Isaac is online!

Yes, it is true. Isaac is offically online. The other day, Dan and I got Isaac a gmail account. Isaac.solverson@gmail.com. We thought, in ten years when he wants gmail account, he won't be able to personalize since more people will be using it. So why not get him one now...in fact, why not get gmails for our possible future kids. We also got gmails for the names Hannah and Sofie since we really like those girls names. Yes, we sound a little crazy..but we are prepare our children for cyberspace:)

Business woman

Jo's been getting all snazzed up, bringing her portfolio around. Looking for a part-time Nurse Practitioner job.

First Dip

Isaac took his first plunge at the local YMCA sporting his new trunks. He seemed content throughout the doggy paddling experience, but I think overall Mom enjoyed it more than he did. Also, notice how the facial expressions between Mom and so are nearly identical. And she says he looks like me? Whatever.

More firsts

Jo's breaking an ancient law of pediatrics by starting Isaac on solids at 3.5 months, which is just shy of the "approved" 4-6 month starting window. The eventful moment was of course captured on film and each bite of rice cereal was closely monitored for any facial expression that could potentially represent opinon. I'd say the first feeding was an overall grimace. Now Isaac weighs over 17lbs, which is well over the 100th percentile for weight for age. We're hoping this complex carb diet will slim him down. Just kidding. In other news, we visited the zoo this past weekend with some friends (and their babies)... Check out our stroller mafia, caught wheeling between the peacocks and the penguins.

Helping Uncle Charlie

What started as a simple remodeling task, "Honey, I want a new stove," has turned into a full-throttle renovation at Aunt Patty and Uncle Charlies (Isaac's godparents here in Tacoma) house. And the project hit its climax this past weekend with the arrival of specialty windows from Minnesota. The picture does not do justice, but check out the scaffolding set-up, the gaping hole we cut in the house to fit that whopping window, not to mention the extension hole we had to cut to acutally maneuver the window into the house through the door. Erecting onlt one window was a full-day's task, and there's another of the same size! We'll update with progress pictures as spring cleaning progresses...

OK, enough about the "obliterating 75% of our first-born child's life so far" topic.  Yes, I erased 900 megabytes or a quarter-year's worth of memories.  Obviously something went wrong since my intentions were to back them up.  Time for a subject change.  Does anyone want to run the North Olympic Discovery Marathon with us on June 11th this year?  www.marathonguide.com

Catch-up Time

So, its been awhile since I last posted...humm..things has been going well...Yesterday, I took my NP boards and praise the Lord, I passed. The nerve-racking part of it all is that we find out if we passed or not right after we finish the exam. When I hit the last question at 150, my heart started to pound and my eyes went blurry. I couldn't even read if I passed or not, I had to go out to grab my stuff and asked the ladies at the desk to read it to me. But, I am so thankful that God has really blessed me throughout grad school and this board exam. He has really blessed me!
On to another issue...well, lets just say...DADDY ERASED THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF ISAAC'S LIFE! Dan wanted to be the memory keeper by backing up all our photos on the computer since we rarely print them out anymore with the digital camera. He had backup everything up to 2006. Well, he accidentally erased the whole file...all of Isaac's pictures, our Taiwan trip was down the drain! Good thing, I actually printed out some and we have this blog. Poor child...according to Dan, now, Isaac won't have the first child syndrome, cuz, we just caught him up to his future siblings of not having the most pictures since he is the first born! NOT FUNNY DAN!
So here I am the day after boards relaxing and taking pictures of Isaac like crazy! Speaking of my sweet little boy, he is so happy! He is now doing this thing with his tongue..like keep sticking it out...not sure what it is..maybe he is soon to be ready for solids! He also started grabbing things. The other day he started grabing these mobiles from the bouncy chair and would make this sound. He was so excited it was so sweet. I can't believe how each day they are just growing and learning so quickly!

Sweet Surprise

Dan was blessed with a day off from ICU. His resident called him off this morning, which means Isaac and I get to have Daddy with us all day! The days was uneventful..Dan worked on research, I studied for my boards, Isaac ate, played and pooped. Dan had Isaac with him while I went to go workout. They picked me up at the Y and I came home to a surprise romantic candle light chicken piccata dinner with sparkling almond wine all set up! I was so surprised...I am so blessed with a husband like him. He was so thoughtful. He had made dinner with one hand and Isaac in the other! Although, the surprise did some with some drawbacks, Dan forgot to feed Isaac and was wondering why he was so fussy. He held Isaac as he cooked and wanted to get the dinner ready forgetting Isaac might be hungry. But the baby is now well fed and sleeping...while mom is buzzed from the wine and smiling like crazy! Love you honey!

Chinese Hot pot with the Turpins

Brian and Carrie, Dan's friends from med school came over Saturday and had a fun chinese hot pot (fondue) with us...they also watched every single movie Dan made, which Dan wouldn't say it, but it made his day! Its always so nice to see familiar faces..too bad they didn't have their clothes and contact stuff, otherwise, we would of have had a slumber party!

Dream scheme, second edition of many

Some preliminary designs for Icaco beach home in Honduras by Lester, with attempts to "maximize the indoor and outdoor experience." I like. Judy, what do you think? We need your artistic expertice!

Thoughts...

This past Sunday our pastor spoke on reconciliation...not only in the aspect of those who offended you or you have offended, but on simply reaching out those people who does not know God. I really encouraged me of God's calling for us on missions...to reach out those who doesn't know the awesome news of God. I am so excited for the mission field! Pray for us..because we want to be sent out...We want our kids to know that our world is not just the US...but there are countries of people suffering..people who doesn't know Christ. We are fortunate to be raised in a society with freedom of religion and speech so we can freely love and worship our God...

On a lighter note...Isaac has been sleeping through the night for the past three nights. He is so sweet..God has really blessed us with a beautiful child with a joyful spirit. Praise God!

Finally for the first time! SLEEP!

Praise the Lord...Isaac slept through the night for the very first time. We put him down around 11pm after his feeding and he did not wake up until 6am..feed him again and he slept till 8:40am! That was a Godsend. I've been having this cold and haven't been able to sleep much this past week...and Isaac finally came through...we'll see how he does tonight..but I did realize one thing..he is sleeping a lot better these days because he found his little thumb!

First getaway vacation (for the kid)

Yesterday, while mom and dad were skiing, Isaac enjoyed his first extended period "away" with our friends who babysat him, Paul and Stella and their 2 kids Emma and Caedmon. We dropped him off really early and didn't pick him up until late. Jo took it kinda hard, wanting to call like every hour, even though we were out of cell-range. In the end, though, it was good for everybody, mom and dad got a break, Paul and Stella got to play with a baby, but Isaac got to best deal - chilling out with new faces, which he loves. Stella documented his entire first day away, fyi a day in the life of a baby:
7:30 drop off
8:45am awake/diaper change
8:50 feeding and palytime with caedmon and auntie Stella
10:10 sleepy; talked himself to sleep, sucking on fist
12:05 woke up, diaper change
1:15 pm fell asleep on his own
2:30 awake, diaper and feeding 2.5 oz
3:00 asleep
3:30 awake, alert time at Tae kwon do
4:20 feeding 1.5 oz
4:30 diaper change and playtime
5:25 asleep
6:00 awake, diaper change, alert and very happy
7:00 feeding 3 oz and diaper change
7-7:40 bond with uncle paul (try to convince him to have another baby)
7:40 asleep
8:00 pick up

Isaac is 11 weeks at 15 lbs 11 ozs

Forawhile I'm always worried that Isaac is not feeding enough because he only breastfeed 10 min or less at a time every 4 hours...so the doctor suggested that I go in for weight checks to make sure the boobie is doing the work. Well, he came in at 15lbs 11 oz just two weeks ago he was 14 lbs 10 oz so he gained about a pound in 2 weeks! Isaac has been staying awake more...Dan and I are trying to get him on a routine, but he is such a people person. Everytime we are out, he dosen't nap, so there goes the routine. He is a cat-napper nothing more than an hour at time. So we'll see...

The Honduras Dream

Lately, Dan and I have been in a investment frenzy...this is the log cabin we stayed at in Taiwan. It's materials were imported from Canada. We were thinking of using this type of style for our Honduras property...

Isaac's new friend Natalie!

Isaac is 2 months old!

Isaac is 2 months..we can't believe how fast time flies...he is 14lbs 10ozs and 23.5 inches long. The other day, I carried him in his carseat into church, it about broke my arm. I had to take several rests to make it to the car. He is so heavy! Daily routine for Isaac other than sleeping, eating, and playing, he loves the Veggie Tales CD. He has the loudest giggles when we sing along with it. As for his night time schedule...hummm....he is waking up every three hours and way too awake at 7:30am! But he misses his grandparents yang and solverson. He wants his Grandpa Steve to come over and play more! In Taiwan and even before that, he had a few days of just waking up once a night, which was a pleasant surprise. I guess since we just got back, he'll need a while to get back to the routine.

We are all doing well. Dan started his ICU rotation and I'm starting to apply for NP positions and studying for boards. We are planning on going back home to Chicago in April for may's shower..more later...Isaac is talking/babbling like crazy over here..I'm going to have to join him for the fun!

Relatives! Relatives!

Here are some photos of my relatives. It was really nice to visit with them. They were all very generous in taking us out to eat, setup tours, and making us feel at home. We had so much fun revisiting with my cousins, whom have all grown up in the past couple of years. I feel old!

Chinese New Year in Taiwan

My Aunt's log cabin in the mountains. It was as if we were in a different world...Away from the city and the business of life.


We are back from our trip to Taiwan for Chinese New Year. Where should I start? Isaac was awesome on the plane ride there and back, he slept the whole time and didn't even cry once! Chinese new year was a lot different than I expected..first of all, everything was closed for 5 days straight! and I never remember eating so much! It was really nice seeing my relatives and watching Steve and Maureen experience my culture. Although, they may have passed on the sea cucumber and street vendors, they did excellent for their first trip abroad. Dan even took Steve and Isaac on a Taipei sightseeing Taxis ride without me. How he communicated, I don't know...