Soccer Mom!

So, Friday night our cousin Corey called and said they were making a soccer team in Hillsboro. All of  Ryan's cousins his age will be on the team. He asked if we were interested in signing Ryan up. A chance to make memories with all of his cousin and be included on a team sport? YES, PLEASE! I'm all for Ryan trying new things. Mark and I have never played (or watched) soccer. We honestly know NOTHING about this sport! I am so excited for him to play, this will be something new for all of us. His daddy was not as excited as Ryan was when we found out the team colors though. He will be playing on a team with boys and girls alike, and their awesome colors are pink and black! ;) Mark is not super thrilled about this! Ryan, on the other hand, loves it!! A favorite color of his has always been pink.Which makes me wonder what all the fuss is about with boys liking pink anyway?? Like a 3 year old saying "I like pink." somehow defines their sexuality?! Its just pretty people ... seriously!  When a little girl likes blue no one cares. It just irritates me. He's still a baby, and its just a color. I am kind of nervous with Brynlee still being so small when his season starts. Ryan's first soccer game is September 17th. Its still SO hot outside, and I'm going to have to find a way to keep our baby cool. His season goes through the middle of November so by then we should have some cooler weather. Bring it on! I am so ready for fall! This will be Ryan's second sport to try. T-ball was awesome for him! He learned to listen to coaches and someone other than Mommy or Daddy, he learned to share, he learned how to play on a team, and he learned to be just a tiny bit more independent. Any step, even a baby step, in the direction of independence is a good one! He has definitely become a mama's boy. I absolutely love that he wants me to be with him all the time and that he finds comfort in me being beside him. However I don't want that to hold him back. I'm excited for him to break out of his comfort zone and go out on his own. Anyone who saw our T-ball experiences knows exactly what I am talking about. There were times when I would have to stand on the field just to keep him out of the dug-out with me. I know the other parents didn't really have to go out on the field with their babies, but I really didn't mind it so much. He had just turned 3 and if he needed me there to gain confidence it was worth it and I am more than willing to help him with that. That's what Moms are for right? He was much more clingy in the beginning of the season. I would have to hold his hand while standing right beside him. By the end of the season he was where he needed to be on the field with me several steps behind him.... baby steps! Often times I would sit in the dug-out with him on the field and although he didn't stay, he went without me. This was HUGE for us. During the first couple weeks of practice and games ... this would have NEVER happened. So I definitely saw change in Ryan. I know that this season of soccer will only help him along that much more. At this time next fall, he will start all day Pre-K. I'm hoping that by Ryan joining and participating in team sports we will have an easier transition into school. I have always kept kids out of our home and stayed home with him, he's never had to stay with anyone other than grandparents occasionally. I'm sure we will both share separation anxiety that first week or two. A lot of the kids from our t-ball team will be in Ryan's Pre-K class or a class just above him. I'm hoping that him being familiar with his classmates will be a comfort to him and make it that much easier for all of us. I am so proud of the progress Ryan has made in the last year. He is growing so fast. From my baby, to a toddler and now a little boy. He is such a joy in our lives. I look forward to growing with him. Each time he accomplishes something, I feel like I have too. Isn't that what parenting is all about?

Below: Ryan's first season of T-ball!