Birth Day- Sutton Grace

Several people have asked me about Sutton's birth story and I thought the best way to get everything documented was through our blog so here is how our sweet girl came into this world!

I had my 40 week appointment scheduled with my OB on Wednesday, March 21 at 10am. I have been going to a lot of these last appointments by myself because its always the same thing... heart tones of the baby, vitals of me, and talks about kick counting and signs of labor. This day was different though. I really wanted to Woody to be there for what I thought would be our second to last or maybe last appointment if I went into labor that week. My OB was running behind (like always) so we didn't see her until about 11am. We did all the normal stuff and talked about a possible induction for the following week (at 41 weeks) and discussed March 30th being the big day! After getting the date on the calendar she went to do my cervical exam and after telling me I was 20% effaced and 1cm I felt a rush of fluid. After a quick check by my OB it was determined that during my exam she accidentally broke my water. Immediately she told us we were not being induced next week but that we were actually going to have a baby THAT day! She instructed us to head over to the hospital where she would meet us in a few hours after I got all checked in. Can you imagine the surprise and freak out moment that Woody and I had when she left the room?? I have never seen Woody so terrified in his life! We immediately whipped out our phones and started calling our families to tell them IT WAS TIME!

By 11:15am we were checking into Labor and Delivery at Seton hospital and it was official that our baby was on the way. I was given Cytotec (to soften the cervix) and I dilated on my own to 2cm. It was determined after about 2 hours that Pitocin was needed to help my labor along and that was started about 2pm. Within about 20 minutes I was dilating and contracting and my life went from excited and happy-go-lucky to extreme pain and discomfort. I only labored for about 2 hours before I called for that anesthesiologist! What can I say... I have zero pain tolerance! Over the next few hours I dilated slowly first to a 5 then a 7 then finally to a 9. This is when things went downhill. I stalled at 9cm for many hours and after several cervical checks it was determined that Sutton had entered the birth canal sideways and wasn't going to turn. Dr. Gooch (our on-call doctor) tried physically turning her but she went right back to being sideways. The words I have not wanted to hear my whole pregnancy were finally being spoken to me... "You're going to need a c-section." In that moment I was absolutely devastated that Sutton not only wasn't going to get her naturally and on her own but now they were going to cut her out of me while I was strapped to a table.

In only a matter of minutes Woody was suited up and we were being wheeled down the hall to the OR for my first major surgery. I knew that getting Sutton here safely was the most important thing but I was scared for her and myself as we entered the bright room. Everything happened so fast but the few things I remember were the pain in my shoulders from the air bubbles of the c-section, the tugging and pulling, Woody talking me through everything and of course our beautiful baby's first cry. After she was born Woody went over to the table where they were checking her out and assured me she was beautiful and healthy and everything was fine with her. After a few minutes of them checking her out it was time for her and Woody to head off to the nursery while they finished fixing me up and completing my c-section.

There are several reasons a mother would not want a c-section but I have to say the saddest part was that I missed the first moments my family and friends shared with the newest love of my life. Woody was one proud daddy and showed everyone just how perfect she was. We were able to meet up in the recovery area and this is where things get blurry. Literally. I was so drugged up that I don't remember a whole lot but apparently I was pretty entertaining for Woody and the nurses.   What can I say? I'm a regular stand-up comedian on highly powerful drugs!

Getting moved to my permanent room was the best part of my day because I was able to hold my angel for the first time and I will never forget the moment we looked into each others eyes. It was almost like we had an unspoken love for each other the second we touched. Although things didn't go how we planned, I am so blessed to say that Sutton Grace Sitz entered this world a happy and healthy 6 pound 15 ounce baby girl. More stories to come on our days in the hospital in my next post!

40 Weeks!!

I cannot believe that right now when people ask me when I'm due I say... FRIDAY! Just a few little tidbits about where I am at 40 weeks!

How far along? 40 weeks!
Total weight gain: 27 lbs
Maternity clothes? ONLY maternity... even a lot of the maternity tops are short! She sticks out pretty dang far at this point!
Stretch marks? Sadly 3 tiny skin colored ones... but you can barely see them so I'm still thankful that I survived the pregnancy pretty stretch mark free!
 Sleep: Much better than in the beginning! Only waking up 2 times a night but getting out of bed is the hardest part! I feel like a 90 year-old woman with all the back pain and hip pain!
Best moment this week: Waking up Sunday morning knowing that we'll be meeting our sweet baby very soon! We're in single digits and I can't wait!
Miss anything? Mexican Martinis and Sushi... still miss both of these things! Can't wait for my first mexi-mart!
Movement: Still very active! A little more "stuck" in place but she is very strong and still gives me good movement all day every day!
Food cravings: I have been craving Louisiana Longhorn Cafe in downtown  Round Rock almost all the time. Woody has only taken me once but I definitely going to get back there before she makes an appearance! I also STILL eat an Eggo waffle and drink orange juice every single morning.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really... still taking the Zofran everyday. I tried 6 or 7 times to get off the nausea meds during this pregnancy and ended up sick every time!
Gender: Sweet baby Girl
Labor Signs: Lots of braxton hicks and dilated 1 cm... hey its progress!
Symptoms: Morning sickness, back pain, dry skin, headaches
Belly Button in or out? Still in but somewhat out... you can see it through my shirts sometimes!
Wedding rings on or off? ALL off! Sad day when I had to remove them! Better to be safe than sorry!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Not moody... pretty happy just tired.
Looking forward to: MEETING OUR BABY GIRL!!!

I can't believe I'm posting this but here is the belly at 38 weeks!

The Nursery

When you first get pregnant there are many things that go through your head... like... "oh my gosh, I can't believe it's really happening" or "when is my due date" or "when do I tell my work." Not Me! The very first thing I thought of when I found out I was pregnant was, what was the nursery going to look like! The wait to find out if we were having a boy or a girl was the most stressful part because all I wanted to do was get a nursery going and as you will find out, that's really hard when you don't know what you're having! Anyway... I am so happy with the way her nursery turned out and its all thanks to everyone who helped get it ready! The biggest thanks goes to her Gammy who sewed, painted, measured and stocked just about everything in her nursery! She really is a crafty wonder! Here are some pics:

Her Crib... my favorite part!

The picture wall and changing station!

Her window to the world...

And book and toy shelves at her level of course!

I'm embarrassed of the amount of clothes she has but wanted to show off her cool chevron design in the back of her closet! Thanks Gammy for spending all day measuring and painting! It turned out so cool!