Day 163...Happy Birthday Rhys

Wow...what a year.  Last year our biggest worry was what to name this little guy...
Remember?  He was baby Vian for 5 days.  Now I can't imagine him being anything other than Rhys Robert. 
He was our biggest baby...tipping the scales at 6lbs. 8oz. 21 1/2 inches long.  Rhys and I celebrated, at 7:39am...he is ONE! 
 It has been one of the most rewarding and heartbreaking years.  When he was born I could have never imaged the life that he had ahead of him.  I know he will do amazing things, and I am so thankful for what he has already taught our family.  I see unconditional love when I look at him.  I see tolerance, compassion and understanding that he will teach Bodie and McCall.  I see a smile that is contagious.  He reminds me that sometimes it is okay to stop and smell the roses (or eat them like he would).  He also reminds me that life is too serious, and laughter can cure anything!  I love being his Mommy...and I know, whether he can tell me or not, that he loves me too.  If you've never had a Rhys hug, your missing out...it's the best thing ever! 

I am ready to begin a journey filled with amazing people I will meet. People who have known pain and have grown with it. People who have, perhaps against their will, thrown out "perfection" and accepted the new face of reality where not everything is glossy and Hollywood. No, it's better. It's real and deep and beautiful.  I kinda laugh at my ignorance before all this and now I can brag about this new found place of peace and acceptance and realization that this is okay. So what if he doesn't walk 'til two? Isn't that actually kind of cool? Like I just added another year window before I have to worry about baby-proofing the house again. And all the other stuff that comes along? We can handle it. Why is it people think this is so the end of the world? Because it's not. It's the beginning. 

Happy Birthday little Rhyser...we love you to the moon and back!