happy birthday to you...
happy birthday dear, Samantha...
happy birthday to you.
Samantha Elizabeth Russell turns one year old today...I can't believe it! Sometimes I can't even believe I am a mom, let alone that I no longer have an infant but a toddler.
What on earth happened to those 12 months. I know that everyone says that kids grow so fast, but it's so different when their yours! I'm with her everyday and she doesn't seem to change all that much. I mean, sure, they're are times when I think to myself, "whoa, I can't believe she can do that already." But, man, when I look back at pictures or think about things she used to do or not be able to do yet, it's amazing!
I remember my life before her so clearly and vividly but it seems like years and years in the past. I truly can't imagine my life without her. Sam is the most precious, funny, sassy, lovey little girl and I can't believe that she's ours. We are truly so blessed to have her in our lives.
It has been a really good year. Ben and I have had some issues that we have had to go through (like any other married couple, and any other year), financial struggles, decision-making issues, moving twice, and getting ready to move for the third time in a year. Everyday issues and long term decisions matter a whole lot more than they used to. We are parents now, and it's not just us. We can't always be carefree and spur-of-the-moment anymore. We have sacrificed a lot of our time together, sleep, my body, and some times our physical and emotional well-beings. IT'S SO WORTH IT. Every second that Ben or I get to spend with Samantha is time well spent and the above mentioned sacrifices are part of what it means to be parents and we love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I know Ben wouldn't either.
Samantha is walking (almost running sometimes), saying "mama" "dada" "oh, Wow" and sometimes "Satchel" (or something that kind of resembles that) She laughs at everything, she loves to dance and be held upside down. Her favorite things are Satchel, climbing anything, bath time, being outside, and taking anything she can get her hands on out of the kitchen cabinets and drawers. She also likes to make me crazy by flailing her body and kicking every time I try to put her in her car seat, and she also likes to BITE!
I could of course go on all day about my girl, it's an amazing talent that us moms have. But I'll leave you instead with some pictures from the 1st year of our beautiful daughters life...Happy 1st Birthday Samantha!
One of my favorites of Sammy with her auntie Tina, and uncle Chris at 1 month old.
sam on her first hike with mommy and daddy. She was about 3 weeks old, and it was the hottest days of the year. I have no idea why I was on a strenuous hike 3 weeks after surgery!
Her in her bouncy seat a couple days after we got home from the hospital.
The morning after she was born.
The first time I saw Samantha, love at first sight.
One of our favorites of her smiling before she had teeth. About 4 months old.
Daddy introducing Sam to WOW (World of Warcraft) "gotta start 'em young" - 3 months
Uncle Tim holding Sammy on her first camping trip - 3 1/2months
Seeing these pictures still breaks my heart...2 months old at OHSU...She's been on a heart medication for 10 months because of the outcome of this stay at the hospital. We are stopping the medication today and hopefully her heart has healed itself...time will tell.
One of her favorites, bathtime! 10 months
Our big "snowstorm" at Christmas - 9 months
Nanny posing with Sammy at 7 months
Samantha meeting her new cousin, Madilynn Lee. - 6 months
Sammy playing with her cousin, Maverick - 5 monthsThese last 4 pictures are pretty recent. I'll post pictures of her Birthday Party and others soon.
happy birthday to you...
happy birthday to you...
happy birthday dear, Samantha...
happy birthday to you.
We love you!
