I joked on Wednesday evening that I had just bought some fancy flowers to photograph in my entryway for an upcoming post, thereby guaranteeing that I would go into labor before being able to take pictures the next day. Well?
Calvin Edward Balch was born at 8:18 a.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2014. He weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces (the smallest of our three), and measured 21 inches long. He has fuzzy brown hair with a polka dot of a blonde spot, right in the center on top, and very dark blue eyes that make it impossible to predict what color they will stay.
I’d given birth before without an epidural, so that part of the experience wasn’t new, but this delivery was the first that was free of complications (thank goodness). Calvin and I are happy and healthy, and our family of five is doing well!
Jen H.
October 5, 2014 at 8:24 pmHe is beautiful and perfect. Huge congratulations to you and your family! Welcome to the three-kids club. :)
RebeccaNYC
October 5, 2014 at 8:31 pmYou sure do make pretty babies…And he looks just like his brother and sister!! .CONGRATULATIONS!!
Karen L.
October 5, 2014 at 8:44 pmSoo happy for you, Calvin, and your whole family! So adorable and love that all went well for both of you. What a cutie-pie of a son! Love his name, too. Thanks for sharing such a sweet picture of your beautiful baby. Blessings on all of you!
Vanessa
October 5, 2014 at 8:50 pmAw, congratulations! He’s beautiful! Love his name.
Chrystal
October 5, 2014 at 8:52 pmCongratulations! Calvin is adorable. :)
Heather
October 5, 2014 at 8:55 pmAww. He is so cute. Congratulations!
Kimberly
October 5, 2014 at 8:55 pmYay! Congratulations. Nicole and family! So glad to hear your beautiful boy is here safely!
Gretchen
October 5, 2014 at 8:55 pmHuge congratulations!!!! He’s beautiful…and you’re great at naming babies, a trait I much admire (says the mother of another August ;))
Amanda B
October 5, 2014 at 9:02 pmIncredibly happy for you and your family! What a beautiful boy! Hope your family is enjoying their new little brother!
Grace @ sense and simplicity
October 5, 2014 at 9:22 pmCongratulations. He looks adorable.
Kelly K
October 5, 2014 at 9:26 pmSo happy for you! Our third baby seemed to round out our family beautifully – I bet Calvin will do the same for your’s. He’s just lovely!
nancy50
October 5, 2014 at 9:26 pmCongrats to you and Brandon on your new little blessing – he’s a cutie!
liz @ btb
October 5, 2014 at 9:34 pmHe’s perfect! What a sweet little face. Congrats y’all!
Priscilla
October 5, 2014 at 9:37 pmCongratulations! So glad you & Calvin are doing well! What a sweet name :)
Hannah
October 5, 2014 at 9:38 pmI’m a silent reader of your blog, but thought this was worth a comment. Congrats on Baby Calvin, he’s a beauty!
Nat @ This Little Yellow House
October 5, 2014 at 9:56 pmNawww that is awesome news. Congratulations and I love his name.
Lisa
October 5, 2014 at 10:00 pmOh he is just beautiful. Congratulations to you and your family. Enjoy every moment.
Cindy
October 5, 2014 at 10:04 pmCongrats on the newest. Addition to your family! Glad to hear all went well!
Katie
October 5, 2014 at 10:21 pmCongratulations! I know a couple of people with dark hair and blond spots. Our neighbor’s child has a blond spot right on top of his head and our neighbor likes to say that it was God giving him one more kiss before he came down.
Gina
October 5, 2014 at 10:24 pmCongratulations! He is beautiful!
Lauren
October 5, 2014 at 10:34 pmHe’s wonderful. Congratulations!
Audrie
October 5, 2014 at 10:47 pmCongratulations! He’s just beautiful!
AnnMarie
October 5, 2014 at 10:50 pmCongratulations! He looks so snuggly and cute and just downright adorable. ^_^
CK
October 5, 2014 at 11:00 pmCongratulations to your family!
kristin
October 5, 2014 at 11:21 pmOh he’s so precious and beautiful! Love his name too, you guys have great taste in names. :) So glad to hear you didn’t have any complications with this guy, that will make the newborn period that much sweeter. Take care and enjoy your THREE kids!! It’s a trip at the beginning!
Line
October 6, 2014 at 1:55 amCongratulation to all of you :) He looks absolutely wonderful.
Sana
October 6, 2014 at 2:42 amCongratulations, Nicole, and welcome to little Calvin!
poulattitude
October 6, 2014 at 3:03 amCongratulations ! What a cuteeee baby :)
Enjoy !!!
Becci
October 6, 2014 at 3:11 amCongratulations! He’s adorable! <3
Many greetings from Germany
Becci
sandi m
October 6, 2014 at 3:54 amWhat a cutie!! Now hope he stays this quiet….
Congratulations to all!
Brie
October 6, 2014 at 4:20 amCongratulations! He’s precious. :)
elicia
October 6, 2014 at 5:34 amHe’s beautiful! Congratulations to you all.
Lisa
October 6, 2014 at 5:46 amHe’s beautiful! Congratulations! :)
Julie.
October 6, 2014 at 5:51 amOh my gosh Congratulations and welcome to little Calvin!!! My son had a little polka dot of a blonde spot on the back of his head when he was a baby and he’s 9 now and still has it – I love it!
Ragnhild
October 6, 2014 at 6:07 amCongratulations!
I am so happy for you.
Lots of love from long timer reader, first time commenter from Norway
Bonnie
October 6, 2014 at 6:12 amI found you through the Chicago Tribune when Eleanor was a newborn. Now there is sweet Calvin to join her and August in the patter of little feet around the Victorian. Joy!!
Best,
Bonnie
Juli
October 6, 2014 at 6:35 amcongratulations!! what a sweetheart.
Sarah @ Sarah's Daybook
October 6, 2014 at 6:53 amCONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! That was worth all of the unnecessary exclamation points. :)
He is so beautiful and I am so excited to see how he grows up in the lovely home you have made with your family. Enjoy the early days, hate to say it, but before you know it he will be in college! What am I saying, I’m only 16 and it feels like 4192 years until I go to college.
Much love to the whole family! Can’t wait to see how the nursery comes along!
Sarah
Jenny G.
October 6, 2014 at 6:54 amHe’s beautiful! Congratulations! Get some rest and enjoy your new family of 5.
Amy
October 6, 2014 at 6:57 amCongratulations! 8 lbs 9 oz is your smallest baby?! You deserve some pretty fantastic Mother’s Day breakfasts for the rest of your life! ;)
Diane@InMyOwnStyle
October 6, 2014 at 6:58 amSo precious- Congratulations to you and your family. I am looking forward to watching him grow through your posts.. XO
Jennifer
October 6, 2014 at 7:34 amHe’s perfect! Congratulations! Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Brittony
October 6, 2014 at 8:19 amcongrats! what a beauty he is.
Cynthia
October 6, 2014 at 8:31 amWhat a beaut! Congrats to all and kudos to the parents for another stellar name pick!
LeeAnn
October 6, 2014 at 8:32 amHe is a perfect, beautiful baby! Congratulations!
Anne@itsabaltimorelife
October 6, 2014 at 8:40 amAhhh congratulations! I love his name. He is the same birth size and weight that my daughter was…how freaky is that!!!
Eleni
October 6, 2014 at 9:14 amCongratulations to your family for the new baby!
Mary Kay Nelson
October 6, 2014 at 9:39 amCongratulations! He is absolutely beautiful!
lsaspacey
October 6, 2014 at 9:48 amCongrats! His photo looks so much like the one you took of Eleanor! You know with a name like Calvin to expect a lot of stuffed tiger toys for presents, right?
Raquel
October 6, 2014 at 9:59 amCongratulations! He is adorable–such clear, perfect skin for a newborn!
Amie M
October 6, 2014 at 10:09 amCongratulations! I am waiting for mine to pop out any second. Any second now. C’mon baby.
Jacole
October 6, 2014 at 10:10 amCongrats to your family! What a great day to be born…my birthday too! :)
Allison
October 6, 2014 at 10:12 amCongratulations to you and your family!
Erika
October 6, 2014 at 10:13 amCongratulations! And what a lovely name!
Ariane
October 6, 2014 at 10:13 amFélicitations ! He looks perfect – just like his sister and brother :) Take care.
Tonia
October 6, 2014 at 10:32 amCongratulations! He’s just adorable. I’m so glad all is well with you both!
Stephanie
October 6, 2014 at 10:36 amCongrats!
Melissa
October 6, 2014 at 10:50 amCongratulations! He’s beautiful — take care!
Nadine
October 6, 2014 at 11:00 amCongratulations! He’s adorable.
Deb
October 6, 2014 at 11:01 amSo happy everything went smooth for you and Calvin! Congrats to you and your family!!
Desiree Fawn
October 6, 2014 at 11:03 amYay!! Congrats :D
wendy
October 6, 2014 at 11:12 amAmazing. Congratulations on the family expansion.
Marcee ... ILLINOIS
October 6, 2014 at 11:40 amMazel Tov! ;)) May Calvin bring you naches! At first glance, I thought it was Eleanor. For sure, August and big sister will absolutely adore their baby brother. P.S. Everyone get some sleep!
Katie
October 6, 2014 at 12:13 pmCongratulations, he’s perfect! Also, glad to hear that they delivery went just fine without complications!
Alison
October 6, 2014 at 12:27 pmCongratulations!! Both on the beautiful baby, and also on the labour going well — what a relief!
Libby
October 6, 2014 at 1:08 pmCongratulations! So happy for you and your lovely family – Calvin looks gorgeous!
Peaches
October 6, 2014 at 1:12 pmWelcome welcome welcome Baby Calvin! Hugs and rest to you all :)
Laura
October 6, 2014 at 1:28 pmAwwww – he looks perfect! Congrats mama, and glad to hear the birth was complication-free!
Mary Ann
October 6, 2014 at 1:35 pmHe’s perfectly gorgeous!
Congratulations on your handsome new boy, and thanks so much for sharing – it’s a delightful way to start a new week!
Judy
October 6, 2014 at 1:47 pmWhat a beautiful Boy. We are so happy for you and your adorable Family. Love from all of us. We have followed you since you were carrying Eleanor and enjoyed your writing and wonderful Creativity.
Sasha
October 6, 2014 at 1:52 pmHow exciting! He is just precious. Congratulations to your family, on your newest addition!
Tina Slocum
October 6, 2014 at 2:01 pmCongratulations to you and your Family! Welcome Baby Calvin! He is a Beautiful Balch Baby for sure! So glad all went well, Nicole.
Ursula Ellis
October 6, 2014 at 2:25 pmCongrats! He is beautiful.
Claire
October 6, 2014 at 2:41 pmCongrats! We also named our son Calvin, so I love and endorse the name. And though I say we also used the same name, we’ve never run into another Calvin, so it’s unique without being odd, and no worries that he’ll ever be 1 of 6 Calvin’s in his class.
Marcee ... ILLINOIS
October 6, 2014 at 6:23 pmThe baby’s name is really lovely. I had a friend named Calvin in art school. Everyone called him “Vin” though. A cool nickname.
Liz
October 6, 2014 at 2:46 pmWhat wonderful news! I wish you and your family all the best.
raeleneb
October 6, 2014 at 2:51 pmWahooooo! He’s adorable. Welcome to the world, little Calvin. So happy to have you!
Maegan
October 6, 2014 at 3:52 pmI don’t usually comment, but I’m a long time stalker and just had to today….. he is ADORABLE! I LOVE LOVE the name! Congratulations!
chris
October 6, 2014 at 3:52 pmcongratulations! what a great name. enjoy!
jbhat
October 6, 2014 at 3:59 pmWonderful news, and congratulations to all of the B5! I love Calvin’s name, and am glad his “birthday party” went smoothly for you. :)
jbhat
Tara Jane
October 6, 2014 at 4:00 pmCongratulations, he is beautiful. Great name!
Aoife
October 6, 2014 at 4:14 pmI’ve never commented here before but Calvin is just so gorgeous I had to say congratulations!
Noelle @ Noelle Mullins Design
October 6, 2014 at 4:39 pmCongratulations! So exciting and such a sweet name. The first few weeks are so extra special, enjoy it!
Jill
October 6, 2014 at 5:19 pmCongratulations! Calvin is a lovely name for such a beautiful baby boy.
Jan
October 6, 2014 at 5:33 pmCongratulations! He looks just like Eleanor.
Nikole
October 6, 2014 at 5:51 pmCongratulations! I’m so thrilled for you and your family :)
Katherine
October 6, 2014 at 8:02 pmCongratulations to you and your family! He’s perfect!
erin
October 6, 2014 at 8:14 pmHe is SO handsome, his name is PERFECT, and I’m so very glad you didn’t have any complications! Congrats, Balch Family!
Amanda
October 6, 2014 at 8:46 pmHe is adorable! I love his name. Congratulations :)
Maggie
October 6, 2014 at 9:05 pmCongratulations!!
Kathryn
October 7, 2014 at 1:05 amCongratulations Balch family! What a sweet and handsome boy he is.
Tanja
October 7, 2014 at 3:23 amCongratulations!!!! And I wish you a very nice and peaceful first time altogether!
marij
October 7, 2014 at 3:33 amCongratulations!! He looks adorable. I hope the family is doing well.
Morgan Wilson
October 7, 2014 at 9:20 amHe is seriously perfect! Congratulations!!
itziar
October 7, 2014 at 9:35 amCongratulations!
The new in the family is so adorable!
Wendy
October 7, 2014 at 9:58 amCongrats on that bundle of perfection. Your oldest two cuties are almost the exact same ages as my two boys. This is making me want another!
CTDC
October 7, 2014 at 10:41 amCongratulations! He looks perfect. Good job, Mama!
Haley J.
October 7, 2014 at 10:52 amCongratulations, Nicole! He is absolutely beautiful!
Debren
October 7, 2014 at 10:55 amwow, Nicole, you sure do make beautiful babies! Many congratulations! Calvin looks so peaceful and mellow. Looking forward to watching him grow with his siblings….
Dee
October 7, 2014 at 11:12 amHe is SO very lovely. Perfect, even. I love how you choose such good, solid names as opposed to way “out there” names kids would probably be tempted to change when they come of age. A beautiful family you have! Can’t wait to see more Calvin Edward!
Shauna
October 7, 2014 at 11:24 amFélicitations! Gorgeous child!