Say What?

This past Friday I was at work and I was experiencing a bit more cramping than usual...later that evening I noticed a bit of "spotting". I immediately freaked out and called the doctor. The doctor on call asked me a hoopla of questions and ended up telling me that it probably isn't anything to worry about considering how great and healthy my pregnancy was going but to call back if the spotting continued and to take it easy this weekend and to drink lots of water. Saturday came along and I laid low until about 10am...then I got bored! Plus Tall Mouse was having a fantastic sale and I wanted to get some fabric for baby blankets. My mom and I headed out and I was feeling just fine...plus there was no more signs of spotting. Later that afternoon I ended up going swimming with the family (which was one of my doctor's previous orders...swim everyday). I was feeling so good that after our time in the pool Michael and I went to register at Babies R Us. Then later that evening we met up with Jenn and Todd for some games...I was feeling really crampy and tight again...but didn't think too much of it because I wasn't spotting anymore. Sunday came and went with only minimal cramping and still no spotting. Hurray! Monday I went back to work and I was feeling pretty crampy again and noticed more "spotting" I called the doctor again and went in to get checked. The good news is my cervix is closed...but I was having some contractions. The doctor sent me to labor and delivery to do a non-stress test and get an ultrasound to see if my cervix was shortening. Thank heavens I had my sister with me to keep me laughing and entertained...it was so long and boring! And of course I had not one contraction while hooked up to the machine. During the ultrasound the baby looked great and healthy (which is all I really worried about) and my cervix looked normal. My routine doctors appointment was the next day so my doctor told me to come back in during my scheduled appointment. After leaving the hospital on Monday I was really crampy again...figured it was just because I was being "checked and bothered". The day I had some tightening and some cramping. When I went in for my doctors appointment she came in and checked out my stomach and baby and as she was doing it I got crampy and she felt my stomach tighten and informed me I was having a contraction...it slowly went away and she checked the baby's heartbeat. Once she was done I told her I was getting crampy again and she felt my stomach and informed me I was having another contraction. She didn't like that I had 2 in 5 minutes. She sent me down to Labor and delivery again to do another test which indicates if my body is in true labor mode and can help predict if I will go into labor within 2 weeks. The test results take up to an hour and while we were waiting they were doing another non-stress test. I was showing to be having contractions every 2-3 minutes. That worried the doctor still so they gave me a shot to stop my contractions. My doctor came in and told me that I was experiencing some form of preterm labor and that I can't go back to work and I need to be on bed rest for at least 5 weeks (to get me to 38). I am not completely bed-ridden but I am not allowed to go out. How boring! I am trying to figure out how to keep myself entertained...so that I don't go crazy. Any suggestions?

Over all I glad we are keeping baby safe and that she is still really healthy. She has been responding so well to my mini contractions and the doctors couldn't be happier with how she is doing. As for me...I may go crazy...I'll keep you updated!