Easter Day

We went to church today. By some miracle I made it to church on time with both kids. Andy had to go to church for the early service to play bells. After church we went home, had our naps, then went to Tom and Denise's house for Easter Dinner.

Here is Ava in her Easter dress and flower. She was mad that I uncovered her and made her cold.



Noah playing with the dump truck at Grandma and Papas. And yes, he doesn't have pants on due to a leaky diaper. Good ol' mom didn't bring an extra pair of pants.



Ava's umbilical cord came off this morning, so Noah and Ava had their first bath together. Ava liked the warm water initially, until Noah got water on her face, then she started crying and pooped in the water and Noah didn't like that and wanted to get out of the tub. What an adventure we have ahead of us bathing two kids together.







Ava dry and warm ready for bed.

Noah's 3rd Birthday

On Noah's birthday, we had a very busy day. We had a blast doing all things fun! We left the house early for Noah's first ever easter egg hunt at East City Park, went to Andy's parents for a little break before heading to the 2nd easter egg hunt at Eastside Mall. Then to the fire station for Noah to play in the fire trucks. Home for lunch and a nap, then to Gladish Auditorium in Pullman for the Idaho Washington Symphony Family Concert. Then to end the day, we had a small party at Andy's parents enjoying good company, cake, ice cream, and presents.

Noah and his 2 eggs from the East City Park. The easter egg hunt was some serious competition, mostly between the parents. Needless to say, we won't be going to East City Park for another easter egg hunt.

Noah enjoying the slide at East City Park, before heading to Tom and Denise's house.



We didn't get any pictures at the Eastside Mall easter egg hunt because we walked in and half the mall was filled with people. We were about to leave because we didn't think there was any way Noah could get any eggs with so many people. Fortunately we stayed and had a great time. There are people that walk around and drop eggs, so everyone gets eggs. Noah did really great and by the end figured it out and was picking up eggs without encouragement.

Noah enjoying the fire trucks!!



Ava and I at the the fire station.



Gladish Auditorium for the Family Concert.

This is how Ava enjoyed the concert. Sleeping the entire time.

Noah got to sit right in front of his Papa, and watch him play his bassoon. He really enjoyed it!





Noah's birthday party!

Noah sitting in the toybox with his cousin Sohpia.

Opening presents. He had a lot of help from his cousins Eric and Sophia.















Since Noah's b-day was on Easter weekend, I decided he needed an Easter themed cake.

Noah blowing out his cake, with a little help from Dad.

Noah is such a fun 3 year old! We can't wait for the many years ahead of us! We LOVE you Noah!

Eyes wide open

This was the first time I had seen both of Ava's eyes open. She has spent the first week of life sleeping or looking at you with the pirate eye.

Like father, like daughter

I always give Andy a hard time for sleeping stretched out and hogging the bed. Well, both of his children sleep with their arms above there heads. I am doomed!!

Brother and Sister

Noah and Ava watching a show early one morning. So far Noah is pretty fond of his new sister, but I am sure that will change as he has to adjust to sharing mom's attention.

Going Home

I decided to stay 2 days in the hospital just for a little extra sleep and it was so worth it. But now being bored out of my mind it's time to go home. We are all loaded up in the car ready to go home.

Ava's first picture at home!

Now the real adventure begins!!

Pictures by Liz

Liz took some beautiful pictures of Ava the night after she was born...her first real photo shoot! I had a lot of awesome pictures to choose from, but here are a few of my favorites!

Our Tax Day Baby

Ava Leigh Crossler arrived on April 15th, 2011 at 2:03pm. She weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 20 inches long.



He is in love already!

Me and my girl.

Mom, Dad, and Ava shortly after delivery.

The cute girl!

First Bath! Ava didn't even cry during her bath.

Andy is so smitten with his adorable baby girl!


After we moved to our postpartum room, my mom brought Noah into see his baby sister. He was very interested in holding her for about 5 minutes, then he started terrorizing the hospital room.

We are so blessed and happy that Miss Ava arrived safe and healthy!!

39 weeks

Today I was planning on where to take my pregnancy pictures for 39 weeks and what happens...My water breaks around 7am. We go to the hospital around 8:15am, after my mom gets to our house to spend the day with Noah. I really wanted to stay out of bed as much as possible, but Ava wasn't impressed with the labor situation. On the monitor she didn't look very good. Right before 11am I got my epidural, not because I really needed it, but because I was stuck in bed, couldn't move much, and both CRNAs were going to be in surgery until 1pm. Around 1pm, I got the c-section talk, because despite turning side to side, lots and lots of IV fluids (especially sugar water), and oxygen, Ava's heart rate never improved from the flat variability and lack of accels. My nurse and Dr. walked out of the room, to call in the appropriate team for c-section. I prayed and cried, while they were out. Then, shortly after they left, they came back in because Ava's heart rate was the best that it had been all day, so the c-section was called off. I prayed again that everything would hurry up, and she would come in the normal fashion. Shortly after the c-section was called off, my epidural started to wear off, but I didn't want to press my button for fear her heart rate would be bad again. So I spent some time laying in the position her heart rate was good in, and felt ALL the contractions. It sucked! My nurse asked me if I could get into hands and knees to speed up the process. So I did. I wasn't in that position for more than 15 minutes when I started feeling "pressure" to push. So I rolled to my back, had a few contractions while we waited for the Dr. to come back, and then after 2 pushes Ava Leigh was born. It was a bit of a stressful experience for ALL involved parties (including my Dr. and nurse). It wasn't a fetal heart monitoring strip I would wanted to look at for hours on end at work. But it turned out great and we have a healthy mom and healthy baby!!

37 weeks

Here is a comparison picture of me, 3 years ago, when I was pregnant with Noah.

Here is now, with Ava.




This may be the last of the pregnant pictures. It all depends on if I get to 39 weeks, when we will take the next set of pictures, as I work next weekend and we won't have time. If this is the last set of prenant pictures at least you know a cute baby will be coming soon, which is way better than a pregnant momma!!