It's a BOY!

Kevin and I were thrilled to find out that our baby will be a boy. Of, course we would also have been thrilled if it were a girl...I'm just so proud to not call him an "it" any longer. We're pretty sure we've already got our name picked out...of course you never know.

I can't wait to watch his daddy teach him to play golf. Kevin said I could tag along until he's big enough to walk on his own...funny, very funny...Really, I love it when Kevin's mother tells stories about how she learned to play golf so she could see her children.

Now I can officially get started decorating the nursery...

We got a call from our birthmom tonight. I was wrong about her doctor's appointment this week. She's going Tuesday, not Monday. At any rate, she offered to get us a video of the ultrasound and send it to us. How sweet is that? She is so unselfish. We're going to fly out to meet her in December. I can't wait.

I'm sure you can imagine how strange it is to become "phone-pals" with the woman who is carrying your child. It is...but I love talking to her. I want to know so much. I want to be able to answer questions about her as they arise, no lies. She's so open and honest. She's young, but strong and determined. We talked about cribs and names tonight. I think she liked the girls names better than the boy names. She's very easy to talk to and doesn't seem to have any reservations about the adoption.

A Little Riley-to-be

I haven't updated my blog because things have been such a whirlwind around the Riley household lately. I am actually updating this blog from Kevin's mother's house in Tupelo. We'll drive up to Memphis to feast with the other Riley friends and family tomorrow. Another reason I haven't blogged so much is that I STAY on the computer all the time with my new job. So, when I have free time I'm less likely to wonder into the office as before.

Kevin and I have been officially matched with a new birthmom in Texas who is due on April 15th. We have talked to her on the phone quite a bit and are thrilled that she is going to give us a family. She is a very sweet and intelligent Hispanic girl. She'll be starting nursing school this summer. We enjoy talking to her and getting to know her. Her family is very supportive of her adoption plan. When we first got the news, I was very nervous and skeptical. So, I waited to share it this time. We do know that the baby is very healthy and is measuring "long." She will have a c-section on April 10th and has already asked me to be there for her. What a magical moment it will be! She will find out what the baby is Monday 11/28. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted. You'll be seeing lots more baby updates.

Adoption News

I know you must think I'm crazy everytime I update this blog with "more baby news," but you can just imagine how crazy it feels to be us. We still haven't heard anything more about the little girl to be born on Dec. 21st. We did, however, receive news about a caucasion baby due to be born at the end of April. The birthmom picked us as her second choice for adoptive parents of her baby (gender unknown at this time). Before she could schedule a conference call with her first choice of parents, they received another baby (just last week). At any rate, that makes us her only choice of parents now. We are expecting to schedule a conference with her this week. That's all the adoption news for now.

There is more baby news in our neighborhood, though. In addition to Baby Kate across the street, two little boys were born while we were in Las Vegas last week. Both live on the street behind us. There is one more pregnant mother down the street. She is due in May. Wow! They're going to need a new wing at the Kindergarten school in about five years. My lil sis is still doing well. She is one of four pregnant women on her street.

Celine Dion @ Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas

http://sonymusic.ca/cgi-bin/Canada/stream.cgi?meta=f2ae25b8c2cd8f175fe90e24800a9f05
Kevin and I saw Celine in concert at Ceasar's Palace. I had heard that it was produced/directed by Franco Dragone, but I wasn't prepared for how much of a production it really was. I think there were about 50 dancers as part of her show. Franco Dragone was also the creator of such Cirque du Soleil productions as Alegría, Mystère, Quidam, and Saltimbanco. I loved it! Blue Man Group was still Kevin's favorite.

Blue Man Group

Do you remember the Blue Man Group from the Intel commercials? Kevin and I got to see them in Las Vegas. It was so cool! The web site really doesn't give them justice. If you happen to be out west, you should drop by the Venetian to see them.
http://www.blueman.com/videoimages/video/rocktourlive_h.shtml

Adoption Update

We are anxiously waiting for news on a Hispanic baby girl that is due to enter this world on December 21. I am getting better and better at taking it all in stride. Kevin and I have complete faith that God is preparing us for the child he intends for us to raise...what a blessing it will be. It's amazing to think that we could be parents before Christmas. I'm thinking of telling our little angel that Santa Claus dropped her off instead of the Stork.

There are actually two other Caucasian mothers who have our profile right now as well. Meanwhile, we are both staying very busy with work and travel. It's nice to have the freedom and flexibility to travel with Kevin and still do my own job.

Greetings from Sin City!

Places I've traveled to during the past year:

• Tupelo, MS
• Memphis, TN
• New Orleans, LA
• St. Kitts, Brittish West Indies
• Williamsburg, VA
• Washington, DC
• Baltimore, MD
• New York City, NY
• Atlanta, GA
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Philidelphia, PA
• Las Vegas, NV

It is all very exciting...until you figure in the money it costs to pay a "nanny" to stay with my dogs while we're gone.