First Smile

As I'm preparing for this second baby to come, I'm realizing that I've been procrastinating some record keeping with Ava. In particular, her baby book. I know, it's awful! So I've decided to get it all put together before baby two gets here and I have a new baby book to handle. I've was going through pictures trying to decide which ones to put in Ava's book when I came across this one, which is her first smile caught on camera. I'd forgotten how cute it was and decided it deserves a post. So, here's to Ava, all her firsts and me getting my act together so they can be appreciated!

More Last Days in NYC

I finally found these pictures in a little hidden file on my computer. I thought I had erased them from my camera before uploading them onto the computer. Now I can sleep at night because I found them! We have been missing New York lately. I think we were lucky enough to leave at a time where we felt ready to leave, but we still loved it. We will always love New York!

An Early Morning Suprise!

As I think I've mentioned before, I have taken to sleeping on our new and fabulous couch for the remainder of this pregnancy. I have to be practically upright to be comfortable and I think I'm snoring pretty loud now too. Poor Jared!

I usually wake up a few times during the night, but this time was a little different. I woke up at 1:00 am to experience my first EARTHQUAKE! Our building made this high pitched squeaking sound and then the ground was shaking. It was just a little mini quake lasting about a minute, but it was pretty wild, none the less! Jared and Ava slept right through it. I started to think today that I imagined it or something, but then sure enough, they were talking about it on the radio.

Anyway, it was pretty exciting and it got me thinking that I need to research a little bit of elementary earthquake safety!

Zoe's a Big Sister!

SOFIA MADISON CHARLES

Sorry Leslie, but I'm so excited about your new arrival that I have to give her a post on the Blog! Please let me know if my facts are not correct!

Sofia Madison Charles was born on Sunday, July 15th. Leslie incredibly delivered this almost 9 pound beauty without an epidural! Last I heard, everyone was doing great in the Charles home. We're so excited for you and grateful that everything went well. We miss you guys so much!


Beautiful proud mommy and Sofia; Happy new big sister Zoe with her (sort of) little sister Sofia.

Carlsbad with the Jakes

Practically a month ago, we drove down and spent a day and a night with Amy, Eric and kids in Carlsbad, CA. We had so much fun hanging out at the beach and playing with the cousins. I also really enjoyed getting to know Amy and Eric's friends from AZ. Thanks for letting us come stay guys!

Breakfast w/ the cousins They won her heart by playing "Ring Around the Rosies"

Fun at the beach! Nice Hat!; Eliza and Ava; Ava, Franky and Luke

Time to Update!

Well, get ready! Here come a stream of Blog updates! It's been a while and I've got a ton to share. It's busy being a somewhat single mom and Ava and I have been getting around. We are also trying to stay completely open for any chances to spend time with Jared. We usually pack a lot into his days off.

Jared is working hard. He's amazing! He's saving and improving lives every day. He's working right now at the VA. He really enjoys both patients and doctors there. Sadly, he seems to be in on a lot of amputation surgeries. He's learning so much as he meets new challenges each day.

Ava is loving life! She's talking like crazy these days. Some of her favorite words are:
Bubbles
Costco
Goggles
Swim
Outside
Fish
Baby

She can identify and name many animals and she makes very impressive animal sounds. Since we've been in Cali, she has learned that birds say "Caw! Caw!" We seem to have a lot of crows here. The birdies used to say "Cheep! Cheep!" and we recently had to explain to a disgruntled cousin Olivia that the birdies in California say "Caw! Caw!" not "Cheep! Cheep!"

She's recently become obsessed with swimming suits. She has a basket full of them that she carries all around with her. I always catch her with suits on her head, arms, legs... where ever she can get them to stay. She also has a pair of goggles that always seem to make it to church with us. It's not very reverent when she's staring back at the congregation through a pair of goggles. So, needless to say, she loves swimming; she's a little fish!

I'm getting bigger and bigger by the day. Only 4 weeks left and I'm pretty excited about it. I've taken to sleeping on the couch every night so I can be propped practically upright. The heartburn/acid reflux has kicked in big time! But other than average pregnancy achs and pains, I feel great! I'm very happy living in LA. I love spending my days with Ava. She's amazing and truly a pleasure to be around. I can't wait to double the fun with this new little baby girl. I can't wait to meet her and get to know her! I also love grabbing every second I get with Jared. He's taking excellent care of his girls! We love our friends and our ward here. People have been very warm and kind. So, on with the show.....