Ella Sue Dutton was the first baby born in 2022 at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont and she has shown no sign of taking it easy on her parents.
Matt Dutton, Ella’s dad, said she has not really rested much since she was born at 12:44 a.m. Jan. 1. “She’s given us a couple of cat naps…and this morning she really didn’t want to go to sleep,” Dutton said.
Ella’s due date was Jan. 5. But her mom, Mackenzie, went into induced labor about 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve.
Mackenzie is a nursing supervisor at UCHealth Boulder and Matt is an IT specialist. Mackenzie’s nursing background prepared her well for Ella’s arrival, Dutton said.
But planning only goes so far in a pregnancy. “There are always plenty of surprises along the way,” Matt said. This is the couple‘s first child.
Mackenzie discovered Ella’s name in a dream, Dutton said. Ella’s middle name, Sue, is Mackenzie’s mom’s name.
“We are so happy, everyone has been great,” Dutton said. “We couldn’t ask for a better place to have a child.”
The family is receiving a Radio Flyer wagon filled with newborn gifts from providers, birth center staff and other hospital staff, said Kati Blocker, UCHealth spokeswoman, in an email.
