It's official...she's walking!

Mailee has been taking baby steps (between 2 and 10 steps) for a few weeks now, but this week I can report that she is truly walking. Over the weekend she has really mastered this skill and can walk across the room fairly quickly. It is very exciting and I know that I have promised video to some of you and will get it up this week (hopefully). But until then, I thought it wouldn't hurt to share this photo... It is one that truly shows how coordinated she is... How many babies can walk AND pick their nose at the same time. HA HA!

Boating

Mailee went boating for the 2nd time this past weekend with her Papa, Uncle Jay, Austin, Jack, Mommy and Daddy. I wish I could report that she had a blast like her daddy said she did the first time. Of course this time mommy got to join in on the fun but Mailee just wanted out of her life jacket... daddy was entertaining the idea of buying a boat... perhaps Mailee is trying to tell him that she'd rather him save the money for a pony. HA!

A visit from Mailee's "GrandGodmother"

So we might have made that title up, but there has to be a title for Jen's mom who both Mailee and her mommy adore. Gwen came for a visit and Mailee sure did enjoy swinging, learning about gardening, talking gibberish and showing off her walking skills with her. We hope to see her again soon! (maybe in November :)

Happy Birthday Babe/Daddy!

Between April 9th and Aug 19th I have to listen to John tease me about how much older I am than him. He thinks it is funny that he can say I am 2 years older when that really isn't the case...obviously when Aug. 19th roles around I am happy to put the joking to rest until the following year. ;) John and I went on an actual date to the Oyster Bar on Chucanut Drive the night of his birthday. Then over the weekend we celebrated with Mimi, Papa, Jay, Deanne, Austin, Jack, Nan, Stan and Julia. The boys went fishing and caught a salmon nearly big enough for the entire town of Anacortes to feast on :)

Hilburn Family Reunion

What a treat, Mailee got to meet daddy's extended family when Leslie, David, Bradie Bobby and Stu made a trip west for a family reunion weekend. We enjoyed having them and hope that it won't be another 6 1/2 years before we get together again. The last time we were all together was at our wedding in the keys.
I hope to get more pictures to post once they are sent out.

9 months already???

Is it possible that Mailee is now 9 months old?? Where has the time gone? Today we had her check up and although she is growing, she is still a little peanut.
She is now 15 lbs 13 oz (8th %) and 26 1/2 inches long (15%). Doc says she is healthy as can be though and was quite surprised at her balance and strength.
Mailee has been standing up all on her own (not pulling) for over a month now. She has even taken a couple of steps unassisted, but I wouldn't call it "walking". We are chasing her everywhere these days though and know it is only a matter of time before she will be running! She has fun making all sorts of sounds (some are hard to take b/c they are so high pitched), clapping, pointing, and eating (oh boy does she love her food - kinda like mommy :) We are continuing to introduce solids one by one and she still likes EVERYTHING (tofu, yogurt, avocado, etc. etc.) Good thing she is getting more teeth b/c she is going to need them for all the food she intakes. One of her top teeth started breaking through when she was 8 1/2 months old. I look forward to seeing her smile with her pearly whites all in one day.

Fun at the Beach

Since we were back east, we couldn't pass up a trip to Virginia Beach to visit friends and give Pop and Bonbou the chance to take Mailee to the beach. It was a quick trip, but so much fun! Mailee especially loved finally meeting Quinn and getting to hang out w/ Gracie again. She told mommy that she wished she lived closer to her friends. :(
(mommy does too)

Trip to Virginia

Mommy decided it had been too long since she had seen her family and friends back in Virginia and decided to take a last minute trip with Mailee. She was a little nervous to fly across the country with Mailee all by herself, but was glad she did.
Mailee was GREAT on the plane and the trip was well worth it. She got to spend some quality time w/ her aunt Liz, Uncle Fred and Cousin Liam, was loved on a bunch by Pop and Bonbou and of course mommy enjoyed visiting with all the people she loves and misses so much. Thanks Heather and Mom and Dad for hosting dinner parties. We had a blast!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

Daddy couldn't wait to take Mailee to her first MLB game and he got to do it a few weeks ago when we took her to Safeco Field to watch the Seattle Mariners. The timing was perfect - it was sunny and beautiful, it was "kids day" and Mailee seemed to enjoy the environment. The only downfall was that the Mariners lost. Regardless, we had fun teaching Mailee the words to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch.