2001 Honda Civic Possible Starter issue?

Hi I joined this forum just because I'm not sure about my car's issue and I thought it couldn't hurt to ask someone more knowledgeable than myself with Honda's. Anyhow last night I got in my car tried to start it and it cranked very weak and sounded like it was skipping teeth on the flywheel because it'd crank a little then stop then crank again on it's own (as long as I kept the key turned to start). Then I let it sit for about 3 seconds tried again and it did it again tried to crank but failed to start this time I didn't wait 3 seconds I turned it back then tried to start it again and this time it sounded like it grinded the flywheel teeth (the same noise it makes when the car is already started). I thought it was because I was out of gas (my tank was on E) so I put a full tank in it drove home and when I got in it this morning the car started doing it again. It'll crank skipping weak sounding like it's not making contact with the flywheel then if I don't wait it grinds and eventually it'll start. I don't know if it helps any but if I just let it crank really weak for about 5 seconds it'll begin to start (you can hear the engine trying to turn over) then eventually it finally turns over and runs. I don't have any issues with it aside from that (and a very slight leak out of the valve cover gasket) I just changed the oil 1k miles ago, it's had a trans service, coolant flush, and full tune up @ 100k so it should be good to go. Basically what I'm hoping is someone here has had a very similar problem and can tell me if it is in fact my starter or if I should look into the ignition switch, possibly the battery (even though the lights and wipers all lightup/move normal) any help is greatly appreciated.