Update...Sort Of

So the intense pain and tightening I've been feeling have apparently been real, hard core contractions. I think.

I've read every book there is on babies and labor and what to expect, taken the classes, and spoken to everyone and their sister on their birth experiences...but let me tell you, when it's actually happening and *something* feels amiss, you question yourself. At least I have been.

I keep thinking back to last night to logically deduce if it was the spicy food at dinner that's creating this pain (quite possibly), the way I slept on my side (maybe), or a pulled muscle (highly unlikely, but who knows...). I just can't wrap my head around the fact that I'm having contractions. Other women have contractions...the one's from the books I've read and the ones who've had babies. Not me, not yet. I mean, I know I'm at 38 weeks (exactly today!), but it's still hard to believe. I've been waiting for a distinct, noticeable "click", if you will, of a light switch that would tell me it's time and I'm having a baby. The slow, barely noticeable increase in pain and discomfort of the contractions, however, have thrown me for a loop since I've been able to cope with it so far. I guess this is nature's way of allowing women to adjust gradually to the immense pain ahead. Which is a good thing, since I see pregnancy the same way - you have 10 months to slowly adjust and take in all the wonderful (and scary!) changes to bring you to a final 'a-ha' moment when the baby comes.

So...for all you reading this and wondering if babymo will make her debut today...I don't know what to tell you. I definitely feel like the intensity of pain/tightening/pressure has come to an all time high today, and hope that this is the start of our journey as a family. I hope it's sooner than later, and I hope it will continue to be as "calming" as it has been (I totally thought I would be a panic stricken mess when the actual time came...). Because if this is Braxton Hicks contractions...I'm screwed.

And for a final update - I think Kent also read my blog this morning and knows exactly how I feel as I've been giving him the meanest stink eye every time he asked me 'where does it hurt', 'tell me when it starts', 'should we go to the hospital'? And as a result, has been cramming (if it's even humanly possibly) to prepare for the baby and take me to the hospital at a moments notice. He's been really accommodating, sincere, and most of all, awake. I feel safe, taken care of, and genuinely calm. If I can get through this annoying pains, then I actually think I'll live without killing someone in the meanwhile.

More to come later, as I should probably focus on keeping better time on my contractions...writing has definitely helped me keep my mind off of things, so please excuse all the typos and spelling errors!

Keep you fingers and toes crossed that babymo is ready to meet the world today (or tomorrow, at the latest!).