Our Professional Photos from the Babymoon!

Well . . . I wasn't sure if i was going to have these done! I went back and forth and knew that if I had pregnancy shots done I wanted Jeff in them and then thought why not do them in Key West! That way it is special! So below are the shots . . . I am putting 2 of my fave below and then there is a slideshow. If the slideshow is too small for your viewing just click on it and it will open bigger! The only things missing from these shots are the Cooper!!!

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It's a . . . and i am offically not playing the "what do you think it is?" game anymore!!

It's a girl!!!!!!!!!! For Caroline and John! That is right my little Graysen will have a little partner in crime instead of a boyfriend! John and Caroline said they had actually looked into ordering a little onsie that said "Future Mrs. Hilburn" for Graysen because they were so sure it was a boy! We are know going to have baby girls just 3 months apart!! It is so exciting! Now if we just didn't live on opposite coasts now in stead of our 4 block difference!

I also reported earlier that I thought our friends the Halberts were having a girl and the Hilburns were having a boy! So I was wrong on both fronts and am never playing the "what do you think it is?" game again!! I actually thought Graysen was a boy too . . . so I am going with the opposite from now on! Just came back from my 34 week check in and the Key west trip added 2 more lbs :-O and Graysen has still decided to lay sideways in breech position so lets hope she goes head down by next week's check!

Return from the "Babymoon"!

Well since I never got a honeymoon (Jeff did to Iraq!) my sweet husband decided to plan a "babymoon"! He had been in Key West for a couple of weeks doing dogfighting (for my non-military friends he wasn't actually participating in Michael Vick activities but flight training!) He said that I should come down there so when he was done we could celebrate!

He spoiled me the whole trip and it was the most relaxing week ever! You can click on the pictures to see the bigger!

We stayed at the Casa Marina after a checking in at their sister resort, the Reach. I wanted to "reach" away quickly!! It is a very funny gross story but we got out of there quickly!! The Casa Marina was amazing! Jeff had already celebrated his birthday down there by treating himself to a fishing trip (oh and buying more fishing clothes even though he was already on thin Ice for the cost of the fishing trip, maybe I do need that LV diaper bag!) and I spent my early bday present at the spa (even though mine was A LOT less, how does that work?)

For those of you requesting ideas of where to go in Key West these are my must do's:
Blue Heaven :for the Banana Heaven dessert, oh my!
Croissants de la France: Where Caroline got her wedding cake which was amazing and they also have coconut cream stuffed croissants. Yes please!! I went 1 time a day!
Banana Cafe: for yummy crepes!
Mangia Mangia: for yummy Italian!
Alice's: the best meal we had!!
Latitudes on Sunset Key: so Romantic! you have to take a ferry and you literally sit on the beach surrounded by torches and watch the sunset!
915: yummy yummy Tapas
Rooftop: very very good!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE BUNK!!!!

Well when I was away on my babymoon with no internet access we missed being able to post one of the biggest birthday annoucements of the year, Kathryn's birthday!!! So this comes a couple of days late but with tons of love to make up for it. We have been friends for almost 18 years now!!! When I say best friends it is that in deed that but also more like sisters. We have been through so much together through out the years and I know my life would not be the same if I had not met you on that summer day on the beach in Epping Forest!

We used to laugh about when we would grow up and get married and have kids, what it would be like, how it seemed a million years away. . . and here we are! You were the Maid of Honor at my wedding and I will be yours next spring! My daughter will be your god-daughter and will love your children as her own siblings! Now the next thing we can laugh about in the future will be our 40th birthdays! God time flies, but you will always be older then me!! HA!! We love you very much!

Happy Birthday LALA aka Mini aka Lauren!!

Happy Birthday!!! I hope life in Pensacola is bringing you a happy sunny birthday! It is so weird to not have the 5 of us together on a birthday. For the last two years we spent most birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and more together!! I guess we will let you hang out with Rod this year! I love this picture of the Jax Fab Five! Even thought there are so many miles between us all now we will never be apart in our hearts!! I can't wait to see all of you at the end of the month!! Happy Birthday!! XO, Kitty

Happy 31st Birthday Jeffy-Weffy!!

Happy 31st my sweet sweet husband!! I hope we have a million more of these dances in our life together, I love this old picture from good ol' Kingsville circa 2002! I hate that we are apart on your birthday yet again but I understand your mistress (the navy!) must keep you away!! You are truly the most amazing man I have ever met in my life and I don't know how I ever got so lucky. Just think next year on your birthday Graysen will be here to help her daddy celebrate!! I have fallen more in love with you just watching how excited you are for her arrival. Happy Birthday to my rock, my hero, and above all, my true love. Can't wait to see you in Key West!!!

Pancreatitis . . . a New Family Past Time

Well no sooner do I get the pup over his bout of pancreatitis do I get a call from my step-dad tonight that my mom has been admitted to the hospital . . . for pancreatitis. The poor thing! I am worried sick for her but Jim assures me that she will be just fine. We think it might be from too much drinking and food fun on her honeymoon! She is expected to be there for at least 3-4 days though and I know how much my mom hates being alone at night let alone in hospital! Plus she can't eat for all that time. IV only. So if you are ready this and you pray . . . if you could throw a little mention in there for me mom. I know she will be just fine but I know she is miserable right now and it just breaks my heart.

BTW . . . I am becoming an official WEBMD addict. My doctor called me today too and found some stuff in my last test she didn't like so now I have another pill to take! Between the dog, my mom, and me I will keep all online medical research websites well visited :-) So just call me Dr. Kitty

UPDATE: Tuesday: Poor Penny! They told her today at least 5 days of more hospital time while they run more tests or let this thing run its course! She has a tube going into her stomach and has been told no food or water for 5 days so she is so hoarse. She told me today she hasn't been in the hospital since the day she gave birth to me almost 28 years ago! So she has been very lucky but she is miserable right now! Everything still points to a positive outcome and she appreciates being in every one's thoughts!

UPDATE #2 Wednesday: Well it looks as though surgery is the next step. They let her know this AM. She is pretty stressed and upset but it should be a relatively easy surgery. We don't know when yet but will keep the updates coming!

UPDATE #3: Thursday AM: Well my mom has started having irregular heartbeats on top of her high blood pressure so things are taking a slower course of action. Today she spiked a fever due to the infection raging in her gallbladder. So they have removed her pain meds and given her Tylenol instead to bring the temperature down but she is in a lot of pain. We are waiting for the cardiologist to look at her EKG before they go any further with surgery plans. We just need to get this thing out of her!! I think now she is just more miserable than scared and we def. think all will be well once the surgery is done.

UPDATE #4: Friday at noon: I was just talking with my mom as they came to get her for surgery. She sounds pretty nervous. They tried the ERCP yesterday but couldn't finish . . . they couldn't get the scope in so they let her know she is not a candidate for the surgery we were hoping for which is the laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder. Instead she is going in for the big boy surgery that is done with a 5-8 inch cut. So recovery will take longer but it is time to jsut get the thing and the gall stones out of her and let the infection in her pancreas clear up. Poor thing hasn't had food, water or a shower in 6 days. She hates the hospital! Well have an update after the surgery! Please say a little prayer if you happen to read this! While it is a common procedure I just worry as she has never had surgery before!

The Cooper-McPooper Drama Seems to be Over!

I haven't been on the blog for over a week partly because we had a really bad scare last Friday evening. Cooper went from not being himself that day to virtually being unable to walk, hold his head up, or keep anything in his body. He was admitted to the Emergency Vet for obstruction and surgery seemed the only option. 3 diagnoses later (obstruction, pancreatitis, and gastroencentits)and a little bit of coin after a many night stay at the ER he is home! He actually likes food again which we all know when Cooper is isn't eating something is wrong. Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes for our golden boy. He truly is my 1st child. I literally couldn't have handled if we weren't so blessed to have a positive outcome!

I have been busy busy with Mom and Dad H. here to help me around the house while Jeff is vacationing( flying :-) in Key West! They have helped me with so much! We are almost done with the nursery and it is the most amazing, beautiful thing I have ever seen. When we made the crib up today I cried! Mom H. has done such an amazing job that she is already getting requests for more business! It is very real that all of a sudden she will be here in a couple of weeks! Sleeping in that room! Dad H. has done tons of manual labor around the house so they may never want to come visit again! I feel bad! However, they have accomplished more this weekend that Jeff and I have in months so I am so relived and thankful for their help!

Pics to come tomorrow!!