38 Weeks: Labor! Or not.

So, Wednesday night after work, we did our normal weeknight thing. Around 5:30, we leashed up the dog and went out for a good 30 or so minute walk like we usually do before starting dinner. Around 6, we got back home and decided to make a run to Sam's to stock up on a few staples before the baby got here. While we were walking around Sam's, all of a sudden I was struck with an excruciating crampy feeling and lots of pressure down low. It actually took my breath away and caused me to hunch over and wait for it to pass before I could continue walking. I got a few more of these as we finished our shopping and paid, so in the car, I started paying attention to the clock. I realized these little episodes were happening every five minutes. Blake very sweetly made us a simple dinner while I laid down to rest, and around 8:30, they hadn't stopped. I decided a call to the doctor was in order. After explaining my symptoms to her, she agreed that she thought I was in the beginning stages of labor. She encouraged us to stay at home until the contractions intensified (which she said could be hours or days even), so we got ready for bed, made sure our bags were ready to go, and waited.

The next morning, we were still waiting. The contractions hadn't stopped, but they also were not intensifying at all. I called in to work and told them I was not coming in and moved my afternoon appointment up to 10:45 that morning. Blake met me at the doctor, and we waited to hear how much progress I had made. And, drumroll....NOTHING. No more dilation. No more effacing. NOTHING. You would've thought she told me the baby died, I was so upset. It was such an emotional roller coaster to think you are about to meet your son and then to hear that it might be weeks longer. (Our induction isn't scheduled until the 13th, so it could be 2 more weeks until we meet the little man.) We left the doctor very defeated and went to have lunch to take our minds off it. I went back to work the next day for my last day there, and life went on as normal. Frustration does not even begin to describe it! :(

Since then, the contractions seem to have basically stopped, and we are just continuing to wait. I am done with work, so that's nice to have behind me. The waiting continues...until then, here is the week 39 picture we took last night before a wedding. Big, big boy!