Toddlerhood

About a month ago, I awoke one morning to find that a toddler had taken the place of Baby Delaney. As it is with the passing of every stage, my emotions have been mixed about all of this. It really did seem to happen over night. My girl is a bundle of wild monkey-like energy and independence. I'm pretty certain that she figured out how to push every single one of my buttons the minute she entered our world, BUT...she is my pride and joy, and a constant reminder of God's blessings in my life.

Now that she's a toddler, she doesn't need ANYONE'S help to...

Read books at her table

Take off her diaper and streak

Feed herself, i.e. smash food in her hair

Put on her shoes

However, she's not so independent when:

• It's 5:30 am (her wake up time, according to Delaney)
• I am trying to cook dinner
• I am needing to use the restroom
• I'm trying to talk on the phone
• I'm trying to do a "quick" grocery trip

Please don't misinterpret me. I'm not complaining about my life now that we've entered toddlerhood. It really bugs me when parents complain about being inconvenienced by their children. Truth be told, there is nothing convenient about parenting. But there's also nothing better.

In general, I think she still likes me.

Vegas, Baby!

This past weekend, Steve and I made the jump and left the babe overnight for the first time. You see, my brother Jimmy is turning 30 in a few weeks (how old does that make me?), and he wanted to celebrate this milestone in Vegas. Somehow, he roped Steve and I in. I was a bit hesitant, because let's face it, Jimmy and I run in very different crowds. I was nervous about leaving my girl, and unsure if I'd have fun with a bunch of my brother's rowdy friends.

But I was wrong. Vegas was great. My brother was gracious, generous, and gentlemanly (at least the part that I was awake for...he stayed out MUCH later than Steve and I). Jimmy's friends were friendly and polite. Our hotel room (Jimmy's gift to us) was amazing and looked out over the fountains in front of the Bellagio. It was a short trip, but so so worth it. We gambled a bit on the penny and nickel slot machines, and Steve won over $50. Woo hoo! Jimmy wanted me to play black jack with him, and he let me gamble away his hard earned cash. I did get a free deck of cards for getting a black jack, but I'm pretty sure the house won on that one.

The best surprise, however, was this:

I have been saying for YEARS (literally years) that I have wanted to see the Lion King. Beautiful, singing animals? Of the feline species, nonetheless? Sign me up. Steve got us amazing tickets, and pulled off the whole surprise flawlessly. The show was indescribably good; I cried within seconds of the first song. All the animals, singing and rallying around the birth of a baby cub...be still my heart!

Thank you, Jimmy, for giving me the opportunity to relax a bit and remember that I'm not just a mom. Thank you, Stevie, for spoiling me more than I deserve. Thank you, Doug and Marsha, for taking good care of my bug when we were gone. And thank you, Delaney, for making me a Mama. It's a pretty great gig.

What Happens at Nana's House...

On the weeks that I work, Delaney gets to spend Fridays with her Nana. Today when I went over to pick her up, Nana told me that she had taken some great pictures of Laney today. This is what she showed me:

Seriously, Nana? You're going to let me play in this?

Well, if you insist...

Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Pose, Muddy Baby Edition

Eek! Butt shot...

I'm pretty sure she enjoyed herself...

It's a good day to be Delaney Marie!

I know it may be cliche to say this, what with Mother's Day around the corner, but this grandbaby has some pretty special Grandmas. Delaney can do no wrong in the eyes of her Nana and Grammie. And that is just as it should be.

The Walker

Lately

A lot's been going on lately, for example...

Delaney's getting an early start on her chores. Here she is feeding Brundibar some goldfish, because sharing is caring.

Grandpa was traveling on business and was able to stop by for a visit. He brought Delaney a Pea Soup Anderson t-shirt, and if she sticks to her butter and cream diet, she'll fit into it eventually. Laney and Grandpa were "talking" to Grammie in this picture.

Delaney likes the garden immensely. So much so that she had to go and eat a dirt clod to prove it.

Lastly, see that guy with Delaney? He found out Friday afternoon that his PINK SLIP WOULD BE RESCINDED! This is amazingly wonderful, unexpected news. He was one of the very few teachers to be called back, and it's because he has a supplemental credential in social studies. As it stands now, he'll have to teach middle school next year, but we're just thankful for a job. Thank you to everyone for your well wishes and prayers. Doesn't this story sound familiar? We are so thankful (once again) for God's faithfulness and provision.

Easter in Oregon

Delaney and I flew up to Oregon over a week ago to a.) Play with her friends Jack, Sam, and Ayeresam and b.) To spend Easter with her Oregon family members.

Part A started out great. My two BFFs (who are twins) and all of our kids (we now have a combined total of 4 under the age of 4) camped out in Ma & Pa Kiker's condo. Between everyone's napping and eating schedules, we figured it was best to just hole up in one spot in hopes of getting to actually spend time together. Our biggest outing was taking all of the kids to Fred Meyer to eat at the deli. It was fabulous...until the plague hit us all. I don't want this post to be all about everyone getting sick (and when I say sick, I mean violently upchucking), but that did eventually happen. Some crazy norovirus hit everyone with a vengeance, and long story short, all the kids got it, we passed it to most of our family members during Easter, Delaney relapsed and got hit again when we returned home, and then Steve got it. Good times.

Here Delaney is "playing" with Jack and Ayeresam.

And here she is with Jack and Sam. We never got a group shot of all of the kids, because someone was either sick or crying. Next time, right?

The youngest member of our clan, Sam Gentry. Can you believe how cute this guy is?

Part B was great as well. Delaney and I were able to visit with my Aunt Janet & Uncle Bill, go to church on Easter, see my Grandma Lee, and spend Easter Sunday with my brothers, my parents, and the Rasmussen side of the family. I didn't take nearly enough pictures, because that's Steve's job, and he was back home in Riverside. So these will have to suffice.

Delaney and her Great Gramps. I don't know who's having more fun...

Poor Grams, she got stuck with the boys!

And Dad got stuck with the girls...

Grammie bought Delaney her own Easter table setting. Too bad Delaney didn't eat anything on her plate. It's hard to eat when you're the center of attention.

3-0

Today Steven Dunlap turned 30. And in my opinion, he's never looked better.

Every year I try to put into words how much I love and appreciate Steve, and every year I fall short.

Steve and I first met when we were 18 years old. He was the southern California boy with bleach blonde hair, a Gotcha hat, and a ton of energy. I was the unsure, small town girl sporting a bright yellow shirt that said "Read On!" I think we became best friends within the first 5 minutes of meeting each other. There's much more to the story, but thinking about where our story starts always makes me smile.

I'm so thankful for Steve, for so many reasons. He brings laughter, balance, wisdom, and a sprinkle of crankiness to my life that is always needed.

Happy birthday, Stevie. 30 looks good on you.