30 weeks

Here's the most recent belly shot while we're in Arizona.

29 weeks

A bare belly picture as promised. It's not a total side shot but I figure it's better than nothing and you totally get the idea.

Ally turns "7"

Ally turns 7 on December 27 while we're in Arizona so we had her birthday party last Friday night. She wanted a swimming party at the Comfort Inn so that's what we did. She invited her two best girl friends and her army of cousins and they swam and swam and pretty sure they could have swam longer but then it was time for birthday wishes and presents. I had to show a picture of the infamous Barbie birthday cake that she HAD to have. I debated over this cake thing for weeks I think and finally three days before just went with it. I think Brandon forgets sometimes that I plan events for a living so I can't really let any details slide. Now I just have to figure out how I'm going to top this when Casey's birthday rolls around in February.

Picture 1: Ally with THE Barbie birthday cake

Picture 2: Casey with his cousin Ethan a.k.a Peter Parker Spiderman

Picture 3: Ashley, Sydney and Ally in the kids pool just hangin' out

And so begins the third trimester!

I just realized today as I was updating the blog that I haven't posted a bare belly pic in awhile. I'll try and do that over the weekend cause some of these just don't do it justice. I went for my 28 week appointment on Tuesday and all is progressing as planned. Measuring at exactly 28 weeks, heartrate is in the 150's and I've gained 15 lbs since the start of all this. Yesterday morning I went into the lab for my glucose test and thankfully, they said I passed that will flying colors so no three hour test for me. YEAH! The baby has been moving so much and this morning I felt what I believe was a foot completely sticking out of my side. It was out so much i could kind of grab it which sounds a little weird and trust me, felt weird too. I wish the lights had been on so I could have looked quick enough to see but feeling it was pretty amazing. Other than that, everything else is good at the Starr household. We're all getting anxious for our trip to Arizona in just over a week and the kids can hardly wait to rip open their Christmas presents. Happy holidays!

Girl Scout sleepover

Ally had her first girl scout sleepover Friday night and I volunteered to help her troop leaders. It was a little interesting being almost 7 months pregnant and sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag among 30 - 5 & 6 year-olds but we had a great time. Santa came and all the girls got to tell him what they wanted for X-mas. We did crafts, decorated a tree, played games, went caroling and ate plenty of junk food. The highlight was probably when Ally pulled her own front tooth just before bed time. I took a picture to capture the moment. The second pic is of her and one of her best friends, Sydney. Picture #3 is her and I just before bed and picture #4 is her with Santa.

27 weeks and one day!

Here I am at just over 27 weeks. Do not mistake the shiny face for the "pregnancy glow". I have had some severe dry skin and so the oily look is from the globs of lotion I've been putting on. It feels soooo much better. To date I've gained like 14lbs so hopefully I won't completely tip the scale next week at my appointment.

House renovations

We are in the middle of some major bedroom renovations at our house. We forgot to take pictures of Ally's new room before Brandon re-did it but the carpet will get laid next week and after that I'll post a picture of that room finished. Brandon did a really great job and has been working diligently on the next one which will be our room. The picture on the top is the room just as he was starting it. The picture below is with the new paint, door and trim. He still has the new closet doors to put in and they came to measure for carpet in that room last night so we're hoping it will get put down next week too with Ally's room. After we get this room done, we can paint our old room for Casey and get him moved and FINALLY start working on the baby's room.

25 weeks

Here I am at 25 weeks and one day. I had an appointment a week ago today and I had gained 12 lbs. Half of that I gained in the last four weeks so watch out! My midwife told me to expect another big jump between now and my next appointment and I'm sure I will with the holidays in between. Have a super Thanksgiving!

Brandon turns 28!

He's catching up to me ... since I'm not getting any older. We had a gathering at our house yesterday to celebrate his birthday and our nephew Kiefer, who turned 13 on Friday. We had a house full but it was nice to see everyone. If you look close, you can still see where his eye is a little bruised yet from his accident but it's healing very nicely.

24 weeks

I no longer have the gradual slope like I used to have. I guess all my organs have managed to shove their way up so I'm starting to fill out there too. The baby is moving all the time which I love. Ally felt it for the first time the other night. She typically puts her hand on my stomach every night when we lay down to read. Last night, however, she said just matter of factly, "I don't want to feel the baby tonight." I thought it was funny because it's always at her own will but for some reason she needed to tell me that I guess. I go in for my 24 week appointment today and, as always, look forward to hearing the heartbeat.

cutest little guy!

I haven't posted any pictures of Oliver recently so I thought I'd put this one up so you don't forget about him. He's such a good dog. He's really taken a liking to Ally. He sleeps with her every night and she loves it.

and this is just one reason why we should wear helmets!

So Brandon was in his first motorcycle accident(and hopefully his last) on Wednesday, Nov. 8. A truck pulled out in front of him and he ran right into the side of it. His eye hit the outside mirror. He had about 16 stitches between his nose and eye. The rest of him didn't do too bad but as you can imagine he's pretty sore all over.

18 weeks to go ...

Okay everyone here I am at just over 22 weeks. Pretty obvious huh ... yeah I think so.

Thank you Grandma Dorothy!

Casey, Ally and Austin on Sunday before trick-or-treating.

Casey was an Indian, Ally a carrot and Austin a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Michaelangelo to be exact)

Way to go Brandon!

Just wanted to give a big congrats to Brandon for passing the Firefighter's written and physical agility test this past weekend. Next step is an interview and then he gets placed on the list at the beginning of the year. Say a prayer that he gets called from the list so we don't have to through the process again next year and we can move closer to the QC!!!

21 weeks

Here's the latest. Ally took this morning at just over 21 weeks.

First pictures of Baby Starr

1. Foot shot

2. Face shot "I'm #1"

3. Face shot with it's hand under it's chin.

20 + weeks

Okay so I've reached the halfway mark! I had my first ultrasound last week. It was so much fun. Brandon, Casey and Ally were all with me and I think it just made it that much more real for everyone. I made it absolutely clear to the sonographer that I did not want to know the sex. Brandon and the kids feel so certain it's going to be a boy but let's be real, we'll never know 100% for sure until I deliver so I'm perfectly content with waiting. We had to go to Iowa City this week for another ultrasound based on a shadow near the baby's belly button. I was hysterical at first but I have so many positive people around me that I calmed down much quicker than I thought I would. It turns out the shadow was indeed just a shadow and baby Starr is growing just like it should be and is weighing in at a very healthy 13 oz. Heartrate is consistently between 150 and 160. I've been feeling great! The baby is moving all the time which is so exciting. I look forward to going to bed at night because I know just when I get relaxed the baby is up and ready to go. I feel movement throughout the day but consistently at night. My belly is getting bigger everyday. My shirts are too short and my pants are getting tighter. I actually broke down and bought a few maternity shirts and a couple pairs of pants. The pants were so comfortable I didn't want to take them off. I'm hoping to get a new picture up soon. Things have just been so hectic with me traveling to California and then all the ultrasound drama. Hope all is well with you!!!

Belly picture #2 by Ally

Here's the second belly picture at just over 17 weeks. Ally took this one too and I think she finally got it on like "take 5". I think I felt the first flutters, as they call them, this morning. It was about 3:30 a.m. and I had just went back to bed from going to the bathroom for like the third time so as I was laying there trying to go back to sleep I started feeling these little flutters and I thought at first that it couldn't be it but then I felt them again and again and again. My best guess is that that's the baby moving but I assume I'll know for sure as time goes on. The baby is supposed to double it's size in the next few weeks so I'm sure my next picture will prove to be much more sufficient in my next update. Here's to the expanding belly!!!

8.18.06

Casey and Ally on the big day!

The Big Day ... 8.18.06

Brandon, Heather, Casey and Ally post ceremony.

You may kiss the bride ...

One of the highlights of the day!

My bro ... 9.6.06

Ryan and I ... he's so serious!

Baby on the way ... 26 weeks to go!

Ally's attempt at the very first "belly" shot. There's still a lot of growing to do so we'll keep you updated!

First Day of School

Casey (3rd grade) and Ally (1st grade).

Announcement

Brandon and I found out we were pregnant on Monday, June 26. I wish you could have seen the look on my face. As if the one test wasn't enough proof I had to take another one the next morning just in case. I had my first appointment with the midwife about five weeks later and by golly, the pregnancy test there was positive too. So three positives, I'm definitely pregnant right? Well, you would think, but it wasn't until my second appointment with the midwife at week 12 when I heard the heartbeat that I was finally like, "okay, there's really something growing in there." So now I think I've settled into the whole idea that this is really happening and after a very busy and nauseous-filled summer, I am ready to dive in, head first. Brandon is ecstatic, to say the least. He wanted to tell the whole world the minute we found out but I was completely nervous that something would go wrong so he had to keep his mouth shut (for the most part) for about 5 weeks. The kids are excited too and have been wanting to put a stethascope on my belly in an attempt to hear the heartbeat. I show them pictures every once and awhile so they can see how it's growing and, of course, they're totally grossed out. Ally says she's changing all the diapers. We're excited about that. I'm sure Casey will have a million things he'll want to do. They're both such good helpers.

He's so cute!

And we can't forget our four legged family member ... Oliver