Sports are part of who I am. They are in my very fibers. Not born there…but adopted into my own being out of pure survival…a side effect of being part of a family of natural athletes.
When I was 11 months old, I was enrolled into an early intervention program for being moderately delayed in gross motor development (among other things). I basically did not walk until I was close to three. So when I was little, we would walk my brother to school every morning…and when I say ‘walk’, I mean, I would ride in the stroller while my sister (who is almost three years younger) would run. At Christmas time, my mother would always sneak that one gift in there…a yoga mat, a weight set, a jump rope…just for me. ya know…to help build up my ridiculously low muscle tone. She never had to do that with my siblings…they were those kids that walked at three days old…while catching a ball…with both eyes closed.
My parents also encouraged us to play a musical instrument (I think I have tried seven different ones all of which have bit the dust), and to play a sport every year. I was never great at either of those tasks…but in my family I always felt like I had something to prove…like I was strong enough or big enough or good enough. Out of a tremendous sense of competition was born a passion for sports.
When I say that it shocks me that both my boys have walked at 8 and 9 months respectively….yeah…SHOCKED is a great understatement.
I fully expected them to be late bloomers. But they aren’t. They are themselves…they are early walkers…they are brave and unhindered. And they are naturally drawn to sports.
Because I was such a late bloomer, I had to work really hard to even be decent at sports. There wasn’t anything natural about any sport skill I had…it was just stubbornness….and dedication to try again even after I failed…OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER (repeat 1000X).
Right before LJ arrived, we went to see my nephew Braden play baseball. Will was so excited that he sat quietly the entire two hour drive to the field.
I figured that he didn’t really watch much of the game because every time I saw him, he was running full speed but later he told me little details…like how the boys would hit the home plate with the bat, or how they would stand in the outfield with their hands on their knees, or how the coaches would spit in the dirt. These are the things that I forget…the little details that my little guys are seeing, picking up, and filing away in their ‘how to play baseball’ box in their brain.
We always joke that Will is a natural born pitcher…the kid just has to throw. And Weston is our little catcher…he has to be, otherwise he doesn’t get to touch a ball in our house. It makes me wonder…what will LJ be? Maybe he will be a Katie-baby…a late bloomer…a cuddler and a whole lot of lazy. Or maybe he will be like his brothers…sure footed and aggressive.
Either way, I think my parents were smart to encourage both the arts and sports and I think now that we are on the cusp of starting all those extra curricular activities, I want to follow that same method. They never told us that we had to be the best or pushed us too hard….they just showed up and told us what we did right…in some cases, that meant “Katie! You didn’t fall today! Great job!” or “Well, it was so surprising how you modified that song in the middle of the recital!”.
Side note…I love this photo. It’s just so my dad. Calling for the ball. With his crazy hair hat on and his upside down glasses. He’s still an athlete. Still passionate….now about golf instead of basketball or baseball or football. But that athlete’s heart…it’s still there.
After the game, my brother brought Will out on the field and let him run the bases. He showed him the proper way to stomp on home plate. Will came over incredibly proud of himself…and promptly told me that “I’m gonna play baseball someday”. And he said that he was gonna hit a home run. And I wanted to tell him that even if he strikes out, that there will always be another game. There will always be another day with another way to try hard.
I wanted to tell him that it doesn’t matter if it’s a home run or a single or a swing and a miss. It’s that he showed up. that he didn’t give up. that he tries hard and is supportive of others even when they didn’t rise to the top. that he finds the things in life to dig into…even when its not natural…or when its difficult…that he fights for the spot on the team and when the season is done, he celebrates even the littlest of accomplishments.
I wanted to tell him all that…but then I realized he was still three years old and most of that would fly over his head like a line drive 🙂
When we got home, my mom asked for a family photo.
I got everyone to stand still for three seconds. Of course, Will is grabbing his crotch. Something I am sure he picked up from the baseball game 🙂
We thought this one was a winner…until we saw Norn.
The crotch one will have to work. Because that is about as far as we got. My parents got a lot right….but standing still for photos? not a skill they encouraged enough 🙂
This post made my heart so happy. I’m due with my second boy in 11 weeks and so excited to see what roads they choose to go down. Congrats on another boy!
Katie,
Bravo! Those children are so lucky to have a Mom as wise as you!
Denise
Love this Katie. My kids are 11 & 13 and do many sports and music activities. Sports schedules will take over your life for a good long time as a mom to three boys. It will push you to the brink of insanity, but at the same time is oh so much fun. Even though they are the kids’ activities, they are really great family times. Welcome to the next phase of motherhood….plan on putting a folding chair and umbrella in your car 😉
Your family pictures kill me. On a side note, where has Hot Tim been?? 😉 He is glaringly missing from this picture.
My child is nothing like me, either. He is 100% wild 2.5-year-old boy. Loves to run and jump and throw and tell me daily that he’s “a batter” and “a goalie”, that he can “pitch” and “shoot”. I’m an athletic adult but definitely was not as a child. I’m a bit mystified by this child…so confident, so proud, so fearless. I wonder if parenting would be a little easier if I saw more pieces in him that resembled me. I’ll never know. So, we pitch and catch and run and jump until it’s dark outside.
That last one is my fave!
Katie:
Our two older boys are in their 40’s now, but some of the best memories are of them playing ball. Some of their games were at the same time so my hubby and I had to split up. We played in the cold, rain, and in the hot, humid summer. They both were wonderful athletes so they made all stars every year so we were worn out by the time that summer was over.
Our youngest was not an athlete, but he is one heck of a musician. He lives in Austin,TX now and is fanstastic guitar player. He studied music in college so it is something that he has always wanted to do. He makes a wonderful living. Your Mother was wise. You never know how things will turn out with your children. If they love what they do, they will be happy.
You have a precious family. Enjoy them, they grow up very fast.
One thing I read recently really hit home. Instead of commenting on what your child did, tell your child how much you love watching him/her do it. Takes all the pressure off of them. I really wish I could have a do-over in that area. Try it!
LOVE the last photo! Goofy family photos! We do the same thing 🙂
Your family photos at the end had me snort laughing 😀 Seems like a pretty fun bunch!
I recently read an article about kids and sports and the gist of it was there are only six words you need to tell your kids when they play sports: “I love to watch you play.” I thought it was just the best attitude to take, rather than correcting them for the things they do wrong or inflating them, just “I love to watch you play,” and let them soak up the joy of sports (or any activity really).
Ha! I love how in the last pic when everyone else is acting crazy, your sister is standing there looking beautiful. You should switch her heads around in Photoshop.
I think the photo-wiggling gene came from your mamma. Your dad is identical versions of himself in each pic! Family revolving around its anchor, perhaps? Lovely.
This was such a sweet post. I loved reading it. Thanks for sharing. Baseball season is the best! They make baseball fan books for kids, I bet your boys would like them. You can even get autographs and it tells the history of the specific team you get. I got it for my nephew and he LOVES it (he’s 1 year). He claps and gets so excited when we read it to him. Any time baseball is on TV, he claps and watches so intently. Here is the link to the book I’m talking about… http://www.amazon.com/San-Francisco-Giants-101-Team-Board-Book/dp/1607302810
ha ha your family rocks! how you manage to make me tear up and laugh hysterically in the same post is a gift I will be forever thankful you did receive!
On another note, thank you for sharing that bit about the early intervention program and being a late bloomer. I have a close friend who’s daughter is in the same boat and I know how concerned they are, but always proud and excited about each new development. It’s not about keeping up with everyone else, but doing your best each day.
Thanks again!
I love this! My parents were the same way. Just show up and do your best. They also encouraged a range of sports and instruments and I feel like it taught me so much. Learning isn’t always easy but when you finally get on base, or cross that finish line, or memorize that piece of music it’s the most amazing feeling! My oldest is 3 and she already asks when she’ll be old enough to wear a number on her chest and run in a race like mommy and daddy. I can’t wait to introduce her to team sports! (BTW, your family always looks like so much fun! I want to come to your family parties!) 🙂
I love the family photos, but it reminds me….we didn’t get to see the annual Bower Christmas card this year. They crack me up every year…shoot the redneck one cracks me up as I think about it.
Please share.
This post makes me so excited for summer and baseball games! I really love several things about this post:
1. I was a late bloomer as well, and my boys are soo very different than I was — they are totally into sports as well and I never thought I would be so excited for them to start playing and learning it all!I guess its in their blood —-My parents LOVE baseball and played on church leagues all thru my childhood! But I was never into sports as a child – Now I really like it — and now I even play soccer with my boys (4 and 1)!! My brother can’t believe it!
2. Your comment about your Dad — My Dad is the exact same — always an athlete at heart, no matter the age!
3. The family photos at the end – LOVE em!! Especially you and that belly in the last one!!
Full-term pregnancy lunge for the win!
ryanres1
KATIE!
This post had excellent timing. Not to do with sports, but because today was easily the most challenging day of my career. I am young, and I understand there will be challenging days. But, wow. Today was tough.
“I wanted to tell him that it doesn’t matter if it’s a home run or a single or a swing and a miss. It’s that he showed up. that he didn’t give up. that he tries hard and is supportive of others even when they didn’t rise to the top. that he finds the things in life to dig into…even when its not natural…or when its difficult…that he fights for the spot on the team and when the season is done, he celebrates even the littlest of accomplishments.”
-This was beautiful, and so true, and even if you didn’t tell this to Will that day, you told this to me. And I am thankful. This is the type of person I strive to be EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. And sometimes, it’s hard not because of your choices, but because of the choices of others. So this reminded me of what was important.
“There will always be another day with another way to try hard.” So true, and so important.
So today, I learned, and tomorrow I grow. And I will try hard. And I will try hard the day after that. And I will be grateful, and I will be compassionate, and I will learn. And I will grow.
Thank you.
What a great story Katie! I always say how I’m going to let my kids enroll in whatever they want and really encourage them. I was the last kid by 16 years for my dad and both my parents commuted over two hours a day. So when I mentioned gymnastics, I was practically laughed out of the house. And music has never been my interest. I’m tone deaf, clumsy, and have a pension for writing and photography [thank goodness]. Glad to see it from your perspective where it was a passionate choice.
I’ll stick to running though [I’m petrified of getting hit by balls]!
I love the one of Weston in his stroller, it looks like he is counting money or cards! You are one of the prettiest pregnant women, especially that close to On LJs birth.
We didn’t take one this year because my brother and his family didn’t come into town for Christmas! I KNOW! I was ticked 🙂
xo – kb
I am so sorry your day was so tough. I remember those career days when I was challenged…A LOT. Hope tomorrow is better!
xo – kb
He’s been working a lot! I wish he was there that day too!
xo – kb
Such a sweet post. Love the family pics at the end too! So fun!
Such a sweet post. I have six girls, and it’s amazing how in one family, raised the same way by the same parents, there are such differences in abilities, talents and personalities! It is always a challenge to push your children to pursue excellence within their potential, and yet to relax and enjoy the journey. God hardwired each of us so uniquely!
Your brother in that last photo! hahaha! Awesome.
Thank you for the reminder of what’s important and to keep working hard. You have such a big heart and you deserve all the joy and blessings in the world! Plus you make us laugh 🙂 Priceless!
Love that your bro pulled his shirt over his head in the last pic. Hilarious!
Loved this post – we are right in the midst of the extra-curricular years. Baseball and softball rule our summers, and we love every minute. Such great life lessons are learned and FUN is had 🙂
Can I just say – the last family photo you posted… STELLAR. CLASSIC. LOVED IT. Your pose is just awesomesauce – but then I saw your brother, and I laughed out loud. Makes me love you even more.
Katie,
Thank you for being REAL and honest, I cried reading this post. My brothers and I were uber competitive and played every sport growing up and I never understood how some kids just didn’t “get” sports….then I became a mom. My 7 y.o. daughter has some delays, she struggles with reading but is a math wiz, she loves art, she has some social issues as well as physical delays. She has extremely low muscle tone and lack of coordination. She gets OT and PT weekly to try and combat this. We have tried sports, which she likes ok but has a hard time because she just can’t keep up with her peers. We tried violin but her arms were too weak to hold it to play. We want to try other instruments or activities but have VERY limited options in rural WV.
I worry about Reagan constantly, hoping she will be “ok” , find her thing and just be happy. But it is so hard, as a mom I want to “fix” it but it isn’t a quick fix, we celebrate her small accomplishments with huge celebrations, this year she has stopped wetting her pants at school (an issue due to the low tone) and come so far but we still have so far to go.
Though it wasn’t the point this entry gave me such hope that she will succeed, conquer and and do well. Our society has such a stigma on trying to talk about our issues or deficits, it is so hard for me to relate to other moms because they just don’t get what we deal with daily.
From the bottom of my heart and tear-stained face, thank you. THANK YOU for restoring my hope.
I wish I had something insightful but I just need you to know I love everything about this post.
I have an almost 3 year old and almost 1 year old (Saturday!)…both boys, both sports lovers (seriously).
As the wife of a coach and mother of boys, you have hit the nail on the head.:)
~Amber
Your family is amazing and hilarious. My favorite in the last pic is your brother with his shirt pulled over his face…so understated, so genius. 🙂
Your boys are beautiful, and this post was so simple and uplifting.
Love me some Katie Bower.
Hi Katie, I’ve been a fan of yours since before Will was born, and I have a daughter about a year older than him. She had/has low muscle tone and was a late walker late bloomer, had PT and everything, so it’s lovely for me to hear that someone like you was like that as a baby! Guess now you’ve got your built in workout chasing all your boys! Thanks for writing this beautiful post!