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.
Anna, Sydney says
CONGRATULATIONS! Cute as a button. And gorgeous names. What a beautiful family. Glad to hear you’re all ok. All the best in settling in.
marie sierra says
i was wondering what was happening at baby-central! and then i saw the pics!! welcome baby clara! you are the luckiest baby in the world! enjoy every minute of this very precious time! god bless you!!
Liesje says
Congratulations!! And welcome to the world, Clara! You have been expected! :-)
Thanks for the many stolen moments of “blog bliss” after I accidentally stumbled upon your blog. All the best with this new adventure in your lives!
Cathy K. says
Congrats!!
Kirsten says
Congratulations! What a lucky little girl to be born into such a wonderful family! And LOVE her name!
Renae says
Congratulations youngsters! A) I can relate with having my very first baby on May 14 (Max just turned 6) and B) I can totally relate with having an emergency c-section. She’s absolutely beautiful and i’m sure we can’t wait to hear more about how you guys are handling life with a new person depending on you!! Love from Nebraska!!
Tovah says
I’m so glad everything turned out okay for you all and wow! she is so gorgeous! Congrats
BreAnn says
Congratulations!!! What an amazingly sweet blessing….enjoy these next few sleepless weeks- they will fly by!!!!
gloria ruff says
Congratulations! She is beautiful and so alert! Thanks for sharing your pics and your story with us. Enjoy this incredibly special time with your girl.
Shaina says
She’s beautiful! Look at those tiny feet. :) Congratulations Sherry and John! Wishing you health and happiness as you embark on the new journey of parenthood.
andrea says
congrats! she is absolutely beautiful – try to get some sleep, don’t worry about your blog!
Carissa says
Where to start?!? I’ve been so excited about this!
That’s a GORGEOUS baby!! Let’s be honest, babies are cute, but I’ve never seen one that downright beautiful! And such a gorgeous, perfect name! Congratulations!
And so glad you guys are all doing well!
Can’t wait to hear all about your parental adventures!
Faith says
I’ve never really commented before, but congratulations!! I had an emergency c-section with my son-so scary. Don’t expect too much from yourself over the next few weeks, and it WILL get easier every day. Breastfeeding was super rough for me for about 3 weeks–I think the c-section made it harder. However, you can do it and it will be so worth it! Best wishes to you all!
Jenny says
Congratulations Petersik family!!! Clara and Burger looks so sweet together, what a gorgeous family!
rebecca says
Oh man, I am so thrilled for ALL of you!!! Clara is the most precious name – and she is indeed SO beautiful. I’m wishing all of you so much love and comfort (including the ‘Burg!). CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vonda says
Oh WOW! I go away to Nags Head for a long weekend and look what happens!!!! Congrats you two. She’s absolutely adorable. Sorry to hear about the scare in delivery but the important thing is that mom and baby are ok (and dad, now that he’s over what I’m sure felt like a heart attack while delivery scare was happening)!!
Jen @ homeinthecountry says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!
Lisa says
Congrats! Glad to hear all are happy and healthy despite the unexpected scare at delivery time. Great photo of her in the crib and of her feet in the blanket.
Katrin says
Congratulations! Can’t help liking your beautiful girl’s name – my daughter is named Clara, too. Enjoy all the precious moments of being a family!
Alyzande says
Many congratulations on the birth of your lovely little girl from Cambridge England
Marisa says
Congratulations on your new baby girl! I wish your family the best!
Stephanie @ Geezees says
Aw, she is beautiful!
Congrats!!
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
Congrats on a healthy, beautiful addition to your already beautiful family! Love her name. Here’s hoping for a restful recovery…
Kim says
Congratulations! So tell me, was the overwhelming rush of love you felt for Clara what you expected?? Me either! It was so much more! :) Welcome to the job that’s the most rewarding of all – parenthood! And Clara (beautiful name btw), happy belated birthday. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kim,
Oh my goodness, we were in love with her before she even arrived- but the moment they put her in our arms and said she was okay was like nothing we ever felt. And we’ve been gazing at her in total awe ever since. She makes us wonder how we ever got along without her in our lives!
xo,
s
Kim says
LOL @ my own comment – totally forgot to say that the love for my OWN CHILDREN wasn’t what I was expecting. Sounds like I was speaking about the love for your daughter and not my daughters! :) Had to clarify…haha…
Deb says
Congratulations! So glad she is here safe and sound. She’s beautiful.
Trish Milburn says
Absolutely darling! So happy for you and glad she has arrived 100% healthy. Love the pic of Burger standing guard!
(I thought you’d go early – guessed the 19th I think)
Take care & enjoy!
Cody says
Beautiful baby, Congrats and many blessings on your little family!
schmei says
D’Oh! You had me so convinced she’d come late that I didn’t even check your site yesterday!
Congratulations on your beautiful daughter! It’s no surprise she’s a cutie.
Take ALL the time you need to rest and recover, Sherry!
Megan says
What a beautiful little lady! Congratulations and good luck! She’s sure to enjoy the lovely home you’ve made for her. =)
Emily Ann says
Oh my gosh, she is so beautiful and precious. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
schmei says
Also – your twitter feed had me convinced she hadn’t arrived yet. I should have wondered why you “forgot” to go to the farmer’s market… :-) Sly.
Shirley says
Congratulations!!! She’s so adorable!!
sarah says
Yay John & Sherry! Congratulations. You guys are already putting that camera to good use, love the striped blanket photo. So glad everything came out fine and that Clara is healthy and ready to start remodeling!
Ann M says
Ohhhh! She is as exquisite as her name! Congratulation to the two of you!!
jeanfrances says
Congratulations! She is adorable!
You are so blessed!
Enjoy every moment.
Best, jeanfrances
Kjirsti says
Adorable. Simply adorable. Congrats and good luck!
Jacki says
Congratulations! She is beautiful!
Denise says
OH she’s so sweet & bright eyed! Congratulations and savor every moment of these first days, weeks and months. They will fly by. The blog can always wait – baby comes first (and big brother, Burger)!
wendy says
She’s BEAUTIFUL. Congratulations and get ready to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime!
Shannon says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful. I know how hard recovering from a c-section with a newborn to care for can be. I hope you get lots of time for your newborn-moon, to rest and relax and just sink into the lusciousness of new parenthood. : )
morgane says
Congratulations on the beautiful addition! Clara is a wonderful name. and thanks for posting the pictures of the diaper sprayer, we are going to get one for our future cloth diapered baby and I was curious what you did with it when not in use :)
Joanne says
CONGRATULATIONS!
I can’t get enough of those adorable baby feet!!!
Here’s wishing you a fantastic, fun-filled journey.
Heather says
She is so beautiful! Congratulations!
Kimberly says
Congrats! We share a birthday!
Carrie Hogan says
Your writing and photography brought me to tears as well as made me laugh. You two are fabulous together! Clara is a lucky little lady. Congratulations to all of you. xoxoxooxoxoxo
Erin says
Glad you are both okay! Healthy babies are a miracle and such a gift! A huge congrats on your beautiful girl!
Amber says
Just recently stumbled upon your lovely blog. Your daughter is beautiful! I’m expecting a little girl in July :) Congratulations to you both. Enjoy your sweet little Clara!
Fleurzty says
Congratulations on the new bundle. She is adorable! I am glad you are all at home and adjusting to this new journey.
kimmie says
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your life with us!!