Sneaky Baby

Clark has turned into quite the little sneak.  We keep our washer and dryer outside, so it is always a chore to get laundry done...unless I want to chase Clark around the back yard for 30 minutes every time I want to switch a load (which normally I wouldn't mind doing, but I am fat and hot and pregnant).  The other day when I was changing the laundry Clark sneaked past me... Now of-corse I saw him out of the corner of my eye, but it was so funny to think he actually thought he was getting away with it.  He had his back all hunched over, and was tip toeing behind me.  I ran into the house to get my camera, cause I wanted to catch his sneaking on film...by the time I got outside and found where he was he had already covered himself (and  little of the dog) in mud.  Now, of-corse the pictures are not that good because these days I can't get him to hold still for anything...most of them were just blurs, but you get the idea.

   This is him after the rain washed off most of the mud...we love rainy days and mud holes.

Just a few days late...

I know we are a few days late (the Bosko's are a little slow these days), but I wanted to still add Clark's 19 Months Old post.  This month has been crazy!  He has been taking advantage of my enlarged state and the fact that I can't waddle very fast...to do whatever he wants.  I spend half the day saying "CLLLLAAAAAAAARK" for some reason or another.  It is getting harder and harder to take a picture of him.  We went to the beach a couple weekends ago, all I wanted was a picture of him smiling in the water...nope he just would not cooperate.  I am sure the other people at the beach were wondering what was wrong with the puffy lady in the water having a nervous breakdown. 

We also took him for his 18 month check-up and shots last week (see....more proof how behind we are these days).  He weighed in at a hefty 30lbs. and was 35 inches tall.  The doctor gave us a hard time cause he is not saying any words yet, but I told her to jump off a bridge (she was a little nutty...she wanted to have him tested for Autism and everything???).  He communicates well, and can understand us...he just does not want to talk.  I can get him to uh-0h occasionally, and I swear he can say Mama but won't cause he knows much I want him to say it.  Other than the talking thing, he is hitting all his milestones...and frankly is quite the little genius. (Well, we think so.)

He loves to jump.  He loves to run, I am not even sure he knows how to walk anymore.  He loves to make people laugh.  He is mischievous, and such a little trouble maker.  He loves other kids, and is always trying to make friends with everyone. He is always ready to play.  He loves his blankets...two of them, both exactly the same and both Harry Potter blankets (he has to take them everywhere much to his Dad's disapproval).   He is the best, and I know he is going to be an awesome big brother.  

2 years is coming up so fast...

In The Woods

(This is my first post on my new computer...YAY!  I am still trying to figure things out and get used to a whole new system, I don't do very well with change, but so far I am happy.)

In The Woods by Tana French

I finished this book in just a couple days, it was pretty good.  Although, I am not sure I finished so fast because it was so good or just because I am having horrible insomnia lately (I am averaging about 3-4 hours of sleep a night, mean fat unborn baby).

The story is about a detective, Rob Ryan.  When he was a child he and his two friends were playing in the woods, and his friends disappeared, he was found alone, scared and covered in blood.  He never remembered what happened.  Fast forward like 20 years, there is another murder in the same woods, it brings back memories, and questions and a mental breakdown, as he tries to keep his past hidden and see if the cases are connected.

It was an interesting enough book, the characters were like-able (I really liked Cassie Maddox, she was so spunky and a fun character to get to know), and the story was fast paced.  I got lost in the narrative and back story, I liked that it did not take me very long to get into the book.  I was just disappointed with the ending.  They advertised this book as a physiological thriller, and mystery.  I did not think it was very scary or thrilling, and I figured out who-dunit pretty early on in the book.  The ending was anti-climatic and left a lot to be said.  However, the author has come out with a sequel type book, with a couple of the same characters...so maybe the loose ends will get tied up there.  I am looking forward to reading it, but will wait until it is in paperback.

Happy Reading Everyone...

Let's go to the movies...

Just for Caleb...

So, I don't really review movies, because I find I am not really objective enough. Especially when I love the actors and or director who is making the movie. I can generally always find some redeeming quality about the movie, and as long as I was entertained its all good to me.

Do I think the X-Files movie is worth watching? Of-course. Putting aside my obsession with David Duchovny, just for a minute, and trying to be objective. I thought the movie was really good. I loved the cinematography and the creepy coolness of it all. I thought the story was interesting, and scary...although just a little predictable. I loved the classic back and forth struggle between Mulder and Scully...I forgot how much I missed them. The performance by Billy Connonly was intriguing and sad, one of my favorite. I loved Amanda Peet, and was pleasantly surprised she managed to keep her top on (first movie I can remember seeing with her all the way dressed). I got so lost in the "X-Files" world, I forgot it had been years since we were all there. I thought they did a great job staying true to what we all knew and loved. Can I just say again....I really loved seeing Mulder and Scully back together (still trying to be objective, but it is not working). By the end of the movie I was sucked in and cheering, and I almost peed my pants with excitement when one of my favorite characters from the tv series showed up (although I think the man next to me was annoyed by my excitement, ha!). Overall... good movie.
Now, do I think it was worth the almost 10 year wait? Nope. With all the build up I was expecting so so much more. I did not mind that the movie took a step away from the alien conspiracy theories...but I just felt like something was missing. The movie could've been a regular (although awesome) tv episode. I still want them to make another movie, I think I will always need a little Mulder and Scully in my life.
I think it was worth the $18 movie tickets, and $20 worth of treats...I would definitely try to see it in the theater.

On another note, I just want to say how much I am loving Guillermo del Toro right now. I am thrilled by the news of him getting together with the Lord of the Rings gang to make The Hobbit (in two movies...awesome). I love everything he has ever done! I recently just watched The Orphanage (which he produced) and was sucked into the movie and world he created...great scary movie.
Also, one last note. Nims Island sucked! I am not surprised, it looked like a crappy movie, but we really try to watch everything in our house...cause who knows if you are missing out on something fantastic. Too bad too cause Gerard Butler is hot, and he could've really saved the movie.

Women of Genesis

My Mom bought me this series a few years ago, and I have been putting off reading them only because I thought they would be boring Bible stories (that is what I get for judging a book by its cover, and not trusting Orson Scott Card). I really really liked them. I soared through each story, learned a little and was very entertained. I love Orson Scott Card. He writes the best characters, I feel like I walk away from each book knowing them so well...having another friend. I love the way his books suck me into the conflict and heart of the story. I have read most of his books, and this series is the only one I had stayed away from...I am just too stuck up for my own good I guess.

Although he does take some liberties when it comes to the characters, the dialogue, and thought process...I found that he stayed close to the Bible stories we all know. I loved reading more about their families and everyday life... than I did the miracles or parables we were supposed to learn from. I loved how the women he choose to write about were so strong and faithful, always showing integrity....especially during a time when women were thought of as baby making machines (or son making machines) or just another wife added to the pile. The concubine and multiple wife thing still always bothers me...but the way Card wrote about it helped me not hate the husbands as much.

My favorite of the three books was probably Rebekah. I loved her simple faith, and trust in God and her family. I loved the way she meets Issac, and they fall in love. I loved how he explained how she grew up without her mother, only to have her come back in a funny and cruel twist.

In Sarah, I loved how she loved and and knew her husband since she was a child...she waited 1o years for him. I admired her and her husband's faith as they waited and waited for a child. The only thing that did bother me was the story ended right where Abraham takes Issac to sacrifice him on the Lord's command...I would've really loved to read Card's interpretation and insight.

Rachel and Leah was equally compelling. I loved reading about their relationship as sisters, their struggles to compete with one another. I enjoyed reading the banter and arguments, and the struggles of their father trying to keep both his girls happy. After finishing it, I found out that he is writing a second part to the book...which I think it awesome cause there is so much more that could've come on in the story.

So, in conclusion....always trust Orson Scott Card (I will never doubt again). I have rarely (I can only think of once or twice) been disappointed in anything he has written. I feel like he is writing to me sometimes, his characters say what I am thinking, and...well I just really like him. I enjoyed this series and I am looking forward to the next installment.

I'll be back soon...

Sorry it has been awhile since I have posted any new blogs or pictures. My computer has been slowing dying and it is just too much trouble to get online. BUT....I ordered my new computer online today (YAY!) and it should be here by next week. I can't wait to set it all up and have something that actually works.

On another note...the Bosko's are doing good.
Clark is a delight. He blows kisses all the time, is still obsessed with Sesame Street, and is such a dare devil. The other day I found him crawling up my dresser, ahhhhhh! He can also find his pee-pee now...I always try to teach him his body parts and I figured that nose and mouth or toes would be the easiest to learn, however he was much more excited to learn about his pee-pee and where it is at. When I ask him where his pee-pee is, he grabs it and laughs...ah boys!
Jason is hanging in there, after a hard couple weeks at work. One of the helicopters from his base crashed 5 miles off the coast during a training exercise. All 4 crew members died. His base is so small, only about 140 people, so everyone is pretty close...and since most of us are far from home we are all family. Jason is in charge of all the critical incidents at his work, talking to people and making sure everyone is being taken care of, so it has been hard on him. On a good note he is looking forward to starting his fall classes, he has decided to do this semesters classes online so he can be at home to help with the baby.
April is fat and uncomfortable. I want the baby out! He is so strong, and when he kicks me it really really hurts, I swear he almost cracked my rib the other night. We are all ready for him to come home, we just got our car seat the other night and that was the last thing on my list.

I am really looking to fall (is it officially here yet?). I love the fall, when the weather gets cooler, and the tv shows come back from summer break. I miss watching the leaves turn colors, and actually having that cool crisp weather....but I will settle for 80 degrees rather than 89 (a lilttle rain would be nice too)! I am really excited about this season and some of the new shows coming out...my dvr is going to be working overtime. Which reminds me, I need to ask Jason if we can get a second cable box...so I have more room for more shows, HA!

Not so little Harry...

Giant! Fat! Chubby Baby! Here are the latest ultrasound pictures of the baby.

We went in for our final ultrasound, to check on the progress of his kidney development and make sure he is growing properly. We were so pleased to find out that whatever problems he was having, have remedied itself. The kidneys are working normally, and both are the correct size. What a relief!!

All of our prayers for a strong healthy baby have been answered....and then some. I think Harry took us literally when we asked him to grow bigger and stronger, because he is GIANT! The technician says he is already weighing over 6 lbs, and if he keeps it up he could weigh over 9 lbs when he is born (ahhhhhh!) He is about the size Clark was, when I was a 2 weeks away from having him. It's no wonder I have been having so much trouble sleeping and moving around. I feel like I am about to go into labor...yet I still have 6 weeks to go. It is going to be a loooooong six weeks. My ultrasound technician was so funny, she has been so good to us over these last few months of check ups, she kept telling me that for my sake she hopes he comes a little early (me too!).

I seriously can't get over how chubby his cheeks are, and his little double chin. And those pouty lips!! I am in love.The doctor said he feet were a little over 3 inches long. They look so big to me...I guess we won't be needing those newborn socks after all...maybe he can just borrow Clark's.

I am so thankful that Harry is doing better, God truly does answer prayers.