Isaac

Isaac update

2009-09-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

Isaac is still learning lots of things, like how to make slides way more fun (and dangerous...he would have fallen out of tall twisty slide with this maneuver, if Mike hadn't been there to grab him)

And how to ride in a kayak without tipping...

And how to put on his own glasses. Well, Mr. PotatoHead's glasses, anyway.

Isaac is also learning how to camp. He really likes it, even when it is cold enough to require stockings hats and jackets in June.

He's also learning how to ride a bike, fish, and a lot more. For more pictures and videos, go to
http://picasaweb.google.com/mpreiner/Isaac20090913Web#

Isaac in 2009

2009-03-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Since the New Year, Isaac has been learning a lot. One of the most important things to learn, of course, is how to make a fort...

And how to properly handle a wheelbarrow.

And how to properly handle yourself when surrounded by man-eating piranhas. (keep crawling, and don't hold up the line of kids behind you).

Some of the more sophisticated things require a bit of explanation. Here his uncle Jim explains the intricacies of coaster use. Isaac had just finished a lesson on turban winding from his cousin Quinn.

Isaac has never needed any instruction on bikes (or heavy equipment, for that matter).

But it turns out his old man still has some tricks to teach him about getting in and out of snow-holes.

To see more educational fun (and several movies), go to

http://picasaweb.google.com/mpreiner/Isaac200903Web?authkey=Gv1sRgCIaexvj4jcvFKg#

Thanksgiving and Christmas, 2008

2009-01-07T20:47:00.000-08:00

Roooaaarh!!!

Check out more pictures at

http://picasaweb.google.com/mpreiner/Christmas2008

2008-11-05T21:40:00.000-08:00

Isaac had a good time at Halloween, but he wasn't all that into candy or his costume.

However, he thought his Mr. Ovenmitts-for-hands idea was pretty clever.

For more pictures, and comments, go to

http://picasaweb.google.com/mpreiner/Isaac20081105#

Isaac Survived 1 year!

2008-06-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

Isaac did survive his first year, but not without incident. Notice the cool scar on the forehead (2 stitches and the emergency room until 3am...)
Isaac pre-haircut, and in his "my favorite spot is in my toychest" phase.
Isaac is not quite ready for the freeway yet...
Toys? Who needs toys when there are brooms around?
Isaac still enjoys his baths. Notice the pristine, scar-less forehead.
Isaac's first puddle-stomping.

March 2008

2008-03-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

Now that Isaac is mobile, he's definitely more agressive with his wrestling moves. Unfortunately, he still pulls hair and bites, so he's usually disqualified pretty quickly.

Isaac has also taken to using his exersaucer in novel ways, although he often has trouble getting out once he's crawled in.

He's also started smiling for the camera...

And sometimes attacks the camera.

Also, there are more pictures (and a movie of Isaac scaling the apartment stairs) at

http://picasaweb.google.com/mpreiner/Isaac20080309Web

Happy New Year!

2008-01-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

Isaac had an awesome Christmas in Minnesota this year. He got to spend it with lots of family and lots of snow.

Isaac's with an absurd amount of toys from Grandma Toni and Grandpa John.

Isaac being pulled on a sled behind a snowmobile in Minnesota. We were really surprised when he started crying...

Isaac made a big breakthrough at Christmastime- crawling! Great-aunt Andrea instructed us on how to provide the proper motivation.

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-20T20:32:00.000-08:00

Isaac loves standing in his pack-n-play- for reasons we are unsure of. We definitely take advantage of this whenever we need to do something in the kitchen (Mike timed him at 20 minutes and he was still happy!).

With new, high level skills such as sitting comes new experiences. Isaac discovers magnetism.

And he's discovered books, ribbons, bags, aerobies, and everything else on the bookshelf.

Since its been a while since our last post we have lots of pictures. Check them out at

http://picasaweb.google.com/mpreiner/IsaacSNovemberDecemberWebAlbum

Hawaii Trip

2007-10-27T19:32:00.000-07:00

Isaac has progressed from eating his fingers. He's now on his toes. What's next?

Clothes, of course.

The camera is clearly more interesting than Mom's email.

Isaac's favorite part of Hawaii was the pool at the hotel.

In particular, the 6" deep part of the pool.

He also likes watches now.

Isaac and Kai-Mei at the lithified cliffs in Kauai.

All of that swimming tired the little guy out.

Isaac watching all the other kids have fun in the pool.

Happy Isaac

2007-09-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

After the last blog, we thought we'd show you a happy picture. (Take a closer look to see his new ability- drooling.)

And another happy one...

Our little old man.

Mike trying to avoid facial contact with the droolmonster.

Rubber ducky, you're the one... (Unfortunately he's terrified of it.)

Good times

2007-09-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

Isaac spends a lot less time crying now than he used to, but occasionally we still get to see some of our favorite faces...
(he tends to shake his head when he's crying, so the photos are often blurry...)

2007-08-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

We just can't figure out why Ike keeps getting overstimulated in his play gym...

Isaac's starting to like books now!

Ike after a long hard day. (We discovered his cow's milk allergy).

Did Dad just call "Isaac"?

Ike the couch potato eating his favorite snack.

JP taking care of Ike while Mike, Kai-Mei and Debbie run a 10K.

Movie.

2007-08-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Isaac is learning to talk. Well, make sounds. Ok, just vowels.
See the movie at
http://picasaweb.google.com/mpreiner/20070803Isaac/photo#5095793822510528946

Learning to Smile

2007-07-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

Although he could stick his tongue out from the beginning....

Sleeping, beach, bathtime and more!

2007-07-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

Before I (km) encountered this scene, I had attributed Isaac's ability to sleep in the oddest positions to his babiness.

Ike trying to stay cool on a hot day with no AC.

Ike is supposed to get up between 6 and 7 in the morning. On this one morning, after feeding Ike, I found the schedule was sabatoged by dad. (written by km)

Ike's first trip to the beach. It was a cold one!

At first, bathtimes were not fun at all. Isaac would scream the moment he got wet. Now, he actually likes it.

Isaac finally got to meet his grandma Toni, and he has had some good times with her...

And some not so good times...

Isaac's first graduation

2007-06-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

Visitors have often been suprised by how small Isaac's little hands and feet are. Here is a reference for future guests (although he is growing rapidly, and now weights over 10 lbs):This Sunday, Isaac got to go to his mom's Ph.D. graduation ceremony. His grandpa Shu-Man offered to watch him during the ceremony, which ended up meaning that Shu-Man missed the entire event, as Isaac apparently shares his dad's sentiments about graduation (he was not very happy about it, although it may just have been his dirty diaper). Here is Isaac and grandpa before the ceremony...

Afterwards, he was worn out from all the crying...

The three states of Isaac

2007-06-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

Before having Isaac I thought of babies as screaming/crying machines. It turns out that newborns are usually asleep (so really ticking timebombs). Since he's not smiling, crawling, walking or talking- here are some pictures of Isaac sleeping.

Of course, he isn't always sleeping. On rare occasions we can find him in his quiet "alert" state.

Which usually, after 10 minutes or so, regresses to the state we love the most.

How to Keep a Baby Quiet

2007-06-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

According to the baby books we've read, if you want to quiet down a crying baby you should:
1). Tie him up so he can't move (swaddle)
2.) Disorient him (bouncing/swinging)
3.) Drown out the crying with background noise ("shushing")
4.) Gag him (pacifier).
We find that the first three work pretty well. Actually, he does seem to sleep better with radio station set to "white noise".

And when all else fails, just cut off his air supply:

Actually, this is just Kai-Mei burping him. Despite his facial expression, he actually seems to like being held like that and having his back pounded.

Ike's first walk

2007-05-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of world out there...

But cool dude Dad's there to help Ike out.

Isaac getting to know dad

2007-05-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

Family Resemblance

2007-05-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

The resemblance is kind of scary:

Kai-Mei, 2004-11-08

Isaac, 2007-05-23

Other Peoples Babies

2007-05-24T17:10:00.001-07:00

Kai-Mei's reaction to Isaac reminded me of one of my dad's old adages: "Nobody likes your pets, or your kids, except you". I don't know about anyone else, but KM didn't really like babies all that much until she saw her own.

First Day

2007-05-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Isaac's First Day:

Kai-Mei was in labor from midnight Saturday night until Monday at 4:06 am. She did it without any medication, but she couldn't have done it without the help of our doula Veronica and her assistant Megan. This is from a few minutes after Isaac was born.

All of the worries that Kai-Mei had about not really liking babies disappeared immediately. As soon as they put the wet, grey and blue crying blob in her arms, she said "Oh, he's so beautiful!" and she really meant it.

Isaac was born 7lbs 15oz, and 20.5 inches long. Also for his middle name, Tai (fourth tone)means safe/peaceful and Yi (fourth tone) means justice/righteousness.