CUTLEROLOGY

Friday, January 9, 2015

Grammie's Christmas party // Bethlehem dinner

So Grammie Cutler does an annual Christmas stations event each year with the children (I think Grandma Christensen did this with the grandkids too from what I've heard). See two years ago here. It's so adorable to watch her get the kids fired up and excited about joining in in all the activities. She's so lively, the kids love it. I can't believe how well Maxsn follow instructions (probably to those in charge of the stations it was the exact opposite ha, but as a mom knowing your child's capabilities I was in awe watching and it made me think, man I want to do more thought our activities with Maxson). Here they are learning about what they're about to do.

They all took turns individually at each station with the family member in charge of it. Here's uncle Derek with each child making fruit loop necklaces.

Grandpa showed each child the Share the Gift video and they also wrote presents they were going to give to Jesus on pieces of paper. They then put those papers in balloons to let off that night. I felt so lucky to peek in on the room for a picture and here the sweet conversations.

And thirdly the cookie decorating station with Uncle Cody! Sprinkles and frosting galore!

Landon as a commentator, he's such a cutie

Mid stations gathering (after a bunch of sugar already in their systems)

Group hug at the end.

Station followed by LUNCH!

Even the adults want to watch the Grinch movie amidst lunch:) I just thought this was a really funny scene with everyone staring over there.

On Christmas Eve night we had a Bethlehem dinner courtesy of Cody and Camille. All parts were intended to mimic that of a meal Jesus would have eaten in his day which was so fun, it really helped bring in the spirit of Christ and think what it would have been like in His day. There was fish, rotisserie chicken, chopped fruits and veggies, pita bread, nuts, cheeses and wine (aka sparkling cider). It just felt so special to be apart of! Also everyone choice of clothing helped add to the fun as well (I'm continually amazed at the spirit of fun those Cutler boys have). As I tried caring for the babies while eating I was reminded of the mothers back in the day too with tiny babies while they were trying to eat on the ground and serve people and function. My respect for them, especially thinking of Christ's mother Mary, increased tenfold during that dinner. Oh also my added respect for them if dinner was often on the ground with wild two year olds destroying it all and not understanding their boundaries, let's just say I'm glad I didn't have to deal with those issues in their day.

After dinner Camille organized a special Christmas program for us with papers detailing what verses to be read, songs to be sung by the family or small groups and so on. The pages were even individually labeled with your name and highlighted with your parts so you could follow along more easily. That woman amazes me, it was so fun.

These 3 boys were COMPLETELY willing and cooperative in singing "We 3 kings" together they were a hoot up there, the song was most graciously accompanied by Camille and turned into what sounded like a Pirate jig

Mary and her donkey ;)

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Twinsies: 2 months

The twinsies at two months.

(Quinn left, Bryson right)

Christmas edition

It was at 2 months to the day where they slept their first 6 hour stretch at night and it was AMAZING. I think I only slept for 4 hours of it and when they awoke at 3 am it was as if I could have started the entire day with full energy (that is how sleep deprived my body is!!!!)

The boys were blessed on December 21st in Mesa, AZ by their father, Casey, as well as a circle of other wonderful men in our families.

They've begun to track people with their eyes. So funny that they both do it at the same time, it's like when you put a dog bone in front of a dog and they can't help but track it with no break but this time there's TWO dogs! (Again, I understand I'm comparing my baby boys to dogs but you get the point, they're really cute when they do the exact same thing)

They've begun SMILING! And oh holy cow is it the best thing in the whole world. I just want them to keep smiling of hours straight but it's actually only a matter of seconds at one time.

They are rocking tummy time and head strength all together. Seriously I'm amazed at their progress and strength!

They both spit up a ton. I've cut out dairy (that's pure LOVE right there people if you understand my love for milk) cue sour/sad face. Almond milk just does not cut it. I think it may have improved their spitting up but who knows

They drink 2 oz of formula after each breast feeding session during the day, so I think like 4-5 times, to help fill them up from what I can't quite supply. In the middle of the night they just nurse and go back to sleep (thank goodness for that improvement because nursing and bottle feeding together in the night was exhausting and time consuming)

They are pros at the pouty lip, so flipping cute.

They're both pretty chill, not verily high maintenance. Of course they both love to be held whenever possible, but are often content when just hanging out on the floor or even just sitting being held, bless those boys.

They've evened back out into being the same eating quantity wise.

I still don't really think that one sleeps better or worse than the other because they're either on the same schedule or swap days on whosever hungrier first. More often than not I'm quite pleased and equally surprised that both of their sleeping stretched match each other: long/short naps at the same time. Of course sometimes it gets a little off but then I vow that the next day to help/encourage/force them to stay on more of the same schedule.

They've both been super awesome at going to sleep by themselves when I put them down drowsy. If I swaddle them, binkie them, dark room, white noise, and rock them for a quick minute I can put them both down still awake and they'll fall asleep eventually by themselves with little to no crying. Hallelujiah please do not change babies!!!!!!!!!!

We've been hearing baby cooing here and there when they smile and that too is so darn adorable. It's not until they start making noises like that that I realize they really don't make any noises at all except crying, ha!

They've both had stuffy noses on and off since they were born, it's been so sad. But they keep overcoming them! Crossing our fingers that continue in this strong immune system pattern!

Bryson:

Quinn:

Quinny's eyebrows kill me.

Baby yawns are cuteness! (as well as pouty lips, and smiles)

Stats at 2 months:

I'll need to update this because I lost the paper :(
The boys are 10# 5 oz and 10# 10 oz, can't remember height or head size, but all their measurements are around the 20%ile (their adjusted age is more like 75%ile)

And for fun here is Max at 2 months. I see no similarities.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Busy but happy

This is a paragraph from one of my favorite blogs, 71toes. She just wrote it today. I couldn't have written it better and it truly sums up the last couple weeks of my life

I cannot believe the whirlwind of activity going on in our family for the last couple weeks. In some ways I wish I had written more down...the sparkling of the eyes, the bursts of squeals of joy, the funny things the kids have said. But sometimes capturing those kind of moments of stillness in your heart is better than any kind of written record. I haven't even known were my computer is, let alone done any work on it. I have loved soaking in every magical thing about our renewed appreciation for home and Christmas and new beginnings in a new year. And I have treasured being fully present with my family through it all.

Though I have been able to blog about a few things here and there before Christmas, I didn't get to truly write down feelings, and things said like I would have loved to. But I have treasured being so present and engrossed in our family (and babies).

I want to write about things like Casey being so engrossed in family history with my mom's help, life as a mom of twins and a very busy/mischievious 2 year old, about games with family members, thoughts on being a mother, the simplicity/hardness of going places, my love and longing to live in Arizona, the temple with family, the sweetest girls I met in my parent's YSA ward, the babies milestones and cuteness, my increasingly tiredness, hilarious moments with Casey, get togethers with some f my besties, get togethers with my Holman cousins and the incredible the difference in our lives (yet similarity too), all the mischief Maxson has made, my nieces and nephews undying love for my 3 kids, Maxson's increasing vocabulary and smartness, my renewed drive and determination to find spiritual moments in each day of my life, and and and. My list goes on but my fingers are tired. You get the point.

And now my fingers hurt from writing so much since I haven't done it in so long.

Until then, you can stay caught up with my mini blogging over on instagram, search kimbercutler

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Woodruff (pre-)Christmas gathering

In the first couple days after we arrived in Arizona, all the Arizona Woodruffs got together for a little pre-Christmas celebration gathering. We had the traditional Christmas dinner with ham and potatoes, the kids played out the nativity while Papa read the scripture verses, presents were exchanged, and all around happiness ensued. It was such a fun evening to celebrate with the family! I will let pictures tell the rest of the story.

Baby holders abounded galore. It was great. These 3 little girls along with Tristan were constantly asking if they could hold the babies, it was adorable.