CALI KIDS

Faiwy Yips!

The kids and I met up with Ari and her boys in Camarillo last week so the two of us could refilled on some much-needed sister time. It was great. We shopped, took pictures of the kids and saw the usual sites of Ventura County.

I'm not going to go into any details about the fun week.
Just wanted to post some fabulously adorable pictures of the babes. I love this face of Ellie's. I love matching Kota and Camden.


Ellie, You are something else!!



This is probably the best picture my Camera has ever taken with me behind it. The fact that my nephew is a GQ stud didn't hurt.






I love my Camden.

Mow Me!

This is our lawn after 3 weeks with out a trim. It makes for some difficulty playing ball in the yard. Not only do we lose the ball, we lose half of Camden!


I'm going to be one of those moms who loves having camden's friends over as much as he does. Are they not just adorable!!? And they are so good too! Pat and I are so glad there Parents are amazing and fun to hang out with too! :)

Camden helping me on ironing day! Kind of a cute ghost costume too...

Children's Museum of Phoenix

Children's Museum of Phoenix with Effie!

Cam has a new friend, Effie! She's just a couple weeks older then him and is the sweetest little girl! They get along so well

Our new favorite place here in Arizona is this Museum. To all my friends with young kids: I recommend finding one near you and getting a membership! They are all very different but each one has so many activities, there's no way your kids wont love it! We've been to one in Salt Lake, San Fransisco and just discovered the one here in Phoenix. If anything, it has given me some ideas of activities I can do at home with Camden and a chance to see what he's interested in before I invest in anything. I've looked up all of the museum in California I could find too, and found a ton! Next time we go home to visit we'll be checking out one in LA and Oxnard!

Any other fun places to take your kids in Ventura County area, Utah or Phoenix? (These are all of the places we play!)

PHOENIX

So this morning at 6:30 I was on my way to pick someone up about 10 miles from the house. About 3 miles from my door I saw a man laying in the gutter on the side of the road in front of a bus stop, bleeding from the back of his head. No one was on the scene so I assume it had just happened. The two people in front of me pulled over to help. I was going to call 911 but I had left my phone at home. I felt OK about driving by because the others had pulled over and I assumed they had cell phones. The person I was suppose to pick up and give a ride wasen't there so I turned around and went strait back and by that time there was an officer at the scene and another on his way. Anyway, my heart is still so heavy. He didn't look like a bum, but a man probably waiting at the bus stop...he probably has a family to support...oh, it's so sad. I think he was shot in the head.
Phoenix is scary. Big old cities are scary. It's moments like this I miss Camarillo. I don't watch the news here because there's always some horrific crime or really lame story about cats or dogs. The news casters sound so calused to it all. It reminds me of the Jack Johnson song, something about "why aren't the news casters crying on the news tonight?".
As long as I can remember, I've been one to look out the car window into river banks, back alleys and gutters for dead people. That sounds really dark, I know. I just figure those are the places bad people do bad things. I knew one day I would actually find a body.
I guess today was that day.
I have more appreciation and respect for police officers and EMTs this morning. God bless them all!!

FACEBOOK

My friend Cristin posted a great blog about Facebook the other day. The video is awesome...please check it out below. I responded to her post and my response was so long I thought it would be a waste of a lot of typing if I didn't share it with at least one other person.
" Cristin--I loved the video. I signed up for Facebook a year ago to stay in touch with mission buddies around the world and plan reunions and stuff. I as well looked up high school friends to see if they're still alive and happy. So the other day when I got an invite to be YOUR friend, I admit I was a little hesitant to respond. Not because I didn't want to be your friend, or end our friendship or whatever, but because we already are in contact by blogger. I'm a little confused about the purpose of the thing, myself.
I don't play the games, give hugs, join activist groups or write on funwalls. Am I heartless? Some of my old friends younger siblings want to "be my friend" too. Actually, I'm not too sure if they ever look at my page again after inviting me. Do they really want to know what a 26 year old stay at home mom of two is up to? Am I so rude to ignore them? Am I hurting feelings? Do they REALLY want to know what I'm up to? Who I talk too? Will they ever really write to me or just stalk me?
It's especially weird when someone invites me to be their friend, I confirm and write a little note saying the usual "hi, what's up?" and they NEVER reply back! REJECTION. I either feel guilty, rude, stupid, confused, nosey or rejected while using facebook. I'm not a big fan of Facebook but if you or anyone else I kind of know or once knew or have heard of, need me to be another number on your number of friends stat...I'm here for you."

No offence to anyone who really enjoys facebook. I'm glad it has helped me stay in touch with some of my non-blogging friends (which are most of my single friends) and reminisce on the good ol' days. I admit I enjoy stalking you too from time to time :)
SORRY CRISTIN FOR WRITING SUCH A LONG RESPONSE TO YOUR POST, AND FOR NOT SPELL CHECKING BEFORE I POSTED. CONSIDER YOURSELF HUGGED :)

Ellison's Blessing

Ellie was blessed in Church this past Sunday. Thank You to all those who could make it, it was beautiful! I was certain she would be blessed to become a prima ballerina but it wasn't mentioned...this time. Pat said he was given the inspiration from above that she would become a quarterback princess but that he shouldn't mention it in the blessing for fear Mommy would be upset. Whatever she makes of her life, she will be FABULOUS! I'm so excited to watch her grow and shine! She is our SUNSHINE! Sunny is another very appropriate nickname for this girl!

This picture was taken of Ellison when we were in Utah 3 weeks ago. She has really changed. She is now two months old weighing in at 13.5 lbs and 23in. She at the gooing stage which we all LOVE, especially Camden. She wakes up happy and is just a JOY in our lives. I'm having the time of my life dressing her and squeezing her. I have to be sure not to squeeze her too much in front of Camden, Monkey See, Monkey Do. We found out in her appointment Tuesday her heart murmur is gone, meaning the hole has closed up on it's own. Her clogged tear duct just opened up this week too...I think. For the past 2 nights she's woken up once for a feeding in the night. I owe that miracle to Pat for praying she'd sleep through the night. Try it, it works :)

Ellie chokes quite a bit and that scares me. She chokes when she feeds at least once every other feeding and sometimes when she's not feeding at all. She doesn't spit up a ton but I wonder if she has silent reflex (that's what my girlfriend's daughter had). She also doesn't poop on a regular basis anymore. Once every other day, sometimes 2. I need to call the Dr. about that one huh? She just seams so healthy and happy...I hate to jump to any silly conclusions. Anyone out there in my circle of friends and family have any advice?

Camden is doing well. His favorite thing to do is run/skip around clapping his hands and sing/chant. He is pretty accident prone like his Dad (i.e. Sat Pat went to the ER for 6 stitches in his knee due to ANOTHER mnt. bike fall. the Next day Camden flew off the Glider and cut his gums right above his front teeth. CRAZY BOYS!).
Lately he's been screaming a lot. Too much and for dumb reasons. It's definitely a communication/attention thing but it drives me bonkers. I'm having a hard time disciplining the behavior because he seems to ENJOY going into his room or the bathroom a little bit, and then talking bout it. He likes the attention. On the other hand, he'll keep screaming if I ignore the behavior and that doesn't seem to be teaching him a lesson. ANYONE DEALT WITH A SCREAMER? HELP! Note: Sometimes he does it because he's frustrated and I understand that. It's when he has no reason...is perfectly content and thinks it's funny or something...

Besides the choking Girl and screaming Boy, life is ROCKIN'!

Pictures of the utah trip - edited

A few weeks back Pat and I took the kiddos to Utah for 5 days to visit family. We had a nice time relaxing a bit and playing hard the majority of the trip! Here are a few pictures, enjoy!
Hobbs family, These are pictures from my camera that I edited. Feel free to copy any of them you may want!

7 hours of sleep

Yeay! Ellison slept from 9pm until 4am last night (as well as 2 hours before and 4 hours after) ...her longest stretch thus far. Too bad I didn't go to sleep until 11pm. Missed out on two extra, beautiful hours of sleep. Pat made it up to me by getting up with Camden (at 6ish) and letting me sleep until 8!! I'm not following any sleep schedule this time around, at least not yet. I'm just hoping this 7 hour business becomes a new habit for the little princess :)

The Kiddos

Camden finds it hilarious when Ellie smacks him in the face with her flailing arms. I'm thinkin' He wont find it as funny a couple years down the road. Too bad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!

(picture of Dad and Me at a Daddy Daughter Brownies Dance and my wedding)

Happy Birthday to a wonderful DAD!

I remembered something I loved about my Dad a week ago and I thought I'd share it to honor him on his birthday today.

As a kid, I think the age of a second grader, jokes were the big thing. I remember coming home from school with a new one to share and the reaction of my Dad. He thought they were the funniest jokes in the world. He would heartily chuckle and then tell the joke to my brothers and sisters. One of the jokes went like this: "You want to hear a good knock knock joke? OK, you start it...Knock knock...who's there?......(awkward pause)" . That's it. I think we use to try to make up our own jokes with him too at the kitchen table. Ahhh, memories of Dad at the kitchen table...that's where many of mine are from. From his interesting dinner creations to his anticipation to hear a good story from that day, to the famous shoulder rubbs after the meal that we all remember.

What memories do you have of Dad that have popped up lately?

LOVE YOU DAD!

This is a picture of Ellie's first bath. I think she likes it.
I'm amazed at how different Camden and Ellison look. Camden is so...white (like his mommy who use to be sent to the nurses office often in 1st grade for looking so sickly pale. Sorry Camden).
This is a picture of Super Woman (a.k.a. MOM) holding sweet Ellie. This woman is the most amazing person I've ever met. I will be elaborating on that subject very soon.

I love this little outfit of Ellie's. I think it's the only one left that fits her that she hasn't pooped on. Needless to say her digestive system is working just fine.
This is a sneak peak of Ellison's nursery. Thanks to Mom, everything but the small decorative details is finished in the room.

Yesterday was my first outing with the 2 kids alone. All went well except for Camden running through a parking lot as I'm yelling and chasing him holding a car seat. I wasn't yelling because I was mad...just afraid he would be hit by a car. We made it back to and into the car just fine. it's moments like this I'm going to need to mentally prepare for especially as the heat escalates. Camden got his stitches taken out (oh yeah, forgot to mention on this thing our little trip to the ER a couple weeks back with a finger cut to the bone). Ellie's cardiologist said her hole is 3mm which is on the small side and he suspects it will go away by its self within the year. All good news here for the AZ Hobbs. Thanks everyone for your kind notes and congratulations.

More pics of Ellie...slide show didn't fit

ELLISON josie dawn HOBBS has arrived!

We just got home from the hospital with baby Ellie. I'll start with some pictures and end with some stats. If I don't get to the "baby story" this time, I'll fill you all in soon.

Ellison Josie Dawn
Ellison : named after my GreatGreatGrandmother
Josie Dawn: My middle names. Josie is my Great Grandmother's name.
Monday May 19th 1:16pm
8lbs. 10 oz.
20.5 inches
brown hair
8 minutes to push her out!!
...nursing going considerably well. Has a hole in her heart (murmur like Camden. Nothing we are worried about, Camden is growing out of his).

Xterra Triathlon

HE DID IT! HE'S STILL ALIVE!

Pat completed his first Triathlon Saturday. The thing was NUTSO! 1500 meter lake swim, a crazy up hill rugged mountain bike ride (I think 16 miles), and a 4 mile psycho run, mostly up hill! Pat was mostly worried about the swim because it's not his strongest sport. I worried about his run, being the final event of the race in 90+ degrees. He said he enjoyed the swim the most because the water felt so good and he had the energy to do it.

While waiting at the finish line, I couldn't help but imagine Pat crawling up the last stretch of the hill and rolling across the line...it was 96 degrees at that time and Camden was throwing up in my lap. I thought for sure Pat would be feeling like we did. I was so wrong! Pat made great time and ran by with a smile!! He wasn't trying to beat anyone so he said he really paced himself, sometimes walking (like everyone else around him) off and on during the run.

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE!

I was so PROUD of him! It was a great day (besides Camden coming home with the flu).