It's the final countdown!

Last night was a no good, terrible, horrible very bad night...the kids were CRAZY naughty at dinner time. After I got them in bed and was able to lay down and take a breather, I realized just how tired I was. I had been getting contractions here and there, and they are getting pretty mildly strong...I use the word "mildly" because I know how bad they get! The innocence of being a first time mother in labor is long gone!
So anyways...I read for a little bit but decided to turn out the lights and get some rest! Good thing I did. First of all, just before bed, Adelyn caught her toe on the bedroom door causing her pinky toe to pull away from her foot...she cried and cried. She woke up once really crying around midnight, I had to do all my tricks to calm her down. Then she was up almost every hour with a cry out or whimper, not enough to wake up, but enough to wake me up. So...around 12:45 I woke up to something else, a pretty good contraction. Then again, then again. I was contracting (the real ones that go around to the back) every 20 minutes for about 1 1/2 hours total time. Then they stopped. I had a few more about 4:30ish and then they stopped.
Needless to say, I was TIRED this morning. I text'd Jason to let him know that he may want to pack up and head home. They are in Kansas, 13 hours away. I know I ususally have a group one day, a group the next day, and then the third day I have the real thing...however, this is my fourth pregnancy and they aren't all the same. I would feel so bad and alone if Jason were to miss it. He will be home around 11:00 pm tonight.
Well, I am getting ahead of myself, I had my appointment this afternoon and was thrilled to hear the progress. The baby is engaged at a -2 station, I am 50% effaced, and dialated to a 3!!!!! I was hoping for a 3, but expecting at least a 2....so I couldn't be happier with the way the contractions are doing their job! The baby's heartrate was mid 130's and my measurement was 38.5 cm...I have not gained anymore weight this week which is good because I am above my normal ending pregnancy weight already by 3 lbs!
I am truly thinking that we will have this baby by the end of the weekend...maybe even tomorrow! I am praying for a healthy baby and simple delivery. I can't wait to see if we have a little girl or a little boy, my brain has gone back and forth so many times! It has been a blessing not knowing, so funny how you can love this little human so much that you don't even know yet what sex it is...carrying a baby is something I LOVE and will be a little sad that these are the last few days I will feel this overwhelming joyous sensation inside of me. But just like life is ever changing, we embrace the stage we are at and remember what we have been through while looking forward to where we are going.
The kids are so unbelievably excited that they just about smile so big it goes beyond their faces! When the baby comes out, I want someone to go tell the kids what it is so they can announce it to whomever is waiting to meet the newest member of the Somerville family!