Welcome to the World, Princess Jelly Bean!

A week ago Friday, 19 November, my great-niece - and she is a GREAT one! - took her first peek at this world.  She was slightly overdue for her arrival date, originally projected for 12 November, which caused her young parents some small consternation.  But just as the gynecologist, who also happens to be a second cousin to the proud young dad, was ready to induce labor, the newest princess decided that it was time to make her entrance on her own terms.  Like all females in this family, she already has a mind of her own!

Here she is with Proud Dad Big J, Sweet Momma T and Doctor Cousin L, who delivered her [please note correction from original post].   Healer Sis is the Proud Grandmom from our side of the family.  She is also mother to Proud Dad and she is indeed PROUD.

She arrived at 8:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.  According to reports from Proud Grandmom Healer Sis, Sweet Momma T actually laughed during the delivery, helped immensely by an epidural to feel little pain.  

Upon first hearing the name of the newest princess, my own Princess Butterfly promptly dubbed the newest family member "Jelly Bean" - with a delighted giggle.  So, for this blog, she will reign as "Princess Jelly Bean" - at least for the time being.  She has been pronounced "perfect in every way" by her doting Grandmom.   Here she gazes up at her delighted papa.

Princess Jelly Bean weighed in at 9 lb 10 oz (4.08 kg) and was 22 inches (55.9 cm) long.  She has black hair (with just a slight tinge of red showing in the photos), a hearty cry, and loves to curl up in a ball.  She is exactly two weeks younger than her second cousin Prince Attani and, like him, scored 9 out of 10 on her APGAR.  I had never even heard of APGAR before, except in the context of a campground in Glacier National Park.  But apparently a 9 out of 10 on the APGAR score is a very good thing.  So I am very happy for both babies and their doting entourages. 

This world is somehow a sweeter place because of these recent additions to the family!