SIX!!

The big day is finally here! It is Marshall's birthday today! He turned 6 yrs old despite our telling him we don't want him to grow up, and he should stay five. We also suggested he could go back to being four again. That would be OK with us. No matter how we tried to stop it, his birthday came anyway, and he really is six.

It was a scary start for my little guy. He weighed 4 lbs 10 oz. and was 17 1/2 inches long. He wasn't breathing or responsive at all when he was born via emergency C-Section. We nearly lost him, but the nurses were able to "bag" him until the Respiratory Therapists got there and got him tubed. He was also severely jaundiced so he was a big fragile at first.

Top- Marshall 1 day old- 10/25/2004

Middle- First time holding Marshall- 10/27/2004

Bottom- Playing in the leaves- Age 1

Yes, Marshall is still a challenging child, but he has come SO FAR in the last few years. He h

as fewer meltdowns, and can sit through church. Well, sit through most of sacrament meeting. He doesn't have to be taken out to the foyer for a timeout because he is so angry that he tried to beat me up, so that's good! He has a unique set of challenges to face in his life, but I know he can learn and grow and overcome many of them.

Marshall likes Kindergarten at his school this year. He loves his teacher and his friends, and likes recess the best. It's tough to go to school for the entire day, but he's doing really good. He has a tough time sitting still and keeping his hands off the walls, but he is generally a good kid. He's starting to read a little now, and LOVES numbers. He loves to count all the time (and talk non-stop). He loves to play Avatar or whatever other show or game he's been watching or playing lately. He loves the color purple and Super Hero Squad guys. He likes our new house because he can run up and down and up and down and up and down and... well, you get it. He can go up and down the stairs all the time and he loves it.

He is the cutest 6 yr old around! Happy Birthday Marshall-Man! I love being your Mom through the good and the tough times. You are a special boy and I love you very much. Now, where did those Army guys go? Let's PLAY!