Addy readers choose Geelong region’s cutest bub

Geelong Advertiser readers have crowned the region’s cutest baby. And the chosen bub’s entrance to the world was dramatic, with his mum fearful she would not survive the birth. SEE THE TOP 10

Ella Marin with her three month old son Navy Bellis who has taken out the Geelong Advertiser's cutest baby. Picture: Brad Fleet

The bub crowned the region’s cutest baby by Geelong Advertiser readers made a dramatic entrance to the world on January 16.

Navy James Bellis’ mum Ella Marin, 17, thought she was going to die during the birth.

The St Leonards resident was in early labour from Christmas Day and found out the day before giving birth she had severe pre-eclampsia, which made for a traumatic labour.

“I had this gut feeling I needed to get checked out because I wasn’t feeling well so I went in and my blood pressure which was quite high and the protein in my urine was well over the limit,” she said.

“They said I would need to have the baby really fast as my blood pressure was rising and my brain was at risk of seizing.

“It was quite scary.”

Her waters broke at 3am and Navy was born about 11am.

“I did haemorrhage nearly two litres of blood so that was rough,” she said.

29-04-2024 Ella Marin with her 3 month old son Navy Bellis who has taken out the Geelong Advertiser's cutest baby. Picture: Brad Fleet

Born at 37 weeks, Navy weighed 3.3kg.

“He was happy and healthy,” Ms Marin said.

“My blood pressure and my heart rate was not going down so I was in hospital for about a week.

“I thought during my birth I wouldn’t make it to see my baby afterwards.

“It was rushed and not how I wanted it.”

Ms Marin said she experienced post-partum pre-eclampsia and post-partum depression.

“I did struggle a lot to bond with Navy,” she said.

“It was pretty rough, but everything is OK now.

“I’m a single mum at 17 so it can be tricky.”

Three month old son Navy Bellis poses after winning Geelong Advertiser's cutest baby. Picture: Brad Fleet

Ms Marin said Navy was very loved.

She said his name was her mum’s idea and she was unsure about it at first.

“Then I started to like it and it stuck with me, every time I went to ultrasounds he just looked like a Navy,” she said.

Ms Marin said Navy loved Dorothy the Dinosaur from The Wiggles.

“He loves The Wiggles, at two months old he would squeal out of excitement and smile every time it was on,” she said.

“He also loves to be outside and be in the bath, he loves the water.

“He is the happiest baby.

“I was excited when we found out he won cutest baby.”

The competition was fierce with more than 160 bubs nominated to take the crown for Geelong region’s cutest baby 2024.

Navy won with 40 votes out of a total of 710.

Check out the other beautiful bubs that rounded out the top 10 cutest babies for 2024.

2. Eden Jones

Eden Jones. Eight months old. Eden’s smile and laugh can light up any room, but man do you have to work hard for it. She has the sweetest personality, but she can be super serious and dry. That’s why we call her our little Salada.

3. Bobby Watkins

Bobby Watkins. Ten months old. Bobby is such a happy and cheeky little boy. Always smiling and laughing, he is always exploring and playing with new exciting things around the house, and the moment the Tupperware cupboard is his favorite.

4. Kyrie O’Toole

Kyrie O’Toole. Nine months old. I’m such a happy boy, I clap and shake my head ‘no’ at everything. I love chasing my big sister around in my walker and bouncing in the jolly jumper.

5. Ollie

Ollie. Six months old. Cheeky with the cutest smile.

6. Kayce Kahle

Kayce Kahle. Seven and a half months old. Cheeky little gremlin.

7. Caleb Kelly

Caleb Kelly. Five months old. Meet Caleb, his bright blue eyes and beautiful constant smile just make your heart melt. Adores his brother Taj so much.

8. Charlie Arlow

Charlie Arlow. 10 weeks old. She loves tummy time, looking at books and smiling.

9. Wren Vodopic

Wren Vodopic. Four months old. Wren is a very happy and loving little baby, very cuddly and loves having a conversation with you. She has been a strong fighter recently coming back home from open heart surgery at Royal Children's Hospital and is going good in her recovery.

10. Cooper-Lee Rushby

Cooper-Lee Rushby. 10 months old. Cooper-Lee is our curly haired crazy boy. Cooper loves to eat and dance to The Wiggles with his mummy.

The Geelong Advertiser’s Best Of competition in May will be cosmetic injectors.

Nominations will open on May 14.

Originally published as Addy readers choose Geelong region’s cutest bub