Monday, May 30, 2011

5 Years Ago Today...

...our beautiful little girl, Samantha Elizabeth, was born at 5:19am, weighing in at 7 lbs. 11 oz (a very "convenient" weight, Steve likes to joke...get it? 7-11?), and measuring 19.75".  Our first, last and only child, a child we'd tried for for many years.  A perfect, crying, pink child with a lot of hair, an unusually short umbilical cord (the cause of the slowing of her heartbeat during labor), and an extra chromosome.

Poor Steve got suckered into a) standing at the wrong end of the bed with b) a pair of surgical scissors (or whatever it was that they use) in his hand and a slippery umbilical cord being thrust at him by the doctor, who said cut here.  Two things he emphatically swore he would not do, ever.  Oops.  He really wasn't in a position to say no at that point, though. 

Aside from a pesky hole in her heart (announced to us the next day by the cardiologist we have loved now for 5 years) requiring surgery at 4 months, and a mild case of jaundice, she was healthy enough to come home with us two days later.

Samantha has been the most amazing thing either of us has ever done, as well as the most amazing person either of us has ever encountered.  Down syndrome is irrelevant in this post, so I won't talk about what the extra chromosome means.  It's just a small part of who she is.

Samantha is beautiful.
Samantha is smart.
Samantha is stubborn.
Samantha is determined.
Samantha has a wicked sense of humor.
Samantha has a true heart of gold, with empathy to soothe a whole world's population of pain or sadness. 

Samantha is my best friend. 

And now that day is here, the day our baby can well and truly be called a big girl.  The changes in her this year, the growth and development that have been so obvious, are staggering.  The maturity she displays, and the sensibility, the sensitive soul she holds within her, the academic developments she's picked up along the way...I'm overwhelmed.  More than we could ever have thought would occur this year. 

FIVE. 

Happy, happy birthday, beautiful Samantha.  We love you more than words can express.

18 comments:

Jen said...

Beautiful post- I got all teary eyed. Happy Birthday beautiful Samantha!!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Sammi!! Sammi is truly amazing...I love to watch her grow...she has made me laugh, cry, and love...thank you for celebrating Sammi...I cannot wait to see the pix from the party...smiles

Cory said...

Aww! Crying here! She is beautiful beyond compare. Lucky you guys to have each other. Happy Birthday Samantha!

my family said...

happy birthday sammi:)

Cammie Heflin said...

Awww! She is beyond beautiful. I mean truly truly beautiful! Happy Birthday Sammi!

Heather said...

Five is so very magical andI must tell you ....there is something about that picture that says,"Hey mom,I am off to take on the world."And she will and along the way she will become, to those who wish to stop and soak in all of her beauty ,she will become one of their greatest teachers in this life.

My OB said to me,once or twice during my pregnancy."She will be your buddy and best friend, for life."I loved that and I love the thought of that.Don't you?

tekeal said...

yeah sammi! enjoy your day and here's to being 5!!! hope to hang out with you one day, love livia

Stephanie said...

Happy birthday princess!

beautiful post. My favorite line... "Samantha is my best friend"

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Samantha and many, many more!!

JC said...

Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl!! Turning 5 is a BIG one! Enjoy it, treasure it :)
Happy Birthday Samantha!

Rob Monroe said...

Happy Happy Baby-versary to you!!

Anna said...

What a beautiful post. Happy 5th Birthdat Sammi.

Roo's Mom said...

Happy Birthday Samantha, and many, many more!

When Roo was born, one of the early thoughts I had was, "she'll live with us her whole life." After being stunned a moment by the thought, I said to myself, "but that's not so bad!" She is becoming more independent and showing signs of making her own way, but I suspect she'll always be my best buddy.

Here's to a rich, full life of watching all the wonder that is Samantha!

maverick said...

Happy Birthday Samantha..
Beautiful words Becca.. Thank you so much for sharing her..

God bless her.

alicia said...

felicidades, you have a beautiful BIG girl :)

Lacey said...

Happy belated birthday beautiful girl!!
You truly got a perfect little girl. Beautiful blue eyes, and long blond hair. Smart and funny, and its been so much fun watching her grow.
And I have to giggle a little thinking that she is actually younger than Jax!

Cathleen said...

Love this! Happy birthday to your beautiful smart sweet funny big girl!

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday beautiful!!

I have truly enjoyed watching Sammi grow up over these past few months, and cannot wait to see what is in store for her.