Emerson Joseph Sudar

On Tuesday, March 24th at 5:39 Emerson Joseph Sudar came into our lives. He weighed 7 pounds 15 1/2 oz and was 20 1/4" long (Daddy was so excited he got some of the stats wrong that first night).

Here's how things went down for those of you who haven't heard the specifics yet. We went to the hospital Monday night so that they could induce me as planned. We arrived at 7:30 pm and went upstairs to get settled. They gave me the first dose of medicine to prepare my cervix at 10:30 pm and another at 2:30 am. By 10:30 am on Tuesday morning, I was 4 cm, the doctor broke my water and I received my epidural. I continued to progress over the next several hours and at 3 pm they told me it was time to start pushing. Around 4 pm they realized that he was face up and had me lay on my side to help him rotate. He finally rotated to face up at the very end (after also having his hand up by his head for a short time!) and came out screaming at 5:39 pm. Robert was with him while they got him cleaned up and took his apgar score, he got a 9. Not only was he not clear when he came out, but he was pinker than we had expected he would be. Since most Colorado babies are bluish purple that's what we had prepared ourselves for. The whole thing felt surreal and we were both overwhelmed that our little boy was finally here!

Robert was an amazing coach the entire day. Getting me whatever I needed, reasuring me that everything would be okay and counting each time I pushed. His support was incredible and I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have him and little Emerson in my life.

John "Jack" Preston Christiansen

Moments before leaving for the hospital on Monday night we received a call that Robert's sister had given birth to her son! John "Jack" Preston Christiansen entered the world on Monday, March 23rd at 4:20 pm. He was 6 1/2 pounds and 19 inches long. Dena, Scott and Jack went home late Wednesday night are are doing well. We can't wait to meet our latest nephew. We're sure that the boys will be great friends and have lots of adventures growing up together. Congratulations to Dena, Scott & little Jack! We love you very much!

Final Belly Pick

Well, here we are at last. We just got home from the Doctor's office and all is good. Sudsie is still head down but Natalie is not dilating, so it's all set and we're heading to the Hospital tonight to begin the induction process. Obviously Natalie has made too comfortable of living conditions for out little guy and he doesn't want to come out so we'll help him along.

In light of that fact, we figured we needed to post the last belly picture in this string. You may all now start putting together your flip books.

We are very excited and can't wait to meet our son. We will be posting more soon, but we did want to let all of you readers know that your kind and encouraging words, your thoughts and prayers, and your unending support throughout this process have made this pregnancy a fantastic experience for all of us. Thank you.

Plan B

Since yesterday was my due date, we had another doctor's appointment to check out our dear son. First, they did an ultrasound. They watched his large and small movements, checked his heart rate and we watched him breathe for a while. All looked well and he got an A. Takes after Mommy and Daddy! Then we had an exam where she reported that there was still no change. I haven't dialated anymore and while Sudsie remains head down he's still not engaged in my pelvis. So, the doctor decided I should be induced on Tuesday morning. Monday morning we will go into the doctor's office for another ultrasound and exam just to make sure that everything still looks okay. Then we'll go home and get ready for the hospital and go in Monday night. They will give me some drugs to prepare my body for the induction and then start the inducing drugs Tuesday morning. Our son will then arrive some time later!

Now, we know how our son felt about our first plan so maybe he will come this weekend on his own. But if he doesn't then we'll help him out. I told Robert last night "apparently I've made our son a nice little home since he doesn't want to leave it." Do you think that this means he'll live at home forever? LOL. Oh, we've also been getting a lot of "this kid must be a redhead" comments. We will see....

And the saga continues...

We had our weekly OB appointment yesterday morning. She put the doppler on my belly but thought the baby's heartbeat sounded weird so they moved me into another room and put me on a monitor. His heart rate was dipping a little so they left me hooked up to the machine for 15 minutes. When she came back and looked at the printout she said it looked fine and his heart rate was at or near 130 that whole time. Then she checked me and reported "no change." He is still head down but his head isn't really in my pelvis yet. Since Thursday is my due date we have to go back for a biophysical profile. They will do an ultrasound (checking amniotic fluid levels and movement) and a non stress test (hooking me up to machines that monitor the baby's heart rate and contractions). Apparently we will have a conversation regarding next steps after they do their analysis. Signing off until Thursday....

Week 39

Our coutdown is down to single digits! Here's what BabyCenter.com:

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

We had our high res (originally we misunderstood this as high risk but it's actually high res like resolution - duh!) ultrasound yesterday. Sudsie was still head down and they measured less amniotic fluid than on Tuesday. They said that everything looked good and they thought our OB would cancel the c-section scheduled for next Tuesday.

Well, we're ready and waiting for this little guy to come out and join us. I forgot to mention in my last big post that we now have the cradle (it's actually a small crib but we call it a cradle to differentiate between his actual crib). My Grandpa Crandell stripped all the lead paint off and he and my dad had it painted white for us. It's all set up at the foot of the bed for Gus to get used to it. His laundry is done and his room is ready. We're still waiting for his dresser/changing table to arrive. I should come anytime now.

This past weekend we bought last minute baby stuff and hung out. This week I've continued to work a lot and we've relaxed in the evenings. This weekend we're going to do a lot of walking and other wives tales to help bring on labor. It might not work but it can't hurt! We're also going to go to dinner and maybe see a movie as it might be the last weekend before we're parents.

Our next doctor's appointment is Monday morning when they'll check to see what kind of progress I've made. Now that the c-section is most likely officially off I plan to work until he decides to grace us with his presence! Robert's parents will be in Southern Colorado by Saturday night and will be making their way to Denver on Monday. Maybe he's just waiting for the final set of grandparents to get here.

I'm still feeling good and comfortable but say a prayer he comes soon as we're anxious to meet him and see what he looks like!

Like Sand Through the Hourglass....

Apparently Sudsie has a penchant for drama like his Mama! We went back to the doctor for our weekly appointment today and he was still head down. He is not engaged in my pelvis yet, I'm still 1 cm and 60% effaced. My amniotic fluid levels had increased from last week so the doctor wants us to have a high risk ultrasound to check Sudsie out. We will have this done on Thursday morning. They didn't seem too concerned about it and that this is a just in case kind of thing. They said if the ultrasound on Thursday is fine our c-section for next Tuesday will be cancelled. So, back to waiting for this little guy to come on his own.

For all those interested, according to the ultrasound today he's head down with his spine on my right side, his butt up in my right ribs and his legs extended so his toes are by his forehead. His usual U shape. Just head down instead of butt down.

And His Name Is....

Gotcha! You tell us. Lots of people keep letting us know their guesses for the baby's name. So let us know what you think we're naming him. Click on comments and post your guess.

You don't have to be a blogspot member to post a comment. Just type your guess in the comments box, type in the word verification, click in the circle next to name/url, type in your name and click "publish comment."

Week 38

Things are plugging along here at the Sudar house and now we've arrived at Week 38!

BabyCenter.com:

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old.


I think it sunk in this week that our son could arrive at any time. Holy Crap! I've had to work a bunch again this week and have been getting home late each night. My wonderful husband has been making dinner and waiting on me hand and foot! Contractions off and on throughout the week but nothing even remotely consistent. This weekend we're going to purchase some last minute baby things and do a little cleaning around the house. Mostly we're going to relax and rest as who knows when we'll be able to do that again!


Keep checking the blog and your email for news that Sudsie has arrived!

Our Little Houdini!

We had our weekly doctor's appointment today. It started off with an ultrasound so that we could check Sudsie's position. He's head down! Now, if you read our blog regularly you know that this doesn't mean much as he flips and flops back and forth. Nonetheless, we are excited....but not getting our hopes up.

Then we had our appointment with the nurse practioner. We saw her two weeks ago when he was head down and then last week when we saw the OB he was breech and this week we're back with the nurse practioner and he's head down. Go figure! Anyway, she said I'm measuring fine and everything looks good. I'm 1 cm dialated and 60% effaced. Even though Sudsie is head down he is not engaged in my pelvis and therefore could switch back to his comfy breech position. The doctor is recommending that we keep the c-section on March 17th scheduled until Sudsie is engaged in my pelvis. So, now we go back to our little waiting game. Robert and I continue to have the what will be will be attitude.


In other news, I had some contractions this weekend. Two in the middle of the night Friday night that woke me up. Three Saturday afternoon while we were at the movies. One Sunday night while we were walking from dinner to the Buell theater downtown. We packed the hospital bags on Sunday. I'm still working but leave everyday as if I wasn't coming back, just in case.