Surprise: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

We are thrilled to announce the birth of Eleanor "Ellie" Brooks Anderson

11/20/2011 8:59am 6pds 11oz 19.5in

Eleanor is French and means Bright, Shining One

Brooks has been a female name for seven direct, generations on Brooks' side of the family, and now Ellie makes eight!

Daddy picked Ellie's name in the summer of 2009 and never wavered from it. So, no Eleanor is not a family name, just a name we loved:)

She has an incredibly peaceful spirit about her and already is starting to wrap her Daddy around her little finger ;)

Her birth didn't exactly go as we had envisioned and prayed for...But we don't regret trying to have a homebirth and VBAC. We are so thankful for the patience and guidance of our midwife and doula, during the 28+ hrs. they were by my side helping me labor and we will be forever grateful for the amazing care and team of doctor's and nurses that helped us at UCLA. There was so much peace and joy that filled the OR as we waited for her to be born and find out who I had been carrying for 9 months.

We have been enjoying one another and getting to soak in this newest member to our family. Asher hates hearing her cry and loves to give his Ellie hugs all the time. If I can think of anything outside of her and Asher, I promise to post more pictures....