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This is an archive collection of entries from  my main personal blog, My Mundane Mid-Life.

This collection of entries is from the Category "Uncle Michael".

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Mike and the Apple Guck

I know I have wrote much about my nephew... perhaps it's because for most of his VERY young life he's kind of looked at me with just a slight look of fear. I guess I was just an odd looking person, with the deep voice ... and all that hair on my face... and... none (or almost none) on top of my head.

But... he's been slowly warming up to me. And, just recently, like within the past few months, we've actually started playing together.

Today was a MAJOR day for me... I'm sure it wasn't for him, it was just another trip to see "gamma".

But... you know what happened today? You know what is going to go into my (recently faulty) memory today?

HE CALLED ME BY MY NAME.

Now... he can't say "uncle" yet, but to hear him call me "Mike" was a BIG THING for me.

We had bought Jack a Bob The Builder toy yesterday when we were at Fry's Electronics (wow, I love that place!)... it was a Packer Delivery truck... that came with (allegedly) scented crates of apples... so... he can say "apples" pretty well (OK, it comes out more like "appooo") but the "tr" in "truck"... well... not so much.

..and so.. Jack and Mike played with his "apple guck".

posted at 08:27 PM | Link | Uncle Michael | Care to comment? | § |

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Teef

Dear Jackson;

I haven't written to you in a while, but today I feel compelled to do do.

I haven't seen you for a few weeks. During that time, you were pretty sick with some kind of bug, and you have no idea how much trouble you put your mommies through. But, eventually.. it looks like you've made it through.

I was watching you today. You're crawling really fast now... you can almost stand unassisted. You've got at least two teeth that I can see, and you look pretty damn cute...

Actually, that's the thing I really noticed today.

Since the last time I saw you, you've changed. All of a sudden, I'm seeing the little boy Jackson and not Infant Jackson.. yeah, I know you're not even a year old yet... but now I can see your brain ticking.. thinking.. absorbing things.. reacting...

You're not the same Jackson that I knew.

Your face is filling out.. your hair longer and finally laying down and not sticking up...

I'm seeing these fleeting emotions on your face as you figure things out...

You seem quieter, more focused...

You're not the same Jackson... you are starting to grow up.. and turning the corner toward One Year Old...

I can't wait to see you in just a few weeks!

Love,
Uncle Michael

posted at 09:05 PM | Link | Uncle Michael | § |

Thursday, April 13, 2006

a little ditty.....

... about Jack and Diane...

Actually, about my nephew Jackson and my sister Diane.

Diane has made the leap into blogging - blogging all about Jackson, her son.

Even though she'll probably never link to me, please go over and visit her blog and check out the great pictures of Jackson!

I've already added her site to my Blogroll...

So, go to a little ditty.....

posted at 12:29 PM | Link | Uncle Michael | § |

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Opening Night

Me and Jack on the floor trying to watch the White Sox Opener on TV... and drooling
Dear Jackson:

I know you may think it's just another Sunday going to that Grandma's house, but it was a big day for me. At least, it felt like it to me.

You know why? Well, there's two reasons, one of which you just don't know anything about yet. Tonight is the Season Opener for Major League Baseball. This is a big deal for me, because baseball is my most favorite sport. What made it more special was that tonight there was only one game being played in all of baseball. Baseball decided that the Chicago White Sox, my favorite baseball team, will start-off the whole baseball season. What makes it even more special. is that the White Sox won the World Series last year for the first time in 88 years, and they were going to raise their Championship banners before the game. Thats a real special thing if you're a baseball fan. Now, normally, Auntie Carol and Uncle Michael would both be at that game, but this year we're here with you. We're watching the game on TV, but we're here with you.

Tonight, I was on the floor with you for a while, and even though you never smiled when we were together, at least you let me stick around and we hung out. I consider that a big deal.

The really big deal for me came after dinner. Because I'm always standing up and walking around because of my leg twitches, your mommies came up with an idea. You had eaten as much as you were going to eat of dinner, and you didn't have a nap, so the next thing I knew, you were being handed off to me, so I could walk around and hold you, and hopefully you'd fall asleep.

Well, guess what? Yep, you fell asleep, and you slept for almost an hour! I didn't mind holding you at all. It was kind of cool. I mean, you weren't awake so you couldn't exactly reject me, so you just slept quietly and soundly the whole time.

Now, I have to admit that, when you finally woke up, you really had to look around to figure out where you were and were your mommies were. And then, you had to figure out what the heck was holding you - me. Well, you started to fuss and I had to give you up - which was probably a good thing because between the two of us, somebody was generating an awful lot of heat. I mean, we were both sweating. Your hair was all wet, my shirt was all wrinkled.

Still, I really enjoyed holding you and you really aren't rejecting me like I thought you were, and that makes me feel good.

Yesterday when Auntie Carol and Uncle Michael were out shopping, we got you your first official baseball cap. It fit you really well, and I was so surprised and happy to watch you wear your hat without a problem! in fact, it almost looked like you liked wearing it! You never once tried to take it off.

And you looked pretty damn cute wearing it, too.

Maybe someday we'll get a chance to watch a baseball game on TV, too. It's just so hard watching TV at grandma's house - there's always just too many things going on.

See you soon, Jackson!

Love,
Uncle Michael

posted at 09:17 PM | Link | Uncle Michael | § |

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Pure happiness

Dear Jackson,

When I saw you today, I saw something that I had never seen before in my life. Mind you, I haven't hung around people your age. At all. Ever. So, every time I see see you, I see something new, somebody new.

You are getting older, and you're still changing - something that's going to happen for years.

But I saw something that I just don't know how long it will last. And your mom's have better start videotaping you. In close-up.

While you are playing.

Because I have never seen the emotion of pure happiness when you're being played with. You scream and howl with such delight. But the kickers are your expressions in between each outburst, as you wait for the next silly face or tummy raspberry or whatever. You almost know what's coming and you just can't wait for it to happen. And you don't know it, but you do something with your mouth that makes you look like E.T. (maybe someday you'll get to know what a movie is and who E.T. is).

But the screams, the noises, there's just an untouched purity about them. There's no worldly knowingness that, oh, here comes mommy again, oh yeah, that was fun, what else do you have to make me happy.

I don't know how long this will last. I know it won't last forever. But we have to capture this. Wouldn't that be great? Bottle it - to open in the future when your giggle is needed to cheer someone up.

I'm doing my part, using my iRiver to grab some MP3's of your sounds.

It brightens up anybody's day if they can hear it. It's wonderful.

Try not to lose what you already have that we all want.

With love,
Uncle Michael

posted at 10:10 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Join the crowd

Diane and Melinda hold Jackson Michael while he gets baptized by Fr. Thomas Hurley A wide shot of Old St. Pats Church
Dear Jackson:

What an interesting day! Do you remember that big building we were all in today? It was all bright and nice and the ceiling and lights were way up in the air? That was a really special place - it's called a church. The church has a name - it's called Old Saint Patrick's Church, and it's a very cool place. It was built a long, long time ago (dedicated on Christmas Day, 1856), and it's one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which you'll learn about some day (believe it or not, a moo-cow was involved!) and in 1977, Old St. Patrick's was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means that it really is a special place.

Now, almost all of those people there were there not only to see you but support you as well. You see, you did something today that I know you don't understand. Do you remember seeing a man in a white robe? He was a really nice guy, but he poured water all over your head. You didn't seem to mind at all, and neither did that other baby Reese that was there. But see, that water was special and by having that man pour that water over your head made you special, too.

The whole thing was called a Baptism, or even a Christening. Someday you'll learn more about it.

In the meantime, just know that you're loved by many people. And you kind of joined a club today, though it really is much more than a club. A REALLY BIG club...

And me? You know, I got a new title today. I'm not just your uncle, I am now your Godfather, too.

Someday - and that day may never come - I'll call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day... whoops... umm, sorry about that... maybe someday when you're older we'll talk about that, too, and about this guy named "Don"...

So, bud, I'm sorry but if you thought you were stuck with me before, you're really stuck with me now.

We've just got to get through this anti-guy thing, even though you were REALLY a good boy today. Everybody really loved you today - you won them over. It's just that us guys are having a hard time being with you because you seem to be getting upset with us. We all love you and just want to be with you.

I really liked the outfit you had on at the restaurant after the baptism, the one with the Scottie on it.

Anyway, you are a special little boy. And I promise that I will do whatever I can to help you get through your life.

See you real soon.

Your uncle,
Michael

read more of this entry »


posted at 08:04 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, January 29, 2006

OK, I'm feeling the hint of rejection..

Dear Jackson,

OK, I'm starting to feel a slight twinge of rejection. I was holding you again today, but to keep you happy and smiling, I was holding you outward, so you can see everybody, and it was easy to fly you over to Auntie Carol.

But when I talk to you or try to get you to "lock on" to me so that we can play a bit, you don't seem very happy. You're starting to look at me with a confused look - as if you were trying to figure out if I'm a good guy or a bad guy. I see fleeting expressions on your face that just run the gambit of happiness to... wait... you probably wouldn't know what "gambit" is... 20 weeks and I think you understand English when I can't even speak it well...

I know you're not even 5 months old yet, but, you know... I was just hoping.

But, I also realize that you don't see me a lot. It's only once a week, if we're lucky. And when it comes to human interaction, I don't know how much you remember. Do you know who I am?

I'm starting to believe, though, that this is going to be a real long term problem that we're going to have to work out. I mean, let's face it. I'm different. I'm different than everyone else that you interact with at home or even at my mommy's house. I look different and I sound different. I wonder if that's bothering you? Should I be trying to speak in a softer voice? A higher voice? Heaven forbid - do I need to lose the beard?

I need to connect with you somehow, Jackson. Your uncle really does love you but he just doesn't get what's happening. It's not like he's had any experience before either, so, let's face it - he's lost.

Maybe when you get a little older everything will make more sense. For the both of us.

We'll work it out - it's just a bit rough right now.

Love,
Uncle Michael

posted at 09:31 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, January 22, 2006

What did I do?

Jack with a new bib
Dear Jack:

Uncle Michael wants to let you know that, no matter how hard it is for me to believe this, I'm not taking it personally that you started bawling when I held you today.

I was told that sometimes, you just get scared for no reason at all and when that happens you just start to scream and cry. There was nothing I did to scare you, but sometimes you just get scared.

It's fun holding on to you and talking to you now. You're starting to become aware of tings around you. You're getting bigger and stronger. I still think it's a kick that you seem to enjoy watching football on TV... though I can't figure out why, except for the colors and motion...

You have a great smile and you've started to develop this giggle and laugh when your mommy plays with you that's to die for.

Just understand that when we're at my mommy's house, there's always people that want to hold you and be with you and play with you. I never want to ask to hold you because I know there are other people that want to do that and I want to make sure that they have time with you. I figure that you don't have very many uncles, so, somewhere down the line, I figure I'll have time with you... doing... something.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know. No hard feelings.

Your uncle,
Uncle Michael

posted at 09:39 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Start with the wardrobe

Carol is feeling a bit better today, having woke up early to go to the store to buy new detergent and spending the rest of the day re-washing her clothes.

Because we're busy tomorrow, we all went to mom's house today for dinner. I had purchased something for Jack that - unfortunately - arrived the day after Thanksgiving, so I couldn't give it to him when he was at our house for the first time.

It was an infant knit hat that had two knots in the corners. Oh, and White Sox logos all over. Yes, have to get to him early. Have to get him to formulate an opinion about the team early. A positive one. So, this is the beginning of the subtle subterfuge. Wardrobe. Get him familiar with the shapes and colors.

read more of this entry »


posted at 10:24 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Time for Mom and Jack

Mom's birthday is Wednesday, so, to move it away from Thanksgiving, we decided to celebrate it today by going to Diane & Melinda's for dinner.

Boy, do they look tired!!!

read more of this entry »


posted at 10:01 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, November 06, 2005

7 weeks

Went to my mom's today for our weekly "Jack Fix". He's only 7 weeks but it's so damn cool seeing the subtle changes week to week. Had a chance to hold him after dinner and it was just great. He's pretty alert (though he still sleeps alot... and doesn't sleep alot at the same time, just causing havoc to Melinda's and Diane's lives). But, overall, he really is a great kid. So I walked around with him for a while (he likes moving around instead of just being held and sitting in a chair). He fussed a bit - which, yes, is pretty normal, but it's just that really cool little piece of life. Found out that Diane's been trying to sing to Jack and hasn't been able to remember any little ditties, other than "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", which has got to be one of the oddest songs to come up with, but kinda cool and the same time. But the really cool thing that I found out, which - of course - just pulled at my heartstrings just a little - she sings to him "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"!!! Oh, oh... I never asked if she sings the words "Home Team" or if she substitutes a team name... and if she sings a team name, which team is it????? Oh, oh...

(You can hear a little bit of Jack fussing in my arms in this MP3)

posted at 10:03 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Half his life

Jack is all dressed-up for Halloween The Halloween House on Nagle
Went to my mom's house, all excited to see Jack.

read more of this entry »


posted at 11:01 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Jack visit

Went to my mom's house for the usual Sunday night dinner, like we've been doing for years. Decades, even.

Tonight's different. Diane and Melinda are bringing Jack over. His first night out with the family.

read more of this entry »


posted at 09:46 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Yellow Jack

We left the ballgame early.

I NEVER leave a game early. NEVER. The exception is the opportunity to see Jack.

read more of this entry »


posted at 09:07 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

OK, maybe I have to back off a bit...

I started thinking about my nephew Jack and that whole baseball thing...

Maybe it's a little early to think about baseball right now.

read more of this entry »


posted at 01:56 PM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Monday, September 19, 2005

Michael?

Oh, yeah, I forgot to say something about yesterday.

Jack's middle name is Michael.

As in my dad's name.

As in my name.

Yeah, that whole uncle pressure is really on....

Oh, and don't you dare flip around his first and middle name... don't you dare... you'll answer to me....

posted at 09:19 AM | Link | Uncle Michael § |

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Jackson Michael

Me and Jackson
I just got back from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

It's been a weird day. Actually a weird 24 hours, I guess.

Some lives were changed today, all for the best. Even mine.

For I have become - for the first time in my life - an uncle.

I never thought there would ever be a baby in our family, but there he was. A nephew.

A nephew named Jackson. And now - even though I'm not the parent - I've got a big responsibility on my shoulders - I've got a nephew and he may be just 4 hours old, but he's gotta learn about baseball. Oh, sure, there's tons of stuff he's got to learn first. I mean, he's just getting the whole air-breathing thing down right now. He was bundled-up so tight that I couldn't see his hands. I couldn't tell how he would hold a ball to throw it. OK, he's getting the sleeping thing down, too. Hell, he's just trying to stay warm now, too. All I know is that he's a bit of a screamer, mostly because, well, he got a cold jolt as he came into the world, and quite frankly, he was having none of that.

He's got a lot to learn about this strange and crazy world that we're in. I figure baseball will just ground him in Americana and sports... he still has to learn to eat, though...

I guess there are priorities first. Like the breathing bit. Oh, and the eating, too. I guess he's got to open his eyes a bit more and see the world around him first. Figure out who's who. He'll spend the rest of his life figuring out what's what. I guess that would start with the blanket he's all swaddled in and the silly little knit hat they always put on newborns to keep 'em warm and such, matting down his mane of blond hair...

read more of this entry »


posted at 11:03 PM | Link | Uncle Michael | 1 comment § |

 

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This Blog was last updated Friday December 18, 2009 13:03:12 CDT (-06:00 GMT)
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