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!!