On the way to Drew's first tball practice last night, I looked at Derek and said "this is the beginning, huh?". The answer was in the smile painted across his face and the excitement in his eyes. Since finding out we were having a boy back in 2010, he has been waiting for his day and finally it was here. The beginning. The beginning of filling endless water bottles and checking the weather for rain. The beginning of dinner being eaten around sports schedules. And the beginning of your child being part of a team.
And those thoughts made me smile.
He was a bit nervous at the beginning so daddy stayed near him for a while. Being one of the youngest there, it just took him about 20 minutes to warm up to the experience. Having his friend on the team definitely helped, but it was our smiles and thumbs up each time he looked over that I knew he needed.
As much as I couldn't take my eyes off Drew, I found myself watching Derek throughout the practice as well. A former college baseball player himself, I could tell that he wanted to jump out there and coach the team. There were more 'eyes on the ball' and 'bend your knees' than any other husbands, and the proud look that never left his face melted my heart.
Even though it was pure unorganized chaos, it was surely a glimpse into our future. Saturday morning chats with the other soccer moms and weekday batting practice at the cages. Tennis balls strewn all over the house and late night basketball games of horse in the driveway. Up until now he's been my baby who would toss around a ball, but I knew last night was the beginning of something much different.
And I'm so glad it has begun.
Awww I'm so excited for all of this to happen for us in the near future too! Aren't little boys just the best?!
ReplyDeleteAwww, that is awesome, I love it. I love when kids get involved in things. :)
ReplyDeleteAwe so cute! I just started this with my two boys oldest is in bantam ball and youngest is in tball. Crazy schedules practices but to see the kids having fun and learning what a team is makes it worth the sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteSweet post. I have 2 nephews and I don't know how my sister and her husband does it because literally every night of the week (including weekends) they have practices, games, batting practices.....it's endless. I would go insane with that much going on but they love it! Their kiddos are still elementary school age but I was just thinking how time goes by so fast and that as crazy and hectic as their schedules are someday all too soon it will be over and instead of finally getting time for themselves they will be so sad not to be rushing around for all the sporting events.
ReplyDeleteLet the fun begin!! How exciting! Hannah started soccer last fall and it is so fun to watch her play. Like you said--unorganized chaos! Ha! Enjoy watching your little guy play!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting. I know my husband is counting down the days until our busy little man joins his first ball team.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet! We tried Jax at soccer last fall - he did not like it. He was just 3 years old and just didn't get it. But he LOVES playing with his bat and ball so we are going to try t-ball this year:). It's weird, both of his birth parents were pretty serious soccer players...who knows, maybe he'll like it when he is older and can understand it more. Anyway, have fun!
ReplyDeleteJust love this post!!! And that picture of him running with the helmet on his head is just too much adorableness.
ReplyDeleteWe registered Tay for dance class this upcoming fall and I'm pretty sure everything Derek is feeling about Drew and sports was going through my head when I pictured Taylor in her first dance leotard.
Awww -- this is so sweet and so exciting for you guys :) I... am actually dreading the hectic days that I know we'll have before too long. But at the same time, I can't wait to get Kiernan excited about sports and activities!
ReplyDeleteLove it, this made me tear up. I cannot wait for all of this!!!! I am obsessed with Avery in gymnastics, but a team sport, aggggh I get excited just thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteSo so cute! I can't wait for Xavier to start playing sports! What a fun time for all of you!
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet!!! My brother played baseball throughout our childhood & I LOVED going to his games, we seriously grew up eating hot dogs & hanging out at the field! :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! We are really getting into sports around our house and now are weekend plans have to be placed around practices and games, but we wouldn't have it any other way! We love watching our Drew play sports! In the fall, Anna will start soccer, having two in sports is going to be nuts! Enjoy your first season of tball!!!!
ReplyDeleteHe looks so cute and happy!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is looking forward to the EXACT same thing! :) praying one of our kids is a boy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun new chapter! I can't wait for those days either :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness if this isn't the cutest thing I have ever seen!!! There is nothing sweeter than a little one playing sports!!
ReplyDeleteUgh, this made me cry! And, I have a girl haha. It's just so sweet and I can practically see your husband's excitement through your words. I can't wait to do team sports with Aria though, although neither of us are very gifted in that area haha. It'll still be the cutest thing.
ReplyDeleteWatching preschool sports is the funnest way to spend a Saturday morning in my opinion. Those little kids are just so funny!
ReplyDeleteI Seriously just wrote a post on this exact subject a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteI love it!
Enjoy your tball time!
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This is so sweet, how excited both your boys were. Im also looking forward to that season of life.
ReplyDeletethis is too sweet, we too started our first sports this year & I am loving the soccer mom life haha
ReplyDeleteSoooo cute! Go Drew Go!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh!! Him in that helmet is the cutest thing ever!
ReplyDeleteI know my hubby is anxiously awaiting the day when Saxon can start playing baseball. Drew looks so adorable in his helmet!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome! He looks much older than 3 with that helmet on! I hope he continues to like it! I kinda can't wait for sports or dance or whatever Callie decides she's into. I think it will be fun to see her part of a team. I was not really into sports and the ones I did try weren't real team sports -- I think it would be great to see all of that! Yay for Drew! Will he have games and stuff to? or just more fun practices?
ReplyDeleteI love this. And I love that this is exactly how I feel now knowing that we are having a boy. My husband talks about little league at least once a week and how he can't wait to start. He knows he has a few years, but just thinking about it makes both of us smile. I'm glad we aren't the only ones :)
ReplyDeleteAwe! This kind of made me tear up!
ReplyDeleteThis is so great. It is definitely starting mama! I can't wait to get Blakely into T-ball. I grew up at the softball fields and I hope she loves it as much as I did. So far she seems to. She loves going out there now and running around and playing catch. I think she can start next spring. We are entering into some new territory!
ReplyDeleteAlso.... Drew + helmet = OMG!
Wonderful post!! What a huge milestone for son and father! Oh and Drew with the helmet - adorable!!
ReplyDeleteMy nephew played tball for the first time this year & it was so fun! Those kiddos are just too cute!
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