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.
Sam says
Hi,
I’m a little late, but wanted to say Congratulations. She is so adorable and I love the name!
Holly says
Congratulations! Your baby girl is absolutely precious.
I’m sorry if you’ve already answered this question (I did my best to scan through all the comments) but I was wondering what settings you use (on your camera and in photoshop) to make your photos look so wonderful! The last two in particular are simply amazing.
Any tips would be welcomed!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks, Holly!
All of the photos were taken with our Nikon D3000 on the aperture (A) setting (except for the surgery one, which was taken on Sherry’s iPhone). We thankfully had little adjustment to do in photoshop on each, so most of it was thanks the to camera settings.
The three things that did the trick were: (1) using a low f/stop to create the shallow depth of field (i.e. blurry background) – in this case a 3.8, (2) manually white balancing first to make sure my whites were white and (3) using the exposure compensation to keep it from being too dark (the crib one was fairly dark, which is why the exposure compensation solarized it slightly). Hope those help!
-John
-John
Julie Anne says
Congratulations on Clara’s arrival!
Well, your plan to continue blogging seamlessly seems to be working already. I know I, for one, was stunned to open the “So…” posting when Friday and Monday y’all had seemed to be at home, on line as usual, helpfully blogging on about weekly giveaways and the placement of kitchen herb gardens…
…little did we, your loyal readers, know about your birthin’ drama going on behind the scenes!
Nice Job on the multi tasking!
P.S. My niece arrived in similar dramatic emergency “C” fashion when her head got stuck and twisted improperly(Yikes!), but she has grown into a happy, thriving five year old. May the same good health and fortune befall upon Clara.
Nikki says
Congratulations on your little angel! My baby girl’s birthday is May 14th too!! Guess I should’ve participated in the baby poll ;) Best of luck with your new little munchkin!
Holly says
Thanks for the tips, John!
I just recently discovered your blog, and I’ve gotta say I’m crazy impressed with how responsive you are to comments. It’s really amazing and quite appreciated. It’s almost as impressive as all of the renovations you’ve done!
Candy from Candied Fabrics says
It’s a bit late but congratulations! Yay for the wonders of modern medicine…it sounds like you had a scary time of it, but everyone made it through safe and sound! YAY! I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful time!
kb says
Congratulations and welcome to the outside world Clara!
She is beautiful – perfect!
Ashley says
Congrats! Clara is adorable! Glad that all ended well for mom and baby!
Joy_UK says
Congratulations! she’s so cute :)
Bet you two are over the moon!
enjoy your new family life! :)
Melissa says
Saw this while browsing on Etsy today, and I thought of y’all immediately! http://www.etsy.com/listing/46757937/custom-name-print-large
Congratulations on your baby girl, she’s beautiful!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! Thanks for the link!
xo,
s
jessica brown says
Love the name! Congratulations. Glad she is healthy…
Erin says
She’s beautiful, congrats!
gez says
Congratulations to all of you! Clara is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing your pics with us. The delivery room shot is filled with love. How wonderful!
lifeologia says
BIG CONGRATULATIONS! She is perfect in every way. I have one of them little girls too and they are super cool – enjoy her – soon they develop attitude ;)
Does this mean you will create a nook in your lovely blog for baby things? Featuring designs, interiors, products for little ones????
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lifeologia,
So far having a newborn around means that there seem to be even fewer hours in the day. But who knows… once we get our bearings we might just figure out a way to give Clara her own section of the blog (which won’t take away from the DIY and home improvement focus, but will just be additional fun for those with wee ones). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
tina says
So happy all of you are good and okay! Love the name Clara!
Mrs. Mota says
B-E-A-utiful!!! What a doll. Congrats on this wonderful addition to your working crew….err…I mean family. ;)
Mommy Friend Lori says
Congratulations on your beautiful blessing! Your lives have just changed in a million wonderful ways. May you always have health, happiness and an abundance of love. God Bless!
Tonia Bowman says
She is gorgeous and I’m so glad everything turned out all right. You guys are amazing and I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!
Sevi says
More! More! More! More!
(I mean more photos, not more kids… Not for a while)
Clara is so cute and she has also the cutest name. Congrats to you, you’ve done so well, great team work :D
I haven’t checked the blog for a while, and just as I was typing the website, I thought “I’m sure Sherry has given the birth”. Oh I feel those kinda things. (Or maybe you were due last week, I really don’t know heheh) Does this make me a winner, hm?
Clara is so cute that she makes me blether. I’m almost to tears now. I can’t believe I’m this emotional for some strangers birth story from thousands of miles away. Love you guys!
kasia says
Congratulations guys! Beautiful name as well :-)
Amy says
Clara is absolutely beautiful! The first picture you posted is just gorgeous! Congratulations!
Karenne says
Congratulations! Clara is beautiful and have such a classic name. I’m a big fan of your blog and thankful for everything you have shared.
Harris says
I’m so happy for you both.
Erica says
Congratulations on the birth of Baby Clara! A beautiful name for a beautiful baby! I have enjoyed following your blog and was very excited when I found out you were expecting a little girl too. I just had our daughter Claire in April!
Jaime says
Congrats, J,S + B… Clara is BEAUTIFUL!!
I am sorry to hear there was a little drama with the birth! My third child was a c-section due to my placenta rupturing – but it happened at 28 weeks for us. Thankfully, he’s 150% perfect now (3 years later). Can’t wait to continue to hear all about Clara!
kat says
She is precious! Congratulations!
lisa says
Congratulations and welcome to parenthood! Your life will never be the same. And you won’t want it any other way. :) I have a Clara, as well… who just turned one. You won’t believe how fast they grow. Enjoy this time as a new family of three!!
TP says
connnngraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatsssss…i’ve been away from the site but thought to check to see if the bean had arrived! yay, she’s too cute…..looking forward to watching her grow up on your blog! :-)
Penny says
Oh my gosh! Congratulations! I’m so very happy for all four :) of you! Clara’s ADORABLE!!! So very sweet.
jja says
Congrats! Clara – what a great name – is also on my list of top five names – is super cute baby!
MelissaG says
Congratulations! What a doll…cute name too. I’m so happy things went well for you, I know someone that lost her baby after a few weeks due to cord prolapse. Please don’t feel bad if you ever are a little sad when thinking about your birth….it sounds like it was a bit traumatic. I’m so glad she’s here and all is well! Just remember to talk to someone if you need to.
Clara says
Congratulations!! I’m a lurker but had to comment because my name is CLARA! Best name in the world. The only downfall is people always think I’m in my 80’s but I’m 26…I truly believe my name just gives me an old soul which in the end will make me wiser. Good Choice :)
Jaime says
Congrats! She is precious!
bink and boo says
She is beautiful! Congrats you two and enjoy this wonderful time together.
Ketmala says
Congratulations!!! Clara is so sweet and beautiful! Enjoy your precious bundle of love. Parenthood does take you into a new dimension and you will be making memories for a lifetime. Have a fantastic journey as a family now! :-)
Vanessa says
It has been the first time I didn’t check this blog daily. And see what happend…
Congratulations to you! And welcome baby Clara!
Albina says
I just found this blog, and I just wanted to say you guys are awesome :D Congratulations on your baby, she is super adorable! just decided to leave a comment since she was born on my 20th birthday. :D
Jessie says
Congratulations! She is beautiful. I love your blog :)
Stephanie says
Congratulations and welcome Baby Clara! I’ve been smitten with that name for years now and was ecstatic when I saw you’d chosen it. Best wishes on the newest addition to your family.
Anna says
I have to say that even through labor and an emergency c-section, you still manage to look beautiful. I was all puffy and red in the face during and after labor :) Your little girl is just precious. Thanks for sharing, I love following yhl!
Jen says
Congratulations! She is lovely. Wishing you many moments of joy !
Catherine says
Congrats on baby Clara. What a precious little one!
I’m sure you already know but there is a little YH Love on thenest.com link love this week! Yay!
Kalee says
We just got home from out of state and this was one of the first things I wanted to see what the status was! Congratulations! She’s gorgeous, and I love her name!
Katie says
oh dear seems I am a little late getting in on this post but congratulations John and Sherry – she is beautiful and her name is really sweet. Hope you are enjoying all the special newborn moments :)
lynne says
I’m late on your news too! Congratulations to all of you and welcome to Clara. Glad she is here safely:)
Xanthe says
Hiya
Congratulations! Clara is a cutie! I’m sure you will both take to parenthood really well. I have a quick question, how are you getting on with the diapers? Do you like them ok? i am due on 01/01/2011 (first baby) and was starting to look into the cloth diaper route but i feel a bit confused with everything that is on offer! thanks x
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Xanthe,
We actually don’t get to start the cloth diapers until Clara gains a little weight so for now she’s in Seventh Generation dipes. We’ll be sure to share details when she’s in the cloth ones though!
xo,
s
Megan says
I am a big fan of your blog and just decided to check to see today if you had your little one..and you did! Clara is beautiful. I am glad everything turned out okay. How scary! I had a similar situation with the birth of my little girl in March.It makes you really appreciate your little one even more.
Enjoy the incredible journey of parenthood.
Karen says
Love your blog! We started our own inspired buy you. With that said, our Son Jack was born 5/14 6:05pm early and C-Section. Destiny? LOL! Congrats isn’t like wonderful with them at home.
Karen
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that definitely sounds familiar! Congrats on your new little bundle of joy.
xo,
s
Marissa says
I so didn’t realize that you had the baby, I was away at the time I guess! Congrats, congrats, congrats! And you’re not bias she is complete adorable!
Chandra says
Sorry I’m tardy to the party, but congrats on your blessing! :-) Welcome to the world Clara!