The Newest Keeler

Hunter Eldon Keeler

Born on Saturday, October 29th at 6:54pm.  8 lbs 13oz, 20 in. long, and cute as can be!

Already a KSU fan, of course!

When I ever get the time, I'll update this with his birth story.  Hunter's momma (my sis-in-law) let me be in the room and watch the entire thing...seriously.  We're on a whole new level of closeness after that!

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**Update:  Since it's been months and I haven't gotten around to writing about this, I'll give a short version:

Christa went to the hospital Saturday morning.  She's been through this twice already, and thought it was time to go.  Once she got checked in, she wasn't dialted very much, so I didn't go up there yet.  This went on aaallll day long...progressing very slowly. 

I ate lunch, and checked my phone.  Cleaned the house, checked my phone.  Went for a run early evening, checked my phone.  I was the offical photographer for the event, so I had to be ready!  It sounded like things were getting a little closer, so I hopped in the shower.  I had a Halloween party to go to that night.  Got out of the shower, checked my phone.  Had a voicemail that said I should probably start heading up to the hospital.  It didn't sound urgent at all, so I got dressed, put on makeup, and started drying my hair. 

Checked my phone when I was done and...woops!  Three voicemails from my brother.  GET. HERE. NOW.  Holy cow!  How did THAT happen!?  It had been going so slowly all day, and now all of a sudden she was actually going to have the baby!?  I've never been so nervous in my life.  I literally ran to the car, and FLEW down 75the street to the hospital.  I ran two red lights and even passed someone in the turning lane that was driving too slow for me.  I had a birth to get to!

Sprinted in the hospital and ran down the hallway, camera in hand.  When I finaly got in the room, I got a disgusted look from my brother, and my poor sister in law was laying there with her legs crossed over, basically holding the baby in for ME.  "YOU DID YOUR HAIR AND PUT MAKEUP ON WHILE I WAS HOLDING THIS BABY IN!?  OOOOH YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO LIVE THIS ONE DOWN!"  Haha - thankfully she was in pretty good spirits thanks to an epidural, so I wasn't in TOO much trouble.  I still felt awful though. 

The doctor came back in just a couple of minutes later (Christa literaly told the doctor she wouldn't push until I got there...).  She pulled the sheet back...and well, I won't go in to too much detail, but you could see the top of his head RIGHT THERE!  Two pushes and his head was out, face down.  The doctor tried to twist him around (and broke his collar bone in the process).  One more push, and he was completely out.  Just like that, another healthy baby boy was alive and kicking.

It was easily the most incredible thing I've ever seen, and I am forever grateful that Christa let me be in the room to witness it all.  And by "in the room" I really mean I was right over the doctors shoulders, in between her legs, with my eyes wide open!  Like I wrote earlier, we are on a-whole-nother level of closeness after that!

Since July...

It's been a long time since I've put anything on this blog, so to catch up, here's what I've been up to since July (in pictures)...

Nephew's 5th Birthday Party:

Hot Air Balloon Fest:

10 Year High School Reunion:

Worlds of Fun:

Kickball:

Las Vegas:

(Meet my new boyfriend, Matt!)

Wakeboarding on Lake Perry:



(That's actually my friend, Lauren, but it kind of looks like me, right?)

Brothers Wedding:

My two sisters-in-law - Kelli and Christa

Friends Wedding:

Bon Iver Concert at Uptown:

Kansas State Fair:

Yes, we watched the State Arm Wrestling Championship...

...AND pig races...

...and we saw a giant butter sculpture!  Can't ask for a better day than that! :)

KSU Football:

More KSU Football (in Miami, FL):

Next up...

• Madison, WI, and Ethiopia in November
• NYC in December

Allie - 9

My awesome niece, Allie, (well, step-niece if you want to get technical) turned 9 last week!  She's been part of our family for quite awhile now, and I think she's pretty much the coolest 9 year old around.

I went to her school to have lunch with her on Friday for her actual birthday.  I surprised her with a balloon, which I'm pretty sure she thought was cool.  She doesn't mind being the center of attention. ;)

It was a throw back to be eating school food in a school cafeteria again.  The food is still blah and the lunch ladies are still mean.  How do you expect a room full of 3rd graders to NOT talk while they're eating.  Come on.  That's absurd. 

On a side note, I freaking love 3rd graders.  I got so many compliments!  I'm fully aware it was just because I was the only young adult within a 300 yard radius, but just let me bask in my glory (from 8 year olds) for a moment.  The "She's so pretty," and "Are you a model?" comments totally made my day, haha.  Oh kids...they're great.  I'm now planning on going back to eat with her at least once a week -- or whenever I need a little self confidence boost. ;)

Later that night, I met Allie and her friend for dinner.  I said I would treat them to wherever they wanted to go.  And where did they choose?  Applebess.  Freaking Applebees.  Seriously.

Allie always dresses to impress, and tonight - her birthday - was not different.  She showed up in giant sunglasses and high heels.  No joke.  I couldn't laugh, because she obvioulsy was strutting her stuff and loving it, but it was hilarious.  9 going on 19 for sure.

The girls had fun at dinner, and the staff even sang to her and gave her a free dessert (which she also loved). 

 

 I would call that a pretty solid birthday, but the party wasn't over yet.  On Sunday, we had a little family get-together at her house and celebrated her awesomeness some more!  She's one lucky and very loved 9 year old...

No, she doesn't need glasses. She just wears them to "look cool"

Here's to another awesome year with an awesome little lady!!

 Happy Birthday, Allie! :)