The Starits' Clan ~Established January 2004~: Introducing Kayleigh Jean Starits!

We are happy to announce that our newest baby girl has been born. It was another long, hot summer of miserable, end of the road pregnancy in the hot, sweltering desert of Arizona...but I survived! Some days...barely survived..but nevertheless, I did! I feel so sorry for my kids...I hardly had any energy towards the end there. I was probably a real boring mom...but I still tried to get out and do things with them too. Good thing my mom has summers off because she helped me keep them entertained and we were able to go and do a lot of things with her this summer from mall visits, swimming pool, summer movies, etc. With her help, I could muster the energy for some fun for the kids! She is a wonderful mom and grandma! The kids are definitely missing her now that school has officially started. We all look forward to next summer so we can hang out with her again. :)
But on to our little Kayleigh. We decided to get induced at 39 weeks because then I would have a for sure and readily available baby sitter for my kids as my mom had to start work 1 day after she was born. It worked out and caused the least amount of stress for all of us. I am so thankful for my doctor who was willing to work with us and happy to let me have my baby girl a little bit early. She said that I have had healthy pregnancies, labors, and deliveries...and that there really was no reason not to. And yet again we were blessed to have everything turn out great and Kayleigh and mama were doing great after her delivery.
Alright, so onto her birth story. We awaited a phone call Monday morning that told us we were able to come in for a scheduled 7:00 AM induction. They called us and we happily and anxiously drove to the hospital and got things started. I am not sure why...but I felt so nervous for this delivery. I was so worried something bad was going to happen to the baby or to me and I had to calm myself down and pray the whole time I was there. Kind of weird! I had never been that way before, but I was super nervous and stressed for some reason. I am not sure why I was...as everything worked out great. I was in labor from about 8:20 - until 4:28 when my sweet baby girl was born. I literally only pushed for less than 2 minutes and the most recent Starits was born! Kayleigh Jean Starits was born Monday, July 29th at 4:28 PM. She was 20 1/2 inches long and 7 pounds 5 ounces. One thing to remember...she was MAD about being out of the womb. She screamed and screamed for a good hour! She finally calmed down though and we were all able to dote on our newest addition. We were visited in the hospital by my mom (who was there for the birth), step-dad Bob, my cousin Keri, and then my brother and sister in law Kyle and Jen. Luckily Kyle and Jen had the day off and graciously agreed to watch Noah and Makenna so that my mom could be at the hospital with Tommy and I...which is right where I would want her. :) When they brought the kids we were excited to see their reactions. Noah looked but seemed very disinterested and wanted to play his dad's iPad instead. He did check the new baby out, but not for very long. But Makenna was infatuated with her new "baby Kayleigh" she wanted to be next to the baby the whole time. And the same has rung true a week and a half later. Makenna always wants to hold the baby and is so gentle and loving. She gives her kisses as often as she can, is completely aware of her, and loves her to pieces. Noah will hold her every now and then, is not as gentle, and between a kiss here and there would much rather just do his own thing. I think it is kind of funny! :)
We have been so happy to have our new baby sister born. She seems to take more after Noah's temperament. Doesn't matter if she is really upset or just a little upset....it is usually the same loud screaming cry. Also she cried off and on for almost 4 hours straight the first night we took her home. She seems to be the greatest baby all day and then has only had 2 nights where she didn't cry from 2 - 4 hours straight in the middle of the night. I am wondering if she might have reflux like Noah did too. All I know is that Makenna was definitely my easiest newborn and baby so far. Hopefully Kayleigh's stomach issues will work themselves out soon. I hate to have her on medicine for reflux like we had to have Noah...but if it doesn't get better...momma and daddy do need their sleep! lol
But she is a joy to have. She is the cutest little baby and during the day can often be spotted with a random smile on her face. Her eyes flutter quite a bit when she sleeps and she has already brought much joy to our family and my heart. I am thankful for her health and pray she continues to grow healthy and strong. I love my role as a mother...it is demanding and tiring...but there isn't anything Id rather be doing right now in my life. I love my kids and I am thankful to have them with me everyday!
Here are some pictures of the kids and our beautiful, new baby girl Kayleigh Jean! Which I might add...she was a hard baby to name! At first we really liked Lexie and then we didn't and then we went through a slew of names to consider and possibly use. We disagreed on names and nothing sounded right. For a little bit we were even going to name her Mayah. And then FINALLY we decided to name her Kayleigh! lol We are spelling it with the "leigh" because my middle name is Leigh and I thought that would be cool to include in her name. Then her middle name "Jean" is after my mom whose middle name is also Jean. So that is a little story on naming this little princess!