Everyone loves Trinity

Trinity was so great to us. I could have stayed there for the duration of my maternity leave. Who doesn't love getting waited on hand and foot. Although I must say my mom has pretty much taken over as my nurse since we got home. Finley loves sleeping on mom's chest. It's her favorite spot ... and mom's too. Casey and Ally really liked my hospital bed. They wanted to bring it home with them.

Finley Ann Marie Starr

Finley Ann Marie Starr was born Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 3:14 p.m. She was 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 inches long. I started having mild contractions Friday night around 11 p.m. and when I woke up around 2 a.m. they seemed to be coming pretty close together so I had Brandon time them. We called the midwife around 3 a.m. and decided I would labor at home for a while longer. By 7 a.m. they were more intense and closer together so Rachel (my midwife) suggested we head to the hospital. We arrived at Trinity around 8:45 a.m. and from the moment we got there the staff was so accomodating. Rachel got there shortly after we did and at that point I was only 4 cm and 90%. At 11:30 a.m. my water broke and things really started to progress. By 2:30 p.m. I was 10 cm and 100% effaced. I pushed for 45 minutes and she finally arrived at 3:14 p.m. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Baby Starr still cozy in the womb!

The title pretty much says it all. This last weekend was a bust! I don't even feel like I'm going to go into labor soon. I was doing everything possible to get things to progress and obviously this child is taking after it's mother in that respect. Not going to do anything it doesn't want to because there doesn't seem to be any change going on. My next appointment is on Thursday so I'll update then otherwise, if you don't hear from me, that could mean a baby has arrived!

Progression Update

I went to my appointment yesterday and found out that I am now 80% effaced and 3cm dilated. My midwife has a feeling that I won't be making it to my next appointment on March 1. That sort of ruins all plans for a March baby. So if that is indeed the case I'm ready to go anytime. Bring it on! I was pretty uncomfortable last night and got virtually no sleep so I'm walking around like a zombie today. That's all for now. I guess my next post could be a baby announcement or it could be a real bitchy me because I'm still not at the hospital. Time will tell!!!

Cutest dog ever!!!

I was testing out the new batteries for our camera the other day so I snapped a shot of this little cutie taking a snooze. He's just so snuggly. He's definitley sensing a change in the air. He's been sleeping upstairs lately instead of with Ally and the minute Brandon gets up in the morning, he's in our room and in bed with me. He's been extremely protective. I just love him!!!

38+ weeks

Just when you think you can't get any bigger. No wonder I can't sleep at night. Who would ever be comfortable at this point? I go to my 38 week appointment today, even though I'm actually 38 weeks and 2 days. I don't like to be shorted at all because you know at this point you're ready whenever he/she is. I think I'm starting to drop but I don't know. What do you think? If you compare this picture to the one with Katie and I from my shower, I think I look totally different and I'm wearing the same shirt. I'll update you all on the outcome of my appt. tomorrow. Unless of course they send me to the hospital. Wishful thinking I'm sure.

37 + weeks

Had my 37 week appointment yesterday. They checked me to see if I had started dilating but of course I haven't. I am 70% effaced though which I guess is good news. Rose, my midwife, told me that that is usually the first 6-8 hours of labor, just getting your cervix thinned out, so hopefully that will keep progressing. I'm having more and more contractions but nothing really too painful yet and no consistency whatsoever. I was measuring 38 so she said it is possible that I could go a little early, especially since I'm thinning out, but who really knows. The baby's heartrate was 140-144. I have to say, I am getting a little bit nervous just about the whole process. Not overly but I think it's more anxiety of where I'll actually be when "it's time" because no matter what people tell you, everyone's different and I like suprises and all but this is all new to me so it's only normal for it to be a little scary. On a side note, I am still wearing my knee high, high heeled boots that everyone thinks I'm crazy for wearing but seriously, they are sooo comfortable. I go today for a massage which I'm completely stoked about. Next appointment in Thursday, the 22nd so I'll have another update then. I really haven't changed much since the last photos so that's why I haven't posted any in case you're wondering.

36 weeks and counting

Yesterday I had my 36 week appointment and it was full of fun new things! First we went over our birth plan to ensure that everything goes the way we would like to see it go. I had tons of questions so that part took awhile but in the end I think we're all on the same page so hopefully everything will turn out the way we hope. Then I had to have the Group B Strep test. I'm waiting to get the results on that but I'm staying positive that it will come back negative and if not, we'll cross that bridge then. She checked my cervix since she was already "up there" and everything is doing what it should be. The head is really low, my cervix is very soft so things are progressing nicely she said. We listened to the heartbeat and it's still in the low 150's. The only disappointing thing of the whole appointment was when she told me to not so much plan on March 6 but more like March 13 since it's so common for first time pregnancy's to go late. I was like "YIKES! a whole week more?" But if I focus on that and go earlier, I'll be pleasantly surprised rather than annoyingly bitter if I going late. I'm increasingly tired these days and quite uncomfortable. I spend most of my time at a 45 degree angle simply because it gives me more room to breathe. For those of you concerned about my lack of essentials to bring home a baby, you'll be happy to know that we have the crib, not put up yet, and the dresser came in today. We got the pack-n-play as a gift earlier this week too. The only key thing I'm missing is the car seat but it should be here in a week or two probably. Keep your fingers crossed. My next appointment is the 15th so I can give you more updates then!

For those who did not believe

I know many of you have heard me talk about my friend Katie who is due 4 days after me but I haven't had any pictures of her and I until now. As the pictures will prove, her and I are carrying completely different. You can't really tell where my starts and stops but oh well I'm enjoying every minute of it.

I had my very first shower last night given by my boss. It was awesome but duh what do you expect from someone who plans parties for a living. We got so much great stuff for the baby (and for me:-)). I'll be posting pictures of that later.

Front shot at 35 weeks

Everyone's been hounding me for some front shot pictures so here they are. Enjoy.

Side shot at 35 weeks

34 week appointment

Alrighty so yesterday I was 34 weeks and had an appointment with my midwife. Everything is looking and feeling great. I'm measure right where I should be, actually 34.5, so I don't know if that means I could go a little early or not but only gained .5 lb since I was there last. No duh, cause if I eat a grain of rice I feel full. Everything is so crammed in there. The baby is head down with it's back curved around on the left side of my belly button and it's butt right up under my ribs on the right side. So far the baby is not in a position to produce any hardcore back labor so let's keep our fingers crossed that it stays that way. She thinks the baby will weigh about what I did when I was born which was like 7lbs 14 oz. She said the baby will probably start to drop around 38-39 weeks which should allow me to breathe easier, however, many more trips to the restroom. I didn't know it was possible for me to go more. The heartrate has started to slow down and is now in the low 140's. They asked me if I had any concerns or fears at this point and I said no. I don't think I've actually grasped the concept quite yet because we've been so busy at home just trying to get ready for all of this. My next appointment we go over the birth plan and all that so I'm sure reality will really start to hit around then.

33 weeks and 1 day

Crammed lungs, dry skin and all! Here I am at 33 weeks and one day. Brandon asked me if I had a respiratory problem because apparently I'm breathing harder than normal. I told him yes, it's called child in womb. I'm getting adjusted twice a week now which is a total life saver and yesterday I had a massage with Brooke which was fantastic. I'm scheduled for another one in two weeks ... thank god! The nursery is coming along. It's ready to be painted and after that trim and new doors and finally the carpet which gets put in on the 25th. It will be such a relief to have that done. Other than that, all is well in the Starr family. Hope the same goes for you!!!

32 week appointment

I had my 32 week appointment yesterday and everything is still going great. Measuring right on, heart rate is still in the 150's. Blood pressure was lower than it normally is but they said that was good. I got to feel its head, back and butt. Baby Starr is currently head down so let's hope it stays that way or at least is that way when the time is right. I've been getting adjusted twice a week now to help alleviate some of the aches and pains and I've got a massage appointment next week which I'm soooo excited for.

Back From the Desert

We made it back safe and sound from our trip to Arizona over the holidays. It was extremely relaxing and the kids had a super time. They were in awe of flying of course and of how different Arizona is than Iowa. I think we managed to celebrate Christmas 5 times this year and Ally's birthday 3 times. Not sure how we're going to live up to that next year but I'm sure it will be equally enjoyable. Casey picked up a new hobby, photography. He took nearly 300 pictures while on our trip. A lot of nature pictures and I think we have one of every room in my grandparents house. Some of the highlights were short hikes (them, not me), the Phoenix Zoo, Rawhide (a Western Village), shopping, movies and just relaxing with family. Here's a few pics from the library that we now have thanks to Casey!

Picture #1: Casey and Ally with the Lone Ranger at Rawhide

Picture #2: Brandon, Casey, Heather and Ally in jail at Rawhide

Picture #3: Casey showing off his tricks on his new skateboard

Picture #4: Casey, Ally, Brandon and Heather at the Phoenix Zoo

Picture #5: Ally surrounded by some kind of disgusting bug.

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!