A Cassidy Story
If there was ever an example of why not to have a birth plan, Cassidy’s story is proof.
We sold our commuter car, because we were going to start looking for a family car, I drove Nate’s ’86 Bronco. It had no a/c and for someone 7 ½ months with child, this was no easy feat, oh and the fact that in 2002 Utah had its hottest July on record. I pulled into the driveway and watched Coby, and his backpack (year round school 1st grade) bounce into our brand new home on Geneva. I saw my husband of 2 years packing our slightly nicer vehicle, the 1995 Ford f150. I slid (sweating) out of the Bronco and waddled over to see what he was up to. He looked at me, and said, “I am being transferred to Pengree/American Falls, Idaho- I leave tomorrow."
We had a routine. Get up, take Coby to school, go to work, pick Coby up, go home, relax, eat right, get fatter, walk, smell the paint of my brand new home, get nauseous, miss my husband, and so on. I had a partner in this Sara Fryer, her husband Colby, Nate’s pal and fellow electrician was also in Idaho and she was also expecting a baby. We would talk and console each other. Nate worked a graveyard shift which “allowed” him to work 10-12 shift. When he was done on Fridays he drive home which took 4 hours and wake me up with a kiss. He would fall asleep in his own bed, in his brand new house that he had not had a chance to enjoy. I would go to work and do the routine, but come Friday night we had Nate until Monday when he would head up to Idaho for another round (we did this for 7 months).
At a Sept. doctor apt. we explained our situation to Dr. Gordon and wondered if we might be able to choose a date to induce the birth so Nate could be there. Everything was great with my pregnancy and Dr. G agreed. We decided on Sept. 23rd, which was a Monday, Nate would come home Friday and we would have a wonderful weekend getting ready right????
Wednesday September 18th, 2002. I am sitting at my desk at the bank. I’m in back labor, my mom says so. I get a phone call from my brother in law Dave. Nate’s sister who was also expecting a baby had just delivered my niece Ember Lee at Orem Regional. I called my mom to see if she would like to go meet Ember since, remember, I had no husband at home. As we walked into the mother-baby unit nurses came rushing up to me, wanting to know how I was, how long I had been in labor, when my water broke. I had a good laugh over this one. I was just there to see my niece, I couldn't wait until Monday.
Thursday September 19, 2002. After a long day at the bank, I was ready to go home and get my house ready for my husband’s homecoming. I did my best to clean and get organized but the back labor persisted, I ended up stubbing my toe so hard it turned black. I gave up, and took a bath. I checked Coby who was sleeping soundly on my floor in a mass of blankets (this started after Nate moved to Idaho). Looking at the clock 11:59 pm, one more day of work, Nate and I could get on to our weekend, add to our family, were the thoughts I had as I drifted to sleep.
All of a sudden bang- a sharp pain, and then, warm wet sensation all over the bed. I woke in a fog. It was 12:16 a.m. (I will never forget that). Had I only been asleep for 15 minutes? No, No, NO!!! I thought NO! I looked a Coby, snoring. I stood up, grabbed my cordless phone, looked at my overnight bag sitting by my door, went in to the bathroom, stood in the bathtub and called my mom.
To this day I have no idea why my mom brought my dad with her; she came in to the bathroom saying, “You think your water broke?” As water gushed. I could hear my dad (lord) pacing... “I have to work tomorrow, no I can’t take Coby” I will forever resent him for this (sorry, but I will). As my parents bickered I bent over to tell Coby he needed to wake up and come with mom, the baby was coming early and he needed to be a big boy and help. As I walked out to my living room I could still hear my dad, saying how tired he was and telling my mom he couldn't believe she had woke him up. With my bag in one hand and 6 year old in the other I snapped at my mom and said “let’s go.” (Am I in hell yet?)
Anyone who knows my mom knows she can not drive well at night. We drove along Geneva to 800 North in Orem swerving, mom constantly complaining of night blindness and not knowing where to go. I had a six year old who refused to move from my lap because he thought mommy was in lots of trouble, the water was now trickling oh and YEAH LABOR PAINS!
We arrived at Timpanogos Hospital and followed the arrows to labor and delivery signs. Six year old still in tow, I rang the bell to the sliding glass doors that said mothers welcome- but they were locked and not moving( Hell yet?? Anyone??) A voice on the speaker said, “Yes, may I help you?” I stood there, “I think I am in labor” I said. My mother came rushing up to me after parking god knows where, “why are you just standing here?” she said. “The doors are locked mom; there is no room at the inn.” All we could do was laugh.
Finally in a room sitting on a bed watching Coby as the nurse weighed me, and took my vitals. 160 something lbs she said… (hell yet?).”Is the father in the babies’ life?” Nate! “I haven’t called him yet” I told her, “he is 4 hours away and if you’re going to send me home I don’t want him to start home before he needs too. She smiled and said, “Call him”.
Nate had given me emergency numbers and I thank god had put them in my bag. A husky voice on the other end answered, “front desk”, “yes this is Nate Fife’s wife can you get him please, I’m in labor” minutes later Nate came on the phone and said, he would leave right then, asked for my room number and told me he would call on his way. That was that.
Now, Coby what should I do with Coby? My mom refused to leave me until Nate arrived. I had a six year old up in the middle of the night scared and watching his mom wince in pain. Everyone needs to remember Steve was too tired to help (yes, still bitter). My brother and I have never been close; my sister in law just had a baby- what should I do? Call Cob’s dad? No. I told my mom to call my brother, much to my surprise he was happy to come and get Coby, he was there in a flash, wonders never cease.
3:00 a.m. The nurse asks if I would like my epidural because I was at a seven. I told her I didn't one. She said OK and started to prepare me for delivery. She explained I was moving fast and the baby would be there in about an hour if everything went well. NO! Nate was going to drive all night and miss the birth of our only planned child (hell yet?). I told the nurse what was going on, she said if I had an epidural it would slow my labor down, making it possible for Nate to be present when the baby was born. FINE!
At a little after 5:00 a.m. my hero in dirty electrical clothes came running to my side. Everything was good. The nursed smiled checked my chart and pointed out that the sex of the baby was unknown. Nate wanted to be surprised, but for some reason asked the nurse what she thought the baby was. She guessed it was a boy by the stats. Hu? Nate had me wait for 9 months to know what this baby was and minutes before the birth he is asking questions. This night kept getting more and more fun. So, now with a boy on my mind and a labor that had slowed way down I rested. Dr. Judd showed up saying he had just released a baby to go home over at Orem regional (we would later find out that it was Ember and Laura).
The fun continued; at about 9:00 a.m. Nate called his mom to tell her he was home and that we were in the hospital- her second phone call like this in 2 days. Pushing and breathing began. Nate stood behind my left shoulder most of the time. I had a coughing fit that apparently helped the baby because the next thing I heard was, “why hello little lady” I heard Nate sigh. I looked up and saw a girl. At 10:48 a.m, on September 20, 2002 weighing 7 lbs & 20.5 inches she was perfect, it had been worth it, the hard (hard!) night had been worth it.
Mom and Joyce were in the waiting room; Aunt Stacey was there as well. I sent Nate home to sleep. My Aunt Gerry came to see me a short while later. I fell asleep as she held my hand I couldn't stay awake any longer. Mat and Amy stopped at the hospital on the way home from the airport, fresh with braids off a cruise. Shannon and Aunt Kathleen also stopped by. My niece Cannon liked( a little to much) to play with my bed.
Nate had drove Colby’s truck from Idaho since they had car pooled to work that night-so we ended up taking Cass home in that 86 Bronco- when we sold it in 2007 I sat on the porch and cried.
Jackson Hole- Jenny Lake
Now we are both 31. Shan is my best cuz. She now has a swanky hair do (check her out at St. Provo Girl- she's a hottie)because I don't have a photo. It's great having a cousin that is also a dear friend. I love her children like they were my own. Gracie (below blog entry- is the little bird we took to the football game) and Miss P well, she holds a special place in my heart. I went to see her as a new born in the hospital after my first date with Big N- I remember wanting to tell Shan about my fabulous date, and that I had met the man I was going to marry- but she was laying in bed and had just gave birth ( I'm sure I told her anyways). Shan knows everything there is to know about me-she's known me 31 years now- it is nice to have someone that no matter what you do(or how many times your husband growls at them) they will always love you- Shannie is this person to me.
I have to say how amazing N has been today- he got up extra early and worked really hard so he could make it to his doctor appointment(which he hates) he had 7 moles taken of his face and neck(it looks really painful). He was still in good spirits when I came home to help get everything ready. I know secretly he is making a list and checking it twice so that my mother(who I have never known to do much camping) is happy and comfortable. He just ran to the store for the second time tonight to grab some last minute things(maybe something for his world famous dutch oven peach cobbler). I seriously love him so much.
