I can’t believe that the baseball season is almost over. One week to go and all of the feels tonight. It’s funny how our life has always revolved around baseball season but now that we have Tatum, I tend to view it as so much more than baseball. Life happens during the season. It’s much more than batting averages, winning or losing, extra innings, rain delays, road trips and the occasional eye rolling at fools on Twitter. Life happened this season as it has in past seasons but I just feel like we live more in the moment since having Tatum. I travel more than ever (like Tatum will remember the fruity pebble dessert in Saint Louis or the hell of a time getting into miscellaneous stadiums with the stroller). Nonetheless, I travel more because life is happening and I want to be present as a mom, a wife and #16’s biggest fan.
This baseball season feels a whole lot sweeter than it has in years past. I’ve always viewed our life as pretty much this: baseball season, offseason (aka fantasy football season aka Pacers season aka living our best lives and eating season) and spring training (wake up early for Dutch Bros coffee and aspire to hike Camelback). Truly, I am married to the game. I used to view my personal life pre-Tucker as: spring (beach season), summer (beach season), fall (SEC football season) and winter (wine and bonfire season) and all of the girly things in between. Life has a funny way of changing up your 5 year plan. The Reds schedule plans our year and I have grown to love the structure of baseball season. A season that feels so long at times but also so short in the grand scheme of things. Some day (and I hope it’s many years away) we won’t live this life. Soaking up every moment. Every inning. Every ballpark chicken tender and plastic cup of cheap red wine. Every dreaded rain delay. Every extra inning. All of it.
This baseball life has given me a backbone. This baseball life has made me more me. I would have never guessed that I would sit under bright lights almost every night to cheer on a man who is so much more than a baseball player. A man that is easy to love, so easy to root for and the definition of kind. It’s funny how our lives revolve around baseball but it is only a small part of our relationship. Tucker, we are so blessed to share this life with you.
The baseball season may be coming to an end but we’ve really lived this season. We ventured out more on road trips to explore with Tatum. We finally made it to the Newport Aquarium. We celebrated Tucker’s gold glove day with a custom outfit for Tatum complete with a blowout on the way to an autograph signing after accidentally ripping the mirror off of the Yukon. We celebrated our baby boy’s first birthday on the road in Saint Louis. We fought New York traffic and after walking approximately 5 miles we made it to the carousel in Central Park. We took our first train ride. I voiced my opinion about a meltdown with an airline on Twitter and got blown the hell up (note to self don’t mention airline name next time so I avoid arguing with a troll). We thrived in Chicago and lived like we were 23 again. Tatum was a ring bearer for my best friend’s wedding. I had my 10 year high school reunion. I celebrated with my Bama babes and their wonderful husbands. My baby sister graduated high school and we took a family vacation (minus T because baseball duh). I threw a bridal shower for two of the most badass Reds brides to be. I suffered the greatest hangover of all time after celebrating badass Reds brides to be. We enjoyed All Star break in the comfort of our home. We were blessed with all of my best girls and their husbands coming to hang with us in Cincinnati. Our baby got his first tooth in Denver, took his first steps in Cincinnati, got his first haircut in a legit barber shop and got his third tooth in New York. Life was so much more than just baseball this season. It’s funny how it took having a baby to stop and really live life.
To my Reds ladies…I found myself in the comfort of new friends who felt like old friends and old friends who felt like family. We THRIVED this season. Best vibe this year. You girls have lifted me up when I needed it, dried my tears when I was worried over Tatum, made me laugh until I peed my jumpsuit at the shower, taught me to floss, shared secrets that would make most people turn the deepest shade of red from blushing, hyped me up, made me feel like a supermodel when I was feeling like a can of busted biscuits, listened when I needed to vent, had a drink waiting without me even asking, slapped my ass to let me know I am indeed a boss bitch and made me feel like the best version of me. You are all drool emoji worthy but your hearts take the trophy emoji. The memories we made this year are so special. I truly thought going into the season, I would watch you girls have fun from the side with a baby on my hip and smile remembering what it used to be like for me before Tatum. I was fine with thinking that would be my new baseball life as a baseball mom. No, you girls have loved on my baby like he was family. You have checked on him. Checked on me. Your guys have loved on him like he was family. That means the world to us. Y’all have encouraged me as a mom and encouraged me to still have fun, let loose and encourage an occasional Patron shot. This season has meant the world to me as a new mom. You each have played a part in making me so strong during a time that was crucial for me getting back to true happiness. Miami was the icing on the cake of this season. Even posted a damn bikini pic to the gram. #hypegirls So much love for each of you. Celebratory shots on Friday?
Forever grateful for Tucker’s job that gives us a second family. So much love for the Reds fans who have said kind words to us, encouraged me as a mom and celebrated Tucker’s accomplishments with us via social media. While it may be the end of baseball season, a new season of life will begin.
Hugs,
Mrs. B
Sierra, you know how much I love my Reds, baseball, my catchers, and especially Tucker, you and that adorable baby.
One thing I never realized until following you, Dallas, Jackie, etc on social media is that our idols happen to be real men with real families and real lives outside of baseball. As a fan, you follow the players as parts of a team, not as individuals. I’m sure social media is both a blessing and a curse for you, but you need to understand that it makes it a lot harder to be critical of a player when you see a photo of him on his hands and knees crawling around with a baby and a dog.
Not like I needed anymore reason to love Tucker than what I have seen on the field for years, but to see him as Tatum’s Daddy melts my heart.
Have an awesome off season, and I hope to see you all at Redsfest.
Lisa
In the end of each day we all lay down our heads down to sleep with the worries of the day dancing around in there like it was an all-night party… invitation for One please. Thanks for making me laugh when all I wanted to do is cry. I found your blog about the same time I found out my dad has brain cancer and I needed to see more light in the world then darkness. When this world was scary and I just wanted to scream… knowing it’ll be OK was enough. Sometimes it’s OK to slaM a bat down when you strike out but you get back up and try it again.
Thanks for the reminder to tell our loved ones we love them. hug them goodbye even if we’re going to Target oR going half way across the world…
Or going back to Target because you forgot something!!