The Cutler Crew: February 2008

Sorry guys that I haven't posted in a while - as you can imagine, we've been a little busy! But you are always so sweet to want to see new pictures and hear all about our family! So I just posted a new blog today and it's way too long... so be warned!

Everyone is asking "when are you guys going to move?" Well, the house is VERY close to being finished! We were scheduled to close February 28th, then March 3rd, now it will probably be March 10th. You know, just those silly things that come up at the end... they stained our floors the wrong color and had to re-stain them and then they had to practically paint the whole house again because they didn't mix up the paint well when they re-touched and the paints didn't match! Uh oh! But it's really turning out great and only small details are left. In fact, we're scheduled to have our walk-through tomorrow! Our family is very excited to have a backyard soon and be able to spread out! And I can't wait for the dogs to have a yard! You take for granted the small things you enjoy about a house - a yard, a garage, and just room!

And you also take for granted being able to have people over and have playdates at your house! We can't wait to have everyone over once we get settled in - thank you all for being so involved in our lives and this year-long building process! Pray that we have a smooth and fun move - I'll post again as soon as I can!

Well, you can probably tell from the pictures that our little Evan is one HAPPY baby! He is all smiles and laughs all the time. He is just a little piece of heaven here on earth and truly an amazing gift from God. And he is the apple of his big brother's eye. Preston could not be more proud and could not be a better big brother! Preston made Evan laugh at him the other day and Preston was so proud - it was precious. He is so proud of Evan and all of his new accomplishments; he just gushes over him all the time.

Evan had his 4 month check-up and besides having to get 4 yucky shots and a little dry skin, he is doing just beautifully! He is almost 15 pounds and, as you can see, doesn't miss many meals! His favorite thing right now - his hands! I think he is going to be our little thumb sucker... you seriously cannot keep him from putting his hands, fingers, thumb into his mouth. He was even trying to put his foot in his mouth the other day - he'll figure that one out soon I'm sure!

We can't believe that he is already 4 1/2 months old and just not our little newborn anymore! On February 9th he rolled over for the first time. He loves being on his tummy and looking all around the room, so he rolled from tummy to back first. Then, last weekend, in the middle of the night I heard him grunting and went down to check on him and he had rolled himself from his back to his tummy - and of course, now he loves sleeping on his tummy just like his big brother did. As soon as they can flip, they'll just sleep however they want! I try not to worry... although the doctors really want them to sleep on their backs, you just can't control it after they can roll. And it's a little scary because SIDS incidents increase at 3-6 months of age, which is when they start rolling! It just makes you check on them about 12 times a night! And boy, is Evan a sleeper - he's sleeping about 10 hours a night now and wakes up just talking and smiling and sooo happy. And he is so patient to wait for his first bottle until after the hour drive to take his brother to school! I am so thankful for his patient and relaxed nature.

And another milestone this month was solid food! Yummy! You can start them on rice and even baby foods at 4 months now, can you believe it? We haven't ventured to baby food yet (maybe next week), but we have been eating rice for a few days and we LOVE it! And Preston was so excited that Evan can now eat baby food! He is so ready for Evan to jump up and run around with him. Below is a picture of a happy boy getting to eat yummy rice! And the next picture is the very first time he tried rice - he was so intent and serious, can you see him saying, "just give me the bowl Mom!" That is good stuff, he would not let go of the bowl! Then the next time I fed him he kept trying to grab the spoon, so at the end I just let him go to town with the spoon and he licked it clean! It was too funny - he is such a big boy. He and I will sit and relax on the couch and I'll pick up the remote to change the channel and he'll reach out to grab the remote and starts pressing all the buttons and changing the channel! Oh, that's trouble! Soon there will be three men all vying for the remote!

Oh, this rice stuff is so delicious!!

Just hand over the bowl Mom!

Mom tried to deprive me of the morsels of rice that were left on this spoon, so I just grabbed it from her!

Oh, and this is Evan when the rice is all gone.... so sad! Good thing we had a bottle ready!

He has got the cutest little giggle and loves being tickled on his belly and his sides. And he loves being kissed under his neck and getting undressed - they will all get a laugh! Something about taking his clothes off just makes him laugh, it's hilarious.... and he still LOVES being naked and taking baths. He is not at all bothered by things that you would think normally bother babies - he loves baths, loves having his diaper changed, and doesn't even mind when you suction his nose - he's just very content.... well, most of the time! So when does he get upset?? When he's tired!

He reminds me so much of Preston - not only does he look sooo much like him, but they have the same personalities. Preston was such a happy and content baby too. But also got cranky when tired (of course) and fought the sleep! Now, most times he'll just go to sleep when he's tired, but sometimes he will just fight the sleep and put up a fuss until he finally conks out! And when he's asleep, it's best to just let him sleep - like Preston, he's not that happy when you wake him from a good nap. And he loves sleeping in the car, that'll always put him right out. And he loves sleeping in his swing - although with the positions he gets himself into, like the one below, it doesn't look all that comfortable to me??

Oh, and that's a burpy above his head - you always need one of those close, he is the Spit-Up King!

We are very excited for Evan to get his own room and to be able to spread out more in the house. I'm not sleeping all that well because I'll wake at every little movement during the night. And unfortunately, we've all had little colds this week. Erick and I felt pretty yucky this weekend, but Preston and Evan really just have a stuffy nose and have felt great, so that's a blessing. Preston lost another tooth and is enjoying his rewards from the tooth fairy! I think he's lost 7 teeth now??? And he is reading really well now and just enjoying Kindergarten so much.

He is such a fun kid and a great friend. He's never met a stranger and is very social. He is so kind-hearted and is always making cards for friends and teachers and would give them his last nickel if they asked for it. I know that God has such special plans for Preston's life and his compassionate heart - we pray that we are great parents to our sons. I pray they always walk in the truth and know our unconditional love for them. Preston just loves Jesus and the Word of God and I think he is coming close to the age that he will really understand what it means to live with him in your heart. Erick and I just want him to know that all by himself, to have that private relationship with Jesus and accept him all on his own - not just because Mommy and Daddy believe it and take him to church.

Alright.... now that I'm getting all sappy!

Here are some pictures, enjoy! Hopefully we'll be closing on the house March 10th - so, this may be the last update for a few weeks. I guess I should probably start packing! Enjoy these pics! I also got some cute Valentine's pics of the boys done - I'll post those soon!

Yep, still working on this spoon... I'm going to get every last drop!