Take Me Out to the Ballgame

If you know Stephen and I well, you know how much we love baseball in our house! I grew up in a family of die-hard Cubs fans, spending many summer days with my family at Wrigley Field. Stephen grew up loving all sports, but especially baseball, playing until middle school, when he choose football as his main sport. I love the Ballpark here in Arlington! For several summers, my best friend, Seana, and I practically lived there. The Ballpark has special memories for Stephen and I...it was where we went on our first date and where he proposed to me. Needless to say, we couldn't wait until we could Jake to his first game there. When the schedule came out and I saw the Cubs were coming to town, I knew we had to go!

I have to admit we were a little nervous. Taking a very mobile almost 11 month old anywhere is a new challenge, but even more was that the game started exactly at naptime. When we bought the tickets, Jake was taking 2 naps a day and the game fell exactly in between...well now that he takes his one afternoon nap, game time = naptime.

Stephen and I packed up a diaper bag, cooler, stroller, and baby and left the house...praying Jake would sleep the whole way there. Thankfully, he did and was in a great mood when we got to the ballpark! He was clapping the whole walk up to the stadium.

He was fascinated by the seats

Photo-op time!

GO CUBS GO!

We got there a little before gametime, hoping Jake could get his lunch in before it got too distracting. His new favorite food is cantaloupe and he stuffs and stuffs his cheeks full of it (which always makes me nervous) His big ol' cheeks are full of cantaloupe here!

All Stephen wanted was super nachos!

Jake was excited to see Auntie Seana...even if she wasn't wearing Cubs stuff :)

We got lots of comments all day about our split family! I'm a Rangers fan, really...except when they play the Cubs!

Jake never fussed the entire time...our only obstacle was making sure he stayed hydrated and cool enough. Seana and Jason brought a misting-fan and Jake loved it!

Stephen also made friends with the nurse in the first-aid station, who let us bring Jake into the air conditioning anytime we wanted. It was definitely a big help!


It was dollar ice cream day, so of course we had to have some. We let Jake try some and he made such a face! I guess he wasn't expecting it to be that cold :)

We also got to spend the day with Uncle Dave and Aunt Paige!

Uncle Dave and Jake were dancing to the music, Jake looooves his Uncle Dave

Jake with Uncle Jason and Auntie Seana...I think he's wondering why they don't have Cubs stuff on :)

me, my bestie Seana, and Jake

Daddy and Jake

Our original goal was to make it to the 5th inning, but Jake was doing SO well and we had plenty of ways to keep him cool, that we began to think we might make it the whole game....and HE DID!

and it was a good thing, because Jake got to stick around to see his first Cubs win!

GO CUBS GO!

One Cubs tradition, is that they fly the 'win' flag over Wrigley whenever the Cubs win. We weren't at Wrigley, but the car in front of us was flying the flag on the way home :)

We were so surprised that Jake stayed happy and awake the whole game. We were so proud of him....but this was our little Cubs fan 5 minutes down the road. He was out the whole way home!

Here is video of Jake's first 7th inning stretch

Playdate at Owens Farm

Today our playdate group met at Owens Farm for a fun outing! The farm is owned by the Owens sausage company and just 15 minutes from our house. It was a cute little farm and the perfect size for our little ones. The best part, we spent just $5 for a morning of fun with our favorite moms and babies!

Up first, we went to feed the goats. You can tell they are used to lots of people coming through to feed them, they were up on their hind legs and ready for a snack when they saw us coming.

I wondered what Jake would think of them, especially since some of the goats were pretty big, but he wasn't afraid at all and reached out to pet them while I gave them a snack
I sat him down to get let him get a closer look at the goats, but he thought the straw and rocks were more entertaining.

...and tasted good too

'hey kid, do you have any feed left?'

Next, we loaded up for our first hayride. It was just a short turn around the farm, but everyone still had a good time.

Of course, the moms stopped for a photo shoot before we got off the tractor.

I couldn't fit everyone in one shot, but here is Brinley, Madison, Jake, and most of Carter ...Jake, Carter, and Ava

Then we went to see the roosters, guineas, doves, and other fun farm birds.

Lunch time! It was a great spot for a picnic

After lunch, we took the kids over to a little hay maze and let them cruise around.

of course, Jake had to taste the hay!

Then, Jake decided he was going to surprise mommy and let go of the hay and stood without holding on to anything! He has done it for a few seconds here and there at home, but this morning he stood for several stretches and put on a show...probably because he had an audience of moms cheering him on :)

clapping for Miss Kristen and not holding on!

no hands!

okay, what on earth is this face? he looks like a grandpa standing on his porch about to yell at some kids! love it!

And here it is caught on video

7 on 7

On Saturday, Jake went to his first 7 on 7 football tournament. For those of you that don't speak the language of a Texas football coach, 7 on 7 football is exactly what it sounds like...7 players from one school vs 7 players from another, think touch football. There isn't any tackling, it's only played on half of the field, and the games are two 20 min halves. There are 7 on 7 tournaments every weekend and by winning a certain number of games or tournaments, the teams can qualify for the state tournament in July. (which Stephen's teams have always done.) The other difference is that 7 on 7 is 'officialy' coached by parents, the school coaches are not allowed to coach or be on the field. However, the coaches are still at every tournament and 'assistant coaching' from the stands, via cell phone, etc.

Well, Saturday the tournament was at our 'home' field in Plano so Jake and I packed up and met Daddy out at the tournament. Jake had a blast...he was outside and there was lots of 'ba-ba-ba' (ball) being played.

my new favorite picture of my boys

Reading stories in between games

Once the game started, Jake decided he didn't need to sit close to Mommy anymore, so he took off...

...and kept going...

...and going...

...and finally stopped for some 'jake time'

He came back when Daddy called for him...look at that excited face!

Stephen 'not' coaching and watching Jake at the same time :)

Jake was all about Daddy that day, he wouldn't stay by my for anything. He kept crawling and crawling to Stephen.

Finally, I pulled out every toy and knick-knack I had in the diaper bag and got him to stay by me and out of the way...at least for a few minutes!