Lil' Bean

Because she's so darn cute...

Learnin' to be Mama

It feels strange that Maeve has been here with us already for 18 days, and we've been home together for 15! We really struggled initially with nursing, but these last 5 days we seem to have found our rhythm. We've not needed to trick her into nursing with the syringe, or finger feed since last Thursday; and instead of becoming angrier when I get ready to nurse now seems to calm down and relax when she knows that's what's about to happen. Further evidence of her knew adjustment to nursing, at her appointment last week, Maeve had already jumped to 8lbs 15oz in not quite two weeks! That's right, she's becoming a little chunky munk, her O'Connell genes shining right through.

(I'm hoping by writing this I don't in fact jinx us...)

I managed to talk my mom into extending her stay, and am worriedly looking towards her departure Saturday. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do without her help once she's gone!

Read: I don't feel very qualified to do this on 'my own.'

But for now we're spending our time nursing, snuggling and napping. Occasionally sneaking out of the house for a midwife or pediatrician appointment.

I know I'm biased, but just look at this little cutie!

Lil' Cousins

After our first week home, my 'frousin' Shannon and her youngest, Allie V, came to visit us! Just 14wks apart, I'm excited to see our girls relationship develop and grow over the years. I'm also curious as to how Allie's older sister Meg will do with two little girls to play with and boss around! ;)

Shannon, Allie V and my Mom, Gigi

The Bean and her "Aunt" Shannon meeting for the first time.

"Great Aunt" Gigi and lil' Allie V

Maevey Bean

My mother gifted Maeve with her first pair of sunglasses yesterday, and I have to say she's pretty darn cute in 'em!

Baby Weight

Well folks, it's official. In these last 10 months, I have gained 98lbs. According to my first pregnancy appointment at 8wks, I've "only" gained 93lbs. God bless first pregnancies and hypothyroidism.

January 2011

Last pregnancy picture at 36wks, I made it another 3wks and 5 days before Maeve arrived. Trust me, I was bigger than this:

I am happy to announce that as of today I have lost 44lbs of the 96lbs I gained! My next appointment with the midwives is on Friday, I'm hoping their scale reflects an even bigger loss. While it may be a lot to lose, 52lbs is waaaay more doable than 96lbs!

For now, here's an in-between picture of the bean and Mama. (Not too sure about the expression on my face...)

Happy Birthday Maeve

How can we have had this precious little Irish lady for a whole week as of tonight? It seems both impossible to have had her that long, and even more impossible that she hasn't always been here snuggled in between Adam and me.

We have had a beautiful first week, off to a bumpy start with Maeve's billirubin levels a bit too high and my developing post-partum pre-eclampsia. We ended up in the hospital several days longer than expected; Maeve to do some tanning and Mama to take it easy.

So far, so good though. Our girl is a sweetheart with a redhead's passion. She is seldom upset, but when she is boy does she let you know! Easy to soothe and happiest when cuddled, this little bean is perfect in every way!

Introducing Maeve Kathleen

Last night, September 30th, we ushered our sweet baby girl into the world. Maeve Kathleen O'Connell-Owens was born at 7:30pm, weighing 8lbs 2oz and 20in long. She has hazel eyes and the reddest hair!! I feel like I could stare at her forever and snuggle her always. As tired as I am, my adrenaline is still so high I feel like I need some outlet for my time while this little Maevey Bean slumbers in her bassinet beside my hospital bed. Between key strokes I have to turn and admire her a little more, and smile as she occasionally sighs and lifts both her legs at the same

time in her swaddled sleep. I adore her already, and Adam is completely smitten.

But how could you not be, when your sweet girl looks like this:

While today I did get a shower in, I have yet to venture into the land of makeup and still look like a pregnant, puffy mess. So, the only picture we have of Maeve and me is right after she was born. Since we're among friends, I will share it here. You can really see her red hair well in it.

Life could not be anymore beautiful.