Hey, everyone, I wanted to make sure that as many people got the news as fast as possible, so I'm posting this.

Tzipora and myself are very proud to announce the birth of our Son, Benjamin Alexander Friedman-Hibbs, on Saturday, October 4th, 2003, 12:55 PM.

Benjamin weighed 7 pounds, 11 oz, with a length of 20", and a head circumference of 13". He scored 9/9 on his Apgar ("perfect", basically -- no one has ever scored 10s), and is absolutely healthy, strong, and beautiful.

Tzipora went through 37 hours of labor, and came through it amazingly well -- I've seen professional athletes who had less stamina and energy. She's a real super woman, and I can not express how proud I am of her astonishing performance.

Benjamin came 20 days early, leaving me a bit reeling of how much I still have to do before he comes home on Monday, but he's 100% healthy and fit and strong!

Mother and baby are doing swimmingly; Daddy is still a bit flat-footed, and has the annoying tendency to break down into crying jags of happiness at the slightest provocation.

Thanks for everyone's best wishes over the last months -- it has paid off immensely, and we're in awe of the good wishes that have been sent.

I'll probably be largely incommunicado for the next few weeks as we learn how to be parents. Thanks for your patience in advance.

Again, please join us in welcoming what is undoubtedly the cutest baby in the whole wide world to the planet Earth!