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!
Martha Lawson says
Another beautiful Decker baby to watch grow up!! I love the name. Congratulations!
Chris from Normal says
Congratulations Andrea and Dave!!! She is beautiful!!!!
Sharyl says
Congratulations! So happy for you all. She’s beautiful.
Relax and enjoy. Sharyl
Catherine says
Just so beautiful! We named our daughter Clara. It’s such a lovely name. Congratulations to you and your amazing family. The kids look so happy with their new little sister. All the best for the coming months.
Linda says
Blessings without end congratulations to the Dekker Family.
What joy a new little one brings.
JoAnne says
Such a beautiful little girl! I have a Clare Josephine, born 11 years ago this month, so naturally I love the name :).
Helen says
Congratulations on your new baby girl. You all look radiantly happy !!
Eliza says
Stop it! She is too adorable. I love the name also. All the best for those first few days. They are so wonderful.
Love and blessings from Australia!
Eliza
JoDi says
CONGRATS to all of you! She is beautiful, and I love the meaning of her name! So special to be named after 2 important people in her family. Best wishes to all of you as you adjust to your new normal. Enjoy those milkshakes mama!
Lori says
I am so happy for you! I’ve been checking your site daily for news. I’m so glad everything went well. She is beautiful!
Maru says
Puede que te sorprenda recibir un mail en español pero mi inglés no es bueno. Soy de Montevideo, Uruguay, South América y hace un tiempo que sigo tu blog con mucho interés. Me encanta todo lo que tu públicas y me es muy útil también. Tú y tu hermosa familia son un oasis de paz en este mundo tan caótico.
Felicitaciones por la hermosa nueva bebé ! Dios los bendiga a todos.
Jane G says
Your happy baby news post really made me smile. Bless your gorgeous family and precious little Clara. X
Allison says
She’s beautiful! The best to you all!
Kaye Edwards says
Andrea, Dave and family – You have such a beautiful new addition! Andrea you and Dave just amaze me with all you accomplish – on your home, in raising your family, in having your priorities well-placed. Wishing your entire family some wonderful days ahead. I look so forward to hearing about your life with this adorable little girl.
sonnie Jones says
Congratulations. She is beautiful.
Amy says
Congratulations to you and your family! Your new baby girl is precious!
Kelly says
Congrats Andrea & fam!! She’s so pretty!! Maybe this one will resemble Dave 🙂
Linda says
Oh my, what a precious little girl! Congratulations!
Pam says
Congratulations…what excitement! Another beautiful Dekker baby. Wishing you joy and happiness beyond measure!
Carol Lobmeier says
Congratulations!! What a beautiful baby girl. Her name is beautiful. Really great family pictures also. Looking forward to more pictures and stories about your new baby girl and her siblings.
Again, Congratulations to allQ!
Teresa Johnson says
Oh she’s gorgeous! So happy it all went fast and you look amazing for just having a baby! Congratulations to you and your sweet family!
Kim in ID says
Congratulations! Your baby is beautiful! And her name is so special; my grandma’s name was Clara. Best wishes to your family!
Francie says
Congrats, Andrea! She is absolutely beautiful!
http://www.supersimpleways.com
Kim says
I love all the sentimental, loving reasons you chose your new baby girl’s name. Rest and rejoice in this precious gift! Clara is beautiful!
Emily says
Congratulations!! She so precious! Enjoy the chocolate shake and baby snuggles. 🙂
Shelley Fessinger says
Oh, my…it’s all just perfect!! Enjoy!
Sheri D says
Congratulations! She is adorable!!
Jamie says
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you and your family. Clara is precious! Enjoy your time getting to know her. 🙂
Lynn says
Congratulations on the arrival of Clara! Praying for blessings, a speedy recovery, and a smooth transition to adding a new sibling. Can’t wait to see photos and updates!
Kimi says
Yay! You both look beeeeUtiful! An absolutely lovely family! Most of all I am glad all are very healthy and happy. Enjoy every second because as you already know, “time” is sooo fleeting! oh, and I love that everyone is smiling and seem very excited!!!!!
Deb says
CONGRATULATIONS! She is beautiful and you don’t look like you just had a baby! Way to go, mom!
Nora says
Congratulations on your adorable little Clara! She looks perfect! Your kids look like they are so excited. I’ve been following your blog for a while and love all your practical advice for organizing, cooking, etc. I was so excited to see that you have a daughter named “Nora”! I never heard my name very often growing up and now the older names are very popular and people are mentioning it a lot as new babies are born with that name! Love your kids names. Clara is a wonderful name and fits right in. My youngest is 6 and her name is Elliana. (picked by hubby) We call her Ellie for short and didn’t even realize that our names are both from the name Eleanor! Enjoy your little one and pamper yourself! You deserve it. May you and your family be blessed!
Dee says
Congratulations! She’s beautiful❤️
Amy says
Congratulations! She is beautiful.
Cindy says
CONGRATULATIONS! The waiting is over! Best wishes to all of you as you begin a new chapter in your lives.
Debbie says
I’ve been enjoying the photos of Clara along with the rest of the kiddos so far! You’re a baby maker superwoman for popping her out after only 2 pushes and within 1.5 hours of getting to the hospital. I love the last photo of you snuggling with her and the 2nd to the last photo with James looking on to Nora enjoying holding her new baby doll. Haha! Enjoy the milkshakes!
Mary says
So.so. happy for y’all! You look totally amazing and Claras complexion is fabulous!! Name meanings are very high on our list…thats why we didn’t name our son after his great grandfather Loyd but named him Theodore Elliot which means God’s gift/ Jehovah is God…he was born after 4 girls! Btw…we were married June of 06 as well
JJ says
Congratulations! She is beautiful, and you look amazing! Praying for all of you during this changing and exciting time! My middle name is Jo! My grandma, mom, cousin, niece and I all share that middle name. Enjoy those snuggles!!!
Linda Bolt says
Congratulations! What a beautiful little girl! Amazing that she has a little bit different look to her. She is very pretty. What fun you will have getting to know her and what she is like. Absolutely beautiful family, and I am assuming she is healthy from the photos. Wonderful! Thanks be to God.
Paulette says
Congratulations to all the Dekkers! She is precious, of course. Can’t wait to see more of this little darling!