We’re thrilled to introduce the newest member of our family, baby Teddy!
On Wednesday, April 16th at 8:51 am, Theodore Freeman Petersik was born wielding a tiny drill weighing in at 8 lbs on the dot and measuring 19.5 inches long. We’re crazy in love with him, including Clara who just can’t stop kissing and snuggling “her baby.” Especially when he whimpers or coos, it becomes her personal mission to soothe him.
Teddy was named after my dad’s dad Theodore (who went by Teddy his entire life) and his middle name honors John’s maternal grandfather (Freeman is John’s middle name too). Teddy is already proving to be a little spitfire like his sister, although he came into the world a lot less dramatically, for which we’re eternally grateful. We’re both so relieved and overjoyed that he’s healthy and here in our arms.
Thank you all so much for the love, kind words, good vibes, prayers, and well-wishes that you’ve sent our way throughout this pregnancy. The c-section delivery went flawlessly and I’m feeling great, so it’s a nice contrast from my last rodeo. Our little family of five (Burger counts!) has never felt so blessed.
Speaking of Burger, we’ll be in the hospital through this weekend, so he has yet to meet his newest bestie/crumb provider (he’s at our house with the grandparents, being spoiled to no end), but we’re sure they’ll be fast friends. We hope to be back to blogging on Monday when we’re home, albeit on a slower schedule. Until then, we’ll leave you with this:
Look at all that hair!
Thalita Rigonatto says
Congratulations!! He looks just like John!! Just as Clara is totally Sherry!!
Minna says
Congratulations! He’s beautiful!!
liz says
Goose bumps!
I am so very happy for your family! What a beautiful boy,
In a weird cyber way, you all feel like family and are happily part of my every day routine on checking in and seeing whats new… I’m on call for my 3rd niece to deliver any day now- 3 days late…So many miracles happening right and left, and looking forward to our own someday….
I cant wait to see Teddy grow with your family, and all of the ideas he will surely inspire.
xoxo LIZ
Cheryl says
Congratulations! So happy that both mama and sweet baby Teddy are doing well. He is precious!! Happy big sister day to Clara!!
jeannette says
love, love, love
Jodi says
congratulations!!!!!!!
Jessica W says
Congratulations!!!! Praying for a happy transition
Letty says
Congratulations!! I started reading your blog when you were just a couple of “youngsters,” :) so it feels incredible to see your family grow and change. He’s beautiful and very lucky to be part of such a wonderful family. All the best! xoxo
Michelle says
Congrats a million times, Teddy is such a handsome little guy!
I realized yesterday that the first time I visited YHL was the “State of the Uterus” post last year…. I think this brings me full-circle as a reader. :) I’m so excited to watch you guys grow as a happy family of five!
Autumn Beach says
Tears of joy here. He is just perfection. I love the classic name. So incredibly happy for you guys. Hugs.
Christy says
Congratulations! Welcome to the adventure of having a boy…it’s so much fun!
He’s perfect!
Paulette says
Since I check your blog almost daily and you feel like a kind of virtual family, I send hearty good wishes on the birth of Teddy! How much fun you will all have getting to know him! Looking forward to this new dimension of your story! Many happy thoughts coming your way!! Blessings all around!
Shanna Gilbert says
How exciting! Congratulations!
Liz says
Congrats, guys! He’s beautiful!!
Vanessa says
Congratulations! He’s so precious. <3
Ellen says
Congratulations Petersik family! He’s a doll, and looks just like his big sister! What a sweet shot of John holding his baby boy. Awwww!
Josephine says
Delightful! Felicitations Petersiks! So happy to hear all is well! May the force be with you during the settling-in period ;-)
Sara L. says
Congratulations! He is absolutely beautiful!
Malia says
What a precious little guy! Congrats!:)
Pat C says
Congratulations! Your little Teddy Bear is a doll.
I’m so happy for you all (Burger included). Now rest. You will need it.
Jackie says
He is beautiful! Love the name too. Congratulations to the new family of five!
Marie says
Congrats on the safe arrival of your handsome son :)
(Love the name Teddy) <3
Ashleigh says
1. Congratulations! He’s beautiful!
2. My scheduled c section was awesome too. So glad yours went well.
3. Don’t let a sour commenter ruin this special time. Some people just can’t stand to see others happy.
Stephanie says
Yay, he’s adorable! A beautiful little boy and a beautiful family. Congrats to big sister Clara on her new baby too! :)
Ana Silva says
Congratulations! God bless this beautiful family! May many more blessings come your way. Your son Teddy is beautiful. Thank God for a healthy baby and mommy.
M says
Aww! So cute! Congrats to you all.
Kirsten says
So happy for you all! What a beautiful little boy! And I love that name – very classic, but unique as well.
Pat C says
I think he kind of looks like Clara (with a little darker hair), but it’s hard to remember. Can you post side by side pictures (since you’ll obviously have so much spare time now!) JK – take your time. In the meantime, your adoring public is thrilled!
Richard says
SO amazingly happy for you all. Welcome teddy!
Freeman's rule says
Congratulations Petersik family! I may or may not have cried tears of joy upon seeing the Twitter post yesterday and these pictures today. So glad that all went well.
Love Teddy’s name. Freeman is part of my name too, so I couldn’t help but smile at that little link between Teddy, John, and myself.
And that hair, oh that hair! I loved Clara’s bald baby look, but I am thrilled that you also get to experience a baby with hair. No cute bows for this little guy though! :)
Jessica says
Te only thing that could have made this post better is if it were titled “Haaaaave you met Ted?” Congrats!
Hannahhenning says
Congratulations on your beautiful little guy! Love all that hair! And I love his names (first and middle), both their significance and the names themselves. Enjoy your newborn and those first days/weeks home. We’ll always be here, but babies grow too fast so soak up those snuggles!
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
Congratulations! Welcome to the world Teddy! :)
Meredith Jones says
PRECIOUS. man does this bring tears to my fresh new mommy eyes. My little man is just over a week old and I get all emotional seeing brand new babies like this already. Congratulations to you and your whole family! This is SUCH a wonderful time of life! <3
Katherine says
Adorable! Enjoy every moment with your newest Angel. Wishing all of you good health and happiness.
Deana says
Congratulations to your family! SO thankful that you’re all safe and sound. On Tuesday evening I showed my husband the IG photo of John and Clara to see if he could guess where they were having froyo (SF is his favorite). I also told him that I’d been praying for you throughout the day since you were due to have your baby on Wednesday, and he started praying for you too!
BTW, we got several decorating resources from the library the other day. While I was paging through This Old House, our 15-year-old son was looking at your book and cracking up over your funny comments – especially all of the things Burger “said”. You both have a great sense of humor!
Thanks for sharing your news. Hope you can get some rest. Best wishes to all!
Kiley says
Congratulations! Teddy is a perfect angel and Sherry you are so beautiful:) Clara is a wonderful example of what loving, kind, supportive, and encouraging parents you two are and Teddy is so lucky to have joined your family. Rest and enjoy this special time:)
Robin says
Congrats to all of you! Though I’ve never met you guys, judging from that first photo, Teddy looks very much like his dad.
Whitney Dupuis says
He is so handsome!!! Congratulations! I am so excited to hear that everything went smoothly and everyone is happy and healthy. Welcome to the world, little man.
Courtney says
Congrats!!! Thanks so much for sharing the news and pictures! I’m glad everything went so smoothly. I think 99.9999% of us would be upset if we didn’t get this post!
Tracy H. says
Congratulations! Teddy is such and adorable name and baby too of course! And that picture of him and Sherry is breathtaking. Beautiful family!
Leigha says
Soooo happy for you guys!!!! Your family is beautiful!
Nandini says
Congratulations !!!! Teddy welcome to planet Earth, you are a cutie … Lots of hugs and kisses …. Took me back to the birth of my second one. Babies are the best!!
Deese says
He is adorable! I love the names Teddy and Theodore! They are actually on my future baby name list….though in our house babies could be bunnies or kitties just as easily as human, well actually much easier, with the no 9 month wait or labor!
It is so strange, I remember when Clara joined the family, it feels like just yesterday…you guys are so blessed!
Congrats John & Sherry! Clara, I know you are going to be the awesomest big sister ever!
<3
thedogsma says
Congrats–so glad it all went well. Have a good rest, & settle in.
Sudhaa says
Congratulations John & Sherry, Teddy is a little bear! precious, enjoy his newborn smell :)
I am not sure why there are some people with such rude comments about ads and the post detail and where it should belong on your blog. I don’t think you both need to even respond to them…let the barking dogs bark…and the sun keep shining!
CallieG says
Omg he is too precious! Congratulations you guys!
Mary says
What happy news. Congratulations! I am so pleased to hear everything went well and both mom and baby are healthy. Hip-hip-hooray!
Meg says
CONGRATS!!! So excited for you guys – he is adorable, and perfect. I was just in Richmond for work and on the look-out (in a totally un-stalker like way I swear!!) for you guys and hoping to spot you around town. Clearly you were busy :)
Meg says
PS – LOVE THE NAME too, can’t believe I forgot to mention that
Beth says
Congrats! He’s absolutely precious. Rest now while you can.