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.
Jeanettec says
Congratulations! She’s a sweetie. Enjoy your new adventures. They grow up SO fast!
Laura C. says
Congrats! Little Clara is adorable! Sherry, glad you’re okay and hope you recover quickly.
Alexandra says
Congratulations! What a beautiful baby!
Joan says
Congratulations on a job well done! She looks like a real sweetie.
Michele says
I forgot to mention…LOVE the name! It was my grandmother’s name and it is just beautiful! YIPPEE for babies!!!
Catherine says
CONGRATULATIONS! She’s simply beautiful and I adore her name. :)
Nicole says
Oh my goodness, what a darling! So glad she is healthy and so happy for you two! Congrats!
Sarah says
Congratulations to the family of three! Clara is absolutely adorable! Thank you for sharing this exciting time with all of us readers.
Best of luck from Atlanta, GA!
Kendra says
She is adorable! Congrats!
Csilla says
Congrats! I wish you a life filled with happiness, smiles and sunshine!
Kat says
Congrats! She is beautiful!
Kate says
Congrats, you guys! It sounds like the delivery was a little scary, but I’m so glad everyone is happy and healthy. She’s beautiful! :)
Heidi says
Congrats! She is absolutely beautiful!
Laura says
CONGRATS! She’s adorable (but, of course, with two such cute parents)! Enjoy this time, it passes so quickly…
Danielle says
Congratulations!!! She is adorable!! Enjoy every moment!
Stasia says
Congratulations on your new adorable little addition! She is absolutely adorable and I love her name. Congrats to Burger also on being a big brother :)
Stacy says
Congratulations!! This made me ooohh and aaahhh what a great way to start the day! She is beautiful!
waterlooheather says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful.
Bri says
Congrats!!! She is precious!!
Melissa Arlena says
YAY!!!!! She is beautiful!!! Darn I was two days late on the baby pool :)
Sophie says
What a beautiful beautiful baby! Congrats to both of you – you guys are all amazing! Hopefully you’re “resting” it up!
alison (semi-fab lane) says
congratulations! she’s adorable. my dog was the same way burger is acting. i also had an emergency c-section and complications-so i know how blessed you feel right now.
oh my gosh-i can’t believe you are already blogging! take it easy and enjoy your little bean!
Jennifer S. says
Clara is absolutely beautiful! Wishing much health and happiness to your new family!
Katie says
Wow- Beautiful baby (and they often don’t come out that way :) ). But Clara is really lovely, and what a sweet name to go with it. Congrats you grown-ups. :)
Rebekah says
Glad to hear you are all OK! Congratulations! You two created such a beautiful little person.
Welcome to the world, Clara-bean!
Lindsay B says
Congratulations! I actually squealed when I saw her picture. She is absolutely beautiful!
Tracy says
GAAAAAHHHHH! YAY! Congratulations!
danielle says
OMG! I’ve never commented before, but have been reading your blog for a while now! CONGRATS!!! She is lovely!!! :D Brought a tear to my eye here at work :)
lauren says
so very happy for you guys!!!!
Kristy D. says
Ahh! I thought something was up – you guys are sneaky. Congratulations! What a wonderful surprise this morning.
alyssa says
She is beautiful! Congrats!
catherine says
huge congrats she is beautiful
Jennifer says
Aw congratulations!!! She’s gorgeous!
alma says
You guys made my day! Congrats!!!
heathermax says
First and foremost, she is beautiful! I love her name it is so pretty! Congratulations Mom, Dad and big “brother” Burger.
Now comes the advice. Take it easy. Seriously, I have had 3 c-sections, and didnt learn till the last one. Take it easy, like bump on a log easy. My surgery with #3 was much more complicated than #1 and #2 but the recovery was so much FASTER. I thought I needed to get back to my normal self and DO.
Take it easy mama, let others do for you cuddle that precious baby!
olivea says
Congratulations Petersik family! She is beautiful! Glad everything turned out safe. Enjoy your time together!
Tina says
Congrats!! She is adorable! I actually liked my hospital stay after my csection, but that’s because they weren’t my first, I think! Have fun!
Shauna says
Most sincere congratulations! Savour every moment.
Jennifer says
Many many congratulations!!Enjoy every minute at home with your sweet little girl. And thank you so much for sharing such personal stories and details with all of us who you’ve never even met!! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you four :)
Cheryl says
Blessings to all of your family. I had a feeling . . . about the 14th as birth-day. Clara is beautiful!
Brittany says
Congratulations!! She is so adorable!
Katalina says
Congratulations!!! She is gorgeous!! So happy to hear that every one is healthy and happy.
Misc Jenn says
Congrats! Hope Clara’s a good eater and likes to give her parents lots of rest!
Briana says
As so many have said already, she is beautiful! And the name is fantastic as well.
Debbie says
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! She was born on my bday, just as I guessed!! Glad everyone is happy and healthy!! Enjoy her!
Rachael says
Congratulations!! She is just precious!!
Lindsey O. says
So gorgeous! I had to come back from my bloggy break to say congrats!! (I admit I’ve been checking almost daily for this post!) My daughter was born in December weighing in at just an ounce more than your little! :) Enjoy each moment! I know it’s cliche but, we are hitting the 5 month mark tomorrow and it’s so amazing but also crazy to see all the changes that have occurred in just a few short months! I beg her to slow down every day! My biggest piece of advice – don’t bother trying to follow advice – do whatever works for you guys!!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Congrats! Gorgeous!!
Kristi W. @ Life at the Chateau Whitman says
Awww, congrats you two. I had a feeling that you might surprise us like this. I think I guessed May 13, so I was close but no cigar. :)
Steph says
Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you and wish you all the best!