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.

Cannon Beach Trip

Mailee enjoyed her first trip to the beach last weekend. We had a wonderful time even though the weather wasn't the best - it was still a chance to getaway. We spent time with Jay, Deanne, the boys and Louise. John even got a chance to go surfing like the good old days in San Diego (but with a wetsuit of course:)
Since it was cool, Mailee didn't get to play in the sand on the beach, but we had fun watching Austin and Jack explore the tide pools and Mailee got to put her "swimming lessons" to use at the indoor pools.

Buggie misses her Godmother

Thank you Jen for making the trip to come visit us... we miss you already! We need to make your trip west an annual tradition! You've already seen so much b/w this year and last year! San Juan Islan, La Conner, Coupville, Fairhaven etc. etc... Next year we will hit B.C.!

4th of July!

Mailee was very patriotic on her first 4th of July decked out in Red, White and Blue! It was a gorgeous, sunny and even HOT summer day... we started at the Parade downtown, then the family (and even Mailee's Godmother, Jen) BBQ'ed. Mailee couldn't stay up late enough to see her first firework show... but maybe next year.

Cute Shots

Had to share these shots w/ Auntie Liz and Bonbou (sp) and Pop :)
Our little tennis player and for some reason the red makes me think of Liz...I picture Liz having a little girl with a red bow in her hair (but her hair will be dark) :) One day maybe I will be passing on the bows... HA HA

All I want for Independence Day are my two bottom teeth, my two bottom teeth...

Deanne witnessed Mailee making a mess with her brocolli on 4th of July and snapped this picture. I realized last night when I was downloading all the pics that you can kinda see Mailee's 2 bottom teeth :)
Check them out.

Happy Birthday Melody!

So happy you are closing the huge age gap between us! Ha Ha. We are so lucky to have you as not only our nanny but our friend. Mailee loves you!


Check out the BLING on Melody's finger... SHE'S ENGAGED!! :)

Our little Hokie

Mailee finally fits into the cute onesie that Todd and Erika sent.
We had to snap a picture of our little Hokie.

Swim Lessons

Monday Mailee had her first swim lesson... I would love to report that she enjoyed the water just as much as her daddy does, but that wasn't the case... I think she cried 80% of the time :( We THINK she may have just been cold, so we ordered her a baby wetsuit for next week's lesson... we shall see.
Here are a few pictures... don't be fooled though... she really did cry the majority of the time.. I don't know why my pictures don't show it.

7 month update!

It seems like just yesterday John and I were figuring out how to change a diaper or burp our little pumpkin... then you blink and 7 months have passed! So many changes and she is growing so fast (well, kinda 14.5 lbs ;)... we couldn't imagine life without her and I just love starting each and every day with her sweet smile and baby talk in the mornings!






Let's see.... Mailee is up to all sorts of things now... she loves "trying" to talk making a variety of sounds and she loves copying the funny sounds we make.
She is a very active little girl too... she is constantly trying to stand up and she doesn't have much interest in crawling anymore.. this girl WANTS to walk, but let's hope we have a little more time before we have to really start chasing her everywhere!
Her two bottom teeth are coming in too... we can see them popping through! I didn't think it was possible... but this motherhood thing just keeps getting better and better!

John's First Father's Day!

Mailee sure is lucky to have her daddy! From day one she has had him wrapped around her little finger. It is adorable to see the two of them together and as a mom, I couldn't be happier! I love you babe - Happy Father's Day!

We celebrated Father's Day weekend with the Hilburn clan b/c it was also Jay's bday weekend! It is awesome to be able to get the whole family together! Father's Day started out w/ a wonderful breakfast with all the Hilburn dads, then John, Mailee and I headed home to have our own celebration. We surprised him with a BBQ dinner and a digital picture frame loaded w/ tons of Mailee's favorite pictures of her and her daddy!!

Happy Birthday Jay!

We are so glad that we were able to celebrate the birthday of such an awesome brother, brother-in-law and uncle! We love you!

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad H!!

We are so proud to have parents that are celebrating 40 years of marriage! What a milestone... something to be proud of! You have done so much through the years and best of all raised two sons while teaching them the true meaning of love! Thank you for that! We love you!!!

I love these pictures... they make me think of you two looking towards a wonderful future together while reflecting on the memories you've made in the past... standing on the sandy beach looking at the water for some reason just seems right too.

Happy Birthday Chap!!

Thinking of you on your birthday and missing all the good times we've shared. Can't wait for you and Charlie to come visit us in the Pacific Northwest!

Happy 30th Lauren!!!

oh Mini, you are turning into a true Cougar now! Wishing we were all back together to celebrate with you. Hurry up and move to Whidbey!!!

Austin Turns 5!!!!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest 5 year old boy around! Cha Chi and Cee Cee love you very much!!