Diary of a Baseball Mom 2009, Chapter 1

I wish that I were a better writer. Maybe someday I can take a class or something, but for now I have to go off my undergraduate, 2 English course, education.

Today marks the first day of our baseball year with practice at 6:30. So many emotions have begun to resurface at this point, and while my creative juices began flowing I decided I better stop, sit down, and write before I lost my thoughts. (Actually I don't know if its "creative juices" per say, but just me talking to myself.) So, my dishwasher is hanging wide open and Austin is probably inside of it right now.

I have come to the conclusion that I am addicted to being busy. I simply can't sit still. (Maybe that's where Ethan gets it from.) We had one tiny little week free from any sort of "ball" practice, game, or meeting, which we enjoyed thoroughly. I actually kept my laundry at basket height level instead of overflowing. On Saturday, I squeaked in a 6 mile run AND went grocery shopping all in the same day! (Evidence that I can't sit still.) The crowning fact of it all is that I vacuumed out the van on Wednesday and it StIlL looks pretty darn good. (No grass, mud or empty water bottles strewn along)

My need to "write" grew from my astonishing realization today that I actually was looking forward to being out at the ball park tonight! WhAT? That can't be possible! I'm looking foward to mud caked to everything we own--even Austin? Or to getting into bed way too late? Or struggling with decisions like missing scouts vs. attending a practice or make-up game?

Maybe this is just my need to be positive in every situation, but yes it will be fun to get outside and let the little ones run around. I can have a conversation with an adult other than myself. With a little luck, it's quite possible the kids will be tired after all of this and will go to bed with no fight at all (a reference to Lindsey). While I wasn't one of those parents who brought my fold out chair and a cooler and camped out at try outs, I will look on the bright side.

I'm guessing that come June, my sentiment will fall on the complete other side of the spectrum, but, hey, as long as my kids are happy, being active, and we can find some balance during it all, I will be okay.

Now, I better go dig Austin out of the dishwasher.

It's so fun to be 1!

We finally got to celebrate Austin's birthday on Friday night. We gorged ourselves at our local pizza place-it's the only place to be in our town on a Friday night. Then washed it down with some birthday cake. Austin made no hesitation to dig into his cake and put on a great show for the cameras. Each one of his birthday gifts was a hit with his favorite being his Little People Race Car vehicle. And, as promised, he is now officially walking. I'm not sure if that is something to celebrate or to cry about. However, my arm and shoulder just don't seem to ache as much.

Now, when I get my weekly e-mails from Babycenter, they no longer say "My Baby This Week." Instead it reads, "My Toddler This Week.". . . . . . I'm not sure I was ready for that.

Happy Birthday Austin

Today my baby turns one. I guess it's time to turn the carseat around. I think I nursed him for the last time a couple of nights ago. He took 4 unassisted steps yesterday and I'm sure it will be more than that today. He drinks from a sippy cup and loves to play with any kind of ball (yep, definitely a BOY!)

As usual, it is going by too fast. The weather today is actually very similar to what it was like when we brought him home from the hospital.

Today he weighed a whopping 20 lbs. 13 oz. (soaking wet). Still the runt of the family and I'm not so sad about that. He's still a baby to me!