Six Years Ago Today...

This is what was happening. I had just given birth to my first baby. A beautiful, healthy, long baby boy. We knew his name instantly. Levi's personality manifested itself very early and has always been strong. Unfortunately for him, for the past four years he has been overshadowed by his little sisters loud and demanding ways. But he deals with that very well; he loves his sister, he adores his baby cousins, he is a generous child.

Since moving to Portland, Levi has truly blossomed. He is a fantastic reader and his new favorites are the Magic Tree House series. Legos are still a favorite activity. Dressing up is huge around here. Levi floats between being Indiana Jones, an Army guy, anyone from Star Wars, an angel (his Christmas play costume), and Harry Potter. He is super excited to start Little League this April and not so excited to continue swimming lessons in January.

He is still timid and shy, but those characteristics are slowly fading. He makes friends easily and plays will with any child and of most age groups. When we are around babies, he is very attentive and caring, especially with his baby cousin, Ivan.

Levi lost his first tooth in November, he grew 1/2 an inch just in the month of December, he loves travelling by somersault, he recently discovered his love of singing (although usually in a high-pitched voice), he is definitely the goof-ball in school, and he loves doing science projects at night with Joshua. Any art activity possible, Levi loves to do. I am constantly buying paper and deciding which projects are keepers and which are not! He has learned the fine art of sarcasm and uses it well and often. He constantly, it seems, disagrees and questions my decisions. Basically, my baby boy is growing up.

But that is only my opinion! Here are what his friends and family think of him:

Mom: generous
Dad: curious
Grandma Ann: diligent
Grandpa Jim: brave
Grandma Kay: inquisitive & gentle-hearted
Grandpa Randy: discoverer
Christian: erratic
Veronica: nurturing
Eleanor: loving
Lora: considerate
Nicole C: imaginative
Nathan: ubiquitous
Kari: nice
Joachim: Star Wars
James: goofy
Cyprianna: smart
Paul: miniature soldier
Aaron: intense
Harley: serious
Trina: creative
Jabran: Boba Fett
Tina: clumsy
Khalila: fun
Katie: cute
Susie: cuuuute

Last night Claire fell asleep very early, thus giving Josh and I some time to spend just with Levi. We were joking around that this was our last time seeing him and talking to him as a five-year-old. We took some pictures and so this is what I will post. Some pictures of his first few hours and some pictures of his last hours before he turned six. He is such a handsome little guy!