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!!

JB - The Numbers Game

2 pregnancy tests

3 ultrasounds
9 months pregnant (-3 days)

41 JBC blog posts

233 days since we found out

276 days is the length of JB's pre-birth life

91 lovely maternity pictures

4 OBGYNs

3 different seasons

2 tropical vacations

1 extremely large Jelly Bean

AND yet to be decided...

? days till birth

? pounds ? ounces

X? chromosome

? hours of labour

Ready to Burst!

Okay, I know I have been told by multiple people that the last few weeks of pregnancy are the longest, but I didn't really believe it, until now. It is incredibly surreal that we are going to have a baby. I kinda feel like I will never be UN-pregnant again. While I am still trying to embrace and enjoy those quiet moments between Jelly Bean and I, and those between Matt and I, I am getting increasingly anxious to have the baby. Matt is too. He texts me multiple times throughout the day asking if Jelly Bean is still inside. It is very cute.

However, despite feeling ready to burst, I have enjoyed getting prepared these last few days. Baby bag is packed, my hospital bag is packed, and I have dusted every nook and cranny of the house. OH--and perhaps most important, my toes have been painted! I have a great friend (Cheryl) who took care of that, and the colour we chose, really pops. So, even though I can't really see them, the doctor who delivers my baby can enjoy my freshly painted toes--now I just have to shave my legs, and I'll be set! :D

Preparing and Loving It!

FREEZING WITH FRIENDS...

Ok, so for those of you who know my mother, you know one of her favourite topics is cooking and recipe planning. She always has the greatest and latest kitchen gadgets to play with, and loves to give her daughters a call and share with them her next amazing recipe idea. Myself, being one of her daughters, I get to pick her brain often.

SO--when one of my good friends, (Kristen), sent me an email suggesting that we get together and do some freezer meals in preparation for the baby, I jumped at the chance and immediately called my mom for some suggestions. She sent me to get a book called "The Big Cook," a cookbook that has a tonne of great freezer meal ideas. This weekend was when Kristen and I made it all happen. We made everything from Beef Fajitas, to Orange Chicken, to Apple Crisp--not to mention we spent ONLY about $110 each for 15 meals and 2 Desserts--talk about economical!

It was a lot of work, and I have to give a shout out to Kris, because without her, I wouldn't have had the energy or desire to make it through the day, and it wouldn't have been have as much fun.

Now my freezer is full, and one more step towards Jelly Bean's arrival is complete.

MATERNITY PICS...

About a week ago, we had a fantastic young lady (JAYDEN), come over to our house and grace us with her photography skills and do a fun and fantastic maternity shoot for us. At the time, I was 37 weeks pregnant--now I'm 38. I have to share some of the amazing pics she took (These are just a few). She has incredible talent, and managed to make even a fat belly look good.

THANK YOU JAYDEN!!! :)

Getting uncomfortable...

I love being pregnant--or have loved it, up until this last week. Now I LIKE it, most of the time, but I must admit, I'm having moments of wishing it were done.

Like when I have to pee 5 times in one night.

Or, when I have to bend over to do up my boots.

Or, when I really just want to fall asleep, and my legs won't stop moving.

Or, when I have to get Matt to help me sit up.

Or, when I waddle when I walk.

BUT...

There are things that I love too.

Like when I get to take fun pics of my growing belly.

Or, when I get to feel Jelly Bean move.

Or, when Matt talks to my stomach, and tells Jelly Bean stories.

Or, when we are lying in bed and sharing the kicking between us.

Or, when I think of holding my precious little Jelly Bean in my arms.

I"M SO EXCITED--Makes all the uncomfiness worthwhile.