Could it be....could it be?

So, I have started to get a few small indications that Mr. Dominic might be making his way into the world.  YIKES!!  Too late to turn back now!!  I am anxious to get all of this down in writing so that I can read it later and see if these "feelings" were actually signs of pre-labor.

Starting last week sometime (we'll say early last weekend) I noticed that my belly seemed a little lower and that it was a bit easier to finish my meals.  My husband and my co-worker both made comments about it as well.....so I decided to ask my doctor about it at my appointment last Monday.  She confirmed what I had suspected....he "dropped", meaning his head is now engaged in my pelvic area and he is ready to rock and roll!  My doctor of course said that this doesn't mean much as every pregnancy is different, but all of the books I have read and research I have done online says this "dropping" usually means the baby will arrive in 2-4 weeks.  I have noticed that he has dropped a little more each day since then and I am starting to get much more uncomfortable.

Now, this news isn't all that shocking as 4 weeks puts me at the 39 week mark, a totally normal time frame to go into labor.  However, the realization that he could realistically be here in a few days kind of makes me FREAK OUT!  The doctor did assure me that should he be born anytime between now and his due date everything would be fine and there would be no reason to worry.

Since I realized that he has dropped I have also noticed some cramping in my lower abdomen (that sort of feel like menstrual cramps).  This could be the start of real contractions.  Last night I think I had my first REAL contraction.  It started as an intense menstrual cramp and led to the tightening of my whole abdomen - similar to the Braxton Hicks I have been feeling up until now.  It only happened once, so I won't be too concerned until I start feeling several within an hour.

While they are not as scientific as some more traditional labor symptoms, I have also noticed that I am nesting with increased intensity, am extremely restless before bed and during the night, have more energy during the day (despite the lack of sleep from restlessness and heartburn) and have been experiencing more intense leg cramps. 

The good news is that we are ready for the little guys arrival.  His nursery is ready and my mother (who will be coming to stay with us until I have found my mothering bearings) is on red alert.  Our only concern is that both my mother-in-law and her husband and my little brother will be out of the country for most of the month of May.  I hope they do not miss Dominic's grand entrance!