Vote!

I'm trying to decide what to wear for my brother-in-law's wedding, and have narrowed it down to these 4 tops (though I would take additional suggestions). These are all on sale at Anthropologie, and I like them all. I think the one bridesmaid is wearing lavendar, so I don't think any of these will clash in family pictures. I need to do a top-and-bottom set because I'm nursing and, well, dresses are kind of out of the question at present. Also noting the nursing issue, I want to make sure none of these would be, well, incompatible with my nursing chest size if you know what I mean. =) Please, weigh in!

Gift

I need an idea! I am trying to think of something special to give to my brother-in-law and his new wife when they get married this summer. They are not registering, and said, "No gifts," but I still would like to get them something... like a special bottle of wine or champagne, or a time capsule or something cool like that. I would LOVE some ideas!

In other news, Steve got a new camera for Christmas that takes really great pictures. Today because I knew I wouldn't get a chance to get to the bookstore to buy some birthday cards, I thought I'd make my own. This is the picture I made, then printed on a watercolor-type paper so it looks all bumpy and natural-papery.

This inspired me to start making some of my own cards, so some of you will be the victims of my card-making this year. I love when I get a creative bug!

Music of the spheres

I got to take a little break last night and go to the Biola Chorale Spring Concert. What a joy! It was a really truly lovely concert, well put together, well crafted, well sung. You could tell this was a mature group of some really neat kids (yes, I can call them kids when I'm 10 years older than most of them!). You can't sing the stuff they sang without discipline, and strange as this sounds, self-sacrifice. I remember watching Steve's mom's jr. high kids dance--at that age, they work hard to do the routine together, and yet you can see that the kids put in their own little flouishes to get noticed. When you work with a group like this, the point is not to stand out but to blend so beautifully that it's about something bigger than you. They did this awesome piece about the conversion of Saul that brought me nearly to tears. What a privilege to participate in that!

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.

One month down, about 800 to go

Happy Birthday, Lucy-girl! Or as Emma has tried to spell it, Loce... sounds like the way Ricky Ricardo says it. The pink outfit is the day we brought her home (Eric says when we say that it sounds like we brought home a pet), and the white is today. The collar on her outfit turns up all the time, making it look like a big collar on the back of a wicked queen from a fairy tale. But of course, that belies her very sweet nature... most of the time. She is *almost* starting to smile, and yesterday she really did say 'Ah-goo!" Eric told her that it was a little cliché, but cute nonetheless.

New Parent Blunder

Yesterday I had my check-up with the gynecologist, so just in case, I brought Steve so he could keep an eye on Lucy. Why it didn't dawn on us until later that he could have stayed at home with her while I went is beyond me. Could have something to do with the nearly sleepless night the night before. The real ideocy came when I FORGOT THE DIAPER BAG! I had it next to the car seat, so I wouldn't forget it, and then I up and left without it. And wouldn't you know it, she chose this time for a monster poop. Soaking through the outfit and all. So no extra outfit, no diaper, no wipes. Luckily Pediactrics gave us a diaper and we had wet paper towels and a blanket. But what a dumb new parent mistake!

On my own

So tomorrow is kind of the beginning of my "real world." My in-laws leave tomorrow, so I am at the beginning of being on my own taking care of my family. I think I'm up for it, though I will miss having someone else hold my kid while I nap. I have to say, I really love being at home, sleep deprivation excepted. I love taking care of my home, I love not really knowing what time it is during the day. I feel like there is more light in my day, since I'm spending so much time in a room with lots of windows. I like that I can go at my own pace, too, and I don't feel like I have to produce all day. Spending time with my daughter is time well spent.

Spring

Wish there were a "before" picture. I was too pregnant to get out in the yard, and it was overgrown with weeds. My vincas were dead and gone, as were my salvias. My folks came to the rescue. We took out my grasses (which bite!) and put these in.

If...

My brother is teaching a high school Geometry class to homeschool kids twice a week. At the beginning of every class, he asks them a question to get to know them. For example, favorite car, favorite vacation destination, favorite candy bar. To help him out I fished out a book I got years ago called "If." It asks questions like, "If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?" We had some fun batting around the answers. My husband can never seem to answer them in the real world... he always chooses something fantastic. "If you could spend an unlimited amount of money in any store for one hour, what store would it be." Like a chump, I say something like Pottery Barn. Steve says, "Well, what has the most resale value? How about the BMW store?" =)

The one I'm thinking of currently is, if you could choose any music and musicians to play at your funeral, what would you play and who would play it? I think I'd have to have a choir, preferrably a professional but Christian choir, led by Loren Wiebe, singing one of the Rachmaninov Vespers and a Lauridsen piece. But I would want some happy music, too, and not just reflective music. I haven't figured it out yet. I'd want Kari Ellis to sing, as she has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard, maybe joined by Katie Van Kooten. I'd have them sing an Ed Childs arrangement of a hymn. I'd have to commission him to write one of my favorite hymns, though I dont' know which one yet. Here's to dreaming!

Worshipping the baby

I read a quote somewhere that described the adults as "worshipping the baby, just as the holy baby was worshipped centuries ago."

Shameless

I'm super excited... my kid is starting to look at things. I know it sounds like not a big deal, but we just discovered that she's able to start tracking, so we put some little toys in front of her, and she's totally mezmerized. My poor audience... you guys are going to get sick of finding out every new little detail about this kid, but I had no idea that it would be so cool to watch.

A Happy V-Day

We never do a big hoop-la for Valentine's Day, but we do have a few traditions. I always like to bring out my china for dinner, and Steve picks up take-out. This year we opted for Macaroni Grill, and my FAVORITE lobster ravioli. It is one of the perfect foods.


Steve also picked up the traditional Mrs. Fields gigantic cookie. Super yum!




And since our microwave went out last week (bad timing!) Steve ordered a new one that arrived today. Thank goodness! New baby + no microwave = not so happy Mama. He decided to mount it over the space where our dishwasher goes until we eventually re-do the kitchen. I'm super excited to gain the space and have a sweet new microwave! I'll try it out at lunch.


And of course the best Valentine of all... my little sweetheart.

Timeless Competition

I love the Olympics, and I'm LOVING Tivo right now. It's nice to watch during the 3 a.m. feeding. I have always loved the amazing athletecism and power of these modern demi-gods. It is hard to think of the micro elements that separate out the champions. The technology, the shrug of a shoulder, the uniform material... I love the John Williams theme, the fireworks at the ceremonies, the crazy national outfits. LOVED the Ferrari.

Super Duper Pooper

Yesterday I was holding Lucy, who was dozing on my chest. Steve had a tickle in his throat, and started coughing. He gave a particularly loud cough, which startled Lucy. She gave a big jerk, and simultaneously let out a nice loud toooooot. This was not just an ordinary toot, it was, well, loaded. So the point of this story is that I have now literally seen someone get the crap scared out of them!

Sad day

Well, We are all in mourning here over yesterday's game. Bummer. Seems to me it was one of those games won by the officials. I don't know why, but it seems like my teams never win. I even succombed to rooting for USC this year, and they didn't win either.





I have a feeling my other "team" will not win this week either. Ah, such is life.

My new world

Here are some shots of my new world. We are settling in pretty well, thanks in much part to my dear mother cominig to help with dinner, cleaning the house and holding my sweetpea. My mom and Steve have taken turns taking Lucy out of my arms after I feed her so that I can nap. My mom goes to bed at 8 or 9, and gets up at 1:30-ish to be with me at night, then goes back to bed for several more hours. At first it was a life saver because I couldn't sleep. Each little noise she made woke me up and freaked me out. But now she gets up and holds Lucy because she's a grandmother and is just sucking up all the time with her that she can. She goes home tomorrow, and while I know we'll be fine without her, this has been one of the most special times I've ever had with my mother. She is one of my dearest friends, and I will miss her just as much when she leaves as I did the day I left for college. So hats off to Mom!

Welcome, Lucy Elizabeth!

Lucy Elizabeth, named so because we liked the name Lucy, especially because of C.S. Lewis' Lucy Pevinsie, and Elizabeth because that was my given middle name, came into the world at 4:19 p.m. on Friday, January 27th. I went in on the 26th for a routine NST (non-stess test) to make sure she had enough amniotic fluid. For the first time, my fluid levels were not within the normal level. Either I had broken my water and didn't notice because of all the extra fluid intake I'd had lately, or it was just low. My water had most certainly broken on its own after they checked my progress, which was 2.5 cm dialated and 80% effaced. I was admitted, completely freaked out of course, at about 4:00 that day, and was started on pitocin by 5:00. Contractions began but were pretty do-able. I was able to doze a tiny bit through them, but they got to a more active pitch in the middle of the night. By 5:00 I still had only gained half a centimeter (so 12 hours later), so I opted for the epidural. Best decision ever! I was able to doze through about another hour.

Both of my parents had arrived the night before. We had sent them home to our house to sleep and told them we'd call them when there was more active labor. They came back in the morning, and sat with us during the greater part of the morning. Later in the morning I started really feeling contractions very low down which couldn't be blocked by the epidural (this is normal). The three of them helped me breathe through them. I don't know what I would have done without them! By about 3:30 we had made some good progress, and it was about time to start pushing. They all seemed to have their roles in helping me, and it was a really great experience, strangely enough. I pushed for about 45 minutes, and then the head came out. The nurse midwife worked the head out, and then my dad got to deliver the baby. It was an incredible, definitely indescribable moment!

I was completely amazed by the labor and delivery staff. They were just wonderful. The nurse that started out with me the night before came up to my room later and told me that she'd gotten the scoop from one of my delivery nurses. Apparently they were all so amazed at how the four of us worked together so well, and how this was one of the best deliveries she'd ever been a part of. She was teary when she said this. Wow, what an awesome compliment!

So that's the labor story. New motherhood is a completely other story, and still one being learned. I'm generally doing well, though could use your prayers. For example, the baby is sleeping and I should be sleeping, but I can't fall asleep, I think for hormonal reasons. But really, she is a beatiful little girl, and I am so blessed that she is here.

Welcome, Lucy Elizabeth!

Lucy Elizabeth, named so because we liked the name Lucy, especially because of C.S. Lewis' Lucy Pevinsie, and Elizabeth because that was my given middle name, came into the world at 4:19 p.m. on Friday, January 27th. I went in on the 26th for a routine NST (non-stess test) to make sure she had enough amniotic fluid. For the first time, my fluid levels were not within the normal level. Either I had broken my water and didn't notice because of all the extra fluid intake I'd had lately, or it was just low. My water had most certainly broken on its own after they checked my progress, which was 2.5 cm dialated and 80% effaced. I was admitted, completely freaked out of course, at about 4:00 that day, and was started on pitocin by 5:00. Contractions began but were pretty do-able. I was able to doze a tiny bit through them, but they got to a more active pitch in the middle of the night. By 5:00 I still had only gained half a centimeter (so 12 hours later), so I opted for the epidural. Best decision ever! I was able to doze through about another hour.

Both of my parents had arrived the night before. We had sent them home to our house to sleep and told them we'd call them when there was more active labor. They came back in the morning, and sat with us during the greater part of the morning. Later in the morning I started really feeling contractions very low down which couldn't be blocked by the epidural (this is normal). The three of them helped me breathe through them. I don't know what I would have done without them! By about 3:30 we had made some good progress, and it was about time to start pushing. They all seemed to have their roles in helping me, and it was a really great experience, strangely enough. I pushed for about 45 minutes, and then the head came out. The nurse midwife worked the head out, and then my dad got to deliver the baby. It was an incredible, definitely indescribable moment!

I was completely amazed by the labor and delivery staff. They were just wonderful. The nurse that started out with me the night before came up to my room later and told me that she'd gotten the scoop from one of my delivery nurses. Apparently they were all so amazed at how the four of us worked together so well, and how this was one of the best deliveries she'd ever been a part of. She was teary when she said this. Wow, what an awesome compliment!

So that's the labor story. New motherhood is a completely other story, and still one being learned. I'm generally doing well, though could use your prayers. For example, the baby is sleeping and I should be sleeping, but I can't fall asleep, I think for hormonal reasons. But really, she is a beatiful little girl, and I am so blessed that she is here.

Things I'll miss

Couldn't help it... one more list... Things I'll miss about being pregnant:
1.) The baby kicking.
2.) Sleep
3.) I'm being honest... the attention
4.) People lying and saying, "Wow, you look great!"
5.) Having excuses to let people pamper me
6.) Having excuses to forget things
7.) Not having to change diapers
8.) Feeding the baby through an auto-tube
9.) Being able get up and go whenever I feel like it.
10.) Being the only ones that know my baby's name.

Things to remind myself of later

Since I finished my job, I've been all about lists. Mostly lists of stuff to do, stuff to pack, stuff to buy, stuff to take back. I'm still not quite ready to give birth, so thought I should make a list of all the things that I will not miss after I have the baby... just to remind myself of good things when I'm sleep deprived.

Not necessarily in order:
1.) Having only about 15% of nasal capacity at all times.
2.) Blowing my nose EVERY time I go to the bathroom.
3.) Going to the bathroom about once an hour, sometimes less, only to dribble about a teaspoon.
4.) Drinking 96 oz. of fluids a day.
5.) Not being able to get to my toes.
6.) Bumping into things with my belly, especially the oven door (thankfully no burns yet).
7.) Being out of breath all the time.
8.) HEARTBURN!
9.) Having people say, "You're carrying so low!" "You're carrying so high!"
10.) Swollen fingers.
11.) Swollen ankles
12.) Not being able to sleep on my stomach.
13.) Carrying around an extra 40 pounds.
14.) Everyone knowing I'm carrying around an extra 40 pounds.
15.) Having to scoot to the edge of any chair and then having to use my fists against the chair to launch myself out of the chair, and feeling like an old person.
16.) Being especially clutzy
17.) Being forgetful.

Enough for now.

The worst dream

I had the most real, awful dream last night, and I woke up in a sweat. I dreamt it was my last semester of college and I was taking a class from a tough professor. For some reason I'd missed the first class. During the 2nd class, I had to get up to go to the bathroom, but it took me a long time to find the bathroom, so when I got back I'd missed most of the quiz. The prof decided to make an example of me and wouldn't let me re-take the quiz, and she just kept publically berating me until I was crying. Finally I just kind of blurted out, "But I'm pregnant!" Then she assumed it was an unwed pregnancy, so I said I was married. Then she started calling it a shotgun wedding. I'm telling you, I have no idea why it was such a bad dream, but YIKES!

On tap today: put together changing table, pack my hospital bag, get my hair cut, take a nap, and some other smaller items. I love being at home! I'm still in my bathrobe!

Found this fun pic from Christmas. This is at my in-laws' house, and my nephew was looking at pictures with me.


In other musings...
I HATE having to go through an actual REAL season of 24 like regular people! No watching 4 episodes at once, crocheting my heart out at all the scary parts. By the way, does anyone know what the story is with the blonde girl at CTU headquarters? Did she and Jack have a thing going on?

Found these at IKEA and thought they would be fun to put up in the baby's room. Pictures of the nursery coming soon, once I finish painting and putting together the changing table.

Progress!

Home improvement, while sometimes agonizing, is so satisfying sometimes.

Here you see the beginnings of getting the nursery together. It's coming along. I'll get a picture in there once the mobile is up, the dust ruffle comes in, and the curtains are up. This is just the sorting out of the myriad of clothes this little girl has been given and handed down from her cousins and the Stuck twins. She won't ever wear the same thing twice!


Here is our "study" so far. It's not quite put back together as we have base boards to work on, but still quite an improvement. I am juxtaposing it with what the house looked like before we bought it.




Ah,the satisfaction.

I have the greatest friends!

This was the weekend of my last shower. Thank goodness, I'm getting too big to be in pictures anymore. =) It was such a lovely shower. I love that all the girls in my bible study pitched in and did different things to make it beautiful. I loved having all my worlds together. These are just great people! I wish Sarah Stuck, Kristin Bohreer and my sister could have been there... it would have made it complete. Big thank yous to all of my dear, dear girls!

Going away coffin

So this was it. The last day. I'm officially a "house wife." (Someone PLEASE help me come up with a better title!) It was a weird day. Didn't want to be there, didn't want to leave. 7 1/2 years is a long time to be in the same place, and I've grown from child to woman in that job. My boss, bless his heart, gave me the 3rd hug he's ever given me. =) The first was when I'd been gone for 3 weeks on vacation and he was so relieved I was back he jumped up and gave me a big bear hug. The second was when I got engaged. So I think he must be pretty sad that I'm going. It is hard to see my office going to someone else... it's been mine for so long, it's hard to think of it being someone else's. Still processing it all.

Yesterday they took me to lunch and gave me my going away gift. It is a jewelry box, engraved with "To Jennifer for your service to the MOL" (or something like that. I thought it was really sweet, and then I saw the lovely jewelry inside. And THEN I took another look and realized that it looks like a coffin. What is THAT supposed to tell me?? =)




So farewell, MOL. Farewell working world, farewell career (for now). Farewell dear work friends. Farewell paycheck! Farewell commute (all 4 minutes of it). Farewell work clothes!! Farewell cubes and office chairs and steelcase and mailboxes and files and whiny students and wonderful students and politics and meetings and memos. Farewell to the home of my 20's.

My fantastic husband

So I come home and Steve's dad (who is here helping with a flooring project this week) says, "Jenny, I"m sorry to tell you, your fridge is dying." All the stuff was in coolers and the magnets were off the fridge. I was just heartbroken. Not so much because I like my fridge, I am ready for it to go away. I will admit I got a little, preggy-hysterical. About 30 min. later, I see a big truck outside, and I think it's the flooring being delivered. Steve says, "Hey, that looks like the fridge I got you!" I burst into tears and started apologizing and rejoicing at the same time. I went from 17 cubic feet to 25 cubic feet. HOO-YAH!!

Lamaze

I think that after two full days of Lamaze class, I should walk up to every mother I've ever met and say, "You are an amazing woman!" YIKES! Even those who had c-sections have still had a huge amount of pain and deserve a medal.

My first January

Most of you who would read this will notice that I've processed some of my thoughts with you already. I went in yesterday to my office to clean out (and clean off) my old desk and move to the smaller one that my replacement has been using. I'm working only 1/2 days for the next two weeks, and then I'm done. It's hard to believe, but it's been easier than I would have guessed. It was a little difficult... I was sitting at that desk when Steve asked me out the first time, I was sitting there when my mom called to tell me I had a new niece, and I was sitting there when my sister asked me to come down and take care of Emma when Abby was born. I've cried at that desk more times than I can remember, and I've had some great moments there. It was strange starting to say goodbye. But I got home and started putting things away in my home desk, and it started to feel right. Like, this was my new job, this is where I work now. I will miss things about my job, but I'm feeling good about the closing of this chapter.

One thing I look forward to is actually enjoying January. I love Southern California in January. There is usually a mix of cool and warm weather, and lots of days where you can see the gorgeous San Bernadino mountains covered with snow (though they can't compare to the Sierras). This is the first time I will ever have really been able to enjoy January without going out of my head crazy dealing with Interterm classes, Orientation, new students, returning students and general problem students. It's usually the worst month of the year at work, and this year I'm free!

However, I would appreciate any new ways to describe my new focus in life besides "stay-at-home mom" and "homemaker." I did think of one possibility... the field of mid-wifery is pronounced with a short i, like in "wiffleball." I think I should call my new career "house-wifery."

I am still recovering from watching this movie. I feel almost as disturbed after watching this movie as I have watching movies about human cruelty. I'm still detoxing. I went to the fridge for some skim string cheese and a tangerine afterwards, but I feel like I won't be a whole woman until I've had bell-peppers or something.

Practice with the early mornings

Steve went hiking this morning so he was up at 5. I woke up about 5 min. before his alarm went off for my routine bathroom trip, and couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided, what's vacation if not a chance to get up and make pancakes in the "wee sma's"? I'll head back to bed soon for a nice, satisfying sleep-in while I still can, especially because early morning L.A. news is dismal.

Today before my NST appointment I will probably go in to work and start getting my stuff packed up to come home. I've been in that office for 6 1/2 of my 7 1/2 years, which is more than I've lived in any one place since I left my parents' house. It will be so strange to pack up that part of my life. I don't think I could have really prepared this change. I have so identified myself as a working woman that making such a huge career change will be a bit of a shock.

In other news... a San Bernadino County Jesus is missing. Basically someone took a bolt cutter to the life-sized Jesus and have taken him away somewhere. Surprisingly the local media is outraged.

The first of 3 Christmases

I think we're lucky to only have 3 Christmases... The La Mirada Earles, the Sørensens on Christmas Eve, and the Earles of Almaden (San Jose) on Christmas Night. Luckily I no longer have to have Christmas with the Brunswicks or the extended Sørensens. It just would be too much.

This was my favorite Christmas gift from my husband this Christmas. I wondered at first why he chose purple until he told me that amethyst is the February birthstone! I'm telling you, this guy pulls out the stops. The Christmas before our wedding, he knew I was trying to find pearls to borrow, and I was starting to stress out about it, so he bought me these beatiful pearls. What a guy!


Today we had our traditional aebleskiver with our cousins, and the afternoon has consisted of picking tangerines and oranges, making blueberry pie, and breaking in Mom and Dad's new SWEET leather recliners while watching football. People keep insisting I get off my feet, which doesn't take much convincing. I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas.

Snow in L.A.

This is in response to Sarah's question... thought it deserved its own post.

The last time it snowed in L.A. was January 10, 1949. This is 8 days after my mother's first birthday.

Happy first day of winter!

For Stuck in OK

Just thought you should know it got up to 80 degrees today. I put on the air conditioner in my car. Currenly it is 57 degrees. Might be time to pull out my scarf. I feel very at home here when all the palm trees have lights on them. This is one of those days I would have loved to be at Disneyland--they make their own "snow" there at Christmas, and it's fun to see it come down in So Cal temperatures.

Optical challenge

I had a hard time seeing the face in all this... but notice the face takes up the whole picture. The bright spot over the top is the curve of her head, the bright spot lower down is the bridge of her nose and you can see the eye slits. She's laid back with the top of her head to the right. It was so sweet... she was sucking a little bit while she slept. Even the Ultrasound tech let out an "awww!"

Bad days, good endings

I had one of those days today. Some unpleasantness in the morning, then a yucky meeting in the afternoon. I was a bit of a hormonal disaster anyway, and I got a little rough with someone in the meeting. But the weird thing was, everyone in the meeting was proud of me instead of rebuking me. I stood up to someone who had been speaking out of turn (idealogically, not like "Roger's Rules of Order"), and just didn't want to muck around anymore. I should have known it would be a mucky day when I hit not one, but TWO trains on the way to an appointment, not to mention every conceivable red light between point A and point B! However, the evening was wonderful, with a wonderful husband, a sweet little brother, and some good Sweedish Meatballs. What else could I ask for?

My new education

This wasn't our teacher... this lady looks a lot more normal.

Tonight I began the shift from higher education--supporting Masters degree students and learning about graduate subjects myself--to being educated about how to clean poop. Welcome to my new life. Actually, I learned more in the first 5 minutes than I expected to learn all night. I learned you only swaddle an infant for the first two weeks, that you sponge bathe the baby until their umbilical cord falls off, and that I'm REALLY glad I'm having a girl... no fountains of joy.

Those of you that know my spouse would have been proud. He did quite well. I only had to correct him once, but I think it will be easier to remember to fold the diaper top down when there's a crazy umbilical stump sticking out there to remind him.

Ah, December

We learned a new Christmas tradition this year from Rick Steves. Apparently the Norwegians make rice porridge and an almond is hidden in one of the bowls. If you find the almond, you win the Marzipan Pig. I suppose some of our little traditions must sound equally random abroad...



The quick updates:
* Steve loved his bike! I even got a few features I didn't realize he really wanted, like the chain guard and nice, fat fenders.
* Narnia was wonderful! I will say, it still doesn't compare to reading the book. There are so many places in the book where I am so deeply moved by the interaction with Aslan, but really I'm not complaining.
* I did a pass at Kringler, a Danish sugar pretzel cookie thing, but realized my mom is still the expert.
* We go in tonight to learn how to care for an infant. This should be comical. I have my old cabbage patch doll to assist.
* Tomorrow (hopefully) we will finally have our doctor's appointment to find out about my marginal placenta previa, and what this means for the next 8 1/2 weeks of pregnancy for me.
* 8 1/2 weeks, and only 5 more pounds allowed... don't think I'll make it under the wire with Christmas coming up!
* Training one of my "replacements" this week and next still. I am nervous about covering it all... but God has been faithful thus far.

Happy Birthday, Beloved!

Today is a good day!! On this day many, many, many years ago my dear Steven came into the world. He is a wonderful, loving husband, and upright and righteous man, and one of the most FUN people I've ever known. I'm thankful daily that God broke Dan Maltby's computer so that I could bump into this guy. Have a wonderful day, Love!

The stuff in my head today

1.) Feel sorry for me. I have six family birthdays between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Okay, the last one is on January 2nd, but still, I had better have a gift ready by then. And the real bummer is one of them is my husband's birthday, so while I'm running around trying to get ready for Christmas, I still want to try to make his birthday special and not an afterthought.

2.) I spent time tonight on the "La Leche League" website, just trying to figure out how in the world you nurse in public. I want to get a few shirts that allow you to nurse without giving public offense.

3.) I'm training the second new employee who will be taking over my position. The first person is pretty well trained now, and I'm confident about the 2nd. Training is a lot of work though.

4.) Would Condi be a good candidate for President? I don't know enough about her, but she is an amazing communicator. I would kill for her poise.

5.) Do the Seahawks have a chance at the Bowl? Could the West Coast have a new conquistador?

O Tannenbaum!

Okay, this isn't the tree... I can't find my cord to upload the pictures, and I don't have it decorated yet anyway, but I thought I needed a picture to commemorate the getting of the tree. We went back to the Douglas this year... it's so much cheaper and smells just as good. The whole house just smells divine. We looked into fakey trees, but we discovered that it would take 9 years of real trees to catch up to the price we pay for our little Doug. We might look for a fakey after Christmas to see if there's a deal to be had, but so far we're back to the real. Besides, Hans would have ben appaled had we gone fake!

New loyalties

As of today, I am now officially a Seahawks/Sonics/Mariners/Huskies fan. I've been moving that direction for some time, and I've always been partial to Seattle, but now my own blood is flowing in the beautiful state of Washington. My sister and my two sweet nieces landed within the last several minutes in their new home, to be greeted by their daddy (the girls' daddy, not my sister's daddy). I was surprised at how teary I felt all week thinking of their departure, even though I said my goodbyes on Saturday. I will miss them so much! But we have always been a tight family, and she and I are daily email/ichatters, and plenty of phonecalls too. And I'm so happy for them. This is the right career for J, the right company, and a city they've wanted for a long time. But I still get a little choked up when I think about my mom standing in the airport saying goodbye.

Welcome home, Wallies.

Earle and Habbestad give it two thumbs up!

Or was that two tissues up? Had no idea I would get teary in this movie! I went in skeptical, but they nailed it. A few places to nit-pick, but why bother? It was a beautiful movie visually and audibly. The characters were just right. I think what struck me most was the subtleties that were brought out in the film. The BBC version will always be the classic, and reminds me now of a stage play. But this new version has captured my heart and, once out on DVD, will become a permanent part of my favorite collection.

Thanks, K-Day, for the great girls' night out!