1st annual Dunlop Family Beach Trip

Over Memorial day weekend, we went on our first family trip to the Oregon Coast. We found a cute little house to stay in that was only 113 steps from the beach. It was a 1/2 mile walk along the boardwalk in to town and a block off the beach. It was perfect for our little family.


We were greeted by these cute blocks when we arrived that said "Hi Christopher, Anne, Isaac and Matthew, Have fun in Seaside." It made us feel right at home. They had a huge bin of these blocks along with some wooden shaped blocks that Isaac loved playing with.
We lucked out with the weather, and while it was not hot, it was comfortably in the 60's. Matthew spent a lot of time in the front pack, being carried around and kept warm. He is a little cutie!
When we were down on the beach, Matthew had his own little pop up sun shade tent that kept him out of the wind and allowed him to sleep.
Isaac hadn't been to the beach since last year, and did not remember it. He loved the big sandbox and as daddy built sandcastles, Isaac enjoyed knocking them over.
Isaac's favorite thing to do was to play in the Ocean. He would run away from the waves laughing hysterically. He is a true Oregonian in that even though his feet were numb, he kept going back for more!
In the afternoons we would wander into town for Ice cream. Isaac got to rife on the Carousel . He was hesitant to get on it, but once it started up he loved it. He had been on it when he was little, but was too young to enjoy it.

Next to the Carousel is a hat store, Isaac had a good time trying on all the animal hats, his favorite though was the elephant! He was walking around making elephant noises.


Of course, no beach trip would be complete without Ice cream. Isaac loves it, but it sure does make a mess!!Isaac and daddy chillin out on the front porch, notice it was warm enough to wear shorts! Unfortunately for us it was in the 80's the day AFTER we left.

Matthew was very cute all weekend and finally started to enjoy his bouncy seat and playmat. He has grown from a newborn into a cute little boy that will smile and talk to you. This was really a fun time of bonding for us as a family, and will be an annual tradition!

Our little guy is getting big!

Check out Matthew now! He just turned 6 weeks, and even though he's lost some of his hair, he's looking all grown up. He's started to make smiley faces and coo at us. He's such a cutie!

Wanted - Dead or Alive

Booger!

Random photos

Chris here. For the many, many people who breathlessly follow this blog, sorry for not updating it in a while. Both Anne and I have been sick for the last few days, and that, coupled with our complete lack of interest in keeping the blog current, has kept you hanging.

We're getting settled in with Matthew. He's such a little cutie! Here are a few photos.

The Big Brother

Everyone keeps asking how Isaac is doing, having Matthew around. I was worried about this, as you hear stories of the older kid telling the parents to take the baby back and things like that. We tried our best to prepare Isaac ahead of time, even though we did not have a pregnant tummy to show him, or a definite time line of when the baby would come. We read a lot of books about new babies, and talked all the time about the room for the baby when we were upstairs, but I did not think it was really sinking in. When we found out that Matthew's BM had chosen us and we only had 4 days to get ready, we sat Isaac down and explained to him what was happening...again, just a blank look on his face, but at least we had told him. We tried to involve him in everything, putting together the baby bath, picking out clothes to pack, I even had him pick out a gift for the baby.

On the day after Matthew was born, we brought Isaac to the hospital to see him. I did not know how it would play out. We had a present from Matthew waiting at the hospital for Isaac (a "I am the big Brother" t-shirt) and Matthews Birth mom and birth aunt had bought him a book called "I'm the big brother" Isaac came in the room and got his book and was really excited about that. Then he kept pointing at the baby and saying "baby". When I went to feed Matthew, Isaac came over and wanted to help.

He was so cute. Later on when I sat in the rocking chair to burp him, Isaac said "mommmy, mommy" and I thought, uh oh. But I had him come stand next to me and he leaned over and kissed Matthew.

It was so sweet. He kept pointing out "babys eyes, babys hair, babys toes..."

Since then Isaac has truly shown his true personality....the sweetest little guy I know. He loves to give kisses to "MAffew" and is always wanting to help. I have learned to feed Matthew on the couch so that Isaac can cuddle up and not feel left out.

I knew Isaac was sweet natured and easy going, but I did not realize how much so until I have watched him with his brother. Dare I see he actually likes having Matthew around. When Matthew cries, Isaac is the first one over to him to make sure he is ok. When Matthew is not with us, he asks where he is. He is a great little boy.

I know there is jealousy to come, and fights, and a LOT of rough housing, but I am so in love with my two little boys. I never in a million years thought I would be the mom of two boys, but now I would not have it any other way. I decided though I better step up my game and start getting fit, or I will never keep up when they are older!! :-)

Introducing Matthew Walter Dunlop

I can't believe it...we are the proud new parents of one of the cutest little baby boys ever (along with Isaac!) Matthew Walter Dunlop was born on Tues, April 10th at 8:31 am. We found out last week, on thursday that we had been chosen by his birthmom and life has been a whirlwind eversince!!!

We have spent the last few days at the hospital and on thursday we were able to take him "home" from the hospital. Home right now is a nearby hotel. We have to stay in the hotel until some paperwork gets approved by the state. Hopefully we can come home around tues. The funny thing is we are stuck only 30 mintues from home, but because he was born in another state we have to wait to cross state lines!! We are enjoying just relaxing in the hotel and getting to know our new son. Isaac has been able to come see his new brother and was very cute kissing him and trying to feed him. My parents have their hands full with him until we get back, but at least he can come visit us up here.

Matthew is a great baby. He is fairly quiet, not a big crier. He has been awake quite a bit today and has enjoyed just being held and fed. It was great today when he threw up all over my dad!!! hehehe.

I will do a more detailed post when we get home, but wanted to at least get some photos posted, he is just so cute!!!