Isaac at the park

Here is a few pictures of Isaac and I at the Wright park behind our house. He really likes the slide and the swing and basically freedom to walk around in a hug open space.

Auntie Michelle here! Oh, and Tantrums?

Michelle was here the past weekend for a short visit after her ski trip at Whistler. It was a blast to hang out with her. We visited the Space Needle, EMP, Pikes Market, and the world famous Starbucks. Well, famous to Michelle. She held her breath as she walked into the original coffee shop and I quote, "I feel like I am meeting a celebrity." Isaac was even able to say her name and know exactly who she is...

Speaking of Isaac, he had his first tantrum over the weekend. We went to University village for a shopping break and visited the MAC store. Like father like son, they were both mesmerized by the tech world. I took Isaac to the kiddy playstation and let him play around with the keyboard. After a long while, I suggested we leaving and started walking away hoping he would follow. Not only he did not follow me, he replied "NO" and proceeded to fling his body backwards on the ground crying. Finally, Dan came over picked him up and told him we have to go. Isaac started kicking and screaming as we walked out the door. We had to put him down on the sidewalk to let him calm down. Every minute he got to leave, he would want to walk back into the store. Dan tried to hold him and he would just push him away. Thank God this only lasted a few minutes! I can't believe how much will power a little guy has already! We are going to have to start discipling.

What should I eat?

To those of you pregnant out there, what should I eat? nothing makes me feel better. Sometime I would think I have a taste for something and then I would feel horrible afterwards. As many of you know that we are expecting our second child sometime in the early fall. Well, with this pregnancy I 've been a lot more nauseous and have already vomited three times. Tonight was probably the worse. We just had dinner and for some reason night time has been the worse for me. I never seem to be able to find the right food that would settle in my stomach. It doesn't help that I don't want to cook either. All I want is deli sandwiches and citrus juices. So we, Isaac, Dan and I, were sitting the living room playing the next thing I feel is a wave of nausea. As always, I assumed it was just going to be dry heave and will get better after I gag a little. Well, with the heave I had more coming than I thought. My hands were full of vomit as it drip down my shirt, pants, and the carpet as my 14th month old son watched in shock and Dan turning green and proceeded on gagging. Needless to say, I did feel much better afterwards. Overall, I'm adjusting well,but I can relate to those pregnant girlfriends of mine. The nausea is not fun and the fatigue seemed worse this time. I've been taking 1.5 hours of nap daily and if you know me, I NEVER TAKE NAPS NO MATTER HOW TIRED I AM. But now, here I am could barely open my eyes around 2pm. But all in all, we are excited for this baby and have started to prep Isaac with his new sibling.

Isaac has been a bundle of joy. He has been talking up a storm and voicing his opinion. He enjoys going ot the park and climb up the slide like a big boy. Today we took him to the zoo, and for the first time, he was able to focus on the animals and really have fun with it. He is such as sweet baby. After I vomited, he kept coming over to me looking upset. I could tell, he knew mommy didn't feel good.

Down the easiest green run on Blackcomb.

Another in the oven

We saw the heart beat today so it's official. We're expecting a second child, due in September.

Coincidentally, Dan's twin brother is expecting as well, and, surprisingly, they share the exact same due date!

Weekend at Whistler, Canada B.C

It has been a great long weekend at Whistler. May and Michael came to visit and also to take part in the ski trip, while Maureen at the very last minute generously decided to come to help babysit Isaac. What a dedicated grandma! She flew all the way from Chicago for the long weekend to spend with Isaac in Canada. We stayed at the Aspen condo; we had a full kitchen, a fireplace, and one bedroom. Overall, we enjoyed skiing down the two mountains, Blackbomb and Whistler. Lets just say, it's definitely not the the Midwest. Taking the gondola up the mountain, you really realized that it is literally a mountain you are ascending. The scenery was amazing and the skiing was actually a bit frightful for me. I think the first green we went down was probably 8 miles long from the middle of the Blackcomb all the way down. Dan, Michael, and May patiently waited for me to move each ski along. I was about to have a panic attack up there. Just looking down to see how far I have to go literally freaked me out! But praise God for downlifts and moral support! The second day was much better for me. Whistler had a family zone area that was nice and challenging, but not scary to go down. We had lunch on top of the mountain, while Dan tackled a couple of the black diamonds by himself. Sorry honey, no one else could go with you.
As for Isaac, he spent a good couple quality time fun days with Grandma. Maureen took him shopping and sledding. And I can't forget her homemade chicken noodle soup to top the day off after a long day of skiing! By the end of the weekend, Isaac could say "May" and "Grandma" pretty well. For Michael, he would point to and always loved to play with him. He's always been partial to men.
I can't believe he is only 14 months old! His latest new "tricks," which he seems to be adding to daily, are pointing to his toes and hands. Signaling for "more" has never a problem, but now he can say it.

Freak-out or freaking-amazing

I usually don't bring work home with me, but I thought this was cool. Muscle fiber detail and slight pigmentation to my right iris.

Natalie's Birthday

In addition to Mindi's visit, Isaac was also invited to another birthday party. Ms. Natalie Stall turns 2! It was a very nice get together. As you can probably see, Isaac and Dan both really enjoyed the birthday cupcake.

Isaac is now approaching 14 months and seems like overnight, he had already turned into a little boy. He can communicate so much better now as in what he wants. I actually have to start hinding the golden fish crackers because whenever he sees the box, he askes for more. Now, we can ask him to go find something in the other room and he will come back with the correct item. It's amazing with the little brains of theirs. It's amazingly absorbant!
As for me, I am now working Monday and Tuesdays, so five day weekends for me! Isaac is enrolled in super shrimp swim class that Dan takes him on the weekends. Dan's schedule are much more predictable now so that has been really nice. Lets see...well, until next time.

Auntie Mindi Visits

As a part of her West coast interview tour, our friend Mindi stayed with us for a couple days while she attended a conference in Seattle. Had fun going out for tea and searching for the right purse for Jo.

Hungry boy...

Has anyone ever seen that Burger King commercial about " I am MAN" and how men can't get full on exquisite cuisine, but big burgers only? anyways,Isaac sort of reminded me of that commercial the other night. For some reason he kept waking up starting at 3:30am just screaming. Dan and I would take turns to go in and put him back down. After the third time at 5:30am I was starting to get worried that something is wrong. Then I started noticing every time I walk by the stairway Isaac would look up and point upstairs, which dawned on me that he might be hungry! I asked him and he screamed even more so I made some oatmeal and banana really quick before you know it, he had two bowls of oatmeal and one cup of milk and went down till 8am!

A new do

Yesterday I caught Jo mid-act taking pictures of her new haircut, so I'm thinking that she's a little excited about it. She looks good!

Happy Birthday May!

Shout out to my sister, May on her big 2-5! That's right everyone, she is finally a 1/4 of a century and she can also get a discount on her car insurance and offically rent a car without the extra cost! Happy Birthday May!

Snow day

By the end of it yesterday, we got 6 inches of snow all at once, which was enough to shut down just about everything. The roads are completely iced over, and since they don't believe in salt out here, things aren't going to change any time soon due to the sub-freezing temperatures.

To relieve some "snowed-in fever," we walked up to the park today and played around in the snow. There were actually many people sledding, snowboarding, and even a skiier. It was Isaac's first time in the snow today, and it was kinda fun to watch him react. Whenever we put him down, he just sat or stood, didn't move at all, which I found strange since at "super shrimp" swimming lessons, he's the only one in his class that really gets into it by dunking his head and kicking his feet. So, I'd have to say that his first impression of winter sports was less than enthusiastic, except for the fact that he was bundled so tightly that he most likely couldn't move if he tried.

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

I know this is a bit late, but Happy NEW YEAR everyone! We had a wonderful visit with family and friends over Christmas and New Years. I don't even know where to start. We split up time between my parents, the solversons, and Kat and Jake's. It was nice to visit with everyone as well as our friends. It's moments like these that make me miss home and even more gracious for the friendship and blessings in our lives.
Isaac had a horrible ride to Chicago. We were two hours delayed and then a lady he was playing with offered him a doubt chocolate chip cookie. He sure loved it, but couldn't sleep for the WHOLE RIDE. Even Dan was starting to get annoyed with him. One the way back, he was a lot better and able to sleep for 2 hours of the ride. Isaac is walking to much more now. I can't keep my eye on him close enough. I feel like everytime we turn around he is somehwere else! It was really funny to watch him play with our friend's kid, Nathan. By the way, thank you for the awesome breakfast and financial advice. Isaac LOVES Nathan. He keeps going back to him to give him kisses and hugs, while Nathan just stands and laughing not really understanding what Isaac was trying to do! Isaac also goth is first haircut. The poor kid was getting mullet! Thank God we finally got to cut it!
We are back now for a few days and still slowly adjusting to the time change and putting things away. It has been really rainy around here. I think the weather is finally getting to me. The best way Dan describes it is that it's like a blanket of cloub just sits on top of you and dosen't let up....please spring, please come soon!
So Sunday, we went to Kat and Jake's church and had talked about goals for the new years. Dan and I have this tradition of always brainstorming and re-evaluating our lives, walk with God, and future...I'm not quit sure how to put it all into words, but for one, to be obedient to what God has called us...

Wind storm of Washington 2006

Last Thursday was the wind storm of the year here in the Western Washington. Praise the Lord that we have been out of the chaos. We never lost power, hence, heat, warmth, and lights. But, poor Elizabeth, Mike, Natalie, and sofie were out of power for 48 hours when we found out (thanks Sally). All in all, the Stalls came down for a sleepover and Isaac following Natalie around making her his new best friend. While I was starting to feed Isaac lunch, Isaac sees Natalie chowing down on yogurt and bagel. So next thing I see is Isaac crying and thrashing in his high chair. I looked at Elizabeth and got a yogurt for Isaac, within the first bite Isaac was satisfied. For rest of the day, he literally followed Natalie around.

Sunrise

Given all the rainy days we've had lately, it was nice to be able to see farther than 20 feet in front of you this morning when we woke up. Thought is was cool that you could see the snow blowing off the top of Rainier.

Santa is coming!

We had a get together with Dan's work and Isaac meeting Santa. The kid was very happy with his new friend. He went around and said hi to all of Dan's co-worker. He even kept going back to one of Dan's boss to have him hold him. We didn't teach him to kiss p, but he sure is doing a good job for his dad. As you can see, Isaac was well dressed for the occassion. He also ate like a king with us at the lunch.