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Years down the road,
when Kenneth and Karen Hofer are bragging to their friends about
how they had a New Year’s baby, most will figure they’re
speaking of their daughter.
After all, five-year-old Kailyn came into this world roughly 30
minutes after the final stroke of midnight on Jan. 1 and her new
baby brother Konan wasn’t born until Jan. 9.
However, as strange as it might sound, Kailyn was actually beaten
by a few minutes on her birthday back in 2005, while Konan’s
arrival simply marked the end to a very slow maternal start to
2010.
“She was only the New Year’s ‘girl’,” Kenneth said, remembering
back.
“Someone came in just before us and had the New Year’s baby.” Konan
ensured the Hofers wouldn’t be denied the honour a second time
but he certainly pushed their luck quite a bit by waiting nine
days. The wait is worth it though, as the title of New Year’s
baby brings some extra attention.
Konan was born Jan. 9 at 9:45 p.m. at Chinook Regional Hospital,
weighing seven pounds five ounces and 52 centimetres in length.
Aside from local recognition, Konan received a number of gifts
donated by the town’s Chamber of Commerce.
As for the family, Kenneth said the new addition and his mom are
doing great so far.
“Oh he’s very happy and healthy,” Kenneth said. “Mom is doing
excellent and is back on her feet.”
“Sometimes he’s up a little at night, maybe three or four times,
but that’s okay of course. He gets up to feed and then goes back
to sleep.”
Some families would be bragging about the honour bestowed upon them
but the Hofers are humble in their acceptance. In fact, some
members of the family may have preferred different circumstances
altogether.
“Oh I think (Kailyn) had a bit of time adjusting to it,” laughed
Kenneth of Kailyn’s early reaction to a little brother. “She was
the only baby for five years and now this little guy comes along
and she’s had to adjust.”
Kenneth, on the other hand, was quite happy to have a boy if only
to simply even out the gender numbers in the household. |
