Chicago Weekend

Last weekend, Isaac and I made a last minute decision to go back home to Chicago for grandma Mo's 50th birthday party. I was a bit scared of going by myself with an almost toddler who is going through some GI problems. He started having liquid diarrhea and stopped eating for three days! Well, with some TLC and chinese cooking from my mom, Isaac finally started eating on the fourth day with great appetite! We surprised Maureen while she was in her underwear! She then screamed and startled Isaac...all in all, it was a blast to be home...with the added bonus of shopping with my sister...Isaac was a bite busy on way to Chicago. It didn't help that he had already slept and the plane was so delayed--2 hours! On the way home he did a lot better- slept for two hours and was able to have the empty seat to play and enjoying being a big boy. Here are some of the photos of the weekend. A shout out to Aunt K-Bone-- Happy Birthday! It was also Kat's birthday two days after Mo's. We all went out for a nice steak dinner just the way I like it. What I did learn is, if possible, try not to travel with a toddler by yourself!

Surprise 50th

I'm having a quiet, lonely weekend. Jo flew to Chicago for my mom's surprise birthday party today, which is happening right about now. Here's the video that the family made for her special day.

Stomache upset:(

So this morning, Isaac drink all 8 oz of his bottle. I was like, "yes! he is better." Then before you know it, he had pooped. It was kind of soft, so I was like, that's okay, it's no diarrhea and he is doing fine. Two minutes later, I smell poop AGAIN, this time, yellow liquid! Poor baby! I didn't take him to daycare, but I still had to go in to work because I have patients in the morning. The nursing staff and office manager all took turns watching Isaac for me, while I finished up my morning. I was able to leave early so now we are home. Isaac is going on 2 hour on his nap. He still hasn't really eaten, just had another 6 oz bottle. pray for him!

Halloween

This past few days has been kind of a fast forward for Isaac, he took his first steps, 3 steps and then 5 steps. he was doing really well.
Today is Halloween, we didn't really joined the festivities, but we can't help but dress our baby up the the cute purple dragon! I brought him into work today, everyone had fun watching play and be a cute little boy.
So, then, all day today, Isaac suddenly decided he dosen't want to eat. He took his bottle this morning but completely refused his breakfast. He took his first nap with a bottle and that's it. At lunch, I literally had to make him eat some yogurt and that was it! I couldn't figure out why, but he did poop everytime i changed him. It wasn't running, just softer than usual. Wondering if he's got some stomache stuff going on...any ideas, moms? He did a lot better for dinner! thank God!

My Little Green Bay Packer....

Isaac is inching 11 months, he has been "ready" to walk for a little over a month now..so Moms, when is he going to take that step? He will stand there for a long period of time, but when he realize he was standing, he'll sit down right away. He has been such a bundle of joy. He loves playing ball. He would actually throw it back and forth with us. He also started reading to himself. Dan and I would look around sometimes and see Isaac reading to himself and flipping through the pages. Its so sweet.
Speaking of sweet, here is something interesting...SO, Isaac and I were at Fred Meyer's ( a grocery store out here). We were roaming around and then Isaac decided he needed to poop. SO, he is grunting through the aisle while turn bright red pushing all he's got. I felt so embarrassed because people were turning around wondering what that sound was...

Family vacation for the Solversons in San Francisco!

Tuesday: We left on Tuesday morning for the city of San Francisco. Isaac was really good on the flight, he slept the whole time. We took the BART into town and away we went. We walked up to Telegraph Hill and saw some awesome views of the city and visiting the curviest road. We ended the night with Chinatown.

Wednesday: We went on a doubledecker bus and tour the city . We were able to "hike" to Pacific Hill-the hike through the pacific hill was pretty hard. The hills in this town can give you the thighs you've always wanted because its so steep! Our walk probably took us over 3 hours to finally get home, but we got to see Mrs. Doubtfire's house as well as the house for Part of Five, cool views of the city and neat Victorian homes. Again, ended our night in Chinatown! For the first time, we started giving Isaac foods that we indulge and boy, does he like to eat!

Thursday: Golden Gate Bridge- we walked a windy 2 miles of the bridge. It was a bite foggy, but it was beautiful. We were able to see Alcatraz, Marin County, and the Fisherman's Wharf. That night, we adventured to Alcatraz for a night tour and visit the home of Al Capone.

Friday: Wine tour to Napa and Sonoma Valley. We finally know the difference between red and white wine! Now, we don't look like fool! It was really intersting. I actually really enjoyed the wine tasting because now I can really appreciate the taste, smell, and color.

Saturday/Sunday: Relaxed, napped, and shopped! We left on Sunday for home. It was a great vacation for our little Ohana. THE END

A Manny, not a Nanny

Lester visited us for about a week...it was nice to have a good old friend around and remembering the good old days. Isaac also especially enjoyed his new MANNY, yes, MANNY! He is the new type of nanny in town because he is a man! Surprisingly, he is really good with the baby and baby loves him as well. We really enjoyed our time together!

Whole wheat olive oil apple pie

We've had a few weeks of vistors, this past weekend we got to see the Stalls from Chicago and the Lamberts from Detroit. Nathan has gotten so big and so cute. He is such a cuddley boy and always smiling! Isaac was still a little too small to play with Natalie and Nathan, but all in all, it was great to see old friends! Natalie was great too, she actually let me touch her and play with her. She has gotten so big and really been a sweet girl!

Determined, we picked some awesome apples at Aunt Patty and Uncle Charlie's house and stole their secret recipe for a pie. Problem was, we had to improvise when the last of the butter exploded in the microwave. Let's just say the picture looks alot better than the cardboard taste -- the overall flavor of an apple pie is highly dependent on the crust.

High five and crawling up stairs

The little man!

Isaac is now 9 months old, and just a blessing in Dan and I's lives. At his 9 month check up he was 21lbs 7 ozs, 28.5 inches. He is not your tallest boy, but he sure's got some chunky rolls. He has been climbing up the stairs since 8 months and learning to say byb bye. MOtherhood has changed me in some ways, but also not in others. I think I've become more grateful and thankful even more of what the Lord has done in our lives, both Dan and I feel more grounded. Isaac is truly a good baby from sleeping to eating to playing. He now sleeps from 7 to 7, takes 2 naps about 1 hour to 2 at a time and eating like a horse. What a happy baby he is! Sometimes Dan and I would get ready for bed, while Isaac would of already slept for 3 hours, we would look at each other and wanting to bring him into bed with us and snuggle. Here are some updated post of our baby.

The killer whales

The "transient" group of whales enjoy hunting the live sea lions. Isaac dances with the pole on our bus ride to the Butchart Gardens. Next up, the Stalls and Lamberts. We are looking forward for Nathan to come and visit. Last time,Mr. Nathan was 10 months old, now the little man is over a year and walking very where. I know Isaac will be excited to play with Nathan and Natalie. The Lamberts will also be in town for a short visit! PS...Sally, we'll need to figure out a day for you all to come over, you too Elizabeth, we were thinking of Friday for dinner? what do you guys think?

"I've had better"

We just got back from a great weekend with Bob and Melissa. They came in on Thursday and we spent the weekend in Victoria, "Canadia," having high tea at the Empress, strolling the "But" "chart" gardens, and whale watching. We found not just your typical resident, Orca salmon-eating whales, but the true killer whales. We even got to see them feasting on a sea lion, yummy! It was so much fun. Great to see old friends and able to just catch up from where we left off! I have to say one of the highlights was our homemade dinner.- devoured steak and king crab from the Pike place Market. We felt like kings and queens feasting. Throughout the weekend, Isaac was so good. He didn't whine or fuss, even when he is extremly tired. It was also nice to travel with Bob and Melissa because they also gave us breaks with Isaac to eat, have dinner, and even enjoy the hot tub. We will miss them :(

Grandma and Grandpa Yang Visit

Gon-gon and Ama made a pit-stop here in Tacoma last weekend after their tour of the Canadian Rockies. It was really nice to see them and to catch up. From their experience running a daycare, they have many practical pointers for us as new parents.

Other than that, the highlight of the weekend, though, by far, was the discovery of a really tasty tofu-seafood-soup place NEARBY (the first major "thumbs-up" discovery since Black Pine Tree in Michigan and A-Ri-Rung in Illinois). For anyone that visits us here, this new find will definitely be part of our itinerary.

Bing bong says "bye, bye" and then Jo freaks out

Am I balding?

Recently, two people have asked if I'm balding, the second being my mother-in-law. Okay, so maybe I'm in denial, but I think it's just a pronounced cowlick, notice the flattened (but present) hair follicles arranged in a spiral pattern. (Before, I just don't remember it being so apparent.) Plus, male pattern baldness is X-linked, so that means it's inherited from your mom's side. Fortunately, my maternal grandfather has tons of hair. Still, I'm worried. At the next sign of progression, I will consider hair implants. Just kidding.

While Jo has been making fun of my so-called "bald spot," I have been witnessing the eruption of the largest canker sore I have ever seen, located conveniently on her right lower lip. Although quite disgusting, in order to accurately historically document this monster ulcer, I found it necessary to include blogged photo-documentation.

Movie

Happy Birthday Dan!!!

Dan is 2-8 today! Honey,I love you! You are an awesome person, man after God's own heart. We (Isaac and I) are so blessed to have you in our lives! Happy Birthday!

Sleep Trouble SOLVED!

SO after 3 days of SLEEP TRAINING, Isaac went from 30ming to less than 10min of crying in order to go to bed or nap. Praise the Lord, it has been getting easier putting him to bed. Honestly, that first night was probably the worest just hearing him cry to hard, but man do they learn fast, he pretty much can just fall asleep on his own now.

Below you'll see pictures of Isaacs new teeth and his joy of eating finger foods. He has been really enjoying picking up foods to feed himself such as cheese, bananas, rasberry, cheerios. So the other night, we went to the Stalls home and hung out with Ms. Natalie. Elizabeth as always has something amazing cooking! So while we were eating dinner, we put Isaac in the play room which has a step in between the play room and this formal dining area. We were all chatting sort of hearing Isaac in the distance, but by the end of dinner we hear this baby giggling, and there he was, he climbed up the one stair and go to the kitchen, which was walled off, we couldn't believe it, we just showed him how to get up the stairs that afternoon, its amazing how fast they learn!

Dan's more of an East Coaster, hmm?

American Cities That Best Fit You::

70% Boston

70% Los Angeles

65% San Francisco

60% Philadelphia

60% Washington, DC

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

Sleep Trouble Day 1

After speaking with Sally and Keith, Dan and I felt encouraged regarding Isaac's recent sleep habits. We are not the only ones. We have been having trouble putting him to bed ever since he can pull himelf up in the crib. He has been so easy on us with putting him to bed since he was born and now, he is making us work. So Dan and I decided to dedicate this weekend to SLEEP TRAINING. Hopefully, Isaac will learn to fall asleep on his own. Just recently, we have to rock him to sleep for nap and bedtime, its like an hour ordeal each time.
Day 1: We came home late beacuse of Isaac's doctors appt. so we fed him and then put him in bed, he was quiet for 2 min. and the crying began. He cried for about 20 min. and then Dan went in, not to pick him up, but just have him lay down and rub his back, Isaac would fall asleep, but once the rubbing stops he would wake up. So, Dan said good-night to him and left the room, he cried for another 10min and there was silence, he fell asleep. yay! At 4am he woke-up crying, Dan tried to sooth him, but nothing, so I fed him a bottle, he drank almost 4 oz and put him back to bed, he cried maybe 3 min and fell asleep. So, I would say, we are doing pretty good, but it is really hard hearing your baby cry. Pray for us, we need wisdome to be better parents!

When your baby is sick...

It has been horrible the past couple of days watching Isaac struggling through his cold and ear infection. He was okay when it all started, I took him to the doctor yesterday and said that his ears looked bad so we were going ahead and treat the ear infection, well, it seems like he has gotten worse or something cuz, his fever is still around 102.5 and very irritable. he has lost his appetite, but just really clingy to me even when he knows we are in the same room. God, please heal Isaac during this time, ease the ear ache and lower his temperature, may he be healed in your name and power. So QUESTION TO the mothers out there, can they still have a fever when they have been on the antibiotics for 3 doses already? I know 102.5 isn't too high considered the standards, but I hate to see my baby sick...

No Midwest?

American Cities That Best Fit You::

65% San Diego

60% Honolulu

60% Los Angeles

55% San Francisco

55% Seattle

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

So I did a survey and it's telling me that I'm a West-Coaster?

Crazy two weeks!

What a crazy two weeks, Steve and Mo came and visited for Seth and Janelle's wedding and babysit the baby. We had a blast with them helping us around the house and not having to give Isaac a bath for a week! I can't believe how fast time has gone. Last week, Isaac had his first tooth out, yay for the little man, and the following day, the other one came out too! It was crazy! Needless to say, Isaac is a much happy camper now that the two teeth finally came out. The little one has also started to crawl around the house. Dan and I were saying how we can't wait till Isaac is mobile, now that he is, we cannot take our eyes off of him before he gets into something.
Have any of you guys's kids hit the stranger anxiety stage already? It seems like in the past two days, Isaac has gotten a lot more attached to me. Especially at bedtime, even though, Dan usually puts him to bed, but he has been crying for me to hold him or even at daycare, the teachers told me that he gets upset when new teachers comes in. I can't that's starting already!
I have one more day of full time work! Yes, its OVER! I am so thankful for the three month contracting jobl, because I really really learned a lot, but I'm ready for some time with Isaac and go part-time...It'll be nice, I can't wait to get Isaac started on swimming and tumbling classes. He is so cute! Well, thats all for now folks..more later...

Congrats to Seth and Janelle on their new adventure togethre....and this weekend, is Chris and Melinda's wedding, sadly, we will not be able to go, but you guys are in our prayers and we are excited for you both! Congrats!