It's A Boy!

Yes, the rumors are true.  There is a new member of the Cutler family.  His name is October Cutler - Toby.  Todd, Nicholas, and I were really feeling the absence of a dog in the house this fall.  I think it's part of the nesting instinct that happens in the fall.  Ya' just need something furry to snuggle with when the weather gets cold.  And Toby certainly fits the bill. 

He is absolutely the sweetest little thing, and we are enjoying getting to know each other.  He is like a living teddy bear!  It's hard to pass by him without scooping him up and burying your face in his fur.  And he's a kisser!  Tigua was certainly not - he almost never gave kisses, except when one happened to have a trace of peanut butter on his or her face perhaps.  Not Toby.  He'll give you lots of kisses - like it or not.  He not only has very big paws, but also very big paws to fill.  He will never replace that place in our hearts that will always belong to Antigua, but he's carving out his own spot just fine.

 I think the best part about having Toby here is watching him with Nicholas.  Todd keeps saying to me, "This is Nicholas's dog."  And it's true.  He is so good with him - so helpful and willing to participate in taking care of Toby.  He loves to hold the leash, play with him, help with the cleanup, brush him, and keep us updated on his hyjinx whenever we leave the room.  And he speaks to Toby in such a loving way - he is so sweet.  I know that they will be best buddies.  What a lucky dog.

 

The October Rush

Every year, October is an extremely busy but special month.  And this year is no exception.  Nicholas celebrated his fourth birthday last week!  I cannot believe that he is four.  It's funny... when I think about how grown up he is, and how much he's maturing lately, it's hard for me to believe how quickly the time has passed.  During the week of his birthday, I'm always doing the Math with Todd - "Today was the day I went into the hospital."  "Tonight was the night I started my hard labor." Reliving that crazy week. But for some reason,  that part seems like a million years ago.  I struggle to remember what it was like to be pregnant with him.  I can only assume it's because our lives have changed so much since our little monkey came into the world.  It's hard to remember what life was like before him. 

We had Nicholas's birthday party at Camp Sloper, and the kids were taking full advantage of all the fun to be had there.  They were flying down the super slide, running across the fields, and stuffing themselves with birthday cake.  It was fun to watch Nicholas with his friends.  I don't get to see much of that interaction, so it was really fun for me.  We also had his grandparents over for dinner on his actual birthday.  He had an awesome Curious George cake, and got lots of special gifts.

We've also been busy having lots of fall fun lately.  We spent time with Auntie Mary, Auntie Jenny, and Susanna carving pumpkins a few weeks ago, and returned to the pumpkin patch this past weekend with the Cutler cousins.  We're saving that pumpkin for our Halloween jack-o-lantern.  Although Todd and I are sitting here glued to the weather channel hoping we don't have a Halloween like last year.  Hopefully trick-or-treating will go off without a hitch because I'm having a great time making his costume this year - fingers crossed that he'll actually get to show it off!


 The other big news in our family is the addition of our beautiful new puppy, October Cutler - we call him Toby, and he's the cutest thing in the world.  I will put a separate post up soon with lots of pictures and info about Toby.  Here's a little preview...  OK, all together now... "Aaaaaaaaaw!" :)

  

Apple Harvest 2012

Yes.  We are officially townies.  I remember being a kid and thinking that the Apple Harvest Festival was the absolute greatest thing in the world.  Well... apparently it runs in the family.  My little dude had so much fun downtown this weekend, he didn't know what to do with himself! 

It started on Saturday when he went to the fair with Daddy, Papa, and Auntie Mary.  We have been places that offered face painting before, but I've always passed on it because I didn't think he'd like it.  I had this vision of him smearing it completely off in the first minute.  As you can see here, I was wrong.  He got some serious face paint and absolutely loved it.  He left it on the entire day, even through naptime.  Papa blew the wad on the rides - it's a grandparent's prerogative I guess.  You wouldn't think moving around in a circle sitting on a rickety old metal motorcycle would give a three-year-old so much pleasure, but it does!

On Sunday he ran in the Little Fritter Road Race.  Last year, he ran the toddler race - half the length of the green.  This year, he was with the big kids and ran the full length.  He did a great job running, and even stayed on his feet this year!  No wipeouts.  Next year we're goin' for the full lap!


 
The day capped off with the parade.  Nicholas and I marched with the Y behind a truck blasting The Village People's YMCA in an infinite loop.  I was pulling the wagon because I figured it had already been a long day and the parade happened to fall right during naptime.  Well, needless to say, that was a complete waste of time.  This kid not only marched the whole time, he danced his way through the entire parade.  He was singing and doing the YMCA dance the entire time!  I could not believe it!  Even his coach turned around and said, "Hey Nicholas, aren't you tired yet?"  There were kids his age that sat in their wagons the whole time, but not my little Energizer Bunny.  He never ceases to amaze me.  I figure he'll be caught up on sleep by Thanksgiving...

First Day of School

 
Today was a very big milestone in Nicholas's life.  He started preschool!  Yup.  This is not a misprint.  My little preemie is now a preschooler.  Where did the time go?  And more importantly... how the heck did his legs get so darned long??!!

This morning before I left for work, I showed Nicholas a picture of me on my first day of preschool.  I still remember every year, standing on the front stoop in my new outfit and school bag getting my picture taken before heading off to school on the first day.  So, I told Todd that no matter what it took, he'd have to get the boy to pose for a picture.  Posing for pictures is not exactly a favorite pastime for my son, so I really wasn't sure if he'd be able to pull it off... but as you can see, we have a beautiful first day of school picture, complete with Spider Man backpack.

Apparently, when the door opened, my little monkey was the first one to fly through the door - ready to go.  It sounds like he had a great morning.  He even emerged with a fingerpainting masterpiece!

I am so incredibly proud of my little boy.  He is so confident and handsome and smart.  I couldn't love him any more than I do right now.  And I say this knowing full well that tomorrow I'll love him even more.  Bon voyage my little dude - your education has begun!  I hope it takes you on the ride of your life! :)