Comfortable

I think everyday Kyle gets more comfortable with his surroundings. Like today, he came up to Mindy and said "Mom, I'm thirsty."

Just kidding. He didn't really say that. He's only 4 days old.

But today was the first day where he spent quite a bit of time just looking around. In correlation, I think his eye sight is better. Pretty much the whole way back from bible study he watched the shadows created by the street lamps. Today was also the first time I noticed him make direct eye contact with me. He spent a good minute or two studying my face as I was holding him.

We're both tired

Are you sick of pictures yet? I didn't think so...

Kyle likes his swing

Another new day

Today has brought a number of new things into our lives.

Today Kyle watched his first Diamondbacks game. He slept for all but 5 minutes of it, but still...you have to start 'em early.

It turns out moving Kyle's legs in a cycling motion is good for releasing gas. So, today Kyle began his training. It's never to early to start.

I solved 1 problem (out of 6) of my NMR homework due this week (after several hours of trying). I'm not sure which is more exciting.

Just kidding, Kyle is more exciting.

But seriously, this NMR homework is hard.

What am I saying? Kyle is cooler.

But really, I worked on it a long time.

I'll probably post more pictures later...

So much to say

I posted more pictures of Kyle. Hope you guys enjoy them (because you're gonna get a LOT more of them over the years). I should no longer have a lack of things to post about.

Bottom line: Labor was WAY harder than what I thought it was going to be. But then a perfect little baby comes out with eyes and ears and fingers. And words don't describe the joy you have because he is your joy.

Just Kyle

Dad & Kyle...

Mommy, Grandma, Aunt, & Kyle

Kyle Daniel Harkins

Baby Update

Mindy is no longer pregnant.

I repeat...Mindy is NO LONGER pregnant.

Week in review

Lance Armstrong tested positive in 1999 for a drug that didn't have a test until 2001.

A doctor gets sued for telling the truth.

Research between cyling and sexual health is about to change. For those interested I have good news...the first male specific saddle (from the maker of the 63 speed bicycle).

College How To

How to buy your books the first week of class without waiting in line:
Go to the bookstore at 8am.

Kids these days

There are several schools of thought regarding child discipline. I figure it's never to early to start. But, this dang kid just doesn't want to listen to me.

Examples:
Trying to reason with your child:

Kyle, see this nice chair we've set up in the living room. You could be sitting there right now if you would come meet us. We've got this comfortable bed, and we promise to take complete care of you for the first several years! I'm telling you...it's way better out here. I promise...

Trying to force your child into submission:

Kyle, you come out right now. Hey...Hey...Look at me when I'm talking to you. I want...stop it...I want you to come out right now or there will be serious repercussions. You need to stop fooling around and listen to what your father says...

Perhaps my forced submission attempts are failing because I lack any means of immediate disciplinary action.

In other news, Mindy is still pregnant...

Well....

MY first class is tomorrow. I will typically have seminars on Monday, but they were canceled because today was the first day of class. All the rest of my classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, which leaves Wednesday and Friday for meetings, homework, research, or play with Kyle (when he comes). Yeah Kyle!!!!

The car went in today. Paul & Nancy, our bible study leaders, were gracious enough to lend us their extra car so we can get around town (for all of those parents who were worried).

Nearly loosing my CDs inspired me to back all of them up on my computer, which I nearly completed today. The only CD we lost was in the deck - Chris Tomlin. Luckily it was one of the 20 or so CDs I had already backed up.

My current theory is that I got to keep my CDs because the thief realized my great taste in music - deciding against ridding me of the collection I worked so hard to gather. Then again, my computer crapped out when I tried to back up both of the Creed CDs I own (almost exclusively). Maybe iTunes is helping me refine that collection...

IMPORTANT baby update

Mindy is still pregnant. More on that later...

Last night, someone broke into our car. They did one heck of a job ripping up the ignition. After failing to steal the car they stole the CD player. They left the CDs in the back seat and the CDs on the visor and the tools in the trunk (which they took the time to look through), but stole the radio.

So, the car is un-drivable until we can get the ignition fixed. Perfect timing too. Classes start tomorrow. Mindy is due any day.

Mechanically Challenged

Those of you who have known me for any real stretch of time know that I am mechanically impaired. I can mess up an easy fix up without breaking a sweat (for my own sake I will refrain and encourage those with stories to refrain from elaborating).

Today I am excited because I started an 8 week bicycle maintenance class. Today we stripped a bike of all it's parts, and over the next 7 weeks we'll piece it back together. And the fun part (at least in my mind) is that when you are done they let you build a bike out of spare parts they have.

Maybe by the end I'll just be mechanically challeneged...

More is better

nothing exceeds like excess...which is proven by Sheldon Brown, the maker of the 63 speed bicycle

...and you thought your 21 speed was cool

"Today is Special"

The good news: Today is Mindy's birthday!!

The bad news: It doesn't look like it's gonna be Kyle's birthday...

Kitty likes it when I practice guitar...

When in doubt, quote Switchfoot

Anytime I think I have good data my advisor doesn't think so. Yet, whenever I think I have bad data my advisor gets excited for more. What gives?

It's all wrong but it's all right...

Out to eat

"Should I get a kids menu and a booster seat just in case?"
-- The manager as Mindy and I were sitting down to lunch

Out of my head

I saw one of my pathology professors today. It made that pit in the bottom of my stomach grow. The whole situation still makes me uncomfortable.

I feel like my dignity has been hurt because I got a C in the hardest class I've ever taken.

High of 88

I'd expect that from August in Flagstaff, not August in Tucson.

I found this today. I think it's funny:

Why God Never Received Tenure at Any University:

1. He had only one major publication.
2. It was in Hebrew.
3. It had no references.
4. It wasn't published in a refereed journal.
5. Some even doubt he wrote it himself.
6. It may be true that he created the world, but what has he done since then?
7. His cooperative efforts have been quite limited.
8. The scientific community has had a hard time replicating his results.
9. He never applied to the Ethics Board for permission to use human subjects.
10. When one experiment went awry he tried to cover it up by drowning the subjects.
11. When subjects didn't behave as predicted, he deleted them from the sample.
12. He rarely came to class, just told students to read the Book.
13. Some say he had his son teach the class.
14. He expelled his first two students for learning.
15. Although there were only ten requirements, most students failed his tests.
16. His office hours were infrequent and usually held on a mountain top.

Deep thoughts...

It's amazing to me how a process that is so complex and so specifically regulated can be so simply accomplished.

No engineer created the process of human reproduction.

Bah

Even the simplest problems take weeks to find.

It's not that I'm getting NOTHING done...research just takes a long time, right? Baby steps...

Reverend

Our 2nd anniversary was Monday. Mindy and I took an in-town mini-vacation. We stayed in the Ventana Canyon area (which I highly recommend as long as it's off-season).

On to the news for the day: I think we all know how dangerous home can be. What kind of parent would allow their child to be there?

Next to your car, your home may be one of the most dangerous places for your child.

New research shows that aside from motor vehicle injuries, children are more likely to die from an accidental injury they sustained at home than in any other place.

Yes, children die while at home. But, because more children die at home does not mean that a child's presence at home increases the chance at death. Get your stats straight...

I'm sure it has everything to do with the fact that the child was home, and NOTHING to do with the amount of time spent at home vs. outside of the home.