35 Week Pregnancy - Braxton hicks contractions + appt.

I had a doctor's appt. this morning. It was cute; little Tessa kept kicking at the Doppler today, she was not happy at the nurse at all! My weight gain is at 17 lb. and blood pressure looks good. Baby is still head down. The doctor started internal exams & I got the Group B Streptococcus swab (doc's office has my EDD down a few days sooner than I keep track of it, going by last menstrual period instead of ovulation--I was charting basal body temps & ovulation when I conceived). I'm 1 cm dialated, not that that means much, you can walk around a little dialated for weeks, I think. On the other hand, it's good to know maybe some progress is being made toward labor. Now, my appointments are all weekly, so I'll go back next Thursday. Really curious then to know whether any progression has occurred. It feels surreal, being so close to the end now. There were times when I felt like pregnancy was going by so slowly, and I'd be in the first trimester forever! I have started to have some Braxton hicks contractions and mild period-like cramping of late, so I hope things are progressing along. I know she needs to bake a little longer, but I can't wait to get this baby out now!