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!!!