It took until January 9 for the first baby of the new year to be born to parents who reside in The Citizen readership area. A second arrived less than two hours later, just two doors down, in the same hospital, also a girl, and with a name remarkably similar to the first child.
The closeness of the births, fun coincidences, and generosity of sponsors has allowed The Citizen to bestow, for the first time ever, co-honors for First Baby of the New Year.
Erica and Derrick Kratt of Atlas Township arrived at Crittenton Hospital around 6:30 p.m., Jan. 8, after Erica went into labor about 6:30 a.m. that morning at home. Upon arrival at the hospital, her contractions were less than five minutes apart and she was dilated 5 centimeters. Overnight, she dilated to 10 centimeters and pushed for hours without success. Not long after 6 a.m., Dr. Connor said a Cesarean section was needed, but agreed to give Erica more time.
Meanwhile, Nicole and Matt Truax of Brandon Township arrived at Crittenton for Nicole’s scheduled Cesarean section, planned for 8 a.m. on what was also Matt’s birthday. Nicole recognized Erica’s sister, for whom she styles hair, was in the waiting room, but didn’t think anything of it.
She would soon learn her surgery was to be delayed because another patient needed to be delivered first. That patient, Erica, is a 2006 Brandon High School graduate and her husband, Derrick, a 2004 Brandon High School alumni, actually graduated with Nicole.
‘They told us another girl from Ortonville was in there and I thought that was wild,? said Derrick. ‘Then later, I heard their (baby’s) name, and thought, ‘That’s too much.??
Derrick and Erica Kratt welcomed Rosalie Harper at 8:42 a.m., Jan. 9. She weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 21 inches long.
Two doors down and less than two hours later, at 10:32 a.m., Jan. 9, Matt and Nicole Truax’s daughter, Harper Rose, arrived. She was 10 pounds, 1 ounce and was 20 and 3/4 inches long.
‘I was really shocked, I didn’t think we would win,? said Nicole, who was also surprised by the name similarities. ‘I thought the baby that won would be born before Jan. 9.?
Erica, who gave in to the Cesarean section after more than 24 hours of labor, called the coincidences funny and crazy.
‘We did not have our daughter’s name picked out and didn’t know the other baby’s name til we got home,? she said. ‘We thought of Rosalie a long time ago, but had a list and crossed it off. She didn’t fit any of the other names we picked. Derrick kept calling her ‘rosy cheeks? and it just fit.?
Rosalie Harper Kratt’s grandparents are Cindy Kratt of Fenton, Tim and Katrina Sutton of Ortonville and the late Bill Kratt. Great-grandparents are Janice and Jesse Robinson of Ortonville, Imogene Akers of Lake Orion and Mary Lou Sutton of Pontiac.
Harper Rose Truax is the granddaughter of Christopher and Debra Haney of Ortonville, Randy and Cindy Truax of Goodrich, and the late Beth Truax. Great-grandmothers are Gail Molesworth of Gladwin, Jeanette Truax of Lapeer, and Sharon Grammer of Waterford.
Prizes for the babies and parents were compliments of Bullfrogs Bar and Grill, Jim’s Cracker Barrel, Merry Maids, Randy Wise Ford, TimPaNo Toys, T.L.M. Moon Bodyworks, and Willow Pointe Flowers & Gifts.