The Hopkins Cubs

Baby Levi

Levi James Stone was determined to be here. We know this because against all odds he was conceived, survived a difficult pregnancy and rigorous delivery.   He was a rock, steadfast and immovable which  is why his middle name is Stone. He is a quick study and has a strong core. I see him watch people and react as if he knows what they are saying. He has done this since day one. Levi is and has always been a bright eyed grumpy baby boy. Time will tell but I think he will talking very early and walking soon. He is so cute I can hardly take it. I just love his baby smell and the way he so thoughtfully looks at his world. He loves to listen to my voice and music. So I wonder what is in store for this sweet inquisitive baby boy.

Baby Josiah

Josiah Thomas Sterling was always a force of nature. Before he was born I knew that this baby was different and very special. That is why his name is Josiah as it describes how I felt about him during pregnancy.  When he was born he was unstoppable. I literally could not stop him from coming and he came to this planet with great ease. He picked up nursing right away and was an angel baby during sleepy time. If you had the pleasure of holding this child he would slowly and gently get you to fall asleep with him. So calming and peaceful was he. I don't know any other way to describe it other than the fact that utter peace just exuded from him. I will never forget his first smile and how his whole face just lit up  the whole room. I remember thinking that his teeth would change that about him. I was wrong. When his teeth came in they just accented his sparkle smile. What a charmer he learned to be. Watching Elijah and Naomi like a hawk he learned how to walk quickly. Even though he was too small to play with them he always wanted to join in the game head first. Now that he is in his terrible two's he is....well....terrible. However I will cherish that first year he and I shared of absolute bliss. 

Baby Naomi Rose

Samuel and I knew that we were having a girl before they told us. Sam knew because he just knows. I knew because I was craving nothing but sweets. Which makes sense because she is a sweet little girl!

On the day that miss Naomi was born I was elated. I could not wait to see my baby girl. She had some trouble on her way out though. Her umbilical chord was wrapped around her neck a couple of times so everytime I pushed she was being choked. They got her out quickly, showed her to me and then took her away immediately.  She turned blue and they worked passionately to bring her to a healthy pink again. They succeeded. However every child that goes through this type of trauma has to stay in the Nicu and so I was not able to nurse her for her first few days on this planet. I went home without her and came back as often as was humanly possible. To look at her now you never would have thought that as a new born she had all kinds of tubes going down her throat. The day she was able to go home my joy was immense. I was so happy to have my little "Mini Me".

Baby Elijah

Baby Elijah's beginning was as if I had signed up for baby boot camp! Right from the start I was craving stake, fajita meat, pork chops and the like. I had mad nausea and vomited anytime I smelled or saw onions. He was an old soul right from the start. During my very first ultra sound ever I saw a miracle in my womb. My precious baby boy was dancing there and I cried. Then day he was born I became one of the happiest Mothes on the planet. When Samuel and I looked into his eyes he would stare back and look straight into our souls. Elijah will be a great Man one day. The name Elijah popped in to both of our heads at the same time. So we took that as a sign. His second name was after family members on my side of the family. "Sky" his middle name came to me when looking at the sky just before Hurricane Rita. My doctor said he could be born during the hurricane because I was “any day now” status. So I said, "this is Elijah’s Sky” just before the Hurricane hit. And you know I knew at that moment that everything was going to be just fine. His presence has always been that of a man that stands 7 feet tall. Destined for greatness he is..

My youth, my Sister and Haute Chocolate.

I was born in the Central Valley of California the daughter of jack of all trades and a nurse.  Both of my parents were musicians and have a deep love of music. Being taught music theory at a very early age I guess I could say that I have been touched by music my entire life. Played in orchestra and sang in Choir throughout  School. In college I had to make a choice and I chose voice. I dabbled with the Grand Opera in my town and then became a regular fixture at the Local Dinner Theater. I became a Performing Arts Instructor for the disabled by day and a songstress by night. My sister and I did sing and play violin together as children and as adults we formed a act called Haute Chocolate. We shall soon see how that pans out. But the original reason to do it all is to make a CD for our children. To preserve for ever how much we love them.

Origins

Samuel and I met for the first time at an airport where he proposed to me. Well let me rewind. We had a mutual friend. Who was on leave from the army visiting Samuel. I called him one day only to wind up on the phone with Samuel. Samuel asked his Best friend for my number and I asked him for Samuel's number. Samuel and I have been talking every day since then. After about six months of talking on the phone. I made the trip out to meet and date Samuel for the first time. I came home and told my Mother, "I am going to Marry that man!" And so it came to be and the rest is history!

H is for Hope, Honesty, Honor, Home, Helpful, Hello's, Hearth, Hot Chocolate, Honey, History, Hunter, Harmony, Hexagon, Hawkspur, Heaven, Hopkins for better or for worst and Happily ever after.

This is The Hopkins tribe.