A Transformation in our Lives

We have a very exciting new addition to our family! We recently bought a black lab puppy and we named him Optimus Prime. He is a true Autobot Transformer. He even has the dog tag to prove it. Optimus was born on September 4th. We picked him up from a breeder in Provo on October 23rd.

When we took him to the vet for a check-up the week we got him he weighed 11.6 pounds. Now he weighs 26.5 lbs! We were told to expect him to be 80+ pounds full grown.

It has definitely been a big adjustment in our lives. We plan on Optimus being an outdoor dog, but I think we bought him at the wrong time of the year since it has been so cold outside. For the first month or so he slept in a little crate my grandma had bought for us inside the house. Then during the day he stayed in his dog run with his dogloo. Don't worry, we put up wind barriers and a roof. (Which coincidentally collapsed in with all the wet snow today) :(

Optimus started puppy kindergarten a month ago. He is doing great! He knows "Take It," "Off," how to sit and lay down, "Bed," "Go Potty," and "Up." Potty training is going well. Every time we think he's got it though, then he goes and pees on my mom's carpet or poops in the hall. Thank goodness for Nature's Miracle cleaner and hardwood floors.

Optimus and Dammitt have a love/hate relationship. Optimus loves her and she hates him. I think she may be a little jealous of the attention he gets. Typical first child behavior...ya know, growling, hissing, scratching... But the more training Optimus gets, the more Dammitt doesn't seem to mind him.

We love him to death, well, Steve loves him most the time; my love is unconditional! ;)

There is lots more to tell, but I will explain with the pictures.

This is my first picture with our little boy!

I picture Steve saying "Duh Duh Duhs" in this picture. Just look at that little belly.

This is when we put him in the crate in the car. He wouldn't even eat his treat. The dog toy was from the breeder. It has the scent of the litter and mom on it, so it was supposed to make him feel better.

Our first stop after Petsmart with our little boy was Carolyn and Bob's house. Here Optimus is with his Auntie Carolyn.

This was the first time we saw Optimus transform...it was a true miracle. I'm not sure why he transformed into his fellow Autobot, Bumblebee though. I thought he was supposed to be a semi-truck.

Dammitt and Optimus meeting for the first time. That was fun!

Our stinky little boy getting a well needed shower. Just look at the brown suds in the tub.

He was shivering so bad. Next time I'm totally getting out the blow dryer. FYI his eyes are not really blue, although they look that way in most pictures. They are brown. It's kind of like red eye for humans.

We read the dogs love peanut butter...the sign of a true Cutler.

Look at his adorable peanut butter face! Duh, duh, duhs...

His humongous dogloo! Its the extra large size. We partitioned it off so he could only use a little bit or else they will sleep in one side and go potty in the other.

Taking a well needed nap on one of his first days. This is usually Dammitt's favorite position. I don't think she has anything to worry about though, because Optimus is too squirmy and now way to big to do this anymore.

This was the second time Optimus transformed. This time it was on October 31st. I just love the little white stinger on the back.

My dad with Optimus. He is such a sucker for puppies. My mom and dad puppy-sat for us and apparently my dad's hands were Optimus' chew toys.

Optimus getting his favorite toy...his stuffed pheasant. No need to get up though, he'll just stretch.

Steve took this adorable picture. He said it took him quite a few tries to get it perfect. Well worth the effort honey!

There is the manly man himself putting together the dog run. It's pretty big, 7 1/2 ft x 12 ft, and 6 ft tall.

Optimus decided he needed to help too. He was bringing us (running away with) some of the parts.

There are my boys! Oh so cute! You may notice the laundry baskets filling up the rest of the dog house.

Well, our poor boy grew so fast he could hardly fit in his crate anymore. You can see his scrunched up body in the little crate. We bought the big one on KSL.com and it barely fits in the Subaru. Now he sleeps in that at night, at least while it's cold outside.

Here is Steve about to go on one of his walks with Optimus. I'm not sure if Optimus did any walking or not. :)

We partitioned off the big crate at first, but now he has free rein of the whole crate.

I wanted to show you a comparison picture from the first day and from a few days ago. He fell asleep on my chest that first day.

And here is how he fits now. Such a cute little boy!

Here is his Christmas picture. I love the sweater. Dammitt has a matching one.

This is Dammitt's cyborg eye...she senses an Autobot. We really think she might be a decepticon.

He is telling us he is bored with taking pictures.
Oh, the puppy dog eyes...love it!