Tag: M

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Back up – heavy hitter!

Morrison hit a home run during the spring/summer baseball season this year, so he was eligible to participate in the Little League home run derby after the championship games. Their team didn’t make the finals, but that didn’t dampen his excitement for the derby at all! The kids and I got home from our Canada trip the very day of the derby, but then it ended up getting rained out and postponed. No big deal, it was just a few evenings later. On one of the hottest nights of the year. 🥵

The kids had the option of choosing who they wanted to pitch for them – parent, coach, friend, etc. – and Morrison chose Ryan. They both needed to warm up in batting practice beforehand that night! Then unfortunately they waited directly in the sweltering sun of the dugout until Morrison was up to bat. We may decide to have his coach pitch to him the next time he’s in the derby, but they both did great. There was a full opening ceremony where each of the kids was introduced, which was so fun to watch. And most importantly, Morrison was SO excited, because he hit a home run that Ryan and I both got to see this time!! I was thrilled! He and a couple other batters hit 1 each, a couple hit 2-3, one kid hit 7, and the winner hit 10! There were only 6 batters in all, so I was SO PROUD that Morrison was one of them and so happy that all of them hit at least one home run. And his team had 3 boys in the derby, the most out of any team – I’d say their coaches did a great job! He still claims that he’s waiting for track to be his breakout sport, but I truly love watching him play ball. His athletic skills are pretty amazing. Incredible job, kiddo!

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Fall Ball Champs!

Morrison’s Minors team won the Fall Ball playoffs! I couldn’t believe it! He was on the Dodgers this fall after starting his Little League career on the Marauders in Pee Wees this spring/summer.

Minors started off so much different than Pee Wees, it was almost disheartening. Kids on the team made fun of his stuff, the coaches were far less engaged than the ones in Pee Wees were, and I was afraid it was going to turn him off from baseball completely. I came to find out this unfortunately isn’t unusual in Minors so it wasn’t just Morrison, but that’s still stupid – it’s kids’ baseball! But in typical Morrison fashion, his kind heart and sweet attitude triumphed and he did awesome. When he told me about the dumb comments, I told him how sorry I was that it happened and that generally when kids make fun of other kids, it’s because they’re actually jealous so don’t even listen to them. And that turned out to ring so true. He said he didn’t let their comments bother him, he just ignored them and focused on the game, and all he wanted was to have fun. I about cried when he said that, because that was all him. A heart of gold and spirit of pure joy this one has, and my pride is endless.

He is SUCH a natural athlete, it’s incredible. His Pee Wees coach said he was by far the most improved from the beginning of that season to the end on their team, and he just kept getting better and better this fall. His confidence was through the roof, and when his teammates realized that the new kid was ready to kick their butts, they quickly shut the F up. Go Morrison!

So that was a fun and very unexpected end to his first Fall Ball season. The playoffs were a one-day, three one-hour-games event. They won their first one and I was like oh fun, we’ll just stay up here and I’ll get him a cheeseburger for lunch from the ballpark grill (which he’d been wanting all year!), then we’ll see what happens in game #2. Then they won that one, too! By this time I saw his Pee Wees coach and told him how they were doing and he came over to cheer Morrison on during his at bat, which totally made Morrison’s day. Then they tapped a keg of local beer for all the parents, so that was awesome, too. And then they won the second game! I was giving Ryan the play-by-play the whole time, and he got too superstitious so said he’d better not come up to the park so he didn’t jinx it. But by the end of game #3, when it looked like they might actually win the thing, he hopped on his ebike and got up there as fast as he could. He arrived just in time to see them win it all! I don’t think we’ve ever seen Morrison smile so big and so hard. They got medals, they got ice cream, and his young life was made.

This kid fills my heart, and everyone who knows him can feel the happiness he carries through life. Great job, my love! We are SO proud of you and can’t wait to see the greatness that lies ahead of you on the baseball field and off.

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He’s eight!

Morrison turned 8 a few weeks ago, and he was so excited that his birthday was on a school day so he could take little favors in for his classmates. It was also Spring Sing day at school, their big, year-end outdoor concert – doubly fun!

ETA – Here are his official 8-year-old stats:

  • Height: 4′ 6″ (94%)
  • Weight: 64 lbs. 6.4 oz. (77%)
  • BMI: 15.53 (44%)
  • Blood Pressure: 112/60

He is so ridiculously smart; loves math, reading, and all his intricate Minecraft builds; has loved starting baseball this spring and is improving by the day; is looking forward to taking his first coding class later this summer; loves riding his bike; and still gets the most satisfaction possible by helping. His kind heart remains front and center, and he constantly asks, “Can I have a hug?” My reply? “Always.”

Last night of 7!
Last sleep as a 7 year old!

As has become an annual tradition, we celebrated his and his cousin’s birthday down at Grandma and Grandpa’s house over Memorial Day weekend, which is always a fantastic family occasion. Then the weekend after his birthday, Grandpa Frank came up for a visit, another fun time. You can’t beat multiple birthday celebrations!

Another exciting thing is happening for him this summer – he gets to participate in the track and field program through the Rec Department with his sisters! They opened it up to incoming 3rd graders this year, and he couldn’t be happier. He still loves running, sprinting everywhere any chance he gets. I can’t wait to see how much he enjoys it, because he loves running even more than he loves playing baseball. And gritty-ing. He loves gritty-ing, one of the dumbest “dances” ever invented. 😉

Happy 8th birthday, Morrison John! We love you so very much, with your giant heart, caring spirit, neverending questions, and fast feet. Have an absolutely wonderful year, my sweet boy, and here’s to so many more!

For a fun look back, here are his past birthday photos and posts, as well as his sisters’ 8-year old pictures. Always my favorites:

Just born!
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Eight!
8

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My boy

Morrison has been my little buddy since the day he was born, but it’s shown itself even more this year since he started school. I like to think it’s because he misses me during the mornings while he’s at school, or maybe it’s because I miss him during the mornings while he’s at school.

He absolutely adores playing with the twins, which is the most heartwarming thing I could have hoped to happen when we added 2 more kids to our family at once. There has never been an ounce of jealousy from him or any feeling of isolation when attention focuses on the twins. He jumps in and tries to help in the ways he knows how. Which can sometimes be a little much when I’m just trying to get them to stop screaming, but which are usually spot on. And it’s obvious that the twins love him to the moon and back. The 3 of them chase each other around laughing uncontrollably, and no matter how crabby I may be in those moments, I can’t help but just laugh right along with them. The cuteness is overwhelming. And of course his heart swells when he plays with his big sisters, whom he adores equally as much. He’s the middle.

He has a heart of pure gold. His teachers have told me numerous times how wonderful he is at school, how sweet he is to everyone, and how good of a friend he is. He is particularly helpful with one of the special needs friends in his class, and his main teacher told me how amazing he is with this student in particular – always making sure he’s included and can get to or do whatever everyone else is doing; always helping him in their little groups; always sharing. She thanked me for raising such a great kid and said to keep doing whatever I’m doing, but that’s just it with Morrison. I’m really not doing anything – this is all him and his beautiful little spirit.

He’s one of the happiest, most cheerful kids I’ve ever known. Sure he has his meltdowns and still cries sometimes when he doesn’t get his way or his sisters aren’t letting him do whatever, but in general, he is incredibly joyful. He comes out of their room every morning with a sleepy, “Good morning, Mama,” and a hug for me. Except that one morning after a night Packers game where my daily greeting was replaced with, “Go Pack Go.” I’ll let that one slide. 😉 But he is constantly giggling, laughing, bouncing and skipping around, and his little smile is ridiculously infectious.

He loves school with his entire being. He had no hiccups starting this year whatsoever, and I think it’s because he was already so familiar with the place, having been going there literally his whole life. Now it was finally his turn to get to go in with his sisters, and he couldn’t wait. He comes bounding out the doors every day with an excitement that hasn’t wavered since the very first day in September. I get the best running hug you can even imagine.

He has an amazing knack for numbers that has developed these past couple months. Just tonight he counted to 115 for me and didn’t get one number wrong! He rattles off address numbers as we drive down the street; he loves sports (he just started tennis lessons, too), always asks if there are any games on to watch that day, then constantly updates you on the score of the games; he keeps track of the time on any clock with precision. It’s really impressive, and I’ve taken to calling him “Stats” because of it. But man, for a 4 year old, he is so good. He knows double- and triple-digit numbers, knows some addition and subtraction already, and is always surprising me with how much he knows.

This boy. Morrison John. My boy. For as much as I fully expected a third girl to come out on his birthday, I cannot imagine life without him as him. It definitely wouldn’t be as special as it is now. I love him with every single fiber of my being and feel so lucky to be his Mama.

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He’s Three!

This crazy little monkey turned 3 on May 31, and I seriously think I love him more by the day. And it just kills me that it took me so much of his infancy to really like him. That’s the sleep deprivation for ya…

We had his 3-year well check this week, but they forgot to give me the printout with all his stats on it, so I’ll update this with those as soon as I get them if you want to check back later. But all looked great, and our pediatrician was particularly impressed that he is not only potty trained but doesn’t wear diapers overnight anymore either and that he has no more pacifier. She said it was a dream checkup and wished all her patients were this easy. Go Morrison!

Here are his official 3-year stats:

  • Weight:  36.6 lbs. (89%)
  • Height:  39.75″ (92%)
  • BMI:  16.3 kg/m2 (60%)
  • Blood pressure:  97/61

He still loves all things dinosaurs, Thomas trains, cars, stinky green, Cuphead, and has recently become a huge Star Wars fan. Every time he wakes in the morning or up from a nap, he comes out of his room saying, “Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Mama,” until he finds me. And I can never not bend down and give him the biggest hug ever when I see that sweet little face come out, fresh from sleep and still all warm and snuggly.

His laugh is infectious, and for as maddening as he can be, there is no one else on Earth who can melt my heart with his eyes like he can. His big, bright brown doe eyes are simply endearing.

He’s clever, he’s funny, he’s smart, and he loves drawing just like his sisters. Hearing the 3 of them playing together outside so far this summer makes my heart swell, and I know we’re doing something right by them. He loves running around with all the big kids on the block with the girls, too, and thankfully they all stay together and watch out for each other, even the little ones.

He’s honestly a great help with the babies, and they could not have ordered a better big brother. These 5 are pretty fascinating, and it makes me happy on a daily basis knowing that they’re mine and my main job right now is just to be with them. Then they’ll turn around and do something infuriating, and it makes me want to pull my hair out, ha! Fortunately the goods far outweigh the bads.

Happy 3rd birthday, sweet Morrison John! We love you so, so, so, so much, my little lovebug! I hope you always stay my sweet boy.

 




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Overnight giant

My sweet, sweet boy, the first of 3;

Words can scarcely describe what you mean to me.

A big brother now, and so great from the start,

You love those little twin boys with all of your heart.

You help and you hug and you kiss and you smile;

You calm them with pacifiers, even when it takes a while.

I taught you not to get frustrated and scared when their crying won’t cease;

You just walk away then return when they can settle with ease.

Your eyes are so bright, young mirrors of my own;

The resemblance to my dad and grandpa just strengthens the more you have grown.

Your questions seem endless, “Mama this or that…” all day long,

But I always will answer to help build your mind strong.

You love choo-choos and cars, dinos and robots, too;

Cuphead, rag, and Elly are never far from you.

You’ve given up diapers, it’s undies now all day long;

Last night your plug went to the fairy and you’re being so strong.

You said you missed meh-meh (pacifier) when you were sleepy today,

But Daddy and I said how proud we are of you for giving it up and that was totally ok.

You’re such a feeling little boy, with emotions in view;

Don’t ever change that, it’s important for you.

You laugh, you cry, you get mad, and you love;

You snuggle into my neck before your nap and you fit like a glove.

I told you that’s how I know that you’re mine, your head nestled into me;

You’re my sweet little boy, you fit perfectly.

3 books we read before your nap most every day –

Snake, Monsters 1-to-10, and Fruit Loops, and all their words you can almost say.

You play with an ever-rotating set of toys, listen to “Twinkle Twinkle” for your nap, and build with your blocks;

You set up coffee and tea parties then fly around the house, sliding in socks.

“I love you, Mama,” “Good Mama,” “Good name-everyone-in-our-family” are your favorite lines.

“Good Morrison” is my constant reply.

You’d follow your sisters to the end of time,

Running and playing and chasing outside.

You fill my heart, my sweet little boy;

Sure, sometimes I shout, but it’ll never outweigh the joy.

When we got home with the babies I swear you had grown overnight.

You looked like a giant – how could this be right?

You had always been my tiny boy,

Now here you were, dwarfing your little brothers as if they were toys.

But your place is just perfect, number 3 in the line.

Little brother to the girls, big brother to the twins, and you’re doing just fine.

The ties between you 5 have formed an unbreakable bond.

I love you so much, my sweet Morrison John.

 




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Buddies

This was my view on the walk to school this morning, and it made me so very, very happy.

All day yesterday, Morrison insisted on loading up his little dinosaur backpack and toting it around the house like he was going to school like his big sisters. Then this morning, when the girls got their backpacks ready for school, his was right there in the mix. So Della hung it on the stroller hook with theirs, and off we went.

He had a couple dinosaurs and books in there, so I stuck it in his lap because it was too heavy to carry on the backpack hook. He held tight to it the whole way, and it was the cutest thing. After a little while, Lana started helping him take books out and “read” them. First she helped him spell his name out loud, and then she’d say, “Now you try.” I about melted! Then they went through the little collection of books, and Morrison was in 7th heaven.

I absolutely love watching the bonds between these kids grow stronger every day. They love playing with, teaching, and learning from each other. Prime example, when we got home from dropping the girls off, Morrison set this up on the arm of the couch, exactly like Lana has. They amaze me constantly and make every day that much better.