Portillo's

My dad is in town on business, so of course we hit up Portillo's Hot Dogs. My dad really likes hot dogs, as in he really, really likes hot dogs. Nana and Papa joined us as well, so Delaney was in heaven entertaining some of her very favorite people. In true Delaney fashion, she did a lot of socializing and very little eating. Unless you count ketchup. She did eat a goodly amount of ketchup.

Why waste time eating when you can perform for an audience?

See what I mean about the ketchup? How many calories exist in ketchup?

Action shot of Nana Dunlap and Grandpa Lee

Daddy and the Bug

Pretty much my favorite Father-in-law ever :)

Lately

It's been very hot here this week, so Delaney and I have been trying to fill our days with fun activities that keep us cool. We both go stir crazy when we can't get outside to play, so we're trying to be creative. We finger painted yesterday, and now that's all she wants to do. She's a budding artist, but she mostly enjoys painting herself rather than the paper.

She's painting her belly button, eww!

Thanks to the heat, teething issues, and getting adjusted to Mommy being back at work every other week, it's been a really challenging week with Delaney. A really challenging week. But I don't want to spend all of my time blogging about the frustrations of motherhood. When I look back over my life, those aren't the things I want to remember. What I do want to remember are the little things like the way Delaney tries to sing her ABC's and how much she loves to dance to Beyonce's Single Ladies. These are the things that keep me smiling throughout the tiring days.

And finally, we had our 16 week appointment for Baby #2 this week. Here's a picture to prove to you that I really am pregnant and not just getting chubby. The baby is doing very well, and starting to go a bit easier on me.

A little dose of Delaney

School has officially started for me (Karen), and Steve's students come back on Monday. I'm having a hard time getting my brain into school mode, especially because it's August. Mondays are tough, and tonight I'm mourning the loss of my summer. So if you're having a case of the Mondays like me, maybe this Delaney fix will help you out.

This is her new "cheese" face when she sees the camera. Totally natural and not at all posed.

Why are little girls predetermined to love pink and play dress up? I am already losing the battle...

Anytime there's a box/tub/container remotely Delaney-sized, she's in it.

Steve dressed Delaney today and had a photo shoot. Go Mr. Mom!

What are the chances that the next kid will be this cute? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Santa Barbara

Way back in July we traveled to Santa Barbara to meet up with my best friend Beka, her hubby Jake, and their baby boy Ayeresam. Jake's Grandma lives in SB, and she is the picture of hospitality. She hosted us all in her new beautiful home, and spoiled us just like we were her own grandkids. Grammie (that's what we all call her) is the kind of lady that I hope to be when I grow up.

Of course we forgot the camera, but Jake was present to document all of our shenanigans. Have I ever mentioned that he's a very talented artist, photographer, all-around-awesome guy? He is. Take a moment to check out Jake's work.

Ayeresam took a liking to Rowdy Uncle Steve

Taking a walk in Grammie's lovely neighborhood

This kid loves to slide

Young, summer love

This will be so fun to show them when they're in middle school...

Seriously, who doesn't love Steve?

It's always a party when you put two babies in a box

Grammie treated us to a trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo. This was one of the few moments when Delaney was compliant in holding Daddy's hand.

Delaney & Ayeresam are checking out Grammie

The happy Dorr family. I really like these guys.

We took a trip to the beach. Ayeresam & Delaney ate their weight in sand.

Check out Laney's sand mustache. Pretty nice.

Me & him; him & me

Today marks 8 years of being hitched to that guy. To say that it's been a good gig would be an understatement.

We celebrated our anniversary by escaping to San Diego for the weekend. We spoiled ourselves rotten, which is not very much like us, but very much needed. We took a nap, had dinner in a restaurant that required a reservation, and it was so nice to eat a meal at our leisure. Steve took me to dessert at the Ghirardelli ice cream shop, we went to a movie, and we even slept in past 6am the next day. Pure bliss.

Thank you, Stevie, for making my life more wonderful than I could have imagined it.

Plus Two

Maybe you've been wondering why this blog has been so quiet lately. Maybe you haven't been wondering. Either way, my excuse for the silence is because I've been zapped of all semblance of energy by the wee baby growing inside of my belly.

Yep, the Dunlaps are ready for Baby Round #2. Well, maybe not ready, but we're doing it anyway.

Again, we apologize if this is the way that you're finding out our big news. We've been trying to spread the word, but now we're succumbing to facebook and blogger.

Our baby is due February 10th, 2011. This due date is exactly 23 months after the birth of Wild Child #1 (Delaney). I'm more than a bit nervous at the thought of having a two year old and a newborn, but I'm confident that this timing will be just right in the long run.

I'm 12 weeks along today, and crossing my fingers that the morning sickness/exhaustion will start to subside. I'm very, very thankful that Steve has been around this summer because I haven't been on my A game when it comes to things like discipline and doling out patience towards my high-energy toddler.

That's our big excitement here at Casa Dunlap. We'll make sure to keep you posted on further baby-whatnot.

Sequoias, Part One

We returned from camping on Thursday, and we're still recovering a bit. We had a great time with our dear friends. Delaney LOVED the great outdoors, she's such a nature baby. I don't have the energy to give a detailed report right now, so this post is primarily for my family. They're itching for some new Delaney pics, so here you go. Stay tuned for more pictures to come.

Delaney and Moses found the dirt pile to be vastly entertaining. I tried really hard to be ok with this arrangement. They were just so happy playing in the dirt.

Delaney is in love with Moses, can you tell?

We spent a day at Hume Lake, where we met up with the Osborne family. Delaney proved, once again, that she has zero fear when it comes to water. Boo.

Delaney thinks she can blow bubbles. Pretty cute, huh?

Delaney is like her Grandpa Lee, she rises with the sun. She actually did a great job sleeping at night, and didn't wake up too obscenely early.

In the backpack with Daddy. This kid has it made.