Announcement

This is the powerpoint announcement that our church, Maranatha E. Free displayed the Sunday after Kaitlyn was born. Thanks to Jess for the great picture! 

Safe at home with Kaitlyn

Here are some baby pictures for everybody. But first, some details about the labour; Mel was due to be induced (we got worried that she wouldn't go into labour before I left). We actually didn't want to be induced so we prayed about it before we left and we figured we'd see what happened. We got there at 8 am and waited for about an hour before they got to us (it was a busy night with 2 other baby's being born that night). The doctor checked Mel and she was 3 cm's dilated and her cervix was 75% thinned, which was progressed from the day before. After the doctor checked her she started getting some really good contractions and so they just decided to let us see what happened. So we walked for a couple of hours. At about 11 or 12 the doctor came back and said that she was 4 cm dilated and almost fulled thinned. Which was great news. We decided to speed things along with the waters being broken which happened at about 12:30. After that the contractions really picked up and active labour really begun. Kaitlyn Nancy Isabel Kramp was born at 4:10 pm with only 20 mins of pushing. The labour was great and Mel did it without any drugs (good job Mel). She weighed 6lbs 12 1/2 oz. She was 20" long and had a head full of hair. Kaitlyn was very alert that first 12 hours or so and ever since then she's been quite the sleeper.

Everything is going well, she's eating well and sleeping well. She's pooping and peeing and life seems to be a dream for her (literally).

Anyways, here are some pics for you to enjoy.

A few more pics of Kaitlyn's birth day

Our friend Jess brought Marissa to meet her new sister... the frogs are a gift that Marissa picked out for her sister, and of course she needed one too to match! Happy Birthday Jess!

Kristi was one of our visitors; just think Kristi - soon you will be holding your own bundle!

Chris takes his first nap with his new daughter. (Many more to follow! ;-) )

Although Kaitlyn will chew on her fingers, she refuses a nuk and never learns to suck her thumb.

Today is THE Day!

Good morning!

Chris forgot to mention yesterday that I have an appointment at the hospital this morning to be induced. We were really hoping I would go in last night, but things have quieted down for me.

I've been up since 4:30, and trying to walk around a lot to get things started again. (Chris is still sleeping....)

We are planning on leaving for the hospital at 7:15 this morning, and my appointment is at 8. Baby K should hopefully arrive sometime today!!!!

How things are going!!!

Well, Mel is making me do this post because she caught me checking the baseball scores online. Anyway, as my punishment I apparently have to do what she is WAY better at then I am, posting on this blog!!

Anyhow, Mel had her fetal assessment on Monday and the baby got a good score (which I knew it would). She had her Dr.'s appointment today as well and the Dr. told us that she is 2 cm's dilated and the baby's head has engaged the pelvis. Since then we've been timing the contractions that she has been having (I hope that she is in labour but it's still too early to tell).

Well, we'll post again when we know more. Until then,

Peace out

Chris

Another good appointment

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment - and everything is still good (blood pressure, weight, baby's heartbeat). I also had a chiropractic appointment, and it went well too. Everything's in place for a hopefully smooth delivery!

Chris' class ends at 3pm on Sunday, so anytime after that would be ideal for labour to start!!

My next doctor appointment is on Wednesday morning, and I am scheduled to have a fetal assessment on Monday morning (ultrasound).

Yes, it is THE day, but...

Nothing yet. No cramps, no dropping. I'm thinking maybe this will be an Oct baby....

Chris is waiting very patiently though - NOT. ;-)

Pictures: Still Waiting

My due date is on Wednesday, and nothing yet.... (the baby may be dropping though, so my fingers are crossed!)

Marissa is convinced that she is going to the hospital - and she is excited about that, especially since she keeps checking with me that there will be books to read at the hospital. Her favourite story right now is "Franklin goes to the Hospital" - she makes me (or grandma) read it to her twice a day. Tonight I was reading it, and she started saying the words with me; so she practically has the whole thing memorized.

Marissa in her new "princess" jammies that Grandma got her

We downloaded a program called Skype to our computer, so we call Chris at home or on his cell for free. Marissa likes wearing the headset and being able to walk around while talking to him...

A serious talker!!! ;-)

 

Chris' Quick Visit

Chris got home to Bloomington safely tonight after visiting with us this weekend. It was a good visit - Marissa was very happy to see her daddy and cuddled with him a lot!

I had a doctor appt on Friday, and everything is still looking good. We also met with our doula on Saturday and I think we are as ready as we can be - just waiting now.

The plan now is when I go into labour I give Chris a call on the cell and he rushes to the hospital. We were hoping I would go into labour this weekend, but I guess it's not time yet. My due date is the 27th.

Since I have the camera back now (Chris mistakenly took it to Bloomington two weeks ago) I hope to post some pictures soon....

Pictures: Marissa's First Campout!

On August 16, Marissa and her daddy went camping! Chris is going to update this post to describe how it went...

Pictures: Assorted Travelling Pictures

This picture was taken on our way from Thunder Bay to Stonewall. Marissa loves rocks, so this was an impressive find for her. Another funny story that happened that trip was Marissa discovered a way to get us to stop the car when she wants a break. She is becoming quite the actress, and faked having to go to the bathroom - it was very convincing, with moans and groans and everything - until she got out of the car and suddenly didn't have to go anymore!


These two pictures are of Marissa's first french braids. I'm not sure how my mom got her to sit still, but she did a great job.

This picture is on the road to Brandon to help Diana with her move to Brandon. This was the last weekend of Chris' summer break - Sep 2. It is such a blessing that Marissa enjoys travelling!

 

On the move...

Here is the itinerary for the next few days:

8th - Nancy, Marissa and I travel to Hearst, ON (5 hr drive)

9th - Nancy, Marissa and I travel to Thunder Bay, ON (6 hr drive)
Chris travels to Thunder Bay (7 hr drive) (after finishing his last two exams in the morning!)

10th - Chris, Marissa and I travel to Stonewall, MB (9 hr drive)
Nancy starts the drive back home to New Liskeard

11th - I have a doctor's appt in Selkirk

Pictures: Marissa at the park

The day before - Marissa on the "monkey bar"


Marissa showing off some dance moves


Marissa at an elementary school in the town of New Liskeard


Testing out the shaky bridge

Going down the yellow slide (the red one was better though)


Peeking out of the tunnel

We were at the park for about two hours. Half an hour was spent on the swing. Two other girls came to play for a bit, and the older one was trying to play pretend that Marissa was the mommy. Marissa's response - "I'm Marissa!" So the girl repeated that Marissa was to be the mommy. At this point Marissa comes over to tell me that the girl thinks she is a mommy, but she is Marissa! I tried to explain that the girl was just playing, but I don't think Marissa was convinced!

Visit with Jones' Family

From July 24th to 28th, Marissa and I went to Kirkland Lake, ON to visit with Chris' mom and family. Leanna and Danielle picked us up and drove us the 1hr north to Kirkland Lake. Mike and Kristi were there visiting too from Winnipeg, along with other family from southern ON. It was quite a houseful but a really good visit! We spent most of the time at the cottage - about a 20min drive from Kirkland Lake. I admit I did a horrible job taking pictures - I kept forgetting to get out the camera to take pictures - so I don't have many pictures of our visit. Marissa especially enjoyed Great Grandpa Jones's homemade french fries, and playing with Kiara. It was Grandma Jones' birthday on the 27th - I was trying to keep Marissa from "tasting" the birthday cake with bright red icing, so I didn't get any pictures of that either!

Auntie Kristi and Marissa swimming in the lake

Grandma Jones and Marissa colouring

Auntie Kristi, Uncle Mike and Marissa visiting Great Grandma Reid in Englehart, On

Marissa and Great Grandma Reid

 

Pictures: Stevelee Party

On July 22nd, there was a joint birthday party for Steve Kramp (turning 45) and Lee Kramp (turning 40) - called a Stevelee. So a bunch of Kramps gathered at Kelly and Nancy's house for a potluck, cake, and a good time! Here are some pictures of the event - I wasn't able to get pictures of everyone who attended, but at least I got a picture of Steve and Lee!

Lee and Steve about to blow out the candles