We’re expecting our third baby this September!
I bought these hooks back when Brandon and I had decided to try for another baby, and then tucked them away for a while. I was going to do a whole little setup like in the picture above to surprise him with the news. Instead what ended up happening was that I saw that faint second line on a pregnancy test, I ran and found the ‘number 3’ hook, then thrust it at a still-sleepy Brandon. It might have been a little confusing, being woken up by your wife with a hook in her hand and a very goofy smile on her face.
We told the kids a couple of weeks ago, along with the rest of our family. August is happy, but I don’t know if he really gets it yet. Eleanor, on the other hand, is so excited. She talks about the baby all the time, and has come up with a few name suggestions: Cinderella if it’s a girl, otherwise Super-Boy. Brandon keeps joking with her it’s going to be Maudius or Claudius, and she wrinkles her nose up at the idea. Hers are just so much better, you know?
We’re all looking forward to the baby’s arrival in September, but it’s a good thing we still have six months to think of some possible names. Or maybe Eleanor’s on to something?
Kimberly
March 18, 2014 at 11:45 amCongratulations!! How exciting!!
Amber
March 18, 2014 at 11:47 amCongrats!!!! I’m having a baby in July, and can’t believe how fast time is going by.
Danielle
March 18, 2014 at 11:48 amCongratulations!! :)
merlin513
March 18, 2014 at 11:48 amCongratulations!
ats
March 18, 2014 at 11:49 amLOVE! congrats xoxox
jenn aka the picky girl
March 18, 2014 at 11:50 amYea!!! So exciting. Congrats – the new house is perfect for your expanding fam. :)
Alex - Hydrangea Girl
March 18, 2014 at 11:51 amOh man you guys, congratulations!!! What an adorable and creative way to photograph another one on the way ;)
xx A
Katie
March 18, 2014 at 11:53 amCongratulations! What a lucky baby.
Ana from Portugal
March 18, 2014 at 11:55 amSuch wonderful news, Nicole!
Congratulations!
I wish you guys all the best and a very healthy baby Balch!
:)
Nicole L
March 18, 2014 at 11:56 amCongrats! How exciting!
Chedva
March 18, 2014 at 11:56 amSuch great news! Congrats! x
Jena
March 18, 2014 at 11:56 amLord, you’ve done brought me out of lurk mode for this one.
Congratulations, sweet Nicole! And I love the hooks – so stinkin’ cute.
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:25 pmThanks!
Kerri
March 18, 2014 at 11:57 amCongratulations!!! :D
Caroline Royce
March 18, 2014 at 11:58 amWonderful news! Congratulations to your adorable family.
Heather
March 18, 2014 at 11:59 amCongratulations! And those hooks are fantastic – such a cute and clever way to announce your new babe.
Kayla aka Kilo Bravo
March 18, 2014 at 12:01 pmCongratulations!!!! So excited for your growing family! Best of luck!
Sandy
March 18, 2014 at 12:01 pmYou and I are due around the same time! Happy baby!
Becky
March 18, 2014 at 12:09 pmCONGRATULATIONS!
Susan
March 18, 2014 at 12:09 pmThat is blessed news! Congratulations! I love that you were so excited that you couldn’t wait for “the perfect set up”, etc.
Jessica S.
March 18, 2014 at 12:09 pmAaah!!! So excited for you, even if I don’t really know you! I remember sometime a few months back, I’d noticed that you’d published a blog entry that alluded to trying for more children; and that your post contained some verbiage that mentioned “your expanding waist line”. Later that same afternoon that post had been published, it was clear to me that you’d changed your mind about including that text, when I saw that you’d edited the post and removed that phrase. When I made that observation, I was like, “Hmm…I guess she doesn’t want to go there.”
As a reader, and as a friend in the world, I’m so happy to hear this surprising news! Congrats, to you and Branden.
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:27 pmThank you so much. I can’t remember which post that was — but I wonder if I was just talking about a little weight gain, ha! I may have taken out the line so as to not encourage speculation. ;)
Crystal
March 18, 2014 at 12:13 pmWhat a surprise! Congrats!
Amanda
March 18, 2014 at 12:14 pmCongrats on the new addition to the Balch family!
Katie
March 18, 2014 at 12:18 pmWhat lovely news! Congratulations!
judi
March 18, 2014 at 12:21 pmCongratulations!
Sarah
March 18, 2014 at 12:24 pmCongratulations! Thank you for sharing such special news with all of us!
Laura @ Rather Square
March 18, 2014 at 12:24 pmYay! Congratulations!
Melissa
March 18, 2014 at 12:25 pmYay! Congratualtions! :)
Tatyana
March 18, 2014 at 12:26 pmCongrats! So happy for you and your family!
Heather
March 18, 2014 at 12:31 pmWonderful news! Hope you’re feeling well. xo
amyks
March 18, 2014 at 12:31 pmCongratulations!! So happy for you. We have 3 kids and while it is crazy at times, it is so awesome.
meta
March 18, 2014 at 12:32 pmI’m jealous. We decided to stop at No.2 ;)
Congratulations! xx
Nichole K
March 18, 2014 at 12:32 pmCongratulations!! I like your numbered hooks! I was also too excited to tell my husband we were expecting in a planned out way. I ended up blurting it out :). We’re due in late August. Hope you’re feeling well!
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:29 pmIt’s hard to wait for that perfect setup, isn’t it? Thanks, and I hope you’re feeling well, too!
Kie F.
March 18, 2014 at 12:35 pmHow exciting, Congratulations!!!
Heidi
March 18, 2014 at 12:38 pmCongratulations! So exciting.
april
March 18, 2014 at 12:39 pmHow lovely! Best wishes to you and your sweet family!
Amanda
March 18, 2014 at 12:43 pmCongratulations! And I love the hooks!
Nikki
March 18, 2014 at 12:44 pmCongratulations! That’s such exciting news. Love Eleanor’s name choices, too ;)
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:29 pmThey are pretty fantastic.
Tina
March 18, 2014 at 12:44 pmCongrats! You grow ’em cute.
Caroline
March 18, 2014 at 12:45 pmCongratulations! What wonderful news!
Molly
March 18, 2014 at 12:49 pmYAY!! What great news! So happy for you all. And we use The Adventures of as an opener to find the right name. So try using The Adventures of Eleanor, August, and – to find the right fit! :)
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:29 pmI love that. Although “The Adventures of Eleanor, August, and Super-Boy” sounds pretty natural, no?
Robbyn
March 18, 2014 at 12:54 pmOh my goodness! Congratulations!!
Carly
March 18, 2014 at 12:59 pmCongrats! Very exciting.
Rebecca
March 18, 2014 at 1:02 pmWhat an exciting time for you and your family, congratulations! P.S. I love the hook idea, I can totally see myself doing something like that when my turn comes ;)
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:31 pmIt’s for the best. I probably would have been too giddy to properly measure for the hooks, and they would have come out all cattywampus anyway!
AnnW
March 18, 2014 at 1:09 pmLovely! You two have so much energy! At least you have lots of room for the new one. Are you going to let Eleanor decorate the nursery? THAT would be a hoot. Best Wishes.
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:31 pmEverything (EVERYTHING) would be dark blue if it were up to her!
Amanda
March 18, 2014 at 1:09 pmCongratulations! I’m expecting my first in September! Hoping you post a pregnancy/baby round up post with items you love – your taste is right up my alley :)
Janis
March 18, 2014 at 1:11 pmCongratulations! Such wonderful news!!
Maureen
March 18, 2014 at 1:13 pmThe dynamic of 3 is fantastic! What lucky children you have.
Stephanie
March 18, 2014 at 1:15 pmYeah! So happy for you guys :) I also have three (8, 5 1/2, 3) and it is so great.
Victoria Smith
March 18, 2014 at 1:21 pmaaaaaaa!! so happy and excited for you! xx
Morgan
March 18, 2014 at 1:22 pmWow, wow, wow! How exciting! Congratulations and I’m so happy for your growing family!
AnneStrawberry
March 18, 2014 at 1:33 pmI’m a September baby myself and think it’s a great time to have a baby. Congratulations, that’s so exciting!! Love the hooks too! :)
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:17 pmSeptember’s a fantastic month for a birthday. (Mine’s on the 22nd. Maybe the baby and I will share?)
Alice
March 18, 2014 at 1:35 pmCongratulations! Such wonderful news! I always love hearing how the older siblings react and their name ideas for the new baby. Something cute to tell #3 when he or she is older :)
Jessica @ SundayLoves.com
March 18, 2014 at 1:36 pmSooo thrilled for you. Yay, yay, yay!
Nicole M.
March 18, 2014 at 1:37 pmCongrats!! Good thing you have a perfect house to bring Baby home to…plenty of room for expansion :) Are you finding out the sex of the baby?
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:17 pmWe aren’t sure yet.
Maureen
March 18, 2014 at 1:47 pmThat’s wonderful news! Congrats to the whole family!!!
Celeste
March 18, 2014 at 1:48 pmCongratulations! I love how you told Brandon. I have done similar things in my excitement, realizing my communication skills have evaporated.
Hope the pregnancy is going well and things aren’t too rough for you (by the projects you’re working on, I will assume you’re OK). xoxo
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:19 pmThanks. I’ve been queasy and lacking energy, but I’m hoping that I’ll feel better as the second trimester progresses.
mommaruthsays
March 18, 2014 at 1:49 pmCongratulations to your family! Three kids, what a wonderful delight :) I hope you have a healthy, smooth & enjoyable pregnancy!
Erica
March 18, 2014 at 1:49 pmWhat beautiful news! Congratulations.
Lindsay
March 18, 2014 at 1:51 pmYAY! YAY! Congratulations!!!!!
Jenny
March 18, 2014 at 1:53 pmYay!! Congratulations!!
Bere
March 18, 2014 at 1:59 pmCongratulations!
Jenna
March 18, 2014 at 2:05 pmOh, Nicole!! Congrats!!
Lara
March 18, 2014 at 2:06 pmCongratulations! I’m expecting my second baby in October, I’m so looking forward to your maternity/baby related posts!
Mercedes
March 18, 2014 at 2:13 pmCongratulations!! I am 33 weeks pregnant and counting the days to see my new baby!! I have a 15 month old boy and he doesn’t get he is going to have a baby brother soon… The only thing he cares about my belly is my belly button!!
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:20 pmHa! It’s probably pretty interesting to a 15-month-old.
Brooke
March 18, 2014 at 2:16 pmCongrats! Hope you’re feeling well!
I was just thinking about whether you might have another as I was taking my baby’s monthly portrait the other day (inspired by yours). :)
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:21 pmI’m always so happy to hear that other people do those monthly portraits too!
ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com
March 18, 2014 at 2:18 pmcongratulations!
rebecca
March 18, 2014 at 2:20 pmwonderful news! so happy for you and your beautiful family.
Karen
March 18, 2014 at 2:21 pmCongratulations! And another monthly photo series to look forward too. :-)
Ollie
March 18, 2014 at 2:31 pmCongratulations! Our daughter is the exact same age as Eleanor (4/29/09), our son is a few months younger than August, and we are expecting #3 in July. We live in a 1905 Victorian (smaller than yours) in Minnesota. We are having the same reactions from kids: son is excited but doesn’t fully get it and our daughter is beyond thrilled! It is so fun to read the pregnancy books week to week with her and talk about how the baby is growing. Enjoy! Also, her names are Rudolph and Rainbow, ha!
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:22 pmExcellent names, of course.
Kathryn
March 18, 2014 at 2:32 pmCongratulations!
AnnMarie
March 18, 2014 at 2:34 pmCongratulations! That’s wonderful news! ^_^
liz @ btb on etsy
March 18, 2014 at 2:35 pmWonderful news!! Congratulations! I hope you’re feeling well :)
Catherine
March 18, 2014 at 2:38 pmYay, congratulations! What wonderful news! :)
Jodi
March 18, 2014 at 2:45 pmI rarely comment on blogs but I wanted to say congratulations. I am a mother of four, oh it is such draining and rewarding work. Mostly I just wanted to say that you are good people, raising good children, and since the world is going to continue to be populated I hope it is done by good people! Cheers!
Kimberly
March 18, 2014 at 2:45 pmHow wonderful!!
Yvonne Eijkenduijn
March 18, 2014 at 2:48 pmWhat a happy news!! Congrats to all the Balches!!
jbhat
March 18, 2014 at 2:57 pmAs the middle of three girls, I can attest to the wonderfulness of three kiddos in a family. Congrats to all of you! And I hope you are feeling great.
jbhat
EmilyHG
March 18, 2014 at 3:08 pmCongratulations to your whole family! Very happy and wonderful news!
Jen
March 18, 2014 at 3:13 pmA huge congratulations to you all! And love the hook announcement! So darling!
Bonnie
March 18, 2014 at 3:18 pmCongratulations!!
Diane@InMyOwnStyle
March 18, 2014 at 3:32 pmHow exciting! Congratulations. I love your coming soon sign. XO
Natalie Coca
March 18, 2014 at 3:59 pmCongratulations Nicole! Wish you all the best with the new baby on the way!
Katie
March 18, 2014 at 4:03 pmAw, Congratulations!
barbara hess lucander
March 18, 2014 at 4:09 pmCongratulations!
Reshma Sanjeev
March 18, 2014 at 4:15 pmCongratulations Nicole!
Christine
March 18, 2014 at 4:31 pmCongratulations!!!!
Elena
March 18, 2014 at 4:39 pmCongratulations Nicole and family! So sweet!!!
Jen @ RamblingRenovators
March 18, 2014 at 4:43 pmCongratulations Nicole & Brandon! Wishing you an easy next six months. xo.
Priscilla
March 18, 2014 at 4:49 pmCongratulations!How exciting!!!
Cathi
March 18, 2014 at 4:51 pmMany congratulations on the newest addition!
Josephine
March 18, 2014 at 4:51 pmFelicitations! I wish for you a healthy pregnancy and baby!
Brandyn | Southern Distinctions
March 18, 2014 at 4:54 pmCongratulations to you and your growing family!
Anna
March 18, 2014 at 5:00 pmCongratulations. Very exciting news!
Mercedes
March 18, 2014 at 5:00 pmCongrats! I’ve had a feeling you would be making this announcement, sooner rather than later. So happy for you and your family.
Jan
March 18, 2014 at 5:10 pmCongratulations!
Karen
March 18, 2014 at 5:11 pmCongrats!
I have three children, and those same hooks! I have them in our mudroom, at “kid” height for their coats – love them!
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:24 pmSounds cute!
Anna
March 18, 2014 at 6:28 pmCongratulations! What wonderful news!
mary
March 18, 2014 at 6:49 pmCongratulations! I’m in week 32 of my first pregnancy, and it’s been so fun watching many of the bloggers I follow who are all pregnant at the same time. I’ve been considering doing baby photos like yours, but don’t have the perfect chair.
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:23 pmOh, do it, with or without the perfect chair. You will love having those photos to look back on.
julia-tagandtibby
March 18, 2014 at 6:49 pmso sweet, congratulations!
kristin
March 18, 2014 at 6:50 pmoh wow, congratulations! we just welcomed our third baby last month – it’s crazy but so so fun too. my older daughter named the baby “Avocado” before he was born…that’s not the name we went with believe it or not. hope you’re feeling good! :)
Making it Lovely
March 24, 2014 at 1:24 pmBut Avocado has such a nice ring to it…