AKACHAN ga DEKIMASHITA!!!!

Well, we all knew this day was coming, but even Scott and Kotomi didn't think it would be this soon...

Daylight is starting to fade on 2005, and I know there are at least a few Pikes who could use a break from all the bad news this year. First our beloved Grandma Eileen passed away, then sadly, her sister, our Auntie Nora, followed just a few months later. Both women were treasured and irreplaceable, and even though I am this far away, my life feels emptier for the loss.

So, it is for this reason (and the fact that Pikes seem to be notoriously TERRIBLE at keeping secrets) that Kotomi and I are very please to bring you the following announcement:
Kotomi is pregnant!! hahaha!! I am gonna be a Papa!!! Kotomi is gonna be a Mama! And NO! this isn't some kinda cutesy blog entry heralding the purchase of a new BUG. This is the real deal here, folks.

Kotomi is 12 weeks along, and for the most part, it has been 12 LONG weeks. Morning Sickness hit my wife like a big sack of rice, but thanks to some extra effort on both our parts, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For the first time in about 6 weeks, both Husband AND Wife were able to enjoy a nice dinner out last night.

Baby seems to be getting along ok. Bi-weekly check-ups are uneventful (a good thing), and if the sailing is smooth right through till the end, we will have a birthday to celebrate on May 21st of next year.

So, please sit back and enjoy the forthcoming entries to this blog devoted to EVERYTHING BABY. If there are any of you out there with some sound advice, I welcome it all!

Lastly, news this big can't help but alter existing plans in the Simple Life of S and K. The NON-Baby Homecoming plan had us returning to Canada in the Spring of next year. Now that it will soon be the three of us, the best forecast I can give is that we will move to Aomori in April, wait for Pike Jr., then as soon as Mom and Baby are healthy enough, we make our way over. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, so I will hesitate to give specific time frames. For now, lets just join Scott and Kotomi in giddy anticipation of the day when you will all be new (Great) Grandpas and Grandmas and Aunts and Uncles!

Love,


Scott and Kotomi and Baby.