Keaton Was Born

It took me forever to write down the story of when Braden was born--and I really didn't want to forget those precious details this time with Keaton. So I wrote it down. And here's what happened. (It's long and about having a baby. So think about whether or not you really want to read this... you've been warned. There are pictures at the bottom if you want to skip to that.)

I woke up around 3 in the morning on Monday and went to the bathroom. I'm not one of those pregnant ladies who have to go to the bathroom all night long--I'd normally go once or maybe not at all.  Since I was awake, I decided to go to the bathroom, even though I didn't really need to. Once I got to the bathroom, things started a-leakin'.  In the middle of the night fog, I was super confused as to what was going on. I suspected my water perhaps had broken, but it didn't seem the way I'd imagined it to be. So I sat around a bit to see if I was about to have a baby, and then went back to bed. And slept on a towel.  I started having some contractions that were about 12 minutes apart and hurt a little--and then eventually fell asleep. Real responsible.

In the morning, I eventually told my mom (who had arrived about eight hours before my water broke JUST IN CASE I went into labor early) and Sol--and then called the doctor.  They told me to come in to check--so I frantically started packing a hospital bag and took a shower.  And tried to find some baby clothes.  Needless to say, I wasn't really prepared.

Other things going on Monday morning? Oh, we had hired a handyman to come and paint 6 rooms, install 3 ceiling fans and put in a new sink and garbage disposal. So that was happening in the background.  AND I had decided that the best way to have the baby early was to make lots of plans--so Finley also had VBS and swim lessons to get to. It was chaotic.

Sol and I went to the OB at 10 and they couldn't decide if my water had broken or not. I was pretty sure it had and was not looking forward to them telling me I accidentally peed my pants.  They sent me to the hospital for a test to see if it had broken or not--and then I was sent back to the OB because there were no beds left in the labor and delivery center.  Finally, at 12 they decided my water had broken and sent me to go have a baby.  I had sent Sol back to help my mom get the kids to the pool so they could hold on to some of their routine and would be out of the way of the handyman.

FINALLY FINALLY I got started on Pitocin at 4. I immediately inquired about an epidural--I was induced with Finley and Braden and ended up with epidurals that didn't quite work--leaving me in a lot of pain in the end. I was looking forward to a nice pleasant labor--and was worried that I'd miss my window for an epidural since I tend to have babies really fast. They kind of acted like I was crazy... and made me wait a bit.  After about 45 minutes, they came back to check me and sent for the anesthesiologist.  Things were starting to really hurt.  The anesthesiologist walked in--and was immediately called out to do an emergency c-section. They promised me he'd be back soon... but he wasn't.

The nurses shut off my Pitocin to slow things down, but that didn't work. About an hour later after terrible, horrible contractions, they finally decided I could push. And of course, right then the back up anesthesiologist came in--but it was too late at that point. So no epidural. I was so hot--Sol was fanning me with a drink carrier from Chick-fil-a. I actually screamed because it hurt so much--something I hadn't done with the other boys. SERIOUSLY IT HURT A LOT. A little after 6, they got me ready to push and after I pushed once, everyone started yelling for me to stop--the cord was kind of around his head and they had to wiggle it off (I think?) And then he was here. Little Keaton John. They flopped him on me for a minute, and then took him away to make sure he was breathing ok--and he was so sweet.  And little.  Total: two hours of labor, one push. I honestly don't think I could have handled much more without some drugs.  I said with Braden I wanted to beat my marathon time in labor--next time I think I'll try to beat my 5K time.



He was 7 pounds 6 ounces--more than a pound less than Finley. He was 20 inches long--3 full inches shorter than Braden! He's so little. I had terrible guilt about not having a new outfit for him to wear home--but luckily he gets to wear all the newborn clothes that his brothers never got the chance to wear more than once. I also bought him the lovely Aden and Anais blankets I'd had my eye on for awhile out of guilt--and then was pleased to find out they were the same ones Prince George came home in.



After Keaton and I were all cleaned up, Sol and I decided to keep him. Such a sweet little stinker.



And seriously--I've never had a sweeter baby. He may have cried once in the hospital--he was so content to sleep and be cuddled and look around. Sol and I could not get Finley to stop crying when he was born--who knows if that was his temperment or our own inexperience--either way, we're grateful that baby #3 has been very good to us. So far.



My mom brought the boys up to see Keaton around 7--and it really didn't go very well. Braden came in saying sweetly, "I got a baby brother!" and had to be carried out as he cried, "I WANT TO KISS MAMA!" Break my heart. Both boys were cautious and only mildly interested in Keaton. Typical. My mom reported that Finley did kiss a picture of Keaton later that night and said, "Goodnight Keaton John!"



My mom came back with the boys the next day and it went much better. I had Keaton in the bassinet when they came in so they could peek at him safely and hopefully not freak out that I was holding another baby.  We were armed with Chick fil a and had "presents" that Keaton got for the boys.  I had ordered presents for them on Amazon the day before, but they didn't make it in time. Sol ran out and bought some Duplos, which they happily played with in the bed with me.  Braden would sweetly pat the baby's head and say, "HOT." Which is good, maybe?  And Finley was willing to give him a kiss on the head.



Lots of people have asked how Braden is doing--and he's doing fine now. He missed me and just wanted to sit next to me in the hospital, but has been really fine now that we are all home. I mean, he's two and has tantrums, but he's bounced back pretty well. Finley brought Mama Monkey (of course) to the hospital and shared her with me to "keep me warm." My favorite Finley incident was when he made himself breakfast while we all slept our first morning home--a bag of Sour Patch Kids.  Classic.



We're really happy to be home together.  And really happy that Keaton has been taking it easy on us.

And most importantly, we're really grateful for SOL... whose birthday it is today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE! I'm so glad Keaton wasn't born on your day. And I'm so glad you were. We love you very much--and I couldn't have a better guy be the dad to these boys. They are lucky to have someone who loves them so much. And so am I.