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.
Jean says
Congratulations! Welcome to the world, Clara. Sorry to hear that the birth experience was so frightening. Should be smooth sailing from now on! :)
Ginger says
CONGRATS! :) She’s BEAUTIFUL! :) I know you already have a ton of comments, but I just had to add to them… the wonderful world of parenting welcomes you. :) Daughters are amazing… little Clara was born just 3 days after my little girl, Avery, celebrated her 1st birthday. :) Yay for May babies! :) Hope you’re getting some rest and healing well. Can’t wait to read your kid organization tips! :) Congrats again!!
Amanda Sevall says
Yay!!! Welcome to Clara!! Burger will be an excellent furry brother!!! Congratulations to you both!! :)
Aimee says
I wait until later in the day to get my YHL fix and look what I miss!! CONGRATULATIONS to you all. Clara is a beautiful addition to your family. I’m so happy that everything worked out okay.
Alison Moreno says
Congratulations, she’s beautiful. I am so so grateful for modern day medicine and that everyone is healthy and happy.
Jocelyn Stott says
She is BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations! And, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the name Clara – so feminine and lovely.
Carly says
oh my goodness, she is precious! congrats mom and dad!!
Laura says
As a long time reader, but first time commenter I would like to congratulate you on your little girl. She is absolutely adorable! And the pictures are amazing.
I wish all of you all the best!
Sarah Hoesly says
What a beautiful girl!! Ahh…congrats guys. I sure enjoy reading your blog, and have been looking forward to her arrival. Enjoy her…these days are soooo special! Again, congratulations! I still remember those foggy newborn weeks. Swoooon!
Katherine M. says
Congrats on your beautiful baby–you will be great parents!
Louise C says
Congrats guys, she is GORGEOUS and probably itching to get those paintbrushes in her hands NOW (and those tiny hands? They’re strong when they’ve got something in their grip… like hair or earrings or something similarly shiny…)
Kim S says
She is absolutely adorable and such a pretty name! Congrats on your beautiful family!
carak says
YAY! Congrats – what a sweet, sweet baby!
Helena says
oooh yes!! congratulation she is gorgeous!!!
Kristen says
Congratulations on your beautiful new daughter – love her name and all the love and meaning behind it. Enjoys these exhausting, precious days – they are so fleeting! I am a big fan of your blog, and just wanted to say CONGRATS! Everything changes – and it’s all for the better! :)
Renee Smith says
I CRY!! You guys are so beautiful!
Sara says
I was due the day after sherry and had my daughter, Claire, on may 17 via csection because she was breech. Sorry clara’s birth had some complications but glad everyone is home happy and healthy.
Robin O says
She’s here!! And she’s just precious! Congratulations you two! Enjoy every second, even the ridiculously exhausting ‘I-wish-she-would-just-sleep’ moments in the wee hours of the night. We just had our first almost 7 months ago, and it seriously FLIES by. They change soooo quickly so just soak it all in while you can.
So glad Sherry and Clara (GORGEOUS name btw) are doing well! Congrats and best wishes!
Danielle says
She is beautiful! Congrats! So glad that everything turned out ok!
caligurl says
UGH! the one day i’m not checking your blog before you even have the day’s post up and this is the news to relay!
CONGRATULATIONS! clara is absolutely 1000% adorable! can’t wait to read about all her DIY projects!!! and burger….. what a sweet, sweet big brother!!!!! did he enjoy his treats that came home to him along with his new sister?
Brandi says
Belated Congratulations! Sounds like baby Clara had a dramatic entrance into the world. She’s beautiful. Happy for you both!
Amy says
What a little cutie! I found your blog a year ago and lost the link, I just now re-connected, so glad to see a successful duo became a fantastic trio! Sending well-wishes your way! *Amy
Haley says
Now the real labor begins….God Bless you and your family on your labor of love. Some days (and sleepless nights!) are looooooong…but the years are short. Enjoy all of them. She’s beautiful!
Mrs. Money says
CONGRATS! She is beautiful!!
Schae says
Welcome little one! Beautiful name! Congratulations!
Monica Mtz. says
Congratulations !!!… You don´t know how much i was waiting for this post from the great news !!!!… May God our Lord continue heaping blessing and keep this little piece of love forever. Please accept my sincere congratulations from Chihuahua Mexico.
catherine s. says
Congrats to your newest addition! Happy to hear everyone is doing good – thanks for posting all the pics :) She’s adorable!
Kari says
A heartfelt congratulations! She’s beautiful. I was beginning to suspect that you had her, given the fact that your FB status said, “Got more done this weekend than we had planned.”
Diana says
She is absolutely beautiful!!! Congratulations and I’m glad that everything turned out OK. Those angels were looking over you all, especially Sherry and Clara. You must have some really super doctors and nurses. I’m also glad that Burger is already taking is big brother duties seriously.
Dan says
Very cool. Congratulations to the Petersik family, immediate and extended!
Alison says
Wow what a shocker! With Sherry stressing the fact that the baby would probably be late, imagine my surprise when this popped up in my reader this morning. Congratulations you guys – you’ll be great parents I know, and Burger will be a great big brother!
Susan Detzel says
Welcome Clara Baby P!!!
Kisses from Brazil!
Kelly P says
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Beautiful baby, beautiful name! Glad to see Burger has adjusted well to his new role as big brother!
Wishing the whole Petersik family all the best :-)
Jenanne says
Hooray for healthy babies and an ADORABLE name. Congrats to you both! Sherry, you look great for having just had a C-section. A loving fam, a great home, and a very protective dog – sounds like little miss Clara is one lucky gal.
amberly says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your baby girl is beautiful!
Sally says
Congratulations guys and welcome to the world little Clara. I am so glad everything turned out well after the scary delivery. She is sooo beautiful. Give her and Burger lots of hugs from me.
Ashley says
What a perfect little princess she is! Congrats!
Jessica S says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!
Krista Haws says
Congratulations you four!!! (It’s a little belated I see) :) I love her name, she looks like a Clara! I’m glad everything turned out okay with the delivery and mom and baby are home safe and sound!!! Take care!!!
Erin K. says
Woo Hoo! Congrats! I know you’ve been really cautious about not turning your design blog into one about nurseries and babies, but I hope you don’t shy away from sharing pics of Clara. I love babies!!
Kaye Whorley says
Thank goodness she was saved, she is beautiful! That is why babies should be born in a hospital—I was an OB nurse, everything can change in a blink. You will love her even more because of her emergency birth.
eleonora says
Congratulations!!
I’m so happy for you guys, you’re gonna be amazing parents!Enjoy these precious moments.
WELCOME CLARA!
Tracy says
Congrats to you two. Clara is absolutely gorgeous!
Rachel P. says
Congratulations!!! Clara is beautiful and perfect. Sherry, I’m hoping you get lots of rest and recovery time. John, you absolutely look great holding your baby girl. I’m so glad for you both. Your greatest DIY project yet.
Michele Daggar says
John & Sherry,
Many blessings to your new family member!!! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful baby with all of us blog strangers! Enjoy your sweet Clara and PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES!
Devon says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! She is absolutely adorable!!
Rachie says
Huge Congratulations and what a gorgeous name! She is beautiful!
Sending lots of love from the UK xxx
Laura says
Congrats! Welcome to the world or parenting! She is beautiful! Treasure these moments as they go by in a blink of an eye!
doahleigh says
Amazing! She’s lovely, I’m so happy for you.
Gina B. says
Your baby girl is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on the best new addition your home has ever seen!