Creep in fast-forward

Frustrated, Isaac creeps to get the lotion from the box. So close to crawling.

The journal of a desperate househusband

While Jo is working, I've been off all week holding down the fort. Alone. So nice to catch up with life. I've realized the bitter sweets of trying to get things done while taking care of a (really good little) kid. And it seems like Jo is trusting me (with Isaac) more and more these days, or at least, she's not asking me like 50 bazillion questions about Isaac's day as soon as she walks in the door. (She wants to know everything like last feeding, quantity, bowel movements, consistency, body temperature, attitude... I'm like, dude, he's a baby.)

So, today I had some relief as Aunt Patty and cousin Isaac came over to babysit while I ran into work for a second. (Thanks, it was nice to get out.) I had to go talk to the statistician about this research project that I'm doing. Seems like they had an eventful hour as I walked into all three napping!


Otherwise the day was quite uneventful... other than the fact that I fed Isaac around 3 jars of baby food for lunch alone. Yeah, he just kept wanting another bite, and assumed that, you know, since he was a growing boy (he did look bigger to me this morning)... so after turkey, mash potatoes, carrots, lentils, rice, peaches, and more rice, I cut him off. My concern was childhood obesity, not the fact that he was sliding around in a pile of his vomit when Jo walked in the door. Yeah, I just lost like 50 "trust points" right then.

But that's beside the point, I'll re-earn them in no time, since I still have a couple more days of Dad-Son bonding this week... So, after I overfed my son, we set out by foot to find a barber shop that could walk me in, but no luck. Not even the salons would take us. Come on, a dad and a baby? I used Isaac's last afternoon cat nap as a break to buzz my own hair, without a mirrow. My sister-in-law already did the edges at the wedding a couple days ago, so I was just trimming away with the guard. Anywayz, check out da fade. Two views 4 ya.




Peace out. Time for food. Isaac and I are going to catch up with Jo, who is incidentally "running" to Uncle Charlie's for dinner. I bet we'll find her half-way, walking...

Seat 23B

Technically Isaac's fifth and sixth flight, handled like a superstar...on the way there, Jo and Isaac took the redeye at 11:26pm. Isaac didn't cry once and slept the whole time. Coming back, he slept and played. He did get a little crabby, but how much more can you ask for out of a 6 month old?!

We had a great time in Chicago this weekend, at May and Mike's wedding... Jo cried a total of only twice, once at the wedding and once during her toast. May looked great! It was an awesome wedding with great people and great weather! Isaac got to wear his suite and looked sharp on the little man!







I (Jo), can't believe my litttle sister is married. Her and Michael have been dating as long as Dan and I have been together. I know they will be grea together! Congrats, May and Michael!
Dan, Jake, and Kat got to hang out at Dave's pool in Rockford on Thursday, which was quite a blast.

Check out some more candid photos of May and Mike's wedding taken by our friend.

To watch May and Michael's wedding video, click here or push play below.

Hannah turned two

Today Isaac attended his first birthday party for Ms. Hannah at Gymboree, which is like a giant indoor jungle gym, full of obstacle courses and games. We mostly watched from the sideline with Isaac, but we did get in on the chocolate cupcakes towards the end.

Behold, we now have video capability.

Try pushing the play buttons below...



Isaac takes a bite or two of the camera while playing with his favorite ottoman.


Don't show the grandparents how I almost dropped him while practicing new tricks.


More videos available by pushing the Google buttons above (or you can just push right here.

Bathtime

Off to college

Brightland Kerr Farm

During our spur of the moment visit to Trout Lake this past weekend, we had a fabulous time enjoying the company of the Lamberts and crew (not to mention the beauty and the scenery of the bed and breakfast). Char is such a natural host and an iron chef. I think she was being nice when she pretended like she didn't realize that I ate a total of six of her homemade organic scones for breakfast.

Dan's Intern Graduation

Yes, Dr. Dan Solverson has survived his first year as a doctor and will start next year as an Ophthalmology resident. He had a short small graduation at the American Lake Country Club on base. It was also the graduation for senior residents. The highlight of it all was that we got to meet and take picture with our current army surgeon general. And yes, we did ask him for permission to publish the picture on the blog! Isaac and I are very proud of Daddy! I had to say, with us being in the medical field, he was like meeting a celebrity. Dan was all about finding him for a photo.
Isaac has been a great blessing to us. He is always so happy and loves his mommy and daddy. Recently, he has started to sit up by himself for longer intervals and opens his mouth so wide for foods that he enjoy...sweets! any type of fruits he love! He sure is a good eater!

poor sick baby...

The poor sick baby i'm talking about is Dan. Isaac has been having this cold on and off, but it never seemed to bother him, instead, over Memorial weekend, Dan started to not feeling well, but monday, he was having chills and fever to the point of soaking through our sheets! He couldn't even go to work for two days! Finally, Tuesday night, knowing that he is oncall the next night and need to get better, he finally went to the ER at Madigan because his ears were hurting him so bad, he couldn't sleep or do anything. While there, he found that he's got blisters on his two canals, one rupture membrane, and strep throat, which put him off work AGAIN! after a dose of steroid and some antibiotics Dan is now feeling better...which, now Isaac is recovering from his ear infection since this past Friday. What can I say? I was not sick this whole entire time. The woman prevails!

Happy Birthday Sally!

Top 5 reasons why Sally is cool!
5. She's the best belly flopper we ever known!
4. She is simply blogtastic!
3. She makes a mean yummy cassarole!
2. She's a great mom to Nathan--just look at him---well feed and happy happy baby!
1. A Great friend anyone can ask for!

HAppy Birthday Sally!

Recent pics

The picture of the flowers are actually from the hospital I interviewd with for a part-time nurse practitioner position..no, it's not from Dan:(

And as always the picture happy parents...more of Isaac!

Rolling baby

Last weekend was my first mother's day! Dan made me breakfast in bed while Isaac laid helplessly on our bed watching mommy chowing down! We had a great day going to church and spending our afternoon walking the antique shops in downtown Tacoma. For mothers day Dan got me this three tiered desert serving rack from an antique store that I had wanted (inspired by our tea experience in Victoria). Dan was so excited when I came home to show me the gift, the first thing I said was "did you get that our of the trash? what a deal!" I felt so bad after realizing he had gone to the antique shop several times tolling Isaac around. But all in all, I love me gift...so girls, tea at my place!
It's amazing how when babies hit their milestones, things just happens so fast. I was getting ready on morning for word, Isaac was on his back playing with a toy. It was probably not even a minute, I turned around and there he is on his stomache. I was like, how did you get there? he just smiled and smiled...he is so sweet. He has been "talking" a lot lately, especially when he gets tired, it's almost like his own personal luallby.
Work has been going well. I can't believe it's been two weeks already. I"m actually not that tired when I get home, which is really nice..I could work out and play with Isaac a little before he goes to bed. He has been eating quite a bit as well...so far, three meals a day of solids, each with rice or oatmeal, one jar of fruit or veggie and sometimes, even a little more of another jar. He loves his food. I can't wait till he can start eating table foods to enjoy the world of yummies! Like mother like son! He also gets crabby when he is hungry too...just like me!
Dan is doing well..he is on CCU this month..with the way our schedule has been, he actually has been the one picking up Isaac early afternoons. I would come home finding them "playing rough" and Isaac laughing so hard he is barely breathing!

Latest pictures

We celebrated Becca's 18th Birthday the other day...can't believe she's 18! We went out for Japanese food and had red valvet cake over at our place. I feel the "teens" age seem so far away...well, if you think about it, we are closer to 30 than 20.
So the picture of me that you see...it's me right after this cardio tone class I've been attending MWF. And let me tell you, it kicks your butt. I"ve never worked out so hard until this class. Dan actually laughed at me when I came home, because I was beat red and actually sweating!

So much to update!

So where do I start!!!!

May 4th-a Time of change...as Isaac is approaching 5 months old, he rolled over for the first time. It was so funny, we were just playing on the ground and him doing his hated tummy time just decided to roller over. When he did, he started laughing wondering how he turned around! It was also that same day, I realize, he has a tooth coming in on the top. He has been kinda crabby and not want to nurse or take the bottle and temp of around 99F...it got me worried for a couple of days. After talking to Sally, it really helped ease my worries. I can't wait till that little tooth comes out!

May 7th-Dedication
Dan and I dedicated Isaac at our church as a comittment to raise him to the best of our abilities in a Christian home and introducing him to our awesome God! Pastor Kevin prayed with us and gave Isaac his first New Testament Bible with his name on it!

As for me, I started a contracting job with Dan's hospital as a nurse practitioner. It goes from May to August full time at their family practitice clinic. Being back to work after being off for so long has had some bitter sweet emotions. I miss Isaac during the day at work, but at the same time, I am so excited about my work and being able to help people. Praise God for finding a daycare for him for the meantime. Isaac has been adjusting well. He is such a sweet baby! Dan and I have been taking turns picking him up...He is always so happy to see us! As for motherhood, God willing, I am learning a lot and praise GOd that he is always there to help me.

Dan is doing well. He is nearing the end of his first year, I can't believe how fast time flies...more to come...

Just wanted to post some pics of aunts and uncles with their nephew.

Great American Race

Convinced that we would win, Jo's been dreaming about entering one of those reality TV shows, like "the Amazing Race" or "Fear Factor." Just an FYI in case you see us on TV soon. Her newest kick, though, is entering Isaac (of course) into the Baby Magazine baby picture contest, so we captured about a bazillion pictures of him last weekend while enjoying the parks in Victoria, BC. We discovered that he enjoys rolling around in the dirt and grass, and that he is capable of breaking the buds off the tulips. Ooops. Our apologies to Butchart Gardens.

My baby barfed in my mouth and I almost threw up

Lately, Isaac and I have been playing this flying game where I slowly lift him, with my hands on his stomach, over my head and then we make faces at eachother. He loves it and he's so cute. Or so I thought.
Little Isaac lost his wings after he covered my entire upper body with a monster vomit the other day. Check out the picture. This was not "just a little spit up," it was the emptying of his entire stomach contents on my face, a large volume of curdled milk and stomach acid that landed directly into my eyes and mouth. As I proceeded to an urgent shower, Jo laughed and took pictures. I nearly gagged to death from smell alone, not to mention the taste.

Brainstorming

for the record, judy and lester, here's where we left off:

tan theta = height treeline / distance to beach
theta = grade,
and,
property drop = sin grade * property length

so, if you put in the numbers,

tan theta = 60 / 300
theta = 11,
then,
property drop = sin 11 * 110

therfore,
grade is 11 degrees and
estimated property drop is 20.9ft, just a little short of potentially maximum 22ft structure in front.

don't forget the "to do" list includes pricing/engineering:
survey/clear land
retaining wall
cistern/foundation
secret recessed entrance
reading bay window
roof deck
cinder block/stucco/spanish tile