July 5?

Seth and I went to our 20 week ultrasound yesterday. Everything looked perfect except for the due date. The doctor said Quinn was measuring much bigger than our July 15th due date. I know it's only 10 days, but that seems so much sooner to us. My stomach has seemed a little large. He is moving like crazy.
I love being pregnant. I am not one of those women who can't wait until it is over. I am so excited to meet my son though, so I was a little excited. Seth looked a little scared. Quinn will probably be our last child, so I can't wait to see our whole little family together.
The other exciting part about this news is that my sister-in-law is due June 25. It is her first, so she could go over. We are going to have these babies so close together. I just pray that I will still be pregnant when she goes into labor because I really want to be her nurse.
So whenever you decide to make your debut Mr. Quinn Dunlop, (please wait until you are 37+ weeks) we are all so anxious to meet you.
Your sister looks at your pictures and says "oh baby". We love you with all our hearts.
I hope Farley, Bucket and Honey are taking care of you and filling you in on the family.
We are going to have a great time together.
Love you sweetheart!

The state of the Dunlops

A work friend of mine told me the other day that she uses her blog like a journal. She makes books periodically, and so in time she will have lots of information to look back on and remember her family.
So I am going to try and copy her idea.
Piper is 2 years and 4 months. Quinn is about 19 weeks old. Seth has 10 more months of school and will have his BS. I work 24 hours per week. This is totally manageable, and actually quite enjoyable.
We are trying to sell our house. Hopefully this will happen by July 14. (Quinn's due date)
My dog of 13 years (Farley) died 2 days ago. I am devastated. Piper called for him today. I am hoping the pain will go away some time. I can't stop missing him. Our house feels oddly empty. This is the first time in my life that I have never had a dog. Farley was my baby. He still is.
Erin and Patrick are preparing to become parents. All is healthy and happy with these developing boys. June 25 and July 14 can't come soon enough.
Sascha and I are planning Erin's baby shower. (May 21) It is to be the social event of the year. JK. I can't wait for this Spring Saturday filled with baby everything.
I love Seth more and more everyday. I think when I am pregnant I feel particularly vulnerable. I feel so clingy to him. I can't wait for him to come home from work. He is my protector. He is a totally dedicated father. He works full time and fathers and husbands full time. We are the luckiest girls in the world.
I still can't believe that we have a little girl and a little boy. I still feel like we are teenagers making out in his land cruiser.
This winter has been very hard. Having a toddler cooped up in the house is not easy. Piper goes to music class and swimming each week. That is no replacement for the playground though.
It's hard for me to believe that she will be in preschool this fall. I am going to have major problems with letting her go.
Life goes by too fast. This is why I am a firm believer that you have to live out every stage of your life to the fullest. Embrace whatever it is that you are doing because before you know it you will be doing something different.
I worry about money, this pregnancy, finding a home in our budget that will accommodate us, losing my parents, and if I am a good enough mother and wife. I know that if these are my main worries I am so incredibly lucky.
I have never felt more purpose, happiness and love than I do now.

Allison's Amazing Chocolate Cake

Everything my friend makes is incredible. She is a great cook. This chocolate cake might just be the best I have ever had. So here you go.

-2 cups flour
-1/2 cup cocoa powder (I love the special dark, but if doesn't have to be. Sometimes it's hard to find)
-2 tsp. baking soda
-1 tsp. salt
-2 tsp vanilla
-1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
-2 cups sugar
-2 cups boiling water
-2 eggs

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, cocoa, soda and salt. Cream together butter, vanilla and sugar. Add boiling water, blend, then add eggs and mix until well blended. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into an ungreased 9x13 pan or two rounds to stack. Bake for 30 min.
I love the two rounds method. I trace the bottom of the rounds on wax paper and cute them out and place wax paper in the bottom of the rounds. After baking this makes them pop out so easily when turned upside down. Peel off the paper when the cakes are slightly cooled.

Frosting: This recipe comes from the Favorites cookbook. This is written by two Utah women. If you don't have it you need one. It is so great.
I love cream cheese frosting, and have tried several different versions. This is the best.

-1 8 oz. brick of cream cheese (leave out to slightly soften)
-1 stick of butter (leave out to slightly soften)
-2 tsp vanilla
-2 cups of powdered sugar (the recipe actually calls for 2 1/2 cups. I think this makes it too sweet.)
Cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Add the sugar a half cup at a time. Taste as you go and stop when you reach your desired sweetness.

Lay down one round. Frost. Then stack the last one and frost the entire cake.

Enjoy!