Buckle Boy

Clark is obsessed with buckles. Obsessed!  It all started with him playing with the buckles in his stroller, and car seat...trying to sneak out (he is such a clever little sneak).  He will play with them for hours, literally.  He loves to open and close them, and will try new ways to put them together.  He loves to help me put Harry in his car seat, and claps for joy when the baby is all buckled in.  You would be surprised how many buckles are laying around your house, and Clark can find them anywhere.  He found some I didn't even know or remembered we had...under Harry's swing and his booster seat, on my old purses, Jason's uniforms.  I love that he likes to put things together.  It is fascinating to watch him as he works things out.  

1 Month Old

Once again, it feels weird that he has only been here a month when it seems like forever.

He is growing so fast.  Already bigger than Clark was at this age.  He rolled over yesterday...ROLLED OVER.  He was laying on the couch on his stomach, and was being his normal fidgety self, when the next thing I know he was on his back.  We can't keep him still, he is always trying to get away in his little baby way.

He has started smiling.  Real baby smiles (not gas) it is adorable.  

I've been holding out that he was going to keep some of his dark hair.  But just like his older brother, he is already going bald.  In a couple weeks he is going to start resembling  Jason Alexander.  

Clark is even getting used to having him around.  This morning I was doing the dishes, and Harry started crying in the front room.  Clark jumped up, got a bottle and tried to jam it in his mouth...sure he was a little rougher than he needed to be, but he was being a great older brother.  He likes to watch the baby, but he is sneaky about it, if he thinks someone is watching him (watch the baby) he will pretend he is doing something else.  He doesn't really mind sharing anything with the baby...except his blanket, that is a big no no.

He is eats a ton, almost every two hours...I don't know how he can fit it all in his little tummy.  

We survived the first month...sure our house is a disaster, I have at least 6 loads of laundry to do, dishes in my sink, and I can't remember when was the last time I washed and did my hair...but we are happy.

Pumpkin Hunting

We went to the Pumpkin Patch in Kapolei this past weekend.  It was a breezing morning, and the sun was hidden by clouds...so it actually felt like fall (I was in heaven).  At first Clark really enjoyed it running up an down the rows of pumpkins, saying hi to the other kids and families and getting dirty.  Alas, as most stories go, happy Clark was not with us for very long.  He was tired and thirsty and after being told "No" one to many times (he was so upset he couldn't or didn't have a wagon like some of the other kids...devastated, it was really sad) he had a break down.  Of-course at the same time as Clark's melt-down the baby decided he was hungry...and I left the bottle in the car (bad Mommy, I know).  We hurriedly choose the rest of our pumpkins, got Clark some food and soda to bribe him to stop crying...and left for Wendy's (yay! Wendy's makes every thing better).  The morning wasn't an entire loss, we spent some time with friends, got some fresh veggies at the farmer's market and got a cute family picture.  Next year should be a lot more fun...I can't wait.  

Trying to choose his pumpkin.  He was not entirely sure what the pumpkins are for, but he knew they were fun to throw, kick and sit on.

One of the few pictures where he was smiling and looking at the camera at the same time.

Our Little Family.  One of our first family pictures, since little Harry came.  I was pleasantly surprised that it only took a couple shots to get one where we were all facing the same way.

A Visit From Grandma

We were so lucky to get a visit from Grandma last week.  We got to go shopping, go to the beach, visit the Dole Plantation, and go pumpkin hunting.  It was so nice to have someone to go to the mall with and out to lunch, and Clark LOVED all the attention. (So much so he was crying all day today, because he was lonely.)  

I am so glad that someone was here to help with the babies, I was not entirely ready to do it all on my own yet.  And it was so nice to share Harry with some family (it can be so hard to be far away at times like this).  Thanks Mom, for taking time off work to come out.  Thanks for buying me cookies and wipes at Costco.  Thanks for squishing in the back seat (between BOTH car seats) every time we went some place.  Thanks for doing my dishes, waking up with Clark, and being such a great Grandma.  I know Clark enjoyed spending time with you, and he loves his new puzzles.  Next time I promise more swimming at the beach, and more room in the back seat.  

Thanks Mom!

These are my most favorite potato chips ever.  Lay's Hickory Barbecue...num-yummy!  I can never find them anywhere in Hawaii, they just don't get shipped here I guess.  I craved them every single day of my pregnancy, my mouth would water just thinking of them.  I can't even eat a sandwich or hamburger without a pile of them on my plate.  Imagine my surprise when my Mom brought me a bag when she came along for a visit...THANKS!!  I have been savoring every bite, and trying to make this little bag last as long a possible...hmmmm.  Thanks again Mom!

20 Months of Clark

He has become quite the handful.  He is really learning to push his limits and test our reaction times.  This morning he opened the oven door and climbed up on the stove...Thank God the stove was off!!!  He is a bundle of energy, and I love to watch him run down the halls on his little tip toes.  He is such a climber and dare devil.  He has finally started to get into reading books.  Up until now he has only ever wanted to eat the books (all of his books look like a teething puppy found them), but now he will actually read them himself.  He loves to be outside or in the car, and recognizes the mall as soon as we pull in the parking lot (he loves to play at the mall!).  His two favorite new shows are The Backyardigans and Wonder Pets.  He dances with the Backyardigans, and mimics their moves...and I have even heard him trying to sing/talk along with the Wonder Pets.  We bought him a little Wonder Pets fly-boat toy with the characters, and he loves it so much (carried it with him everywhere the first few days we brought it home).  He is slowly getting used to his new role as a big brother.  Every now and then I can see genuine moments of sweetness when he is with Harry, stroking his head or giving him a kiss, it melts my heart.  He is still not really talking, but I can see (or hear, I guess) him getting closer.  He says uh-oh all the time...especially when he knows he is going to be in trouble :)  I really am in denial about him turning 2 in just a few short months.  My first baby...how do you mothers handle it?  I just want to freeze time (preferably on a tantrum free day) and hold him next to me forever.  I love to watch him learn and grow...I just never realized it would be this hard.  He is changing everyday, and although I love him more and more each day...I also miss the Little Tuna he was last month, and the month before...

Slip Slidin'

Jason keeps little bottles of shampoo and conditioner (that he gets when he travels) under our kitchen sink with our other 72 hour kits and such.  Well, Clark found them...and before we knew it the kitchen floor was covered in shampoo and he was slipping all over it.  I thought it was so funny I couldn't even punish him...and besides every time he fell down he was kinda punishing himself.  Just a day in the life of Clark...

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She's a tiny little nugget...

Lil Baby Williams

Born October 12, 2008

5 lbs. 8 oz   18 in.

Only one day past her due date, Emma gave birth to Lil Williams early this morning.  She is a tiny little smidgen of a baby, practically half the size of Harry.  I am so proud of my little sister, and I can not wait to meet my little niece.  There is no name yet... and we all can't wait to see what they choose.  Welcome to the world, we are so happy you are here!

*Update* We have a name!  Reese Mae Williams!  So precious. 

Two Weeks...

Little Harry is 2 weeks old today.  I can't believe he just got here a couple weeks ago, I really feel like he has been here forever, and he has already changed so much.  He has grown 2 inches and is up to 9 lbs 14 oz. (he is a giant! same size as Clark when he was a month old).  He is a wiggle worm, he hardly ever holds still.  Even in his sleeps he wiggles his arms and legs.  He is so curious, looking around taking everything in...sometimes you can almost see the wheels turning in his head as he figures things out.  He is so noisy too, grunts, sighs, squeaks, moans and makes this funny fake coughing sounds (even in his sleep!) I am surprised he even gets any sleep with how restless he is.  He loves to watch Clark, and gets so concern when Clark is upset.  This morning Clark was throwing a small but loud tantrum... Harry was so curious flinging his head around to try and find Clark, he even started crying a little.  He loves music.  At night when he is restless his Daddy will hold him and put on some music and Harry will calm right down...it is just like magic.  I love what Harry brings to our family.  I feel more complete with him here, and I am looking forward to life down the road when he is a little older.

I am so blessed.  My boys.  They bring me so much joy.  And even though they don't know it right now...they are going to bring each other so much joy and laughter (Clark is still getting used to the idea of a baby brother...baby steps.  This is as close as Clark has gotten since we brought him home).  

Congratulations!

My brother is getting married, and I couldn't be more thrilled!  Sabrina is the best, and most of the time I wish I could be marrying her...he couldn't have chosen a better girl.  They are planning on a December wedding, and I am so excited to be able to come home and be apart of it.  Congratulations BJ and Sabrina!  

Our First Week

I can't believe that it has only been a week since we brought little Harry into the world.  I feel like he has always been here.  The week has gone by fast.  He has been such a good little baby so far.  He sleeps during the day, and likes to stay up all night...but at least he likes to read with me.  He is a good eater, and I can't wait to find out how much he weighs at his appointment next week.  He is quiet, and never really cries unless he is hungry (knock on wood that this doesn't change).  He reminds me so much of Clark when he was a baby, just more serious and reserved.  He loves to watch what is going on around the house, especially his little brother.Clark on the other hand is not adjusting to well.  The sweetness that he showed his brother when they first met in the hospital is gone.  He just dose not like having him around.  Every morning when he gets up and sees Harry he gets this really frustrated look on his face...and I just know he is thinking "crap, he is not gone yet".  He mostly just ignores the baby, he won't sit on the same couch, or even acknowledge whatever parent is holding the baby.  We tried to attempt a picture with the two of them, but Clark would have nothing to do with it (especially when he saw the baby sitting on HIS couch..he was furious).  We are trying to do things that make him still feel special, and we haven't changed our routine too much.  I am just not sure what else to do...except give them time.  I am hoping someday soon it will just click, and he will be happy Harry is here...and hopefully it will be before Harry's first birthday.

Courtsey of Daddy

Just a little video Jason made of Harry's birthday. Please turn off the music player below to hear the sound.

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I did it all by myself...

Early Sunday morning I went into labor. Just a couple weeks early (I was exactly 38 weeks)...and as it turns out perfect timing (Harry was a whopping 8 lbs. 12 0z).

I was sleeping on the couch, the only cool place in the house. It was 3:30am and I had only been asleep for an hour or so. I was startled awake by a kick and a popping feeling...and instantly knew that my water broke. I took a fast shower and woke up Jay. The contractions came on pretty fast and strong...which terrified me. With Clark everything was much slower...and I was worried we would not get to the hospital in time to get my epidural. We only live about 30 minutes from the hospital, but it felt like an hours drive. Clark was laughing and giggling in the back seat...he can be such an early bird, he did not care at all that it was 4:00 in the morning. We FINALLY got to the hospital, checked in, gave Clark to Auntie Carol (who graciously volunteered to watch Clark for us, and drove all the way to the hospital to pick him up...she is the best!) The triage nurse treated me like a idiot, and asked me 50 times if I was sure my water broke..."um no, I just like to walk around peeing all over the floor" (please note April in labor= not very nice). She checked me out, verified it did break (yea, I already knew that) and said I was dilated to 4. I started to panic a little, with Clark I only got dilated to a 3 before I got my epidural and I was so determined to do things the same as I did with Clark (I am a creature of habit). I got my IVs, I gave my history, I apologized to the nurse that I yelled at when I told her I KNEW my water broke, and I settled into bed. My contractions were coming about every 3 minutes, and they were strong. By this point I had already told 5 people I wanted an epidural and asked my nurse when I should be expecting the anesthesiologist. Well, and I could tell by her tone it was bad news, he just went in with another lady for a c-section so it would be about an hour. Seriously! I can do an hour I thought, it was about 4:30am, and I labored with Clark for 8-9 hours, I thought I had plenty of time. That rational thinking only lasted about 15 minutes... My contractions were getting really strong, and I was trying not to cry or yell at anyone. Every one kept telling me to breath, or pretend dumb things like I was blowing out birthday candles or trying to keep a feather blowing around the room (seriously...seriously birthday candles?). First of all, I am not a breath through it type of girl, I know it helps blah blah blah, but I like to squeeze my eyes shut and hold my breath...well that made everyone (including little Harry) crazy. It was about 5:30am, it had only been 2 hours since my water broke, I was asking like crazy for the epidural man and all I was getting was excuse after excuse why he wasn't there yet. (BTW, why in the world, in a hospital as big as Tripler-the biggest on the island- is there only ONE anesthesiologist for the entire Labor and Delivery floor...don't they have some one on call. GEEZ!) The pain was getting worse, and they told me they can give me something to take the edge off (um....why they did not tell me this an hour ago, we will never know, maybe they thought the whole blowing out the birthday candle advice would actually be helpful). I can't remember what they gave me, they just put it in my IV (I plan on finding out what the drug was because I think I had a bad reaction to it, and I plan to never take it again). She said it would make me a little drowsy and help take the edge of the contractions. This is when all hell broke lose. I am not sure if it was just me, or a normal reaction to the drug...but I passed out. I could not talk, focus my eyes, or really do anything except cry. I felt like all it did was intensify my contractions. I would fall asleep (or pass out) and then 2 minutes later wake up to the most excruciating pain, cry and try to ask for help....then pass out again. I felt this intense panic in the air, and I felt out of control. I have no idea how much time had passed, I only knew I was still being yelled at to breath and someone was trying to flip me from side to side like pancake. I was checked again, and I was dilated to an 8 but the right side of my cervix was not opining all the way. Up until this moment I still thought I had a chance to get my epidural, but the nurse assured me I would probably deliver before the anesthesiologist could get there (where the hell was he coming from, California?) I couldn't focus enough to talk, and I was trying to tell them I needed to push. For some reason I could not open my eyes, and I was panicking cause I couldn't find Jason. Harry's heart beat was erratic because I was holding my breath and denying us both of oxygen...we were both in distress. I started pushing. They all started yelling at me that it wasn't time, but I couldn't talk to tell them I did not have a choice. I was still passing out in between each contraction and then waking up to everyone yelling at me. I knew the epidural man was never coming, and I just couldn't take the panic all around me anymore. So, I decided it was time to get him out, whether they wanted me to push or not. The doctor came in, I was completely dilated except for that right side again...they were trying to tell me not to push because I could rip my cervix and then have to have a surgery. Well, too late he was coming fast (Harry), and I was not about to tell him to slow down. The doctor did something, some fancy stretching thing, and I was finally given permission to push him out. It only took two contractions and he was here. I remember forcing my eyes open and seeing the back of his head (he was freaking HUGE) I was calling out to him trying to touch him, but they wouldn't let me. (How come in tv shows and movies people are always allowed to hold their baby after it comes out, but in real life they whisk them away? I did not even get to see his face.) Jason was with Harrison while they were cleaning him up, and making sure he was all in one piece. He was having a little trouble catching his breath so they gave him oxygen, but other than that he was as perfect as can be. I was laying in bed waiting to see my baby, cursing the nurse who said the worst was over (obviously see never got stitches in her hoo-hoo, whatever they injected me with that they said would numb me was working as well as the stuff they said "would take the edge off"). I couldn't believe I just did it...my worst nightmare come true (ok, I am just a little overly dramatic). When the doctor was done working on my downstairs, a long 30 minutes later...I was finally able to see and hold my little baby. He was precious, so chunky and lovable. It was love at first site. The whole mornings events just melted away. It did not matter how he came into the world, just that he was finally here. The Happy hormones kicked in, and I suddenly forgot to yell at all the nurses and doctors (although at my next appointment I will have a list of questions about what happened and why). Got to love those happy hormones...

I did it all by myself! I never thought that I would be able to go through a natural childbirth (well, I knew I could do it if I had to but I had no desire to ever try to), and for such a chunky baby. Would I do it again? Nope...I don't think I would. Clark's labor and delivery was so calm and peaceful, I was alert, I could communicate and think straight. Harrison's delivery was scary, there was an air of panic all around me and I felt out of control, I wouldn't have been able to make a decision to save my life. Sure, the recovery with Harrison's delivery has been much quicker, but I don't think a few days of faster recovery was worth the way I felt for those 3 hours (Can you believe I was only in labor for 3 1/2 hours...that is crazy). The important thing is that he is here, and I have been blessed with two of the most precious boys a mother could ask for.

I am your brother...

I was so excited to introduce Clark and Harry. Everyone was taking bets to see what Clark would do. He surprised us all by being so calm and reserved. He gently touched his face, and just stared at him. Harry was cooing and couldn't take his eyes off Clark. After Clark satisfied his curiosity, he jumped off the bed, and turned on the tv (how he knew exactly what button to push we don't know...he sure loves his shows). For the past 3 days Clark hasn't really payed any attention to Harry, every so often he will examine him again and see what he can get away with (how far he can pull his arm before Mom yells, or how hard he can kiss his head). But so far he is just adjusting to being part of a duo, I think he misses being the head honcho...but as soon as Harry is more mobile I know Clark will be ready to play.
I hope the videos aren't too dark to see properly. Also, you will have to turn of the music player below if you want to hear the sound on the video.



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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books


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I am so blessed to be a mother, especially to these 2 adorable little boys. My heart is so full of gratitude and love. I couldn't be happier than I am right now.

He is here!

Harrison William Bosko

Born September 28, 2008 7:09 am

8 lbs. 12 oz.   18 1/2 ins.

Little Harry.  I couldn't be more in love, seriously.

When he is awake he is so alert, looking around

 at everything and taking it all in.  He has the chubbiest cheeks ever!

He has the longest fingers and toes...I think he takes after Jason's side of the family a little more.  He looks a lot like Clark did when he was born, except chubbier (Clark was only 7.12 lbs). 

 So far he has been a quiet baby, he loves to snuggle and (luckily) sleeps a lot.  I love these first few weeks of life so much...it doesn't get better than this!

ps. more pics at   http://www.flickr.com/photos/sir_sparky/

Edgar Sawtelle

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

Just a quick note about this... only because I am far too tire to get into it.

I was really excited to read this book.  It was getting a ton of great reviews ( in fact I think Oprah made it a book club selection this month) and from what I knew about it, it sounded really interesting.

The book was great, interesting, thoughtful, and idyllic .  I loved reading about their family life, and about the dogs they raised and trained.  The book was pretty long, and covered a lot.  You really got to know all the characters well.  I loved Edgar, and his dogs.  However, the book just ends.  I felt like there was no resolution.  Horrible, crappy non-ending.   I felt like the book built you up to this great finale, but he (Mr. Wrobleski) just got tired and gave up.  The ending ruined the entire story for me.  So, save yourself a few days and just read the book description on the inside flap....it literally tells you the entire story and you won't miss out on anything cause there is no ending.

Bah! I am still mad about it.