Introducing...

Benjamin Jones Baron. He was born July 2nd, 2009 at 1:07pm. He weighed 7lbs 9oz. and was 19.5inches long. He's a great baby. He and Jonathan are kindred spirits. He's a great sleeper and a great eater. We're thrilled. Ross doesn't seem to notice, or care, that he has a little brother.

I feel great. Much better than I did while I was pregnant. We're just trying to work out a routine and get ready for the big move at the end of this month.

Viewer Discretion is Advised

On Saturday night Jonathan hit an elk on his way home from Walmart. It stepped directly in front of him, so he was going about 50-60 mph. He only had minor cuts and bruises, thank goodness. He did go to the emergency room because he hit his head on... something. He's not sure what.

I'm just happy he's alive and that Ross and I were not in the car.

Five of the seven Baron children have been in car accidents this year. I thought that was weird. Three wrecks total. Two of the three involving stupid animals trying to cross the freeway at night. Luckily, no one was seriously injured... except for the animals.

Close, but no.

I almost cried when I saw this. It's a little tough to see, but that's a minus next to that A. What's ironic is that this is the only subject I actually studied on a weekly basis. It's like being ahead the entire game, only to lose by one point at the buzzer. It's that kind of emptiness.

In other news; I am done with school and got laid off at work. This means I have plenty of time to get ready for baby boy and soak up as much one-on-one time with Ross as I possibly can. How do people go from one to two children? I'm having a lot of mixed emotions and worries about bringing a new baby home.

My step dad had a surgery today to remove his colon cancer. What a blessing early detection is. He seems to be doing well, and we're all eager for him to come home. Especially Ross. He seems out of sorts with out his grandpa.

I am grateful to have a break! I need to finish some much neglected scrapbooking before Benjamin arrives and MAYBE finish the Twilight series. I've been trying to get through Eclipse since July. It may not be meant to be.

I am so grateful for my friends and family. Especially for my beautiful friend, Megan, who asked me today if she could throw me a baby shower. Like I'd say no.

The Park

Ross and I went to the park today. He was too small to play on most of the slides and things of that sort (and too scared) but he LOVED the swings.

This child is my pride and joy. When I think about my life before I had him it all seems so trite and insignificant.

I can't believe he's almost 15 months old already. He's a really great, laid-back child. It doesn't take much to make him happy, and he is very good about going to bed -- which is a huge blessing.

If circumstances permit, I highly recommend getting yourself one of these.

Secret's Out

If you've seen me lately you may have thought that I've put on some weight. It's TRUE. I have. About 10 lbs. It's not pretty.

Well, several months ago, about six to be exact, Jonathan and I started wondering if our little pride and joy, Ross, needed a little friend. Ehhhh, we thought about it. Jonathan said, "no way. I don't want to have another baby right now." Okay, fine. I nudged him a little. "But, honey, you and Eric are only 18 months apart and you guys were BFFs growing up." Needless to say, it didn't make much nudging. A couple days later he says, "Well, I guess we should have another baby, then."

Then it occured to me that if I didn't get pregnant in the next two weeks that we'd have to wait another year to try again. You see, I am a full-time student, and while I love a challenge, I did not want to juggle school AND a newborn, all the while recovering from major abdominal surgery. I guess we all have our limits.

About two weeks later I discovered that I was pregnant. Hooray! It worked.

I spent the next 5.5 months hiding it from certain people who will be less supportive of my decision to have another child while STILL in school. I know what they'll say; how will I support another child? Having two is more than double the work, how will I juggle school (and part time job) and TWO babies under 2? It's going to be soooooo hard, you don't even know.

Oh, ye of little faith. It takes a villiage to raise a child, don'cha know?

Sooo, we're moving. Again. Back to Rexburg. UGH, I hate it there. But Jonathan has a couple of great sisters and a mother who can watch the babes while I persue my degree (which I can finish more than a year sooner at BYU-I anyway), and while Jonathan also works & possibly goes to night school (and I did mention he'll go for free since his dad is a professor? Oh, well he will). So, you see, it just makes sense.

The worst part will be leaving Ken, since he loves Ross so much. Ross loves him too. While Ken is home it's like Jonathan and I don't even exist.

Anyway, I was able to keep this all secret for about 5.5 months. I made the mistake of telling my sister who almost immediately blabbed it to the entire family. "Whoops, slipped!" Riiight. I was mostly mad because it was becoming a game to me. How long can I keep this going?

The answer; about 5.5 months. There's no hiding it anymore, anyway. I am looking a lot like pregnant these days.

Also, it's (another) BOY! Hooray! This is what we wanted. We're naming him Benjamin. Any ideas for middle names? Please, nothing fruity or weird spelling.

Pay it Forward

So, here's how this game works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Send me an email with your address, to: kabaron@gmail.com

Remember only the first three get a gift....so be quick!

Baby's First

...birthday

Ross turns one today.

Where did the year go?

Unfortunately, I will be in school from noon until 7:30pm. Also, he woke up this morning (around 3) with a cold. At least he doesn't know it's his birthday.

People keep asking me what we're doing to celebrate.

Nothing. We're having cake (again. We had it on Sunday at my grandma's). Birthdays are a big deal, don't get me wrong, and the first one is a milestone, but I'm not dropping hundreds on a party (for me) that he will never remember. Jonathan and I agreed that once he's old enough to ask for a party, he can have one. Sorry for the rant, I am just sick of people saying, "What? You HAVE to have a party!"

It's sad that he's getting bigger so fast, but it's so amazing to watch him grow. I can't believe how much he learns everyday, and I am excited to see what the next year with him will bring.

Happy Birthday, Ross!