Quote from Lileks

"Nothing’s more pathetic than returning to a place where you used to work, and expecting some sort of hail-the-conquering-hero reception. The new people don’t care about you – in fact they’re rather peeved, since you’re being shown around like King Former, and they don’t see what’s special. The old people may resent that you got out – or, if they like the place, resent the implication that you were better than they. Or they don’t care one way or the other. A few strained words with the old crew, an attempt to reuse a catchphrase or some job-specific lingo, and then it’s done. Never works. Always makes everyone feel off. Never go back, I say."

Ponder, ponder.

Grocery Store

Today at the grocery store I left my cart with my purse a few feet away while I was looking at the meat. (I had Lucy with me in her little sling.) As I turned back to it, this lady comes up to me and starts lecturing me on how I shouldn't leave my cart unattended. "Someone could've been in and out of there in just a second." I was annoyed, so I said with a little smile, "So why didn't you?" She seemed to think I was serious and explained how she wouldn't do that. I said, "Look, I've kinda got my hands full here." Seriously, people are weird.

2 month appointment

We all got through admirably. i remembered the diaper bag, which was good because she peed through her outfit. I didn't cry when she got her shots, but will confess I came close. The NP told us to use regular shampoo, and not baby shampoo... weird!

She's 11 lbs 6 oz and 23 1/2 inches long. That's my little chunker!!

Oh, and big news for me... I'm back into one of my pairs of belted pants!! Hooray!!

So happy 2 month birthday, Lucy! I'm just glad we haven't broken you yet!

The pictures below are at birth, one month, then two at two months. Check out the Earle blog updates (link in my sidebar list... don't have the time at the moment to figure out how to do a link in the post.)

Colic

I wouldn't have said it myself, but my dad described poor Lucy as exhibiting behavior "consistent with colic." Inconsolable evening crying (read "screaming") and overactive gurgly intestinal activity. Poor baby! And yes, poor us. At least it is afternoon/evening and not night. We are hoping for some medicine at her 2month apt next week that will give her some relief, as the gas drops don't seemto do a whole lot. In some ways it's good to give it a name... sort of justifies my withdrawal from the wold and my jumpiness when she starts to fuss. And thankfully she balances it out with smiles and coos.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jennifer Earle
562.943.8008

BREAKING NEWS: LUCY ELIZABETH EARLE GETS CUTER BY THE DAY

La Mirada, Calif (March 17, 2006) -- Infant Lucy Elizabeth Earle wows audiences with coos and smiles, a recent development. Bystanders making cooing noises next to her face are occasionally rewarded by puckered lips, smiles, and return coos. Laughing is under development.

Earle, born January 27, 2006, has been developing at a stunningly rapid pace over the last several weeks. She has grown four inches and gained three pounds, garnering parent approval.

"It really amazes me how one little person can grow so much in such a short amount of time," observes Jennifer Earle, mother of the newborn.

Earle is reported to eat, sleep, and evacuate her gastrointestinal system multiple times per day in addition to playtime. All indications point to an incredibly intelligent child, as well as a skyrocketed cute factor.

The Earle household was established March 10, 2001 by Steve and Jennifer Earle in La Mirada, CA. Visit us on the web at http://web.mac.com/earle

Glory Hallelujah! My baby slept through the night!!

I was thinking...

I'm interested in some kind of doctrinal statement I can use to go through so that I can share my faith more effectively and just for my own personal growth. The two I thought of first are the Biola doctrinal statement and the catechism I did as a junior high kid. I would welcome stories or thoughts from others about how you share your faith and how you ground it.

I'm also thinking about Kees (sounds like case) and Fatima who just lost their premature baby. It wrenches my heart, and I hardly know how to pray. It reminds me to thank God hourly for my Lucy, for one thing... but so many more inexpressable emotions.

I'm also thinking how content I am right now, even though not everything is perfect. I may want more money or things... I miss dumb stuff like recreational shopping and expensive shampoo, but I am so aware of God's overly abundant blessings in so many arenas

Pink, Pink, Pink

You know your husband has really become a father when you hear him say, "That hat is the wrong color pink for her outfit."This is particularly funny when your husband is color deficient (not color BLIND, color DEFICIENT).

Happy Anniversary, Beloved

5 years ago today! So hard to believe. What a wonderful day it was.

We intended to have dinner out tonight, but Lucy had other ideas. She was the fussiest she's been since the night at the hospital, and wanted to eat almost every hour. She cried hard and loud, not like her normal, consolable cries. I was so frazzled that I couldn't think of getting myself together to go out. She continued to scream and eat all night while we ate in shifts... Italian take-out. We did get a few moments, and she is now sleeping. I am winding down and will go to bed soon. Ah, new parenthood. People say, "Nothing can prepare you for it." Well duh! But I knew there would be days like this. It's hard, but I know they won't all be like this. And poor baby, I hope she isn't too traumatized! =)

Favorite wedding memories later. =) Some photos for now...

We wish Greg and Kristen and Mandi and Eric could have been in this picture... they were all there except for Greg!





I loved this picture...



We always have fun together!

My home

When Steve and I were engaged, it came up that both of us had the same dreams for our home. We wanted it to be open to people for us to love them and minister to them, and yet safe and private. Just today alone that dream came true once again. My brother is living with us. He is a person who loves and needs solitude, but also has needed family for that very reason. A friend of his who is in school is often in our home between classes. He was over today to relax a bit, and recently was able to find some comfort from us about being burned out. My former student worker, who I mentor, came by to catch up briefly. Steve's sister moved to L.A. recently and is so busy with her new job that we're really the only people she knows is us. She shared a meal with us tonight. And as I type, Steve and I are sharing a quiet moment with our (almost) sleeping daughter. My dream come true in one day. And in return, all those people minister to us, too.

Bible Study

I just have to say a quick word about how grateful I am for the group of men and women that Steve and I have had fellowship with for the last 7 years. We are all so different, and yet we still manage to learn to live out loving each other.

I was so appreciative tonight of the out loud reading of big chunks of scripture. We are going through Ezekiel, which probably sends chills up most peoples' spines, but we are having some incredible discussion, and the out-loud reading for 30-45 minutes is so valuable.

So Kudos to my family away from family!

In the mail!!

Happy day! My taxes are filled out and in the mail on the way to the tax guy! We really ought to do turbo tax, but I had a couple of questions that I'd rather have a human look at. Ahhhh, I feel better. I had wanted to get them done before Lucy came, but alas, 2 weeks early.

Bad days, good days

Yesterday I didn't get much done at all, got very little sleep, Lucy was fussy most of the day, and when Steve came home, I was in tears. Even in the midst of that I knew it was just a bad day, and not a bad life. Today was as good a day as yesterday was difficult. Lucy slept a lot, had some good awake time (like not screaming while awake) I got more sleep, and was energized by all the things I got done. Lucy was good enough to hang out in the sling much of the time, which helped a lot. To satisfy my check-list needs, I feel compelled to list out much of what I did today. You don't have to read this... It's more for my own sense of satisfaction.

Showered
Dried hair (these are 2 separate tasks)
flipped mattress (w/ help of Eric) and changed sheets
Picked up bedroom
Picked up kitchen
Made dinner (in the morning)
Walked to Biola for lunch with Steve
Fixed Biola ID card access
Did 2 loads of laundry and put it away
suckered orange tree
moved dead blood orange pot
shredded old paperwork from file cabinet
wrote thank you note
wrote note to Aunt Hazel in England
made cards with Lucy's picture on it for Aunt Hazel
took a nap (sort of... never quite got to sleep)
Played with Lucy
Changed Lucy
Fed Lucy
Posted on blog
There's more little things... but that is quite enough to trigger the satisfied sigh of completion.