Where, Oh Where Have the McCutcheon's Been?

I think I have started off my last few posts with an apology for being MIA...and this time is no different. Granted I didn't have a computer for about a month while it was being fixed but still, even I can't believe that it has been since Colten's birthday in March since my last post and since I have logged on to read anyone's blogs. I honestly don't know where the time has gone. Since so much time has elapsed, I'll just stick to the most recent and most exciting happenings our way.

First, as many of you already know, toward the end of March, Colten found out that he will be a big brother come November! Tom and I had been trying to get pregnant since last June but were not having any luck. Once we got frustrated and gave up, we got pregnant!!! My due date is November 30th but since I'm a diabetic, my doctor won't let me go to term. In other words, by Thanksgiving we will have a new little one! Needless to say, I am a bit bummed about missing Black Friday this year!

In other news, we recently had an above-ground pool installed but have yet to swim since we are still in the process of hooking up the electric and gas; in northeast Ohio, we need a heater! One reason that the pool is not yet ready is that after installation, we immediately headed south to Isle of Palms, SC to visit the Krieg's and to meet up with the Belschner Family! We all hadn't been together since Amy's wedding (a little perspective: I was newly pregnant with Colten). Needless to say, it had been way too long! We had a blast catching up and having some girl-time. And the kids were so great together! Here are a bunch of pics from the four days we spent together. Thanks Beth and Dave for welcoming all of the chaos into your home!!

As soon as we arrived, Colten was ready for the pool!



Aunt Beth is so smart; she unrolled thick paper down the hall so the kids could draw with chalk and markers; sometimes we couldn't get Colten away!
More pool fun! After seeing Avery jump in, Colten wanted to try, but he wouldn't jump. He was happy being tossed to Mommy by Daddy!


All the kiddos!
A random photo of David but I love it!

Time for the beach...
Colten and Avery spent some time collecting shells together.

Artie caught a small crab and was showing it to Colten and Spencer.
Off to Magnolia Plantation with a quick lunch at Five Guys.

Such a beautiful place!
The Belschner Family on our way to tour the slave cabins.
Feeding the deer, even though they preferred Tom's shorts!
Instead of our tour of the main house...
Artie and I had to take the kids outside; they had had enough touring...
After the Belschner's headed back home, Aunt Beth kept Colten occupied by letting him help decorate for July 4th!
The Krieg Family -
Colten hugging David after helping him open his birthday presents (a bit early).


From South Carolina, we made the 10+ hour drive to Philly so we could take Colten to Sesame Place. I have to say that I was dreading the trip to say the least, but Tom did a fabulous job driving the WHOLE way, and Colten was a real trooper. Between dvd's and drawing and of course snacking, we made it with few issues!


Sesame Place is amazing and would have made even the worst of trips worth it!!! Colten had so much fun and was so exhausted by days end that he fell asleep even before we pulled out of the parking lot! And that is saying a lot for a child who maybe slept a total of 5 hours in the car during all of our travels from Ohio to SC to PA and back to Ohio. Tom and I will never forget the look on Colten's face when Elmo came out during the Elmo's World show. That was the first thing we did when we arrived and Colten's face absolutely lit-up. It literally brought tears to both of our eyes. Colten enjoyed every moment, from the shows to the rides to meeting the characters. We were on a man-hunt for Cookie Monster because that is Colten's favorite and he really wanted to meet him. After asking just about everyone, Colten had his special moment. As soon as he saw Cookie, he ran into his arms and Cookie bent down to hug him. It couldn't have been more perfect. While we were meeting Cookie, Daddy saved us seats at Abby's show where Colten got to see more the gang, and we ended the day with the parade. My only wish is that we could have done the water rides too, but the water was freezing. Next time, for sure because there will be a next time; it was that great! Check out the photos! (but they don't do justice to the fun we had).






Abby's show
Part of the parade


So tired, he is sleeping through dinner...
Cuddling Cookie before bed


The next day, we headed to the Please Touch Museum in Philly. Again, I cannot say enough about the place. They had so many exhibits ranging from construction, to hospitals, and markets, to Alice in Wonderland, to rain forests, and space. In every section, there was so much for kids to manipulate and experiment with. If you are in the area with your kids, it is a must!!

We ended that day by tasting cheese steak sandwiches from Pat's and Gino's - two restaurants that battle for the best cheese steak. After trying both, I can't say that I can decide; they were both delicious, but Tom votes for Gino's!
and a sandwich from Pat's...
Off to try Gino's...

What a wonderful vacation from start to finish! When we came home, we took down Colten's crib and set up his twin bed. I was really worried about the transition, but Colten has done an amazing job, sleeping through the night since night one! That's my boy!


My next goal is to be swimming by the weekend!

Happy Father's Day Daddy, Grandpa and Papa! We love you all!

Colten is TWO!

Okay, Colten has been 2 since March 14th. Mom is just a little behind as usual with the post. Leading up to his party, Colten had been battling a runny nose and a pretty bad cough so I was a little bummed. I hated to see him sick for his own party... And things seemed to get worse. We had a big snow the Friday before his party so Uncle Mike wasn't able to make it in from Columbus and then his great grandparents canceled too due to the weather - all which was completely understandable but it still added to my disappointment. I so wanted his party to be perfect and it was looking as if it was going to be far from it.
People always tell me that I worry for nothing, and that was surely the case this time because Colten's party was fabulous! He had a blast regardless of his runny nose and cough : > And the day turned out to be gorgeous; in fact, almost all the snow had melted by the mid-afternoon. Here are some pics from the party. Colten was spoiled again : > Thanks everyone!! We can't wait to set-up the swing-set and to see him driving around the yard in his yellow Camaro power wheels!

Cool dude on his new motorcycle! Now he just needs to learn how to pedal : >
Colten had a construction party this year.

Colten was so happy that he blew out his own candle!
Helping mom cut the cake.
I LOVE chocolate cake!!!!!

And then it was time for presents!!!!

I got a light saber just like my cousin Braden!
And a new mower! A boy can never have enough mowers!
Sharing with Kayleigh.

I just loved seeing Colten and Kayleigh together now that they are older. Colten shared his toys so nicely with Kayleigh. I just know that one day Colten will make a great big brother if God blesses us with another child some day. In the meantime, Colten and I are looking forward to many a play days this summer with Kayleigh and Krissy!

Check Colten out in his racing gear!
Believe it or not, Aunt Amanda and Uncle Marc were the only ones lucky enough to get a photo with Colten during his party. Mommy and Daddy even missed out. Note to self: take pictures before the party begins...

This was Colten's real birthday. We had a countdown to his birthday sign so I had him pose with it when the big day finally arrived. Unfortunately, he was not feeling well so I didn't get much of a smile...

...but he is never too sick to work with his tools!

The days following his party and real birthday continued to get worse for Colten in terms of his cold. Luckily we were headed to the doctors for his two year appointment. I had called the doctor the week of his party, but since he didn't have a fever, they didn't want to see him. However, the doctor didn't like the sound of Colten's cough and felt as if he had had it for too long, suggesting that it might have turned into bronchitis or pneumonia. Luckily after an x-ray, Colten had neither. Regardless, the doctor put him on an antibiotic to help him out. While his cough and runny nose improved, we were then faced with a day of Colten vomiting mucus that had been in his chest and then another day of diarrhea as a side effect of the antibiotic. Thank goodness, it seems we are in the clear. Colten is finally doing so much better and is back to his hungry self : >

Even amidst the sickness, we found time to visit Easter Bunny Lane at Kraynak's. One of their exhibits was Sesame Street, and Colten couldn't get enough : >

I'm tired so that is all for now. Thanks to everyone for making Colten's birthday so special! More to come. And I'll catch up on everyone's blogs shortly : >