Tickets and games

I just wanted to tell everyone unfortunately we do have to pay for tickets ourselves. Teams like the pirates they can't afford to hand out tickets like the Rangers. Jake only gets 2 tickets a game (we pay for) so if you are wanting to come it may be best to order tickets online or buy at the gate. He will have to go to each player to try to gather tickets, so I think that will be best route and we can always meet up after the game or something! We wish it was different!

Jake will be pitching in the first game on Tuesday and then in Clearwater on Friday! He will throw only an inning, but wanted to let everyone know! :)

Play ball!

I know it has been months since I have done an update. We have been so busy (I wonder why!) We had an ahhmazzzingg off season! I can't believe it is already over!! :( We got to do some incredible things. Being a mom is THE best gifts God has given me. Stella has brought us so much joy.. not only to us, but our entire family. She is such a sweet little babe. We have hit a few bumps in the road with her, however she's a little trooper and doing amazing! Stella has terrible reflux issues. All her outfits are ruined by ugly bibs therefore I decided to make some cute ones haha ;) We have started her on first stage solids recommended by two doctors to help with weight gain since she can't really keep milk down. She LOVES to eat!! She immediately got the hang of the spoon and tries to do it herself. She is plumping up (some)...She also had a mild condition of torticollis. I know some wrote concerned about her favoring one side of her head, so we went to physical therapy twice and she is doing great! She is made to be a baseball kid..We have traveled so much during the off season, and she does amazing in the car, hotel, carseat you name it! One week in December poor thing was in the car for 16 hours and did amazing! That's all with Stella, she is so perfect and we love all the changes she is doing daily! Jake is so in love with her,and is an amazing dad! I couldn't have asked for a better partner to help me through everything in life! 

2 months old 

In December we got the chance to go to PAO (Professional Athlete Outreach) if you have been following my blog for a while you have heard about this, but for others it is a christian conference just for baseball players, and families to come learn about God, and things we face in the baseball world. It is one of our favorite weeks out of the off season. We went down to Miami and my mom came to watch Stella for us. We had the privilege of sponsoring two couples from our team, and one of our close friends we met a few years ago. The amazing part of this is that 2 got saved, and 4 baptized that we helped sponsored. We had the largest amount of couples at the conference from our AAA team! The week was incredible! We also got to be apart of some great charity events and adopting some families with our family over the holidays. I highly recommend everyone to get involved with something next christmas. You don't have to have a lot of money or skills just get your family to do it with you, and do something for someone else. That brought joy to Jake and I. We were thankful for the opportunity that our church gives us, and community! 

Baptism singing Amazing Grace at the Ritz

AAA Team for Rangers

Stella also was dedicated at our amazing church back from before we left for the season! 

We move along to January and it was filled with lots of stress trying to find a place that seemed next to impossible in Bradenton for spring training! We tried to stay on Anna Marie island, and we have never seen prices like this (16,000 is normal for 2 months.) Thankfully our agent found us a place. We are staying in Sarasota. I  am so thankful to not be living in a hotel for 2 months with Stella. I would probably shoot myself. We have been in Sarasota since February 1. Jake always likes getting down here early to start training. He feels really good, his arms is feeling very strong. We are so excited for the new team and season to start! I love being only 2 hours away from home, both our parents have already been down!

Here is the schedule! Let us know if anyone ends up coming to the games! :) Spring Training Schedule  <------I can't offer tickets since we don't know how it works with this organization and if we have to buy them ourselves, but they are very reasonable and we would love to see you if you end up coming! 

The first official day is tomorrow! We came down for a big league camp a few weeks back, and I am so proud of Jake and all his hard work during the off season! He turned a lot of heads, received a lot of positive feedback with the big league staff. Jake is taking each day at a time, and learning everything he can from the staff. We have no idea where we will be in April. I will keep everyone updated on that. We feel this is going to be an incredible year, as well as opportunity! 

Almost 4 months old!! 

Also- if you receive this by email and never get a email back from me if you hit reply I do not receive your message. I heard this from some and I think you have to hit my email if you ever need to write me or Jake a personal message. Taylorbrigham49@gmail.com 

New team, new chapter!

Many of you know we became free agents and no longer with the Rangers. That was bittersweet finishing up the season, heading home from Texas knowing that was probably it for us being a Ranger. Jake was drafted by them, and really wanted to get called up with them. We were really hurt by a few things that happened with them this year. Jake and maybe one other are the only ones left with the Rangers organization from his draft year. The others either released (most) or traded. We know that God had another plan for us and everything that happened was for a reason.

Having Stella has really changed our priorities for the good. It is so hard for any of us not to get caught up in our jobs, and remember what is important in life. Of course baseball is our livelihood, but it never should be number 1 and we easily make it that. 5 days after the world series we became jobless, no insurance needed to take Stella to a specialist and our routine post op appointments. I worried even though I know we would get reimbursed still a mess always filing! The first day of free agency the Pirates reached out to our agent. A couple days later the White Sox, Braves, Orioles, etc.. We were getting excited had 8 teams or so, but confused because what if we made the wrong decision. So many things come into play with this decision. We needed a big league spring training invite, good contract, location, and connections somehow with the team either in front office or staff. We didn't know any with the Pirates. The Braves called and of course I was over the moon thrilled! We could live at home for spring training (additional 2 months.. WHAAAATTTT!!!!?) AAA team is in Georgia then of course Atlanta. Check, Check, Check.. All of that sounded great to me where do I sign?? However....that wasn't what God had in store for us. A week goes by we don't hear much about a contract or anything from any teams. We had discussed last Sunday to wait until after the Rule 5 draft December 12 to sign. Our agent felt like we would have a ton of offers, because most teams don't want to sign right now due to the Rule 5 draft someone picking a player up which means a team can get Jake and they would have to put him in the big leagues all next year, if they sent him down to AAA he would go back to the original team. This happens very little. Anyways again my normal self starting to worry thinking more teams will fill up, what if we get our best offer taken away by waiting?Monday we hear from Pirates they made us an offer we couldn't turn down. The minor league cordinator called Jake and let Jake ask anything he needed to ask and spent about 30 minutes on the phone with him (not necessary or done very often.) Originally no spring training invite, but in the end offered Jake big league invite and in BRADENTON FLORIDA!!

F.L.O.R.I.D.A. S.P.R.I.N.G T.R.A.I.N.I.N.G 

when Jake agreed! We couldn't get ahold of anyone lol!! 

I don't even know how to accept this and soak it in that I will not be packing my life away in January with a new baby and what I have for 7 months is all I get to bring with me! WOW. Also the Brigham family has never been out to see Jake play in spring training since he has been drafted the last 7 years! I may never make any friends since our families and friends will be down weekly (haha) but to have an additional 2 months with them is just mind blowing to me! We agreed to terms Tuesday night and since then we have had 5 phone calls from front office/major league coaches welcoming us! That has just shown us a lot about the organization (Texas never did that for us..ahem) They really wanted Jake, and this is going to be an amazing year for Jake and I. The Pirates as an organization is everything we want in a team. They believe in a lot of the same stuff we do not only a player, but a man off the field, they have values and standards. We will more than likely go to Indianapolis for AAA. Our goal like every year is to break camp and go to Pittsburgh of course! All I know is both places are cold, I knew when I bought Stella summer clothes back in the summer for 4-8 months we would get traded and go to where it snows, and of course that happens! HAHA...

We are so thankful for another opportunity to play baseball, and Jake to follow his dream. We know God has big plans for us not only on the field, but off of it too! Each place we go I know there is a reason! We are excited to keep using our platform to glorify Him in all that we do. We are so excited to be a Pirate, and thankful for all the prayers and support we had to make the decision! 

Santa, I've been good this year!!

Our little peanut is 5 weeks today (Where did my baby go?!?) She is 9.2 lbs loves to eat a little too much! She has started to smile at us, and is the sweetest little thing! She is very nosy like her mommy so doesn't like to sleep when people are around! She wants to know whats going on!  She does have colic, and reflux we are dealing with. I do believe it is on the minor side, I have cut out all dairy and only eat air. I was very negative thinking poor pitiful me having to deal with a screaming baby couple times a day. We find out one of our closest friends on our team this year had their sweet baby girl 3 weeks ago and just got the test results back that she has downs. Here I am complaining I can't eat diary, hating the pain Stella is in, and only a couple month issue when they have a lifetime of this. It put things into perspective and I was ashamed of myself! This precious little angel, Shaelyn is the most beautiful little girl! God knew all along when He created her she would be special, and belonged to this sweet family. I want ya'll to pray for them, and for her! We look up to this couple so much, and have been a huge impact to Jake and I! They are the kind of couple we want to be, and hope we can play as long as they have impacting couples as them!! 

I'm done rambling on! I hope ya'll have an amazing Thanksgiving!! We all have so much to be thankful for! Enjoy your loved ones! 

Hello our love

Wow October has been an AMAZING month for Jake and I! We welcomed our sweet baby girl into the world on October 21 at 1:11 pm 6 lb 7 oz 19" long! Who is this little peanut?!? We are so in love and our lives have forever changed in the best way possible! Stella is doing so good and Jakes little twin!!

Today starts a new chapter in our life. After 7 years with the Rangers we are now free agents, and no longer a Ranger basically jobless!  We can get picked up by any team, but we have to agree to terms. This is the first time in Jake's career we actually have some say! We are so excited/anxious to see where we end up this year! Please keep us in your prayers and that God will open the best door for us, and for Jake to get to the big leagues with this new team. I will leave you with some pictures of our little peanut <3 

if you want to see all of our pictures from the shoot click here http://rebeccareadphotography.com/

Rebecca Read Photography 

October

This month is our favorite month of the year! We got married about to celebrate 3 years of marriage, closed on our first home october 31, and now a year later having Stella! We have enjoyed being home so much! We have missed all the small things of what we like to call "normal life" :) We have been nesting a ton, and lots of projects together getting everything ready for this little one, and improving some things in our place. Jakey got a new truck it was overdue...He has been so patient these last 3 years selling his big truck for us to have money in the bank when we first got married. We were getting in trouble already with him doing pitching lessons, and helping out with this AAU team plus we found the perfect truck for him (my poor car hasn't left the garage in weeks) and its been really fun getting my pregnant self up in his truck. :P 

We had a great meeting with his agent last Friday to go over everything, and talk about teams and ones we are interested in and not..Jake and I are at peace with it all whatever happens! We are excited to see where God puts us in the country, and really just focusing on each other and preparing for Stella. Free agency start around October 25-Nov 1 and could go until Thanksgiving. I'm getting induced October 25, oh baseball will always make things interesting! ;) 

At our 36 week appointment we found out that Stella has been breeched. Our doctor ended up scheduling a c-section for October 15, and if she flipped October 25. We found this out Monday. Tuesday night I thought I was dying, I had so much pain all through the night and started googling (worst thing ever to do..) I wanted to hold off instead of going to the hospital, however ended up going first thing in the morning once I called my doctor.. They told us to bring all our bags just incase she decides to come and something wasn't normal. I knew in my heart she probably wasn't making her debut that day, but wanted answers of why I was in so much pain every movement I made. We waited forever in Triage. When we went back the doctor examined me, and told me she had flipped and why causing so much pain! We couldn't believe a day after she flipped on her own. My mother in law told us to have Jake talk to her, and of course everyone was praying ideally would rather natural than a c-section unless she was in danger or needed. This news was an answer to prayers! The pain I was having was her flipping as well as "growing pains" from the new position. I also have been measuring very small been stuck at 32 weeks for 4 weeks so they ordered an ultrasound to see how big Stella was and at 37 weeks she was a good 7 lbs! I am just "lucky" to be on the smaller side. Jake and I both were relieved to hear she has been growing and on track!  

I went to the doctor today and am 38 weeks 1 cm dilated 60% effaced so really she can come any day now, but he feels next week if it was his guess, and if not I will get induced October 25 at 40 weeks. We are not interested in letting me go over 40 weeks, there is no point, usually with first time moms you still end up getting induced. I am pretty uncomfortable daily, not sleeping, and pretty bad contractions that aren't consistent, not interested in having a 11 lb baby either :P So there you have it! 

Me top jake bottom 

Jake and I are over the moon excited! We both can't believe she will be here any day! 

Last night we pulled over some home videos with my parents and some I have never seen. We think stella looks more like me, but could be completely wrong! I have no memory of my brother, Ryan so getting to see him and how much he loved his sisters was just so amazing. I also loved seeing how much Ryley is just like Laura, and same with Lynsay and Kyler. I can't wait to see Jake and I in stella! The best gift my parents could do for our entire family is all those precious home videos. To be able to see/hear Ryan really no words to express how I felt. It makes me really sad knowing Stella won't meet him, BUT we will see him one day in heaven and I know he will get to see her from above smiling. 

Laura and I 

Pitching Lessons

Jake is offering pitching lessons in the southwest area during the off season! 

Specializing in mechanics, pitches, and the mental preparation behind each pitch.

For more updates check out his facebook page HERE

Goodbye baseball..

September 2 is finally here, and feels like yesterday I was packing up our life in Orlando sitting on the floor with my clothes surrounding me thinking we are back with the Rangers from a crazy whirlwind of 2 months with the Cubs, going back to what we know, our friends, teammates, and familiarity. I was so exhausted thinking how I could make it moving to Arizona again a few weeks later realizing I was carrying the best gift we could have asked for. I thank God for getting me through what seemed like then absolute chaos of another move across the country to Arizona for 6 weeks. We get through spring training get assigned back to Frisco. Jake starts out on the road so I unpack us get our place ready alone nothing went smooth in that move, then 3 weeks later we get called up to AAA Round Rock, luckily my in laws were in town and helped, but another interesting move.

Most of you have followed our blog since I've started it, and have read what I like to call our adventures. Nothing about this lifestyle is glamorous. Nothing at all! PERIOD. I wouldn't trade it for anything because its our life! This year was extra special to us for many reasons. We have grown so much as a couple, and most importantly in our faith. We have learned to rely on God, not on our own wants and how we think our life should be. We were able to purchase our first home, and now get to go home and enjoy it for a little bit before we bring Stella home. The timing on everything is just amazing. We were trying, but never imagined I would get pregnant as fast as I did. To have her in October means she gets close to 4 months with Jake home. The bond he will get with her and time is such a blessing! I don't know any other career that gives you 5 month vacation. Jake will work some doing pitching lessons and interpreting, but our goal is to just spend quality time together, and with our little girl before we start back up in February. I am looking forward to the small things, I have been on two dates in 7 months. I haven't had dinner with Jake unless I wait until 12-1 am after the game. Im looking forward to having him home every night with me, and not being alone half the month. No more facetime, dropping him off at 5 am to the field to fly out, picking him up so late when he gets back in, not talking to him from 2 pm-11 pm or later, sitting alone at the games. The list goes on! 

We are about to encounter a lot of unknown. I have stood by Jake from the day we met, and have really worked hard at understanding his career, and supporting him. There has been more downs than ups, and have learned to be very strong for him. I never realized how much of an impact I had on him, just like he does for me. I am a planner. That doesn't work in this lifestyle especially from here on out. Jake doesn't worry about anything (why we go so well together!) This week was a very emotional week. I came back out to Texas first of month, and Jake has been home only 5 days and traveling the rest. My parents did a spontaneous trip back out last Wednesday to be with me for my last week because Jake was gone 8 days. During that time I needed to pack up our apartment, cancel/schedule furniture pick up, get apartment stuff situated, get uhaul, have movers load it, return cancel all cable internet boxes, cancel water, electric, cable, internet, then turn on our cable and internet back home and get place cleaned situated for us coming in. Luckily Jake was able to help while on road with calling providers, but being 8 months pregnant nothing is easy and with me having bad Braxton hicks contractions it doesn't take much to start hurting. This will be our 5th move in 7 months. Today was the last day of games, and Jake will be flying in I pick him up at 12 am and we leave for our journey home at 4 am.

 We prayed so hard for a September call up to the majors, but that isn't what God had in store for us. I am so proud of Jake and what he has done this season! He is healthy, and had one of the best seasons of his career, and in AAA! That is huge! Today may be our last day as a Ranger too..We are free agents this off season. Since it is our 7th professional season and not on 40 man roster we become free agents and eligible to sign with any other team that is interested in us. We will go through this here on out in our career and technically jobless after each season until we get picked up or signed back (Scary huh?) The unknown and not being familiar is what scares me.  I'm not going to get into too much detail about this and we will cross this path when we get there after the world series. We are praying that God will guide our path, and decision to go with the best team for Jake whether that is Rangers or another organization. We don't know. As of right now our family is so excited to be traveling home tomorrow 18 hours (Jake wants to go straight through eek~!) and starting our normal life that we get! We are looking forward to putting baseball aside and being just Jake and Taylor. Thank you all sooo much for the support and prayers this year!!! They mean so much to us, and personal emails we have received! It has been a fun season and we are so excited to add a new addition to the Brigham family! <3