She’s here!
Meet the newest addition to the Dekker clan…
Clara Jo!
She was born on September 25, 2017 at 9:57pm (less than 2 hours after getting to the hospital and after only 2 pushes!)
She’s my smallest baby yet at 7lb. 1oz.
She looks very different from our other babies — especially with her hat off! She has lots of dark hair (tons in the back), no dimples, and very squinty eyes.
Clara is named after Dave’s mom’s dad (Clarence) who passed away when she was a young girl.
Her middle name, Jo, is after Clarence’s brother Joe, who Dave’s grandma eventually remarried, and who Dave remembers as his loving “Grandpa Joe”.
And… as many of you know, it just so happens that Claire and Clara have been 2 of my most favorite girl names FOREVER!
Plus, this name fits every single one of our ridiculous name “rules”!
I have plans to share a tour of Clara’s nursery next week, and there will definitely be lots of cute baby pictures flooding my Facebook feed and blog over the next few weeks — but for now, I’m going to snuggle with my new baby girl, order another chocolate milk shake, and soak up the quietness of my hospital room.
Thank you in advance for all your kind words, well wishes, prayers, and support. I won’t be able to respond to them all, but I WILL definitely read them!
You all are amazing!
Shelia says
Just came across your blog again after a lot of years not reading! I read your blog back when Nora was born. The amazing thing is I just had my 4th baby in August. Her name is Oakley Jo! Haha. Your family is beautiful and growing wonderfully! Congratulations!
Elena says
Congratulations, Andrea and the entire Dekker clan!!! Clara Jo is beautiful 🙂 Wishing you all a lifetime of health, happiness and love.
Julia K says
I haven’t visited your blog for quite a while – just a different life stage and we’ve had lots going on – selling our home, buying another and moving in – my elderly mum having a fall and now me looking into relocating her to an aged care facility interstate so she can be near us – anyhow – you get the picture.
Driving to work the other day (oh – that’s another change – I’ve gone from FT SAHM to FT working mum – how could I forget that ??) – anyhow – driving to work and “Andrea Dekker” just popped into my mind and I thought – I must check out her blog – I wonder if they’ll have another child – I wonder if she’s pregnant again – WOW – what a lovely surprise to come home from work and ready your lovely “nappy news”.
Congratulations on the newest addition to the Dekker clan !!
I have loads of things on my to do list – but I’m going to “reward” myself with short bursts of catching up on your blog.
Andrea says
wow — yes, I guess you have been busy and “away” for quite some time!
Thanks for your kind words and good luck with all your new endeavors!
Kylie says
Andrea,
As a long-time reader (since before Nora!), I just want to say how happy I am for you. A big congratulations!!
I recently found out I’m pregnant with #2 and boy am I already tired! But seeing you do everything you do, and now with 4 — I know I’ll get through this. You are my inspiration! Thanks for sharing all you do — it’s a big encourager for moms!
Enjoy your time off! Look forward to seeing more cute Clara pics!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Kylie! And congrats to you too — how exciting!
Zoe says
All the best for your new baby! HEALTH AND HAPPINES FOR YOU AND YOUR ADORABLE FAMILY!
Candis says
Congratulations!! She is beautiful! 🙂
Dana says
Congratulations to your family! I have been reading your blog since before you had babies, and it has been just beautiful to see your family grow over the years – thank you for sharing it all with us 🙂
Gaynor Williams says
Congratulation to you, Dave and the family! Am in Peru at the moment, on holiday from the UK but have been checking each day to see if the baby has arrived. Welcome Clara Jo, you could not have been born into a more loving family!
Gabriela says
Congratulations!!!! So cute! I bet the others are soo excited!!!! Now rest time if possible!!!! 🙂
Christina M says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful. I love the name!
Maria says
Congratulations from Canada and welcome to sweet little Clara Jo -she is so cute!
Tracey says
As a longtime reader here, it has been an absolute joy watching your sweet family grow!!
Congratulations on your beautiful Clara Jo!! Welcome to the world, precious girl!!
Lots of love to all of you!!
Kate says
Congratulations!! It seems to me that she favors your husband, where the other 3 kids seem to look more like you. Looking forward to more posts and pictures!
Michele says
Oh she is darling. Love the name. Your family is just the sweetest. Enjoy them to the fullest!
Filomena says
Congratulations from Portugal.
She’s so pretty.
All the best to you all!
Katy says
Congratulations from Iowa! May God continue to bless your lovely family, and may Clara be a wonderful sleeper 🙂
Luba @ Healthy with Luba says
Andrea, congratulations to your and your family. Clara Jo is a doll.
I remember when Nora was born. Now your fourth child has entered the world. You and Dave are so blessed. 🙂
Bonnie'sMama says
She’s a lovely little lady. What a joy, what a treasure!
Andrea, I’ve been reading your blog since before you were pregnant with Nora. It has been really beautiful to see your transformation as a woman and as a mom, to see you flow into new priorities, to see your commonsense approach to parenting, to see you embrace your role as a mother even though so much of motherhood is not conducive to productivity and efficiency and accomplishing goals and to do lists.
I wish we were friends in real life–I’ve learned so much from you about homemaking and motherhood and doing what you were designed to do as a person. But since I live far away, I’ll be content with coming back here every day you post. I’ve followed a number of bloggers over the past seven years, and eventually dropped all but yours. You’re just a normal, authentic, thoughtful woman with good ideas I use to make my own home, family, and life better.
So enjoy your break; you richly deserve it. But I’ll be so glad when you’re back.
Trina says
Congratulations from Texas!!!
May the Lord bless your sweet family with much peace and rest!!
Miss Clara is just beautiful!❤️❤️❤️
Beth says
Congratulations! What a sweet little face. 🙂
Lynda says
Congratulations and welcome Clara! She is beautiful! All the best to your family
Marva says
Congratulations! Clara Jo has a very happy welcoming party! Enjoy your snuggle time, and many blessings as your family adjusts to a new little person in your lives!
Kathy says
All blessings and joy to you and your family, including Miss Clara Jo!! Enjoy 🙂
Marsha says
How precious. Praying for your family. Such a good Mom.
Lesa Humphreys says
Congratulations!!!! Beautiful family!!!!
Michelle says
Beautiful baby! Welcome to the world Miss Clara, we’ve been waiting to meet you! Prayers for blessings, joy, and restful sleep as you settle in to a new groove.
Lynn says
Congratulations! Miss Clara Jo is adorable!
Karen H Lawrence says
Congratulations!! Beautiful sweet Clara.. Your family is wonderfully blessed. I enjoy all your post even though I don’t usually respond I follow regularly and have learned a lot from you. Beautiful family for sure. Blessings, Karen
Gloria Peterson says
What a sweet blessing for a beautiful family. Love the pictures! Congrats.
Sue says
Congratulations, welcome little Clara Jo.
Birthe says
Congratulations So sweet!! Greetings from Germany
Julia says
She is beautiful! Congrats and get much needed rest!
Denise says
Congratulations!