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.
Natalie says
Congratulations! She is absolutely perfect! My cousin just had a baby in the fall and named her Clara – so I LOVE the name! I pray that all remains well!
Cindy says
Squeeeeeeeeee! I am so excited for you guys! Welcome, Clara, to this world!
Tracey R. says
Congratulations!!! Bshe’s absolutely gorgeous! So much that I will forgive her for not being born on the 22nd. :-)
have fun with you little cutie!!
Beth (A Mom's Life) says
She’s gorgeous! Her name is as beautiful as she is…I love family names with special meaning!
Julie says
She is precious. Congratulations!!
Aimee @ In THIS Life says
Congratulations!!!!
Too funny, when you posted your farmers market tweet this weekend, I figured the gig was up. LOL
Again, congrats, so happy for you all. Wishing you a swift recovery, Sherry.
Elle S. says
OMG! She’s gorgeous! Congratulations! I’ve been checking the blog daily for baby updates, and was pleasantly surprised to “meet” your darling daughter (okay, so maybe I check the blog daily anyway, but whatever). What an exciting journey you are embarking on. Best wishes!
Meredith says
Congratulations Sherry and John, and Burger! Your Clara is such a silly mush face, I can’t wait to see how she changes as you chronicle your new family and upcoming projects for us readers.
Alissa says
And then there were three!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Michelle says
Congratulations! What a beautiful baby girl and a beautiful name!
Blessings to your family :)
Catira says
Congratulations on the new addition!! She looks adorable!
I guess she decided she didn’t want to make you wait any longer!!!
Lianna says
She’s beautiful, congratulations!
Jo Anne says
What a gorgeous baby!!! Congratulations! The best accessory in your house to date….and that’s saying a lot!
Jessica says
Wow congrats! Thats awesome glad everyone is healthy and doing well.
Lauren B. says
Holy Cow! Number 1 scary thing in Labor and Delivery World are placental abruptions. Number 2 scary thing is a cord prolapse. I couldn’t imagine having a patient with both!!!!!! Thank goodness you had people who were on the ball. She is beautiful! I love the name Clara Kenley. It’s the perfect mix of classic and modern (just like you guys!). I’m also glad that Burger seems to be okay with her. It’s so cute that he’s the new bodyguard. :) Enjoy this time! Congratulations!
Lauren B.
Dee says
Congratulations! Sorry to hear about the emergency c-section but glad that it all turned out okay. She’s darling, of course!
Jen says
Congratulations!!!
Jamie says
Congratulations, she is adorable and so is big brother standing guard.
Jen @ Jewel of the Prairie says
Congrats – welcome to the world, Clara! She is adorable.
Ana says
Congratulations! I thought something was up from the sort of random blog posts and general online quietness. My suspicions have been confirmed. :)
bridget b says
Congratulations! She’s adorable! I had an unplanned c section in March. If you take it as easy as you can the first 6 weeks or so it does get better and you’ll be back to your old self before you know it. Love the name!
Amy H says
I am so happy for ya’ll, and she has a lovely name. Hope you all can get some rest.
Emily says
Congrats Petersik family and welcome to beautiful baby Clara! She is gorgeous. I’m so sorry that you had such a scary delivery (as a nurse-midwife, I can certainly empathize with the heart-stopping feeling associated with that). I’m so glad that they were able to get Clara out so quickly and that both of you are doing well. Take it easy and love on your little girl :)
Lauren says
Congratulations, so exciting!
rebekah coleman-brahler says
CONGRATS!!! so glad to hear everyone is doing well!!!
Beverley says
Congratulations!!! You have a beautiful little girl! Wishing you all the best as you navigate through the joys and the challenges of parenthood. She is darling and I’m thrilled for you both! All the best!
Tina says
awwwwwww, you guys! How exciting!!! She’s is beautiful, and lucky to have such great parents as you two. :) glad to hear everyone is happy and healthy now. Now go squish your baby for me. :)
darn. i was one day away from the right birth day. so close!
Cate says
She’s beautiful! Congratulations!!
Dee in BC says
Congratulations-She’s beautiful!-Dee
Liza says
CONGRATS! She is adorable! And Burger is a great big brother :)
Beth C says
She is beautiful! Congratulations to you both, and I’m so glad that Burger is being a good big brother!
Jacci says
Oh, praise God! I’m late to the party it seems – page 20 WHAT? of comments! :) But I had to chime in with everyone else and tell you how thrilled I am for you, and thankful that everything turned out okay. Abruptions and prolapses are some seriously scary terms – so glad all is well. Congratulations!!! And many BIG, big hugs :)
XO,
Jacci & all
Joshua says
Welcome to the world BABY P …….
Congratulations Burger on being the little big brother ;)
Guess I can be like everoyone else now… ;)
I’m so glad to hear that everything turned out ok, you all are a beautiful family; including furry lil burger :D
I wish you all the happiness in the world!!!!
Funmilayo says
So happy for you guys! Congratulations and May God bless you and your new addition to your family & house :)
get plenty of rest, and sleep when she sleeps (if only I could take my own advice :P)
Emily S. says
Congrats! I was checking often to see if you had her yet. She’s such a cutie!!! Born one day before my guess (and my twin boys birthday). Good luck with the c-section recovery, I had that too, it wasn’t the best, but anything to get those babies here safe and sound. PS… I love that little white blanket with the stars that she is wrapped snugly in :)
Tracy @ http://tem325.blogspot.com/ says
YAY!!!!! Clara is a great name and I’m so happy the emergency c-section went okay! Yay!!!
heather s says
congrats! LOVE love love that pic of her tiny feet! adorable!
Dusa says
Sheesh, don’t check YHL first thing in the morning and look what ya miss!
So happy everyone is OK (and Sherry: even immediately after giving birth you look fabuloso!)
Congratulations you 4!
Molly says
CONGRATS on the birth of baby Clara! What a sweetie! She is your best DIY yourself project, ever! ;)
Brittney says
She is precious! Congratulations on your new addition. I hope your recovery is speedy!
megan @ a life's design says
CONGRATULATIONS! Clara is amazingly beautiful, and her name is adorable! It is great to hear you are all home, healthy, and happy! Thank you for sharing with us! Many Blessings!!!
Monica says
Congrats to the proud parents and big brother! And welcome to Clara…such a lucky little girl. A family that is uber-excited to have her and a gorgeous home to grow up in!!!!
(BTW, Sherry, even without the gorgeous birthing pillowcase you had selected, all I see in the photo of the three of you is a very happy family…and a beautiful smile!)
Rachie says
Clara sounds so perfect! And Kenley? Adorable middle name!!! I’m so glad everyone’s OK!
Lisa says
Congrat’s. What a beautiful baby girl. Blessings
Libby says
Congratulations!! She is so beautiful! The name is perfection too!
Lise says
Congratulations all the way from South Africa!!! I’ve been checking your blog every day to see whether your precious little blessing had arrived yet. I wish you every happiness in celebrating your new life together as a family! So happy it turned out so well.
Jaclyn Tuohey says
Hi John, Sherry, Clara and Burger. Just wanted to congratulate you and welcome lil Clara into the world!!! She is absolutley beautiful and I loooove her name!!! I’m happy everyone is a-okay! God bless! XOXO
Kathryn S says
She’s beautiful and I’m amazed you got a picture of awake eyes at four days old! I’m glad to hear she is healthy and I hope Sherry is recovering well. An emergency c-section with lots of bleeding is a rough ride.
Alison says
Congratulations–she is a cutie. Enjoy every moment–it goes by too fast!
Dani says
Congratulations!