ONLY SIX WEEKS AND THREE DAYS?

I THINK NOT! Check out this baby bump I have already! I started showing with Ava around 7 or 8 weeks, so I guess it makes sense that I'd be showing around 5 or 6 this time, it just seems like both times I started showing only like a week after I found out I was pregnant. It makes me wonder if it's purely psychological or something. Although I doubt it because this picture is of me flexing. Ha ha. I'm having a lot more morning sickness this time around, which I blame on the heat. It was late fall and winter in my first trimester with Ava, so the heat wasn't a factor, and I think that's why I didn't have morning sickness. We got approved for our Home Equity Line of Credit and sign the papers today, though, so we'll have new windows sometime next week and our a/c shortly after. It'll be nice since it's been too hot for me to even move without getting dizzy and faint and nauseous, let alone get anything done around the house. I'll be happy when it's cool enough in my house for me to vacuum without passing out. That's what's new.

AVA'S BIRTHDAY PRESENTS

These are just a couple of the gifts that Ava got for her birthday, but these are the ones that we played with tonight, so I got pics of them. Okay, I just loved the way she looked in her outfit. Like a mini Prima Ballerina. Which she quite possibly could be one day! Also, she had so much fun playing with her bath bubbles. She tried so hard to blow bubbles, but she always just does, "fffffffffffff" instead of blowing, so it just pops the liquid off the ring. She especially loves that they're fairy bubbles!

RANDOM AVA CUTENESS

Here is Ava in Mommy's "casses". She loves to wear glasses and will put on any she can get her hands on! She's learned to "smile for the camera", but the timing isn't always great. Lol.

Here's Ava in her doll stroller. For whatever reason, she loves sitting in it. It's a good thing Josh and Heather (I mean Gunny and the girls) got her a new one for her birthday. She tore this one so bad that we had to throw it away. It's still cute, though!

FATHER'S DAY AT THE DUNES!

So we went camping down at the sand dunes over Father's Day, and it was a BLAST! I went down with Ava, Randall, and Denise on friday afternoon and Maren, Larry, and Ashton came down that night. Jake came the next morning since he worked that night. But when we first got there I tried to put Ava on the four-wheeler with Randall, and she'd have nothing to do with it. She bawled and squirmed and finally just went stiff so he had to turn around and bring her back. We spent all day and all night trying to get her to ride with us, but she threw a fit if we even asked her. Saturday morning came and we figured it out. I held her on my hip and stradled the four-wheeler while still standing up. Then Larry started it and I asked Ava if I could sit down, which she agreed to. Then she just started reaching for the handle bars, so I sat her down between my legs and started going. SHE LOVED IT!! After that, she was an addict and bawled anytime we took her off the four-wheeler. Everyime but one- when she fell asleep while riding with Maren. They had only been out for about five minutes- if that- and Maren came back with a sleeping Ava in her arms. Ava has been asking Poppy to give her a ride on the "four-yeah-yer" around the block about every night since. Another of Ava's favorite things to do while we were there was "chatch a bug" (catch a bug). She mostly just scooped up sand and pebbles, but she enjoyed it and still called it "chatch a bug". Jake was sick before we got there and I got sick WHILE we were there, but other than that everyone had a great time. I can't wait until the next time we go!!

FLIP FLOPS

What Your Flip Flops Say About You

You live to have fun, and your sense of humor is downright goofy. You are a big kid on the inside, and you have a very open heart. You try to make every day feel like a vacation, even if you have other responsibilities. Each day, you make a little bit of time to play and let loose. Your ideal warm weather place: Disney World

The Flip Flop Test

I'M PREGNANT!

So I have decided to do an online pregnancy blog, and my friend Lisa has a cute one on babycrowd.com, so I decided to do one there, too. That way I can keep this blog dedicated to the whole family, not just my pregnancy updates. Here's where to find my pregnancy journal:
http://babycrowd.com/jr/online/aprilehoney/

"UDDA DA SEA!"

As many of you probably know, Ava LOVES to sing! She will sing to any and everything, and her new favorite song is "Under the Sea" from "The Little Mermaid". I tried to catch this on video before, but she saw me taking the video and was just interested in the camera, so she stopped singing. So this time I had to be sneaky and get her singing it when she didn't see me doing it. Anyways, it's super cute!

7 QUIRKS

So Ami tagged me in her blog to do one of these, and it seems like fun that you get to tag more people, so I'm doing it.

1. I cry at the sight of snakes. Not just when they catch me by surprise or if they are close to me. I can tolerate seeing them on t.v. because then I can pretend they're not real, but other than that- I will happily bawl for hours (and I have).

2. I have to have the silverware loaded in the dishwasher a certain way. All of the sharp knives and serving spoons together, then butter knives, forks, tablespoons, teaspoons, and ava's silverware. It makes unloading the dishwasher go a lot faster- so I hate when other people load the dishwasher and don't do it the way I like. He he.

3. I hate driving when it's more than a few minutes. I always make Jake drive everywhere because it gives me anxiety. When we went to Vegas, Jake drove there and back, and everywhere we went while we were there.

4. I can't sit still for the life of me. I'm either shaking my foot or tapping my fingernails, or something along those lines- it drives Jake crazy! I think that's a lot of the reason I have a hard time sleeping- my body can't stay still long enough to accomplish the FALLING ASLEEP part.

5. I always kiss my hand and put it to the ceiling of the car when I go through a yellow light. I know that it has something to do with luck, but I just do it because I always have and now it's habit. Lol.

6. I have to have garlic sauce with my pizza. If I don't have Papa John's then I will either go there and just get the sauce, or I will make my own. But pizza just seems incomplete without it.

7. When people make up their own words or misuse a word while trying to sound intelligent, I want to sew their lips shut. Literally.

Well, that's some of the quirkiness of me. I want to know the quirks of Shanda, Marie, Aimee, Lynsey, Kristina, Sarah, and Ashley. C'mon- it'll be fun! :D

LAST NAME HONEY

I think this is so cute so I wanted to share. A little while ago I taught Ava that her name is Ava Honey. She loves to tell people her name. And now, she has given pretty much everything her last name, too. She has a little stuffed chihuahua who she has affectionately named "Puppy Honey", and Nanny and Papa gave her a betta fish who is now called, "Fishy honey". If you ask her anything's name, she will tell you what it is and just add "Honey" to the end of it. So, we're just a big happy family over here with Daddy, Mommy, Puppy, Fishy, and every other "Honey" in our house.

WEDDING CAKE

This is the wedding cake that I did for Maren's wedding. I know it's not professional or anything, but I thought I did okay. Oh, and you can see the chocolates in the bottom left of the first picture. Anyways, here they are!!

SORRY GUYS

Okay everyone, sorry I haven't been on in a while. Things around here haven't been too much more busy than usual, I was just having a hard time motivating myself to get anything done. I quit my job at Zumiez because they didn't give me the raise I was promised in January and weren't giving me enough hours. It was actually costing me more in gas to drive to and from work than what I was making working there! I think the not having a job thing is what has had me less than motivated to do.... well, anything really. I enjoyed my time off of working, but am now back on the job hunt (yuck). I like to work- hate looking for it.
Next thing is, I sold Koda. I know I was really excited to get him, but he and I just didn't click. I wanted more of a lap dog like Max was, and Koda had Max's attitude, but Lucy's hyperness- which the hyper thing is why Lucy wasn't my favorite and Max was. I liked that he was content to just sit in your lap and hang out. Not Koda. He was always running around like he was on speed and wanted to go out to the bathroom like every 15 minutes. THAT was annoying! Anyways, I sold him to a small family with two kids that would be happy to run around and wear him out- the task that I was unwilling to perform. It was actually when he made Ava cry that I decided he had to go. I was putting him in his kennel because we were going out, and he started snarling and biting at me (you know- how Maxie used to. lol), and that scared Ava so bad that she started bawling. It took me forever to calm her down. Especially since I was a little unnerved myself.
And then, there was the wedding. Maren (my sister-in-law) and her fiance Larry got married and I was in charge of a lot. As in groom's cake, wedding cake, a dessert, homemade chocolates, and wedding favors. It all turned out really great- but it was a lot of work and took up a lot of time. I had a blast doing it all, and it felt really nice to have achieved something. Everyone loved everything I made, plus Jake helped with a lot of it and it was nice for us to have something to do together. I didn't take pictures of the groom's cake, the favors, or the dessert, but I did take a picture of the wedding cake and you can see the chocolates in the periph of the pic. The groom's cake was a two layer chocolate devil's food cake with caramel ice cream topping in-between layers, frosted in chocolate icing, and covered in chopped up baby ruths. It was a big hit. For the dessert I made chocolate chip cookie bars- no big thing there. The chocolates were white and pink mint and dark chocolate flowers and cordials (the shape- i didn't put a filling), and Jake and I made roughly 300. The favors were four chocolates in a silver and clear striped cello bag with silver star twist ties- and about half way through the reception I realized nobody was taking them because they were at the dessert table and not by the door, so I moved them and kept appointing whoever was loitering by the door to let people know about them as they left. We ended up having extras, but not a ton. Since we didn't decide who was doing the wedding cake until it was too late to order one, I ordered a 6" and a 10" white cake with white buttercream frosting from Albertson's, sent jake out to buy the tiers, and decorated it myself. It was simple- silver ribbon around the bottom and pink and white rose petals on the top of each cake. I'll post pics as soon as I remind Denise to email some to me. But everybody loved all of the things I made (with a ton of help from my sweet hubby), and it felt really great to be able to be such a big help on such an important day for Maren and Larry.
And most recently the parentals were in town, and so were Lisa and Lila. It was a lot of fun, and Ava loved playing with Lila.... for the most part. Hee hee, Lila just wanted to be playing all the time, and when Ava was just waking up from her nap and was grumpy, she didn't want Lila tugging on her leg to get down and play. But when she was fully conscious they had a blast together! It was great to see her and Lisa since we haven't seen them since August. Mom and Dad only stayed a few days, but I'm pushy and always make them stay with me, so we got to spend a lot of time with them during the short amount of time they were here. Jessica was in town at the same time, too- and it was great to see her. We really miss her around here since she moved to California, and Ava misses her "Jetcha". :)
Jake and I are planning a trip to Vegas for his birthday at the end of this month, and I am SO EXCITED! We're going the 27th, 28th, and 29th, even though Jake's birthday isn't until the 30th, because he has to work on his birthday. But going during the week instead of the weekend is going to work out perfectly. We got bungalow hotel rooms for only $28 a night (mind you that's at the Hooters Hotel and Casino, but at that price we're not picky), show tickets are cheaper during the week, and there's not as big of crowds. We're going to see a stomp show called "Stomp Out Loud" that has received great reviews, and we're going to "Club Pure" which has been ranked the #1 nightclub in the country. We have been saving and making sacrifices for this trip, because we haven't been on a vacation together- just Jake and me- ever. Not even a honeymoon. So we want to be able to eat out at nice places and go to shows and all that jazz, and make the most of our three precious days of just the two of us. But we sold my elliptical and Jake's paintball gun to make this trip happen (especially since our tax rebate was $600 less than what we though it was going to be), so we want to make that worth it. Everytime I think about it I get so excited I could almost pee. Ahhhhh. Hanging out with Jake by the pool, eating, seeing shows, checkin' out the nightlife- all Ava and worry free. I love my daughter- don't get me wrong- but who doesn't need a break? Plus this will kind of be a "babymoon" for us, too, since we're starting to try for our second. I'm pretty excited about being prego again.... until I hit that third trimester, in which case I'm sure I'll be crying everyday- just like the last time. Lol. So worth it, though!!
Lastly, Jake was so excited about my Mother's Day gift that he gave it to me early (I want to say last wednesday?). It's my own helmet for when I go for rides with him on his bike. I have been borrowing Denise's or trying to make Jake's work everytime we've gone before, but they are both too big for my tiny head. Plus I like that it has a visor (which Jake's doesn't) and that it doesn't go around my chin (like Denise's does, and makes me feel claustrophobic). I'll post pics of myself in it once I actually wear it. If we don't go for a ride today, we are planning on going out tomorrow- so no worries, I'll get one soon!
I know this is long, but let's not forget that you asked for it! ;) Happy Mother's Day ladies! I love you all and hope that it's a great day for you and that you have enjoyed this last year of motherhood as much as I have! XoXoXoXoXoXoXo

KODA

We got a new Pomeranian today named Koda. He's 3, so he's neutered and house trained and all that- which is great for us to not have to do. I think he looks like a larger version of Max (when Max still had hair), a Pom that I grew up with and had up until a couple of months before I had Ava. Who, by-the-way, loves him! She's been chasing him and petting him and getting kisses from him all day, and LOVES to say his name! I found him on an online ad and while I was showing Ava the picture in it, I told her his name was Koda, and she wouldn't stop saying his name after that. He does just great with Ava- he lived with a little boy her same age before coming to be with us. Anyways, I am so happy about him and wanted to share!

JAKE'S NEW BIKE

Jake and Randall went to California Easter weekend to pick up Jake's new motorcycle, and other than the recent snow we've had, Jake has been loving riding around! It's a Kawasaki Drifter, which is the same build as an Indian. It gets about 40 MPG, so it will be nice for Jake to be able to ride that and i'll be able to take his car instead of spending a fortune filling up the tank on my SUV. I haven't been able to go for a ride on it yet because the bike needs pegs for me first, but I'm looking forward to riding it..... kind of. Ha ha, I'm kind of scared, but on residential streets where the speed limit is only 25 MPH, it shouldn't be too scary!

EASTER PARTY!

The nursing home that Ashton works at had an Easter party and Denise, my friends Tamarah and Karen, and I took Ava. It was so much fun! Ava just LOVED the Easter bunny, and was following her around saying, "Bunny hug? Bunny kiss?". She did an Easter egg hunt, a cupcake walk, went "fishing" and got a wind-up frog (or as she calls it- "bibbit"), and a coloring contest. Really, she just colored a picture- we never put it in the contest. We all had so much fun enjoying Ava's excitement, but when it was time to go, I think we were ALL ready to leave! :D

COHEED AND CAMBRIA AND LINKIN PARK CONCERT

Here we are at the Coheed and Cambria and Linkin Park concert last saturday night. It was so fun! There was this other band at the beginning- a screamer band- and they were awful! Haha! But Coheed was great and Linkin Park was even better! I don't know if they had a different and better sound system than the other two bands, but the sound quality was fantastic! It sounded just like we were listening to the cd, only better, because they were right there! We had really great seats which was awesome for the concert, but not so much for after, because when we left neither one of us could hear each other! Hahaha! Our eardrums were shot! While we were waiting for the concert to start we were playing with the camera on Jake's phone, and found all these features he didn't know he had. (Which explains all the inverted colors and whatnot.) We have some videos, but I didn't want to take up that much room posting them, so I'll just post the links: http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/april_e_honey/Coheed%20and%20Linkin%20Park/?action=view&current=CoheedandLinkinPark040.flv

http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/april_e_honey/Coheed%20and%20Linkin%20Park/?action=view&current=CoheedandLinkinPark037.flv

http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/april_e_honey/Coheed%20and%20Linkin%20Park/?action=view&current=CoheedandLinkinPark036.flv

http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/april_e_honey/Coheed%20and%20Linkin%20Park/?action=view&current=CoheedandLinkinPark035.flv

"IT'S A-UH?"

Hee hee- Ava is so funny! When she sees herself in pictures or videos she always refers to herself as "baby", but she is finally starting to call herself by her name, and not "baby" anymore. She can't make the "v" sound, though, so it sounds like "A-uh". We were watching a slideshow that I made and she kept asking me, "It's daddy? It's A-uh?" That girl is just so darned cute!

BIKER CHICK!

Here's little missy on her Indian that she got from her Poppy for christmas. Since we've had so much snow, she hasn't been able to ride it outside until yesterday. It was so cute, she kept pointing to the Indian on the side and saying, "Poppy vroom vroom!", because her Poppy rides an Indian, too. And if you don't catch what she's saying, it's, "EASY!" Hopefully we won't get too much more snow before spring, because she loves to ride, but needs some practice on the steering! I had to keep her from going off the driveway onto the lawn a few times!

*YAWN*

This is Ava snoring away on the couch. Lately, when she is tired but won't sleep in her crib, I'll sit on the couch with her and read while she slowly drifts off. This way she gets the nap that WE BOTH desperately need her to have, and she's not standing in her crib screaming her lungs out. Plus, she's so cute to watch sleep!

This is Ava riding the rocking horse she got from Gunny. She LOVES IT and calls it "See See" for "Horsey". She rides "See See" all the time! And I just have to add that when I showed Ava this slideshow, she got so excited and kept repeating, "Baby, hee-haw! Baby, hee-haw!" And for those who aren't fluent in "Ava", she's actually saying "Yee-haw!", because that's what she's says while she's riding "See See"!

AVA COWGIRL!

MEAN FACE!

This video was taken on Jake's phone, so it's not the best quality, but still hilarious! Ava thinks she's making such a mean face, but really it just looks like she's straining to go to the bathroom! Well, and getting a little distracted (as she often does). LoL!

CUCKOO FOR COCO PUFFS!

Here's ava with her Papa eating Coco Puffs. She loved it so much that after the cereal was gone she just stuck her face right into the bowl to drink the milk! We all had a good laugh over that one! : D

AWWWW, HOW CUTE!

Here's our little family up American Fork Canyon taking pictures. It was SOOOOO COLD and the snow was really deep! I was praying the entire time that none of us would fall and break something- and that includes Jennifer, our wonderful photographer! She got into some pretty compromising stances in order to get some of our pictures- she is much braver than I would have been!