This is how we do it

California was great!
It was fun meeting Sara (Kelly's college roommate) and spending time with her and her roommate Katie. The weather was perfect as well, so you really couldn't lose. We went to see Kelly's college campus, which was so incredibly beautiful! I loved it!

A few funny things happened while we were there too, such as the two guys who nearly caused multiple accidents on the freeway while chasing us (because we're so cute), getting tarred on Santa Monica Beach, driving the Nissan Versa, taking the wrong freeway (multiple times), the scary spider bathroom, playing Celebrity and randomly bursting into song (which happens all the time anyway, but I can include it here too).

Overall, good trip. :)

California dreamin'

My time in "baby-land" is drawing to a close. I leave tomorrow.
As much as I am going to miss being covered in stickers (and spit up), cleaning up after a 2 year old, changing diapers, wiping tears, reading the penguin book a million times a day, 4:00am feedings, baby monitors, swaddling, making Bear and Enta burritos and countless other things I have become accustomed to while I've been here, I am really ready for the reprieve.

Kelly and I head out to California a few hours after my flight from Portland comes in, and I am so ready to relax!

Not just for TV

You know in the movies when you have a guy who is trying to take care of a baby and everything goes wrong, the diaper loses its adhesive straps and there is not another diaper to be found for miles, the baby keeps crying and crying and there is no soothing it, or my favorite, when the baby sends projectile spit-up right in the poor schmuck's face. Now, I know all of you are thinking, "Lisa, that is gross. Why would that be your favortie part?"
Well. Here's the answer. It happened to me this morning at 4:30 am.
Oh yeah. The grossest thing ever! A shower could not come quick enough. Unfortunately, I had to finish feeding the baby and get her to actually fall asleep (not an easy task) before I could follow through on that one.
But really? Gross.

Tanta Lisa

Okay, so update!

My first flight...made me sick...let's admit it, we all knew it was going to happen. Glad I can keep living up to everyone's high expectations! :)

The babies...are simply adorable, and I'm not just saying that because they're my nieces and you have to say that about your nieces. They really are adorable. They are out of that weird "I look like an alien" stage, which is very helpful!

My little niece Annika (who is almost 2) took a little time to warm up to me, she would play with me, but she would pretty much freak out after every time she woke up and I was there, or when her parents would leave the room. I will happily say that she loves me now and affectionately calls me "Tanta Lisa". Tanta means aunt in German, which her father speaks to her, so she naturally speaks a little bit of it as well.
She loves seeing pictures of herself, so I took some with my camera and showed them to her, she would get excited and say "Annika picture!"....so cute! Okay, I may be slightly biased, but I don't care.

I got to have a "free day" yesterday, where my "keepers" let me pretty much do whatever I wanted. So naturally I went into Portland to Powell's, the most amazing bookstore ever! I could seriously spend so much time and money in that place, I had to force myself to maintain some control however, since I would have to traipse all over Portland with the books I was going to buy. I also went to a Farmer's Market on the Portland State University campus, and to a Saturday Market, which was basically like a huge street fair of sorts, people selling their wares, food booths, live music, all sorts of fun stuff, it even made the fact that it was in kinda a sketchy part of town not as important. The weather was perfect, and I even got back to the house a little bit more tan than when I left.

All in all, a good time so far.

I'll let you know when I want to die from lack of sleep...a product of waking up for early morning feedings... fun fun!

Leavin' on a Jet plane

Okay, the plane trip.
My first. Ever.
Yeah....that is how amazing I am. 23 years old and I have never flown anywhere. As of Thursday though, that is all going to change. And it makes me queasy. I am actually really quite nervous about this trip. I know I shouldn't be and it's completely irrational, but there it is, I'm a wuss.
I get motion sickness, and have all my life. Creates problems with things like rollercoasters, being a passenger in a car, and sometimes even watching movies (yeah...that's another point to chalk up on the "amazing" board).
So naturally, I am not overly excited about this impending prospect. Hence my aforementioned purchasing of Dramamine. I just hope it works.

Portland, here I come!

Cut to the chase

Yay for haircuts!

It had been a while since my last trim, and it was unfortunately very apparent. At least to me that is, so I decided to remedy that today. After purchasing Dramamine for my plane trip on Thursday, I went for a haircut at the Dollar Cuts up the street (big spender, I know). One thing I always found funny about getting your hair cut, is how some people sit there and spill everything they have ever thought to their hairdresser, almost like a therapy session. They must teach the stylists how to do that in school. They ask you all the questions they want, and naturally, you divulge everything because hey, this person is massaging your scalp and you are left completely defenseless. Luckily, the girl cutting my hair wasn't overly chatty today.

...

I am not weak.
I merely need time and space.
How can someone expect you not to need that?
Things do not change over night, nor is it a normal expectation to think it should.
Am I upset?
Of course I am.
Talk about trust issues.
How can I trust someone who said they'd be there for me then left.

I don't need this right now.