Rhys,

Not too long ago while I was surfing other people’s blogs, I came across Dooce. I love her site because it’s inspirational to see that one can make a decent living rambling on about nothing but their own average life, and because of the monthly updates she does for her daughter, Leta. When I saw the first of those monthly updates, I said to myself, “I have to do that for Rhys!“. So, here we are, 48 months into your life, and I’m writing the first one. If you didn’t already know, your daddy is a horrible procrastinator… But, I’ll tell you about that sometime later.

First of all, Happy Fourth Birthday! You are even more a joy and wonder now than ever. You’ll have to excuse me while I take a trip down memory lane to catch everyone up on the 47 prior months… It’ll just be a quick flashback.

If you’ve followed this blog, then you know about the bittersweet experience that was the birth of the twins. We’re gonna skip over that section because it makes daddy cry to think about it.

When the clouds parted and things started resembling a normal family around our house, your mom and I reflected on how lucky we are to have you in our lives. Your mom and I worry ourselves WAY too much about all the various things in your life. Your milestones, disease, social assimilation, manners, eating, and of course if we are good enough parents. You see, you are our one and only. Our little miracle boy.

Despite the warnings from the doctors you’ve grown up quite normally. Each of your milestones have been a bit late, but I think you are doing that on purpose. It’s as if you learn these milestones while we aren’t looking and then you just decide to show us when you’ve perfected it… This is also proof that you are your mom’s son. ;)

I should qualify “normally” from the last paragraph. You are growing up quite normal if you take into consideration your nutbag parents. Unfortunately for you, both of your parents are bat-shit crazy — I’m afraid you really had no chance in that department. Welcome to the Asylum, kid. All the same, we love you more than life itself.

One of my favorite memories from when you were just a wee little screamer was waking up and looking over at your sleeper thing. Bassinet? Whatever it’s called… You were such a good baby when it came to sleeping. It wasn’t very long at all before you were sleeping all through the night. You’d wake up before us, and just lay there and ponder things. You’d put your little feet up on the edge of your bassinet and just relax. So, that was the first image we had in the mornings when we woke up. So damn cute!

You’ve grown up into quite a kid. You are well behaved, curious, STUBBORN, cute, polite (mostly), and cautious. Right now it seems you are going through another phase where you are testing your limits. Quite diplomatically, I might add.

“Rhys, you need to clean up your toys and get ready for bed,” mom or I will say.

Then, you so gently try to inform us, “Hmmm ok, well, first I have to get this one thing done, ok?”

Of course, we don’t let that slide at all, and then you immediately start your performance of overly dramatic sighs and glares. Sorry kid, it’s an 18 year sentence at the least. One day you will understand that we just don’t want you to grow up like Daddy, who has absolutely no sense of discipline or routine. You’ll thank us later. I promise.

Recent days have found you about 75% potty trained! I can’t tell you how proud of you I am. Here’s the strange thing that you just can’t understand unless you have a kid. Your sense of perspective is continually put into check — yes, even from watching your little one poop — by the things that kids put importance on.

I mentioned before that your parents are clinically insane and ridden with OCDs. Well, of course, you are the lucky recipient of these qualities as well. Your latest obsession seems to be The Weather Channel… Seriously, kid?! What 3 year old begs his parents to go watch an hour of The Weather Channel before bed!? The worst part about it is when you first started doing this, Mommy and I would exchange rolled eyes and exasperation for being subjected to your strange tastes… But, now, Mommy and I will watch The Weather Channel with you and be just as mesmerized by the drivel that they put out! We particularly enjoy the antics of Alexandri, whom we’ve dubbed the Alcoholic (sorry, lady, but you look like a boozer), and The Crazy Guy, who also goes by the name of Cue Ball… Another recurring star is the other bald guy, who is a black gentlemen. Of course, we’ve dubbed him 8-ball. He’s particularly normal compared to his co-hosts, unfortunately.

Well, that’s it for now, kid. I promise I will keep this updated going forward. Mommy and I love you very much! :)