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!
Karen says
Congratulations! I think Clara’s name story is very sweet, and appropriate, because I think she looks very much like Dave.
Best wishes to you all!
Elizabeth says
God bless you, today and always!
Jill says
Congratulations!
Kristina R says
Congratulations! She’s perfect.
Rochelle says
Love the name and so glad someone finally used it. I also wanted a Claire after grandpa but got out voted. Take care.
Pamela Reed says
What a beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl!! Congrats!
Mandy says
Congratulations! Beautiful mom and baby. Love her name….glad you finally got to use it!
Jo Maney says
So precious…congrats to you! Love her name!
Kristi R says
Congratulations! Clara is beautiful! Thankful everything went smoothly for you and that all are healthy and doing well. Enjoy your time of as you adapt to life with another “little” in the house. God bless!
Michelle says
Congratulations! She is beautiful and you look great. I hope you feel as good as you look.
I am looking forward to your posts as a family of six.
Blessings to you and your family.
Michelle says
Oh…and the picture of her looking up at her daddy is adorable.
And so is the picture of the four of the kids together and their shirts are great!
Leslie H says
I had 2 of my babies after two pushes…intense, but the way to go!
So happy that sweet and beautiful Clara Jo is here. And I love her name!
Enjoy these sweet newborn days…so many snuggles!!
God bless your family! Congratulations!
Mara Yager says
So wonderful, biggest congratulations to you all! You did a great job, way to go!!!
Lori Mc says
Congratulations! What a little sweetheart! She is beautiful!
Kimberley Carlisle says
Aw congrats!!! I have been a reader/commenter since before you had Nora and I just can’t believe how your family has grown (and mine as well)! I love watching it happen in “real time” lol. Enjoy your beautiful family and your time off!!! Can’t wait until you come back!
DeeDee says
Another beauty!!!!!! Good job Andrea! Congrats to you and Dave and the rest of your little tribe. Get some rest 🙂
jo says
Beautiful name, beautiful baby, beautiful mama. Take care and enjoy!
Erica says
Congrats Andrea!!!!
Deni says
Blessings to Miss Clara Jo, You and the Dekker clan. She is absolutely beautiful and has such a lovely name!
Pamela says
Congratulations! What a sweetie! So glad everything went so well! Looks like the kiddos love her to pieces! 🙂 ~~Pam
Lorrie says
OH, congratulations, little Clara Jo is beautiful!!! Clara is not a name we hear often these days, but there is a little girl at church named Clara (after her great-grandmother, I believe), so now I know TWO young Claras!! You are so efficient in all your undertakings, it’s really comes as no surprise that your labor and delivery was smooth and efficient too!! 🙂 Very thankful to hear your great news and know that all is well.
Jean Schultz says
I was so delighted to see the FB post last evening that Clara had finally arrived! Enjoy this special time with your family, rest up and take good care of yourself. Your faithful readers will be looking forward to your return, when you are ready.
Congratulations!!
Barb says
Congratulations Andrea and Dave! Clara Jo is beautiful! God bless you all as you settle into your new life and routine as a family of six. 🙂
Laura says
Congratulations, Dekker family! Clara is beautiful! 🙂
Angela says
Yay! She’s here! Congratulations Dekkers! Love the name story – my kids all have stories behind their names too – very special!
Sherry says
Congratulations! A beautiful name for a beautiful little girl! I love the curl on the top of her head. Adorable!
Amy says
Oh congratulations, Andrea! You look absolutely beautiful…and Clara is scrumptious! I’m so happy for you!
Hugs from Virginia!
Trudy says
Congratulations on your sweet baby….
ShellyL says
Congratulations, Dekker family!! I love your post and sweet pictures. You always manage to look like you just walked up to the hospital and someone handed you a baby. Ha! She’s beautiful and the name is, too. (I was guessing Noel after your previous post. I thought you were fooling us.) I love it!! Enjoy your brief rest, mama.
Gervy says
Yay! Have been waiting to see the first pic – she looks lovely (and she shares my birthday). Well done. Love the background to the names too. Enjoy!
Chris says
I just love the story behind her name. I also had a grandpa named Clarence. I never would have thought of using the name, Clara. And how Dave’s grandpa married her brother-in-law. Such a neat story. Have fun relaxing with baby Clara and enjoy your shake! I’m sure Nora is thrilled beyond words.
Erin Heckber says
Such a sweet baby! I miss my little newborn (it is amazing how much they change so quickly, mine youngest is already 6 months and so much has changed). Enjoy these quite moments and your new baby!
Jen says
Congratulations Andrea, Dave, and family! What a beautiful baby! I have to tell you that last week, I was thinking about you and the baby and I made a mental guess that her name would be Claire/Clara or Ava! 🙂 Praying that you enjoy these few quiet days in the hospital and that the transition to four kiddos is swift and smooth. Many blessings!
Grandma Ann says
Congratulations! This wife of 51 years, mom of 3, grandma of 14 and great grandma of 2 reads your blog everyday! I have been checking your FB and Twitter every day multiple times waiting for the news of your precious baby girl! She is beautiful and you and your family are blessed. Thank your for sharing your life and family with all of us! Praying for you and your husband as you all settle in and raise these beautiful children for the Lord!
Linda M says
Aaaah! Congratulations….what a blessing and such a beautiful baby and family!
Margo says
Mazel tov!
JoAnn C. says
Such beauty! Congratulations to you and Dave. I can’t help but be especially fond of Clara’s middle name Jo. ; ) Thank you for sharing such good news and can’t wait for lots more pictures.
Blessings
JoAnn
Leanne says
you seriously might be the most beautiful postpartum mama I’ve ever seen!! I adore her name!! Congratulations!!!
Stel says
Oh, YEAYYY!!! Happiness and congratulations on a beautiful little girl with such a beautiful name!
Alison says
Congratulations, she’s beautiful! Our daughter (3) is Clara also. The name has really spiked in popularity the last few years.
Holly says
Congratulations! She is precious!! Love the name!