Introducing . . .

Baby Girl Hitchcock!!

We had our 20 week ultrasound today, and it's a girl! She looks very healthy and is growing well. We're excited and truly thankful. Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment. (Isn't it amazing what they can do?)

Announcing . . .

Dr. Nathan Hitchcock!

Yes, Nathan successfully defended his dissertation this morning in Edinburgh Scotland. He received a 1A, which is the highest possible pass (pass with no revisions). The defense only lasted 75 minutes and his examiners were very complimentary. Both of them have encouraged him to get his dissertation published as soon as possible and have offered their help in opening publishing doors. Very exciting!!

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement over the last three years. I always say that the only time you want to hear someone say that you've got something terminal is when you're awarded your terminal degree! The next person to go to school in the Hitchcock family will be Lazarus!

Halloween

A Sampling of Z

On Pregnancy:
Z: Mommy, there's a baby in my tummy! It's getting bigger and bigger.
Me: Oh, is it going to be Tubin's brother? (Tubin is a stuffed dinosaur who recently has been serving as Z's "baby")
Z: No! He'll be my brother!

On the resurrection:
Z and I are in the car, I'm listening to the song Death in his Grave
Z: That guy said "Jesus"!
Me: Yep, that's right. It's a song about how Jesus came alive again.
Z: Yeah, after the bad guys killed Jesus his Daddy made him alive again because he loves him.
Me: Exactly!
Z: Yeah, he just reached down and grabbed Jesus out of there and made him alive again.

On the return of Christ:
Z, singing in his bed during naptime:
"Jesus is coming back
After my nap
Because he loves us,
Jesus is coming back."

It seems pretty clear we're cultivating a little doctor of theology rather than a doctor of medicine. :-)

Happy Birthday, Yaya!

Apple Picking

Today we went apple picking at a local orchard. The day was beautiful -- blue sky, warm weather, and amazing apples! Z had a great time filling his own little bag with apples, and afterwards he had a ride on a little train. I wasn't sure if he'd still want to go when he realized he'd have to go by himself, and apparently he did have second thoughts before he resolved to go ahead, because the first thing he said after the ride was over was, "I was so brave, Mommy!" Yes you were! (It appears we've also discovered where St. Nick works during the off season.)

A Little Lime

According to Babycenter.com, a 12 week old, in-utero baby is the size of a lime. So, that's how big our new little one is. Yes, we are having another baby! The due date is April 1. The first month after we found out I was pregnant was quite difficult, and we had lots of complications, but things seem to be all right now. We had our 12 week appointment this week and heard the heartbeat, so it seems everything is looking good and we're excited to be starting the second trimester. I've had some morning sickness (all day sickness, really), but it seems to be easing up now, which I'm thankful for. We told Z the news last night, but I'm not sure he totally understands what it all means. He will soon enough!