OH, BABY! A GREAT START TO NEW YEAR
Couple ‘gave up’ after years of trying — and then pregnancy happens as pandemic hits
OROVILLE » Katie Stanton became pregnant right at the onset of the pandemic. She and her boyfriend, Keith Ruiz, were stunned to learn of the pregnancy.
“It was unbelievable. We tried for years and thought it would never happen. We gave up, then it happened out of the blue,” Ruiz said.
On New Year’s Day, Stanton gave birth to their first child, Sophia Lynn Ruiz. The baby was the first to be born in Butte County this year.
She made her appearance at 9:38 a.m. She came in at 7 pounds, 15 ounces and 19 inches. Her original due date was Jan. 16, but her parents are relieved she made an early appearance.
“I’m feeling great. I’m blessed to have my first baby,” Stanton said. “I’m so happy.”
The pregnancy was extremely smooth, but the delivery was a bit unexpected. They went into the hospital at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Stanton’s blood pressure was high, so the doctors induced her. After several hours of labor, Stanton decided to have a C-section.
“When she came around the curtain, she had these big beautiful eyes looking up at mommy and daddy,” Stanton said. “It was a beautiful moment. It was worth it. I can’t even put words to explain it.”
The blue eyes overtook Ruiz as well.
“Breathtaking. I can’t believe that we made this little human,” he said.
The couple met through mutual friends during a camping trip. They’ve been together for six years. The pandemic has not affected their lives very much. Both
were able to continue working. They live in Gridley, but wanted to have their baby in Oroville Hospital because they felt comfortable there. Their parents will drive into town the next day
to meet the baby.
Stanton affectionately describes the little one as a “chunky.”
“We finally have our own kid. It’s a miracle,” Ruiz said.