Sunday, October 24, 2010
Home!
We got back this afternoon from a week in North Carolina to visit family. I have tons of pictures to post and will try to get them all up this week, but here are a few until then ...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
This Week's Random Pictures
I attempted to get Carter to pose with our four decorated pumpkins ...
This picture shows off Carter's new haircut pretty well ...
I took the boys to a playground this afternoon. Carter was looking very monochromatic (his hair, shirt, and shoes all seemed to be the exact same color) ...
Loving the new swings that were just installed ...
This picture shows off Carter's new haircut pretty well ...
I took the boys to a playground this afternoon. Carter was looking very monochromatic (his hair, shirt, and shoes all seemed to be the exact same color) ...
Loving the new swings that were just installed ...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Haircuts, Pumpkins, and More
Yesterday morning Carter and I had some time on our own for probably the first time since Rylan was born. Carter's hair was getting long again so I took him to get it cut. Carter can now say "cut" and when I told him what we were going to do, he kept pointing to the top of his head and saying "cut".
When we walked into the barber shop, Carter acted like he knew everyone and knew exactly what to do. There were only a few people working and Carter waved at each of them as he walked to the toy basket to get a few toys.
I had a different person cut Carter's hair again (4 different people for 4 haircuts now). They do walk-ins on rotation and it's just worked out that we've had a new person every time.
Carter got his haircut in the front of the shop like he did the first time at the tractor seat. After getting his toys, he walked right up to the tractor and raised his arms to be picked up and put on it. He kept turning the steering wheel and making tractor noises as the woman who cut his hair set up.
Carter did great through the entire cut. The animal crackers that he munched on helped, as well as the lawn maintenance guys working outside. I really like how the cut turned out too. I think it was the best one yet.
After the barber shop, Carter and I went to the grocery store. The whole time we were out Carter was very concerned that we didn't have Rylan with us. He kept saying "baby?". He'd point at where Rylan's carseat goes or where I usually put Rylan in the cart at the grocery store and say "baby?". It was cute.
After we got home and had lunch, Carter and my mom decorated 2 more pumpkins with our Mr. Potato Head kits.
Rylan and I just watched ...
After Carter's nap, I left both kids with my mom for a little bit and went to get my hair cut. I haven't had it cut in almost a year and was way over due.
Today my mom and I ran a bunch of errands. I've been trying to find some winter clothes for Carter (mainly pants and shoes) but haven't found much I like yet. And I had to exchange a few gifts for Rylan for bigger sizes. That boy will not stop growing!!!
This afternoon I pulled out Carter's clothes from last winter and made Rylan suffer through me trying those clothes on him and figuring out what will fit him for the next few months (or weeks if he doesn't slow down).
The rest of my mom's visit has been filled with her helping me out by watching one or both boys as I get tons of stuff done around the house that I have been putting off since Rylan was born. She's gotten to spent a lot of time with the boys, but we didn't get out and do much fun stuff this visit. Hopefully next time! But I have appreciated the help and have crossed a bunch of stuff off my to do list!
When we walked into the barber shop, Carter acted like he knew everyone and knew exactly what to do. There were only a few people working and Carter waved at each of them as he walked to the toy basket to get a few toys.
I had a different person cut Carter's hair again (4 different people for 4 haircuts now). They do walk-ins on rotation and it's just worked out that we've had a new person every time.
Carter got his haircut in the front of the shop like he did the first time at the tractor seat. After getting his toys, he walked right up to the tractor and raised his arms to be picked up and put on it. He kept turning the steering wheel and making tractor noises as the woman who cut his hair set up.
Carter did great through the entire cut. The animal crackers that he munched on helped, as well as the lawn maintenance guys working outside. I really like how the cut turned out too. I think it was the best one yet.
After the barber shop, Carter and I went to the grocery store. The whole time we were out Carter was very concerned that we didn't have Rylan with us. He kept saying "baby?". He'd point at where Rylan's carseat goes or where I usually put Rylan in the cart at the grocery store and say "baby?". It was cute.
After we got home and had lunch, Carter and my mom decorated 2 more pumpkins with our Mr. Potato Head kits.
Rylan and I just watched ...
After Carter's nap, I left both kids with my mom for a little bit and went to get my hair cut. I haven't had it cut in almost a year and was way over due.
Today my mom and I ran a bunch of errands. I've been trying to find some winter clothes for Carter (mainly pants and shoes) but haven't found much I like yet. And I had to exchange a few gifts for Rylan for bigger sizes. That boy will not stop growing!!!
This afternoon I pulled out Carter's clothes from last winter and made Rylan suffer through me trying those clothes on him and figuring out what will fit him for the next few months (or weeks if he doesn't slow down).
The rest of my mom's visit has been filled with her helping me out by watching one or both boys as I get tons of stuff done around the house that I have been putting off since Rylan was born. She's gotten to spent a lot of time with the boys, but we didn't get out and do much fun stuff this visit. Hopefully next time! But I have appreciated the help and have crossed a bunch of stuff off my to do list!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
CrossKnox 10 Miler
I ran the CrossKnox 10 Miler today. The race is run entirely on greenways. It starts downtown and finishes in the Bearden area in West Knoxville.
This is a map of the greenways that generally shows the race route (click on the map to get a larger, readable pdf):
I've wanted to run this race since it started a few years back, but there has always been a reason that I couldn't, such as being pregnant.
It was warm (mid 80s) and sunny for the 2 pm run. I was really nervous because I've only been running 3.5 miles with the boys. I did get in two 4.5 mile runs on my own recently but haven't run much the past three weeks because we went to Lexington and have had family visiting. So 10 miles was a bit intimidating.
The official results aren't posted yet, but according to my watch, I finished in 1:36:39, which is 9:40/mile pace. I really wanted to finish in 1:35:00, but those last two miles were rough. I ran at a little under 9:00/mile pace for the first few miles but started slowing down around half way through the race. Mile 8 felt good (I think I had picked up my pace a bit) but I had to walk a few times in mile 9.
I really liked the race and thought it was run well, except that they ran out of water at the finish line! I got one tiny cup of water with just one swallow of water in it. We had to take a bus from the finish line back to the start so I got on the bus immediately in hopes there would be some water back at the start where there was supposed to be a post-race party (I never saw the party, but they did have water and some Subway sandwiches).
Brian had a soccer game at 3:30 pm so my mom had both boys for a couple of hours. Unfortunately Carter only took an hour nap and Rylan refused to take a bottle from my mom. They all survived, but I had hoped it would be easier for her! I'm glad though that she was here to help so that Brian didn't have to skip his soccer game so I could race.
This is a map of the greenways that generally shows the race route (click on the map to get a larger, readable pdf):
I've wanted to run this race since it started a few years back, but there has always been a reason that I couldn't, such as being pregnant.
It was warm (mid 80s) and sunny for the 2 pm run. I was really nervous because I've only been running 3.5 miles with the boys. I did get in two 4.5 mile runs on my own recently but haven't run much the past three weeks because we went to Lexington and have had family visiting. So 10 miles was a bit intimidating.
The official results aren't posted yet, but according to my watch, I finished in 1:36:39, which is 9:40/mile pace. I really wanted to finish in 1:35:00, but those last two miles were rough. I ran at a little under 9:00/mile pace for the first few miles but started slowing down around half way through the race. Mile 8 felt good (I think I had picked up my pace a bit) but I had to walk a few times in mile 9.
I really liked the race and thought it was run well, except that they ran out of water at the finish line! I got one tiny cup of water with just one swallow of water in it. We had to take a bus from the finish line back to the start so I got on the bus immediately in hopes there would be some water back at the start where there was supposed to be a post-race party (I never saw the party, but they did have water and some Subway sandwiches).
Brian had a soccer game at 3:30 pm so my mom had both boys for a couple of hours. Unfortunately Carter only took an hour nap and Rylan refused to take a bottle from my mom. They all survived, but I had hoped it would be easier for her! I'm glad though that she was here to help so that Brian didn't have to skip his soccer game so I could race.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
World's Fair Park
We took my mom down to World's Fair Park this morning to walk around for a little bit and visit the Sunsphere.
I had meant to take Carter to these fountains all summer but never got around to it. There's a playground next to the fountains and kids run through the water when it's hot. Maybe next summer we'll make it down here.
The Sunsphere (built for the 1982 World's Fair) ...
Carter kept saying "ball" and pointing to it after he saw the Sunsphere when we drove to the park.
Checking out the view ...
Carter really like the amphitheater. He ran all over the stage and was so happy!
Running through the seats was fun too!
After touring the park, we stopped at the playground and let Carter play for a bit.
We tried to go to Fort Kid too (which is a wooden playground) but it's closed right now because there was a fire in the house that borders the park. I think that Fort Kid is supposed to be closed permanently some time soon since they built the new playground, but it looked really cool and I hope we still have a chance to play there sometime.
It was a gorgeous morning and we had fun walking around!
I had meant to take Carter to these fountains all summer but never got around to it. There's a playground next to the fountains and kids run through the water when it's hot. Maybe next summer we'll make it down here.
The Sunsphere (built for the 1982 World's Fair) ...
Carter kept saying "ball" and pointing to it after he saw the Sunsphere when we drove to the park.
Checking out the view ...
Carter really like the amphitheater. He ran all over the stage and was so happy!
Running through the seats was fun too!
After touring the park, we stopped at the playground and let Carter play for a bit.
We tried to go to Fort Kid too (which is a wooden playground) but it's closed right now because there was a fire in the house that borders the park. I think that Fort Kid is supposed to be closed permanently some time soon since they built the new playground, but it looked really cool and I hope we still have a chance to play there sometime.
It was a gorgeous morning and we had fun walking around!
Harmonica
My aunt and grandmother sent us a package the other day with some gifts for the boys. One of the things they sent was a harmonica. Somehow Carter knew how to play it right away. He's pretty good too!
Size Comparison
Brian and I both think that Rylan is going to weigh more than Carter sometime soon. This is a terrible picture (taken right after Carter woke up from a nap and is still out of it), but it shows how close they are getting to being the same size!
Trucks
Carter LOVES LOVES LOVES trucks right now.
Brian found him a cool set of five small CAT trucks at Walmart for $5 this week.
Best $5 ever spent. Carter is obsessed.
Brian found him a cool set of five small CAT trucks at Walmart for $5 this week.
Best $5 ever spent. Carter is obsessed.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Duck Duck Goose
Sarah and I went to the Duck Duck Goose Consignment Sale today. She and Mary Grace drove down from Lexington this morning to go to it (as well as run a few other errands in Knoxville). My mom is visiting so she watched Carter and Sarah's mother-in-law watched Mary Grace. So we only had Rylan with us, and he was awesome.
I got in line around 8:45 am and Sarah joined me just after 9 am. The doors open at 10 am, but by then, the parking lot is getting full and the line is LONG. The consignment sale is held twice a year in an old K-Mart and it is HUGE.
Rylan slept most of the time in line and the entire time I was shopping. I left the line for a few minutes before the doors opened to nurse Rylan and the rest of the time Sarah and I got to catch up. It was chilly this morning (mid-40s) but Rylan stayed warm in his carrier in the stroller.
Even though I waited in line for the consignment sale, I'm not a big fan of used stuff. I'm really picky and want what I get to look new (or almost new). I don't really like used boys' clothes because I don't get much dressy stuff for our boys and play clothes are usually just too worn out. Plus I usually find such good deals on new clothes that I wouldn't save much, if any, buying used stuff.
So what I was really looking for was good toys. There are so many toys to go through that I was really only looking for Little People stuff. Carter really like it and I think it's easy to clean up. And looking for one type of toy helped me not buy too much. I still looked at everything, but I really didn't see much other stuff I liked. I did find three books though that looked like they'd never even been read so I got them as well.
Here's what I bought ...
Fire Station ($5):
Construction Set ($5):
Another Construction Set ($6):
Farm Tractor ($6):
Zoo Train ($5):
Carnival ($15)
Books ($2 each):
I showed up to the consignment sale about an hour after it started in the spring and waited in line for over 30 minutes to buy the few things I found. Either they were doing checkout better this year or being early made a difference because we didn't have to wait at all to check out.
I'm glad I found Carter some new toys for cheap. Now we just have to find somewhere to put them!
I got in line around 8:45 am and Sarah joined me just after 9 am. The doors open at 10 am, but by then, the parking lot is getting full and the line is LONG. The consignment sale is held twice a year in an old K-Mart and it is HUGE.
Rylan slept most of the time in line and the entire time I was shopping. I left the line for a few minutes before the doors opened to nurse Rylan and the rest of the time Sarah and I got to catch up. It was chilly this morning (mid-40s) but Rylan stayed warm in his carrier in the stroller.
Even though I waited in line for the consignment sale, I'm not a big fan of used stuff. I'm really picky and want what I get to look new (or almost new). I don't really like used boys' clothes because I don't get much dressy stuff for our boys and play clothes are usually just too worn out. Plus I usually find such good deals on new clothes that I wouldn't save much, if any, buying used stuff.
So what I was really looking for was good toys. There are so many toys to go through that I was really only looking for Little People stuff. Carter really like it and I think it's easy to clean up. And looking for one type of toy helped me not buy too much. I still looked at everything, but I really didn't see much other stuff I liked. I did find three books though that looked like they'd never even been read so I got them as well.
Here's what I bought ...
Fire Station ($5):
Construction Set ($5):
Another Construction Set ($6):
Farm Tractor ($6):
Zoo Train ($5):
Carnival ($15)
Books ($2 each):
I showed up to the consignment sale about an hour after it started in the spring and waited in line for over 30 minutes to buy the few things I found. Either they were doing checkout better this year or being early made a difference because we didn't have to wait at all to check out.
I'm glad I found Carter some new toys for cheap. Now we just have to find somewhere to put them!
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