Eleanor Ann Balch was born Wednesday, April 29 at 2:42 in the morning. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces (the exact same weight that I was as a baby), and she is twenty-one and a half inches long.
Thank you all for your sweet comments and support throughout the pregnancy! Today is Brandon’s birthday and we’ve just arrived home from the hospital after a slightly extended stay. There were a few complications throughout the inducing process and delivery, but I’m doing well and Eleanor is happy and healthy.
She has blue eyes, brown hair, and she’s just beautiful. We’re so in love with her.
Alicia
May 1, 2009 at 3:39 pmNot sure why I’m bothering to post a comment as you’ve gotten so many but–Shes so gorgeous! Congratulations on that little bundle! :)
xoxo
Alicia B.
Evy
May 1, 2009 at 3:39 pmCongratulations! She is an adorable little baby girl!
Taylor
May 1, 2009 at 3:40 pmOh, those cheeks! She is lovely! Congrats to both of you!!!
bink
May 1, 2009 at 3:40 pmLike her mother, she is making this world a little more lovely.
Heather
May 1, 2009 at 3:41 pmWhat a beautiful little gift! I’m so pleased for you both. Congrats on expanding you’re beautiful family. ~H
magpiesandmagnolias
May 1, 2009 at 3:42 pmSuch a pretty baby! Lovely rosy cheeks. Her name seems to suit her perfectly! Congratualtions!!
Jacci
May 1, 2009 at 3:44 pmYay!!!! She’s such a love!!! :) Congratulations to you both!
Shannon
May 1, 2009 at 3:44 pmShe is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations to you and Brandon! What a blessed little girl to be joining such a loving family.
sarah h.
May 1, 2009 at 3:44 pmcongrats! she’s beautiful…
Vanessa
May 1, 2009 at 3:45 pmShe’s beautiful! Congratulations! So glad to hear that everyone is home safely (and Happy Birthday to Brandon!)
laura
May 1, 2009 at 3:45 pmcongratulations!
Eva
May 1, 2009 at 3:45 pmCongratulations!!! Both of you must be so happy!!! Your daughter is soooo pretty and lovely!!!
I love the name, by the way.
Best wishes for all your family from Spain!!!
Eva.
NancyV908
May 1, 2009 at 3:46 pmI am thrilled for you both. What can be better than a beautiful baby (& with such a lovely name)? Congratulations!
Darlene
May 1, 2009 at 3:47 pmShe’s finally here!!! Congratulations Nicole and Brandon, you have made one beautiful baby!!
Christina
May 1, 2009 at 3:48 pmCongrats on little Eleanor! She’s adorable with such a lovely name. Are you going to call her Eleanor or Ella or Ellie?
Nicole RJ
May 1, 2009 at 3:48 pmCongrats! What a little sweetie!
Nichole
May 1, 2009 at 3:48 pmShe is the perfect little baby! Congrats! The two of you are going to be amazing parents! :)
Amanda
May 1, 2009 at 3:49 pmShe is precious and just so perfect and beautiful!!! Congratulations and glad to hear you are all doing well.
Jessica
May 1, 2009 at 3:49 pmOh Nicole, she is so beautiful. Congrats!
marcy wacker
May 1, 2009 at 3:50 pmwow. congratulations. she is absolutely gorgeous. you both should be so proud. now the incredible journey begins!
Eugénie
May 1, 2009 at 3:52 pmCongratulations to both of you ! Eleanor is adorable, and this is a very beautiful name. Welcome Eleanor !
Jane
May 1, 2009 at 3:58 pmHow wonderful!! I always love reading your updates and seeing the creative ways you have turned your house into a home. Congratulations! I am going to vote for your lovely front porch right now.
Tanna
May 1, 2009 at 3:58 pmShe is adorable! Congratulations!
amy
May 1, 2009 at 4:01 pmcongrats!! she’s adorable.
janelle
May 1, 2009 at 4:01 pmWelcome to the world little one! Congrats!
Jessibee
May 1, 2009 at 4:02 pmWell, why not add another one, right…? Congratulations! I think Eleanor is a great name choice. Happy Birthday Eleanor and Brandon…and Happy Mother’s Day Nicole!
Stacey Ball
May 1, 2009 at 4:04 pmAbsolutely precious picture and baby! Congrats!
Lillian
May 1, 2009 at 4:05 pmOh wow what a cutie! Congratulations!
Amber
May 1, 2009 at 4:12 pmWhat a beautiful little girl! Hope you’re able to gets some rest and she’s a good sleeper soon!
Natz
May 1, 2009 at 4:13 pmOh my… she is so perfect…
congratulations, dear!!
Nolita Morgan
May 1, 2009 at 4:13 pmCongratulations! So happy for you three. LOVE the name! Get some rest, new mama!
vedjen
May 1, 2009 at 4:14 pmCongrats on your beautiful baby. Induction sucks, eh?! I had my first baby in December and was laid up in bed for 3 days before I finally delivered. I don’t wish it upon anyone, but it was all worth it in the end — as you probably know now!
Cherry
May 1, 2009 at 4:14 pmCongratulations on your lovely little girl!
Ellen Patton
May 1, 2009 at 4:18 pmShe’s a doll!
Anne
May 1, 2009 at 4:19 pmI have been reading your blog for a loooong time and have never commented – probably checked for baby updates 100 times a day! Congratulations to you and Brandon (Happy Birthday)
Jen B
May 1, 2009 at 4:20 pmCongratulations on your little miracle! Glad everyone is doing well now. Don’t forget to nap when you can ; )
Katherine
May 1, 2009 at 4:23 pmCongrats! She’s lovely!!
Steph
May 1, 2009 at 4:30 pmCongratulations to your family! Eleanor is lovely….
Haley
May 1, 2009 at 4:30 pmAww, she’s beautiful! Congratulations!! : )
Kelsey
May 1, 2009 at 4:31 pmShe is beautiful! Congrats!
lindsaywillman
May 1, 2009 at 4:31 pmCONGRATULATIONS. She’s beautiful.
Dylan
May 1, 2009 at 4:38 pmCongratulations! :D She’s gorgeous.
Paula
May 1, 2009 at 4:39 pmCongratulations! She is beautiful!!
Bailey Leclerc
May 1, 2009 at 4:40 pmBeautiful baby, beautiful name! Congratulations!
Sara
May 1, 2009 at 4:41 pmShe’s so beautiful! Such an angel; congratulations!
Terri
May 1, 2009 at 4:42 pmCongratulations, Nicole and Brandon…and welcome to the world of mamas and papas! It’s a joyful ride. Eleanor is absolutely beautiful.
Take care,
Terri (your neighbor in Evanston)
Coty
May 1, 2009 at 4:42 pmCongratulations!!!
She so beautiful!
Get lots of sleep and smooches in!
Patricia Fontes
May 1, 2009 at 4:43 pmCongratulations! I was thinking a lot about you! I think I will have my baby pretty soon as well, this week… due date is May 9th!
Take care,
Paty
Viv
May 1, 2009 at 4:43 pmOhhh she’s beautiful! Congratulations!! xx
Alissa
May 1, 2009 at 4:43 pmvery cute baby! Congrats.
jill
May 1, 2009 at 4:44 pmCongratulations… she is so delightful. What a true blessing for your both!
nicole, chicago, 27
May 1, 2009 at 4:45 pmoh nicole, she is so beautiful. many blessings. enjoy this time. it passes quickyly.
Nancy
May 1, 2009 at 4:49 pmBeautiful baby!! Beautiful name!!
Congratulations! On occasions like this I think of that line from the movie Steel Magnolias:,
“My heart is so full, I need to loosen my bra!”
Best wishes to you all. You make a lovely family!
L
May 1, 2009 at 4:52 pmShe is SO beautiful! Congratulations!
Enyasi
May 1, 2009 at 4:53 pmWhat a beautiful little girl and a great name!!!!! Take care and enjoy..
puck
May 1, 2009 at 4:53 pmWhat a perfect name for such a beautiful baby girl! Congrats momma! Take care of yourself!!
Meg
May 1, 2009 at 4:54 pmCongratulations!! She is beautiful. I, like so many others, have been checking in to see if everything was okay. Glad to see that you are home and have a healthy baby. Have a speedy recovery!
Kelly S.
May 1, 2009 at 4:55 pmThat is one beautiful baby! Congratulations and welcome home to a whole new way of life.
angeljoy
May 1, 2009 at 4:57 pmOh, congratulations! I was hoping all went well for you! She is absolutely gorgeous!
Lori Danelle
May 1, 2009 at 4:57 pmSo precious!!!
I wish they stayed little longer!
susana
May 1, 2009 at 5:04 pmI´m so happy for you!! Congratulations to you both, I was thinking about you and your baby! She is adorable and her name -beautifull!
dawn
May 1, 2009 at 5:04 pmthis photo of her is just perfect. she looks like an angel. i can’t imagine how you must feel :)
Amy
May 1, 2009 at 5:05 pmOh my – she is so pretty! Congrats!
Adriana
May 1, 2009 at 5:05 pmWhat a precious baby! And what a name! Congratulations.
Blondie
May 1, 2009 at 5:12 pmCongratulations on your pink little bundle! She’s absolutely divine! What a beautiful girl! I love her name!
Blondie
PS Just remember to sleep when she sleeps! I know it will be hard to tear yourself away from just staring at her!
Amy
May 1, 2009 at 5:16 pmShe’s so sweet! And what a beautiful name!
Congratulations to your whole family!
Ed
May 1, 2009 at 5:16 pmOh congrats , she is so so beautiful , may she fill your days with love and laughter !!!
laurajane
May 1, 2009 at 5:17 pmShe’s, well, lovely! Congrats on the new addition- she’s gorgeous! LOVE the name too! Rest up- we’ve missed you!
Joyce
May 1, 2009 at 5:18 pmCongratulations!! She’s adorable!!
megan
May 1, 2009 at 5:19 pmwhat a pretty and healthy looking baby!!! congrats to all of you! i’m so happy you posted – i’ve been checking your site obsessively!
being a mommy is fabulous! i hope you are able to get some rest.
Stephanie
May 1, 2009 at 5:21 pmcongratulations!!! she’s adorable!
Kim
May 1, 2009 at 5:22 pmShe is darling and so is her name. Glad you all made it through safely. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa
May 1, 2009 at 5:22 pmI stumbled upon your blog today and had to stop and tell you what a beautiful baby you had!! Babies are such miracles! Cherish her well because babies grow up MUCH too fast!
Beth
May 1, 2009 at 5:26 pmAh, the name seems to fit you and Brandon so well.
Congratulations a million times over!
Here’s a quick little (very simple) acrostic for you:
Everything your
Little one brings will charm you.
Everyone will know she’s an
Angel.
No matter what life brings now, she will be your
Oasis, what centers you, your
Ray of light.
Lilie
May 1, 2009 at 5:26 pmShe is an angel!!
Lucy
May 1, 2009 at 5:28 pmcongratulations….and many blessings!!!
Jesselyn
May 1, 2009 at 5:29 pmCongratulations, I’m so happy for you!
Lucy
May 1, 2009 at 5:30 pmp.s I’m voting 4 u !!!
ashley morgan
May 1, 2009 at 5:33 pmWhat a doll-face! Congratulations!!! And Happy Birthday, Brandon!
Ashley
May 1, 2009 at 5:34 pmShe’s perfect!
A million congratulations and happy thoughts.
aspatria
May 1, 2009 at 5:37 pmAwwww….she’s truly lovely! Congratulations :)
this humble abode
May 1, 2009 at 5:38 pmyeah! she’s adorable, and so is her name.
Samantha
May 1, 2009 at 5:39 pmOh, she’s the most beautiful newborn in the entire universe! Congratulations!!
Ameya
May 1, 2009 at 5:39 pmAww, she’s beautiful!! Congratulations! :D
stefanie
May 1, 2009 at 5:41 pmHUGE congrats! I absolutely adore the name Eleanor.
Josephine
May 1, 2009 at 5:53 pmWorth the wait, huh? She’s perfect. Eleanor is my sister’s name and I always though it was special.
Amy
May 1, 2009 at 5:55 pmShe really is a lovely baby. Congrats. Hope you are feeling well.
Cara
May 1, 2009 at 5:56 pmHow wonderful! We’ll of course need more pictures of that cute little girl!
kandice
May 1, 2009 at 5:59 pmi like the name eleanore for your daughter. that fits perfect for you and brandon. she is so sweet :)
katiedid
May 1, 2009 at 6:02 pmOMG! Soooooo pretty! Stunning….but then I had no doubt.
Oh wait….I just said that.
I am so very happy for you. She is just perfect! I hope you are doing well and are getting some rest! All the best.
Jess @ sliceofdrywall
May 1, 2009 at 6:03 pmShe is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!! Congrats!
Rebecca
May 1, 2009 at 6:05 pmOh! – She is so perfect.
I’m so happy for you guys!
Inspired Events
May 1, 2009 at 6:06 pmONMG!!! SHE IS ADORABLE!! Congratulations!!
Sharla
May 1, 2009 at 6:09 pmWhat a beautiful little girl! Congratulations!
bethany
May 1, 2009 at 6:11 pmoh my word!
she is beautiful!!!
and look at all these comments!
don’t get overwhelmed–well, at least not by us.
just lovelovelove and enjoy all this newness.
and cry whenever you need to :)
Dewi
May 1, 2009 at 6:11 pmcongratulations!
What a beautiful baby.
The finest thing you ever created!
Breanna
May 1, 2009 at 6:12 pmBeautiful name…beautiful baby! Congrats!
CostumeDiva
May 1, 2009 at 6:13 pmWhat a perfect little new-per! Congrats!
Lucia M
May 1, 2009 at 6:14 pmShe is just gorgeous! Beautiful:) Congrats to you and Brandon!
Emily
May 1, 2009 at 6:20 pmAwww. Will be fun to see how your house changes with baby. Congrats!