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.
Erica says
Wow! Congratulations! That Clara, she’s definitely a cutie! So glad she and Sherry are both well. May you all have wonderful sleepfilled days and nights!
Alicia says
Almost 1,500 comments! YAY! Congrats on your most beautiful baby girl Petersiks!
Sarah says
She’s so cute! And stylish — of course. Congratulations to you both (and Burger!)
Carly says
Congratulations!!! She is adorable. Glad you both made it home. I hope things are going smoothly. Beautiful name!
Mrs T says
She is lovely, and I adore the name. Love that Burger loves her too.
Kathi says
Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of parenting! It is the most amazing, awe inspiring and important job you will ever have. I am so glad you all are healthy and resting at home. :-)
amyks says
Congrats to all of you…she is just beautiful, so perfect. The whole experience must have been so scary for you, thankfully all is well. Wishing you big loves and some much deserved rest. Enjoy every precious moment.
Kim @ Forever Daisies says
Congrats! You have a beautiful little one! :)
Autumn says
Congrats!
When my daughter was born someone told me that “The days are long, but the years are short.” As the Mom of a now three year old, I can tell you that the years do fly past way to quickly. I hope that you are able to cherish this time you have together with Clara. These early days are a time you’ll never forget.
Candice says
Especially glad as an OB nurse to hear of your good outcome and exciting birth story. Welcome to the world, baby Clara! She is quite the wide eyed cutie!
Sunita says
Congratulations guys!!!!
I have been a silent reader of your blog for over a year now and have recommended it to tons of friends here.
But the little gorgeous just had me clicking on the comments.
Heal well and heal soon. Take care and have fun with your little bundle of joy.
Kelsey Cafferky says
Congratulations you two! She is a doll and will make you the most tired that you’ve ever been but also the most in awe! There is nothing on this earth like being a parent and I’m so happy that you guys can experience it finally!!! :)
Sarah says
Welcome Clara! So adorable!
We have similar stories. I just had our baby on Friday, May 14th at 4:14pm. I also had to have a c-section. Anything for a healthy baby! We too are sooo in love with our new baby girl. Just got home today.
Enjoy your new bundle of joy!
Jessica says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your daughter is so beautiful! What a lovely name too, I love it! Hope you are healing well and getting the rest you need. I too had an emergency c-section with my son, can be a little scary. Happy to hear everyone is safe and healthy!
Sarah says
She is GORGEOUS! Congratulations :)
Brankica says
Congratulations! She is beautiful:)
Sandra says
CONGRATULATIONS!
So glad everyone is safe and recovering. Take it easy you three!
Happy Birthday, Clara!
Janna Lion says
Congrats!!! She is so beautiful and I love her name!
Wishing Sherry a quick and speedy recovery!!!
Janna Lion says
Congrats!!! She is so beautiful and I love her name!
Wishing Sherry a quick recovery!!!
jdzjane says
Make sure hubby takes care of you – and take it easy. Don’t over do it – you just had major surgery. I just had my 4th baby on Mother’s Day (the 9th) and it was my 3rd c-section. Make sure you take the time to recover properly. BTW, she is beautiful! Congrats!
Stephanie Graham says
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is beautiful and Yummy! As an RN, I will tell you, you are very lucky! Such a lucky little girl to be so loved! Enjoy!, it flies by!
Erica says
Congrats to such an inspiring couple and their new beautiful addition to the family! I think she is absolutely perfect. I have enjoyed being a part of watching the little bean come into the world. So happy for you guys. xo!!!
Joan says
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clara didn’t want her cute face to get all squished up – she wanted to arrive looking her best ;) C-section babies are always so extra beautiful. Or is that just being too bright-sided?
Please take care of yourselves and don’t worry about rushing back for us – surgeries on top of new babies are hard to recover from and we all wish you the best so please enjoy some r&r time.
Blessings,
Joan
Kelly says
Congratulations you two! She’s beautiful! Welcome to the planet Clara!
Get some rest! Burger’s on the first shift!
:)
Sona Jacob says
Wow!
Congratulations!!
Karina Bravo says
Welcome to the mom’s club…its exclusive..all it takes is a blessing like Clara..She’s bee-u-ti-ful.
All my best!
Jen says
Congrats!! She’s beautiful! I’m glad she likes her new room too. :)
TanyaK says
Congratulations! She is prescious. I wish you all the best, a speedy recovery to Sherry and all the happiness to the three of you.
PS: since this is my first comment let me also thank you for the great work you are doing with this blog which has inspired me more than once.
greenwords says
Oh my goodness, how totally lovely – congratulations!
Joy says
Oh my gosh… she is so beautiful. Congratulations.. take care and rest.
Megan says
Congrats, congrats! I usually read your blog every day, but hadn’t checked it this week because we just welcomed our new little baby Liam May 11! So glad that Clara is beautiful and healthy and that you’ll be back soon with more of the happiest blog on the block. But rest up first, you all deserve it!
Susan says
Awwwwwwww, she is just gorgeous! You two will be fabulous parents, Congrats!
Lynda Collins says
awe!!! she is so beautiful, without a doubt your best effort yet!!! Congratulations and welcome to parenthood! It’s taken me a few days to recover from my own May 14 adventure (all weekend and a party) as I too had a momentous day, turning 40 (yikes!) So I will certainly remember Clara’s big day. All the very best to you both.
Lx
Cristina says
Welcome to Clara! ^_^ (wonderful name!)
Good job to Sherry! :-D
..well.. ok… good job even to you, John! ;-)
Congratulazioni!!
Cristina
Erika says
Congratulations! She is beautiful. I hope Mama and Baby are doing well :)
anne L. says
YAY!! finally! welcome home Clara!!!! she’s adorable and has the sweetest room in the house. Congratulations! You both will be amazing parents!!! best wishes <3
Belle says
She’s beautiful!!!!!! Congrats to you guys!
Katha says
Congratulations! So glad everything worked out in the end.
Welcome to the world little Clara, you have fantastic parents so you ll have a wonderful life!
Sheryl J says
Congratulations! What a beautiful baby!
miss j says
An appropriate excerpt from Three Women by Sylvia Plath adapted for you two.
What did my fingers do before they held her?
What did my heart do, with its love?
I have never seen a thing so clear.
Her lids are like the lilac-flower
And soft as a moth, her breath.
I shall not let go.
There is no guile or warp in her. May she keep so.
Congratulations to you two and your families for precious baby Clara. Makes me think of the nutcracker. Oh, that could make for some sweet Christmas traditions.
Esther, YHL junkie says
Who has 10 thumbs and knew it? It’s Julie, Esther, Nancy, Cristina and Rabbit! ;-)
Glad to see that the 3 of you are healthy (yes John, I’m including you in this :-) )!
Belinda - Nest Design Studio says
Congratulations! I thought bub must of come when there was a day without posts (old v new)!
Rita says
BENVENUTA CLARA!!!
Welcome Clara, you are wonderfull!
And congratulations for mum &dad :-))
kiss & hugs from Italy
Rita
laura says
Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl!! She is a true beauty!! I am glad both mommy and daughter are doing great! Enjoy every moment!!
kelly says
CONGRATS! She is beautiful!! Enjoy your precious time with her!
Anna says
Congratulations!!!! She´s so sweet! I´m glad to hear you´re ok and getting some rest… Plus Burger as the “bodyguard” – priceless:) Enjoy these wonderful moments!
Best wishes!
aroa says
Clara Welcome to the world!
I wish a speedy recovery for mommy!
Congratulations from Catalonia!
Aroa
Richard says
Such a sweet face!!! Let the adventure begin!! Wishing you all joy and peace, and even just a little sleep, too.
Joely says
Oh congratulations you two! Well done, she is lovely. Thanks for sharing with us all and I hope Sherry has a speedy recovery. (I had two unplanned c-sect. so I feel your pain) We look forward to more lovely makeovers and amazing house stuff when you are back on your feet. welcome to the world little one!
Trina says
Congratulations on that little beauty!! I know you’ve heard it a thousand times, but it’s SO true… Enjoy these first few weeks. They really do go by incredibly fast.
Soak it up. Breathe it in.