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.
Susy M says
She is beautiful. God Bless her and keep you all safe.
Erin @ Fierce Beagle says
What a beauty! Easily your best DIY creation to date. ;)
Lisa says
Congrats! I’ve been faithfully checking your blog daily while waiting for the big news (okay, so I faithfully check your blog anyway!). And, she and I share a birthday. May 14th is a wonderful day! Congrats to you all!
Lisa
Elaine K says
Congratulations! What exciting news. I’m glad that both Sherry and Clara are doing well. Enjoy every minute –it goes way too fast!
laurajane says
She is so adorable and I love her name! Also, love her big eyes!
Scary to hear about your emergency, and I may or may not have shed a little tear at the heroic efforts of your surgical team, but I’m so happy to read everyone is healthy and happy!
Congrats!
laurajane says
BTW, Sherry, you still look super pretty even on your maternity bed. I’m so not surprised!
Kristin says
Oh wow!!! I just made my morning cup of tea here in Australia, settled down to check out what you’d posted overnight while it was daylight there and….. Congratulations on your beautiful little girl!!! Enjoy this time, take tonnes of photos :)
Best wishes xx
aimee says
love the name, love the pics, thanks sooo much for sharing and i’m so glad everything turned out okay. get some good rest and heal up–don’t worry about “us” the readers. :) we’ll manage b/c we know you have more important things to worry about!! congrats sherry and john–she’s a beaut!!!
WELCOME CLARA!! You have no idea how many people (total strangers) were so happy to hear of your arrival!!
Austyn says
Congratulations! So glad everyone is okay. An abruption is a scary thing, but I’m so glad everyone is safe and sound. Beautiful name, beautiful girl ;o)
blueloom says
Congratulations guys!
Welcome Clara Kenley! We love your name and your nursery!
Cheers from Canada!
Kinga and Joe
p.s. You should now start parenting section of your blog!
Charlotte says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!
Jennifer says
Congrats on your newest addition!! Love the family pic of you both smiling fresh after Clara’s birth!
hsp says
Congratulations! I’m so happy to read that you’re all well after such a traumatic experience. Have fun getting to know little Clara. :)
Clara says
Congratulations to you both! And of course you’re over the moon — you well should be. What an amazing, wonderful event. And what a precious gift. Of course I’m a titch biased, since my name is Clara.
Susan says
OMG She is stunning! You need to get some rest and be taken care of for awhile.
Rania says
Hello from Greece..
Oh my! Congratulations Sherry and John..I just saw baby Clara’s pictures..She is beautiful..I’ts 12:35 am in Greece right now and my angels are sleeping..I’m looking at them and thinking of you..I know exactly how you feel..God bless your family..Really love reading your blog..
Love Rania
Carolyn says
Oh my goodness – I literally gasped when I saw this post! congratulations!!..and to think you answered my question about container gardening yesterday…haha :)
Clara is beautiful. I love her name – so old fashioned and unique. Our daughter was also 7lbs 10oz and born via an emergency c-section. We named her Elizabeth Grace because she is a gift from God and we’re so thankful to have her in our lives. I can’t believe that was 15 months ago now. The time really does fly!
Anyway, congrats again, and thanks for pointing me in the direction of the bhg website. They have some great ideas.
Love from Carolyn and Lizzie in sunny Brisbane, Australia :)
P.S here is a congratulations message from our Lizzie…
” tg7m t7mintnftfffyuddfffffsbmhkymm” …ok, that’s enough. bye bye! :)
Jane says
Congratulations! She’s adorable and she’s going to love the nursery you created for her. You have a fantastic website. I’m always on here reading about your fun makeovers. Jane
Sugar says
Sending Baby Clara more love. Congrats, congrats. What a beautiful baby!
Carolann says
*Squeee!!* I am bursting with excitement for you two and Burger! I’ve been a regular reader for a long time, but not a poster… well, except for a couple of giveaway entries ;) I get uber strong gut feelings, borderline psychic at times (Sherry, maybe a March 19th piscean trait? That’s my b-day, too!), and last night I had a feeling that you delivered her last Friday, as well as a hunch that you’d post about it today. So weird… and cool :)
P.S. I love, love, love her name!
P.S.S. Way off-topic, but mentioning since it’s my first post… I also lived in a teeny tiny studio in Greenwich Village (2001-2007) and my future husband has a November b-day (born 4 months before me). I’m gonna stop there with the coincidences before I start to sound creepy! haha :) I promise I’m not! Congratulations again!!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow that’s crazy! Pisceans like us are known to be intuitive though…
xo,
s
L.Duncan says
Well welcome to the world Baby P! Or should I say Clara! What a cute name for such a cute little girl!
My date was off by 10 days, but I’m happy that she is her because I don’t think I could have waited longer! I’m glad that you (sherry) and the baby are doing fine. What a blessing.
Take care guys!
Julie says
Blessed parents! Blessed Baby Clara! Adorable Burger! Happy! Joy! Love! Congrats! :o)
imogen says
congratulations!
Lauren M. says
Congratulations! What a blessing, and she is such a cutie!
Anne says
Congratulations John and Sherry on your gorgeous new arrival! Thanks for sharing the story and your joy. :)
Alyssa Allen says
Congratulations! I love your name choice — classic and meaningful. Enjoy every moment (even the sleepless ones!) because it goes so fast.
Cassie says
Congratulations John and Sherry on your beautiful little girl. She is just precious! Wishing you all the best!
Welcome baby Clara!
Natalie says
She is absolutely adorable! Congratulations!
LaDonna says
congrats on the safe birth of your daughter Clara
allie says
Holy moly, Sherry! You had two pretty rare but crazy scary complications. I can’t imagine what that was like for you and John. I’m so glad that you and John and beautiful baby Clara are safe and healthy and doing well. All the best wishes to you all for this amazing new chapter in your life together.
By the way (and I didn’t read through all the zillion comments so sorry if you answered this already), but did you guys try any of the tips for introducing Clara to Burger? We have a pup of our own, and hopes for a new addition, and I’d be curious to see if you thought anything was helpful.
Thanks as always and congrats!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Allie,
Yup, we went with bringing home Clara’s hat for him to sniff, and the next day John brought home a blanket (Burger loved both of them and wouldn’t stop sniffing them and wagging his tail). We also came in with a treat and a toy for him when we brought Clara home, so he associated her arrival with good things. And it seemed to work swimmingly! He loves her more than he loves us!
xo,
s
kellie says
she is BEAUTIFUL! congrats!!!
miss kate says
she’s utterly lovely….warm congratulations and get ready for the joy to grow a million fold on a regular basis!
Emily says
Congratulations, Petersiks!
Nicole says
Congratulations! She is absolutely perfect :)
Mollie says
Congrats on your new little beanette…she is beautiful!
Amy says
Love the name, love the pictures, love your blog! congratulations she is very beautiful. Glad you are all healthy and happy
Michelle says
AHHHHHHH!!!!! She is too freaking cute!!! Congratulations!!!! Such an expression on that face! I want to gobble her up! Again, congratulations, you both will be wonderful parents!
beabee says
I’m so happy for you! And you kept the posts coming like clockwork. You spoil us!
P.S. I. Love. That. Name.
Stacie says
She is gorgeous and I just LOVE her name! Congrats to you both!!
Kate says
Hey guys, congrats, from Australia, on your beautiful baby girl. As the mum of two girls, and more recently a boy as well, I can assure you that they are a joy and delight. Enjoy all the moments. She is just beautiful.
Chrissy says
Precious. Gorgeous. Adorable! Congratulations to the new family :)
Natalie says
Congratulations … she is beautiful!
Arianne says
Precious! Simply amazing, beautiful, wonderful, PRECIOUS!
stacey says
Bless you all, she is lovely. Welcome to parenthood.
Julie says
Congrats J&S! A friend (in Philly) emailed me that you had made your announcement–we celebrated with lots of shrills and shrieks mid-day via email :)
Jennifer F says
Oh yay! I am so glad to see that all went well and you have a new lovely family member in your life. It has been fun to watch you plan for this and now see your new daughter. Congrats to all, and kudos to Burger for his good behavior.
Layla says
CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!
She’s beautiful!
Layla :-)
Amie says
How adorable! Congratulations!
I actually got a bit teary eyed while reading this…oh so emotional. I guess little miracles of love tend to do that to me.
Ruth says
She is a cutie!!! CONGRATS!!!
Christen says
Congratulations! She is adorable!!