Pregnancy Status

Time is still flying by and I am now 36 1/2 weeks! Only a few more weeks to go. I had a doctors appointment yesterday and was 2 1/2 cm dilated, 75% effaced and Parker was at a -1. There is still a ways to go but things are progressing nicely. (Last Wednesday I was 1 1/2 cm dilated) Dr. Drake thinks that when I go into labor it won't take long. So just pray there is enough time to get my epidural or that it goes so fast it won't matter. I can't believe we will be holding him within the next few weeks. I should probably go buy some diapers!

So we finally did it, we picked out a name!

Parker James Riegelmann

...And he will hopefully grace us with his presence in about 5 weeks! We cannot believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. I am feeling pretty good, tired, but good and we feel like we are pretty much ready for his arrival. Levi and Makayla are both very excited! Just so I can remember these times I wanted to share a little bit about Levi and Makayla's excitement.

Levi

1. Asks at least once a week if Parker is ready to be born.

2. When I say no, he promptly tells me that when he is born then "I will hold him like a big boy."

3. Is looking forward to "shooting hoops" and "playing catch" with his baby brother.

4. Wants Parker to cuddle him is his bed.

5. Says he needs to buy Parker a present.

6. Tells any random person who asks about Makayla that she is his "sis" and then quickly goes on to say that his baby brother is in mommy's belly.

7. He also usually tells them that Parker is growing and that he is not ready to be born yet.

8. Has started pointing out all pregnant women (and unfortunately some not pregnant women) and telling me that they have a baby in their tummy, "just like you mommy!" (Luckily none of the non-pregnant women have heard these comments)

9. Asks me if Parker is kicking me whenever I put my hand on my stomach.

10. And last but not least... he genuinely already LOVES his baby brother Parker.

Makayla

1. Comes up to my belly and says, "hi Parter" about 10 times a day.

2. Looks at my belly and talks to Parker as if she can really see him and he is looking back at her.

3. Reads to my belly, making sure to show Parker the pictures on each page.

4. Sings Parker songs.

5. Gives my belly hugs and kisses all day long.

6. "Tickles" Parker.

7. Constantly wants to pull up my shirt to see Parker.

8. Wants to hold Parker and thinks that if she squeezes either side of my belly and grunts to "pick it up" then she is holding him.

9. Cuddles Parker by putting her head on my belly, saying oh, and giving my belly love pats.

10. And last but not least... she also genuinely LOVES her baby brother "Parter" and tells his often. And although I am not sure she has any idea that he will soon join us outside the womb I truly do think that she is content to have a baby brother that looks and feels just like a large belly. She already acts like a big sister to him and treats him like he is already part of this family. I think that when Parker is born he will know he voice well and that they will have a special bond from day one. On the other hand I am also a little worried that she may smother him with her love and not give him more than a single second to breathe but we'll just have to deal with that if necessary. For now we are trying to get her attached to her own baby doll that she can feed and put to bed all by herself. We'll see how that goes.