Christmas Fun

Whoa... I haven't blogged since Halloween??!!  Yikes.  I've been blogging in my mind at least once a week I swear!  I guess my thoughts never made it to my computer.   Whoops.

What a month!  As I'm sure is the case with everyone this time of year, the past four weeks have been a complete whirlwind.  I hate that.  The best part about Christmas is the build up - the getting ready, but usually we spend it rushing around like maniacs and enjoying very little of it.  I still say that we should have school vacation the week before Christmas, not after.  Oh well, just dreaming here...

Despite the chaos, we managed to have a great December.  We cut down our Christmas tree and decorated the house with lots of lights, which Nicholas loved.  We read the Polar Express about 100 times, ate a ton of cookies, and shopped 'till we dropped.  I think Nicholas's favorite thing about December was rushing to the advent calendar each morning to see which ornament was waiting for him.  This was cool for me too, because it was a big deal for me as a kid as well.  I remember my sister and I taking turns each morning, and fighting over who would get to put on Santa on the 24th!  It's so fun to watch him making all of these memories.  I hope he has memories of Christmastime that are as special as mine.

This year, Christmas Day was just the best.  We woke up and flew into the living room to check out what Santa left for us.  Nicholas made out like a bandit.  He got a really cool chair that's shaped like an egg.  He thinks it's a rocket ship - he closes the curtain, has us spin him around as fast as we can without tipping him over, and proceeds to count down, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ignition!"  It's hilarious.  He also got a really cool Spiderman watch.  He's the coolest. 

Thanks to a quick snowfall overnight, we were even able to go outside for some sledding on Christmas morning!  I know, eat your heart out Norman Rockwell, right?  Anyway, the conditions were awesome, and there was just enough snow for my little dude to go flying across the yard at warp speed.  So much fun. 

The revolving door of family members throughout the day made everything just perfect.  Nicholas spent Christmas Day in his stocking feet surrounded by his family, who all think that he walks on water.  He had presents piled up to his ears, a beautiful puppy to play with, and lots of love all around.  Not bad.  I mean, making Christmas perfect for Nicholas - isn't that all that really matters?  We get so caught up in who's going where, and what we're eating, and the presents and everything - and in the end, none of it really matters.  It took Todd and I 6 long years to get Nicholas- 6 long, hard, emotionally draining years, and I think it has made us cherish our son even more than we would have, had he been handed to us on a silver platter.  But this year, with all that has happened right in our backyard, I think we look at him with an even deeper sense of love, and an appreciation for how incredibly lucky we are.  He has changed EVERYTHING for us,and we couldn't be happier.  He is the most beautiful little person in the world, and we love him so very much.

 Thank you so much for all of the wonderful cards, gifts,and well-wishes we have received over the holidays.  Family and friends are so special to us.  We love you so much!  Best wishes for a peaceful 2013.

Love,

The Cutlers

Halloween 2012

I wasn't sure that this was going to be the case, but Halloween was much less chaotic than last year.  Last year, we had 26 people here recovering from winter storm Alfred.  This year, we were certainly still "post storm" but in a less dramatic way. 

I just love Halloween.  I'm not really even sure why exactly, I just know that I like it.  And making costumes for Nicholas is so much fun.  I know that the chances to have him wear a homemade costume are dwindling now.  Next year, he'll probably want a store bought costume with a plastic mask,and I'll have to give in, but for now I'm enjoying the opportunity to have some say in his costume.

Nicholas is on this chicken kick lately.  I have absolutely no idea where this is coming from.  So, naturally when I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween, he said, "a chicken!"  He looked so funny - especially with his skinny little legs sticking out.  We've been finding yellow feathers all over the house today too.  He had a great time trick-or-treating with Jenna and Gregory, if only he would've slowed down to enjoy it!  He absolutely sprinted from house to house.  He was so excited - and of course, high as a kite on sugar.


Happy Halloween my little chicken!  You are the most amazing "treat" life could've sent our way!  We love you so much!

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! :)

Summer 2012

Well... the August funk has definitely set in.  If I listen closely I can actually hear time ticking away in my head.  Another summer coming to an end.  What is it about summer?  Why does is create this extreme reaction inside of me every year?  I dream of it all winter long, I spend every spring counting the days until it gets here, I bask in all of it's glory and try to cram in as much "stuff" as possible while it's here, and then I become an emotional basket case when I feel it coming to an end.  Good grief, I sure seem to live a life that revolves around summer vacation.  Perhaps it is because I have such fond memories of my own childhood and the endless summers I spent with my sister swimming in the pool while my parents dug and scratched away in the garden.  I swear I saw more of their butts than I did their faces for most of the 1980's!  Anyway, whatever the reason, summer is special, and I hate to see it go.  In fact, as I write this, the tears are already beginning to flow.

The summer of 2012 has been amazing.  As Nicholas gets older, I am enjoying spending time with him more and more because there is much more of a true relationship forming between us.  He is so incredibly expressive and hilarious and stubborn and honest and precious.  And in the summer, when I get to spend day after day with him, without all of the hustle and bustle and running around and stress that accompanies my personality during the school year, I can really appreciate him and become closer to him.  I am so amazed by him and awed by how he is growing and changing and figuring out the world.  It is such an overwhelming experience - raising a child.  And he's only 3!  I can only imagine what the next three years will bring, or the next three!  I try not to...

OK, enough of my rambling.  I know what all of you really come on this blog for - pictures!  So, since I have blown off the blog all summer, I figure I'll just do it all at once.  Enjoy!

Maine

Nicholas and I got to spend some time together in Maine at the beginning of the summer.  It was so great - as it always is of course.  The weather was perfect and he had a great time at the lake.  Papa pulled us in the tube for the first time.  He LOVED it and was yelling "Woo hoo!" at the top of his lungs the whole time.  Until... the wind blew his hat into the water.  I believe he had a flashback to last year, when his hat flew off and sank before we could retrieve it.  This time, we were able to rescue the hat thanks to Nana and an oar, but after that, somehow the tube lost it's luster.  We are trying to carve out another trip before school begins.  My fingers are crossed that we will get at least one last blast of summer in Maine.

Christmas In July

This year, Christmas in July was in Old Saybrook at Auntie Barb's beach house.  It was such a good time, and great to see everyone again.  Nicholas and Susanna never left each other's sides all weekend and had a blast looking for treasures in the ocean.  They found countless crabs and hermit crabs and other goodies crawling under the docks.  It really was like Christmas all over again - Nicholas received so many special gits from his family.  What a lucky kid.

Cape Cod

This year we went back to Cape Cod for another week of fun in the sun!  Unfortunately there wasn't as much sun as there was last year, but we still got to the beach almost every day.  This year, we were joined by the Giuffridas, so Nicholas had someone to play with all day and night - his cousin Jenna.  And boy did they play!  It was so nice to see the kids together, learning the valuable lessons that all only children struggle with.  Sharing toys was certainly an issue for Nicholas, but I think what was harder for him was sharing the spotlight!  I think he is so used to being the center of the universe, it was a challenge for him to share his position.  Let's just say that he spent a few minutes in time out over the week, but overall it was a wonderful vacation, and lots of great memories were made for sure.

Story Land

This past week, we went to NH to visit Story Land with the Cutler family.  The drive was really long, and Nicholas was not likin' that so much!  However, he LOVED Story Land!  And what's not to love?  That place is so stinkin' cute, it's worth every minute of that drive.  He had such a great time riding the rides and seeing all the sights.  It was pretty hot, so on both days we were there, he spent some time on the splash mat - and got completely soaked.  He was smiling and giggling and chasing the spouts of water all over the place.  His favorite ride was Dr. Geyser's Remarkable Raft Ride- I think because he walked off completely soaked!  He rode his first roller coaster with his Grandpa too.  they even got the front seat!  We were standing outside waiting for them to head up the hill, and when they did, my little monkey's voice could be heard for miles!  "Wooooo hoooooo!"
After scouring Mom and Dad's old photo albums, I found a picture of myself from 1977.  I am milking the cow at Story Land, same age as Nicholas.  I will definitely be putting them side-by-side in a frame soon.

Favorite Quotes

I'm pretty sure I did this last year too.  I've been keeping a list of some of the funny things that Nicholas has come out with this summer.  Most times, Todd and I just look at each other and shake our heads.  And other times, we ask, "Did he just really say that?"  He is really too much sometimes.

• "Are you insane?"
• "Don't worry, Mom.  I can handle it."
• "You're stressing me out!"
• "Ooooh!  I just tooted!  I'm tootin' up a storm!"
• "Grrrrrr!  I'm so frustrated at you!"
• "No, Mom.  I will show you the proper way to do it."
• (Move over, Nicholas. Make room for Mom.)  "Yeah, and you're a big 'ol Mom!"
• "Aaaaaaahh.  Refreshing.  I want to drink the air and eat the clouds."  

Yup.  My boy is a talker... I wonder where he gets that from???  Peace and love to all!

-The Cutlers

 

Is It Summer Yet?!

The countdown is on!  Summer vacation is getting so close I can feel it, and I cannot wait.  I am struggling terribly with being away from Nicholas and I'm looking forward to summer more than ever.  I can't help but notice that his childhood is moving at the speed of light, and sometimes being a working mom makes me feel like I'm missing everything.  Thank God for summer.

I'm noticing that since I entered the world of "smart phones," I am using my camera less and less, so I'm short on pictures here.  I think the most notable thing I've captured in these pictures, however are his ENORMOUS legs!  Look at those suckers!  I swear the kid grows an inch every week.  I'm already wondering how we'll pay for groceries when this kid is in high school.  He's practically eating us out of house and home as it is.  (Not that he has any meat on those bones.  I can still count his ribs - front and back.)

Nicholas has been a very busy little boy lately. He's been playing tee ball on Saturdays, which has been an adventure for all of us.  He loves to hit the ball and run the bases, but fielding??  Let's just say that it's not his favorite part.  He looks darned cute in that huge helmet though!

We've been to the beach a couple of times this spring.  We went on Mother's Day.  I can't think of a better way to spend it - at the beach with my little monkey.  It was the best.  He dug in the sand and splashed in the water all day.


 And we finally made our first trip to Maine this weekend.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, and Nicholas was such a good boy.  He drove the boat and fished with his dad.  It was a great family weekend.  The mosquitos were out in full force, and Nicholas was loving his citronella bug bands, which he called "my bug wrists."  As you can see here, he had them on every limb, and sometimes, around his head.  He escaped the weekend with only 2 bug bites - not bad!  Now... bring on the summer!!!!!!!

Greetings From a Deadbeat Blogger

 
I know.  It's been over a month.  Somehow life just gets in the way of blogging sometimes I guess!  We have had a very busy month - enjoying the spring weather and celebrating Easter.  Nicholas had a great Easter.  He loved searching for eggs and eating mouthfuls of candy of course.  Honestly, I'm not sure I've ever seen that much candy in one place in my life!  In fact, there is a Target bag filled to the top with candy now hiding on the top shelf in the kitchen.  I often hear it calling my name, but I try not to listen...

We celebrated Easter twice in our family actually.  Our first Easter was a week early at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Nicholas colored eggs and searched the backyard for goodies with his cousins.  The second celebration took place on Easter Sunday at Auntie Gail's house.  More goodies and more eggs!  Man, this is one lucky kid.

We also recently made our annual pilgrimage to Hubbard Park to sit in the daffodils.  Because of the warm spring, the daffodils were out really early this year.  I was afraid I was going to miss them, but alas... they were in full bloom when we got there.  Of course, I immediately pulled up all of his other daffodil shots to compare when we got home. Somehow we must've missed the first year - he would've been about 6 months old in April of 2009.  Major bummer.  But this is his 3rd daffodil picture - so darned cute.

2010

So, the general update on Nicholas is basically that he's now 3 going on 25.  I don't know what is happening, but he is growing and changing so much lately, it's hard to keep up!  Todd and I find ourselves looking at him with our mouths hanging open on a daily basis, and saying things like, "What did you just say??!!"  He's hilarious.  I think one of my favorite things though is his new found love for music.  When driving in the car, he would always want to listen to those hideous kid's CDs.  I swear I was singing Farmer in the Dell in my sleep!  But lately he'll say, "I want to hear your songs, Mommy."  And then - to our surprise, he proceeds to belt out the lyrics and bob his head along to

2011

2012

the beat!  It's hard to focus on the road it's so funny.  I can't even imagine what he'll be like by the end of the summer - perhaps we should start looking at colleges...