Little Lady

Tonight after I got off work we were invited to a little baseball practice. Ryan's niece Kennedy joined a baseball team and she had one of her first practices tonight. It was adorable! She is the only little girl on the team full of boys.

As with most kids their age, they only seemed so interested in playing. They had very little "umph" when swinging at the ball and cared more about the dandelions and clovers at their feet than the person at bat. But, she did a good job!

We got a copy of the game schedule and I can't wait to go watch one of her first games!

A Hidden Gem

Last night Ryan and a couple of guys got together for a very small game of baseball. Basically it was three guys (including Ryan) - one at bat, one pitching and one 'playing the field'. In the past most of Ryan's catches have taken place around our neighborhood in the front yard or our itty bitty park. Sometimes I go, other times I stay home and tell Ryan to make sure he's home before the street lights come on (kidding...).

Well, anyway - last night they played at Salem Woods park. I spent a pretty significant chunk of my childhood in Aspen Woods. When my mom and dad got divorced, after a little bit of bouncing around from one temporary home to another with my dad, he finally bought a town home in Aspen Woods and we lived there basically until he and Mary decided to have a second child of their own - at which point we would have out grown the town home. ANYWAY - that basically means I was there from about the age of 6 or 7ish until my freshman year of high school. Aspen Woods is connected to Salem Woods and so we spent many summer afternoons at the park.

It had been years since I had been there (at least since the time I moved), but it really is a pretty nice park! They have a number of basketball, soccer, street hockey, baseball and tennis courts. Not to mention a large walking/fitness trail weaving all around, a couple of play sets for kids and a pavilion for BBQ's. While Ryan was playing baseball, I took Jude for a little stroll around. I must say I won't mind Ryan's frequent batting practice if I tag along and have an enjoyable place to get some exercise myself.

His life in photos... an up date

My rebel baby - he prefers his tummy at nap time:

The closest thing to a smile that could capture on camera:

Uncle Bryan and Aunt Katy bought Jude a bathing suit for the beach. I went back and bought him the matching shirt and hat. While at the beach the weather didn't work out to use the bathing suit, but I couldn't resist the hat:

She does.

Jude's first time on the beach.

Cheering on the Phillies



Josh went with us to the game so I put on the sweatshirt he bought Jude. Obviously it was only to be funny because he won't fit in it for quite some time.

His great great g-mom:

sleeping with his little wrist rattles. Adorable.

Phirst Phillies Game

Last night we took Jude to his first Phillies game!

When Ryan was growing up he apparently used to love baseball. At some point he stopped caring, but recently got back into it (bandwagon jumper?? - kidding). Not only has he gotten into the Phillies, but as I posted before he wanted a baseball mitt for his birthday and has been asking everyone and anyone to have a catch with him.

When I got him the baseball glove I also told him to pick a date and we'd go to a game with Jude. Or friend Josh has been saying since I was pregnant that he wanted to take our son to a baseball game, so we figured we'd take him too. By the time we decided to go to the game, tickets were sold out, so we were going to put it off. However, Josh found tickets on StubHub or Ebay, so we were good to go.

The seats were no better than any of the seats we've had in the past (400 level - looking down onto the field) but there's really not a bad seat in the stadium from what I can tell.

Anyway, the game was a good time. We got there right at 7:00 after hitting some traffic on our way in and found our seats. The event staff was so friendly and everyone kept asking "is this his first game??". Because it was his first game, we were advised to go to guest services and they give out little certificates that say "my first phillies game". You get to fill it in with Jude's name and the date. It was super sweet.

When we first got there, Jude was passed out in my arms. Typically if he's being held, he will sleep forever - so I thought for sure he's be out for awhile. However, when we got seated, while trying to get situated the little man woke up. With all the people and noise he was wide awake for a good portion of the game. He sat on my lap facing the field and we clapped his hands for good crowd participation!

It was a great game and was tied at the bottom of the 9th so they went into over time. I had taken some pumped milk to feed him if he got hungry (which he did half way through) and that was pretty much gone, so when he started getting a little fussy we had to head out to the car. We ended up staying through the bottom of the 10th or 11th inning and Josh stayed through the end.

I believe while listening to the end of the game on the radio (Ryan was listening I was feeding) the game went through to the 13th inning. I know that the Red Sox won 5-2. Kind of disappointing for his first game, but what can you do?? It was a good/close game!