Nashville Predators

We took the boys to a Nashville Predators game last night. It was the last preseason game and against the Carolina Hurricanes. We never actually went to a Canes game when we lived in Raleigh, but we usually root for them if they make it to the post season (which is usually the only time we watch hockey on tv).

We got 4 seats on Stubhub for the first row in the 3rd level. They were great seats because the boys were able to see and move around and not disturb anyone. Brian and I were able to watch most of the game instead of trying to keep the boys happy.



Carter was a big fan of the predator mouth the players skated through as they were being introduced ...



I was very surprised at how interested both boys were in the game. Both paid a lot of attention and followed the action back and forth on the ice. It was nice that the third level isn't actually that high and you can still see the game.



During intermissions, a band played in the stands ...


We left midway through the third period. The Canes were up 1-0 and as we were going down the escalator, the Predators tied it up. The Predators ended up winning in overtime. The boys were still doing good when we left, but it was getting late for them and we didn't wanted to push it.

On the way home Carter told us he wanted to play hockey. We'll see.

Home Depot Kids Workshop

We went to Home Depot this morning to build helicopters at the Kids Workshop. When we got there, a Brentwood fire truck and police car were in the parking lot. Carter was really excited to check out the fire truck ...



Rylan only got to sit in the back seat because big kids took over the front. He was not too happy about it ...


We got two kits today because Rylan has been playing a lot with toy nails and hammers at home and we thought he might be able to help a little on his own helicopter. However, we forgot about how Home Depot doesn't predrill the nail holes like Lowe's does which makes it much more difficult. Plus they only provide full-size hammers while Lowe's has kid-size ones. So we ended up doing all of his. He was happy to have his own helicopter to play with though!

Bricks

We just drove by the house and they are already bricking it! They have finished the back and are almost done with one side. There were nine guys working really hard at 12:30 pm.


We didn't go by the house last night because Rylan wasn't feeling well, but we went on Thursday night. They had installed all the bath tubs and shower bases and the front and back doors.

15 Month Checkup

Rylan had his 15 month appointment today with the new pediatrician we picked in Franklin. The office seems to be used by almost everyone we've met and we liked the doctor we chose. He spent a lot of time with us, was very thorough discussing shots, and lectured us (just a little) on giving Rylan more vegetables. (Since he's stopped eating baby food, I haven't been great about giving him vegetables everyday.) He's very different than our last pediatrician. The doctor in Knoxville was very laid back while this guy is a little high strung. However, we felt like we got a lot more information and I can handle a little bit of a lecture about things I know I should be doing.

Both boys (and me) have had nasty colds this week. Carter is almost over his, I'm not far behind him (hopefully), and Rylan is at the peak. So he was not in a good mood the entire appointment.

In the last 3 months, Rylan has gained just over 1.5 pounds and has grown more than 2 inches.

Rylan's 15 month stats:

• Weight: 26 lbs, 2 oz (75th percentile)
• Length: 31.75 inches (70th percentile)
• Head Circumference: ??? inches (97th percentile)

Rylan's 1 year stats:

• Weight: 24 lbs, 7 oz (75th percentile)
• Length: 29.5 inches (50th percentile)
• Head Circumference: 19.25 inches (95th percentile)

Rylan got three shots today. We held off on the flu vaccine since both boys are still sick. We scheduled an appointment for them to get those next Saturday.

I wasn't a big fan of how slow the nurse was to give the shots. She took forever to get the cap off of each needle and then put it down before going to the next one. It seemed like Rylan was on the table forever being held down before I could pick him up. But he survived and stopped crying after a few minutes.

After Rylan's appointment we went straight to the park to meet up with some of Carter's PDO classmates for a playdate. Two other parents showed up with their girls. Here's a picture of Carter playing with Sarah Kate ...


I have no idea what that expression on Carter's face is all about.

Rylan took short naps (less than five minutes) on the way to and from the park. When we got home he was falling asleep in his seat during lunch so I put him down for an early nap. He slept about 2 hours and then woke up grumpy. He seemed a little warm but I wasn't sure if it was from his cold (Carter had a fever on Wednesday) or from his shots. He sat on the couch and cuddled with me for 2 hours during Carter's nap. Then he took another hour nap. He was burning up after that nap so I finally gave him some Tylenol. Once that kicked in, he perked up and was back to his normal self. I'm hoping he feels better tomorrow!

Rylan's First Steps

Rylan finally decided he wanted to walk this evening.

He walked to both of us several times usually taking 2 or 3 steps each time.

Date with Rylan

I had a "date" with Rylan today at the zoo while Carter was at school. We spent a couple of hours there after Rylan's morning nap and lunch before we had to get Carter.

Rylan really likes animals right now. Whenever we see a dog or squirrel or any other animal while out, he points at it, smiles, and makes excited sounds. When we go to the zoo with Carter, Rylan spends a lot of time in the stroller and I don't get to point out all the animals to him. But today he was mostly standing at exhibits or I was holding him.

Rylan's favorite animals were still the meerkats ...




There were people in the alligator exhibit so they were really active and swimming around today ...


Rylan stood on this bridge and all the fish showed up below him. They kept sticking their open mouths out of the water as if begging for food. Luckily, Rylan didn't have anything to share. I know he would have because of how much he gives to Charlotte.





One giraffe came up pretty close again today ...


I had a lot of fun just hanging out with Rylan today. It's nice to give him my complete attention for awhile like I used to give Carter when he was younger.

Playdate and House Progress

This morning we met Missy and her kids and Missy's twin sister (Heather) and her son at Granny White Park. The weather is so nice right now. It's still warm enough for t-shirts and shorts, but you don't get so hot and sweaty.

Rylan really liked the dinosaurs ...


Luke (who is 5 months old) with Rylan (who is 15 months old today) ...


Don't the boys look thrilled to be getting their pictures taken with me?!?


There wasn't much visible progress on the house Monday night and we skipped going out there last night because Brian got home late from work. There was a ton of new stuff to inspect tonight though!

We have (most) windows!


A lot of plumbing has been run ...


The furnace is now in the attic space and all the duct work has been installed ...


Carter is so happy to finally have stairs. He would get so upset if one of us went up to the second floor without him. Brian actually put Carter on his shoulders the other night and climbed the make-shift ladder up to the second floor so Carter could get a look.


The fireplace was installed ...


Even things like hose bibs have been installed ...


It's hard to get a good look at things right now with it starting to get dark earlier. Hopefully Brian will get home from work early tomorrow or Friday so we can inspect things a little better.

Caitlyn & Alek

We met up with Amy and her kids today since they were in town so Chad could go to the Titans game. They were coming from Smyrna (a suburb southeast of Nashville) so we met them in Murfreesboro, which is east of Franklin and a bit further down on I-24 from Smyrna.

We started off at Old Fort Park which has a large wooden playground.

Alek turned one a couple of months ago. Our little ones are getting so big!


This was the best picture I got of all 4 kids (it's almost impossible to get them all to stay in one place) ...


Caitlyn and Carter were so happy to see one another!



We went to lunch at Ruby Tuesday. We survived 4 kids with only 2 adults, but barely.



"Here Alek, have a Goldfish" ...


After lunch we went to the Discovery Center, a children's museum in Murfreesboro.

Caitlyn and Rylan driving the fire truck ...


Digging in pebbles for fossils was probably Rylan's favorite thing at the museum ...


Carter got to pet a python ...


Carter put up with this very heavy firefighter uniform long enough for me to get a picture ...


Caitlyn and Rylan cooking ...


Rylan was really good at the xylophone ...


The car repair area was pretty cool ...


I'm so glad that we were able to see Amy, Caitlyn, and Alek today. We miss them a lot!