure.








But now I know better. These rings are for Barbie to tie up her horse when she visits Ken at night.

(Actually these horses are by a local artists
who has spread them throughout the city.
This one is a block from our house).

I'll end on another early morning note. In the past we've never been much for breakfast out. But now, our early morning lifestyle makes this idea more palatable. Here, Sylvia and Aurelia decide between the French toast and the eggs over easy.