Noah during the National Anthem

As a team Mom for Noah's Miracle League baseball team, I have been able to be on the field with him while the National Anthem is being sung. Until last week, I was usually far away and quite honestly not paying much attention to what he was doing during the song.

Last week, I noticed that towards the last line of the song, he begins to get SO excited by kicking his legs and bouncing because he knows the song is almost over and he gets to play baseball.

So this week, I decided to try and video it hoping he wouldn't be distracted by me standing there with the camera. And he didn't disappoint! I love his excitement. It makes my heart smile.

Knocking the Dirt Off

"When you're up to bat, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have good footing so you have to knock the dirt of your cleats even if there is no dirt on the field or your feet never actually touch the ground! It's an important part of the game. All baseball players know that."
- Noah and Granddad 

Miracle League Fall 2012

Tonight was the first game of the Fall Miracle League Season for 2012.

I had to take my standard in front of the wall photo of Noah. 

Then I shot a short video of Noah and my Dad batting. 

Noah was SO excited! 

Play Ball!

The Spring Season of Miracle League has started! 

I think my favorite picture from the collage is probably the one of my Dad and Noah with their hats backwards. Too cute!

Linked to Special Exposure Wednesdays at  5 Minutes for Special Needs

Noah and the Hat

Noah has never been the type of child who would wear hats.  Usually, when a hat was placed upon his head, he'd snatch it off and throw it on the ground. As he got older, I was able to get him to keep them on at least for me to take a picture but as soon as that picture was snapped, off the hat went.

When they started Miracle League here four years all the kids got a hat. Of course, Noah wouldn't wear his during the games and after the first game I didn't even bother trying. Noah wasn't alone; plenty of other kids didn't wear their hats either so the next year when we got order forms for the uniforms the hats were optional. Needless to say, I didn't order one for Noah.

Until this season....

Over the summer, Noah enjoyed watching major league baseball games on TV. He saw the "real" baseball players wearing hats and would sign hat and talked about hats a lot. He said he wanted a hat. I just said "OK" thinking "yeah, it will end up on the ground!" in my head.

Time for fall baseball sign ups rolled around and Noah was still talking about hats so I went ahead and ordered one all the while thinking it would be like all the other hats over the years and end up on the ground.

Well, Noah proved me wrong! I'll have you know, Noah has worn that hat EVERY. SINGLE. GAME!

Wearing a hat in a wheelchair with a head rest, really isn't the easy thing in the world. The head rest knocks the hat into odd positions or over his eyes at times and it tilts when he strikes the angel choir boy pose and it's even flown off a time or two when he and Granddad are running the bases super duper fast.

But all the while, that hat has remained on his cute little head "like the big baseball players on TV."

Um, think I can get those baseball players on TV to eat some green beans or something and have Noah watch?? (wink, wink)

Miracle League Fall Season

Tonight was the first game of the Miracle League Fall 2011 Season! Noah was SO excited. He usually takes a nap on game days but he was too excited to take one today.

Over the summer, when Noah was watching major league baseball games on TV he became fascinated with their hats and would sign hat. The first season or two, Noah played Miracle League he had a hat but he would never wear it so I stopped ordering it but this year I decided to order it thinking he might wear it since he had seen the baseball players on TV wearing hats and I'm pleased to say that he kept his hat on (almost) the entire game! 

He and Granddad had a great time as always! I always feel so torn over whether or not to shoot still photos or video. I have one camera that does decent videos and another camera I shoot still shots with so I always bring both. And this time I tried shooting with both at the same time and as suspected the result wasn't the greatest, but it was very interesting to give it a try. 

I do have a couple of pics to share with you and a short video of both times Noah and Granddad batted!

Before the first game of every season, I take Noah's picture in front of this wall at Miracle Park. 

Same shot but with angel choir boy pose. 

First time batting during the game

On deck

Batting the second time during the game - first time

ever without a tee! 

Crossing over home plate

And the video - I apologize in advance for the more than usual shakiness. Remember a camera in each hand does not make for a steady video! 

Wordless Wednesday: Last Miracle League Game of the Season

The spring season of Miracle League has come to end. Noah had a blast and is a little sad it is over. He sure does enjoy the games and having his Granddad be his buddy and we sure do enjoy watching them. 
These pictures are from the last game which was last week. 


Linking to Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs and Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Moms

Two Things to Share

I have been swamped lately with semi-last minute stuff for the upcoming BirthMom Buds retreat, dealing with Noah, and just life in general but I have two different things I want to share really quick. (If we are Facebook friends, you might want to just skip this post because you've already seen these things.) 


First up is a radio interview. On Monday, I spoke on an internet radio show called Adoption Journey to Motherhood about BirthMom Buds. If you care to listen to my interview, just head on over to this website. Look for the 4/18 show on the right. I am the second interview at about 30 minutes in. You can pull the slider to that mark if you don't want to listen to the first interview.


Second, is a video. I shot this video of Noah and my Dad at last night's Miracle League game. They LOVE to steal bases and last night they were the first batters so they were able to steal all the bases. Check out the video below.

Have a great Easter weekend!

Miracle League Spring Season

The Spring Season of Miracle League baseball started last night. In case you are a new reader (and I know we have several) let me explain what Miracle League baseball is. It is baseball for children with special needs and they play on a special field that wheelchairs and walkers can easily maneuver on. Every child had an able bodied "buddy" to help him play and it's purely for fun. There are no strikes, no outs, no losers - only winners! 


I grew up playing softball off and on over the years and my brother was always playing baseball and quite good at it and I just enjoy baseball games and always dreamed of my children playing baseball. Then there was a period of time I thought that dream might never come to fruition since Noah could not walk. And then, Miracle League baseball came to our area and now my heart soars every single time I watch Noah (and all the adorable kiddos) excitedly play. 


As I mentioned, every Miracle League player has an able bodied buddy helping them out. Most of the time they are youth groups from churches or a local high school baseball or softball team volunteering to be buddies. But, Noah has a special buddy; his Grandadddy! He just plays and behaves better when Granddaddy is his buddy. And I think Granddad probably enjoys it as much as Noah does! 


Noah has been counting down the days until the first game of the season. He was SO excited. In fact, you can watch this short little video to see his excitement! He did great playing and was thoroughly enjoyed so now I'll bombard you with pictures because I just got SO many good ones I can't narrow it down too much! 

In the dug out waiting on their turn to bat - is that look 

he is shooting me not priceless! 

On deck waiting on their turn to bat

Getting ready to bat

(They always step up to the plate. My Dad then takes the bat and knocks the dirt off Noah's "cleats" and then they take a practice swing.)

Look at that grin on his face!

And their off! 

This is my favorite from last night! 

Just look at that SMILE! If that doesn't scream happiness then I don't know what does!

On second base

Wordless Wednesday: Excited about the New Season

Noah's super excited that fall ball has started! 

For more Wordless Wednesday check out 5 Minutes for Moms and Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.

Wordless Wednesday: Miracle League Medal

Noah and his Miracle League Buddy, Granddad, showing off Noah's Miracle League medal at the last game of the fall season. 

For more Wordless Wednesday, check out 5 Minutes for Moms, Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs,   and  Wordless Wednesday  

Wordless Wednesday: And They're Off!

Loving this action shot of my Dad and Noah sprinting off to first base at last night's Miracle League game. Loving the smiles on both their faces.

(Photo courtesy of Eric Eberius and taken by Jeff Brown)

For more Wordless Wednesday, check out 5 Minutes for Moms, Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs,   and  Wordless Wednesday 

Wordless Wednesday: The One with the Hat

 

 I actually got Noah to keep the hat on when I took these pictures before his Miracle League baseball game recently.

For more Wordless Wednesday, check out 5 Minutes for Moms, Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs,   and  Wordless Wednesday 

Short Video: Batter Up!

Tuesday Night was the Opening Night of the 2009 Fall Season of Miracle League. It was rainy but did stop raining long enough for us to get in an inning and a half. Once again, my Dad was Noah's buddy. He does much better when my Dad is his buddy versus one of the volunteer buddies. I shot a short video of Noah batting and thought I'd share it with you. Check out that huge smile as they are running to first base!

Miracle League Spring Season 2009

I realized the other day I hadn't posted any Miracle League pictures this season! First, in case you don't know what Miracle League is - let me educate you! Miracle League is baseball for kids with special needs. There is a special field that makes it easy for walkers and wheelchairs to navigate. There's no outs, no strikes - only winners. Each child bats twice during a regular game. It's not so much about the actual game as it is the self esteem and pride that each child gets from being a part of a team and from playing a sport. During the games, each child has an able bodied buddy. Sometimes they are teens from a local youth group or baseball players from a local college, but Noah has a special buddy each and every week. He brings Granddad as his buddy. (Well, except for the week that Granddad was out of town for work and Noah refused to play because he wasn’t there!) I guess Noah’s just gotten spoiled to Granddad being his buddy, “stealing the bases” and just having a good time playing baseball together that Noah refuses to let anyone else attempt to be his buddy. He’s definitely loyal! 
Sadly, the season is almost over. Next Thursday is a short game (each team will play one inning) and then there will be the awards ceremony, (each kid gets a trophy) and end of the season party.
So, without further adieu, here are some of my favorite pictures from the season!

Noah and Granddad having a very serious talk in the dugout. I assume they are discussing strategy or something equally important.

Noah and Granddad fielding the ball. Granddad is pointing showing Noah where to throw it to.

Getting the bat from the "catcher." Noah is very particular about which bat he uses, but doesn't have to use the same bat each time, which surprises me. I guess he uses whatever bat strikes him at the moment.

Batter Up!

Grandad helping Noah bat. (I LOVE his smile when he is batting!)

Once Noah hits the ball, he doesn't just throw the bat back like most baseball players do. Nope, he politely hands it back!

And their off!

Noah signing that he loves Granddad or maybe baseball or maybe both!

Giving the Coach (aka Daddy in Noah's case) "five" when he crosses home plate.

  Posing in front of the Miracle League banner