The Waiting Game ...

I thought that perhaps baby was going to arrive on Friday evening. I had more intense Braxton-Hicks contractions all day, which progressed into more intense, painful contractions around 9 p.m. By 9:30, they were 3-4 minutes apart. At 11:30, we decided to head to the hospital. But, alas, I was no more dilated than at my last appointment 3 days earlier (a 2). Instructed to walk for an hour and then be re-checked, we tiredly walked the hospital halls at 1 a.m. ... not an easy task! By the end of our walking, I knew that I was going to be sent home. Contractions were about 5 minutes apart, and nothing that I couldn't walk or talk through. Sigh.

So, nurse re-checked (and thankfully was kind and didn't give me any kind of speech about jumping the gun!), and then gave instructions not to come back unless my water broke, or my contractions were close to 2 min apart and making me cry = )

We went home exhausted ... and me feeling silly. Of course, it is okay. I feel more like a non-expert on my body going into labor because I have only done it twice, and each time was completely different! But, false alarm aside, the next day I did think back on the "real" contractions during the boys' labor, and how I was squeezing Eli's hand and nearly in tears. What I was experiencing Friday night wasn't pleasant, but wasn't of that nature quite yet! It could have developed into that, but this little guy is apparently not in a hurry!

Either way, he WILL arrive sometime this week, of that I can be certain. And I'm ready to snuggle him, hold him, see what he looks like, bring him into our family. And until then? I guess I will keep scrubbing and cleaning around the house and spending time with my other two sweet boys!