May 26, 2008

If it's the summer of the Osmonds...then wake me up in September.

Greetings my few and loyal blog readers,

2 more weeks until we find out the sex of our little Fetus. We can't wait!! Jason is totally and completely convinced that we are having a girl (but he also thought Clark was a girl), and I kinda want it to be a boy just to prove him wrong (HA!) But either way we are happy, I am determined not to get my hopes up for anything...although it would be nice to have a girl (so I won't have to ever be pregnant again).

20 more weeks until the baby is due. I am finally at my halfway point! This pregnancy has been so different from Clark's. With Clark, I was really physically sick the first 16-18 weeks...but after that I was perfect. I had energy, I was happy, it was so easy. This baby is kickin' my butt everyday! I am finally able to eat 3 meals a day, but I still suffer from constant nausea and weird food aversions. I am more tired than I EVER remember feeling, and my hormones have been C.R.A.Z.Y! If this is any indication that it is a girl, then I believe it!

11 more weeks until my Kauai trip! I have been saving all my allowance planning a trip to go to Kauai this summer, with my sister and friend Carol. We are finally going to get our tickets this week, and start making the car and hotel reservations. YAY! Sleeping, eating, beaching, and sight-seeing in peace and quiet.

9 more weeks until my birthday!

I am really looking forward to this summer (well with the exception of the whole "summer of Osmonds" thing, who decides these things? I was watching Extra and ET, and that is what they said...so maybe if we just stay clear of the entertainment news programs we will be safe). We watched Indiana Jones tonight, and it was so much fun. The movie was pretty good, no surprises really...there were scary bugs and spider webs, lots of punching and crazy driving, and an old man with a whip. But I was mostly just excited to kick off the summer movie season. This summer we are finally going to have a steady babysitter, and we are going to go out every week (just like we used to before the Tuna came along). There is nothing I love more than spending my Friday nights at the movies.

May 24, 2008

A Little Chipmunk Magic

Clark doesn't watch too much TV. He watches for a little while when he wakes up in the morning or after naps...and then mostly only Sesame Street. He would rather be outside, or listen to music while he plays.

But we did find something that glues him to the TV. The new Alvin and The Chipmunks movie...

He loves it! And when I say love I mean he doesn't move an inch when it is on, unless it is to get up and dance. We bought it couple times on pay-per-view, but we didn't realize how much he loved the movie until we saw a commercial for it and he started crying when it was over in 45 seconds. When we got the DVD he carried it around all day, and even took a nap with the case. He giggles when they get talk and get into things (like the part they are messing up Dave's kitchen) and he dances every time a song comes on. It is so funny to watch his eyes glaze over, and that smile spread across his face. We have introduced so many cartoons and movies to him, we read books and listen to music and of-course all the toys toys toys...and it is so fun to see what he likes and chooses, a little glimpse into his still forming personality.
He has been a little sick this week (just the croup and allergies), which is always hard for him because he never gets sick, and this movie has been the only thing that really soothes him and makes him happy again.
Today alone we have seen it 3 times...the things we do for our children (HA!). I really don't mind it too much, I grew up in the 80's and the Alvin and the Chipmunks cartoon was a big deal on our house...actually I still wish they had the cartoon on now. And I just love to see how excited he gets when it comes on...
I have been trying to get a little video of him dancing, but with him being sick it is more like a sad tired dance...but stay tuned it is coming.

May 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Gary!


I am such a bad Mom...
I just realized that I miss Gary's birthday last month. He turned 6 years old, on April 10. He is such a good kitty, and we were lucky to find him. He spends most of his time outside now, he loves Hawaii. He has become an expert bird catcher, and gecko hunter. He still doesn't like Clark, but tolerates Clark's "loving" very well. He is still not getting along with Ty, the neighbor's dog...and as I type this I can hear them fighting and chasing each other outside. He loves to go outside early in the morning, and typically we won't see unless he is hungry...but without fail every night he comes home to us. He still sleeps with us every night, and won't let us be until he gets his full body kitty massage.
I feel bad we don't pay as much attention to him since Clark came, and he is not gonna be happy when he realizes the reason Mommy is getting so fat is because she is growing another baby.
Happy Birthday, Gary. We love you!

May 19, 2008

Now This Is Official...Blogging


I couldn't let Emma and Sabrina be cooler than me so I decided to start my own family blog.


For the past 7 months or so, I had been keeping a small one on my Myspace page...you can call it practicing for the big leagues I guess. I moved all my old posts over, so as not to lose any of those precious words of wisdom.


I am hoping to keep you all caught up on our comings and goings...Clark's shenanigans, Fetus #2, Jason and other non-sense. I like to blog about the books I am reading, and don't be surprised if there is a rant or two about my favorite TV shows.


Happy Reading!

Love, The Bosko Family


ps. Feel free to pass us along, and share us with your friends and family.


Philipa Gregory

So, I haven't been keeping up with the whole "blogging about the books I am reading" thing. I have read a crap load this past few months, so I am about to do some major catch up...here are the highlights.

First, my brother loaned my Into the Wild by John Krakauer. The book was pretty short, and a very easy read. It reads more like a documentary and there is not very much emotion or feeling in it, except for one very moving part with he writes about the mother. The book is about a boy, who unhappy with his life and society, hitch hikes across the country, taking odd jobs here and there but mostly living off the land. He heads off to Alaska, where he eventually meets his death (not I am not giving anything away cause it tells you that in the first couple pages). I did not really like how the book made him look unstable (although he very well could've been). I also watched the movie, which I thought was fantastic! The movie had all the heart and emotion that the book was missing. The acting was beautiful, and the scenery was breath taking. It kinda made me wanna go hitch hiking across the country and live off the land, then I remembered that I like to shower and eat (a lot). There are a few nude scenes (not sexual, just hippy nakedness) so if you don't like that don't watch it...but otherwise go ahead you won't be disappointed. The soundtrack also kicks major booty.

Next, Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Hmmm...good read. It kept my interest, but it is a little weird and you get half way through the book before you can start to see where the story is trying to go. Crazy family drama, and another weepy "heroine". Why do I always end up reading books where the female lead is such a whiner?

I also got through the sequel to Pillars of Earth. Although it takes place 200 years after the first book, A World Without End is still considered the sequel. It is set in the same town, and centers around the legendary church the built in the first book. The story is much the same politics, disease, famine and really mean guys. But Ken Follet writes amazing characters, and you can't help but be sucked in. Steamy, romantic, thrilling and thought provoking...I just love it.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseni. Sad sad sad, but very good. This is the second book I read by this author. I always learn so much when I read him. Set in Kabul during the time the Russians invaded and the Taliban takes over. It is about a girl who loses her father and mother, only to be sold into marriage to a cruel man. She finds some way to survive and make a life for herself, and along the way finds little moments of joy. The book is just heart breaking, I cried most of the way through...but I was so glad I read it. Eye opening.

(Holy Crap! I am watching Smallville while I am typing this....and Lex just blew up the Fortress of Solitude....is that even possible?! Damn season finale cliff hangers!)

I also started (and almost finished) working my way through Philipa Gregory's' books. I got interested in her when I read The Other Boleyn Girl (which I only read cause I wanted to watch the movie, but missed it in the theater). Set in the time of King Henry and his many unfortunate wives, I was immediately hooked! I must have not been a very good history student , because when the be-headings started happening I was in complete shock. I then read her other sequels or prequels to that book (The Constant Princess, The Boleyn Inheritance and The Queen's Fool) all just as good...mostly true and very interesting. I have two book left in her "Queen" series and I am eager to finish them. I find that era so intriguing...showering yearly, going to mass 3 times a day, the church was the law of the land and the leader of the church was a moody King, plotting to seduce the King and over throw the throne, balls and masquerades....it is all just too much fun.

Last (and most certainly not the least) I just got through reading The Host by Stephanie Meyer. I just love her books! This book was about aliens and soul stealing body snatchers...a little different from her normal vampire love and adventure. The aliens have come to earth to get us humans under control. They insert their souls into our bodies (quite like Invasion of the Body Snatchers), some humans don't go so quietly...which is where this story begins. It's little hard to get into, but hooks you by the end of the first 100 pages. Her characters are always so passionate and fun to read (even though her female characters tend to be weepy and whiny), and I loved the good vs. evil (or is it evil?) what would you do type situations. I am always glad to read her books, and this one did not disappoint.

There you go, just about sums up my last couple months.

I am always looking for some new books if anyone has any recommendations.

I feel like a junkie, looking for her next high...Happy Reading!

A Suprise Just For Me!

(Originally Posted April 27, 2008)


For weeks Jay has been telling me about this surprise he was planning for me. Yay! A surprise...hmmm what could it be. I have been wanting to get my hair done (since I only get it done when I go home to Utah and my awesome sister-in-law to be feels bad for my mangy locks and fixes me up for free). Oh!...our 7th wedding anniversary is coming up, maybe I am gonna get a nice present...jewelry! Maybe it will be a nice date, or a special day just for us.

Seriously, I was going crazy trying to think of all things it could be. I have been a little down...just crazy pregnancy hormones. And I really needed a break, something for me.

Jay comes home one day after work, and gets this suspicious phone call. He runs into the room, closes the door and talks to whomever it was. He comes out of the room with this larger than life smile on his face. This is it...I know it has to do with my surprise, I can't wait! I was having a horrible day...I had spend the morning doing dishes and the gross smell made me throw-up, the house was a disaster and my dvr forgot to record American Idol and it was Andrew Lloyd Weber night (I had been looking forward to it all week). I really needed some good news, a surprise just for me.

Those of you that know Jay may see where this is going...

He begins to tell me that a group of people at his work (his work? hmm...what kind of surprise do I want from his work, maybe he got promoted early) anyway, a group of people from his work got asked to do some extra work on the last episode of Lost for this season. (Lost! That is my favorite show.) He made some phone calls and got asked to be one of the extras...he was going tomorrow morning to shoot the scenes. He was going to be able to meet some of the cast, be on set, be on the show....

WAIT!

I was waiting to see how I worked into this. Do I get to go with him and watch? Nope, nothing. This was my surprise.

This does not really seem like a surprise "FOR ME". Am I just being petty? I am happy for him, and glad he got this opportunity, how exciting...for him.

I am wondering how him getting to take a day off of work, going to be an extra on MY favorite show, while I am home taking care of Clark doing laundry and chores, is really a surprise for me.

Is it just me?

I got really mad at him (hurt mostly). He was so confused, he thought I was going to be jumping up and down with joy. It was weird... He made me feel like I was such a jealous baby, and I had no reason to be upset. That I should be thrilled ...

I felt bad I got so upset and ruined his happy moment. But the more I thought about it the more I realized I did not really do anything wrong. I was not reacting to him being on Lost, I was reacting to the fact that I did NOT get a surprise (ok...still a little childish, but lets not forget that I am pregnant). If he would have come home one day and said guess what I am going to do this tomorrow blah blah blah, I would've been so excited for him. But he had to go on and on for 2 weeks about how he had this surprise for me, which was really more of a surprise for him.



So, am I over it? Sure. Good for him. My day will come soon...

But I still want a surprise...and it better be a good one!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Our Dearest Little Tuna,


Happy Happy Birthday! We can't believe how big you are getting. You are so much fun to be with, the joy of our hearts and home. This has been the best year of our lives.

It is hard to believe that a year ago your were still kicking and punching in Mommy's tummy. I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Daddy and I were watching TV, resting after a long day. All of the sudden I heard and felt this little POP in my stomach. I knew right away my water broke, but I was afraid of what to do. I finished the TV show we were watching (ha!) and called the OB nurse. After convincing her that I wasn't just peeing my pants she told us to come in. The drive to the hospital was the longest 20 minutes of life. I wasn't in much pain, just super nervous of what lie ahead for us. We got all checked in, I was dilated to 3 centimeters...and being the thoughtful baby you are you waited until Mommy and Daddy were comfortable and settled in our room until you started giving me the contractions. I didn't last very long, only 30 minutes, until I was ready for the epidural. After I got my spinal tap it was a cake walk. Daddy took a nap, Mommy finished reading her book (I think it was a Nicholas Sparks book) and we just waited out the night. About 7 hours later I knew it was time to get the ball rolling. I felt like I needed to push. It was 4:00 am and the doctor was due to come in to check at 6:00am. So the nurse, in all her infinite wisdom thought I should wait until then (I understand they get a lot of first time mother's who think they know everything so I wasn't that mad). I waited it out another hour before I made Daddy go and get her again, and again, and again. Every time she blew me off and told me just to wait. The fourth time she came in the room I told her that I knew I needed to push and I was gonna do it whether she wanted me to or not. Well, she finally took me serious and went to get the doctor! When the doctor came in she checked me out, I was completely dilated plus some. I could tell the nurse was a little in trouble cause the the doctor gave her the nastiest look. The room was a filled with people...a lot of people. See you had gone to the bathroom while you were still inside of me and they were worried the meconium had gotten into your lungs...so there was a group of people just waiting for you. I begged and pleaded to have the doctor come back in to give me a booster shot, to take the edge off....and like a knight in shining armor he was there with his beautiful drugs. I felt nothing! Nothing! I was pretending I still felt the contractions, but I had no idea when to push. Don't get me wrong, it was hard and exhausting and very uncomfortable...but nothing compared to the pain I thought it was gonna be (I love epidurals and booster shots!). After about 45 minutes of pushing you were out! The whole time Daddy was gushing, look how cue he is, he is so small, April he is so beautiful. You literally took his breath away. I have never seen your father so elated and thrilled. He was hopping all over the room, he couldn't get enough of you. The doctors whisked you away to make sure your lungs were clear, I did not even get to see you, but Daddy did not take his eyes off you. The doctor fixed Mommy all up, and I was just laying in the bed....listening to your sweet little cry, trying to cough all the garbage out of your tiny lungs. I was desperate to see you....15 minutes later, 15 very long long minutes later Jason carried you over to me. You were all bundled up, your tiny little face peeking out at me. You took my breath away, the tears were flowing down my cheeks...I was so happy. I have never felt so complete. Everything was worth it, the throwing up, the constant heartburn, the peeing of my pants every time I sneezed...I would do it all over again 100 times for you. I will never forget it....and I thank God everyday you came so smoothly with no complications and very little pain (well until afterwards, but that is another story).


Clark Michael Bosko born 2-15-07 5:48 am. 7 lbs 12 oz. 18 1/4 inches long.

2-15-07


You were a feisty little baby...

7.12 lbs  18 1/4 in


Snug as a bug...Mommy wishes you would still sleep with her like this.

a little pout


One year later.....

Snow Baby


The time has gone by too fast. You are a walking, running and dancing machine. You surprised Mommy and Daddy by crawling and walking so soon. We couldn't stop you from moving. You were barely 6 months old when you first crawled and 9 months when you took your first steps. You laugh, and make your own jokes...you seriously have the best sense of humor. You love animals, and break into fits of giggles whenever you see one. You are not shy at all, you will go up to perfect strangers so they can coo at you and tell you how cute you are...you're so very friendly and loving. You are going to make the best big brother. You love your junk food just like Daddy, and watching TV with Mommy. You always want to play outside in the mud and puddles...and you have been a tan little beach babe since the day we brought you home. Your smile lights up the room, and your family loves you very much. We have been blessed to have so much our family come to visit, and your Aunties and Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas love you so much.


Happy Happy Birthday Son! I hope you remember something from this special day...the cup cakes Mommy made, the friends and family that came to be with you, and the love we all have for you.


Mm mm cake!


Eating Cake


Happy 1st Birthday Tuna!


Love Mommy and Daddy.




May 18, 2008

Deep Sea Barfing

(Originally Posted Jan. 28, 2008)

My little brother came last week to visit. His first trip to Hawaii (and probably only)! I was so excited, and being the awesome big sister I am (and official Deimler/Bosko tour guide) I planned a kick ass deep sea fishing trip (well actually Sabrina planned it ALL, and they even paid for me! but it is my blog...). My brother is a hardcore hunter and fisher...dude (for lack of a better term) so he was mega excited! It was really the only thing he wanted to do while he was here. I had been counting down the days to our big fishing trip for weeks.
A whopping $200 per person and a wake up call of 4am...and we were off.
I was so giddy (and so was everyone else for that matter). The boat was so small and cute. I love being on the water. And I was so excited to be spending time with my little brother. The first hour was fun. A little bouncy and cold, but the prospect of maybe catching my first fish kept my spirits high.
Then the nausea came. And the dizziness set in. Then the barf. GAH! I could barley stand up, yet I had to keep running to the side of the boat to "let it out". Pure torture. And my poor baby brother, who had been looking forward to this for weeks...I think he had it worse than me.

Deep Sea Barfing
Me losing my breakfast.

Poor BJ!Barfin' BJ

All we could do was lie down, close our eyes, and try not to die. Every time we tried to get up we would "loose it" again, so BJ and I just laid in the cabin all day. They paid for an all day fishing trip. So, basically they paid $200 (per person) to throw up and sleep. What an expensive nap! I remember thinking early on (before the exhaustion set it) how we could get out of the trip. Maybe I could slip on the wet deck and cut my head...just a few stitches, we could be home before the afternoon and still go out that night. As I watched the island get smaller and smaller, all I could think was I wanna go home.
BJ and Sabrina did end up catching 2 beautiful fish (Mahi Mahi). And that 10 minutes it took to reel them in and size them up was so exciting. It almost made all the throwing up worth it...almost. I did not catch anything (I am still pretty bummed about it. I have been fishing 2x and have never managed to catch more than moss). And I slept through the whale sighting (it has been a dream of mine since I was 12, or whenever Free Willy came out, to see real whales). I remember Sabrina trying to wake us up to tell us that we were pulling into the harbor...and all I could think was thank God we were almost home.
If you ask me now, after the vomit taste is out of my mouth, I had fun. Not because it was the party we had all planned it to be, but because I got to bond with my little brother. My barf brother, as he likes to call it now. I will probably never go on a trip like that again. And the plans to have a second baby are totally off the table, now that the horrible memories of morning sickness are fresh in my mind. But I am glad we went...

Our Fishin' Trip
Both fish caught were Mahi Mahi. Sabrina's was 12 lbs. and BJ's was 16 lbs. The only reason we are smiling so big is because we were so happy to back on land!

The Edge of Winter

(Originally Posted Jan. 17, 2008)

The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice

This book was about bird watching, saving a WWII relic, healing from the past and finding love. A bit juvenile and sappy, but I loved every minute of it.
I loved the character Shane the most, and maybe Ranger O'Casey. I think I identified with the characters and their love for the outdoors and the beach, which made the book more interesting to me. I wasn't super impressed with Luanne Rice as an author, and I am confused what genre she writes in...seemed like young adult to me.
No need to rush out and buy it, but it is a nice book to have on hand when you are waiting for your Amazon order to come in the mail.

Did I just say that?


(Originally Posted Jan. 14, 2008)


I am not ready to leave yet...


So, last week Jay came home and asked me if I wanted to go to DC. Sure, I love it there. We were happy time last time we lived there, and we still have friends in the area. When I asked...NOW. SUMMER. WHY SO SOON! But I am not ready to leave Hawaii yet....


Six months ago that would've have been a different story. I did NOT like Hawaii when I first got here. I hated the humidity and heat. I hated all the mold, geckos, and bugs...that are everywhere. And it is just so far from home. I was just so stuck up. But now, it has grown on me. The people and culture here are so amazing and friendly. I am so lucky to be able to go to the beach whenever I want. Hiking, snorkeling, camping...there is so much to do. I am just not ready to leave yet. It is gonna be so hard...

So are we leaving...maybe. There is a small chance. Jason wants to switch "careers" or the direction he is going. (He found a way to do it in the CG, instead of getting out. A couple weeks ago he came to me and said that he wanted to get out and do Border Patrol...HELL NO I said. If we get out of the CG, it is to go home to Utah, and that is just never gonna happen. Anyway...) He has the Law Enforcement bug. And no matter how good he is at all the medical stuff, and how much he likes it. He just missed being a loser with a gun...well not really, but that is what I call him. He wants to go into the CGI, which is like the Coast Guards police or investigations team (???). He found a position that will get him a little closer to that. I told him to do whatever will make him happy, I really don't care. He is still asking questions and examining his options. But I am guessing that we will stay here anyway, and he will find another way to get onto the CGI team.
So after all the discussions and debating of actually moving sooner than we planned, and changing careers. The thing that still gets me....is that I wanted to stay. If someone told me when we first got here that I would be sad to leave I wouldn't have believed them. Everyone always told me you are so lucky to live there...and I just thought they were crazy. Now, I get it! It must have been all those pregnancy hormones that con-fuddled my brain when we first moved here. I still hate the humidity, and I vow we will never again move into a place that doesn't have air conditioning (or a dishwasher!).


I am really going to treasure this last year that we have here.

Atonement

(Originally Posted Jan. 13, 2008)

Atonement By Ian McEwan

Gah! I hated this book. I only read it cause the preview for the movie looked so good, and the paperback was like $5 at Walmart (that should have been the first sign). It was so depressing and frustrating. The first quarter of the book was okay, it dragged a little (the writer seems to go on and on about dumb things...boring!) but I wanted to find out what happened so I kept reading. It seemed every time the story got good and interesting, it stopped, switched to a different time, and a different persons point of view. The ending was horrid and sad...but I was glad it was over....so so glad.
So April, why did you watch the movie if you hated the book so much? Who knows? I have never watched a movie that followed a book so word for word. Most of the time I pick through everything that is different from book to movie versions (drives people crazy). So maybe I thought that the movie would be more exciting, less depressing and a little romantic. Well...wrong. The score to the movie was so obnoxious that I literally wanted to plug my ears. And since I already hated the book, and knew the ending, I wasn't excited about anything going on. Although I do have to say that the actors portrayed the characters very well, perfectly in some cases. And if I hadn't read the book, I might have actually liked the movie (seriously, I have never said that sentence before...isn't always exactly the opposite!).
In conclusion...don't read the book, and only rent the movie if there is nothing else to watch (and you don't mind being depressed).
On a positive note. I GOT TO GO TO THE MOVIES! It was amazing and everything I remembered it to be. I treated myself to some Butter-finger Bites and a Slurpee. When the previews came on I was so excited I almost cried a little. I am sure my friend Carol thinks I am a giant freak now. It reminded me how much I have been missing (7 long, cold, lonely months) and I am gonna make more of an effort to get a babysitter and go to the movies. Like maybe tonight!

Resolutions

(Originally Posted Dec. 31, 2007)

It is New Years Eve again. I was trying to remember my resolutions that I made last year (to see which ones I actually followed through on) and I honestly can't think of one. I think we were just so absorbed in the process and planning to bring home a baby, that all I cared about was having my house clean and organized.
So...this year I am keeping it short and sweet. I have learned over the pass year that I can really only handle one thing at a time, too much on my plate and I am going to fail for sure!
First and it should be the easiest, I am going to stop biting my nails. I had been doing really good and most of last year I did not bite them at all. In fact I collected a lot of finger nail polish I was painting them so much. But something happened at the end of the summer, and now I can not keep my fingers out of my mouth. Who knows what happened? But I am starting over. It is a disgusting and painful habit, and it must stop!
Second, I am going to be healthier. I don't exercise, in fact I loath exercising. So that will be the first thing I am going to conquer. We have a treadmill, and I am actually going to start using it. Also, I am back on the South Beach diet, that I was on all summer. I did not lose any weight before, but I did feel better physically. I have spend the last 2 months weening myself off of caffeine, which has been painful (it was my only vice...sniff sniff), but I am determined to stay off. I miss it the most in the heat of the afternoon, when I am tried and need a "pick me up"...but again I feel better physically. This will be my hardest goal, and it will need the most effort. But by this time next year I want to feel better (physically) and hopefully look better. I do have a goal weight that I want to get down to, but I don't want to focus too much on that.
Third, we are going to go to church more. We have no friends, except for our neighbors (who are also our landlords) and a couple we knew from California. We need more friends, and support. Clark needs friends and more interaction from other children, besides the kids at the mall. So we are going, probably never on time, but we will be there.

'Twas The Day After Christmas


(Originally Posted Dec. 27, 2007)


We waited months. We made plans, and lists. We went shopping, made deserts and wrapped presents. I scrubbed the house from top to bottom, even vacuumed under the couches (I never do that). We did not even sleep the night before. All for Clark's First Christmas.
Christmas is a big deal in our house. It is Jason's most favorite time of year. He is very particular about it, and has to do things a certain way...so I let him do whatever he likes. He tends to go a little over board with the presents and food...but all in good fun. It meant so much to him to share Christmas with Clark. It was more fun watching Jay than it was watching Clark...
Our house is littered with wrapping paper, and boxes. The floor is covered in toys...and I couldn't be happier. My overwhelming need to have everything in its place is suspiciously missing. This is the best time of year!
Christmas morning was a little anticlimactic. Clark who normally can tear apart and eat a magazine in 30 seconds...did not have any desire to open presents (maybe that was the result of us constantly telling him not to touch the presents the entire month before?) And it took us almost the entire day to open everything, cause he had to play with each toy before moving on to the next one, all the toys were a little overwhelming to him. But to see the excitement on his face was priceless. I did not get my Nintendo DS...but I will have it soon enough. I did get most of the DVDs I wanted, (Jason really knows the key to my heart, LOL!) and I have been enjoying every minute of my How I Met Your Mother marathon. Jay did not really like his present, he is already planning on exchanging it for the bigger better version...but I expected nothing less.
I love Christmas. I love watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Elf a thousand times. I love buying presents for people, and sending out cards. I love making cookies, and eating Christmas ham and mashed potatoes. I love that everyone is happy, and together (even though we may be far apart).
As cheesy as it sounds, I wish everyday was Christmas.

One More Day

(Originally Posted Dec. 23, 2007)

One More Day by Mitch Albom

This was such a fast and easy read. I read it all in one night before I went to bed. I am such a Oprah junkie, and she funded the TV movie version of this book. My friend said it was crap (the movie) so I tried the book instead. I had never read any of Mitch Albom's book before, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was very thoughtful and inviting.
The story is about Chick, a man who thinks he has lost it all. One desperate night as he is about to end his life, he thinks of his mother. The story continues through a series of flashbacks, about his childhood and his need to please his father. The story is about unconditional love and learning to forgive ourselves. I really related with Chick's mother, and I hope to be as selfless as she was.
I liked the author well enough that I plan on adding his other books to my (long long) list of books to read.

Lets Go To The Movies

(Originally Posted Dec. 20, 2007)

Please, please, please. I wanna go.

I love going to the movies. Nothing in the world makes me happier (well except my son). I love sitting in the dark, in front of that giant screen...with the music swelling all around me. I love watching previews, and getting excited over new movies and actors I love. I had friends that used to make fun of me cause all I ever wanted to do was go to the movies, two in a day sometimes. I was and still am the easiest date, dinner and a movie...and sometimes I did not even need the dinner just get me some popcorn or nachos.

I miss Christian Bale, and Ewan McGregor....

The last movie I saw in the theater was Harry Potter 5...way way back in July. I am used to watching at least a movie every Friday or Saturday. It started when The Tuna was born. We knew we would have to cut down going out, but I was not prepared for this. Six months without anything...I am going through bad withdrawals. Luckily I have Blockbuster online account where they ship me three, and I can exchange them in the store. But it is just not good enough. I used to feel so cool. I knew what was going on in "my world"...who was doing what and when it was coming out. But I don't even have that going for me anymore. I swear, you do not want to be around if I miss Sweeney Todd.

I love my Tuna. He really is the best baby. But I miss my old lover...

Pillars of Earth

(Originally Posted Dec 19, 2007)

Pillars of Earth by Ken Follet

I loved loved loved this book. Right from the first chapter I was hooked. I could not put it down. I have been staying up until 2am almost every night reading.
It is a big book, a little over 900 pages, and the story spans about 50 years. It takes place in England, during the time of kings, knights and earls. When the law of the land was left up to Bishops and Kings...they were still working on the separation of church and state thing, and having a really hard time with it.
It follows 6 different families. Of-course they all, in some small or big way, are involved with each other. The characters are so well written. Right from the very beginning you know who to root for, and you are invested in their well being. There is intense heartache, redemption and curiosity through out the whole story. More than once I was brought to tears. One part in particular...Phillip is trying to get his cathedral build, everything is up against him. He comes up with the genius plan to have the towns people come on Sundays to help build. He is on a deadline, and only 100 people show up (I thought that was awesome, but apparently not enough). Phillip is heart broken as he watches all his dreams fall down around him...then he hears them, thousands of people coming out of the forest to build his church. I can not do justice to the moment, but I was holding my breath and tears were streaming down my cheeks. Magical...
To me it is all about enduring to the end. The characters are going through a medieval hell of poverty, famine, death and great great injustice. But they do not give up...
I thought the book was very well written. I felt like I was there. I cared about what happened. I was swept up into this world, and I did not want to leave. I learned a lot of things I did not know before, but I did not feel like I was taking a history lesson. There were a couple very graphic sex (and rape) scenes that frankly I skipped over, but that is the only thing I did not like about the book.
I just found out there is a sequel and I am gonna start it after the New Year. Pillars of Earth is definitely one of my favorites of the year (after Harry of-course and the Twilight series). So thanks to Oprah for the recommendation (she is 0-1 right now, since I wasted 3 weeks of my life trying to read Love in the Time of Cholera).

What?!?

(Orignally Posted Nov. 11, 2007)

Yesterday Jay cut his leg on some glass, and we had to go to the emergency room for stitches (it was seriously bleeding all over the place). Everything was fine, he wasn't in much pain, and the doctors were giving him a lot of attention (cause he is in the military medical field too). They were getting ready to clean out the wound and the doctor asked how much pain he was in, Jay said "not really any at all, maybe a 1-2 on a scale of ten". Then the doctor goes..."okay we will give you some Vicodin".
WHAT?!?
He said he wasn't even in pain, they numbed his wound he couldn't even feel anything. I was dumbfounded. I gave birth at that same hospital almost 9 months ago. My vagina blew up, I pushed out a 7 almost 8 pound baby. The doctor had to give me like 100 stitches, she was literally picking the broken pieces of my vagina up off the floor and sewing them back together. Did I get Vicodin? I was crying every time I had to go to the bathroom cause it hurt so bad...did I get any medicine. I didn't even eat for a day and a half cause I was so afraid of going to the bathroom...I was in THAT much pain. I couldn't even sleep, or move. And do you want to know what I got for it...IBUPROFREN! And only 600 milligrams...
Are you kidding me? Jay gets a scratch on his leg, barely 8 stitches. Sure it was bleeding a lot, but he said it did not even hurt. And they give him Vicodin. I push a baby out, my vagina is lying in pieces on the floor, and I get freakin' Ibuprofen!

What is wrong with the system? Is it cause he is a man, and in the military?
I just can't believed it.

Naked

(Originally Posted Nov. 6, 2007)

Naked by David Sedaris

It was okay, and a little over rated. Funny but not the funniest. I think my expectations were to high. I just was not interested in reading it at all...maybe because each chapter was a different story, I couldn't make it flow.
It was really well written, and he does have a great sense of humor. And I was the moron who before I read this book thought Amy and David Sedaris were married, not brother and sister. My favorite chapters were Drama Bug been there done that, I was a huge thespian...and the final chapter Naked was hilarious!
I am sure I will get around to reading some of his other books, because he is a great author and easy to read...but I am not gonna run out and buy them all right now.

Pumpkin Hunting


(Originally Posted Oct. 29, 2007)


So... this weekend we took Clark to his first Halloween Pumpkin Patch! I don't know why, but I had been looking forward to this for so long...maybe because it kicks off the holiday season. I love the holiday season, Thanksgiving and Christmas, New Years...fall and winter. This is what I live for. The pumpkin patch experience, was not what I expected...but that is Hawaii for ya. We had some fun, and chose these cute tiny pumpkins. But it was too hot and sunny for me, I got a sunburn (dude I miss fall, and the cool crisp weather!!!). I don't think Clark was enjoying the heat either, he only tired to eat the dirt once, and didn't even want to explore anything. Over-all it was a great day. I love starting our new family traditions with Clark, nothing makes me happier. And it will be fun to remember our first Ghetto Hawaiian Pumpkin Patch.
Our First Family Pumpkin Hunt

King of Torts

(Orignally Posted Oct. 17, 2007)

King of Torts by John Grisham

Definitely not one of J. Grisham's best, although he hasn't come close to his best in years. I fell in love with J. Grishman when I was 14. I started reading A Time To Kill, and I was mesmerized. It was the first book that I can remember not being able to put down, I would stay up reading until 2 or 3 in the morning. Since then I have read him off and on, nothing (of his) has ever been as good as his first book.
Blah...That is all I can say. It was like reading about a very slow and predictable train wreck. Clay is a lawyer (duh, it is a J. Grisham book) who gets in WAY over his head. One bad decision after the other. He is a rookie, trying to prove himself. He is approached by Max who is all charm and too many secrets. Max is a "inside man" who leaks Clay info on several different companies, he sues, settles, and makes millions. I found myself screaming at the book...take the money and run. It was not gonna end well... At the end of the book he declares bankruptcy and runs. The stuff in the middle was just boring law jargon, and numbers. I did not care about the characters in the book, so I did not care about the ending. I kinda wish he would've gone to jail, he was after all guilty.

And Then There Was Pooh

(Originally Posted Oct. 12, 2007)


To make a long story short...Clark ate his POOH!

yeppers! that is POOH!

This morning, when I woke up I remember thinking WOW! I have the best baby. He slept in until 9am (or so I thought). I was a little curious that he hadn't gotten up, so I went into his room to check on him. The first thing I saw was his tiny cute bare bum...


And then all at once the horror washed over me. Something smelled? Was that poop on the wall... Why is his diaper off? Why was he asleep, cuddled next to his diaper...


All I can figure is he got up at his normal time (around 7am) but instead of crying and waking me up like he normally does... he decided to take of his diaper, do some finger painting, and some TASTEING. There was pooh on his mouth...gag! There was pooh all over his face, his eyes, his hair and in between his toes. I still feel like throwing up.

finger painting


So after three baths for Clark (which he loved), two showers for me, and scrubbing out the bathtub 5 times, I am beginning to feel clean. The crib has been dismantled and scrubbed. His sheets and crib set are on the 5th cycle of washing...and one more should do it. He had some milk and a nap, but still isn't very hungry yet?


That is my life...and beautiful, chubby, pooh eating 8 month old baby. I guess this can be reason #11 Clark is half puppy...

Book Reports

(Originally Posted Oct. 10, 2007)

So, last night as I was trying to fall asleep (every night it takes longer and longer) I came up with the brilliant idea that I am gonna start blogging about all the books I read. I used to keep a book diary when I was in high school, I think because I like to make lists and organize things...it was/is very therapeutic in a way. So here I go again.

The beginning of this year is all a blur, and I was mostly reading pregnancy, diet and baby books anyway. I started and finished the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, which I really really enjoyed. Some people write her off, because she stays in the young adult genre. (But I enjoy reading young adult books, they are a fast and easy read...and sometimes you need a break from all those pretentious and wordy adult authors.) I spent most of the summer re-reading my Harry Potter books, getting ready for Deathly Hallows. I enjoyed spending the summer with Harry so much, I am considering doing it every year. Stardust by Neil Gaiman was short and sweet, and very entertaining. I got caught up on some of John Grisham's books (The Partner, Street Lawyer, The Summons)...I forget how much I love his writing and characters. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks, which was okay...but I hated the ending. Night by Elie Weisel, which was haunting and heart breaking. And Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen...which was very interesting, steamy, entertaining and over all a good read. I can't wait to read more of her books. So that about sums up the year...or at least most of it. Woo-hoo!

Now for my first official book blog...

What the Dickens by Gregory Macguire

I didn't love this book or hate it. It was entertaining, and a quick read. What the Dickens actually turns out to be a skibberbee, or tooth fairy. We follow his journey to find out who he is, and where he belongs in this world. It was funny, and left a lot to be imagined (which can be good and bad). This is G.M. first young adult book, and I found it much easier to follow than some of his other books. He tends to get a little wordy for me. The thing I love about Gregory Macguire is how he ties other books, stories and authors into the story, but not in a obvious way...they are like little hidden treasures. I have read all his books but Wicked and Son of a Witch are my favorite. Just waiting for his next book...

Top 10 Reasons Why Clark May Be Half Puppy


(Originally Posted Oct. 4, 2007)

So, I was thinking the other day that Clark reminded a lot of someone I used to know...oh ya, my old puppy Roxy (that we gave up after 8 weeks cause she was a pain in the butt). So without further ado, my top 10 reasons why I believe my son is half puppy...

1. All the drooling, slobbering...and more drooling.

2. He chews on everything! Electrical cords are his very favorite, and flip flops (same with Roxy...coincidence I think not).

3. He bites and licks my toes.

4. He begs for food! He does not even eat real food yet, and he is stealing it off my plate.

5. He pees on the rug.

6. He plays fetch. I roll the ball across the carpet, he crawls to get it, and brings it back to me. Seriously!

7. He gets really really excited when we go outside, or for a "ride" in the car.

8. He likes to chase cats. As soon as Gary comes in the room Clark will break out into giggles, stop whatever he is doing and chase after him as fast as his chubby body will move.

9. He barks all the time. He actually sounds more like a seal, but it is still noisy. I have been trying to catch it on video for weeks, but he is a sneaky baby and stops every time the camera is out.

10. He is always sneaking in the garbage, and eating strange crap off the floor.

So, my son is half puppy...but I am okay with it.