Baby Update

Consider this picture a belated birthday present for my dear friend Christina. She's been asking for an update, and I've been slacking. This picture was taken today, and I'm 29 weeks along. I had my 28 week Dr. appointment last week, and I had to face 2 needles in one day. My mom got to come with me and I was so happy to have her there. My goal was to prove to my mom that I could now face a needle without passing out. I was victorious! Yes, there were tears and numerous warnings by the nurse to calm down and not hyperventilate, but I did it! So, if you're keeping track, the score would be Karen: 2  Needles: 0

When my parents were in town, they got together with Steve's parents and suprised us by taking us crib shopping. We picked out such a beautiful crib, one that we never would have been able to purchase if the Grandparents hadn't intervened! Here are some pictures:

I just finished her bumper. I think it's quite pretty! Thanks again to both Grandmas for helping me cut out the material.

Extreme close up! Camera one...

Camera two

A Christmas Miracle

What I really truly wanted for Christmas was a new kitchen floor. I know this sounds lame, but I have been living with yucky CARPET on the kitchen floor for over a year now. Who in their right mind thinks that putting carpet in the kitchen sounds like a good idea? How unsanitary! Tiling the floor has been on our wish list since the beginning, but as luck would have it, the project kept getting shoved down to the bottom. So, I pleaded with Santa Stevie to bring me a new floor, and he did! Hooray! Again, I am so so fortunate to have a handy husband, father and brother in-law. Merry Christmas indeed!

What a joyful sound! The ripping of carpet...

Just call Mikey "Master Shredder"...of carpet, that is!

Papa Dunlap helping his boy out on yet another Dunlap project...

Steve is getting his grout on

When my family came to visit, they also got to join in the home repair fun. Steve, my dad, and his dad all put their man powers to work and built this shelving unit for the kitchen. Thanks, guys!

Here's another picture of the shelving unit complete with kitcheny items.

Thanksgiving in Oregon

We have been home from Oregon for way over a week now, and I've been intending to do a little bloggy blogging since we've returned. I just hate to keeps our fans waiting...

Here's a glimpse of our trip:

My mom and my two BFFs, Alison & Beka, threw me a wonderful baby shower. The above picture is of all of our loot. There were so many people at my shower that have been a part of my life for pretty much forever and I felt so blessed! I guess Karen Lee is still loved and remember in good ol' Jefferson.

This is Mary. She's also known me forever. Mary was my sewing 4-H leader and has been my sewing guru ever since. Mary quilted our baby a beautiful quilt and a pair of little booties. As my sewing guru, she helped me make a quilt for Steve about 7 years ago, and so I enlisted her to help me finish my baby's cradle quilt. She was thrilled by the prospect! I will post pictures when the bedding is all finished up.

Next we head up to my grandparents' farm. It was great, and of course, we shot guns and ate food.

Some fun male bonding: My dad and Steve cleaning the guns. Look out, gentlemen callers!

My little bro Jeffy and Steve. And you thought I was the silly one in the family...

This is my twin brother, Jimmy. Don't we look alike? Yes, he is hugging an assault rifle and a hand gun. He's going to make a pretty ferocious uncle. Here's a little secret: he's really just a big teddy bear. He's also single and looking to mingle...

Yes, I'm pregnant and shooting a handgun. I felt really weird about doing that. My dad got a little cowboy gun and really wanted me to try it out. 

I asked Steve to look tough in this picture. I'm not sure he delivered. 

Steve and I stayed in Oregon until early Sunday morning so that I could go to the Civil War game with my Dad. You may already know this, but my family (Dad in particular) are major Beaver believers. This picture was obviously taken before the game, because we were all smiles. I won't post any details about the game, but it wasn't exactly pretty. However, I had a great time with my dad so it was worth it.

We drove home the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I wouldn't recommend doing that drive to anyone, especially if you're pregnant. I took us 20 hours. No joke. It was awful and we're trying to block that out of our memories. Anyways, we had a great time and find it hard to believe that the next time we're up there, we'll have a little addition with us! CRAZY!

Tidbits

We are leaving tomorrow morning for our trek up to Oregon for Thanksgiving. This will be a great time to see friends, family, eat, enjoy the rain and no sales tax, have a baby shower, and watch OSU cream U of O during the Civil War. As you can see, we have plenty to look forward to and much to be thankful for. 

On an unrelated topic: I finally made my decision on my students' recycled animal projects. And while I know some of you felt that the parent participation was a little much, I was relieved. Getting parents and kids involved in recycling sounds like a grand idea to me. So, here are the winners:

Most Artistic: The Eagle

Most Creative: The Owl

Most Interesting: a tie between The Elephant and The Scorpion (I couldn't choose!)

Thanks for your input! I told my students that their animals were so good that I needed my friends' help to decided. That made them feel like superstars!

I don't mean to brag...

but I'm pretty sure that Steve & I have the best jobs ever! No, I didn't say easiest job ever, becuase contrary to popular belief, we don't show up and leave when the kids do. Teaching is demanding, and anyone who thinks differently should follow us around for a day. Ok, I'll get off of my soap box now...

Anywho, one of the greatest and most frightening things about teaching (and parenting as well) is the opportunity I have to share my passions with my students in hopes of it becoming "contagious." I should know how this works, as I am the product of a very passionate father who loved sharing his passions with his kids. That's why I believe that Coke is superior to Pepsi, John Deere tractors are the best, and it is of my utmost American duty to root for the Oregon State Beavers, in good times and bad.

I am also passionate about many things, and God's creation is pretty high on my list. That's why I was so jazzed to teach a social studies unit on community resources and recycling. As we ended the unit, I challenged my students to create a 3-D animal using only recycled materials that they found around their homes. I allowed them to use new paint and glue, but that was it. My kiddos loved this project, and I was blown away by their creativity. Now comes the hard part: I told them that I would give out three awards and I can't decide on who deserves what! Will you please help me? The awards to be given are Most Artistic, Most Interesting, and Most Creative. I took pictures of my favorites in hopes that you would all give me your input. Here they are, in no particular order:

The gorilla: made out of a 2 liter pop bottle, bits of paper, newspaper and paint

The scorpion: made out of egg cartons and paint

The bald eagle: made out of a 2 liter pop bottle, cardboard and paint

The owl: made out of a gallon milk jug, cardboard, and cut up grocery bags

The elephant: made out of bottle caps (for the trunk), water bottles (legs and body), cardboard, pop can tabs, and newspaper

Here's a closing shot of the whole little recycled zoo:

Busy Little Bees

Dos Dunlaps have been busy around this here joint. This weekend was a whirlwind, and we have the pictures to prove it. It started off with a long-overdue visit from our very best friend from college, Mrs. Candace Morris. We had such a great time just being with one another; it's so refreshing to be with a friend that knows you, your quirks, your history, and still loves you. Candi is so easy to love and she loves us back without even batting an eye. All of the pictures below were taken by her, as she has become quite the little photographer. 

Candiass and Karen getting our cheese on

Trying so very hard not to giggle

3 BFFS + 1 Brundibar= Good Times

Candace & Charlie

Charlie does not often allow people to see him, let alone pick him up. Candace has captured all of the Dunlaps' hearts!

This weekend was also Steve's Grandpa's funeral service. We had a weekend full of family and remembering Grandpa. The service was beautiful, and there is a sense of relief now that it's over with. Thanks to all of you who have remembered our family in your prayers during this time.

Pink is the new black...

No, this isn't a post promoting breast cancer awareness, but that is a good and noble cause, to be sure. This is a post stating that it seems as though we are going to be having a baby girl! Why the ribbon? Well, my appointment was for this morning and I told my students that I would be back at lunch. They have been dying to know what I'm having, it's like I'm their personal science experiment! They requested that I wear a pink or blue ribbon, depending on the sex. So this is what I rocked when I came into my classroom. We had previously taken a poll, and MOST of them were convinced that I was having a boy. I have to admit, I got a few sad faces when they saw the pink ribbon. They'll get over it.

The ultrasound was unreal. For starters, I took the instructions to heart that stated that I needed a full bladder. I was so afraid that I was going to accidentally pee on the lab technician. Thankfully, she let me relieve myself half way through. The radiologist was having difficulties with the machine (it was a new model) and so I was smothered with jelly stuff for close to an hour and a half. She wasn't a Chatty Charlie, so I didn't really know what was going on for 99% of the time. At the end, she told us that she didn't see anything that indicated boy parts, and that all signs were pointing to girl. We were very excited; we would have been happy either way, but knowing the sex makes everything seem more real now. Steve is beyond thrilled to have a little girl, and is already plotting on how to make every man that enters our daughter's life uncomfortable and intimidated. Oh, Stevie...