This neighborhood is expecting: Seven neighbors will welcome new babies within the next seven months

They’re all neighbors. They’ve known each other for years. Their backyards in south Hastings are all connected. And by the end of this winter, they’ll all have new babies.

Nikki Krauth is one of the seven mothers and mothers-to-be expecting a new addition to the family. They talk frequently – most of the women’s husbands have been good friends since they were in high school here in Hastings – and it didn’t take long to realize the uncommon situation they were in.

“It all just kind of started coming together,” she said.

One couple, Amanda and Brandon Cavness, welcomed their second son, Alex, about four weeks ago. Erica and Darren Kunert are expecting their firstborn, a boy, any day. Krauth and her husband, Mike, are expecting their second child in mid-October (they decided to not find out ahead of time whether it will be a boy or a girl). Amber and Dustin Strong are expecting a baby girl, their first, in late October. Jackie and Scott Bauer are waiting for their third child, a boy, in December. Sam and Joe Perreault will have their second child in December also. Lynette and Dean Peterson will welcome their third child in February.

The mothers are enjoying the fact that they’re all pregnant at the same time.

“It’s fun,” Krauth said. “We all talk about the same things.”

“We are all great neighbors and hang out together,” she said. “The kids we all already have all play together daily. We share advice, stories, and help each other out.”  

When Erica Kunert realized how many of her neighbors were pregnant at the same time as her, she got excited for her baby’s childhood.

“I was excited knowing that my baby would have a lot of little friends to grow up with,” she said.

As a first-time mother, her neighbors have been a great resource. Had she not had them around, she said she would have been much more nervous than she is.

“It’s been really nice, I’ve been asking them a lot of questions,” she said.

Krauth said she’s excited for next summer. The families are already close, but the newborns will only bring them closer together.

“It’s just going to get crazier,” Krauth said.

Since their backyards are adjoined, they already know the kids will have plenty of space to play. Krauth said her backyard has already been designated for baseball, since it’s the most open.

For her, the close association just means the children will be able to develop close friendships.

“These kids are going to grow up knowing each other,” she said.

It’ll be a continuation of the friendship their parents already have, she added.

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