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.
Anne says
congratulations, so happy for you! all the best to the three of you – and sherry, to a speedy recovery!
Ionica says
Congratulations! I am so happy for you. Clara looks even cuter than the nursery. She must be your best DIY-project ever ;-)
Ruth B says
Ahhh, congrats!!!! Clara is beautiful!
Maria says
Congrats!! She’s beautiful! Let the fun begin!
I missed the drawing by a day…shoot! =(
Tracy says
Sooooo…..
Yeah right so……..!!!!! OMG Congrats you two! Only blessed days ahead of you!
Lynn says
Oh, bless her. Isn’t she beautiful?
Diane says
Congratulations! She is absolutely breathtaking! I went through the exact same thing 8 years ago when my oldest son was born. Gotta love those doctors and nurses! Enjoy every minute with her, because the next time you blink…she will be 8 and giving you attitute because you did not pack the right snack!
Btw… I KNEW you were in labor after the “what we have done in the past 10 minutes to get ready for this baby!” lol
Kelli says
Congratulations! What a beautiful baby and a happy family.
Melanie says
Congratulations to you both! I’m happy to hear that everyone is healthy and doing well.
Barbara says
Congratulations…..she is simply adorable; enjoy!
laura says
congratulations and welcome to the parenthood club! baby clara is so yummy cute! hope mama bounces back nice and quick.
Meagan says
Congratulations John and Sherry! Clara is beautiful! I knew this post was coming not that the post lately were anything less than great I could tell something was up! So glad everyone is home safe and sound!
Nancy Shirley says
Best wishes to you ALL and take time to heal and rest Sherry! Is Daddy expected to make a full recovery?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Nancy Shirley,
If you’re asking if I’ll ever recover from falling in love with my little girl, the answer is no. But other than that I’m running at as close as full steam as possible to take care of my girls. Thanks for checking on me!
-John
Skooks says
My niece is named Clara! Congratulations to the whole family. Sorry you had to go through the emergency section. Recovery from c-section is not fun. I’ve done it once. :( I’m so glad that your bean is ok and everyone is doing well! She is beautiful. Truly truly. Drink all that little baby stuff in while you can. My goodness does the time whip by! I swear I blinked and my daughter is 3. My second baby is 9 months old and cruising the furniture. Where does the time go?! Anyway, so so happy for you guys. :)
Totally unrelated, but thanks for taking the time to answer my tiny window/blinds question the other day. I bought a few extra shades for the windows and I think they’ll work out wonderfully. :)
Kerry says
Congratulations on your new arrival!! She is lovely!!
Kayla says
She is so adorable. Congrats!! I was wondering if baby had come because you guys were awfully quiet over the weekend on Twitter and Facebook :)
Clare says
CONGRATULATIONS John, Sherry, and Burger. Clara’s absolutely adorable.
Jennifer says
Congratulations!!!! Darn, I was a day off on guessing her arrival. I’m expecting my own bundle of joy in December.
Rachel L. says
Oh, my goodness! Look at that beauty! You won’t get enough of staring at her, I can tell you. Best wishes and go very easy on yourself as you adjust. Every crazy emotion is normal. Babies are work, worry, sleepless nights and days…and it is ALL worth it.
Britiney says
Hugest congrats! She’s absolutely, amazingly beautiful (as we all knew she would be!) Best wishes for a quick recovery and lots of sleep! And DARN! I knew I should have picked the 14th! (Which is my brother’s birthday!) Congrats, again!!!
Kelly Dokimos says
Congrats!!! I’m so happy for you guys! I can’t wait to see all the little changes you guys are going to go through.
She’s beautiful
Sandy says
Congratulations and welcome to the world Clara! What a beautiful family you three make! So very very happy for all of you. Best!
Kristin says
Congratulations, she is beautiful! Get some rest.
Lindsey @ Sound Eats says
Clara is BEAUTIFUL!!! Congratulations!!
Nicole says
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you!!!
Bethany says
Congratulations!!! She is beautiful!!
shelly says
Congratulations, she is gorgeous!!!! Enjoy every moment!!!
Amanda says
Oh my I lit up when I came to your blog and her gorgeous face was the first thing I see. My boyfriend came in the room and I said “Look how pretty she is! The blog I read finally had their baby!”
Those toes are the cutest thing, and I love the blanket she has them curled up in.
Wondering though where that quilt came from (in the second picture), or did someone make it for you? I assume it was a gift so if you don’t know that’s all right.
I just want to say Sherry & John you’re doing a great job already, keeping up with comments and a newborn in the house. I read (err.. skimmed) through all (22 pages, so far) and I think I counted 6 (SIX) re-postings of the birth story. You two sure have some patience when it comes to that stuff. SO kudos!
YoungHouseLove says
Hi Amanda – thanks for the kudos. We’re enjoying sharing this with everyone so it’s our pleasure to keep up with everything (as long as we’ve got our eyes open, at least).
The swaddling blanket you asked about in the second picture is from Aden + Anais, but it was a gift so we don’t know much more than that – except that we love it!
-John
Stephanie says
Congratulations you guys – she is beautiful!! Rest easy, take care, and love her to pieces! Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Enjoy!!
ps – LOVE her name!!!
Meg says
Congrats! What a beautiful little blessing!
jamie says
Congrats!!! She is beautiful! I’m sad I have to welcome you to the emergency c-section club but its 100% worth it for the healthy baby!
wanderluster says
Congratulations John & Sherry! Clara is a beautiful baby. Enjoy these early days with her.
Susan says
Congratulations!!!
I’m so happy for your family. Babies are such a blessing. And things just get more and more wonderful, though, occasionally, more and more crazy. It’s a healthy balance :o)
I’m glad that you are all home and happy.
Susan
Heather says
Congratulations! Clara is beautiful.
Lizzie says
Many, many congrats & what a lucky baby surviving all that x
Daniela says
Congratulations !!!! clara is adorable i love her name !!!!
Fron Argentina
Daniela
Amanda says
Hi again, I found that blanket right here:
http://www.adenandanais.com/shop/itemdisplay.aspx?ID=113&SKU=6028
Though I couldn’t find the blue and pink stripey one on their website. Ohh well.
Just nosey about the price of those things really is all! Hahha. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amanda,
Sorry for the confusion – the blue and pink striped blanket is made by happygreebee. We got it as a gift from a boutique in Alexandria, VA called Pink & Brown, but we spotted it online here: http://www.tendercargo.com/catalog/Happy-Green-Bee-Blanket.html
-John
Teesha says
Just precious…she’s already bright eyed and smiling! Many blessings and happiness on your new baby girl! Congratulations!
Tatyana says
What a surprise! (I thought you guys were here all these days…smooth sailing on the blog for sure).
She is SO adorable! Congratulations!
I’m glad everything turned out well after the scare and the emergency c-section. I wish you the best. I don’t know you but I’m so giddy for you. :)
P.S. I’m glad your dog is adjusting well to the new addition.
Carol H. says
Congrats! What a cutie.
And oh boy, I had voted for the 14th! (Because it is/was my son’s birthday.)
Jarrod says
Oh my gosh! She is gorgeous!! God bless. :)
Angie says
She is so precious! Make sure that you are taking it easy and I’m sure someone mentioned to sleep when she sleeps, but make sure that you do! A child is such a blessing-God’s miracle! Oh no you are giving me baby fever!LOL
tamstyles says
WOW..that came out of nowhere (LOL)…well sorta…So glad to here that everyone is good and home fine. Enjoy her! God bless your family. Jon..all I can say is always remember to ask: “Baby what do you need me to do”…or “Can I do something to make it alright”…and Sherry remember to say “YES”…
Tamara
Amber says
Yay! I’ve been thinking about you two a lot and wondering if the baby had come yet. There was no change in blog posts, so you two sly cats gave no indication the little one had arrived :) I’m so happy everything turned out ok…its times like that I really am thankful we have so many resources via modern medicine. If you can, sleep when she sleeps and enjoy it. It goes by so fast…!
Susan says
Beautiful daughter! Beautiful pictures! Congratulations!
Allison says
She is totally precious! Congrats!
allison says
Lovely! Welcome little Clara! Aren’t babies amazing? The love is intense, right? Thank heavens for modern medicine. It’s staggering to think that if you had delivered Clara in another country or in another era, her birth might not have been possible. I’m thrilled for you!
Lisa says
Your little girl is so freaking adorable! I had an emergency C-section too – make sure you take it easy, and accept help from friends and family offer. One thing my friends and family did for me was bring me dinners. Those first few weeks I couldn’t do too much, so it was nice to have a home cooked meal. It was non-obtrusive, but very helpful.
monika says
Congrats!! She’s beautiful!
Jessica says
Congratulations!! Clara is just adorable! That must have been so scary, but I’m glad to hear that you’re both doing well now. Hope you have a quick recovery and are able to adjust to motherhood without any problems. Burger looks like a proud big brother -so cute! :)