The Miracle of Sound (i.e. Ultrasound)

So the results are in. Most of my children accompanied my wife and I as we gathered around the Ultrasound machine to learn the gender of our new baby. We were very much a house divided. Half wanted it to be a girl, and half wanted it to be a boy. This discussion and debate became so lively that Emily and I became concerned. We didn't want anyone to be disappointed. We both feel strongly that this is our last child (knock on wood). Thankfully, it will likely be a child--whatever the gender--that receives an abundance of love and attention--from my 22-year-old-son who has just returned from a mission to the Ukraine down to my six-year-old daughter who probably envisions the experience much like getting a sophisticated doll for her birthday. Despite the initial attention, we're also aware that after a while the "newness" of the experience has a tendency to wear off. So, in time, we might find ourselves once again facing most of the responsibilities. In any case, it was finally time to find out if we were having a boy or a girl.

The image on an ultrasound, for those who haven't partaken of this unique experience, is keenly similar to our stereotype of an Area-51 alien. Perhaps in the future the image will improve, but with today's technology some unsuspecting mothers might need to be comforted that they're not bringing a Martian into the world. Now, I've been around the block a few times when it comes to interpreting an ultrasound. Having been here 5 times before, I had a little more experience than most parents as far as recognizing a baby's gender. So before the technician made the announcement, I noticed that the apple had a stem (metaphorically speaking). This meant that I was the first to announce, "I think we're looking at a boy."

So, just to confirm, for our final act in the production of Heimerdinger offspring, we will indeed be offering another boy to the world. In a certain way, this is a great blessing. I have a happy tradition of giving all of my children Book of Mormon middle names, and quite frankly we'd plum run out of "girl" Book of Mormon names. I guess we haven't used Abish or Isabel, but . . . well . . . you probably get the picture. I seemed to recall that there might be a Lamanite village somewhere in Ammon's exploits that had an attractive feminine ring to it, otherwise we were drawing a complete blank. Now that we know we're definitely having a boy, we're contemplating the name Hunter Helaman Heimerdinger (initials H.H.H.).

That first name is not a lock. My wife could well decide that she wants to name him something else before the cooking phase is complete. But for now, that's the best we've been able to come up with.

I also have some unhappy news, at least for game fans. The boardgame that I announced a month or two ago will NOT be released this coming Fall. The reasons are complex, but it mostly comes down to money. Sorry folks. My publisher stated that the project might be resurrected next year, but I have a feeling that unless I finance the venture myself, it may not get done. I'll contemplate that when the time is right.

In the meantime, Escape to Zarahemla is progressing nicely. I expect to finish the novel in the next month or two, just in time for a fall release. But I really have no control over a book's release. After I've turned in the manuscript, it's really up to them. But I'm extremely proud of what this story is looking like right now.

Sorry I haven't posted much this year. That's what happens when I'm anxiously engaged in a new novel. Oh, and with any luck I'll repost Chapter 1, along with Chapter 2, very soon.

Don't forget to check out our new online store at http://www.frostcave.com/.

Stay close to the Lord.

(c) Copywrite 2011, Chris Heimerdinger