Brian played his first soccer game today. He's playing on the team I used to play on. The team just split into 2 teams and so there's a lot of new people on the team. Everyone seemed really nice and it looks like it'll be a fun season.
Brian's team tied their opponents 2-2. Brian did great and scored one of his team's goals! He's going to be sore tomorrow though!
I took the boys out to the fields to watch Brian. The game was at Holston River Park which has a nice playground and a greenway. It was hot this afternoon with no breeze and Carter decided he wasn't interested in the playground almost right away.
I knew it was going to be difficult to keep Carter entertained on the sidelines for the entire game so I took the boys on a 4-mile run on the greenway. Rylan woke up with about a half mile left and decided he was hungry. It was halftime so I got to run by Brian's team with a screaming Rylan on the way to the car to nurse him.
After that I put a blanket under a tree near the sidelines and we watched the rest of the game. Carter was more interested in playing with a soccer ball though than watching the game (which was okay because then he didn't try to run on the field to see Brian).
Brian commented tonight that he's getting old because the coolest part of the game wasn't scoring a goal but Carter cheering for him on the sideline (Brian could hear Carter yelling "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy" over and over again).
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Cataloochee Valley
We took the boys to Cataloochee Valley in the Smokies this evening to see the elk. The park released elk in the area in 2001 and they have been doing well. During the fall, the male elk bugle to intimidate other males and attract females. It's pretty impressive.
It took about 2 hours to get to the valley. Rylan slept most of the way there and Carter did a good job of just chilling out.
When we first got there, most of the visible elk were hanging out at the tree line at the edge of the field. It didn't take long though for them to start coming out and moving across the field. We saw 3 or 4 males with large racks and a few younger males. There were also several females and a few babies.
Both boys did really well. We had a picnic next to the car as we watched the elk. Carter seemed to like pointing out and watching the elk. He even learned to say "elk", though I probably won't recognize that's what he's saying if he repeats it tomorrow. Carter also tried to copy the bugling. He found a stick, held it up to his mouth, and made a "bluubluubluu" sound. Rylan only got a little fussy a few times and I was able to calm him down pretty quickly. I put him in the Bjorn and wore him most of the time so I could take pictures. We spent a couple of hours in the park and Rylan fell asleep in the Bjorn a little bit before we left.
The drive home was also surprisingly pleasant. Rylan slept the whole time again and Carter was calm. We got home around 9pm and got the boys in bed. I'm hoping Rylan sleeps well tonight since he slept so much this afternoon!
We had fun showing Carter the elk today and I think he liked seeing them too. He said "bye, elk" several times as we were leaving. He's so sweet!
It took about 2 hours to get to the valley. Rylan slept most of the way there and Carter did a good job of just chilling out.
When we first got there, most of the visible elk were hanging out at the tree line at the edge of the field. It didn't take long though for them to start coming out and moving across the field. We saw 3 or 4 males with large racks and a few younger males. There were also several females and a few babies.
Both boys did really well. We had a picnic next to the car as we watched the elk. Carter seemed to like pointing out and watching the elk. He even learned to say "elk", though I probably won't recognize that's what he's saying if he repeats it tomorrow. Carter also tried to copy the bugling. He found a stick, held it up to his mouth, and made a "bluubluubluu" sound. Rylan only got a little fussy a few times and I was able to calm him down pretty quickly. I put him in the Bjorn and wore him most of the time so I could take pictures. We spent a couple of hours in the park and Rylan fell asleep in the Bjorn a little bit before we left.
The drive home was also surprisingly pleasant. Rylan slept the whole time again and Carter was calm. We got home around 9pm and got the boys in bed. I'm hoping Rylan sleeps well tonight since he slept so much this afternoon!
We had fun showing Carter the elk today and I think he liked seeing them too. He said "bye, elk" several times as we were leaving. He's so sweet!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Puzzles
I pulled out Carter's puzzles a few weeks ago and he has been loving them. They had been in his closet for a few months because he just wasn't getting what to do with them. He got frustrated really quickly when he couldn't jam a piece into the puzzle.
But now after showing Carter once that he needs to match the pictures, he loves putting the pieces back in place.
Here's a video of him working on the animal puzzle this afternoon ...
This evening I got out the vehicle puzzle and I didn't think I was going to be able to convince Carter to go to bed because he wanted to do that one over and over and over again!
But now after showing Carter once that he needs to match the pictures, he loves putting the pieces back in place.
Here's a video of him working on the animal puzzle this afternoon ...
This evening I got out the vehicle puzzle and I didn't think I was going to be able to convince Carter to go to bed because he wanted to do that one over and over and over again!
Bath Time
Rylan really loves getting baths. He can be super fussy but as soon as he gets into the bath, he's chill. It's usually really easy to get him smiling too.
Here are a few cute pictures of him from today post-bath:
Here are a few cute pictures of him from today post-bath:
Monday, September 13, 2010
Go Pack!
If you can't see what Carter's doing, he's using a bottle cap to play the NCSU fight song on the bottle opener. Go Pack!
Words
We spent some time outside this afternoon enjoying the "cooler" weather (mid 80s with a breeze - so nice!).
Rylan even chilled in his bouncer awake for about an hour and a half ...
I've been meaning to video Carter saying words he knows and finally remembered while we were outside. Sorry for the poor quality (especially the last video - Carter wanted to see the picture on the back of the camera and was trying to take it from me). Carter knows how to say more words than this, but this is probably half of what he says regularly. He also has lots of animal sounds that he uses to describe animals instead of their names.
And here's Carter showing off his basketball skills ...
Rylan even chilled in his bouncer awake for about an hour and a half ...
I've been meaning to video Carter saying words he knows and finally remembered while we were outside. Sorry for the poor quality (especially the last video - Carter wanted to see the picture on the back of the camera and was trying to take it from me). Carter knows how to say more words than this, but this is probably half of what he says regularly. He also has lots of animal sounds that he uses to describe animals instead of their names.
And here's Carter showing off his basketball skills ...
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Build & Grow and Birthday Party
We took Carter to the Lowe's Build and Grow workshop this morning. Today's project was a dog leash holder.
Carter knew exactly what we were doing when we neared the back of the store and marched right into the receiving area to get to work. While Brian signed us in, Carter kept pointing at his stomach indicating he wanted his Lowe's apron on.
Carter stayed interested in building for about 2 minutes and then he saw a forklift parked close by and remained distracted the remainder of the time we were there. He still did a good job of hammering when we were able to get his attention focused on the project. Though he was a bit of a hammer hoarder (he had 3).
Carter really liked the dog leash holder he helped make (because it's a dog) ...
He kept saying "woof, woof" when we were leaving.
When we left Lowe's, we headed over to Amy and Chad's house for Caitlyn's birthday party. She had a bee themed party. Amy did an amazing job decorating with tons of bees and having everything yellow, black, and white. The kids even played "Pin the Wings of the Bee".
When we walked in, Carter found Caitlyn right away and they gave each other a big hug - so sweet! Then they played together in Caitlyn's room for a little bit until it was time to eat. Even though Carter has only seen us give Rylan a bottle once, he knew right away how to feed Caitlyn's dolls a bottle. I thought it was kind of random.
Carter wearing his cool party hat (for about 30 seconds) ...
Amy did such a good job, especially when you consider she had Alek less than a month ago. But she forgot one thing ... candles for the cake! So she had to improvise ...
Carter loved his cupcake!
Carter was getting fussy the last 30 minutes we were there so we knew he was tired. He passed out on the way home holding his balloon ...
Rylan did great at the party - no crying except when he decided he was hungry. He got lots of attention even though there were 2 babies there that were younger than him (Alek and an 8-day-old!).
We had a nasty storm come through here just after 7 pm and lost power right away. We finally got it back about an hour ago (8:45 pm). UT is playing at home tonight and they had to delay the game a little over an hour because of all the lightning. Carter seemed to get a little scared when it got dark all of a sudden but once we got enough candles and flashlights out, he was okay. We ended up taking a drive after awhile because it was getting hot in the house and Rylan wouldn't settle down. Plus we could then listen to the UT game on the radio.
Carter knew exactly what we were doing when we neared the back of the store and marched right into the receiving area to get to work. While Brian signed us in, Carter kept pointing at his stomach indicating he wanted his Lowe's apron on.
Carter stayed interested in building for about 2 minutes and then he saw a forklift parked close by and remained distracted the remainder of the time we were there. He still did a good job of hammering when we were able to get his attention focused on the project. Though he was a bit of a hammer hoarder (he had 3).
Carter really liked the dog leash holder he helped make (because it's a dog) ...
He kept saying "woof, woof" when we were leaving.
When we left Lowe's, we headed over to Amy and Chad's house for Caitlyn's birthday party. She had a bee themed party. Amy did an amazing job decorating with tons of bees and having everything yellow, black, and white. The kids even played "Pin the Wings of the Bee".
When we walked in, Carter found Caitlyn right away and they gave each other a big hug - so sweet! Then they played together in Caitlyn's room for a little bit until it was time to eat. Even though Carter has only seen us give Rylan a bottle once, he knew right away how to feed Caitlyn's dolls a bottle. I thought it was kind of random.
Carter wearing his cool party hat (for about 30 seconds) ...
Amy did such a good job, especially when you consider she had Alek less than a month ago. But she forgot one thing ... candles for the cake! So she had to improvise ...
Carter loved his cupcake!
Carter was getting fussy the last 30 minutes we were there so we knew he was tired. He passed out on the way home holding his balloon ...
Rylan did great at the party - no crying except when he decided he was hungry. He got lots of attention even though there were 2 babies there that were younger than him (Alek and an 8-day-old!).
We had a nasty storm come through here just after 7 pm and lost power right away. We finally got it back about an hour ago (8:45 pm). UT is playing at home tonight and they had to delay the game a little over an hour because of all the lightning. Carter seemed to get a little scared when it got dark all of a sudden but once we got enough candles and flashlights out, he was okay. We ended up taking a drive after awhile because it was getting hot in the house and Rylan wouldn't settle down. Plus we could then listen to the UT game on the radio.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Boys
I attempted a little photo session of the boys this afternoon. I don't feel like I got one great picture (Brian says my expectations are too high). I have lots of outtakes with only one of the boys looking good or one making a funny face.
Enjoy!
Carter was copying Rylan ...
"Are you still taking pictures?"
"Oh, brother ..."
When you ask Carter to smile, or say "cheese", he makes this face ...
Carter really does love Rylan ...
Carter is making funny faces sometimes because I had to bribe him with a mint!
Enjoy!
Carter was copying Rylan ...
"Are you still taking pictures?"
"Oh, brother ..."
When you ask Carter to smile, or say "cheese", he makes this face ...
Carter really does love Rylan ...
Carter is making funny faces sometimes because I had to bribe him with a mint!
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