Family, Friends, Love & Laughter...

SO--Maelle is now over 9 months old, and a few weeks ago, we took a trip together to visit my parents in Alberta.

She really is a great traveler, on the way there she slept for 2 hours of the flight and then spent the other 2 being entertained by the 3 grandmas sitting behind us. It was such a relief to have things go so well. My dad picked us up at the airport, and we were off to little old Claresholm to being our visit.

It is an understatement to say that Maelle's Grandma and Grandpa are in love with her. I'm pretty sure, that if I just sent her, they would not even notice I was gone. Which is just how it is supposed to be. They spoiled her, played with her, hugged her, kissed her, and just generally enjoyed her. I loved being able to watch it all.

Maelle even got a special visit from Santa Clause...hopefully she isn't too traumatized.

Not to worry though, Grandpa came to the rescue and cuddled away all the tears.

I got to visit with my best bud Ashley, and her husband Caleb. So great. I miss being close to her--and they fed me too. Which was wonderful :)

I also got in touch with the girls I went to highschool with. It was the first time in a very long time we were all together--and it was so cool because we all had babies this year. I'm a little behind though, they all have 2, I've got 1, so I have some ground to make up. ;)

My sister came down with her kids, and we got to spend time with them. Overall, the trip was great--poor Matt was super lonely having us away, and we were glad to be home, but so glad that we got to spend some time with everyone!

Halloween & Other Things...

So. Life is busy. Wonderful, but busy.

Many already know, but just to update, Maelle is CRAWLING.

AND, she is getting fast. I literally, walk be

hind her moving things out of her reach--baby proofing has been fun. She is loving getting into EVERYTHING (or at least the stuff I'll let her.)

Her newest achievement, she can stand in her crib by herself. One night, I put her down in a dark, quiet room for bed, and then just to see what she would do, I snuck to a corner of the room to watch her. She immediately sat up, and started trying to grab the top of the rail of her crib. You could tell, the wheels were turning, and she was determined to figure out how to stand up. It took her about 10 minuted before she worked out the logistics of such a move, but she it did it. Let me tell you, when she did, th

e grin on her face as she popped her head over the rails and caught my eye was priceless. She was a giggling, happy, jumpy little girl and SO proud of herself. Now, I expect to see her like that every time I come in to pick her up. What a little darling!

Halloween for us was fun--Maelle was a rockstar, her costume was complete with a black tutu, a fender shirt, and a guitar prop (that she loved to slobber on.) We didn't take her trick-or-treating, but we did have fun taking a few pictures and watching her fascination with her tutu.

She is changing SO fast, and it is SO fun to watch it happen!

Another Milestone

The word "milestone" is defined as :

"An action or event marking a significant change or stage in development."

I'm sure most mothers can appreciate that watching your little one grow and reach milestones is bitter-sweet.

Sweet, because your baby is growing and healthy and wonderful. They are loving life, discovering all the amazing aspects of it. Everything from being captivated by the same goofy game of peek-a-boo (no matter how many times you play with them,) to simply fascinated by the "other" baby in the mirror.

Bitter, because your baby is slowly growing up, and won't be your baby forever. Just like a milestone was originally used to mark the passing miles towards a destination, so these developmental signposts are marking your little ones growing independence, and thus, their diminishing need for you.

I know. I'm being a touch dramatic, and I realize I still have plenty of time with my baby--sort of--I know that she will begin to need me in different ways; but, while we pass each milestone, each achievement, I shed tears of both incredible joy and sweet sorrow.

Now then, I wax poetic, and must get onto the meatier part of this post--the reporting of the actual MILESTONE Maelle has reached!

Wait for it...

MAELLE NOW SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT!

After much debating, agonizing, and general not knowing if we should or not, Matt and I decided it was time to try a little sleep training. Let me clarify. Maelle has never been a bad sleeper. She never went through that newborn stage of not knowing when it was nighttime and waking up and wanting to stay up in the wee hours of the morning. However, she definitely developed certain times when she would wake up and want to be nursed, not because she was hungry, but because she wanted the comfort of the whole experience. For a long time, we obliged, well, I did, and woke up sometimes 2-3 times a night to indulge her. After almost 7 months, that was getting old, and I was in serious need of a full night sleep.

Enter Sleep Training.

(I know there is a lot of different ideas about helping babies sleep through the night--so please, no criticism. We did what we thought was right for our family, others may feel differently, we understand.)

Can someone please tell me if we are the only parents to feel like our heart is being ripped out as our beautiful, sweet, innocent little girl is crying her eyes out in the other room? We were prepared for it. We read all the books that said that it was important for babies to learn to develop good sleeping habits, to self-sooth,

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Picture me at 2:30 in the morning, with my pillow and a blanket, on the floor outside Maelle's room, weeping along with her, listening to her, praying with all my might that she finds the blissful release that sleep offers.

No joke. That was me.

However, after one night of pure torture, Maelle seems to have got it.

Last night, she didn't make a peep until 6:30 am, when I happily got up, refreshed and relieved, and nursed my amazing, beautiful, lovely little girl--I can't begin to express how proud I am of her.

Milestone met.

My mothering becomes a little less necessary.

My heart becomes a little more full of love for my growing Jelly Bean.

Matt and I shed of few tears of joy and sorrow.

We look forward to the next milestone, anxiously anticipating while willing time to slow down.

We love you Maelle.

A Happy Half-Birthday

That's right! Can you believe it???!!!?!? MAELLE IS 6 MONTHS OLD TODAY!

Can someone please tell that sweet little baby of mine to stop growing up so fast?!?
She is officially now eating solid food--in fact, today was her first taste. She had rice cereal, nothing fancy, but she loved it, and of course, she got it absolutely EVERYWHERE. It was so great.

The Whole Tooth...

Maelle has been teething for quite a while now, and today, all that gnawing and chewing and drooling paid off. She has officially cut her first tooth. It's on the bottom front, and a sharp little sucker. I know it's a little funny, but Matt and I are bursting with pride...every little accomplishment and indication of growth has us beaming, and this is no different.

Way to go Maelle! WE LOVE YOU!

Cutting ties...already

So tonight is the first night that Maëlle is going to sleep in her own room, and not in ours. I know I know. By most people's standards we're probably well behind on this. She is almost six months old now.

But believe it or not the first ties that we are cutting with our first daughter are quite difficult. We'll see how the night goes. We're hoping that her being in her own room will lead to better quality sleeps without us disturbing occasionally.

Because Babies Are Meant to Be Spoiled...

All babies need grandparents--especially ones that spoil them. My parents came to visit with my sister for a week, and it was great to have them. As always, it was a whirlwind, but so great. We went shopping (oh did we go shopping--wish my sister was closer, we'd do it more often,) we went to the Palmyra Pageant, Niagara Falls (the boys went on the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour, the girls...shopped...) and we had a generally great time spending time together and watching Maelle get SPOILED!!

Grandma and Grandpa spent a little bit o'money and Maelle came away with one fantabulous exersaucer, a piggy bank, and clothes, clothes, clothes...It was awesome, and Maelle LOVES it all. The exersaucer is super fun, and Maelle LOVES it. She is reaching for toys and there are so many lights and things to grab, it keeps her very occupied. :)

Grandparents and Aunties are amazing. I am so very glad they got to come and visit!

The Flick of a Switch

It is always amazing to me how Fast everything can change. It's kind of like the flick of a switch, first it's OFF, and then it is ON. No 'half-way' here.

Maelle is like that.

Last week she was a tiny baby, sleeping in her

tiny bassinet, still and quiet....

and now FLICK,

she's a big baby, in a big crib and a little tornado in bed!

It feels like it happened overnight, out-of-the-blue, and all-of-a-sudden!

The scary/exciting part? I'm not sure which switch will be flicked next!

On a Roll...

My goodness...Maelle is now over 3 months old and changing SO much! Let me give you few examples:

1. She can now hold her head in line with her body when she is pulled up from laying down. Although I am no longer able to use this exercise as a way to clean under her double chins, it is exciting to see her gain more control over her giant noggin.

2. Tummy Time is becoming less and less traumatic. She actually is able to smile a bit when laying sunny-side down, which means I don't feel like I'm killing her when I put her that way.

3. She has become an excellent Kicker--in fact, she loves it when the bar on her floor gym starts to lean towards her feet--she kicks at the little hanging toys like crazy. We call them "her friends" because she smiles at them and gets very excited when she is laying underneath them--hopefully, her drop kicking them is not an indication of how she will treat any real friends she makes.

4. She is learning how to sooth herself to sleep. Not only does this mean she sleeps longer at night, but it also means she is able to go down for a nap much easier--although, I must admit, helping her learn to self-soothe might be making me go a touch grey. We have had a few tears over this (me and her) but, it is working, and she is beginning to understand that nap time does not have to be a traumatic event...most days.

5. Perhaps the most exciting thing: She can roll from her stomach to her back. It is still a big effort, and sometimes she doesn't quite succeed, but she has done it about 3 times, without assistance. It is pretty crazy to watch. You can tell she is concentrating really hard and trying to get her body to do what she tells it.

On a different note...

For those of you who know Matt and are friends with him on Facebook, you might have seen a recent post detailing some of our text messages to each other. For those you who missed it:

As a follow up, a friend suggested this...I got a kick out of it, maybe you will too...just remember: Beware the Number 3:

I Survived!

Okay--so being a sick while being a mommy is not fun. Not fun at all. Last week, I did not leave the house from Saturday night until Thursday evening. I was deathly ill, with a super sore throat, achy muscles, a super-sized headache and chills. Blah. I felt terrible, not only because I was ill, but because I was certain Maelle would be the darn things next victim--however, breastmilk rocks, and my little Jelly Bean is still healthy and smiley, and for that I am grateful.

Maelle is getting stronger each day, and is now making a pointed effort to reach for things. She still isn't super coordinated in doing so, but she really has more purpose in her movements, and her fingers are beginning to cooperate. It is so very cute to watch. Matt and I about burst with pride.

She is almost ready to move out of her bassinet, which will be a tough day for me; but with her head touching one end, and her feet touching the other, it won't be long until she is ready for a bigger bed.

We bought a swing the other day off of Kijiji, and she LOVES it. I wish I had gotten it sooner.

She also LOVES reading. Every night before bed, she gets a story, and her eyes are glued to the pages and she smiles and coo's right along with us reading. It is precious to watch, and one of those moments I treasure every time it happens.

**SIGH** So many moments, so many memories...so wish time wouldn't go by so darn fast!

A Lesson Learned

NEVER LEAVE A DIRTY DIAPER IN A WARM CAR!!!! NOT PRETTY AT ALL!!

Looking for a Groove...

As mentioned before. Being a mom is great...and I've spent the last 2 months really enjoying my little darling. I still plan on enjoying her to the very fullest, but I am in search of a basic groove for life. You know, like finding a schedule that works, and getting back into shape, and figuring out how to manouver around Maelle's schedule.

I Dream of Jeans...That Fit!

Having Maelle: SO worth it---Having 2 pairs of pants that fit (my pre-pregnancy fat pants) getting old fast. I never realized how having a baby and then HEALING from having that bundle of joy, can really take forever. I am itching to get back into running and remembering what it feels like to wear skinny jeans, but I'm not there yet. **SIGH** Soon, I hope.

Napping on the Fly

Maelle is a good sleeper. She let's us get a decent amount of it ourselves at night. I just wish I could figure out what she was thinking during the day. Sometimes she's out for HOURS...and for those of you who have/do breastfeed, by the time HOURS are up, you are praying for a loud noise to wake up that baby and remind it that dinner is waiting! Other times, she seems to go forever without nodding off at all. My sister keeps telling me to cherish the sleep time during the day, because it won't be long until she is awake and I'm praying for nap time. I just wish I could figure out a routine. My days seem so fragmented and random at this point.

LOL--I guess I just have to have patience and remember to always enjoy the moment--tight pants and all. No matter what, Jelly Bean is worth it!

April Moments...

Maelle is growing up so fast. She is officially 2 months, and April is almost over, and she isn't a newborn anymore. She had her 2 month check-up today, and did really good.

She is now 11 lbs 8 oz, and 24 inches long. Like I said, growing SO FAST.

There has been some great moments, and I thought I'd share a few. Maelle and her daddy get along great. They do all sorts of things together.

They like to nap.

They like to read.

They like to cuddle.

They like to make faces at each other.

Father and Daughter...what can I say, it is a beautiful thing!

On another note--vaccines suck. I know they are important, and I value the good they do--but it was the saddest thing ever to watch Maelle go from a happy, content baby, to one that was screaming at the top of her lungs, while looking at you with eyes that say "How could you?"... I know, I know...I'm dramatic, but hey--first time moms are allowed to be. :)

A Very Special Easter

I love Easter, but this year was particularily special. Not only was it a beautiful spring day (one of the first after a VERY LONG winter,) but it was also Maelle's blessing day. We dressed her up in a beautiful white dress that my grandmother crocheted before she died. It has been sitting in my hope chest for almost 20 years, waiting patiently for the arrival of my little Jelly Bean. It was gorgeous to start and made even better by being worn by Maelle.

Matt's family made the drive to London to join us for her special day. It was a most amazing day. Maelle was fantastic, she slept through the entire blessing. Matt was one proud daddy, and I was a teary (happy tears) mommy.

Easter dinner was at our house, and we enjoyed the company. Maelle even had a special cake. We are one happy little family. I hope everyone's Easter was as special as ours!

I love this little Jelly Bean.

Maelle had just woken up from a nap. She didn't really care about the cake, but it was fun to make! :)

Gigantor Baby

Maelle is growing like a weed. Nothing highlighted that more to me than a visit to Jara & Andrew's this past weekend. Maelle, Matt and I took the long drive to their home to visit their family and to let Maelle meet her new cousin, Lili, born just 5 1/2 weeks after her.

The contrast between the two was shocking. I cannot believe Maelle was ever even close to that size. 7 weeks has seen my little Jelly Bean grow to over 11 lbs, and her noggin is way bigger than when we started. Lili was super tiny compared to her cousin--and they are so close in age!

Yep--my baby, though still the most adorable, awesome little darling ever--has become a GIGANTOR baby...I don't mind at all, I just have one question--HOW DID IT HAPPEN SO FAST!!!!???!??!???!

(Maelle & Lili--5 1/2 weeks apart)

Meet the Butlers...

Maelle had a big week! At just over 5 Weeks of age, she took her first airplane ride to visit her Grandma and Grandpa Butler, and her Aunt, Uncle and Cousins on that side. The flight went so well--she was a dream to travel with. She slept and slept and slept some more. I must say, holding an infant on your lap for 4 hours was an exercise in endurance for me, but I am glad she was so good.

Meeting Grandma and Grandpa was great. They ooh'd and ahhh'd over her, and cuddled and held her until she was properly spoiled. It was wonderful to see and made me wish we lived a little closer.

Maelle's Aunt and Uncle were able to come visit too. Uncle Josh was fantastic with her. In fact, anytime she was calm and happy in the least, he basically demanded to hold her--until she started tooting or needed a diaper change. Uncle Josh doesn't do that. LOL.

Auntie Andrea cuddled and cooed and comforted little Maelle until she was contented. It was so cute to watch.
Maelle even got to meet her pseudo-auntie Ashley. We stayed up late talking and laughing and catching up. It is so nice to come home and see good friends and talk with them like we've never been apart. I'd say it is a sign of a true friendship.

The best part of the weekend? For the first time in a long while, my whole family went to church together. Maelle got all dressed up along with everyone else (and this time she didn't poop up the back of her dress.) We were one sharp dressed back row. It is always nice to go home to Claresholm, and going home to show off my new little daughter was super fun.

The Girl of 1000 Faces...

Maelle is not one to beat around the bush when it comes to expressing herself. In fact, I'd say we have a Drama Queen in the making. Her faces make us laugh frequently, and we can't get over how expressive she is, even though she is only 5 weeks old. The most fun is to imagine captions to go with each one...enjoy :)

A Month of Bliss

Maelle is officially 1 Month old today. She had her 1 month checkup today and is now 22 inches long (that's 1 inch growth) and weighs 9 lbs 6oz. That's up from 7lbs 9oz. So crazy. Although 10 reasons I love being a mom just isn't enough to sum up how amazing she is, and how much I love her, I'll limit it to 10...enjoy:

TOP 10 REASON I LOVE BEING A MOM...Thus far...

10. I love singing all the time to her. For those of you who know me, you know I love to sing. Maelle's favourite tunes include 'Down By the Bay', 'There's A Hole In the Bottom of the Sea,' 'You are My Sunshine' and 'Shake your Bon-Bon..." just to name a few.

9. Being a mom means snuggling with a super cutie. Nothing beats having Maelle lay her head down on my chest and coo contentedly.

8. RNOD: RANDOM NAPS ON DEMAND...Maelle demands, I comply :) It is so great to nap with my darling laying on my chest.

7. Dressing up my little Jelly Bean--even if that means her amazingly cute Sunday Dress only made it through a half hour of church because she had an explosive poop up her back and had to be changed into her unisex sleeper from the diaper bag...oh well, she still looked cute, even without her hair band. :)

6. Having conversations with someone who is fascinated by the sound of your voice, even if your conversations are non-sensical, or involve reading the ingredients off the cereal box. She always looks at me like I'm brilliant.

5. Midnight Rendezvous' with someone who loves my boobs...hee hee hee...

4. Seeing my little Jelly Bean grow, and getting to say I helped make that possible.

3. Staring into Maelle's eyes (which are going to be blue) and trying to guess what she might be thinking.

2. Sharing my kisses and having her share hers (even if right now, it's just because she's rooting and hungry)...I love those kisses, and one day, she'll do them voluntarily....

1. Marveling everyday that this perfect little Jelly Bean is mine forever.

A World of Firsts

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be a baby again. It is cool to think that Maelle is experiencing a world of 'Firsts'. For example, this week she experienced her first St Patty's Day (in which she endured me dressing her in green...but I have to say, she looked darn cute.)

She also had her first trip to the USA this weekend. We have received her Birth Certificate and SIN card, and it is crazy to see her name in official print. It is mind-boggling to know we actually NAMED and MADE this person, and are now RESPONSIBLE for her!!! EEK.

She also had another photo shoot with Jayden. Matt and I joined in--it was super fun. Here's just a sample:

We also took her to church for the first time. All I can say is, I need a little work to be able to deal with all the layers and breastfeed discretely in public. Thank goodness for mothers lounges. LOL--However, I did pick up some great nursing bras--not just the cheapy I originally purchased. It makes SUCH a difference, and now I no longer feel I am sporting Madonna's Cone-Boob look! YAY ME! I like to think Maelle appreciates that fact too...:)

Anyhow--can't wait to keep you posted on all the new "FIRST's" Maelle gets to experience. She is growing so fast! I'm doing my best to cherish them all. :)

A Jelly Bean...THAT POOPS!

Maelle is the most beautiful, amazing, sweet, little darling in the world! Yes, this is her mother speaking, and I may be biased, but I still think that she is. It is so funny how Matt and I think that everything she does is fantastic. From burping to yawning to pooping...and let me tell you, she does it all VERY WELL!!

For example, Maelle burps like a man. It is awesome. She is such a sweet little thing, but she would compete with the best beer drinking guy when it comes to belching. She gets all drowsy after she finishes feeding, with a glazed over look (We call it being Milk Drunk--see pic below), gets really still, and then **BURP**...so great. :)

She also loves to poop. She grunts, turns red, and really enjoys herself. Today, she managed to poop all over me, up her back, and on her blanket. A nice mustardy substance. It is amazing what kind of panic that can insight. It is quite hilarious.

Poor dear, hates having her diaper changed as it is, add a full strip tease while trying to avoid getting poop everywhere--you have one unhappy little girl. Her daddy and I are getting pretty good at dealing, but there is something about an explosive poop that unsettles and flusters even the most seasoned veteran.

What can I say? I have one amazing little Jelly Bean

A Week of Gratitude, Joy & Love

WHAT!!?!?!?!? How can my little Jelly Bean, now Maelle, already be a week old! It cannot be possible, the time has flown by so quickly. It was a wonderful week. Matt was able to stay home from work and we focused on becoming a family and enjoying our precious little girl. Can I tell you, she really is just the most amazing thing ever? E-V-E-R!!!

It has been particularily awesome to watch Matt with her. She has totally and completely smitten him, and he is such a great dad. Sometimes I have to pry her away from him, just so I can feed her. He does everything from changing diapers, to burping, to snuggling. I'm pretty sure he'd feed her if he could! :) She loves her daddy.

As for me, I cannot get enough snuggling cuddling. She is growing so fast. She went to the doctor yesterday and she is now back up to her birth weight, and is taller than 86% of the girls her age. She has/had no signs of jaundice, and is a happy, healthy baby--plus, she's super cute. The last few days have been fun because she is gradually becoming more awake and alert. Her eyes, though not determined 100%, look like they might be blue, and we can't wait to see.

**SIGH** I just can't get enough of this little Jelly Bean!

And Jelly Bean Arrives!!!! Who does she look more like???

And Jelly Bean is....

A GIRL!!!

And her name is...

Maelle Lena Burton

First question we get...how do you pronounce that???

my-ELLE LAY-na

So first, before we get into more let's play a little game. Which parent does Maelle look more like? Below is a picture of Maelle between her two parents. You be the judge!

Maelle was born Monday evening on February 28th 2011 at 8:30 pm, about 12 hours on the dot after we arrived at the hospital. And she was fairly punctual! Only 1 day after her due date!

Suzie went into labour at about 2:30 in the morning with regular contractions. She made it through the rest of the night with only a little rest. Just the evening before we had gone for a long walk to encourage little jelly bean to make an appearance. So it looks like that worked!

After a long night we made it to the hospital at 8:30 am and Suzie was 4 cm dilated in triage, so they sent us on in! We then got into our room and met our nurse and stuck it out for the next 12 hours.

Suzie was SUCH a trooper. she breathed through the contractions like a pro, without making a sound! But we were SO happy and relieved when little Maelle finally arrived. It was a very long day, especially for Suzie. And nothing can express the joy we felt when we finally met her!!