And HAPPY New Year To You, Too.

Baby girl.

12/31, late at night:

10:45: Water breaks dramatically, movie-fashion.
11:00: I conclude that I am not going to be able to sleep through this.  I start timing contractions. 4 minutes.  7 minutes.  4 minutes.  I get up.  2 minutes, 2 minutes... I lay down.  4 minutes.
12:00: I think, "Perhaps I can lay here in peace for a while before we have to drive to the hospital."
1:00: I think, "Perhaps I am completely irrational.  Because I am in labor.  Maybe I should call them."
1:02: L&D advises me to come in an hour ago.
2:30: We finally get there after waking up friends, having them come over to watch the children,  driving 45 minutes, and going to the poorly-marked, wrong, locked entrance - twice.
2:45: Two minutes apart and doubled up.  I insist that I want an epidural NOW.  NOW NOW NOW. My favorite midwife is there.  She is dubious (and pretty sure this baby is coming out really soon) but willing.
3:00: Someone asks me "Can you state your full name and date of birth?"  I think about it briefly, and say "NO."
3:10: The platelet count is done, the anesthesiologist arrives and tries to informed-consent me, then I sit up so he can stick a needle in my back.
3:13: He sticks a needle in my back.
3:18: The baby is born after three VERY intense minutes and no damn epidural.  However, my favorite midwife is the most awesome and nothing tears and she's fine and thank GOD I am not pregnant any more.