Samantha's first blog

pamelamyers | May 28, 2014

Last night we visited Sam’s newest cousin, Ryder Richard Burke, born yesterday, May 27, 2014 weighing 7 lbs 7 oz. Ryder came a bit early as he wasn’t due for another few weeks! Apparently, he was as excited to see us as we were to see him. It was such a treat to see the little guy and to see not only Maddox’s reaction, but Sam’s as well. Sam has never seen such a tiny baby before.

We are all really lucky to have the little guy in our life – most likely the last baby to be born to our immediate family for a while. Sam isn’t getting a little brother or sister and Krista and Adam are happy to be the parents of two. Here are some pictures of the new arrival and the happy family he was born into.

Isn’t he adorable? As you can see, his parents are thrilled to have him in their lives.

Maddox couldn’t wait to see his new brother. We were lucky that we got to be there when Maddox met Ryder for the first time. He is going to be a great big brother. He couldn’t get enough of Ryder and was really gentle with him.

Loretta is a proud Grandmom, as you can see. Rich visited earlier so unfortunately we didn’t get any pictures of the proud Pop Pop.

Finally, it was our turn to monopolize the little dude. God, I forgot what it was like when Sam was so small. I miss holding that little bundle of newborn goodness. I sometimes tell her that I wish she could go back to being a baby, just for a day. There is something about a just born baby that is irresistible.

Sam kept looking at him and looking at him. She didn’t quite know what to do with such a little baby. She touched Ryder’s feet and kept telling me how little he was. Maddox wanted to hold him pretty much continuously, and Sam was happy to help watch over him.

Right before we left, she quietly asked me, “Can I hold the baby?” I think she saw everyone else do it and felt a little left out. We helped her sit with him and cuddle him. She liked it, but in a short time said, “Ok, you can take him now.”

I am so glad Ryder is part of our family. Adding some happiness is always a good thing. I will admit seeing him gave me some baby pangs. I do sometimes wish that Sam had a sibling. She would love it. But…it was not in the cards for us. And as Mark reminds me, there isn’t a heck of a lot we can do about it. It’s not like we didn’t try to have kids earlier. And we are so incredibly lucky to have Samantha. I know that. But still. I guess it’s just part of being a woman, those darn baby pangs. Ah, well. I will have to go visit the Burke house often while Ryder is still a baby to get my fill. Sorry, Sammy.

Congratulations, Krista, Adam and Maddox. You are so lucky, as are all of us, to have Ryder join our family. We are all there to support you, to love you, and to be the best extended family you could wish for. Welcome to the world!

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pamelamyers | May 26, 2014

One last school post then we all take a break for the summer. Sam had school pictures taken in April and we didn’t get them back until the last week or so of school. That day, since it was a Friday and we were all home, Mark took some pictures of his own of Sam since she was all dressed up. She looked so pretty, and we had no idea how well the school photos would come out, so we did our own. We thought it would be interesting to see the difference, anyway. The picture actually came out very nice! But I still like Mark’s better. Her smile is more natural, and more vibrant, for her Dad, as it should be, but she did a great job posing nicely and not making a goofy face. The first picture is her official school picture, the rest are all Mark. Honestly, he could do this as a career, but Sam is his very favorite subject and I doubt he’d get as much joy out of taking pictures of random people.

One last picture, her class! Never forget them, Samantha, your very first friends.

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pamelamyers | May 21, 2014

Sam’s last day of school was not actually her graduation day, but today! A fun day filled with pizza and games. I had to take her picture before we left for Grandmom’s house. Somehow to me, she seems so much bigger, and so much older, than she was on her first day of school, only nine months ago. For a peek, click here.

I decided to surprise Sam by running home at lunch to meet her at school just to send her off and tell her to have a super fun last day. It was worth the drive to see the huge smile on her face. I got greeted at my mom’s car with a huge grin and a, “Mommy!! What are you doing here? Will you stay with me until my teacher comes?” I did stay with her and heard her tell her friend, Mia, that Mommy drove “all the way” from work to see her! So, yeah, it was worth it.

Sam came home that day full of excitement telling me all about bowling in the teacher’s basement and playing games with beanbags and buckets and all the pizza and ice cream they ate. (The day started so lovely, but it wound up raining by the time she went to school).

One year under her belt, who knows how many more to go. I wonder so often what Sam will do for a career. I hope whatever she picks, it makes her happy. Oh, yeah, and earns her gobs of money. She’s going to take care of her parents when they are old, right? Right? Right? Choose well, Sam, and just be happy, little girl.

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pamelamyers | May 19, 2014

“This is the best graduation day, EVER!” So declared Sam on this most wonderful day, Sam’s preschool graduation day. Well, let’s be clear, she didn’t technically graduate since she has one more year at Saint Matthew’s, but that is what they call it. But she did finish her first year of school. This is amazing to me. My girl. Finished a year of school. Holy cow.

Sam knew it was an important day. We kept telling her it was, definitely, but she knew it, I think, on her own. They had been preparing at school a lot and I think she understood the ceremony was a big deal. She just got a new packet of Hello Kitty books (part of her Scholastic order at school — I love that they still have that) and one was about preschool graduation. I said something like, “Look, Sam, Hello Kitty has a cap just like you will wear” and Sam corrected me immediately by telling me that Hello Kitty’s cap is blue and hers will be yellow! Well. Excuse me.

The kids all came into the church one by one down the aisle wearing their caps and got in place with their class. We were all wondering why they took their caps off, but it turned out it was because there was a very big concert to take place and the caps most likely would have gotten in the way, if not of their singing, but of their adorable little faces! Thankfully, Sam was in the front row again so we got lots of exposure to her adorable smile! She asked me to bring her stuffed octopus to the graduation (she had been carrying him around for days) and I think that is why she is smiling so broadly. He kept peeking at her over the pew.

After doing the Pledge of Allegiance, the kids started singing. This particular song was one of Sam’s favorites that she has been singing at home. She never did the hand moves for me at home, though. It is called, “Oh, Mr. Sun” and goes like this:

Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Please shine down on me.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Hiding behind a tree

These little children are asking you

To please come out so we can play with you.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun,

Please shine down on,

Please shine down on,

Please shine down on me.

Sam just smiled and smiled the whole time. She was having the time of her life. It is so different than her Christmas concert, which she enjoyed, but the whole time she was a little nervous, I think. She didn’t sing as much then, and her smile would come and go. Now, five months later, my girl is shining just like she always is at home, confident, happy, and right at home with her classmates.

After the many, many songs the kids performed (I can’t believe how many they learn!) it was time for the handing out of certificates. The kids all went “backstage” as it were and came out, one by one, when their names were called by Mrs. Maylie, the Director of the school.

Mrs. McCann, her teacher, shook her hand and gave her a Certificate commemorating her accomplishment.

Sam may have been smiling the whole time, but I will admit, I felt tears welling up so many times during the ceremony. I am just so proud of her.

Sam’s bestest pal Julia. 🙂

Time for the Goodbye song, which I know Sam tells me they sing every day before they leave school. And home we go!

After the ceremony, everyone mingled outside and it was a perfect time for pictures. It was a gorgeous day, but windy, so Sam had to hold onto her cap!

Mrs. McCann was walking around, talking to all the kids and parent, and she made sure to tell Sam that she would miss her and to stop by next year and say hi! Sam will miss Mrs. McCann, I know. She really was the perfect teacher for Sam this year, very kind, helping to bring Sam out of her shell.

Sam and Mark walked home while I drove the car back. You can just see the excitement, still, in her face.

Home at last, and back to her swing! I am starting to think every blog post is going to end this way!

Congratulations, Sam, on your accomplishment. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. When you addressed and signed Thank You cards for both Mrs. McCann and Mrs. Curran, the assistant teacher, what you didn’t know is that we also included a letter with a gift. In this letter, one of the things that we pointed out was a question that was asked of us in your registration packet before you started school. We were asked: “How do you hope your child will benefit most from nursery school?” and our reply was this: “Become more independent, interact better with other kids, become more social, be prepared for kindergarten both intellectually but also emotionally and socially.” Sam, you have succeeded. You are not quite ready for kindergarten yet, but you are still too young. You have succeeded in meeting our goals for you. You love going to school. You are so much more outspoken, you have no hesitation on the playground approaching new friends, and you know so many things you did not know before. We are so proud of your accomplishments and can’t wait to see what you do next. We love you, Sam. Happy Graduation Day!

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pamelamyers | May 17, 2014

We finally finished celebrating Mark’s birthday, a week late, but still fun. We had a fantastic pasta dinner at home then on to the gifts and cake! Sam and Maddox were more than ready to help out. Mark opened the gift Maddox brought him first – a goodie package full of candy, gum, and frogs. 🙂

One of the gifts Mark got from his dad was a new step stool and Sam couldn’t wait to try it out. Sammy, I think you have a ways to go before you are as tall as Daddy.

The stool came in a giant box and Sam and Maddox couldn’t wait to try it out. What is it they say about kids? Give them expensive toys and they’d rather play with the box? Yeah. That one’s true.

On to the cake! I said it before, but it merits saying again – Happy Birthday, Mark. Sam knows she has the best dad, and I do too.

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