Welcome!

We promise to do our very best to keep the most current pictures, updates, news, and information on this site.  Both of us are pretty busy with work, not to mention the baby - but we want to share the wee one's progress with everyone too!

September 14th:  We are running out of space here - what are we to do?!?!  Well, I guess it's time to move away from the free Google site (which we have really enjoyed - and don't worry, it's not going anywhere), to a more 'professional' site.  So without further ado, welcome to Life With Riley!!!!!  There's not much there yet, but that will change soon :)

September 6th:  At long last - the official bath update (don't be fooled by cheap imitations - it's worth waiting for the real thing!)

August 25th:  Update here for the weekend, stay tuned for Riley's first bath at home ('tasteful' pictures will be added as they are available).

August 23rd:  A few pictures and news right over here.

August 20th:  Weekend update for Riley is now available

August 17th:  Riley has a special announcement for her cousin Madison...

August 16th:  A work in progress...

August 15th:  Updates are now available via Riley's page :)

August 12th:  Guess who's going home?!?!?!

August 11th:  Beth and Riley are going to spend another day in the hospital and should be going home on Saturday morning instead of Friday, more updates and news here.

August 9th:  New updates on Riley's page!! (last updated August 9th at 7:17 PM)

August 8th:  Today the world is a richer place - Mark and Beth are pleased to welcome Riley Anne into our family.  Click here for all of the details.

August 6th:  We are currently enjoying what has turned into a nice weekend (weather-wise) in NC - temperatures have dropped into the 80s instead of the 90s/100s that were hanging around last week (and not just in NC as we learned from talks with family in MI).  All is well with all of the people and critters - Beth and baby are doing as much resting as possible, although we are realizing that sleep isn't something that you can stockpile to use up later.  The critters are enjoying harassing the wildlife on the deck - mostly birds, chipmunks, and squirrels - the cats try and 'hunt' the birds from the inside of the glass and Molly likes to get excited when any 4-legged creature ventures into her 'zone'.  For some fun, we went to see Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby yesterday afternoon...very funny movie if you're looking for a comedic break and something that you can enjoy without having too think much; even better if you're a NASCAR fan (and rest assured that we will not be naming Baby Boo Walker, Texas Ranger, or Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman).  Since we seem to be running out of space for pictures on things on this little site, we are working on another option for new pictures of Baby Boo when she finally arrives - be sure to check back for details.  That's all for now from the Tar Heel state until the next news breaks.

August 2nd:  The saga continues...we heard back from the doctor and the concensus is that Baby Boo needs another full week to let her lungs develop and mature.  So we spoiled Molly's week and got her out of the doggy day-care/spa early (although she likes being at home with her people and kitties too); it was fun trying to catch her on the webcams when she was there though.  Beth had an shower last Saturday with some of her Star Wars friends here and more on-line; so we posted pictures of gifts that came in via mail, and we got to see pictures of things that have yet to arrive.  You can check out the festivities right over here (Beth just posed with the rum, there was no imbibing allowed).  So for now Mark is back at work and Beth is staying out of the sweltering heat, resting, and encouraging Baby Boo to work on that lung maturity!

August 1st:  Today was a very busy day, with some disappointing news.  We started off with the amnio to check for lung maturity - Mom-to-be did an amazing job during the procedure (they had to try twice to get the fluid out - ouch!!!)  Then they went ahead and had another Non-Stress Test, just to check on things.  The NST did not go as well as the doctor expected, so they had Beth go through another birth profile ultrasound (where Baby Boo scored 8/8 which is great)...all said we never got home from the hospital until after 3 PM!  Later in the afternoon we got the results from the amnio - bad news, they didn't find any PG (the surfactant that measures/tests for lung maturity.  So, it looks like Baby Boo won't be here until sometime next week.  That will give her time for her lungs to develop more.  We did try Molly at a doggy day-care and she seemed to be doing well (although she won't get to spend the rest of the week there as planned, she'll have to postpone her visit until the baby is ready to be here).  We will keep the site posted as we get more news - thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers, they are definitely helping.

July 28th:  Things got a little bit interesting today as Baby Boo was not being cooperative during this morning's Non-Stress Test, turning the experience into anything but 'non-stress.'  Just to be safe, they performed another ultrasound, and good news - everything seems to be OK with both Mom and wee one.  And on the upside - we got more pictures, even some new 3D/4D images!! (Mark has a hard time with the 4D since he can't see time actually lapse on a still image, but somewhere in the back of his mind he knows that time is involved in creating the pretty pictures.)  Since there will be a pretty major update in the very near future, here are the links to the new pictures:  old school ultrasound (chubby cheeks are still there), being a bit shy with the hand over her face, another image of her being 'camera shy', Beth's favorite - tiny baby foot and toes!, nifty shot of her hand and knee (weird that babies are born without knee caps though.  Stay tuned for more as things progress toward Baby Boo's birth day!!

July 21st:  Things are progressing well toward the early August baby delivery activities.  Beth continues to have multiple Non-Stress Tests each week as well as visits with the OB.  She had a growth ultrasound and Baby Boo weighed in at 6 pounds 10 ounces!!!  The baby is definitely not going to be tiny - and Beth got a new ultrasound picture of her that should be available soon (she says that you can see the baby's chubby cheeks and that they look like her Dad's chubby cheeks).  Molly had a big day at the vet getting a rabies vaccination, some other boosters, a bath and a haircut - she looks like half the dog she used to be, but a very much cooler version.  We will keep adding to this update as we get things scanned and sorted out (there seem to be some technical issues with Google Pages on Friday evening and Saturday...we are working to try and sort things out)

July 16th:  Quick update - things are going well with Baby Boo and Beth, although there have been many Non-Stress Tests and visits to the doctor lately.  We took a condensed Child Birth class at the hospital where the baby will be delivered, and Beth is taking breast feeding classes there too.  Mark didn't pass out or get too ill during the C-section and placenta/afterbirth delivery videos, and both of us learned a lot about what to expect.  Beth is now out of work and on 'voluntary' bed-rest to help with circulation and to reduce swelling.  Right now it looks like in early August the OB will perform an amniocentesis to check for lung maturity, and if that turns out well they will admit Beth to the hospital that evening and start the induction procedure.  We are getting very excited as the time for delivery gets closer!  No picture updates or anything exciting like that for now - don't forget to put your guess in for the pool too!

July 4th: Happy Birthday USA!  And since we're in a celebratory mood here in NC, how about a Baby Boo update (we know, it's long overdue - but it'll be worth the wait, we promise).  We're making a separate page for this update to hold all of the baby-licious goodness (from Beth's showers, new ultrasound pictures, and pics of all of the new gear and outfits from family and friends).  Don't forget to log your best estimate on the baby's due date, size, weight - we really like to see new guesses (see the instructions in the June 15th update for more details)!

June 15th:  There's a new addition to the Baby Boo fun and excitement - a pool so that everyone can submit a guess as to when the Baby Boo will be born!  To play, just go to this site and enter BabyBooNC in the Invited Guests box in the upper left corner.  Then just click on the Enter a Guess box/button on the right side of the screen and start with the prognosticating (you do not need to register in order to make a guess).  The winner will get a cool prize like a new car (think more MatchBox and not Maserati though) or something like that!  We're looking forward to seeing your guesses - so hurry up and get your information in now!

 May 31st: Hello there!  Another month, another visit to the OB!  Mark ventured off to Michigan and Canada today so it was just Riley and I to the OB.  For once she actually cooperated during the ultrasound, though we got a new tech who only took three pictures.  (Scroll to the bottom to see the newest.)  But pictures are pictures and the whole point is just to make sure our baby girl is growing the way she should!  I would love to get a video of an ultrasound, she wiggles and waves and it's funny to feel her kick and then see her do it on the screen.  I even got to see her practice her breathing and swallowing!  And we saw eyelids today!  The one thing I wish Mark could have seen was how chubby her cheeks and little legs are getting!  She's definitely looking more and more "baby-like" each time I see her.  The techincal update is that she is now 2lb 12 oz and over 14 inches long.  She's measuring at 55% which is a great number (she's not failing, just really average).  With diabetes, one of the issues of concern is how big the baby grows.  So far little Riley is right on track in that department.  

Of course it is just not a trip to the doctor without some extra fun.  One of our other tests today was a Non-Stress Test.  Bascially we sit back in a comfortable chair and one disk measures heartbeats (which you can hear, along with any kicks or movement) and another for any contractions.  After letting us have a great and easy view of her heart in the ultrasound, Riley hid away to the point were the nurse simply could not find the heartbeat using the disk.  Since everything checked out on the ultrasound, we ended up skipping this test today and we're now scheduled to visit the Women's Hospital each week for the NST before heading over to the OB's office (just across a small parking lot).  Apparently they are much better set up over there for little girls who like to hide.  Hrm.  They've not met our Riley yet! 

If you've not noticed the ticker, we're 28 weeks today- offically in the Third Trimester!  Besides melting in the heat and humidity things are going well for Riley and I.  We can't wait (along with the critters) for Mark to be back home but hope he has fun fishing.  Due to the concerns with diabetes, we're probably only looking at 8-10 weeks before Riley is here with us.  I'm amazed at how fast the last seven months have gone by and I sure the next few weeks will be the longest and fastest weeks of our lives!  So until next week keep cool and out of the sun! - Beth

Happy Mother's Day!   Just a quick update for our first Mother'sDay with the baby - things are well in Greensboro, albeit a bit wet and thundery.  Beth had her first surprise shower with some women that she used to work with at Polo - Baby Boo scored some new cute outfits, a huge box of wipes, burp rags, and some additional gear.  There was a progress ultrasound on Tuesday - here are the pictures.  Mark had some exciting news too as he was voted Small Business Advocate of the Year by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.  It was a big surprise and a nice honor to get the recognition.  Here are are links to some of the press coverage - 1  2

May 7th:  This was a busy week in Greensboro!  We sadly said farewell to Grandpa George and Grandma Carol on Monday after a long weekend visit.  It was true excitement Friday night as we looked over the big Baby Boo care package of items from Aunt Beth and her sisters which Grandpa and Grandma were so kind to drive down.  Baby Boo now has more clothes, a bouncy seat, a nifty table-top bed, a diaper bag and a complete teddy bear crib set!  We kept busy by replacing the doorbell ringer, fixing a stubborn commode, doing some shopping, going out for some good eats, working in the yard, and most importantly enjoying the company.  Come back soon Grandpa and Grandma!

    Overall things with Baby Boo are going great.  She is kicking up a storm and very active with her flip-flopping.  So far her antics are not too uncomfortable and Beth gets excited every time.  She's even had a few well-placed kicks that could be felt by hand!  Baby Boo had a fetal echo cardiogram with a specialist from Duke University on May 4th, they couldn't see as much of the aortic arch as they would have liked, but overall everything looked normal and there is no reason to follow-up with the cardiologist - which is great news.  We also had a regular OB appointment on Tuesday the 2nd where everything was also pronounced going well.  We're scheduled for another growth ultrasound next week so hopefully more pictures will be coming!  Until then you'll have to settle for baby pictures of the critters.  We're also scheduled for another test- which is fine.  Everything is being done to make sure everything stays on track- not because of any anticipated problems or concerns at this time. The diabetes control is going well though Beth now has to take additional insulin during the day.  Again, it was an expected development though one we had hoped to avoid.  Thank goodness for modern medicine!

    Baby Boo's bedroom is slowly coming together - she now has a crib and nightstand!  The crib is one of those that converts to a toddler bed and full-sized bed.  Pictures are here and yes, we are not planning on keeping the mobile there- just for photos until we figure out how to hang it safely.  It is a Michigan mobile that plays the Michigan fight song (The Victors).  Beth's betting Boo's first words will not be Mama or Dada, they will be Go Blue! making her daddy very proud.  As long as her next words are Mama and Marshall, she'll be happy.

Happy Easter!!!  We hope that everyone has had a wonderful Easter weekend, things here in NC have been great.  We set a new record high temperature in Greensboro on Saturday at 89 degrees, and it's in the mid-80s again on Sunday.  Check out the new pictures and don't forget to vote on the poll if you haven't already done so!

April 12th news:  Baby Boo visited the Perinatal specialist today and all went very well.  They were able to see everything that they needed to view (especially the heart) and she is still growing exactly as expected.  We got a bonus with the visit too - they have 3D/4D ultrasound so there are new pictures!!!!  The quality will improve as she grows, but it's neat to see more than the two-dimensional images.  The baby was once again very active during the ultrasound which made things tricky, but the doctors all say that movement is good.  

UPDATE!  We had the big 20 week ultrasound today and everything came back healthy/normal.  The baby is measuring at 19 weeks 6 days and Beth is supposed to be 19 weeks 5 days.  We did find out if it's a little boy or a girl...click here to find out!!!

There's a new feature on the site - we're asking for your input to help us decide how to spell the baby's name.  Take the poll here. 

Click the links on the side for more specifics - and feel free to contact us via email to say 'Hi' or anything else (kid-friendly of course!)

Mark - amaizinblue at gmail.com

Beth - microserf at triad.rr.com