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.
Ali says
SOB! So happy for you guys. I love the hospital photo. =D Oh, happy day! And I love the name Clara because of a certain Christmas-time ballet.
Cecelia says
Congratulations! She’s gorgeous!
I remember bringing my newborn daughter home.
I was so completely in love, that I just couldn’t take my eyes off her!
maggie says
CONGRATULATIONS!! Warm wishes to your family! I am so glad to hear that everything went great!
Val says
She is so beautiful! And I seriously heart the name Clara!! I am so glad you are both okay.(I had no idea what any of those labor complications were, but I Wikipedia’d them and it all sounded really terrifying.) I feel like such a schmuck reading about some kitchen makeover now! Please rest lots and lots and take good care of yourselves. If I could mail you a casserole from Birmingham I totally would, but I have no doubt y’all are very well looked after.
steph says
Simply adorable! Congrats
LindaS says
Congratulations- she is just beautiful!
Corinne says
Congratulations, Congratulations, Congratulations!
Susan says
Congrats! She is soo adorable!
Kate says
Congrats, guys! I loved the “fake” tweets on Friday and Saturday … I don’t guess you ever did get around to mulching last weekend, did you? ;)
Kari says
Clara is stunning! Congratulations and God bless your beautiful family!!!
Jen says
Congratulations! She is gorgeous!!!
Jessica Worley says
Okay, you guys were already guilty of making me wanna have another baby just to steal some of your awesome nursery ideas.
But, now, after seeing your little Clara bella, I’m almost certain I want another lil’ bundle! Did you even consider that all the cuteness in your blog might possibly spur the creation of a generation of YHL babies? Heavy stuff.
You worked hard and did magnificently. Lucky baby. Congrats.
Jackie says
Congratulations!! She is beautiful. Hope you are feeling ok Sherry!
Natalie says
Oh my goodnes!!!!!
Congratulations, you guys!!
I’m so happy for you! And I LOVE the name you picked! Sweet and beautiful, just like her! :)
Lauren says
Seriously… I’ve never even met you, and I teared up a little when I saw this post!! Congratulations on your new addition! Clara is a doll! :)
Meg says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!
I love her name as well. A friend of mine is naming her daughter Kenley. It’s a really unique name. And Clara is just classic!
Wishing you guys all of the blessings in the world as you adjust to life with your new addition!
Elena says
Congratulations and welcome little Clara! I love her name.
jenn says
Woo Hoo!!! She is beautiful, and I LOVE the sweetness of the name. Congrats and get some rest, enjoy this beautifu miracle!
Averill (Odi et Amo) says
Congratulations! She looks like you both. And I love the name.
Sulma says
congratulations!
OMG-YHL says
Congrats, guys! She is adorable!! Best wishes to all 4 of you (Burger included, of course!)!
Allison says
What a great name! With the similar reaction from so many other readers, you guys might be responsible for bringing “Clara” up a few notches in popularity this year! She is a beauty! Congratulations!
Tricia says
Congratulations!!! She is beautiful! Absolutely LOVE the name:)
Susan R says
I am so happy for the two of you. I was thinking about you both all weekend, kind of sad, because I don’t really know you both. I was telling my girlfriends at work and even asked on Monday in garden response. Sherry tricked me by saying she would update all of us soon. I assumed baby P wasn’t here yet. Congrats to the two of you! I am so happy for you both.
Barbara says
Congratulations!
I have been visisting your blog for a while..I love it!
It reminds me when I did not have a child and and all we would do with my husband was DIY :-)!. Since we had baby (exacly one year)… we are happy when we clean the house.
Enjoy your little one! She is soooooo cute!
Barbara
Lindy says
Congrats!! She is darling! Love the name, also!
robin says
I love her!! Congratulations to you both, and to Burger! I hope things go that well someday when we bring our first home to our puggle. We’re soooooooo happy for you!! (My boyfriend loves your photos!)
Robyn says
Gorgeous baby, great name, beautiful family! Couldn’t be happier for you all!
nicole says
I am so happy for you and your family. Clara is so beautiful just like her name. Congrats!
Melody says
Congratulations! She is so beautiful! I am glad to hear that Clara is safe and sound.
Alicia C. says
How wonderful! I am so happy to hear that everyone is doing well now. Congratulations and I hope that you get to feeling yourself soon!
Tara says
Congrats!! I am so thrilled to hear that your precious baby has arrived and that you get to experience the joys of parenthood. Every minute is SO wonderful!! I LOVE that you based her name on family members, so sweet. Enjoy every minute!!
Hugs, Tara
Jules says
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Ah, the emergency c-section. Been there with Mikey. No fun, but worth it in the end.
I am so, so happy for you two! I wish you and your newly expanded family much love, happiness, and health. :)
xoxo
J
Sarah says
Congrats!! She is very beautiful :O)
Terry Prince says
Congratulations, I was wondering when the baby was going to arrive.
What an exciting time for you three or four if we count your other four legged child.
Leigh says
Clara is adorable! Congratulations to you all (Burger included)! Her name is beautiful, just like she is. I am so happy for you.
Aimee says
Congratulations John and Sherry! I feel like I know you guys after checking in every day (sometimes twice!). She is adorable. :)
Serror says
Aw!! Congrats! She is just beautiful!
Barbz says
Way to sneak the BIG news in after a house crashing, youngsters!!! Heartfelt congrats to you and your stunning new little bundle of joy! This morning, driving to work, I had this random thought that your daughter was already here and that her name was Cara. Ah! Off by one letter! Anyway, I’m so glad that your docs were on the ball and that your little sweetheart was born healthy, perfect, and beautiful! Blessings and joy!
lauren says
I am so happy that you and Clara are healthy and home Sherry. May is a wonderful month to have a baby, now just be good to yourselves and take it EASY. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Rachael says
congratulations!! what a beautiful little girl. Welcome to parenthood! :-)
Heather G. says
Congrats on the new edition. She is beautiful and perfect!
Crystal G. says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!
Bianca says
A very big congratulations to your beautiful family. #1 sorry you had to go through what would have been terrifying, but extremely happy Clara is safe and healthy. #2 Her name is gorgeous and classic. #3 May I say for a sweet baby girl, hrs old as she was in the 1st pic, she is very alert. You will be continue to be mesmerized Im sure.
Im a very happy reader over here in Australia at your wonderful news.
Bianca
Mandi says
CONGRATS! She is perfect! I adore her name.
Amy says
She is adorable! Congratulations!!!
Amanda says
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I’m so excited to see how your blog evolves with Clara’s arrival. More nursery projects, reviews of items for baby & house, bedroom makeovers, MILLIONS of photos (that’s what I’m expecting!). You two will be wonderful parents and I’m sure Clara will look as gorgeous as you both do.
Congratulations again!
Rebecca says
Hey, that’s my birthday too! :)
Pretty much the best b-day ever: good weather, almost exactly halfway between Christmases, late enough in the school year so you know who to invite and who not to invite…I could go on.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Christina says
She is beautiful. Congratulations!
Kristin says
Congratulations, and welcome, welcome sweet Clara! What a lovely name, and a beautiful little girl. So happy for you guys!