Do you feel those contractions?

Yesterday started out quite lovely, but by the evening I was headed to the hospital.  Shortly after dinner, I realized that I couldn't remember the last time I felt the baby move.  I laid down, got back up, drank a bunch of water. . . nothing.  Anyone who's ever been pregnant knows this is really nerve-wracking.  After almost two hours of waiting, I called my doctor.  I was told to go in right away to be checked.  Unfortunately, it takes 45 minutes to get to the hospital which seems like an eternity at times like these.  I arrived, signed some paperwork and was taken back to triage rather quickly.  As soon as I was hooked up to the monitors, we could hear baby's heartbeat . . . what a relief!  While the nurse was asking a bunch of questions, I thought I started having contractions.  I didn't want to say anything, until I was sure.  After a few minutes, she looked at me and asked, "Do you feel those contractions?"  Good, I wasn't just imagining things.  When I told her yes, she said they were only two minutes apart.  A few moments later, I was checked by a doctor who confirmed that I was contracting and dilated 1 1/2 centimeters.  She told me to hang out for two hours and she'd be back to check on me.  I called Mate (he stayed home to put the girls to bed) and had him get everything together just in case this was actual labor.  Let me tell you, trying to explain which undergarments you need your husband to pack isn't that easy.  I knew we might have to pack in a hurry, but I wasn't planning on someone else doing it for me.  Anyway, after two long hours, nothing had changed so I was given the option to stay for two more hours or go home.  It was already 11 p.m. and I didn't think staying there much longer sounded like fun.  I was told to come right back if anything changed and not to be surprised if I deliver early.  The contractions actually intensified a bit on my drive home, but a few minutes after crawling into bed, they subsided.  I'll see my doctor for a regular check-up today.  Let the waiting begin continue. . .