It's a Boy for NBC's 'Early Today Show' Host Veronica De La Cruz

By Renee Anderson , Parent Herald Mar 26, 04:53 am

Veronica De La Cruz's little one is finally here. The 32-year-old popular television news anchor gave birth to a baby boy Wednesday.

This is the first child of Cruz, who hosts NBC's "Early Today" show and MSNBC's "First Look". The bundle of joy, named Hartley Eric, weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces at birth.

The baby's name is inspired by the new mom's late brother Eric. Eric, who failed to receive a health insurance, died while awaiting a heart transplant in 2009. In memory of her brother, Cruz started a nonprofit organization called "Hope for Hearts Foundation" to support the financial requirements of heart transplants across the country.

"Before my brother died, I started an online campaign to raise money for a life-saving heart transplant," Cruz told People magazine.

"Thousands of compassionate Twitter followers came out to support the effort and we lovingly referred to them as Eric's Twitter Army. They all displayed banners on their online avatars that read, '<3 Eric' - which is where my son's name comes from. If you look at my own social media profile, you will see still see a heart followed by the name Eric. That is what inspired my son's name."

During the chat, the proud mom also revealed her excitement and joy over her son's arrival.

"After the pain and devastation of losing Eric almost four years ago, having a healthy baby feels like an incredible miracle," she added. "Of course, he couldn't be any more beautiful. I think I can safely say I have finally met the love of my life."

Well-wishers of the former CNN anchor came forward to congratulate and share happiness with the new mom.

"Wow, he is such a beautiful baby! I know she is going to be a wonderful mother! I love the name Hartley, and it's great that she gave her son such a meaningful name. Best wishes to both of them!!" one of the comments appearing in People magazine read, while another added, "Oh he is so precious, all that hair and chubby babyness. He's beautiful and love the name."