Tailgating the Birth

As many of you know, my pregnancy with Neve was a bit of a stressful one with multiple surprises-she caused a lot of drama for her mama. This sequence was not to be broken with her birth.

Because she was breech (sigh), we scheduled a c-section for one week before her due date: September 5. I had been joking with everyone that though I would have a baby, I would not celebrate Labor Day with any labor.

On Friday, September 2, I was active at work trying to get some last minute details wrapped up, however, baby was not active at all. I went out for a big lunch. I drank a pop. I ate a cookie (okay, three). I laid down in my cubicle on my right side, my left side, and my back. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. NOTHING. I decided to call the doc.

When Dr. Shah (He-Shah) called me back, I was expecting to have him say something like, "Well try to record her movement each hour, and call me back tomorrow if you are still concerned." No-no. He said, "Since you are so close, why don't you just come in, and we'll do this tonight." "This" being, extract your baby.

Of course Sean was in a meeting with Dean Crawford, so I had to call Taylor and Shrek to track him down. It was a good thing he got on the move, because I talked to Dr. Shah around 1:30, and Neve Erin Kassen was born at 4:57 p.m.--a happy and healthy 7 pounds 9 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. Hooray!!!!!!!!!!

Taylor and Shrek had done their part as well, rallying the troops, and as promised on multiple occasions, they tailgated the birth. Epic.