I'm in labor???

My due date was September 28. My last day at work had been September 25. My maternity leave had started and I was getting a little bored (haven't been bored since!). At this point we were staying at Paul's sister's house. We had been looking for a new place and hadn't had any luck. We would like a place, but rent was too expensive. We would look at one we could afford, but it would be in a bad neighborhood. We would reach out to the leasing office to view an apartment, and nobody would get back to us. We did find one place we liked, was in a good neighborhood and we could afford, but we were denied. I was getting frustrated. But I didn't let that get me down. I knew we would find a place.
Without my job and the baby still not here, my days were getting boring. I was hot all the time, I couldn't get comfortable and I was done being pregnant. I couldn't be without a bathroom for long. On my third day of maternity leave (which also happened to be my due date), I had enough of being bored.  I cleaned, searched for an apartment, set up baby furniture, put together the car seat and stroller (I guess I started nesting). I viewed a few apartments by myself. We were beginning to feel our welcome had run out.

Labor Day!!!

On September 30 (my nephew's 1st birthday), Paul worked from home. We had an appointment to view a property at 5 pm. I was so uncomfortable! My feet and legs were so swollen that it hurt to walk. I couldn't fit into tennis shoes, let alone get them tied. I honestly had no idea how I was supposed to occupy my time. I decided to go grocery shopping and run some errands. Once I got back, I was so exhausted that I took a nap. Around 4, Paul and I walked to the bus stop to pick up his daughter. She told us about her day at school.
It was 5 pm. Paul and I met the landlord and viewed the townhouse. It was nice, in a good neighborhood and a good commute for both of us to get to work. After leaving, Paul and I talked about the property. We decided that we wanted to live there. I reached out to the landlord to get the process started for renting. I was excited! We would soon be in our own place again.
The rest of the day went without incident. Paul's daughter went to bed and we went to our room. When I laid down, my hips and back ached. I chalked it up to all the walking I had done that day. Paul fell asleep while we were watching a movie. I was getting sleepy, but decided I needed to go to the bathroom before going to sleep. (Even though I knew I would wake up at least twice during the night anyway.) I went into the bathroom and felt something weird. I heard fluid hitting the water, but I didn't feel like I was urinating. I was confused. Then it hit me.... MY WATER JUST BROKE!!! I'M IN LABOR!!!
I woke up Paul and sat back on the toilet, just in case. Paul grabbed the go bag and we got in the car. I was surprisingly calm during the entire 30 minute drive to the hospital. I called my OB to let them know my water broke. I called the hospital to let them know we were on the way. Paul kept asking how I was doing. I wasn't in pain. It just felt like cramps. I was nervous about the delivery part, but for the most part I was calm.
We pulled up to the emergency room at 11 pm. And I was put in a wheel chair. We were taken to the labor and delivery unit of the hospital. I was changed into my gown and hooked up to machines to monitor everything. The cramps were getting worse, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. Paul slept on the couch. I was exhausted, but I couldn't sleep. I was nervous about the next part. The nurses kept asking if I wanted an epidural, so I could sleep. I was 5 cm and I could still breathe through the contractions. I finally agreed, because I just wanted to sleep.
The anesthesiologist came in to give me the epidural. I made the mistake of looking at his tray of tools (as much as you are tempted, don't look at it!). I felt the local anesthetic and then lots of pressure. By the time he was done (only took about 10 minutes), I couldn't feel my contractions. The excitement of the day's events finally hit me and I was exhausted. I was able to sleep (if you can really get sleep in a hospital) for a couple hours. I woke with a start and knew I was about to vomit. I had a cup that I was able to grab. A nurse came in and asked how I was doing. I told her I vomited and she grabbed a few bags and some ice chips. Eventually the vomiting stopped and I was able to sleep a bit.

Delivery Day!
At 9:20 am, the nurses and doctors told me that Cooper's blood pressure wasn't stabilizing and they recommended a c-section. I was at 8 cm and hoped to avoid surgery. I agreed to the surgery. Paul was given his scrubs and he took our things to the recovery area. They wheeled me into the OR. It was freezing!!!! I heard the doctors and nurses get paged and there was a flutter of moving bodies. A nurse came over to me Andy said we needed to get the baby out NOW! His blood pressure had plummeted. Next thing I know, I'm drape  with a bunch of sheets and the surgery team is rushing into the OR. I started shivering, because all of my organs were just taken out.
At 9:42, I heard the baby crying. He was alive and breathing. Paul had been holding my hand and then he was gone. I saw him coming around the sheets holding a little bundle of  blankets. My baby was here and I couldn't wait to hold him.
I was sewn up, covered with warm blankets and taken to recovery with my new bundle. I was exhausted and couldn't wait to take a nap.