Just thought we should mention that we recently welcomed a new member of the family.
On Friday the 14th at 5:57pm, Clara Kenley Petersik was born with a paint brush in her hand weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz and measuring 20.5 inches long. We’re insanely in love with her. And she and Burger are already best buddies. Seriously, he thinks it’s his job to stand guard next to her at all times.
Clara was named after John’s grandmother on his dad’s side. And her middle name, Kenley, is an homage to my dad (Ken) with John’s mom’s maiden name worked in there (Kelley) along with a reference to my great aunt on my mom’s side named Lee. Gotta love rooms and names that multitask.
We’re all home from the hospital and happily settling back into life here at Casa Petersik (there’s nothing like a four day hospital stint to make you miss your house like crazy). Yes, we actually had an extended stay due to a pretty terrifying scare during Clara’s birth (an unexpected placental abruption paired with an umbilical cord prolapse had a slew of wonderful doctors and nurses performing an emergency c-section in under three minutes to ensure that Clara was a-ok). But although her delivery was anything but restful, we’re both over the moon that she’s 100% healthy and 1000% adorable (not that we’re biased or anything).
And now that we’re all back home, Clara really seems to be enjoying her new surroundings. In short: we feel like two of the luckiest people in the world. And we’re so thankful to be able to share this amazing time in our lives with such wonderful readers. Thank you all for the well wishes that you’ve passed along throughout our big journey to parenthood. We can’t wait to detail all the ways that our house grows and changes to accommodate a little person and we promise to share all the organization, storage, and simple living tips that we pick up along the way (while tackling even more DIY adventures and cheap-o room makeovers of course).
But now back to our regularly scheduled blogging. We have an awesome house tour to share, so stay tuned…
Psst- We’ll also be announcing the random winner of the big baby pool (and a $100 West Elm gift card) tomorrow, so stick around.
Molly says
Yay, congrats! Welcome to the world, Clara! You’re parents are super cool and creative!
Jason says
Congrats you guys! And baby makes four=)
Kimberly says
Wonderful news! She is beautiful.
Courtney says
Well, she’s just as beautiful as I knew she’d be! I’ll bet it was exciting to put her into her beautiful crib, in her equally beautiful room. Enjoy every minute…it goes by way too fast!
Susann says
My heartfelt congratulations to you and Burger! She’s lovely. I kept reading your blog first thing to see if she had arrived yet!
Amanda T says
Aww,
I’m so happy for you guys. John, I’m sure it was hard to have such a scary thing happen to the girls! I’m so happy everything worked out well!
C. Wood says
The look on Burger’s face is more, “What is THIS? Is it food?”….seriously congrats!
Izaskun says
ZORIONAK (CONGRATULATIONS) from Bilbao
Janet says
Yippee…So happy for the 4 of you! I simply love the name you chose for your beautiful new baby girl and I’m especially proud of Burger for being such an attentive big brother.
Alexis says
Congratulations!!! I’m so glad your little girl was born healthy. My best friend had a son 4 weeks ago also born my emergency c-section but he too is 100% happy and healthy. I love love love your daughter’s name. Besides all the history behind it, Clara is my top pick for when my husband and I hopefully conceive. Not to mention it’s also in honor of a grandmother. You guys have an absolutely beautiful bundle of joy. Again, congratulations!
Marelis says
Congtas you guys!! I’m so happy for you and glad you are all doing well :)
Sandy says
Congratulations to you all! Clara is gorgeous!
Anne says
Awww. Look at that little cutie! Congrats!
Soooo sorry that you had such a scary delivery. I can’t imagine how terrified you all must have been and how relieved you all are now that she is here and healthy.
Beautiful name for a beautiful girl! Congrats again!
Emily says
She’s just beautiful! Love the name too :-) Congratulations!
Allison says
Congratulations!!! She is beautiful. Talk about a great DIY job ;-)
stephanie says
congratulations! she is absolutely gorgeous!
Celia says
What a doll! I hadn’t checked the site for a couple days, so I was thrilled to check it out this afternoon and see your news! I love the name you picked too; Clara Kenley rolls off the tongue nicely. May 14 is my dad’s birthday, too, so it’s a good day, even though I was holding out for May 23 (my birthday) ;-)
I hope you’re recovering well, Sherry, and I know both of you are enjoying your sweet little girl. Congrats!!
Caroline says
Congratulations! Yikes, a c-section. John, do not let Sherry take on any home-improvement projects for at least the next 6 weeks.
Laura says
Congrats! Beautiful girl and love the name! I had to admit I was guessing you’d have a c-section since you are petite!
tammylee says
…and then there was 3, life will never be the same…..and that’s a GREAT thing!
best wishes to you all
Trina says
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I was just thinking of you two and wondering if you had your baby yet. Your sweet baby daughter is just beautiful! Happy new parents to you both!
xoTrina
Jen says
Congratulations!!! Clara is beautiful. Wishing you all the best. I am new to this whole blogging thing, but not to parenthood. We have 5 kids of our own. If you ever have any questions or need advice, do not hesitate to ask :)
I posted about a project you guys did recently. Hope you will stop by and check it out. That is of course, whenever you guys get a “free” chance. No rush!
http://thedecordiva.blogspot.com/
I am wishing Sherry a speedy recovery. Enjoy that beautiful new baby of yours.
Take Care.
Jen
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the shout out Jen! We just dropped in on your blog and your new toys look like lots of fun. Have fun!
xo,
s
Kayakgirl73 says
Congrats. Beautiful baby.
virginia says
She’s gorgeous!!! Congrats and sending best wishes for a speedy recovery and much strength for these early days. Thinking of you all!
Lowell says
She’s beautiful and giving me baby fever, congratulations!
Jessica White says
Congrats!!! You two will continue to be so blessed! :) Clara is SO beautiful. :) OH Happy Days!
Megan says
Congratulations! She’s so cute! I had a similarly scary urgent c-section with my first…so glad everything went ok for you! Enjoy your new little bundle and don’t worry too much about us here in blog land…we’ll be patient!
Jessica F. says
Welcome to the world, little one!
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” – Elizabeth Stone
If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle.
— Vincent van Gogh
Kimberly says
WOW! I am so happy everything turned out okay and that both Sherry and Clara are doing well. I too had an emergency C section with my last pregnancy and I know how scary that can be. I am due for my third baby in July and a bit nervous about undergoing a C-section again. Healthy baby is all we want! Clara is adorable!! Take care! :)
ElleX says
Congratulations! She is beautiful!
Shannon F. says
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful, personal moment in your life with us. Best wishes and HUGE Congratulations!
Jen says
Congratulations on the safe arrival of darling Clara. A beautiful and meaningful name, and a gorgeous little cherub. You’re about to have the most wonderful adventure of your lives. I have 8 month old twin boys – emergency C-section for me too because the poor little darlings stopped growing at 28 weeks – and my life has never been so blessed. Congratulations and all the very best for a beautiful love-filled life together as a new family.
Kristen says
Congratulations! I’m happy that everything turned out okay and Sherry and Clara are both safely home! Enjoy all excitement that comes with this new time in your life!
Amanda says
She is beautiful! Congratulations!!
Michaela @ The Gardener's Eden says
Congratulations, beautiful family!
xo Michaela
Fia says
Congrats!! Such a beautiful name.
You should definitely check out kellymom.com for any breastfeeding questions. It was a godsend during the early weeks/months for me. The forums are great for any personalized questions. Wishing you a wonderful breastfeeding relationship!
Becca says
Congrats on the arrival of beautiful baby Clara! I’m sorry to hear about her difficult delivery (our 7mos old baby girl entered the world in a very similar fashion), but isn’t it incredible how quickly all of that fades away when you get to hold your beautiful, healthy, baby girl in your arms? Makes it all worth it! In fact, I’m almost ready to start trying to do it again (almost ;)
Clara says
Wow! Clara? Cool, I am in good company.
Congratulations John and Sherry, life has changed for you, and trust me it will be for the better. No DIY you’ve ever made is as impressive as this one.
Welcome to the world little Clara, may you have a long, happy, healthy life.
kaush says
CONGRATULATIONS!! and Baby Clara, welcome to the world! What a beautiful family you all make :-)
Christina says
She’s beautiful! Congratulations.
I’ve always wanted to use the name Clara if I ever had a daughter. My husband however is set on the name Erin and if he agrees to go for another baby then I’m going to let him name it whatever he wants! It makes me happy to see the name Clara bestowed on your little angel. :)
Ami says
Congrats :) She is adorable and I love the name Clara! PS where did the cute little blanket with the stars come from (second pic down)??
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ami,
The swaddling blanket with the stars in the second pic is from Aden + Anais, but we were lucky enough to receive them as a gift. We have a set of a few of them and they are our favorite blankets.
-JOhn
Rene'@Bargainhoot says
Soo happy for you guys!!! She’s adorable!!!
Burger is to funny!
sue says
Big congrates to you all
shame it was a difficult birth, enjoy your baby, they grow way to fast.
lots of luv from Australia.
Nimisha says
OHG, she is here, congrats, she is so adorable!! Hope you guys are getting some sleep.
Rose says
Congratulations, she’s adorable!!
Fatima says
Congratulations!!! :)) She’s adorable, and what a pretty name, too! Hope you all are doing well.
LuLu says
Congrats!!!!! (Is that paint I see in her hair?) KIDDING! But seriously she’s gorgeous.
Diva Style says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is one new addition I’m sure you won’t be able to get enough of!
Mimi says
congratulationsssss! :-) she’s a-frickin’-dorable!
Amy Smith says
Congratulations!!! She’s beautiful!