Confessions of Bad Parents

Tor and I decided to have a date the other night. Tor found a babysitter through his job and so I thought he had all the bases covered. You know... all the usual questions, "Have you done this before", "How much do you charge", "Let me make sure I have your phone number". I anticipated that we would be leaving a sleeping baby for a few hours. Instead Lars was completely uncooperative and decided to stay up. Needless to say, all the way to the symphony we fought (more like I yelled) about how we wouldn't have any fun because I would worry about the baby the whole time. I think I threw some insults out there about Tor letting a homeless person on the corner watch our kid if they were available. I should probably apologize, but I still contend it's true. I made Tor call the girl at least 3 times to see how Lars was. She assured us they were having great fun. We got a text halfway through our date saying that he was asleep, and I relaxed. On the way home I yelled at Tor some more for good measure, made him promise he would ask all the questions he was supposed to ask BEFORE our date, and forgave him for his bad parenting. We then arrived to a fire truck outside our apartment building. Seriously?!?
Apparently the alarm went off as soon as Lars fell asleep. The babysitter got Lars all the way downstairs and outside sound asleep, but as soon as they got back up to the apartment he started crying. Poor girl. I disappeared to the bathroom and when I came back out she was gone. I asked Tor if he asked all the appropriate questions and found out he neglected to ask how much she charged per hour, just shoved a wad of cash at her and hurried her out the door. To which I replied... never leave a man to do a mom's job. Now I have to inform this girl, if we use her again, which we'd like to since she turned out to be great, that the first time we pay a little more than subsequent times.

Tor will say that I am exaggerating and painting a rather poor picture of him, so I will give him credit for actually finding a babysitter, however I stick by the rest of my story. You may defend yourself in the comment section if you so choose :)


Second confession: We let Lars suck on wine corks sometimes. We think its cute and it keeps him happy.

The Epitome of Cool

Yes that's me... cool. I always have been. From third grade when I made my own outfit to my fifth grade eyeglass pick. I have been stylish. 

Don't be fooled, I've had my moments. For every memory of Wylie Driscoll coining the phrase: Lelay, Lelay run it like a relay, and the nickname sticking until junior year or Justin Nelson saying I picked my nose and ate it in 8th grade (I admit I have picked my nose, and probably have eaten them at some point, but not that time) or even some fat kid, whose name I can't remember, Bubba or something appropriate like that, calling me Leah with the big Maracas during high school PE, there have been times like when the hottest guy in school (whose name I can't remember either) tried to feel me up in a meat locker. 

Yes, I have led an hollywood style exciting life but nothing compares to me trying to be athletic as an adult.

So, for all those who think THEY are cool: in your face!

P.S. The bike was part of my awesome Mother's Day present from Lars via Tor. I had a great day.

I am so lucky to be married to my best friend. I love you Tor!

Tulip Festival

We journeyed to the Woodburn Tulip Festival today and we were very pleasantly surprised. I've only ever been to the Mt Vernon Tulip Festival which is unparalleled, however this is a good second place. They had sausage and elephant ears (musts for any sort of fair-esque type atmosphere) and we wandered around and looked at flowers. Lars' favorite part was the giant shoe we forced him into for pictures. It was a pretty fun day.

Finally, Finally, Finally

Chico (the dog) looks like he needs some serious rescuing. Run Chico, run!!!!

Finally the stars have aligned and Tor got peed on. It was AWESOME! We were eating cupcakes and we gave Lars a little taste (it was a special occasion). Apparently he got so excited that he wet himself and it went right thru the diaper and onto Tor's leg. I would not be so excited but Tor has avoided this fate for almost 9 months. He has also avoided having beer, wine, and water spilled on him as well as avoiding most poopy diapers so he had it coming... As far as I'm concerned he has more coming.

Lars has become a handful! He crawls and stands and loves to go from poisonous plant to electrical outlet to string thingy on the blinds all day long. It is really quite exciting.

We have been quite busy the last few weeks. We traveled to Colorado and saw my family and Lars fell in love with the cat who refused to do anything but lay there and hiss at him. Then, we traveled to Idaho and visited Tor's family and Lars chased the cat and the dog. Now we are back home waiting for the weather to turn nice so we can play outside some more. The Sprung in Portland's Spring has cracked and water is just pouring out. :)

Fire Alarms

They did fire alarm testing in our apartment complex the other day. Very annoying!!! Lars has special ear muffs for concerts and movies (we stole the idea from his cousin) so he was less annoyed than we were.

"What fire alarm?"

"Stand back crowds, you'll get your autograph soon enough".

We took another trip to the zoo, saw the chimp named Leah... again... and fed the Lorikeets.

Lars is much braver than I, when it comes to petting the Lorikeets.

I was mostly afraid it was going to poop on me. I HATE poop.

But Tor is the bravest of them all...

Tor did get pooped on. Luckily, like humans, juice goes right thru birds and the poo on his back was mostly juice

Semiahmoo II

We journeyed up to Semiahmoo (the place we got married) for our 2nd wedding anniversary. It was an absolutely beautiful spring day. Tor and I spent the whole time reminiscing about our perfect wedding and having a great time relaxing. We got upgraded to a suite (the suite we spent our wedding night in) since we spent a fortune (or my dad did) at the place previously... and we're on their website... they should be paying us... but back on subject, here are a few pics of us looking cute for the weekend.

Even though Lars was helping his dad play checkers I STILL won the game.

Sitting on the grass on the spot where we got married.

The exact spot we got married :)

Our room, complete with milk, cookies and chocolate covered strawberries. Tor had this exact treat waiting for me on our wedding night.

Lars kissing his mommy.

Spring has Sprung

Spring has arrived in Portland. It has been sunny and warm all weekend and the natives have dragged out their skimpy clothes. The fountain park next to our apartment building was turned on for the summer and the pee fest has begun! I always think it's funny when a kid is in water and tells his mom he has to go pee. I still pee in the pool, my kids will too... Watch out friends.


Lars, Tor and I "did" the MS walk on Saturday. We walked in honor of my mom and aunt. Lars put in some hard miles, but he was all smiles as usual.


Sunday we enjoyed a hike thru forest park, the largest urban park in the U.S. It's amazing.


We have missed warm weather and hope this will continue for a while.

Lars reading his daddy's anesthesia book. We have to help him with some of the big words.

Lars loves hiking!

Trying to exercise off those last baby pounds (Lars is, not me). Yuck.

Our glorious deck, on a glorious day.

Lars likes himself. Here he is flirting... with himself... at Nordstrom (we stopped during our 5k MS walk, and still beat some people)

Lars eating his race tag.

The cherry blossom trees on the river, what a lovely way to start the walk.

Lars was walking for his grandma and aunt.