{the birth story}
Our beautiful baby boy is finally here! Keller was born December 13, 2010 at 2:23 pm in The Woodlands, Texas. He was 6 pounds even, and 20 inches long with hair like his daddy's. Our little stud's due date wasn't until December 21, but because my fluid was continually dropping, my doctor insisted we get him out asap. I went into my 3rd appointment of the week on Friday, the 10th and immediately after I had a non stress test and ultrasound my doctor was scheduling me to come in that Sunday... I looked at him and said, "Like, in 2 days Sunday?" He said, "Yes sweetie, is that ok with you? Are you ready for this juvenile delinquent to come out?" haha I have to say, my doctor is hilarious and made this whole experience pretty dang fun! He is a true Texan! Anyway, I called Colby laughing to tell him the news. We were both in shock. Especially because Colby had 3 finals the following week. The last few weeks my doctor gave me the heads up telling me to plan on having a c section. I was not dilating or effaced at all, basically baby was not coming down on his own. But because of how low my fluid was, we needed to get him out and a c section was the best way to get him out safely and quickly.
Well, we got to the hospital Sunday night around 5:00. Because of the Group B Strep, I was put on antibiotics and fluids before they started anything. My doctor knew how much I wanted to have this baby regularly so he was ok inducing me first. His exact words were, "I know you want to have your 12 kids, so let’s induce you tonight and kind of play it by ear!" I think they started my pitocin around 5:00 am. I was only at a 1. They kept monitoring me and the baby, but things were not progressing and once again, doc told me to plan on a c section. The baby's heart rate kept dropping like crazy. Around 11:00 am he came in to break my water, which got me to a 4. Again, plan on c section, but he let me go a little longer. I got my epidural at noon {oh! the best!}. By 1:30 pm, I was at a 9 and 100% effaced!! BOOOOO YEAH! NO C SECTION! I started pushing 15 minutes later with the nurse, and then the doc came running in. While I was pushing, I started to tear, so my awesome doc yelled, "STOP PUSHING! I need to save your rectum!" haha So I got the little snip-snip. Sorry, that’s a little TMI! My epidural had started to wear off by then, and it was too late to give myself a little dose dose!! I could feel A LOT!! That was the worst 45 seconds of my whole delivery. I pushed a total of 8 sets of 3, and in 32 minutes our baby boy was here!! Oh man, that was the BEST feeling to feel him come out. Baby pooped when he was still in the womb, so the NICU team was there to check him out just in case. Colby was such an awesome support. He was holding my hand and coaching me through the breathing, waiting and counting. My cousin Tami Dickamore was there taking pictures and coaching me as well!
{the name}
We went into the hospital not knowing what we were going to name our little guy. Of course we had a list, but I had a feeling our baby was going to leave the hospital with out a name. After the NICU checked him out and everything was ok, they let me hold him. When they laid that beautiful baby on my chest I knew he was our little Keller. I was too afraid to say anything to Colby incase he had a different idea. He looked at me and said, “What do you think babe? Is he a Keller or what?” haha Even though he is Colby’s twin, we both knew he was going to be Keller Colby Stringham. I was so happy that Colb felt the same and it was way easier than I thought it was going to be to name our baby. You either love it or hate it… but he is our KELLER! Which means, “Little Champion!” And since he took so long to get here, it means that much more. I couldn’t stop crying, I love this baby boy so much. I love my sweet husband. I love my little family of three. Life is good.
