Jay-Z

Welcome to the world, Blue Ivy Carter.

Granted, the first offspring of mega couple Beyonce and Jay-Z arrived on January 8, but her first photos only surfaced online today, courtesy of  the rapper's blog, Life + Times. Look at happy mother and adorable daughter below:

At first, of course, there was a question over what the baby's name actually was, but Beyonce and Jay-Z have most definitely made it very clear: they've already moved to trademark the moniker Blue Ivy.

A tad pretentious? Sure. But how can we find any fault in something really to someone so cute?!? Just look at the tyke again:

She's already a mogul, this one.

Blue Ivy, Beyonce and Jay-Z's baby's name, may soon be trademarked as well. It does have instant brand recognition, and her business-savvy folks are all over that.

Blue Ivy Carter's parents filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office protecting the little girl's name for possible use on a future line of baby goods.

Why the rush? There was no time to waste, apparently.

Two Blue Ivy wannabe entrepreneurs already had applications shot down, and no matter how many White House visits Bey and Jay had enjoyed, they'd still have to go through the office's first-come, first-served process like everyone else.

However, a surge in applications is usual when a new name or phrase explodes into the lexicon, and because it's the office's job to sort things out, they try to anticipate trends, subsequently fast-tracking applications inspired by names in the news.

Still, one Blue Ivy earned the trademark before Beyonce was even pregnant: The Blue Ivy clothing store in Wisconsin got unknowingly lucky in early 2011.

They can be expecting a fat check in the near future.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Some reports surfaced earlier this week that none other than Oprah is the godmother of Beyonce and Jay-Z's newborn baby girl, Blue Ivy Carter. But is it true?

It is not. Oprah is not the godmother.

She may be a fairy godmother in a non-official sense - she did send baby Blue an entire trunk full of books already - but she hasn't been given any title.

Winfrey's BFF Gayle King said: "Let me just say, if [this] is true, it is news to her. You know, she was heading to South Africa when the baby was born."

A separate source close to the power couple's camp also tells E! News that this is not true, and that Media Takeout was wrong (in a stunning revelation).

Again, no need to worry, though, as Oprah's close to Beyonce and Jay-Z, so Blue Ivy should still get first dibs on Winfrey's annual Favorite Things list.

YOU get a gold-plated stroller!!!

[Photos: WENN.com]

Blue Ivy Carter totally has it made in the shade at age three weeks.

Not only are her parents Beyonce and Jay-Z, she's got freaking OPRAH as her godmother, according to reports. Media Takeout says that the godfather of beautiful baby Blue is Mr. Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith, a longtime close friend of Jay-Z's.

The inside source who told the questionably reliable site claims that the couple did not want to name people they are already related to as godparents.

They are close to Smith, and have become close with Oprah in recent years.

This much is factual: The talk show legend already along a mammoth trunk full of books as a baby present for little Blue after Beyonce gave birth Jan. 7.

Godmother or not, Blue's got an in with O. Kelly Rowland is so jealous.

Kelly Rowland has been spending time with her BFF Beyonce and the most awesomest baby in the world (Blue Ivy Carter) and is making sure we know about it.

In a recent interview, Bey's former Destiny's Child collaborator gushed about just how beautiful Beyonce and Jay-Z's newborn is, as well as how perfect they are.

Gushed may be an understatement, actually.

"She is just…. more precious than a diamond. She is so stunning. So beautiful. I'm so happy for my sister and her husband. She's beautiful," said Kel of Blue.

They're not actually sisters, but we get the point. Kelly was asked if she's been visiting the baby often. She saod: "Absolutely! You have to be a good aunt!"

Again, not technically Blue's aunt. But point taken.

Kelly went on to say that basically, Jay and Bey are the best parents of ALL TIME (where's Kanye when you need him) and that Blue Ivy is the Messiah.

"She's in mommy-vile and her husband is in daddy-vile, and the baby is SO beautiful! Beyonce is an incredible mother. I'm so proud of her, so proud."

We have no doubt she's sincere, but one gets the sense she's trying to prove something as well. We get it, Kel. Bey rules. And you're friends. But ease up.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Last week, a report surfaced that in light of the birth of his daughter Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-Z would no longer be referring to women as bitches in his lyrics.

The story was met with universal praise. Too bad it was false.

Jay-Z personally told the New York Daily News that the story was fake. While he did not formally announce that he will continue to call women bitches, by denying the contrary, implicitly, the message is that he may continue to do so at will.

The words attributed to Jay-Z may have been fake, but the response of countless fans to what they thought was his change of direction was still very real.

Is it wrong for the new father to continue to use the word "bitch" (among other more choice words)? When Blue's mom is such a champion of strong girls?

Jay is far from the only rapper to face such criticism, of course.

Eminem, a father of multiple daughters, has defiantly said that music is art and his lyrics are not a reflection of him as a person or the way he treats women.

Still, for a lyrical maestro like Jay, would anyone object if he omitted a few degrading terms? Should he be expected to, considering what his craft is?

You tell us: Is it okay for Jay-Z to call women bitches?

Beyonce, Jay-Z and Blue Ivy were living large last weekend. Birthing suite style.

The Lenox Hill Hospital birthing suite where Beyonce gave birth to her baby girl is, one could say, the Ritz-Carlton of birthing suites. Five-star stuff here.

TMZ reported, and a hospital employee subsequently confirmed, that the photo seen here is indeed of the "executive suite" where Blue was born ...

The spacious room features four flat-screen TVs, gray and cream sofas, even brushed-chrome accents, mahogany walls and a fancy pants kitchenette.

Jay-Z, who already released a song for Blue, apparently kicked back on a cozy bed with plush sheets, a fluffy comforter and a private bedside table.

He deserved it - guys have child birth really rough.

Lenox Hill Executive Director Frank Danza said the superstar couple paid $800 per room per night to use the brand-new, never-before-used suites.

Not cheap, but a far cry from reports that they rented out a whole floor of the hospital for A MILLION DOLLARS. That's just crazy talk right there.

NY State Health Department officials are investigating reports that the couple's security personnel caused issues for other expectant moms and new parents.

The weekend arrival of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's baby daughter Blue Ivy Carter hasn't left everyone feeling overjoyed. The New York State Health Department, for example.

Officials are looking into complaints concerning treatment of maternity patients and families during Beyoncé's controversial stay at Manhattan's Lenox Hill Hospital.

"We've received two complaints that we're looking into today," a spokesperson said, adding, "Neither of them was from people who were involved in the situation."

"One was from someone who read about it in the media and the other was anonymous. So we have no person we can interview or talk to about it."

"But at this point, we are reviewing the situation."

After the megastar couple welcomed Blue on Saturday night, the New York Daily News reported that a Brooklyn man was barred from seeing his premature newborn twins in hospital NICU areas due to Beyonce's security team's presence.

More criticism followed from other patients and expectant moms who alleged that the circus surrounding Beyonce giving birth was disruptive to patient care.

Adoring new parents Beyoncé and Jay-Z have taken baby daughter Blue Ivy Carter home from New York City's Lenox Hill Hospital, the medical center has confirmed.

The family left under cover of darkness at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Observers noted a procession of vehicles with blacked-out windows leaving from the hospital’s side gate in the middle of the night, according to the N.Y. Daily News.

The ecstatic couple's 7-lb daughter was born late Saturday in the Big Apple. They called the birth "emotional and extremely peaceful," adding, "we are in heaven."

Jay even wrote a song about Blue.

"It was the best experience of both of our lives," Beyoncé and Jay-Z said. "We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support."

Beyonce gave birth after the superstar couple reportedly arranged major security measures that were criticized by some others visiting in the hospital.

The couple said in a statement that Blue was delivered naturally, despite reports from some sources that she had a planned c-section. It's a bit of a mystery.

[Photo: WENN.com]

In a statement released just a few hours ago, Beyonce and Jay-Z officially confirmed that she gave birth to baby girl, Blue Ivy Carter, on Saturday.

The couple writes, jointly:

“Hello Hello Baby Blue! We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, January 7, 2012.”

Jay and Bey say Saturday was the best day ever for them.

“Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven. She was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives."

"We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support.”

Jay-Z released “Glory” - a new song he wrote as a tribute to baby Blue, and which even features her at the end - online earlier today. It's a cool song, and so sweet.

Congratulations again to the happy couple!

[Photo: WENN.com]