Firsts

There aren’t a whole lot of “firsts” for me anymore. First (and hopefully only) wedding? Done. First child? Done. First 5K? Surprisingly done as well. But on Saturday, June 20, I got to experience a first that has absolutely made my month. On that day, I became an uncle for the first time as my sister Mikaela and her husband Scott welcomed Quincy Gracen Tabaka to the family.

Baby snuggles with Quincy Gracen

I’ve never really been a big baby guy, but this was somehow different. I couldn’t wait to meet the little guy and after two grueling weeks, I finally did as we made the trip to Arnold, MO yesterday. After just a couple hours, I’m pretty sure I have this uncle thing down.

Aunt Mikaela with Grace and Uncle Kyle with Quincy

Granted he slept most of the time, but I didn’t drop Q on his head and he didn’t cry when I held him, so I’d say it was a successful experience. By far the coolest thing about the trip was watching Grace and Quincy together. Not that either one seemed that excited about the interaction, but it was still awesome to see the next generation together.

Photobomb by Uncle Scott

Hopefully I can be as good of an uncle to Quincy as Mikaela has been an aunt to Grace. They have always had special relationship and it is awesome watching them interact. One of the first things Mikaela said when we told her we were coming down was that she foresaw a new screen saver in her future, featuring Quincy and Grace of course. The connection between the two of them is even evident in my new little buddy, whose middle name is in honor of his big cousin.

Sweet cousins

I can’t wait to spend more time with Q and to see him and Grace interact and do things together in the future. What makes it even better is that I’m going to get to do the whole thing again in a few weeks, when my sister-in-law Monica and brother Daniel welcome their little guy to the world. Firsts are awesome, but I’m sure seconds will be a heck of a lot of fun too.

Sweet Quincy

KRH