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!

Seth and Janelle Wedding Video

Seth and Janelle are married! Very nice ceremony and reception at a vineyard. Here's a video that was played at their wedding. Pictures to follow...

So this is parenting!

I love my baby! Isaac is so cute and sweet, which having him has taught Dan and I what love really means. It gives us just a small glimpse of what GOd's love is. Isn't that amazing! that unconditional love. Now, before you read on, you are probably thinking this is going to be one of those moments...well, i thought i share with you one of the highlights of parenting. It all started out as the family cleaning day...mainly Dan. Dan had got down on his hands and knees scrubbing away at the floor and our filthy bath tub. I was very excited to give Isaac a bath, since its all nice and clean and this "heat wave" here would be nice for Isaac to have a nice bath. So I am bathing him, talking and playing with him when I noticed tiny brownish green pebbles floating around the water, within secounds I realized, Isaac had a BOWEL MOVEMENT. I quickly jumped out with him and put the shower on to rise him off as I let the tub drain. I quickly get Isaac cleaned up and have him play in the hallway as I clean the tub. Gagging and holding my breath, with MY HANDS, I picked up a couple poops before they got a mushy in the water and I had to clean the hard work Dan had put through all over again. Below are some photos for you. Believe parenting is great, but you know you are a true parent when you reached in and grabbed your child's poop out of the tub. Isaac remember this day, because when I am 99 years old, you might be doing the same for me!

the other photos are of Isaac cooling off. If you haven't heard, we are having a "heat wave" of 99 degrees here in the Northwest!

Isaac! Isaac! Isaac!

the baby has been creeping so much lately we have to reall watch him. His favorite thing these days are the breastpump tubings and cable wires. Why do they just have an instincts for forbidden things? We would go up to him and say it very firmly "NO" and then put him in the middle of the carpet. Needless to say, he hasn't learned that yet. :).
Here are some pictures of Isaac helping Mommy fold laundry, us at the Taste of Tacoma, and our trip to Mt. Rainer. Oh, the one with me in the red tank top..we went out for an early early birthday dinner for me. Auntie Tram watched Isaac so we got to go out for a long, quiet dinner.

7 Months!

Its been awhile since I blog....boy, does time go by fast. I'm almost at the end of my contract at MAMC, which i'm getting excited going part-time. This way Isaac and I will have plenty of time to hang out and play. He is getting so big...just hit over the 20 pounds mark...and the boy is solid! we recently started him on yogurt and he loved it! Its those Yo Baby ones, I actually use to eat it when I was pregnant..it's not as sweet, but quite yummy. Isaac is also starting to the the #3 baby foods, I wish I had a food processor so I can blend food for him, (DAN!)
Isaac has been saying a lot of "baba and mama" I'm not sure it he knows what he is saying, but I like to pretend that he is asking for me:). He is so sweet, every night right before bed, whoever holds him, he just sinks in and cuddle. I feel like melting!
Dan and I have been busy with work. Ophtho is keeping Dan busy, but he is really enjoying what he is doing and the people at work are great!
Just this past weekend, we went on a family hike on Mt. Rainer, this will be Isaac's second time, first time, he was in my womb, this time, he had the front seat and a pair of cool sunglasses as we hiked up the trails. It was really clear and warm. We had a great time hanging out and hiking.

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.