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!

History in the Making

The baby tractor beam was in full effect for the holiday seasons. Nana Linda and Ted flew in for a few days to hang out with the noodle. Sylvia has been eating more solid food, mashed peas, apples, avocado and rice puff, and feeding her is now an enjoyable if slightly messy affair.














Dancing is one of Sylvia' s favorite activities, often accompanied by her trademark laugh/wheeze. Nana Linda and Ted joined in the fun with papa snapping away for posterity (and future blackmail).















Sylvia and Ted spent some quality time, perhaps discussing the '04 Sox.







No story is complete with a villain. This episodes baddy was the historic snowfall that hit Portland. Described hysterically by the local news as an "Arctic Blast!!!" the city was blanketed by five days of snow and an accumulated 20 inches. This was more snow that has fallen in Portland since the big one in 1950. Most of the public transportation shut down and the underfunded snow removal fleet was strained beyond its limits.










Unfortunately Linda and Ted were supposed to head to San Fran for her brother's 70th birthday party. We were unable to get them to the airport and my mother had to settle for a video chat view of the party: better than nothing but not as good as hugging your brother in person.



Much of the Linda and Ted's luggage appears to have been made up of gifts for Sylvia. Sylvia quickly discovered the pile and set in to tearing.

She hopped from lap to lap as the paper flew.

In fact the paper was, to the Noodle, one of the best parts.

Now if only her parent weren't such buzz kills.

Finally, Aurelia and I experienced one of the holiday rights of passage: following assembly instructions. I only broke a sweat when tab C didn't fit into slot G and the 6mm hex head screw was nowhere to be found.