Mailee's first trip to the zoo!

Deanne had a great idea to meet up at the Woodland Park Zoo before her birthday dinner. Although it was a little cold we enjoyed a couple of hours visiting the animals. Certainly a great way to avoid the crowds is to go the day after a little of snow falls here in Washington.

Happy Birthday Deanne!!

It was so wonderful to be able to celebrate with the entire family this year!
We love you!

Mailee loves her daddy

John is such a good daddy! It makes me so happy to watch him and Mailee together.
Over the weekend I snapped a few pictures of them during storytime and naptime. And then some of Mailee in the cute outfit that daddy got her dressed in before going to dinner.

A big milestone - The flip!

Today Mailee is 3 months, 1 week and 3 days old and she hit another milestone.
OK... so I'm trying not to call it rolling over b/c it reminds me of the days when i was trying to train Sahara to roll over for a treat - HA! But wanted to be sure to record this milestone ASAP as Mailee flipped from her stomach to her back twice today!!! :)
It was really exciting but I haven't gotten it on video... by the time I pulled the camera out she was over it and was like "yah, been there done that mom"... oh well, one day I get a smile, coo or flip on camera for grandma and grandpa R. Guess you will just have to come visit to see her athletic skills in person. Miss you guys!

Trip to Whistler

Well... my maternity leave is quickly coming to and end and John had a 3 day weekend... so we decided we better take advantage of this rare opportunity by planning a getaway to Whistler, Canada. We had a blast! Jay and Deanne came as well (but decided to leave the boys w/ mimi and papa). Mailee loved spending time w/ her auntie and uncle but missed her cousins.
John, Jay and Deanne went boarding when Mailee and Mommy went shopping in the village. Then one day Mommy and Daddy took Mailee for a snowshoeing adventure! What fun! We hope to make this an annual President's Day trip!

Happy Valentine's Day

Mailee wants her family and friends to know that she loves them very much and wishes she could spend more time with them. (so does her mommy)
Grandma R sent Mailee a Valentine's Day outfit that she is modeling in these pictures. Thanks Grandma!

Three Months!

Our little pumpkin is 3 months old now and I can hardly believe it! Time has flown by and we have already experienced so much joy with our precious daughter. Everyone says it gets even more fun the older they get... and I can't imagine! We are surely in for some fun then! Mailee got to spend some time w/ Mimi on her 3 month bday b/c Mommy had to go to the dentist. She told me she loves her grandma even though she cried... she just REALLY wants to be with mommy all the time. (she says it is just a phase she is going through though and will want to be cuddled and loved by everyone again soon!!) Here are some pictures of Mailee on her 3 month bday.

Mailee and her "other" doggie

Of course Mailee loves Sahara... but she also loves her other doggie that Sallie gave her! She has been exploring all sorts of things w/ her hands lately and this cuddly pup is one of her favs.

Happy Birthday Kerry!!

Thinking of you today and hoping that you are enjoying your bday! It's fascinating how quickly the years have flown by and how long we have been friends.... since middle school when I admired your puzzle shoes :) Love you!!

New pictures for Grandma & Grandpa R

Mailee wanted me to send you these pictures of her playing and bundled up!

Mom on TV!!!

Wow...who's that movie star?... OK, not quite a movie star, but Mom made her debut on national news standing next to the first lady! All b/c her office voted her best dressed... if only I could take care of myself like she does... I'm in a sweatshirt, jeans and slippers... but comfy as hell!! :)

Happy Birthday Heather!

I know you are enjoying your birthday with your new little bundle of joy! Love you!

Happy Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

Grandma R wanted to make sure that Mailee was dressed appropriately to ring in the Vietnamese New Year that started January 26th. Mailee has celebrated the year of the Ox so far by having lots of play time.... she loves her activity mat, her swing, hanging w/Sahara and going for walks (even though she throws a fit when she first gets put in her car seat). She has also started to sit up in her bumbo seat.

Welcome Fletcher William Condon!!

Heather had her THIRD baby today... her 2nd baby boy! He came without her having to be induced and she only pushed for 8 minutes! I told her she needs to have children for a living! HA HA. Fletcher was a big boy... 8 lbs 12 oz and 21 inches long... can't wait to hold him.

More pictures of Mailee

Mailee is 2 months old!

Wow...time is sure flying by... our little pumpkin is over two months old now! Every day since the day she was born has been wonderful and special. I wake up every morning anxious to see what the day will bring, as Mailee is such a joy to watch. I can't imagine my world without her in it now. Earlier this week we had her 2 month appointment and the doctor said that she was healthy and that we were very lucky parents to have a baby girl like her (who sleeps though the night allowing mommy and daddy to rest as well). She is a bit small (9 1bs 12 oz and 22 inches long) but hey.. I guess John and I aren't the biggest people either, so what do you expect? Doc says she is only in the 20th and 30th percentile... but she is healthy. :) Here is some video of her playing (I know grandma and grandpa R and auntie liz love to see this stuff) She is also smiling and cooing a lot... but I never have the camera near by when she is hamming it up. She is extra happy in the mornings...so I'll plan to catch a grin on camera soon.

Happy Birthday Carrie & Meredith!

A Birthday shout out to Carrie & Meredith as they celebrate their 33rd year! Love you guys!

Mailee meets her BFF Gracie

We headed to Virginia Beach to visit Kitty, Jeff and Gracie...Mailee dressed appropriately in her animal print! We had a great night with the Harpers - just like old times.... a little too much fun and a little too much wine... HA!
We miss you guys and love little Gracie!

Mailee meets all of our friends

Going home for the holidays gave us a chance to introduce our little pumpkin to so many of our close friends. She experienced our fav restaurant Rio Grande while we dined with the guys and even got to watch the bowl game with them too.
Grandma R opened up her house for a sip and see as well where she met all the girls.

Christmas 2008

Mailee's first Christmas was so much fun! We decided to brave a cross country plane ride with a 6 week old and it was all worth it.

Mailee's First Snow Days

This past week we've been hit with a couple of snow storms! It is so beautiful... a true winter wonderland around here. They are calling for even more snow this weekend, so we are crossing our fingers it won't cause problems for our trip home for Christmas!
We've been staying warm in the house, but couldn't resist braving the cold to snap a couple of quick pictures with Mailee surrounded by the gorgeous white snow.

Christmas Card photos with Mailee's first tree

Last weekend John, Mailee and I went and got Mailee's first Christmas tree.
John and I laughed as it was the quickest decision we've ever made in picking out a tree... We had gone to Washington park to enjoy a pretty day and a walk with Mailee prior to going to get our tree... well, by the time we got there Mailee was hungry so we took the first tree they showed us. :) John laughed and made a comment that having a baby doesn't STOP you from doing things you used to do... it just CHANGES the way you go about doing those things!
Once home, we listened to Christmas music, argued about the tree being straight (John is a perfectionist) and then decorated... the next night was interesting trying to get a family shot in front of the tree.. didn't get a perfect one, but at least we got one!

Baby photo shoot

Here are some cute pictures I've taken of our little pumpkin recently.

Thankful for Mailee & a Loving Family!

Thanksgiving was extra special this year as we are so thankful for a little girl!
We were also very thankful for our wonderful family. Mailee felt very loved because she had so many visitors to celebrate the holiday with... Grandma and Grandpa R came from Virginia, Aunt Liz, Uncle Fred and cousin Liam came from Washington, D.C, Fred's parents came from PA and of course the Hilburn side of the family (Mimi, Papa, Jay, Deanne, Austin, Jack and honorary g-ma Louise (D's mom) joined too! The dinner was delicious and the company was the best!

A few days after Thanksgiving, Mailee got to meet her great grandma (my mom's mom)... so cool to have 4 generations together!