MORE BABY ROME

I thought I would post some more pix of Rome. He is such a darling baby!! We had such a difficult time with him in the beginning though! The picture of Branden bouncing on the ball is a good representation of what we did with him for the first 6 weeks!! Our knees, backs, and patience were raw! I had similar problems with Parker as a baby and I always swore that if I had another child like him, I would be really aggressive about getting him some help. After a couple of visits to the pediatrician for "colic", we ended up at the GI specialist. They figured out that poor Rome is allergic to proteins. I have always loved nursing my babies and so it was super hard to switch to feeding him formula. It was trial and error, but we eventually found one that is special ordered at $50 a can!!! YIKES! Thank goodness our insurance company helps us with paying for it. (As a can only lasts for 2 1/2 days!!)Other than meds for his reflux he doesn't require anything else and he is such a good boy now. The kids adore him!! Kamarin is his little mother and loves to just hold and rock him. His big brothers like everything about him...except when he cries!!

BABY ROME

We are no longer Hoopes 5...we are now Hoopes 6! I am not sure how to rename my blog, so for now it will remain the same. These are some of the earliest pix of our sweet new addition. He has been so much fun and such a blessing to our family!!

CARVING PUMPKINS

I think that carving pumpkins is such a fun family tradition! The boys each picked out the perfect pumpkin and then they were ready to carve. Everett spent a lot of time stabbing his pumpkin with various tools. He also refused to stick his hand inside the pumpkin to pull out the guts! Parker was meticulous in his efforts of cleaning and cutting. We definitely missed Kamarin this year, as she was at her Dad's. We were successful in creating spooky jack-o-lanterns!

PARKER'S PRESENTS

Parker had a couple of gifts that he REALLY wanted for his birthday this year: a watch and a yo yo. As you can see by the pictures...he was very pleased with his presents. Little brother also got a yo yo to join in the fun. Dad and Mom spent the next several days rolling up yo yo's...so the boys could stand on the couch and try again!

1ST AND 4TH GRADE HALLOWEEN PARTIES

I figure that I had better hurry and post all of our Halloween pictures from parties and trick-or-treating. I was schduled to be induced to have our baby this morning. The hospital called and they are full until this afternoon...so, we are waiting! The boys class Halloween parties fell on Parker's birthday. His class was having a pizza party too. He wanted me to bring in donuts for the class. His teacher always does an apple bobbing for each of the kids. Parker almost got a bite into his apple. Everett's class had fun making spiderwebs with paint and eating plenty of junk.

HALLOWEEN PARTY 2009

Kamarin had another Halloween party this year. We had worried that she had sent out too many invitations (108) and that it would last way too long (6-11 pm). Fortunately, only about half that many kids showed up! And, surprisingly enough almost all of them were in costume! We had plenty of food...almost 5 pizza's left over! The kids had a great time! They spent time dancing, singing karaoke, and just being silly! Even Kamarin's little brothers were welcomed into the mix! The party did go a bit long, but for the most part, it was a great party! She was really pleased! She even gave out a trophy for the best costume...it went to the guy in the Santa Claus suit!

CINNAMON ROLLS

Last week, my Mom came to visit. I always enjoys when she comes!! I debated whether to have her come before or after the baby arrives. I decided to have her come before, because she is so fun to play with! I figured that after the baby was here, I wouldn't feel much like playing for awhile. We hit all of our shopping hot spots and went to lunch everyday. The one thing I wanted her to do for me before she left, was to try a new cinnamon roll recipe. I have been craving a really good, really big, and really sweet cinnamon roll for a while now! I knew that she could help me get my fix!!! This recipe had vanilla pudding in it...and they were enjoyed by all! We even had enough to share with neighbors!! (Ignore Branden's long lizard tongue...when you ask for a pose, you get what you get!)

EXPRESSIONS OF A PREGNANT WOMAN

WARNING: THERE WILL BE A LOT OF COMPLAINING, WHINING, AND SELF-PITY CONTAINED IN THIS BLOG ENTRY.

I am officially 33 weeks and 2 days pregnant. That may not seem like very much to some women who just love to be pregnant. I however do not! Do not get me wrong...I love being a mother!! I just love it! But, the 9 months (9 lunar months actually, which really equates to 40 long weeks)it takes to grow a sweet infant is really too long for me. I realize that some mammals are pregnant for far longer...but, like I forewarned I am complaining!
The news that we are expecting another precious individual, to welcome into our family is always a joyous occasion! Then comes the "day-long" sickness! I have been sick with all of my pregnancies, but it seems to have gotten worse with each baby. By the time that the nausea/vomiting has subsided, then I am getting big and uncomfortable.
So, that being said...I am huge! My youngest son has told me that I am not yet as fat as Santa Claus though! My middle son asked if I was too big to stand on a scale anymore. When I shared with him, that I was indeed small enough in stature, to fit on a scale...he then wanted to know how much I weighed. After much persistence...I agreed to whisper my weight to him. "No way!!! You weigh way more than that Mom! You are lying!" Hey, I totally told the truth! I guess that is what you get when you tell a 9 year old how much you weigh!
I have now spent 2 eventful evenings at the hospital with contractions! I am certain that the triage at L&D have deliberately purchased the MOST uncomfortable beds that they could find! That way you won't be tempted to return unless absolutely necessary! Both times, the sweet girls that work there have given me injections to stop my contractions and then sent me home. Don't get me wrong...for this I am grateful! It just is time consuming and a bit exhausting!
I recently read in an article about pregnancy. It stated, that woman should have no problem feeling attractive while pregnant. Hmmm, was this article written by someone that has never experienced pregnancy? Let me tell you about feeling sexy...I am retaining water from my toes to my chin! Cellulite and a double chin do not rank high on the sexiness scale in my book. My limited maternity wardrobe is tight and uncomfortable! I cannot stand, with out experiencing the need to pee all over my self! Oh, and exercising hurts and starts my contractions....so, any hope that I might be fit while pregnant is out! And I am supposed to remain feeling attractive?
It is just NOT happening!
I did just go to the doctor. She would like me to remain pregnant for another 2 weeks. Of which I am fine with...longer really, if my body and this darling baby will cooperate. So, now I have to stay down after 4:00 pm everyday and do all of my mom-duties from a chair! Yeah, it doesn't work out all that well. I know that this too will pass and pretty soon, I will be rewarded with a beautiful baby boy! But, until then, I will commiserate to all of you that are willing to read.

CARMEL APPLES

Sticky, gooey, and messy! But, oh soooo good!

SOCCER SEASON 2009

Our boys love to play soccer! And, both are actually good little players...and I am not just saying that, as their mother! This year, Branden was hoping to just cheer from the sidelines, but as usual he received a call asking him to coach. So, he is proudly coaching Everett's team. The first month is quite brutal, because we are still experiencing the Arizona heat. You can see from these photos, that my boys are a bit on the warm side. They drink lots of fluids and we spray them with a water bottle. Parker is an amazing defender! If the ball is coming toward the goal, he is your man! Everett loves to play Striker...he is aggressive and can move the ball down the field!

RELAXING IN THE SUN

The Hoopes family had planned to spend a week together at Rocky Point in Mexico this summer. But due to the unsafe environment across the border, we changed our plans. We all met in Tucson at the La Paloma resort instead. We spent the day relaxing pool side and enjoying each others company. Saturday evening, we dined at the club house and were pampered by Curtis Peralta, a family friend and chef at the resort. The dinner was preceded by delicious appetizers and finished by fabulous desserts!! The kids enjoyed the waterslide and the many pools. They even got to watch a dive-in movie! Thanks to Mom and Dad Hoopes for providing such an enjoyable time. I didn't seem to get pictures of everybody...sorry to those that were missed. Love you all!!

TWO LOST TEETH

It has finally happened!! He had to wait 6 painfully long years, but he finally lost a tooth! Not, just one tooth...but two! You can see the extremely large tooth growing in. Unfortunately, two teeth have to fit in that one little space. Thank goodness for orthodontics in a few years! Everett walked around with those two little teeth hanging on by a thread for about 2 weeks. He was very protective of them! We all tried to "encourage" their removal....but he wouldn't have it! Finally, with much bribing and persuasion, his Daddy was able to pull the first one. He roped it with dental floss and *pop* out it came. The second tooth followed the next night. The tooth fairy was VERY generous!!

Thanksgiving Point--Utah Adventure

One of the many things we wanted to do while in Utah, was to visit the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. My boys love to use the paint brushes to uncover dinosaur skeletons. We were lucky enough to share the experience with cousins!! It was so fun to see the Hudsons & the Cannons! Kamarin was a great help with the little ones!! Dinosaurs, dinosaurs and more dinosaurs! Grandma was along for the ride too. We had a great time!

Linden Park--Utah Adventure

My side of the family had a family reunion in the middle of July. Branden and I drove the boys up to Utah and Kamarin flew up a few days later. Can I just say that Utah is beautiful? I grew up below those gorgeous mountains and took them for granted! Now when I go back to visit, I can't help but stare up at the mountain peaks and sigh! And the weather...(of course this does not apply to winter)! If it is hot during the day, it still cools off in the evening! We are still 105 degrees at midnight here! We found a rather fun place to play with cousins! Linden Park is nestled below the beautiful mountains that I speak of. As you can see from the picture, you can enjoy the scenery and a water slide at the same time. They also have a flow rider!! My kids thought it was GREAT! Especially the boys! You pay $10 for the day and you can go as many times as you want. Park got very good and was performing many tricks. Kamarin swallowed too much water a few times. It kept them entertained for hours! We went twice in the week we were up in Utah. It was a great way to chill with family!

Percy and the Olympians Book Signing

Parker and I love to read together. We pick a series and eat, drink and breathe the books until we are done. Sometimes, we start them all over again, just for fun! This summer we chose Percy and the Olympians. The series has five books in all and as luck would have it...the last book came out this summer. The local Barnes and Noble was having a book signing. The auther Rick Riordan was there signing books and answering questions. We decided that it would be an adventure to attend!! Apparently, there are alot of Olympian fans out there...who knew? We waited 3 hours for our turn. We had a great time! Kamarin wanted to come along for the ride (although she had not and still has not read the books). It was fun to see everyone dressed up as characters from the books. Both kids had the author personalize one of the books to them.

Swimming Lessons 2009

Back in the saddle again...with the kids back in school, I have time to get back to blogging. I have much of the summer to catch up on. My boys took 3 sessions of swimming lessons through the city. Kamarin was a veteran guard volunteer at the pool too. She logged an impressive 100 hours... in which, she either assisted in lessons or life guarded at public swim. Both, Parker and Everett took diving. They loved learning to dive from the diving board. Parker is really interested in joining a dive club over the winter months. Everett was still hesitant, but always looked forward to his "free dive" at the end of class. He can do a mean cannon ball! Thank goodness we can escape the heat in the coolness of a pool!!

CUB SCOUT DAY CAMP

Parker had the opportunity to go to the Heard Pueblo Day Camp for cub scouts for three days at the beginning of the month! He was soooo excited! This made for very long days...he left around 1:00 pm and returned home exhausted about 10:30 pm. After work, Branden met him up there and had a great time helping chaperon the boys. Park had the opportunity to do archery, BB guns, swimming, crafts and water balloon fights! He created many memories with his buddies!

STILL HUMAN

I have been having some problems with heart palpitations recently. The cardiologist thinks it is just related to pregnancy hormones. He wanted me to wear a cardiac monitor for 24 hours just to monitor my heart beats. I was telling my boys that I was leaving for about an hour to have some electrodes and wires put on my chest to record my heart. They both got kinda quiet and told me that they didn't want me to go. I said that I would be right back. Then Park asked, "well, are they going to change you into part cyborg?" No...I assured him and jokingly told them that they would be stuck with just a human mom, not a really cool robot one. Everett said, "good cause I like you being human!" When I returned they both came running to inspect the hardware. They counted the 5 wires and then asked again how the doctor would get them off. They were relieved that they were just stuck on with stickers. Such imaginations!!

NEW SAND BOX

It has taken 10 long years to finally finish the back yard. We ordered 15 tons of rock to put around the yard. It looks soooo nice! I thought that it would be the end of the mud my boys cleverly create....every single day of my life!! I was WRONG! So, the day after the yard is finished the men in my life decide to build a second sand box. This one in the shade of the club house. It really is a great idea, but, add a little water and PRESTO....MUD! Branden had some mighty good helpers though!

EIGHT GRADE PROMOTION

When I was going to school, Junior High consisted of 7-9th grade. I think that I kinda liked that! Especially, since my daughter is about to enter HIGH SCHOOL!!! The school that she attends starts High School in the 9th grade. She is sooo excited and a little nervous too. She looked beautiful at her Eighth Grade Promotion. It began with the eighth grade student body entering the gymnasium to the graduation march. They read her name and gave her a certificate and that was it. She is now a High School Freshman!!!! Yes, I am freaking out!