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.
Seleta
May 4, 2009 at 9:55 pmYes, you sure do know how to “make it lovely”, just look at your sweet new baby!!!! Congratulations!
Laura
May 4, 2009 at 9:59 pmI agree with Seleta – you made her lovely!
Take a breather, you’ve worked hard enough! Congratulations!!!
Carrie
May 4, 2009 at 10:20 pmOh Nicole. She’s beautiful! Congratulations to you and Brandon (and happy birthday too!)! What love.
Michelle
May 4, 2009 at 11:02 pmShe is so precious! Congratulations. Glad you all are doing well! :)
Bel
May 4, 2009 at 11:59 pmShe’s beautiful. Congratulations :)
Mariah DeMarco
May 5, 2009 at 1:08 amCongratulations! …and then, there were 3… She is so beautiful Nicole! :)
Rashmi
May 5, 2009 at 4:02 amCongratulations. She is an angel. God bless you.
Steph Bond @ Bondville
May 5, 2009 at 4:26 amHUGE congratulations Nicole and Brandon from Australia! Eleanor is absolutely heavenly (and the photograph is amazing too). Well done to you two!
Linn
May 5, 2009 at 5:59 amCongratulations! She’s adorable.
green ink
May 5, 2009 at 6:10 amCongratulations Nicole and Brandon – she is just gorgeous! And what a beautiful name you’ve chosen. I hope parenthood is all you hope for. :)
Caro
May 5, 2009 at 6:50 amShe’s so beautiful, you should feel very proud!
Love your blog – and I definitely voted for your porch on BHG Challenge!
Alice Bath
May 5, 2009 at 7:58 amYour baby is really beautiful! I haven’t visited the blog for a long time but I am happy to see so Big change in your life!
I wish you happiness!
Laura
May 5, 2009 at 8:00 amThat has to be the most beautiful baby I’ve seen! I just started looking at your site last week and am happy to see you have a gorgeous new addition to your family! Best of health to you and baby. :)
Stacy
May 5, 2009 at 8:29 amSo lovely! Congrats!!
Richelle
May 5, 2009 at 9:45 amCongrats, Nicole and Brandon! She’s absolutely beautiful – best wishes for lots of sleep and good health for all!
agnes miles
May 5, 2009 at 10:07 amso beautiful! she is so lovely! congrats to you both!!! xoxoxoxxx, Lulu Mae
Rosebud
May 5, 2009 at 10:16 amcongrats to all! she’s beautiful.
LindsB
May 5, 2009 at 10:45 amShe is just beautiful and I LOVE her name!! Congrats on your daughter!!
Natalie
May 5, 2009 at 11:03 amIn case you didn’t see my other message on your porch transformation, I was just wondering what kind of flowers those are in the pretty green pot! :)
Casey
May 5, 2009 at 11:53 amCongratulations! What a punkin :)
salma
May 5, 2009 at 11:58 amshe is soooooo cute
congratulation for both of you
and welcome to our world Eleanor Ann Balch
AnnaMae
May 5, 2009 at 12:45 pmI almost didn’t leave a comment due to your 600+ but you know, new babies really are just that wonderful! so, congratulations, she’s darling and I love her name! it’s on my favorites list. :) I hope you’re resting up well and getting lots of snuggle time in with your sweet baby!
Leanne
May 5, 2009 at 1:53 pmwhat a beauty and what a powerful Mom!
painting the porch floor just days before her birth – yah!!
have a wonderful time with her and cuddle lots…not hard I am sure!:)
Congratulations to you both!
Leanne
julie
May 5, 2009 at 2:02 pmShe is beautiful! Congratulations!
Alexis L.
May 5, 2009 at 2:04 pmEleanor looks so sweet. Glad to hear that all is well. Congratulations!
Sarah
May 5, 2009 at 3:29 pmOh my, she is absolutely gorgeous! I’m currently waiting to find out if I am *finally* pregnant so I drink in sweet baby news like this. Congratulations!!!
Jeanee
May 5, 2009 at 4:40 pmOk… I’m comment 627. Look at how many people are so happy for you! Well I’m happy too. She is precious! Hopefully she’ll become mommy’s little helper!
Drea
May 5, 2009 at 4:47 pmShe is beautiful! I’m actually tearing up. lol.
Karen
May 5, 2009 at 5:50 pmCongratulations! She looks great in pink!
Dayle
May 5, 2009 at 7:13 pmShe is so lovely. Congrats to your family. Take care.
Kate
May 5, 2009 at 7:25 pmShe is so beautiful! Congratulations. Enjoy every moment with her.
Roaa
May 5, 2009 at 9:22 pmAt last she is here with you she is so so beautiful enjoy every moment with her .it’s the most enjoybale time to you ..
Alicia
May 5, 2009 at 10:14 pmYaaay!! April 29th is my birthday, too! She picked a great day to be born. ;)
Congrats!! She is SO beautiful.
Ashlie
May 5, 2009 at 10:20 pmCongratulations Nicole and Brandon! Eleanor is beautiful!
AGirlNamedMe
May 5, 2009 at 11:05 pmCongratulations. She is beautiful.
xoxo
nurin elani
May 6, 2009 at 4:25 amhi, been following ur blog silently. i’m from malaysia n been waiting patiently for ur baby arrival. nway, congratulations to you n brandon. Eleanor is sooo adorable.
oh ya, ur house is superb. what u did makes me wanna have my own house. take care ya~
Joyce
May 6, 2009 at 8:06 amCongratulations. She is beautiful. No doubt she will have all your creative genes! :)
Claire
May 6, 2009 at 8:15 amYour beautiful girl is here! Congratulations!
Kim
May 6, 2009 at 9:48 amAdding to the chorus to say congratulations! She’s beautiful! And lucky to have such wonderful parents. Hope you are following the #1 priority of the first two months, “getting the most sleep for the most people”!
Niky @ designitchic
May 6, 2009 at 11:17 amCongratulations on your beautiful girl!!!!
Ele
May 6, 2009 at 11:47 amCongratulations to you both!
Eleanor is a lovely name – I share it. ;)
kerri
May 6, 2009 at 1:37 pmyour eleanor is lovely…. quite fitting, don’t ya think! congratulations on your greatest design,
kerri
onyourbikesunshine
May 6, 2009 at 4:24 pmsweet and adorable!
congratulations!
Paper InStyle
May 6, 2009 at 8:29 pmCongratulations!!!
Jen
May 6, 2009 at 9:26 pmCongratulations!!! She is beautiful. I hope you are resting and enjoying your babymoon.
atikah
May 6, 2009 at 9:32 pmomg! the baby is super gorgeous. congrats to you both!
Michele
May 6, 2009 at 10:39 pmShe is just gorgeous – congrats on your precious little lady!
Melanie Anne
May 7, 2009 at 12:22 amCongratulations!! She is beautiful!!
pve
May 7, 2009 at 9:16 ama star is born!
wishing you much happiness with “eleanor.”
lovely name!
Keren @ ChicTip
May 7, 2009 at 10:40 amCongratulations to you all from us at ChicTip.com.
She is beautiful!!! Enjoy every moment!
Mary
May 7, 2009 at 12:32 pmWhat a gorgeous baby! I wish you all the best!
Saima
May 7, 2009 at 3:05 pmWell done and congrats, she’s gorgeous!
Jess
May 7, 2009 at 3:52 pmCongratulations. She is absolutely beautiful!
Robyn
May 7, 2009 at 6:28 pmCongratulations :)
she’s absolutely beautiful and I cant wait to hear more about her!
erin
May 7, 2009 at 8:27 pmi am new to your blog–but am wishing you a very hearty congratulations nonetheless! what a beautiful babe!
Mucha Muchacha
May 7, 2009 at 9:18 pmCongratulations to you both. Your new baby girl is absolutely beautiful!!
Missteee
May 8, 2009 at 2:41 amCongratulations!! She’s gorgeous!! :)
Renee
May 8, 2009 at 8:44 amand she doesn’t look the least bit overcooked!
just darling :) congratulations
Stacy of KSW
May 8, 2009 at 8:56 amHey Nicole,
Looks like we were even closer than we thought. My son was born on 27 April and he’s also a beautiful bundle of joy. Enjoy your sweet little angel as much as you can these next few weeks and be sure to take tons of photos.
Best Wishes,
Stacy
Down Comforter
May 8, 2009 at 9:05 amShe’s such a sweet little thing :) Congratulations!
ceci
May 8, 2009 at 9:26 amShe’s finally here! WELCOME ELEANOR!
congratulations and all the best to the new parents!!
Leslie
May 8, 2009 at 10:37 amI can’t help but add my well-wishes. The picture of your new precious little one is stunning. Here’s to you and your growing family. Congrats.
debi
May 8, 2009 at 1:49 pmisn’t she lovely!! just absolutely beautiful!
congratulations…
Carrie O
May 9, 2009 at 9:05 amI LOVE her name. I know an Eleanor Ann that goes by “Rannie”. It was a family name and I always loved that “Rannie” was unique and meaningful.
Congratulations!
Zoe, Conversation Pieces
May 9, 2009 at 10:14 amCongratulations! Haven’t left a comment on your blog before but it seems like the perfect time to ;)
arundati
May 9, 2009 at 11:53 amCongratulations!! she’s so beautiful… enjoy the motherhood ride..
Lynn
May 9, 2009 at 12:08 pmCongratulations, Eleanor is so beautiful! Rest up and enjoy!
Amy
May 9, 2009 at 2:33 pmCongratulations! A beautiful baby indeed :)
Nicky
May 9, 2009 at 2:54 pmCongratulations from London – what a beautiful baby! They say that when a baby is born, so is a mother. Enjoy those first weeks – they’re so special x
Katie
May 9, 2009 at 6:16 pmcongrats! She’s a star. Don’t worry too much about the schedule, it will come with time. She’ll be big before you know it. Enjoy her.
-Katie
Save Gocco Blog
Tracy
May 9, 2009 at 7:33 pmI’ve been a ‘regular reader’ of your site for the last few months – and seeing your prego pics…and updates toward the end of your pregnancy (when she was STILL snuggled in your tummy) kept me on the edge of my seat! It reminded me of my pregnancy 6 years ago! (She was 2 weeks overdue and I had to be induced, too….!)
The other similarity – she was born 2 days before my husband. How fun to have them so close together in bdays. We all know how sweet girls have daddy’s hearts wrapped around their fingers……!
Take your time with her, and these days of ‘getting to know each other’ – you’re going to have such a special day tomorrow, your first Mother’s Day!
You know we’ll still be here – don’t rush back or feel obligated to!
Have a great 1st Mother’s Day tomorrow.
Bárbara
May 10, 2009 at 5:34 amQue bonita!
C’est une jolie fille!
Felicitations!
kristin
May 10, 2009 at 3:26 pmshe is just beautiful!
Bridget
May 10, 2009 at 3:58 pmShe’s gorgeous!! Congrats :)
Christy
May 10, 2009 at 8:44 pmCongratulations! She’s so beautiful!
lightsonline.com
May 11, 2009 at 12:02 pmShe is beautiful. Congratulations :) Also, whoever took that photo is a fantastic photographer :)
Rashida
May 11, 2009 at 2:08 pmOh my what a beauty! Congratulations to you! I hope Mommy and baby are snuggled close and resting well. What a joy! ^_^
Holly
May 11, 2009 at 3:39 pmSorry this is a little late but huge congrats to you and your family.
Look forward to reading more about her on your wonderful blog!
yvette claire
May 11, 2009 at 8:01 pmbeen following your blog and never commented til now. just wanted to congratulate you on your bundle of joy. what a beautiful, sweet baby! you and brandon are blessed.
paola
May 12, 2009 at 3:58 amBest wishes!! She’s gorgeous!!
Nathalie
May 12, 2009 at 6:30 amCongratulations and mazal-tov
she is beautiful
Samantha
May 12, 2009 at 7:50 amEleanor is absolutely beautiful. I adore her rosey cheeks!!!! (-: Congratulations and best of luck to you on the start of a new journey in your life.
ROOM design studio
May 13, 2009 at 12:14 pmcongrats! she is so pretty and cute!! like an angel..
She shares my birthday by the way :)
Ray
May 13, 2009 at 1:44 pmYay!
Congratulations!
I’ve been following your blog about 1 year and really like what I see here. And now I see your so-expected baby.
Such a cutie!
Welcome Eleanor :)
Greetings from Brazil!
irene
May 14, 2009 at 10:43 amsuch a beautiful baby for such a beautiful parents ;) congratulations!!!!
tula@whorange
May 14, 2009 at 12:24 pmshe’s gorgeous! welcome, eleanor!!!
Uchenna
May 14, 2009 at 2:43 pmNapakagandang bata!
The best of wishes from the Philippines!
red.neck Chic
May 14, 2009 at 2:59 pmYay! Congratulations – She is absolutely Gorgeous!!!
“Welcome” from Texas!
Bethany
May 14, 2009 at 9:53 pmWhat a beautiful blessing. Congratulations.
Becky
May 16, 2009 at 12:20 pmCongrats!!! She is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
Jaana
May 21, 2009 at 3:55 pmI’m a ‘little’ late here, but congratulations on your adorable baby girl! Aaawwwww. :)
Abbey
May 21, 2009 at 10:28 pmCongratulations! She is the sweetest!
Rehan Ahmed
May 25, 2009 at 1:38 amOh my God, Lovely baby Congratulations …:-)
Lorie Smith
March 19, 2010 at 2:36 pmShe’s beautiful and her birthday is the same as my oldest daughter Emily Caroline’s…she was born 6 years earlier. :) I somehow came across your blog and love it.
Lorie
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January 13, 2011 at 9:43 pm[…] Eleanor Ann Balch Chicago Tribune: “The Home Page” […]
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January 15, 2013 at 1:32 pm[…] April 2009 – Eleanor was born. […]