Delaney's Birthday

I'm just now getting around to posting about Delaney's party because I was knocked down this week with a sinus infection and pink eye. Yes, that's right, I'm a grown up and I had pink eye. In both eyes. It wasn't embarrassing in the least bit.

We actually didn't get as many pictures as I had hoped for, so if any of Delaney's little friends took pictures, please email them to me. Thanks!

Here's a few pictures of the layout:



We had many garden-y activities for the kiddos, like...

painting flower pots

face painting by Uncle Monkey & Auntie Beans

a tunnel to crawl through (ok, not very garden-y, but fun nonetheless!)

a bean bag toss...which also doubled as a photo op with Auntie Kobbs

and we served dirt cake from Laney's wheelbarrow!

This kid got a ton of presents, what a blessed little girl. I can't wait until she can start writing her own thank you cards!

Of course Uncle Jimmy had to get her something big, noisy, and obnoxious. And of course she loves it.

This post wouldn't be complete without a few cake pictures:

Steve and I felt so loved as so many people (from near and far) sent birthday well wishes and love to our little Laney Cat. Thank you to everyone for being such an important part of Delaney Marie's little life.

Independent Woman

Delaney likes to think that she can feed herself. Silly girl. After these pictures were taken, I jogged out to the kitchen to grab something. When I came back, both Delaney and Brundibar had yogurt on their heads. Go figure.

PS- Delaney has yet another fever. Please pray for us to be released from this plague...

Teaser

Life has been crazy.

We've been to Kaiser way too frequently (thank God for insurance!). How many babies get conjunctivitis in both eyes on their birthday?

Delaney's birthday garden party was a huge success, but now I'm under the weather. The Tres Dunlaps can't seem to be healthy simultaneously.

So here's a teaser from Delaney's party. Our cousin Katie was the photographer on hand and she made up this lovely collage. Don't worry, there will be more pictures to come.

Almost a year...

Next Wednesday this little bug will turn 1. I have so many thoughts and emotions that go along with that, but I will save them for another post. As for now, we just wanted to let you know that we're still here, but we're very preoccupied with planning Delaney's birthday party. Or, as my dad would say, "the celebration of the very blessed event."

Delaney's Dedication

So I know I'm a bit behind, but on January 30th, 2010, Delaney Marie Dunlap was dedicated to the Lord. It was a very special day for our family, and made even more special by the presence of Delaney's Grammie and Grandpa Lee, who flew down just for the event. Delaney was blessed to have many of her favorite people on hand, like her Nana and Papa Dunlap, Great Aunt Joni and Great Uncle Kevin, Uncle Monkey, Auntie Beans, Auntie Kobbs, and many of her honorary aunties and uncles.

The dedication of Delaney to the Lord does not ensure her salvation nor a spot in heaven. It is a commitment stated publicly by her parents to raise her in a Godly home, to model for her what it's like to live out your faith, and to pray for her to continue to become the beautiful child that God created her to be. These are the things that we are committed to, and our family and friends stand as witnesses to our commitment.

Of course, Delaney was teething, getting over an ear infection, and didn't nap on the day of her big event, so things got a bit dicey towards the end. But she didn't cry during her time on stage, so we're counting it as a win for us.

Delaney and her entourage

Here we're praying over the squirmy, squirrely little bug

Delaney's Auntie Kobbs and Mama (and Delaney making out with Cheston)

Some very important people to Delaney (and us!)-The Quesadas & The Booths

We were all trying so hard to prevent the meltdown...

Delaney likes to pretend that she's a Quesada kid. Here she is with Eli, Emma, and baby Ruby. Delaney, Eli, and Ruby were all dedicated together, which just makes it even more special.

Crawling in a fancy dress can be tough. Unless you're a champion crab walker.

The good and the bad

There's been a lot going on around here (when isn't there?), and I find myself behind in blogging once more. So I'm going to tackle the last few weeks in bullet style:

The Good:

• My little "nephew" Ayeresam from Ethiopia is home with his family. I CAN NOT WAIT to meet him in person. Words like "handsome" and "beautiful" don't even do him justice. Click here to watch a video that his Daddy Jake created. If you're in need of a good cry, it will do the trick.
• My other "nephew" (who just happens to be Ayeresam's cousin) Samuel was born last Monday. My BFF Alison put her heart, soul, and body into bringing that boy into the world, and I was in constant awe of her amazing attitude when things didn't go as planned. He is a handsome little son of a gun, don't you think?:

(Sorry this pic is so little...I copied it from Beka's facebook and I'm a little internet dumb...)

• My brother Jimmy was able to spend some time with Delaney as he was traveling on business. He adores Delaney, and I'm pretty sure that the feeling is mutual:

• We had a few friends over the other evening, and Delaney got to spend some time with her Valentine Ben Miller. Pretty cute, eh? (I've been watching the Olympics a bit...):

• Steve and I were able to go out to dinner and ice cream for Valentine's Day. We hadn't been on a date in awhile. It was a sweet day, nothing showy, just like our love. Awww...

Ok, now for The Bad:

• Steve got a pink slip once again. But he was able to contest his hire date, so now he's much closer to the top when they eventually (hopefully) begin calling people back.

• Delaney is sick, again. We have been to Kaiser 2 times in 3 days. She's very lethargic, won't eat, and has lost weight. Which isn't really great for a kid who still doesn't register on the growth charts. Basically it's just a nasty cold that needs to run its course. Thankfully, I'm home this week. Please pray that she begins to feel better and her appetite returns.

So, there you have it. When you look at it this way, there's much more good than bad. We have faith that God will continue to see us through both the good and the bad.

Catching Up

There's been a lot going on around our place. Delaney was dedicated this past weekend at church and my parents came down for the event. I'm waiting on those pictures (of course our camera was out of batteries during the service!), so here's a few to tide you over until then:

Bubbles, yum!

Looking dapper with Grandpa in the bibs

This is what we look like when we eat. Food everywhere, especially in the hair. Look at all those teeth!